Small Ship, Big War - The Voyages of the Hibiki

[Cuttlefish]

July 18, 1943

Location: Okayama
Course: Disbanded in port
Attached to: None
Mission: None
System Damage: 8
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 475

Orders: Proceed to Okayama for refit

---

The next day it is Riku’s turn to have an unplanned encounter. His is considerably more ominous.

He is behind a stack of crates on the pier near the ship, writing down the shipping numbers. These will be matched to an inventory list aboard ship to make sure that all the equipment Hibiki needs has been sent. As he works he sees movement out of the corner of his eye.

He turns and sees a pale Tokeitai lieutenant standing nearby watching him. Riku turns and comes to prompt attention with a salute. The officer steps forward with an oily smile.

“Leading Seaman Riku Ariga?” he asks. Riku’s expression does not change, but he is worried. Nothing about this can be good.

“Yes sir,” he says.

“Ah, good,” says the lieutenant. “I am Lieutenant Umeda. I wish to talk to you.” There is a pause. Riku does not move or speak, which seems to disappoint the other man. “Do you know what I wish to talk to you about?” he asks after a moment.

“No sir,” says Riku. “I do not, sir.”

“Tell me, Ariga, does the name Captain Ito mean anything to you?” says Umeda. Riku feels a jolt of fear. All of a sudden he is right on the edge of an abyss, and it is a very deep one. But he keeps his fear under control and manages to reply in a level voice.

“No, sir, it doesn’t,” he says. Umeda smiles a little.

“I don’t believe that,” he says. “I think that you and he have done business before. Haven’t you?” A threatening pause follows. Riku’s brain works furiously. All of a sudden he is convinced this man is fishing. If he really knew something he would not be here talking. He would instead have already had Riku arrested. He must want something. But what?

Riku is also aware, though, that he cannot take any chances. The stakes are too high here, higher than this lieutenant can know. He avoids answering directly.

“I deal with a great many people in the course of my duties, sir,” he says. “I do not remember all of their names.”

“Don’t play the fool with me!” snaps Umeda. “You will cooperate or suffer the consequences!” Riku has seen better tough guy acts, but he allows a little of his fear to show. He has got to make this guy show more of his cards.

“Sir, I am willing to cooperate,” he says nervously. “What do you want of me?” Umeda’s eyes narrow.

“I want to send you to prison for a very long time,” he says. “But you are a small fish. You cannot be the brains behind such a large smuggling operation. If you were to help me bring down those who gave the orders you might even find yourself rewarded.”

“Those who gave the orders, sir?” he repeats helplessly.

“Yes, idiot!” snarls Umeda. “I know it was Ishii. Which means his hatchet man Shun was probably involved, too.” Oh gods, thinks Riku. I forged Ishii’s name on a great many documents. Have I brought about the Captain’s ruin? He forces himself back to calm, then fixes on the other part of Umeda’s statement.

“You want Shun?” he asks. Umeda leans forward, intent.

“Yes,” he hisses. Riku feel a grin spread across his face. This could answer a lot of problems.

“Well, why didn’t you say so, sir?” he says. “If you want Shun I can deliver him. I most certainly can do that.”

[String]

Something tells me that Shun won't be delivered in such a way Umeda quite expects..

[alaviner]

I think Umeda might be taking another long walk off a short pier but with something rather heavy tied to his feet this time.
Great work CF

[mdiehl]

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.

Mama said there'd be days like this. She just didn't say it would happen so often! [:D]

I don't know how the Japanese would creatively handle Umeda. In the US, was it possible, either a friend of a friend would "mistake" Umeda for a sailor of the same name and assign him to Hibiki's forward paint locker, or else he'd simply be press-ganged by an Admiral who doesn't like it when people mess with his ships' crews. Either way, Umeda's paychecks would be routed to an address in Burma, probably an undeliverable one that is now occupied by British troops.

[histgamer]

[&o][&o][&o][&o][&o][&o][&o][&o][&o]

[Cuttlefish]

July 19, 1943

Location: Okayama
Course: Disbanded in port
Attached to: None
Mission: None
System Damage: 8
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 475

Orders: Proceed to Okayama for refit

---

Work on Hibiki progresses slowly but steadily. Where the “X” turret once sat a two-level platform is taking shape, though there are no guns mounted on it as yet. The engines and boilers are in excellent shape, all things considered, but Chief Engineer Sakati is taking advantage of the time to have them overhauled as well. Some of the ship’s electronics are replaced, and the main funnel is patched and repainted.

At this point about half of the crew is on leave. Those who have not yet gone count the days and wait impatiently for their turn. The ship is still crowded during the day, though. Shore-bound repair crews work the ship quickly and expertly; by this stage of the war they have seen and helped repair almost every kind of malfunction and battle damage.

Lieutenant Miharu is kept busy with personnel changes. Some twenty-seven of the crew are being assigned to other ships or other duties. These are being replaced largely by enlisted men and officers fresh out of training. It will take time to work the new men into the crew, the lieutenant knows. But such changes are inevitable.

[Cuttlefish]

July 20, 1943

Location: Okayama
Course: Disbanded in port
Attached to: None
Mission: None
System Damage: 7
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 475

Orders: Proceed to Okayama for refit

---

“Welcome back, Captain,” says Lieutenant Miharu “You look well, sir.” And indeed Hibiki’s captain looks more relaxed and much less tired than he did ten days ago.

“Thank you, Exec,” Ishii says cheerfully. “It looks as though the ship is coming along. Any problems?” The lieutenant assures him that all is well. They adjourn to the captain’s cabin and spend some time going over the progress of the repairs and the new personnel changes. Finally Captain Ishii waves a hand at his executive officer.

“All right, that’s good enough,” he says. “I can figure out the rest. Go pack your bag.” Lieutenant Miharu grins.

“Already packed, sir,” he says.

“Then why are you still here?” says Captain Ishii. “Give your wife my greetings.”

“I will sir, thank you.” Lieutenant Miharu starts to leave, then stops and turns back. “Oh, sir, one more thing. Seaman Ariga insists on speaking with you as soon as possible. He won’t say why, sir.”

“Ariga, eh? Shun’s daughter is here, isn’t she? Has there been trouble?”

“No sir, not that I know of. At least nobody has tried to kill anybody else this time around.” Captain Ishii grunts.

“Well, send him up, then. I don’t think he’d bother me if it wasn’t important,” he says.

“Yes sir,” replies Miharu, and leaves.

---

It is several hours later, near sundown. Three men walk down a narrow street near the docks. The man in the lead stops in front of the side door of a long, narrow warehouse. He fumbles with some keys in the dim light, then unlocks the door. He pushes it open and enters. The other two men follow.

Once inside Riku flips on a switch. A single light comes on overhead, illuminating a patch of bare concrete floor. Stacked in the middle of this space are a number of square wooden crates. In the shadows to either side tall stacks of other boxes and crates can be glimpsed.

“If this is not worthy of the Captain’s time I will crack your head open,” growls Shun.

“Now, Chief,” Captain Ishii says. “I am sure Seaman Ariga would not drag us out here if it was not very important.” He fixes Riku with a piercing gaze. “Would you, Ariga?”

“No, sir,” says Riku. “I mean yes, sir, it is important.” He advances towards the crates. “This is the problem shipment, sir.” Captain Ishii advances. The crates are stamped, in English characters, “M&M Enterprises”. Ishii looks puzzled.

“What is this?” he says. “What’s the problem?” Suddenly a voice speaks from the darkness off to his left.

“What is the matter, Lieutenant Commander Ishii?” it says. “Have you lost your taste for salted sea urchin eggs?’ Lieutenant Umeda emerges into the light, pistol drawn. Captain Ishii narrows his eyes.

“I know you,” he says. “You’re that idiot who tried to detain my executive officer as we were leaving on a combat mission.” Lieutenant Umeda grins nastily.

“I am so glad you remember me,” he says. “I had a lot of time to remember you while I was lying in that hospital bed in Rangoon.”

“Sea urchin eggs? Rangoon?” says Ishii. “What are you babbling about?”

“What I am talking about is that you and Chief Petty Officer Shun are under arrest for smuggling,” says Umeda. “You have been dealing with the enemy, Captain. That is not only illegal, it is reprehensible. Making money while others serve and die for the Emperor, you make me sick.”

“What is this?” Ishii demands of Riku. Riku looks apologetic.

“Sorry, sir, he knows everything,” he says.

“Knows everything? Everything what?” demands Ishii. Shun growls and steps towards Riku, but Umeda raises his pistol.

“Stop right there,” he says. “I don’t want you harming my chief witness.” Shun stops, and Umeda glances at his watch. “We will wait a few moments,” he says. “I called as soon as I saw you approaching. More Tokeitai will be here shortly.”

No one speaks. Captain Ishii stands there looking outraged. Shun stands helplessly, dividing murderous looks between Riku and Umeda.

Soon the tromp of feet is heard from the open door. In walks a Tokeitai officer and six men, all armed with rifles.

“I am Captain Shimura,” the officer announces. “What is going on here?”

“Hello, Captain,” says Umeda. “I placed the call, I am Lieutenant Umeda. This is Lieutenant Commander Ishii, captain of destroyer Hibiki. This is Chief Petty Officer Shun of the same vessel.” He indicates Riku. “This is Seaman Ariga. They are the chief conspirators in a smuggling ring that has spanned much of the Central Pacific. They have been dealing with the enemy, sir. The proof is before you.” Captain Shimura raises an eyebrow.

“Indeed?” he says. He indicates the crates. “These, I assume?” Umeda nods. Captain Shimura points to one of his men. “Open that crate there,” he says. The enlisted man nod. He leans his rifle against a wall and grabs a crowbar. The lid is quickly pried off the crate. Captain Shimura leans over and looks in.

“What’s this?” he says. “Thirty-seven millimeter ammunition?” Captain Ishii raises an eyebrow.

“I see what you mean,” he says to Riku. “That is a problem. We need don’t have any guns of that caliber aboard ship.”

“What!” screams Lieutenant Umeda. He points angrily at Riku. “Where are my eggs?”

“Eggs, sir?” says Riku. “Are you feeling well, sir?” Umeda turns purple. He turns to Captain Shimura. “Sir, this man has documents and contraband that reveal the entire plot!” The enlisted man has opened all the crates, with the same result. Paperwork from First Fleet headquarters consigning the ammunition to Hibiki is found and examined.

“What about these charges?” Captain Shimura asks Riku.

“Sir, I am very sorry. I have no idea what this man is talking about,” Riku says. Captain Shimura turns to Ishii.

“Sir, this is one of my most reliable men,” says Ishii. “Lieutenant Umeda seems to bear me a grudge. I believe it has warped his judgment. He has been ill, it seems. Perhaps his return to duty was premature.” Lieutenant Umeda’s face contorts with rage.

“You…you…” he says to Ishii, then fury overcomes him completely. He raises his pistol and levels it at Ishii’s chest.

Riku doesn’t think, he just hurls himself in front the captain. Shun has not taken his eyes from Umeda through the entire exchange, and he lunges at the Tokeitai officer. He manages to knock the gun out of line just as Umeda fires. The bullet zips just past Riku and Ishii and buries itself in the wall behind them. The sound of the gunshot echoes in the cavernous space, then there is a dry snap as Shun breaks Umeda’s wrist. The gun clatters to the floor.

Shun scoops up the weapon and whirls to make sure his captain is all right. When he sees Riku standing in front of the captain he raises an eyebrow. From behind Riku Captain Ishii reaches out and touches the sailor’s shoulder.

“That’s fine, son,” says Ishii. “Thank you. You can stand down now.” Riku lowers his arms and steps to one side, feeling slightly foolish.

“Seize him,” Shimura barks, pointing at Umeda. Two of his men do so. Umeda stands held between them, cradling his wrist. Shimura turns to Captain Ishii.

“Sir, I apologize for this,” he says. “You are unhurt, I hope?”

“Yes, thank you sir,” says Ishii. He indicates Lieutenant Umeda. “Go easy on him, sir. I don’t believe he is entirely well.” Captain Shimura looks grim.

“Laying false charges and attempted murder,” he says. “Umeda has much to answer for. You and your men can go, Captain.” He pauses. “There will of course have to be an investigation.”

“Of course, sir,” says Ishii. “You will find that Hibiki has nothing to hide.” He turns to Riku and Shun.

“Come along, gentlemen,” he says. “I think we are done here.”

---

“Well, that went well, I thought,” says Captain Ishii later, back aboard Hibiki. “Nicely done, Seaman Ariga, thank you.”

“Sir,” says Riku anxiously, “when I suggested this plan I had no idea he would try to kill you.” Captain Ishii waves away his protest.

“You could not have foreseen that,” says Ishii. “Umeda might have saved his career despite it all, if it weren’t for that. It was clearly an irrational act. There was no way to predict it.” Riku looks only slightly reassured. Captain Ishii stretches.

“It’s good to be back from leave,” he says wryly. “But I think that is enough excitement for one evening. Good night, gentlemen.” Riku salutes and departs. Shun lingers for a moment.

“Something on your mind, Chief?” Ishii asks him. Shun stirs.

“What he did tonight, to protect you,” says Shun. “That was well done.”

“I agree,” says Ishii. “You might have said that to him, though, Chief.” Shun shifts uncomfortably.

“Maybe,” he says reluctantly.

“You did well too, Chief,” says Ishii.

“Thank you, sir,” says Shun. He thinks for a moment. “I should have tied an anchor to that guy back when I threw him overboard,” he says thoughtfully. “It would have saved a lot of trouble.”

[Lecivius]

What more can we say?  [&o][&o][&o]

[mdiehl]

Heh! Well done!! Looks like Umeda's palm tree has just been tossed over the side! [:D]

[Capt. Harlock]

Beautifully done! Umeda should have quit while he was ahead. (Well, less behind than he is now.)[;)]

[Cuttlefish]

July 21, 1943

Location: Okayama
Course: Disbanded in port
Attached to: None
Mission: None
System Damage: 6
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 475

Orders: Proceed to Okayama for refit

---

Lieutenant Miharu chooses to walk to his house from the train station in Kanazawa. It is not all that far, and he wants to see his old neighborhood. It is his opinion that you get a much different impression of a place by walking through it as opposed to driving through it, and he wants to revel in the experience of coming home as much as possible.

It is not quite the experience he expects, though. Everything he sees is familiar. To be sure, there have been a few small changes in the year he has been gone, but for all practical purposes the streets are the ones he remembers. Yet as he walks somehow the lieutenant feels out of place, almost as if he was a stranger here. It’s as though he was walking through the set of a movie about his former life.

This is unsettling. The feeling diminishes as he approaches his house, but lingers in the background. He wonders what causes this feeling of strangeness. Perhaps I just need some time, he thinks.

Then he is walking down his street and standing in front of his house. Nothing has changed. He feels as though he walked out this door just yesterday. He feels as though he has not been here in a hundred years. He muddles through this strange double vision and opens the door.

Once inside he slips off his shoes and steps into the front hall. Then his wife is there, alerted by sound of his entrance. For a moment they just look at each other, and then they embrace. For the lieutenant the feeling of strangeness recedes, at least for the moment. She is here, and he is home.


Quite a long time later he is wearing his favorite robe and seated on the floor beside a table while his wife pours them some tea. Kojima then also sits. The lieutenant admires the grace with which she does so, then becomes aware that she is gazing at him with a serious look on her face.

“What is it?” he asks her. She takes a deep breath.

“My husband, there is something I must tell you,” she says. She then relates how she took in his wounded brother, hid him in the garden shed, and nursed him back to health.

“I have not seen him since he left,” she says. “I know I have disobeyed your wishes. I will accept whatever punishment you decide.”

Lieutenant Miharu leans forward a little, his hand on his chin. He thinks for a moment.

“While it is true that you obeyed the letter of my orders by not allowing him into the house,” he says, “you have certainly disobeyed their spirit.” He pauses and switches to his best command voice. “I therefore order you confined to quarters for the next ten days.” Kojima lowers her eyelashes demurely.

“As my husband commands,” she murmurs.

Somehow they manage not to spill any of the tea.

---

Chief Petty Officer Shun locates Riku at the paymaster’s desk in the corner of one of the storerooms. Riku is seated at the little desk filling out more of the inevitable forms. He looks up as Shun steps in, then quickly stands to attention. Shun regards him for a moment, just long enough for Riku to feel increasingly nervous.

“I have a question about yesterday,” says Shun finally. “Why did that idiot Tokeitai officer approach you in the first place? Why did he select you of everyone on the ship to try to get at the Captain?” Riku maintains his best poker face. This is the question he has worried about the most. He also knew it would be asked, though, and has carefully prepared his reply.

“I am not certain why, Chief,” he says slowly. “From what he said, though, I think he came across a report that I had been seen talking to a man named Ito, a submarine commander. Ito is kind of a legend. He has a reputation as a man who can get things done, you know?” Shun nods. He has known such men before.

“There are some strange stories about him,” Riku continues. “They say he once had an American general aboard his submarine as part of some top secret mission.”

“So why were you talking to this man?” Shun says. Riku braces himself. It is a fatal mistake to think of Shun as all brawn and no brains. He must not underestimate the Chief.

“In the course of my duties,” he says, indicating the desk, “I talk to a lot of people. Lieutenant Kataoka knows, as I do, that it is often necessary to go outside official channels to fill the needs of the ship and the crew. I spoke with Ito several times at Kwajalein because I had been told he had access to goods I needed.” Not a word of this is a lie. It is also not the truth.

“I see,” says Shun. “So Umeda thought you were involved in our ‘plot’ and tried to blackmail you into turning against the Captain.” Riku nods. It is one of his guiding principals that you never interrupt someone who is busy talking themselves into something you want them to believe.

“And you let him think he had succeeded and then went to the Captain,” Shun continues. “Clever, very clever.”

“Thank you, Chief,” says Riku.

“You are a very clever man,” says Shun. “Sometimes I think you are too clever.” Riku says nothing. At the moment he happens to agree with the Chief.

“You jumped in front of the Captain when Umeda tried to shoot him,” Shun says. This change of subject jars Riku.

“Yes, Chief,” he says. Shun remains as immobile as ever, but Riku has the impression that he wants to pace back and forth.

“In a moment such as that,” Shun continues, speaking slowly, “when a gun is leveled and there is no time to think, that is when a man shows what is in his heart. Many would have frozen. Many would have thrown themselves to the floor. You chose to protect your captain.” He stares down at the ground for a long moment. “That tells me more than all your clever plans and schemes,” he says finally. Then he opens his mouth again as if to speak. Riku says nothing. He does not even breathe. For just a moment his world tilts on a balancing point, and all things are possible.

Suddenly Shun closes his mouth with an almost audible snap. He spins on his heel and walks out. The moment passes. Riku lets out a long breath and sits back down. He must be imagining things, he thinks. For a moment he had the strong feeling that Shun was going to talk about Nanami. Then he shakes his head. Not likely, he thinks. Whatever he does, it will never be enough.

Slowly he lowers his face into his hands. He suddenly feels very tired.

[Skipjack]

Cuttlefish, I am amazed at how interesting you can make a destroyer refit. You have me on the hook for the rest of this AAR. In the meantime, I will try to catch up from the other end - on page 8 right now, its all good [:)]

[Onime No Kyo]

Poor Riku, the guy dodged two bullets in one day....[:D]

[princep01]

ORIGINAL: Capt. Harlock

Beautifully done! Umeda should have quit while he was ahead. (Well, less behind than he is now.)[;)]

Regrettably, people like Umeda never learn to quit when ahead, as they are life's perpetual losers. Now, he is a loser with a badly broken wrist and an unpleasant career move in store.

[alaviner]

ORIGINAL: princep01

ORIGINAL: Capt. Harlock

Beautifully done! Umeda should have quit while he was ahead. (Well, less behind than he is now.)[;)]

Regrettably, people like Umeda never learn to quit when ahead, as they are life's perpetual losers. Now, he is a loser with a badly broken wrist and an unpleasant career move in store.

Since he has had his malarial punishment, His next posting should be along the Mongolian-Rusian border doing cavity searchs on Yaks crossing the border.

[dekwik]

Very enjoyable Cuttlefish. For everybody who posts, there's 10 of us enjoying quietly!

[cantona2]

I do hope you tell us about Umeda's fate. Maybe the IJA has something akin to the Wehrmacht's 999 Penal Battalions or the Red Army's schtraft (sp) companies for Umeda to spend some time in [:D]

[AU Tiger_MatrixForum]

ORIGINAL: cantona2

I do hope you tell us about Umeda's fate. Maybe the IJA has something akin to the Wehrmacht's 999 Penal Battalions or the Red Army's schtraft (sp) companies for Umeda to spend some time in [:D]

THAT will improve his attitude! Sensitivity training may be more in order for him, instructed by BMC Shun of course.

[Cuttlefish]

July 22, 1943

Location: Okayama
Course: Disbanded in port
Attached to: None
Mission: None
System Damage: 5
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 475

Orders: Proceed to Okayama for refit

---

Taiki is walking along the street that parallels the waterfront, heading back to Hibiki. He waves to Mrs. Yoshino at her bento cart as he passes her on the other side of the street, and she waves back. He continues on for a short ways when suddenly he is hailed from behind.

“Mr. Takahashi! Hey, stop!” He turns in surprise and sees a woman hurrying along the street behind him. She is fairly tall, dressed in a blouse and monpe, the loose-fitting pantaloons that have become the standard dress for women in the factories. With surprise and pleasure he recognizes her as Sayumi Komatsu, the plasterer he helped a few days ago. She comes up to him and stops.

“I have been trying to track you down for the last two days,” she says, slightly out of breath. Taiki regards her, bemused. This woman is not like any other woman he has ever met.

“You were very kind to me the other day and I was unforgivably rude,” she says. “I could not rest until I found you and apologized.” Taiki blinks.

“That’s all right,” he says. “You were angry, it was understandable.”

“I was angry, all right,” she says. “But that isn’t an excuse.” She sighs. “I am always angry these days, it seems,” she says. “I do not wish to be. But I am.”

“Why are you so angry?” Taiki says. She spreads her hands.

“Why?” she says. “I am a woman trying to make a living doing men’s work. My husband is dead. My family disapproves of everything I do and will have nothing to do with me unless I get married again so I can produce healthy children for the Emperor. What do I have to be happy about?” Her voice has risen throughout this speech. Taiki raises his hand.

“Peace,” he says. “I am not among your enemies, I hope.” She blushes slightly.

“No,” she says. “You aren’t. Again, I am sorry.” She looks up at him. “Do you have some time? I would like to take you to dinner. It is the least I can do, you saved me a great deal of money the other day.” Taiki is astounded. This woman is asking him out? That is just not done! Sayumi watches his face as if she guesses what he is thinking. Her dark eyes are almost challenging.

That is it. Taiki suddenly feels as though he will be a coward if he refuses. And while she may be strange she is undeniably attractive.

“I accept,” he says.

---

“Well?” says Riku later. “What happened after dinner?”

“We talked about plastering,” says Taiki. Riku rolls his eyes. He knows little of the plasterer’s art, of how each plasterer has his own secrets and techniques. How much fiber and what kind to mix in, what proportion of lime and other ingredients to put in each layer, how far apart to set the lathes so the plaster keys properly, he doesn’t know and doesn’t care. He does know that on a first date you do not talk about plaster. Taiki smiles.

“She did tell me a bit about herself,” he says.

“That’s better,” says Riku. “What did she say?”

“She was raised by an aunt who was socially prominent,” Taiki says. “I gather the aunt was active in some of the social movements of the 20’s.” Feminism was quite a strong movement in Japan until the rising militarism of the 1930’s put an end to it. “As a result she has rather unconventional views. When her husband was killed she decided to try to keep the business going rather than return to her family. It hasn’t been easy for her.”

“I would say not,” says Riku. “A widow, eh? Ah, Taiki, I can tell you that such women can be a real treat for a sailor on leave. They know what they…” He stops when he sees the look Taiki is giving him. “Sorry, sorry,” he says. “I forget what a stick you are sometimes.” Taiki’s frown turns into a grin.

“I am seeing her again tomorrow,” he says. “And I may be a stick, but I have spent a lot of the time in the past week with attractive women on my arm. What have you been doing?” Riku sighs.

“Counting nuts and bolts and dodging the Tokeitai,” he says morosely. “You win.”

[Onime No Kyo]

Wow.That was a low blow, even from a superior. [:(]