July 13, 1943
Location: Okayama
Course: Disbanded in port
Attached to: None
Mission: None
System Damage: 13
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 475
Orders: Proceed to Okayama for refit
---
It is difficult to form lasting relationships in wartime. The long absences and heartbreaking separations are hard on couples, and often the strain is too great. Those involved go their different ways, often never to see one another again.
One such scene plays out on the pier beside Hibiki.
“We had some good times,” says Lieutenant JG Kuwaki sadly.
“Remember them, lad,” says Sakati. “Don’t dwell on how things ended.” The Chief Engineer has never been married, but he knows what Kuwaki is going through.
Next to the two men Hibiki’s “X” turret sits disconsolately on the pier. Its guns have been removed and are crated nearby. Soon the guns and turret will be loaded onto a rail car and hauled away.
“What do you think will happen to it?” Kuwaki asks.
“Hard to say,” says Sakati. “They are building quite a few new destroyers, perhaps one of them will get the turret. Or maybe it will be used in some shore installation.”
“It belongs on a warship,” says Kuwaki loyally. “Remember that action off Wake? This turret put three shells into a seaplane tender. It would be wasted on shore.”
“Of course,” says Sakati. “Come on, let’s go get a drink. I think you could use one.”
“At least one,” says Kuwaki. He takes one last look at the turret and then turns and walks up the pier with Sakati. He doesn’t look back.
---
Riku has changed a great deal over the past year. He no longer thinks of people in one of two ways, as authorities to be gotten around or sheep to be fleeced. Still, the only two people he completely trusts are Shiro and Taiki.
He hears the stories about Nanami’s visit and it never occurs to him to be jealous. He is, however, eaten with envy. Taiki got to greet her and speak with her and he got to hide in the chain locker. He knows that this preserved his oath, but he still broods about it for hours.
Both men are finally off duty that evening. Taiki finds Riku and the two men leave the ship together without speaking. They walk down the pier to a nearby restaurant. There, seated on the floor across the low table from one another, they finally talk.
“Tell me everything, Taiki, please,” Riku finally says. His voice is pleading. Taiki knows Riku cannot say her name or talk about her too directly, so he sets out to answer every question he thinks his friend might have. He describes how she looked, what she was wearing, what she said.
“She was looking for you,” Taiki says. “She even asked about you. About you and Shiro both, really, but it was you she wanted to know about.”
“How do you know that?” asks Riku. He wants to believe it, but he has to know it is true.
“I know,” says Taiki. “I have not told you before, but I think it is time. I had a letter from her. It was mostly about you.”
“You didn’t tell me?” Riku bursts out. Taiki frowns.
“If you think being a go-between like this is easy, it is not!” he says. Riku looks down. Taiki sighs. “Look,” he continues, “I am sorry. I am trying to balance what is best for you and for her and still be straight with Shun. It is like walking a rope over a pit full of bears.”
“No, I apologize to you,” Riku says, still looking down. He takes a drink of sake and draws little circles with his finger on the table top. “This is not even your business, and you have done things for me my own brothers would not do.” He smiles wryly and looks up. “If I ever do have those three sons the first will be named after you.” Taiki makes a scoffing noise, but he is pleased.
“They are going to be around for another week,” he says. “It is not going to be an easy time for you.” Riku sighs.
“I know,” he says. “It eats at my guts that she is so close and I cannot see her.” He pauses. “Most of the crew has the two of you as good as married,” he says, trying to sound offhand. Taiki shakes his head violently.
“Not under any circumstances,” he says. “I can see why you feel about her as you do, but…no. She is not the one for me. I suspect, in fact, that we will spend a lot of time together talking about you.” He smiles. “That is going to become rather boring.” Riku laughs.
“Feel free to tell her over and over again what a fine fellow I am,” he says.
“I will,” Taiki says. Riku lifts his cup.
“To romance,” he says. Taiki lifts his cup in turn.
“It is less painful than being eaten by sharks,” he says.
“But only a little,” says Riku, and the two men drink.
Small Ship, Big War - The Voyages of the Hibiki
Moderators: wdolson, Don Bowen, mogami
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Cuttlefish
- Posts: 2454
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- Location: Oregon, USA
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Onime No Kyo
- Posts: 16846
- Joined: Wed Apr 28, 2004 5:55 am
RE: Small Ship, Big War
Hahaha.....I didnt know "Small ship...." was a heartbreaking love story about a boy and his gun turret. [:D]
"Mighty is the Thread! Great are its works and insane are its inhabitants!" -Brother Mynok
RE: Small Ship, Big War
" “To romance,” he says. Taiki lifts his cup in turn.
“It is less painful than being eaten by sharks,” he says.
“But only a little,” says Riku, and the two men drink."
[&o][&o][&o][&o][&o][&o][&o][&o][&o][&o][&o][&o]
[:D][:D][:D][:D][:D][:D][:D][:D][:D][:D][:D][:D][:D][:D][:D][:D][:D][:D][:D][:D][:D]
I LOVE THIS SHIT!!!
“It is less painful than being eaten by sharks,” he says.
“But only a little,” says Riku, and the two men drink."
[&o][&o][&o][&o][&o][&o][&o][&o][&o][&o][&o][&o]
[:D][:D][:D][:D][:D][:D][:D][:D][:D][:D][:D][:D][:D][:D][:D][:D][:D][:D][:D][:D][:D]
I LOVE THIS SHIT!!!
RE: Small Ship, Big War
Damned impressive work.
Todd
I never thought that doing an AAR would be so time consuming and difficult.
www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=2080768
I never thought that doing an AAR would be so time consuming and difficult.
www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=2080768
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Cuttlefish
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- Joined: Wed Jan 24, 2007 5:03 am
- Location: Oregon, USA
RE: Small Ship, Big War
July 14, 1943
Location: Okayama
Course: Disbanded in port
Attached to: None
Mission: None
System Damage: 12
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 475
Orders: Proceed to Okayama for refit
---
Sailors Oizuma and Yoshitake trudge down the pier away from Hibiki. They have spent the morning helping get new parts for the construction aboard ship and both men are hungry. It is pleasant to have the option to leave the ship for a short while, and both men are taking advantage of it.
Once they reach the street they look around. Oizuma quickly sees what they are looking for. A wooden cart is perched by the sidewalk down near the next berth, where destroyer Akebono is undergoing some work. A few men are clustered around the cart, though by the time Oizuma and Yoshitake get there they have all dispersed.
A pleasant smell of food comes from the cart. Standing next to it is a woman, not young. The cart has several covered compartments, and on one of them the lid is up. The woman is rummaging inside it, and the men can hear the scrape of a wooden spoon against crockery. As the two walk up she straightens and smiles at them.
“Hello, gentlemen,” she says. “May I help you?”
“Lunch?” says Yoshitake, indicating several empty pottery crocks sitting on the cart. The woman smiles.
“Of course,” she says. She reaches inside her cart and pulls out two full crocks, still nice and warm. These are bento lunches, packed with rice, vegetables, and some chicken. She hands one to each man. As they pay her she points to Hibiki, clearly visible beyond an intervening warehouse.
“You are from Hibiki?” she asks.
“Yes,” says Oizuma. Yoshitake begins to forage hungrily in his lunch with the provided chopsticks.
“My youngest son served aboard Umikaze,” the woman says. Yoshitake looks up.
“Hey, we rescued some people from Umikaze once,” he says. The woman nods.
“I had a letter about that from my son’s friend,” she says. “He mentioned your ship.”
“They were with Admiral Goto at Timor,” says Oizuma. “They really saved us that day. Their actions were very brave.” The woman beams with pride. Still, there are shadows around her eyes.
“Your son, is he alive, Mrs.…?” he asks.
“Yoshino,” says the woman. “No, he gave his life that day.”
“It is an honor for you,” says Oizuma. It is the proper thing to say. Mothers, sisters, wives, and daughters are not supposed to feel grief for the men they lose. Rather they are supposed to be pleased that those they loved gave their lives for such a noble cause.
“Yes,” says Mrs. Yoshino. “An honor indeed.” Her face is quiet. Oizuma suddenly pictures somebody having this conversation with his mother. He knows that she would present the same face to others that this woman is, but he also knows what inner pain that face would mask.
Oizuma eats his lunch. It is very good. He wishes he could say something to comfort this woman, so much like his own mother, but it cannot be done. Beside him Yoshitake, though not always the most thoughtful of men, also eats in silence.
The men finish eating and set the empty crocks back on the cart. They thank Mrs. Yoshino and compliment her on the quality of her bento, then head back to the ship. They walk in silence for a ways, surrounded by the hurry and bustle of the Okayama waterfront.
“I think I’ll buy something nice for my mother to give her when I go on leave,” says Oizuma at last. Yoshitake nods.
“I was thinking the same thing,” he says.
Location: Okayama
Course: Disbanded in port
Attached to: None
Mission: None
System Damage: 12
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 475
Orders: Proceed to Okayama for refit
---
Sailors Oizuma and Yoshitake trudge down the pier away from Hibiki. They have spent the morning helping get new parts for the construction aboard ship and both men are hungry. It is pleasant to have the option to leave the ship for a short while, and both men are taking advantage of it.
Once they reach the street they look around. Oizuma quickly sees what they are looking for. A wooden cart is perched by the sidewalk down near the next berth, where destroyer Akebono is undergoing some work. A few men are clustered around the cart, though by the time Oizuma and Yoshitake get there they have all dispersed.
A pleasant smell of food comes from the cart. Standing next to it is a woman, not young. The cart has several covered compartments, and on one of them the lid is up. The woman is rummaging inside it, and the men can hear the scrape of a wooden spoon against crockery. As the two walk up she straightens and smiles at them.
“Hello, gentlemen,” she says. “May I help you?”
“Lunch?” says Yoshitake, indicating several empty pottery crocks sitting on the cart. The woman smiles.
“Of course,” she says. She reaches inside her cart and pulls out two full crocks, still nice and warm. These are bento lunches, packed with rice, vegetables, and some chicken. She hands one to each man. As they pay her she points to Hibiki, clearly visible beyond an intervening warehouse.
“You are from Hibiki?” she asks.
“Yes,” says Oizuma. Yoshitake begins to forage hungrily in his lunch with the provided chopsticks.
“My youngest son served aboard Umikaze,” the woman says. Yoshitake looks up.
“Hey, we rescued some people from Umikaze once,” he says. The woman nods.
“I had a letter about that from my son’s friend,” she says. “He mentioned your ship.”
“They were with Admiral Goto at Timor,” says Oizuma. “They really saved us that day. Their actions were very brave.” The woman beams with pride. Still, there are shadows around her eyes.
“Your son, is he alive, Mrs.…?” he asks.
“Yoshino,” says the woman. “No, he gave his life that day.”
“It is an honor for you,” says Oizuma. It is the proper thing to say. Mothers, sisters, wives, and daughters are not supposed to feel grief for the men they lose. Rather they are supposed to be pleased that those they loved gave their lives for such a noble cause.
“Yes,” says Mrs. Yoshino. “An honor indeed.” Her face is quiet. Oizuma suddenly pictures somebody having this conversation with his mother. He knows that she would present the same face to others that this woman is, but he also knows what inner pain that face would mask.
Oizuma eats his lunch. It is very good. He wishes he could say something to comfort this woman, so much like his own mother, but it cannot be done. Beside him Yoshitake, though not always the most thoughtful of men, also eats in silence.
The men finish eating and set the empty crocks back on the cart. They thank Mrs. Yoshino and compliment her on the quality of her bento, then head back to the ship. They walk in silence for a ways, surrounded by the hurry and bustle of the Okayama waterfront.
“I think I’ll buy something nice for my mother to give her when I go on leave,” says Oizuma at last. Yoshitake nods.
“I was thinking the same thing,” he says.
RE: Small Ship, Big War
This tale could make a good comic-book or graphic novel serial. But was I to go that route, I'd want a Japanese co-author to be involved to make sure that the cultural themes aren't colloquially American. This is not a criticism of the work, only a consideration for Cuttlefish's plans for remarketing the tale (if he has any such plans).
Keep up the good work!
Keep up the good work!
Show me a fellow who rejects statistical analysis a priori and I'll show you a fellow who has no knowledge of statistics.
Didn't we have this conversation already?
Didn't we have this conversation already?
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Cuttlefish
- Posts: 2454
- Joined: Wed Jan 24, 2007 5:03 am
- Location: Oregon, USA
RE: Small Ship, Big War
ORIGINAL: mdiehl
This tale could make a good comic-book or graphic novel serial. But was I to go that route, I'd want a Japanese co-author to be involved to make sure that the cultural themes aren't colloquially American. This is not a criticism of the work, only a consideration for Cuttlefish's plans for remarketing the tale (if he has any such plans).
Keep up the good work!
That's an interesting idea for a format, and I think the idea of enlisting Japanese help is a good one. If I were ever to try and do more with this story I would probably do something like that. It would also probably require several months of research in Japan. That doesn’t sound like a bad gig, come to think of it.
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Cuttlefish
- Posts: 2454
- Joined: Wed Jan 24, 2007 5:03 am
- Location: Oregon, USA
RE: Small Ship, Big War
July 15, 1943
Location: Okayama
Course: Disbanded in port
Attached to: None
Mission: None
System Damage: 10
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 475
Orders: Proceed to Okayama for refit
---
From an article on page 5 of the morning edition of the newspaper Mainici Shimbun:
[font="Times New Roman"]Ministry for Foreign Affairs officials today announced that preparations for granting independence to Burma continue to move forward. Japanese occupation forces, which have been steadfast in aiding the Burmese to remove their British oppressors, have been withdrawn from northern Burma. This area is now under the control of the Burma Defense Army headed by local leader Aung San.
As part of this move elements of the Burma Area Army under the command of Masakazu Kawabe have relocated from Myitkyina to Mandalay. This includes the famed Imperial Guards Division and the 18th Division, among other units.
“We have shown by this move that we take seriously our commitment to our partners in the Co-Prosperity Sphere,” said one official…[/font]
---
“Oh no!” says Nanami. She laughs in delight, covering her mouth with one hand. “And did he believe the fortune teller?”
“Yes he did,” says Taiki. “Every word. He needed to believe it, you see.” The two of them are walking through the Koraku-en garden. They have paused by a bridge lined with irises and are looking down at the tranquil stream it spans.
“Ah, my poor sailor,” she says. “He has been through so much because of me.”
“It has been hard on him,” acknowledges Taiki. “But it has been good for him, too.” He glances up at the bright summer sun. “If we are to meet your father on time we should move along.” They are to meet her father at the Enyo-tei house near the center of the garden; Chief Shun will then take her to dinner. Nanami nods and the two of them head down the path in the proper direction.
“Is my father so difficult, then?” she asks. Taiki glances at her, but she is looking down as they walk.
“I respect your father a great deal,” says Taiki. “He demands much, but he is always fair. If you will forgive me for saying so, it is only where you are concerned that he makes me nervous.” Nanami says nothing for a moment. “If I have offended you I sincerely apologize,” he says. She shakes her head.
“No, I understand,” she says. “It would only make things worse if I were to speak to him, wouldn’t it?”
“Very likely,” says Taiki.
---
Lieutenant Umeda of the Tokeitai sits in his office in Tokyo reviewing a stack of reports. He has been at it for hours and is feeling weary. Though he has been back in Japan for several months he still tires more easily than he used to. But the reports have to be gone through. Though most informants give little information of real value each one has to be read and if necessary investigated.
Suddenly he sees a casual mention in one report that banishes all his fatigue. He sits bolt upright in his chair, staring at the paper. Hibiki is back in Japan! The destroyer is docked in Okayama for refit.
Hibiki, the cause of all his troubles. The ship that is the reason he is sitting at a desk reviewing meaningless reports, his health broken, instead of receiving the promotion he deserves. The ship and her fiendish captain, Ishii, along with his tame ape of a petty officer.
Umeda leans back, deep in thought. He might just have to pay a visit to Okayama.
Location: Okayama
Course: Disbanded in port
Attached to: None
Mission: None
System Damage: 10
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 475
Orders: Proceed to Okayama for refit
---
From an article on page 5 of the morning edition of the newspaper Mainici Shimbun:
[font="Times New Roman"]Ministry for Foreign Affairs officials today announced that preparations for granting independence to Burma continue to move forward. Japanese occupation forces, which have been steadfast in aiding the Burmese to remove their British oppressors, have been withdrawn from northern Burma. This area is now under the control of the Burma Defense Army headed by local leader Aung San.
As part of this move elements of the Burma Area Army under the command of Masakazu Kawabe have relocated from Myitkyina to Mandalay. This includes the famed Imperial Guards Division and the 18th Division, among other units.
“We have shown by this move that we take seriously our commitment to our partners in the Co-Prosperity Sphere,” said one official…[/font]
---
“Oh no!” says Nanami. She laughs in delight, covering her mouth with one hand. “And did he believe the fortune teller?”
“Yes he did,” says Taiki. “Every word. He needed to believe it, you see.” The two of them are walking through the Koraku-en garden. They have paused by a bridge lined with irises and are looking down at the tranquil stream it spans.
“Ah, my poor sailor,” she says. “He has been through so much because of me.”
“It has been hard on him,” acknowledges Taiki. “But it has been good for him, too.” He glances up at the bright summer sun. “If we are to meet your father on time we should move along.” They are to meet her father at the Enyo-tei house near the center of the garden; Chief Shun will then take her to dinner. Nanami nods and the two of them head down the path in the proper direction.
“Is my father so difficult, then?” she asks. Taiki glances at her, but she is looking down as they walk.
“I respect your father a great deal,” says Taiki. “He demands much, but he is always fair. If you will forgive me for saying so, it is only where you are concerned that he makes me nervous.” Nanami says nothing for a moment. “If I have offended you I sincerely apologize,” he says. She shakes her head.
“No, I understand,” she says. “It would only make things worse if I were to speak to him, wouldn’t it?”
“Very likely,” says Taiki.
---
Lieutenant Umeda of the Tokeitai sits in his office in Tokyo reviewing a stack of reports. He has been at it for hours and is feeling weary. Though he has been back in Japan for several months he still tires more easily than he used to. But the reports have to be gone through. Though most informants give little information of real value each one has to be read and if necessary investigated.
Suddenly he sees a casual mention in one report that banishes all his fatigue. He sits bolt upright in his chair, staring at the paper. Hibiki is back in Japan! The destroyer is docked in Okayama for refit.
Hibiki, the cause of all his troubles. The ship that is the reason he is sitting at a desk reviewing meaningless reports, his health broken, instead of receiving the promotion he deserves. The ship and her fiendish captain, Ishii, along with his tame ape of a petty officer.
Umeda leans back, deep in thought. He might just have to pay a visit to Okayama.
RE: Small Ship, Big War
This time, Umeda will be ready for both Ishii and the "tamed ape", Shun. However, Umeda has yet to reckon with the fact that both will be oceans and oceans and islands and islands ahead of his best planning regarding their demise.
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Capt. Harlock
- Posts: 5379
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- Location: Los Angeles
- Contact:
RE: Small Ship, Big War
Cuttlefish, you have outdone yourself with this three-way update. [&o][&o]I'm assuming that the relocation of Japanese forces to Mandalay was done with the loud encouragement of British and Indian troops?[;)]
Civil war? What does that mean? Is there any foreign war? Isn't every war fought between men, between brothers?
--Victor Hugo
--Victor Hugo
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Cuttlefish
- Posts: 2454
- Joined: Wed Jan 24, 2007 5:03 am
- Location: Oregon, USA
RE: Small Ship, Big War
July 16, 1943
Location: Okayama
Course: Disbanded in port
Attached to: None
Mission: None
System Damage: 10
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 475
Orders: Proceed to Okayama for refit
---
Lieutenant Umeda works all day to clear his regular paperwork. When evening comes he does not go home. Instead he fortifies himself with a quick dinner and begins a long night of going through the Tokeitai’s files, at least all those for which he has clearance.
He is seeking a pretext to go to Okayama. His superiors, unfortunately, are perhaps canny enough to be aware of his grudge against Hibiki. He needs a reason, something plausible enough to allow him to make the trip without arousing suspicion.
His first and most obvious thought is the investigation that got him into trouble in the first place. But the trail of Morito Miharu has gone cold. He has not been seen in months, and may not even be alive. It is thought he was wounded when the ring of conspirators plotting to release Sorge was arrested, and since then he has disappeared.
He next searches the files for something on Lieutenant Commander Ishii. Unfortunately Hibiki’s captain has an excellent war record. He is far too outspoken, but the man must have friends. Certainly his bluntness has not drawn upon him the censure it should. Umeda considers criticism of the Imperial Navy to be little short of treason.
He looks through the files of the other officers, but there is nothing there. The chief engineer is a notorious drinker, but this doesn’t seem to affect his performance. There is nothing significant on the gunnery and torpedo officers. He does not bother to look at the files on junior or noncommissioned officers; they are not worthy of his attention.
The night grows late. Umeda is tired and discouraged. His eyes ache. Just before he is about to give up, though, he finds a single line in a file that seems to have nothing to do with Hibiki. This sends him scurrying to another file, and as he reads this one his eyes light up. His fatigue is forgotten. He locks up the office and leaves, heading home with a determined step. He must get what sleep he can. There is much more digging to do but this looks promising, most promising.
The file remains sitting on his desk. Lying there in the dark it does not much resemble a ticking bomb. But between its bland bureaucratic covers are rumors and stories, unsubstantiated as yet, about the commander of one of the Imperial Navy’s submarines. His name is Ito.
Location: Okayama
Course: Disbanded in port
Attached to: None
Mission: None
System Damage: 10
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 475
Orders: Proceed to Okayama for refit
---
Lieutenant Umeda works all day to clear his regular paperwork. When evening comes he does not go home. Instead he fortifies himself with a quick dinner and begins a long night of going through the Tokeitai’s files, at least all those for which he has clearance.
He is seeking a pretext to go to Okayama. His superiors, unfortunately, are perhaps canny enough to be aware of his grudge against Hibiki. He needs a reason, something plausible enough to allow him to make the trip without arousing suspicion.
His first and most obvious thought is the investigation that got him into trouble in the first place. But the trail of Morito Miharu has gone cold. He has not been seen in months, and may not even be alive. It is thought he was wounded when the ring of conspirators plotting to release Sorge was arrested, and since then he has disappeared.
He next searches the files for something on Lieutenant Commander Ishii. Unfortunately Hibiki’s captain has an excellent war record. He is far too outspoken, but the man must have friends. Certainly his bluntness has not drawn upon him the censure it should. Umeda considers criticism of the Imperial Navy to be little short of treason.
He looks through the files of the other officers, but there is nothing there. The chief engineer is a notorious drinker, but this doesn’t seem to affect his performance. There is nothing significant on the gunnery and torpedo officers. He does not bother to look at the files on junior or noncommissioned officers; they are not worthy of his attention.
The night grows late. Umeda is tired and discouraged. His eyes ache. Just before he is about to give up, though, he finds a single line in a file that seems to have nothing to do with Hibiki. This sends him scurrying to another file, and as he reads this one his eyes light up. His fatigue is forgotten. He locks up the office and leaves, heading home with a determined step. He must get what sleep he can. There is much more digging to do but this looks promising, most promising.
The file remains sitting on his desk. Lying there in the dark it does not much resemble a ticking bomb. But between its bland bureaucratic covers are rumors and stories, unsubstantiated as yet, about the commander of one of the Imperial Navy’s submarines. His name is Ito.
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Cuttlefish
- Posts: 2454
- Joined: Wed Jan 24, 2007 5:03 am
- Location: Oregon, USA
RE: Small Ship, Big War
ORIGINAL: Capt. Harlock
Cuttlefish, you have outdone yourself with this three-way update. [&o][&o]I'm assuming that the relocation of Japanese forces to Mandalay was done with the loud encouragement of British and Indian troops?[;)]
Let's just say that the newspaper left out a few important details. The Japanese Board of Tourism is now recommending Myitkyina only for those travelers with an excellent command of English.
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FeurerKrieg
- Posts: 3400
- Joined: Wed Jun 15, 2005 8:43 pm
- Location: Denver, CO
RE: Small Ship, Big War
The file remains sitting on his desk. Lying there in the dark it does not much resemble a ticking bomb. But between its bland bureaucratic covers are rumors and stories, unsubstantiated as yet, about the commander of one of the Imperial Navy’s submarines. His name is Ito.
YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
[&o]
RE: Small Ship, Big War
OMG. I must have missed Ito! Who is he?
I did not find him in the dramatis personae.
I did not find him in the dramatis personae.
Appear at places to which he must hasten; move swiftly where he does not expect you.
Sun Tzu
Sun Tzu
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AU Tiger_MatrixForum
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- Location: Deepest Dixie
RE: Small Ship, Big War
In a former life I believe he was a judge.
"Never take counsel of your fears."
Tho. Jackson
Tho. Jackson
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Cuttlefish
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- Location: Oregon, USA
RE: Small Ship, Big War
Ito last appeared in the narrative back on page 16, I think. He was Riku's primary contact back in his smuggling days.
He is also not my creation. Captain Ito appears extensively in Cap Mandrake's two great AAR's, "Fear and Loathing in the Pacific" and the current "From here to...well...it SEEMS like an eternity." It is accurate but not nearly complete to say he is a smuggler who works both sides of the war.
He is also not my creation. Captain Ito appears extensively in Cap Mandrake's two great AAR's, "Fear and Loathing in the Pacific" and the current "From here to...well...it SEEMS like an eternity." It is accurate but not nearly complete to say he is a smuggler who works both sides of the war.
RE: Small Ship, Big War
OK. M&M enterprises. I remember now[;)]
Appear at places to which he must hasten; move swiftly where he does not expect you.
Sun Tzu
Sun Tzu
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Onime No Kyo
- Posts: 16846
- Joined: Wed Apr 28, 2004 5:55 am
RE: Small Ship, Big War
You know, if Shun ever finds out about that karma wont be the only thing that bites Riku in the butt. [X(]
"Mighty is the Thread! Great are its works and insane are its inhabitants!" -Brother Mynok
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DuckofTindalos
- Posts: 39781
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- Location: Denmark
RE: Small Ship, Big War
You think he'll stop at biting?
We are all dreams of the Giant Space Butterfly.
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Cuttlefish
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RE: Small Ship, Big War
July 17, 1943
Location: Okayama
Course: Disbanded in port
Attached to: None
Mission: None
System Damage: 9
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 475
Orders: Proceed to Okayama for refit
---
Taiki trudges through the streets of Okayama, heading back to the docks. He could take a taxi, but he is returning from another outing with Nanami and feels the need to take some time and clear his head. He finds these outings somewhat stressful.
To be sure, it is a pleasure to be in the company of an intelligent and lovely young woman. He likes Nanami a great deal. They tend, however, to spend a great deal of time discussing Riku. Taiki can’t help thinking that it would be pleasant to be with a young woman who was more interested in discussing him. Not only that, he knows that Riku can’t help feeling envious of these outings. It is in some ways a rather frustrating situation.
Besides, it feels good to walk after months at sea. He enjoys the sights, sounds, and smells of a Japanese city in the late afternoon sunshine, and as he walks he slowly begins to relax.
Ahead he sees a sight that is so familiar that he is suddenly struck by a violent pang of homesickness. Parked in front of a restaurant is a battered old plasterer’s truck. His father owns just such a truck. The back is open, and inside Taiki can see the tools of the plasterer’s trade. There are buckets, trowels, bundles of lathe, and other familiar objects. He finds himself peering into the back of little vehicle just to breathe in the familiar smells.
As he stands there he becomes aware of an argument taking place just inside the entrance to the restaurant. He cannot see who is talking, but the doors are open. The restaurant is obviously new and is not yet open for business. It smells of new wood and fresh plaster, and there is no sign on the outside.
“But this is only two thirds of the agreed upon price!” someone is saying. It is a pleasant voice, a female voice, though at the moment it is edged with some anger.
“The work is substandard,” says a male voice calmly. “You are fortunate that I am paying you at all.”
“Substandard?” returns the first voice, louder now. “I hope you are a better judge of food than of plastering! There is nothing wrong with my work.” Taiki is curious. He knows a great deal about plastering, having studied with his father for many years. But he has never met or even heard of a woman doing the work.
He crosses the sidewalk and pokes his head inside. Standing to one side of the foyer are two people. One is obviously the proprietor. He has a large belly and a bristling mustache. The other is a woman wearing a plasterer’s smock and apron. She is slender and a little taller than average. Her hair is swept back in a practical braid. She is leaning slightly forward and her dark eyes are angry.
A few years ago a woman dressed in such a fashion would have been an unusual sight indeed. But as the war has gone on more and more women are working jobs that were traditionally reserved for men.
The proprietor notices him. He immediately uncrosses his arms and becomes more polite.
“Many apologies, sir, I am not yet open for business,” he says.
“Ah, sorry to have disturbed you then,” says Taiki. He remains where he is, though, looking around at the freshly plastered room. The proprietor waits a moment for him to go away. When Taiki shows no signs of doing so he clears his throat.
“Was there anything else?” he asks. Taiki steps into the room and examines the wall inside the door.
“No, no,” he says. “I do apologize for intruding, but I could not help hearing some of your conversation.” He runs a hand over the wall, then follows the wall to the corner. The proprietor waits impatiently, but Taiki refuses to be rushed. In truth he is a little startled at his own actions. Until this moment he had not realized how much he has changed in his time aboard Hibiki. There was a time when he would not have dared to bother such a man, and yet here he is strolling about as if he has a perfect right to take charge of the situation.
“This work is excellent!” he says at length. He turns to the woman. “Did you do this?” The woman nods, obviously pleased. Taiki addresses the proprietor.
“Forgive me once again for the intrusion,” he says, “but I know something of the art involved. This is very well done. Are the other rooms done in similar quality?”
“Yes!” says the woman. The man hesitates.
“Yes,” he mumbles after a moment.
“Then I see no reason you should not pay the price agreed,” says Taiki. He fixes the proprietor with a hard gaze. “Do you?”
The proprietor shifts uncomfortably. Bullying a woman is much different than trying to bluff this tall, stern Navy man.
“No sir,” he says at last. Taiki remains stern, though inside he is a little amused. He suspects that the man has no knowledge of rank insignia and has taken him for an officer.
The proprietor reluctantly pulls out a roll of yen. He counts some out and gives it to the woman. She thanks him stiffly and leaves without further word. Taiki turns and follows her out. She is closing up her truck, her movements still angry.
“Thank you,” she says when Taiki approaches. It occurs to Taiki that despite her laborer’s clothing this is a very pretty woman. And her lack of deference is intriguing.
“I stopped by chance when I saw your truck,” he says. “My father has one like it. He is a plasterer too. It made me nostalgic.”
“This was my husband’s,” says the woman. “He loved the craft and taught it to me.” Taiki does not miss the use of the past tense.
“What happened to him?” he asks.
“He died on Wake Island,” she says. She climbs into the truck. Taiki discovers that he does not want her to leave yet. He casts about for something to say.
“My name is Taiki Takahashi,” he says.
“I am Sayumi Komatsu,” she says. “Thank you again.” And with that she closes the door. The vehicle starts with a rattle and a wheeze and then drives away.
As he walks back to the ship Taiki thinks of at least twenty interesting and clever things he could have said to her. But of course none of them do him any good now.
Location: Okayama
Course: Disbanded in port
Attached to: None
Mission: None
System Damage: 9
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 475
Orders: Proceed to Okayama for refit
---
Taiki trudges through the streets of Okayama, heading back to the docks. He could take a taxi, but he is returning from another outing with Nanami and feels the need to take some time and clear his head. He finds these outings somewhat stressful.
To be sure, it is a pleasure to be in the company of an intelligent and lovely young woman. He likes Nanami a great deal. They tend, however, to spend a great deal of time discussing Riku. Taiki can’t help thinking that it would be pleasant to be with a young woman who was more interested in discussing him. Not only that, he knows that Riku can’t help feeling envious of these outings. It is in some ways a rather frustrating situation.
Besides, it feels good to walk after months at sea. He enjoys the sights, sounds, and smells of a Japanese city in the late afternoon sunshine, and as he walks he slowly begins to relax.
Ahead he sees a sight that is so familiar that he is suddenly struck by a violent pang of homesickness. Parked in front of a restaurant is a battered old plasterer’s truck. His father owns just such a truck. The back is open, and inside Taiki can see the tools of the plasterer’s trade. There are buckets, trowels, bundles of lathe, and other familiar objects. He finds himself peering into the back of little vehicle just to breathe in the familiar smells.
As he stands there he becomes aware of an argument taking place just inside the entrance to the restaurant. He cannot see who is talking, but the doors are open. The restaurant is obviously new and is not yet open for business. It smells of new wood and fresh plaster, and there is no sign on the outside.
“But this is only two thirds of the agreed upon price!” someone is saying. It is a pleasant voice, a female voice, though at the moment it is edged with some anger.
“The work is substandard,” says a male voice calmly. “You are fortunate that I am paying you at all.”
“Substandard?” returns the first voice, louder now. “I hope you are a better judge of food than of plastering! There is nothing wrong with my work.” Taiki is curious. He knows a great deal about plastering, having studied with his father for many years. But he has never met or even heard of a woman doing the work.
He crosses the sidewalk and pokes his head inside. Standing to one side of the foyer are two people. One is obviously the proprietor. He has a large belly and a bristling mustache. The other is a woman wearing a plasterer’s smock and apron. She is slender and a little taller than average. Her hair is swept back in a practical braid. She is leaning slightly forward and her dark eyes are angry.
A few years ago a woman dressed in such a fashion would have been an unusual sight indeed. But as the war has gone on more and more women are working jobs that were traditionally reserved for men.
The proprietor notices him. He immediately uncrosses his arms and becomes more polite.
“Many apologies, sir, I am not yet open for business,” he says.
“Ah, sorry to have disturbed you then,” says Taiki. He remains where he is, though, looking around at the freshly plastered room. The proprietor waits a moment for him to go away. When Taiki shows no signs of doing so he clears his throat.
“Was there anything else?” he asks. Taiki steps into the room and examines the wall inside the door.
“No, no,” he says. “I do apologize for intruding, but I could not help hearing some of your conversation.” He runs a hand over the wall, then follows the wall to the corner. The proprietor waits impatiently, but Taiki refuses to be rushed. In truth he is a little startled at his own actions. Until this moment he had not realized how much he has changed in his time aboard Hibiki. There was a time when he would not have dared to bother such a man, and yet here he is strolling about as if he has a perfect right to take charge of the situation.
“This work is excellent!” he says at length. He turns to the woman. “Did you do this?” The woman nods, obviously pleased. Taiki addresses the proprietor.
“Forgive me once again for the intrusion,” he says, “but I know something of the art involved. This is very well done. Are the other rooms done in similar quality?”
“Yes!” says the woman. The man hesitates.
“Yes,” he mumbles after a moment.
“Then I see no reason you should not pay the price agreed,” says Taiki. He fixes the proprietor with a hard gaze. “Do you?”
The proprietor shifts uncomfortably. Bullying a woman is much different than trying to bluff this tall, stern Navy man.
“No sir,” he says at last. Taiki remains stern, though inside he is a little amused. He suspects that the man has no knowledge of rank insignia and has taken him for an officer.
The proprietor reluctantly pulls out a roll of yen. He counts some out and gives it to the woman. She thanks him stiffly and leaves without further word. Taiki turns and follows her out. She is closing up her truck, her movements still angry.
“Thank you,” she says when Taiki approaches. It occurs to Taiki that despite her laborer’s clothing this is a very pretty woman. And her lack of deference is intriguing.
“I stopped by chance when I saw your truck,” he says. “My father has one like it. He is a plasterer too. It made me nostalgic.”
“This was my husband’s,” says the woman. “He loved the craft and taught it to me.” Taiki does not miss the use of the past tense.
“What happened to him?” he asks.
“He died on Wake Island,” she says. She climbs into the truck. Taiki discovers that he does not want her to leave yet. He casts about for something to say.
“My name is Taiki Takahashi,” he says.
“I am Sayumi Komatsu,” she says. “Thank you again.” And with that she closes the door. The vehicle starts with a rattle and a wheeze and then drives away.
As he walks back to the ship Taiki thinks of at least twenty interesting and clever things he could have said to her. But of course none of them do him any good now.