Here is my full reaction. A little background to this post. First, as readers of my AAR know, I usually summarize events by theater but for momentous events switch to first person accounts in honor of the fact that I'm playing Cuttlefish. Second, I have often referred to "Cribtop HQ" in my AAR, (a phrase I stole long ago from Cuttles, ironically), and even invented various branches of Cribtop HQ. One such branch is the Fringe Division, which refers to a US television show called "Fringe" that deals with parallel universes (see link below). My first person accounts are usually far more historical in nature. Consider this entry to have tongue firmly planted in cheek. [:D]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fringe_(TV_series)
Summer 1942.
An undisclosed location in Japan.
Major General Matsuki Arata looked out the window of his office at one of the most unusual vistas in Japan. His eyes saw nothing but a sterile administrative office full of desks occupied by staff officers of the Imperial Japanese Army, with typewriters, logbooks, reports and other typical accoutrements of bureaucracy. What was strange was not the office itself, but rather its purpose. The windowless building buried deep in a mountainside housed the top secret Fringe Division of Cribtop HQ.
The heart of the enterprise was an odd device, rather like a large mirror, that dominated the far wall. Through processes well beyond Matsuki's understanding, which he suspected were made up of equal parts science and mysticism, the device allowed this handpicked group of officers to observe events in parallel universes. While these alternate realities were too numerous to document, a select few held great interest for Imperial Japan's war effort. In these universes, Japan and the West waged conflicts very similar to the current struggle occurring here in what the lab coats referred to as the "Prime Universe." Each week, the Army and Navy traded places observing events elsewhere in the hopes of gaining insights into the probable course of their own war. Much had been learned on occasion, but most of the time this literally unbelievable job was like any other, with slow days playing out more often than events of consequence.
Matsuki was brought out of his reverie by rapid, flustered movement. Every desk was suddenly bereft of occupants as grown men clamored around the screen of the device like schoolchildren jostling for position at recess. Before he could rise to complain of these actions, Matsuki's second in command, Colonel Nakayama Hiroji, burst through the door to his office. "General, please excuse this interruption, but you must come quickly. There has been... An incident. In the universe designated GJvR11009768."
"Colonel Nakayama, I expect you of all people to be able to maintain your composure! There is no doubt that working in the Fringe Division can be odd, even unnerving at times, but that is all the more reason to set a good example for the men," barked Matsuki.
"Sir, please, just follow me. We've never seen anything like this. Also, recall that in this particular universe victory for Japan seemed highly likely. Events here have unfolded as an outlier to the usual course in most realities."
Something in the Colonel's tone caused Matsuki to overlook the total breakdown of decorum. He grudgingly followed his subordinate onto the office floor, mentally rehearsing his reprimand for the entire group.
Then his eyes fixed on the device. Slowly comprehension dawned, and the General's eyes widened as his jaw dropped. This could not be! The implications for defense of the Empire were beyond disturbing.
"May Heaven help us," mumbled Matsuki under his breath. Then, stirred to action, he spoke in a shaky voice. "Colonel Nakayama, you will immediately alert the Prime Minster's Office that he must call an emergency meeting of the Imperial General Headquarters - Government Liaison Conference. You will also contact the Imperial Palace. Inform the Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal that the Showa Emperor's presence is requested."
Neither one of these orders, particularly the latter request, was remotely within General Matsuki's authority. Looking at the screen again, he simply didn't care.
- real fun 
