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November 17, 1943

Location: 50 miles east of Reef Island
Course: Holding position
Attached to: TF 4
Mission: Air Combat
System Damage: 1
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 380

Orders: Engage enemy forces attacking the New Hebrides

---

American troops begin landing at Efate. There are at least two American divisions present and they are accompanied by a powerful force of American and British battleships. But of the enemy carriers there is no sign.

The Japanese carriers remain concealed to the north while their submarines and land-based search planes comb the waters nearby. They will attack without knowing the position of the enemy carriers if they must, but they would much prefer to know where they are. The carriers, after all, are the target. Once they are disposed of the rest of the Allied fleet will not stand a chance.

November 18, 1943

Location: 50 miles east of Reef Island
Course: South
Attached to: TF 4
Mission: Air Combat
System Damage: 1
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 332

Orders: Engage enemy forces attacking the New Hebrides

---

“Report from Junyo, sir,” says a voice from the speaking tube on the bridge. “Several enemy warships, probably destroyers, are 275 miles south of our position. Aircraft have been ordered to intercept and destroy them.”

“Thank you,” says Captain Ishii. “Let me know if there are further sightings.” He turns to Lieutenant Sugiyura. “No point in lurking here any longer,” he says. “I imagine we will be ordered south soon.”

“Good,” says Sugiyura. “I think everyone is tired of waiting.”

---

One person not tired of waiting is Commander Thomas McMasters, in command of DesDiv 48. McMasters and his four Fletcher-class destroyers are anchoring the north flank of the Allied forces attacking Efate. The far north flank; his task force is in fact cruising north of Luganville. If the Japs do what they did at Noumea, he knows, they will come straight down from the north, and the first thing their carriers and battleships will find is DesDiv 48. He has no illusions about the fate of his ships should this occur.

He has his flag in the lead ship, DD Harrison. Behind him in the column are destroyers Hazelwood, Pringle, and Fulham. So far there has been no sign of the enemy. This suits McMasters just fine. He is not afraid of a fight, but he hates this exposed position and is worried about the ships and men under his command.

At 1120 hours his worst fears materialize. A Jap plane, probably a Val, is reported overhead. There are no Allied fighters in evidence, so the plane gets a good long look. Less than two hours later they have Jap planes on radar to the north. A lot of planes, and they are all coming straight at him.

McMasters radios a report to Noumea and then waits for the enemy to arrive. There is nothing else to do, really.

---

“The targets are reported destroyed, sir,” comes another report from the radio room. Captain Ishii acknowledges it. Not long after that a signal light on Shokaku begins to flash. Hibiki and the rest of the Japanese ships are ordered south.

The enemy has powerful surface forces and large transport fleets around Efate. This time they have no hope of escaping; the Japanese are too close and coming too fast. If the enemy carriers are nearby and close enough to intervene they will have to do so now.

The Decisive Battle is at hand.

Hibiki crew, I pray for your souls... [&o]

A day that will change history is upon us it seems.

A round of Sake and rice balls!
 
BANZAI!
 
Everyone take a deep breath because here we go...
 

I keep hearing The Imperial March from Star Wars for some reason...[:D]

[:D]
 
Banzai! Banzai! Banzai!

Somebody is going to get their rear end kicked....

Bonsaï !!

I feel japan losing the eliment of suprise and having exposed where their carriers are without finding out where the allied carries are has doomed them to defeat.[:(]

Japanese victory, perhaps not decisive, but almost assuredly a victory. I'd almost bet my hedgehog on it.

Have you asked the hedgehog?

Well, that's why I said almost. He disagrees violently with me. The last I saw him, he was putting up a tiny White Ensign in his hutch.

Does the hedgehog come with it's own crew of fleas?

No, although all of the hedgehogs I've ever own have a curiously strong fondness for Queen Victoria. Weird, I know.

So, it comes down to: who is more prescient - HMS Resolution, or his hedgehog?? [&:] [:'(]

[:D][:D]

  
 
 
<goes back to biting nails

I hope the battle at the very least is a draw. Cuttlefish about a month ago maybe a little less said he was still a month ahead of his writing game wise so I think its safe to say the war doesnt end? Unless he was fighting the final battle when he said that.[:(]

So should we start a "Death Pool" - who's going to die on Hibiki...?
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