Small Ship, Big War - The Voyages of the Hibiki

[vettim89]

Cuttlefish,

If I may ask a few questions.

1. Now that Hibiki is at Tokyo, is it not possible for the crew to interact with other players in teh war so we might get an idea of how things are going in the Big Picture?

2. Can you honestly say you do not let this AAR affect how Hibiki is deployed? Just wondering if you ever find yourself forming up new TF's and purposely assign or don't assign Hibiki because of the AAR?

What amazes me about this story is you obviously have some ideas on where the story is going but ultimately the flow of the story and certainly its end are to a degree out of your control. Even more reason to be in awe of your skill in writing this narrative

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

[Cuttlefish]

ORIGINAL: vettim89

Cuttlefish,

If I may ask a few questions.

1. Now that Hibiki is at Tokyo, is it not possible for the crew to interact with other players in teh war so we might get an idea of how things are going in the Big Picture?

2. Can you honestly say you do not let this AAR affect how Hibiki is deployed? Just wondering if you ever find yourself forming up new TF's and purposely assign or don't assign Hibiki because of the AAR?

What amazes me about this story is you obviously have some ideas on where the story is going but ultimately the flow of the story and certainly its end are to a degree out of your control. Even more reason to be in awe of your skill in writing this narrative

1. Yes, we will pick up news from all over while Hibiki is in Tokyo. As always, though, some of what the crew hears may be of questionable accuracy.

2. Honestly? I try not to let it influence me too much but the AAR probably does have an influence on what happens to Hibiki. This trip to Tokyo is a good case in point. There were about 10 destroyers at Kwaj that were good candidates to use as Yamato's escorts. I picked Hibiki as one of them because I wanted to get the crew back to Japan for a bit. I think that what mostly happens, though, is that Hibiki tends to get picked for combat missions more often than the average destroyer.

[Feinder]

  I think that what mostly happens, though, is that Hibiki tends to get picked for combat missions more often than the average destroyer.

 
That tends be one of those annoying side-effects of success...
 
-F-

[Capt. Harlock]

It is well after dark when Yamato and her escorts reach Tokyo Bay. Luck, the extra anti-submarine measures taken, or both have gotten them through without attack. Captain Ishii brings Hibiki smartly up to her assigned pier and soon the destroyer is on berth.

Drat! So much for Round 2 of "The Enemy Below". Sometimes I think Hibiki is coated with submarine repellent![:D]

[histgamer]

We all know Hibiki and any jap DD isnt great vs sub's so its prolly better they sprayed all that repellent on the side. Better avoid them if you dont have a resonable chance at sinking them.[:D]

[Cuttlefish]

January 19, 1944

Location: Tokyo
Course: None
Attached to: Disbanded in port
Mission: None
System Damage: 1
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 475

Orders: Await further orders.

---

Taiki Takahashi and Sayumi Komatsu are married in the afternoon in a traditional Shinto ceremony which is short, simple, and solemn. As is customary only immediate family members are in attendance. Sayumi’s family is quite small but her sister is there and her first mother-in-law stands in for her deceased mother.

The reception afterwards is considerably larger and more colorful. To Taiki’s delight both Riku and Shiro are there. Riku is pale and considerably more subdued than he usually is on such occasions. He spends most of his time sitting down, but he stands when Taiki approaches and clasps Taiki’s hand.

“Ariga-san!” says Taiki. “You should not be out of bed!”

Riku smiles faintly. “That is what Lieutenant Nakagawa said,” he replies. “But I would not miss this. It is good to celebrate new beginnings and new hope in the middle of war. Oh, and this is for you and your new bride.” He pulls out a traditional gift envelope and hands it to Taiki.

Taiki bows. “Thank you, my friend,” he says. “I hope it is not too much. You may have your own bride to think of some day. Speaking of which, has Shun said anything further?”

“Not yet,” says Riku. “But he will. He always does what he says he will do.” Taiki nods. Riku sits back down.

“You will forgive me, I hope, if I do not dance much,” he says. Taiki assures him that he understands, then he turns to greet Shiro. Shiro has brought his camera and takes a number of pictures. He promises to give copies of them to Taiki.

There are many other friends to greet and ceremonies to observe. As the reception continues, however, Taiki is taken aside by his brother Noboru.

“Forgive me, Taiki, but you seem a bit nervous,” says Noboru.

“We leave for Hakone soon,” says Taiki.

“It is beautiful there,” says Noboru. “An excellent place for a honeymoon. The two of you will have a wonderful time.”

“I am sure we will,” says Taiki. “It’s just that…well, you see…I mean…”

His brother laughs loudly, then becomes more serious. “Look, Taiki,” he says, “may your older brother give you some advice?”

“Please!” says Taiki.

“Then what I will tell you is this,” Noboru says. “Your lovely bride is a widow. This has certain advantages. Allow her to…guide you. Stop worrying and simply do as she suggests and everything will work out just fine.”

And as it turns out, this is excellent advice.

[Terminus]

Nudge-nudge, Wink-wink, say no more![;)][;)][;)]

[Cuttlefish]

January 20, 1944

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

Orders: Await further orders.

---

The first reaction many of Hibiki’s crew have to being home is that it is cold. Since the start of the war the destroyer has operated far to the south and her only visits to Japan have been in the spring and summer. The men have gotten used to tropical heat and the light snow currently dusting Tokyo is a bit of a shock.

There are other changes that the crew finds that are more significant than just the weather. Though the war has not yet come close to Japan its effects are being felt there more and more. The most obvious thing is the growing casualty lists. To fall in battle is of course the ideal of every member of the Japanese military, and to have a son, a brother, or a husband killed in the war is a matter of pride for most Japanese, at least publicly.

This attitude towards death blunts but does not eliminate the sense of loss for the growing numbers of young men who have fallen in far-away places, men who will never again return to their families. The mood in Japan is still resolute but a bit less bright somehow than it was in the early days of the war. As yet the general populace is still unaware that the enemy is advancing in the Pacific and that Japan’s carrier forces have been largely destroyed.

Most of the war news for the past few months, in fact, has centered on Burma. Much has been reported of the heroic stand of the Japanese Army at Mandalay, where a large Allied army has been stalled for many weeks. Attempts to outflank the city and force the Japanese to retreat have been made on both flanks. The result has been that the Japanese position in Burma resembles a huge horseshoe, with Mandalay at the top of the curve. Japanese newspapers boast that the stand at Mandalay is proof that Japan’s new empire is unassailable and that the bright dream of a Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere is in fact a reality.

Undercutting this optimism are the shortages. Earlier in the war the Allied submarine campaign went from being the subject of jokes to a serious threat. Now it is a scourge. The amount of raw material reaching Japan has declined drastically. Last year’s rice crop was only average and imports of food have fallen short of meeting demand. Japan’s industry has been affected as well. Production of steel, of aluminum, of rubber, of fuel oil, of aviation gas, and of a dozen other important commodities has increased since the start of the war but is not currently sufficient to meet Japan’s expanded war needs. And there is concern over how long even the current production levels can be maintained in the face of declining imports of raw material.

Despite these problems Hibiki’s men find that the familiar rhythms of life in Japan mostly continue as they have always known them. This is reassuring, to know that the land they are fighting for still endures and is still strong in the face of the enemy’s gathering power.

[histgamer]

It is like Lord of the Rings (thinking more of the book) in Japan this is the calm before the storm. The black war clouds are gathering and the hords of enamy troops are nocking at the gate. Japan does not have the military power to resist this assult and in the end defeat must result. However the question is how long may they hold out and can they obtain victory with other avenues unlooked for...[:D]

[mdiehl]

Mordor's empire contracting?

[Terminus]

Other way around.

[Cuttlefish]

ORIGINAL: flanyboy

It is like Lord of the Rings (thinking more of the book) in Japan this is the calm before the storm. The black war clouds are gathering and the hords of enamy troops are nocking at the gate. Japan does not have the military power to resist this assult and in the end defeat must result. However the question is how long may they hold out and can they obtain victory with other avenues unlooked for...[:D]

With Tokyo as Gondor? Hmm...it's a stretch. But I suppose if nine of Hibiki's crew can make their way to America and throw the One Ring into Mount Saint Helens then Japan might still win the war.

But let's not go there. That is a crossover fanfic that just isn't going to happen.

[Cuttlefish]

January 21, 1944

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

Orders: Await further orders.

---

“Have a good leave, Chief,” Ishii tells Shun. The petty officer is standing near the head of the gangway, a small duffel dangling from one hand.

“Thank you, sir,” says Shun. “I will be back with my family within the week. There are matters to take care of.”

“I understand,” says the captain. “I think you have made the right decision.”

Shun does not reply to this, he merely nods briefly. “Permission to go ashore, sir?”

“Granted.” Shun salutes and departs, down the gangway and along the pier out of sight.

---

Those members of the crew who are healthy and not granted early leave are kept very busy. The ship’s three Kampon boilers are scaled and cleaned. The ship’s water storage tanks are cleaned and refilled and there is a lot of maintenance done on the pipes. The heads, bunk areas, galley, and mess rooms are steamed, scraped, and repainted. Other routine maintenance is done as well and Hibiki is quickly ready once again for whatever mission the Imperial Japanese Navy wants to assign her next.

At the moment, however, calm reigns in the Pacific. The enemy fleets have vanished and the Allies seem to be content for now with building up their new base in the Admiralty Islands. Where and when they will strike next is the number one question currently being asked by the Japanese high command. Hibiki’s officers and crew are not privy to these speculations but they are reasonably sure that their next orders to sail will come when the enemy attacks again, whenever and wherever that might be.

[Cuttlefish]

January 22, 1944

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

Orders: Await further orders.

---

“Just keep on going down this road,” says the old farmer to Morito. “Shun’s house is just past where the road bends around that hill, a stone cottage on a rise to the right.”

“Many thanks,” says Morito. Behind him the man he knows as Suzuki listens intently.

“No trouble,” says the farmer. “But if you are coming here trying to arrange a marriage to that pretty daughter of his I wouldn’t bother. Mister Shun wouldn’t listen to you even if you were driving a fancy car and wearing a silk top hat. And I mean no offense, but you gentlemen don’t look like you have anything like that.”

“No, no,” says Morito. “We are just, um, old navy acquaintances paying a visit.”

“Then you’re in luck,” says the farmer. “Shun will be home on leave tomorrow, or so I hear.”

“Really?” says Umeda, speaking for the first time. “Well, that is very good news indeed. We thank you.”

“It was no bother,” says the farmer, and turns away with a wave. Morito and his companion wait until he is out of earshot, then speak together in low tones.

“What luck!” says Morito. “Now you can speak to your friend directly. If he will help us we could hide out here in the Ryukyus until the end of the war. Come, let us go call at the house immediately!”

“Wait,” says Umeda. “Perhaps that is not wise. We do not wish to risk giving offense by intruding on Shun’s homecoming. Let us wait until after he has arrived and had a chance to greet his family.”

“That makes sense,” says Morito. “You are a clever man, my friend. But where shall we spend the night?”

Umeda looks around, then points down the slope to where breakers from the East China Sea roll slowly in towards the shore.

“We can camp on the beach tonight,” he says. “Perhaps we can make a shelter out of driftwood.”

Morito looks up at the sky. “Well, it does not look like rain and it isn’t too cold,” he says. “Let us try your plan.” The two men continue along the road until they find a path leading to the beach. They are not worried about being discovered here. Though they are close to the village of Kunigami the northern end of Okinawa is sparsely populated and at any rate the islanders tend to mind their own business.

---

Towards evening Morito sets down an armload of firewood and stands looking out at the ocean. “I am glad we came here,” he says. “It is very pretty here and very peaceful. One can almost forget there is a war.”

Umeda comes up behind him. “Yes,” he says. “It is very peaceful.” From his pocket he silently pulls his old pistol. “I wish to thank you for your help in getting here,” he says quietly. “I really do appreciate it.”

“It was nothing,” says Morito cheerfully, still looking seaward. “It is what any friend would do for another.”

“Is it?” murmurs Umeda. “I think perhaps I do not know much of friendship.” There is a pause. “I am truly sorry,” he adds, then brings the pistol up level.

He pulls the trigger three times.

[Terminus]

You know, I'm starting to dislike this Umeda character...[:D][:D]

[tocaff]

Wait until Shun or whomever gets their hands on Umeda. 

[Onime No Kyo]

You know, I'm starting to foresee Ariga saving Shun's life. [X(]

[Feinder]

So who's brother was it that just got killed?
 
-F-

[Capt. Harlock]

ORIGINAL: Feinder

So who's brother was it that just got killed?

-F-

It was First Officer Miharu's brother. Let me highly recommend the "dramatis personae" summary on Page 57 of this epic.

[bbbf]

Well, it will make Miharu's life a little easier - if a little sadder.