Small Ship, Big War - The Voyages of the Hibiki

[TAIL GUNNER]

"My sister writes that he fell in love with her while filling one of her cavities.” Handa thinks for a moment of making the obvious joke, but decides against it.

That's too freakin' funny![:D]

[Cuttlefish]

July 7, 1943

Location: 290 miles south of Osaka
Course: North
Attached to: TF 36
Mission: Surface Combat
System Damage: 3
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 254

Orders: Proceed to Okayama for refit

---

Taiki finds himself looking down at the top of Hibiki’s rangefinder. This is not a common view, but at the moment he and Seaman Shoji are up on the tripod mast above and behind the tower. They are tightening the cable leading back to the rear mast. Not too tight, it is good to leave some slack in the cable, but the constant vibration of the ship from the sea and her own engines tends to loosen things over time.

Taiki enjoys being up above the ship. He is standing on a strut, one arm wrapped around a beam, enjoying the view. Shoji is obviously less comfortable so high above the deck and keeps glancing nervously down.

“Give it a couple more turns and then we’re done up here,” Taiki tells him.

“Hai, Petty Officer,” mutters Shoji. “Good.” He gives the wrench another turn. He does not like heights, and his hands are a little clammy. At least the hand stung by the cone snail back in Rabaul no longer pains him. It did for several weeks.

On the next turn he loses his grip on the wrench. He grabs for it, but then sways on the strut he is standing on and instead grabs the vertical beam with both hands.

“Heads up below!” calls Taiki in alarm. The wrench is heavy. He watches it plummet downward. As it passes the small platform midway up the mast a hand shoots out and snags it. Taiki finds himself looking down at the upturned face of Petty Officer Shun, who is standing on the platform.

Shun says nothing, but with an effortless flip he tosses the wrench upward once again. It reaches the top of its arc right in front of Taiki and he plucks it neatly out of the air and hands it back to Shoji.

“Finish the job,” he says sternly. “And without dropping it on anybody’s head this time.” Shoji, his face pale, nods and does so. The two men climb down to the platform.

“You are dismissed, Shoji,” Taiki says. “Thank you for your assistance.” Shoji nods, glances nervously at Shun, then climbs the rest of the way down. The two petty officers are left on the platform.

“That was a very nice catch, Chief,” Taiki says respectfully. “Thank you.” Shun makes a dismissive gesture.

“Thought that might happen,” he says. “Shoji has two left thumbs.” He pauses. “Saw a man get brained once by a hammer dropped off a crane,” he says. “The man lived, but after the accident he could only make noises that sounded like a sand piper. Couldn’t talk at all.”

“That’s terrible!” says Taiki. Shun shrugs.

“For him it was an improvement,” he says. There is a moment of silence. Taiki waits. He doubts Shun has climbed up here on the off chance that Shoji would drop something. After a moment Shun speaks.

“We will be back in Japan soon,” he says. Taiki does not reply to this perfectly obvious statement. After a moment Shun continues. “You have met my daughter,” he says. Taiki is stunned. Of all the things he expected Shun to mention, this was the last.

“Yes, Chief,” is all he manages to say. Shun nods.

“She and my mother will be visiting me in Okayama before I go on leave and we return home,” Shun says. “I will not be free at all times. My mother has been ill, and may not have the energy to accompany her everywhere.” Taiki listens, unable to fathom where this is going.

“My daughter can not of course go about unaccompanied,” Shun says. “If you would consider being her escort on occasion I would consider it a favor.”

“Me, Chief?” Taiki says. He cannot keep the surprise out of his voice. Shun looks at him.

“You are an intelligent and personable young man,” he says gravely. “And my daughter knows you. Most of all, you have a sense of duty and honor. With you I would feel she was…safe.”

Taiki winces inwardly. Nanami Shun is undoubtedly charming and beautiful, but for many reasons Taiki would rather walk on hot coals than accept this charge. For one thing, he has no illusions about what Shun would do if anything were to happen to his daughter while she was with Taiki. For another, he can only imagine Riku’s reaction to this. Last of all, part of him resents being the “safe” one, the one even someone as protective as Shun can trust his daughter with.

There can, however, be no thought of refusing.

“Of course, Chief Shun,” he says. “As my duties permit I will be happy to be of what assistance I can.”

“Very good,” Shun says. “Thank you.” He gives Taiki a nod and climbs down the mast to the deck. Taiki stands for a moment looking down at the deck of the destroyer without really seeing anything.

“Oh shit,” he finally says.

[Onime No Kyo]

ROFL [:D]
 
There have been some uncomfortable situations, but this one tops them all.

[tocaff]

So liberty promises to be intersting......

[Cuttlefish]

July 8, 1943

Location: 60 miles southwest of Osaka
Course: North
Attached to: TF 36
Mission: Surface Combat
System Damage: 3
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 225

Orders: Proceed to Okayama for refit

---

A pair of birds skim the surface of the ocean. As the bow of the destroyer approaches they veer to the side with marvelous agility and fly away, seeking a more peaceful area in which to look for fish.

“Almost home,” says Ensign Izu happily, watching the birds. Lieutenant Miharu looks over at him.

“What was that, Ensign?” he says.

“Your pardon, sir,” says Izu. He indicates the birds. “Those are wedge-tailed shearwaters. They breed on little islands off the Kii Peninsula and don’t usually get too far from shore.”

“Ah,” says the lieutenant. “Yes, we should reach Okayama by tomorrow morning.” He raises his binoculars and looks at the departing birds for a moment. “Birds have been telling sailors they were getting close to land for as long as men have been going to sea,” he says. “Now we have all sorts of modern ways of knowing just where we are, but it is still good to see a tangible sign that we are almost home.”

“Land in sight!” calls a lookout. “Japan ahead!” The land, as yet visible only through binoculars, is Shiono Point, the tip of the Kii Peninsula and the southernmost location in Honshu. Mt. Koya will soon be visible. Hibiki and the other ships will pass the Kii Peninsula to the west as they make their way into the Inland Sea.

Cheering can be heard from around the ship. Lieutenant Miharu smiles.

“Ah,” he says, “the gentle bellow of the leave-bound sailor. Another tangible sign we are almost home.”

[histgamer]

I haven't been on the forums much since last spring but I remembered how great this AAR started out to be and I decided to try to catch up, since last night I have read from roughly page 20-47 now and I am floored by the way this amazing quality writing and story weaving has simply gotten better and better each day.

P.S. Due to the epic scope of this it would make a much better TV series than a movie or you could lengthen certain days to work it into a alternative history book sortta like Newtt did with his 3 book series about Gettysburg and what happened after a CSA victory there.

Seriously your writing is that good that you could be very successful off this.

[Capt. Harlock]

ORIGINAL: Onime No Kyo

ROFL [:D]

There have been some uncomfortable situations, but this one tops them all.

I second the motion! This is going to be something to watch. . .

[histgamer]

Damnit I am fully caught up now and I am left in suspense... ahhhhhhhhhhh[&:]


Oh and with the PDF thing whenever this is over I would love to get a copy as well, ideally autographed

[Onime No Kyo]

ORIGINAL: flanyboy

Damnit I am fully caught up now and I am left in suspense... ahhhhhhhhhhh[&:]


Oh and with the PDF thing whenever this is over I would love to get a copy as well, ideally autographed

Ha! A good half of the previous 56 pages are people griping about withdrawal. Welcome aboard. [:)]

[Cuttlefish]

ORIGINAL: flanyboy

Damnit I am fully caught up now and I am left in suspense... ahhhhhhhhhhh[&:]

Oh and with the PDF thing whenever this is over I would love to get a copy as well, ideally autographed

Thanks for the kind words earlier, and glad you enjoyed getting caught up. As far as being in suspense, that's one of the interesting things about writing this - the author is in suspense right along with everyone else.

[Cuttlefish]

July 9, 1943

Location: Okayama
Course: Disbanded in port
Attached to: None
Mission: None
System Damage: 3
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 475

Orders: Proceed to Okayama for refit

---

In the officer’s wardroom aboard Hibiki:

“What!” yells Lieutenant Kuwaki. “Sir, they can’t DO that!” Captain Ishii shoots a quelling glare down the table at his gunnery officer. Kuwaki, realizing that he is out of line, bows his head contritely.

“Sir, I apologize,” he says quietly. Captain Ishii leans back in his chair. In truth he had expected something like this.

“I will forgive the outburst, Lieutenant” he says. “However, please try to make your comments more constructive for the rest of the discussion.”

“Yes sir,” says Kuwaki. Captain Ishii looks around the room. Seated at the small table, which is covered with schematics and plans, are all of his senior officers; Miharu, Sakati, Sugiyura, and Kuwaki. Captain Ishii indicates the plans, which show that Hibiki’s “X” turret is to be removed. In its place will be mounted a platform holding a pair of triple 25 mm gun mounts. The weight saved will allow a number of smaller anti-aircraft guns to be mounted on the ship as well.

“For the record,” he says, “I was one of those who recommended this change. Since the war started we have fired almost 200 rounds of 5” ammunition. Of these, around 60% have been fired from the forward turret. We do not really need four 5” guns on the stern. We do, however, need every defense against enemy planes we can get. The enemy’s air power is growing with frightening speed.”

“Sir,” says Sakati, “I have a question.”

“Go ahead,” says the captain.

“Won’t we miss those guns if we get into a fight against enemy warships?” the engineer asks. Ishii suspects that Sakati already knows the answer to this and is asking on behalf of Kuwaki.

“Our main weapon against enemy warships has always been our torpedoes,” he says. Lieutenant Sugiyura speaks up.

“And we retain all nine torpedo tubes,” he says. Kuwaki shoots a glare at Sugiyura, but Captain Ishii nods.

“I admit it isn’t a perfect solution,” he says. “But the hull is only so large. This war is changing, and we have to change with it.”

“Sir, what about radar?” asks Lieutenant Miharu.

“I’m told that radar gear for destroyers is under development,” says Ishii. “Perhaps we will be fitted for it another time.”

The officers settle into a technical discussion of the changes to the destroyer. At length Ishii, satisfied that everyone understands what needs to be done, dismisses them. Before Lieutenant Miharu leaves he asks the executive officer to draw up a schedule of two week leaves for the crew.

“Yourself included,” he says. “Oh, and make sure Sakati goes too. He isn’t going to want to spend a day away from the ship while they’re doing the work.”

“Of course, sir,” says the lieutenant. “And you too, of course.” Ishii smiles.

“Especially me,” he says. “I have a new granddaughter who needs to be spoiled.”

[Ursa Major]

A lurker for months, I decided it was time to speak up in praise for this incredible story.  Cudos to you CF! If you are not doing this kind of work for a living the world is a poorer place.

[Onime No Kyo]

I can see the root of Kuwaki's feelings. Its the closest thing to emasculating the poor guy that CF hay yet come up with. [:D]

[Cuttlefish]

July 10, 1943

Location: Okayama
Course: Disbanded in port
Attached to: None
Mission: None
System Damage: 15
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 475

Orders: Proceed to Okayama for refit

---

Lieutenant Miharu accompanies Captain Ishii down to the deck. At the gangplank Captain Ishii stops and sets down his sea bag for a moment.

“Oh, and one more thing, Exec,” he says, “remember to make sure there is no corrosion anywhere in the sleeve once they take out the turret. If any…”

“Yes, Captain,” says Miharu with a laugh. “We have been over that. Your taxi is waiting.”

“Oh,” says the captain. He thinks for a moment. “Did you get Sakati’s leave scheduled?”

“Yes, sir, he goes in two weeks. Have a good trip, sir. Please give my regards to your wife and family.” Captain Ishii laughs. He waves off a sailor who tries to help him with his bag and lifts it himself. Lieutenant Miharu salutes him, and Captain Ishii returns it.

“Very well, Exec. The ship is yours. I know everything is in good hands.”

“Don’t worry, Captain. She’ll be afloat when you return,” the lieutenant says.

Captain Ishii turns and walks down the gangplank to the pier. He joins a small but steady stream of other crewmen heading away from the ship. Over sixty of Hibiki’s men will have departed by the end of the day.

---

Other men swarm aboard the ship. Work on Hibiki is already underway, and a large crane is poised over the stern to lift off the “X” turret. Crates are piled on the pier nearby. They hold new guns and new equipment for the ship.

From morning until dark the sound of hammers and torches replaces the familiar sound of the engines and the crash of waves against the hull. Hibiki settles into a new routine, one expected to take from three to four weeks.

---

Before and after shots from July 9 and 10, 1943. The result of the refit is to raise Hibiki’s AA rating from 88 to 116.

[John 3rd]

Sure wish the Japanese had figured out that 3.9" rapid fire they put on the Moon-Class DDs could have been used on OTHER ships.  Think the only capaital ship outfitted with those guns was CV Taiho.

[trollelite]

It is indicated Ishii didn't survive the war....[:(]  However if he was KIA, or died from accident or disease, still remains unknown...

[histgamer]

Be interesting if you could have Ishii's phenominal XO get promoted to command a ship of his own. I realize he is a ficticous caractor but you could simply say he is capt xxx and place him in command of another ship. Would add a net little eliment sort of like in the Hornblower Series when Hornblower become an adm and bush becomes a Capt.

[kaleun]

It is indicated Ishii didn't survive the war

Did I miss something?

[Cuttlefish]

ORIGINAL: kaleun

It is indicated Ishii didn't survive the war

Did I miss something?

I think trollelite was speaking historically. The fate of the real Ishii is something of a mystery. He and the commander of DD Ikazuchi traded places in August '42. Two weeks later Ishii was relieved of command. I don't know why or what became of him after that. My best guess is that he became ill and never recovered enough to return to active duty, but that's just a guess.

[histgamer]

Oh if the ship does go down i expect a long detailed report of the battle from the capt's perspective like 20 pages worth of detail second by second and all.[8D]

Then again I supose you could just do that as the ship enters tha battle and two seconds in say the magzine just blew up everyone was incinerated... the end.[:(]