Aboard a U.S. Navy MH-53E "Sea Dragon" helicopter Somewhere over the Sea of Japan The ride was bumpy, the noise was horrendous, but the smell was the worst. Nick had been heaving into a sickness bag for the past hour. Unfortunately, in the jittering chopper, which was buffeted about by winds coming off the ocean, he was missing the bag more than he was hitting it. The mess was beginning to nauseate everyone else riding the helicopter. Brian lifted his eyes from the book he was reading and exchanged an amused glance with Yoshi. The Japanese cameraman sat opposite Brian in the metal hammocks that passed for chairs in the military helicopter. His cameras, packed in steel cases, were strapped in next to him. Sitting beside Brian, across from Yoshi, was Dr. Nobeyama's assistant, Lieutenant Emiko Takado. She wore the dress uniform of the Japanese Self-Defense Force, and the three men couldn't help but notice that she wore the uniform very well.
