Small Ship, Big War - The Voyages of the Hibiki

[Cuttlefish]

January 17, 1944

Location: Tokyo
Course: None
Attached to: Disbanded in port
Mission: None
System Damage: 2
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 475

Orders: Await further orders.

---

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.

Morning brings with it a row of ambulances. Sick sailors are taken off the ship while steam lines are run aboard along with the water and power lines. The heads and bunk spaces are going to be thoroughly cleaned and then repainted.

One of the first of the healthy crewmen off the ship is Taiki. He heads to a nearby headquarters building where there are telephones set aside for the use of crewmen and ruthlessly appropriates one. He then spends a couple of hours trying to put a phone call through to Maebashi in Gunma Prefecture, where his parents live. Japan’s telephone system is one of the most extensive in the world, but placing a long-distance call still takes time, money, and persistence.

Eventually, however, he gets through, and soon afterwards he is talking to his father.

---

“A three-day pass so you can get married?” says Lieutenant Miharu. “I am sorry, Takahashi, but I don’t think I can honor that request.”

“Sir,” says Taiki in anguish, “I have waited over half a year for…” The ship’s executive officer holds up a hand.

“I know the circumstances,” the ship’s executive officer says. “But for something like this I think we need to consult the Captain. Ah, there he is now.” Taiki is aghast.

“Sir,” he says, “please, I understand. You don’t need to…”

But Lieutenant Miharu is already signaling to Captain Ishii, who has just come out on deck. “Captain Ishii, sir, could I have a moment?” calls the lieutenant. Captain Ishii walks over.

“What is it, Exec?” he says. Taiki stands braced at attention.

“Well, sir, Petty Officer Second Class Takahashi here wants a three-day pass so he can go get married. I told him that sadly I could not honor that request.”

“Quite right,” says Captain Ishii seriously. He turns to Taiki. “I am surprised at you, Takahashi. A three-day pass?”

“Sir,” says Taiki, biting back a groan, “if I am required aboard ship then of course I withdraw my request.”

Captain Ishii snorts. “This ship is going nowhere soon,” he says, “not with almost fifty crew in the hospital.” He clasps his hands behind his back and addresses Lieutenant Miharu. “There is no way we can grant Petty Officer Second Class Takahashi a three-day pass,” he says. “However, I think Petty Officer First Class Takahashi could get a seven-day pass, could he not?”

Lieutenant Miharu nods. “That is what I was thinking, sir,” he says. It takes a moment for this to sink in, but when it does Taiki’s jaw drops a little. Lieutenant Miharu smiles.

“The paperwork is already taken care of,” he says. He reaches into his pocket and takes out a folded piece of paper. “Congratulations on your promotion and your upcoming wedding,” he says. He gives Taiki the pass.

Taiki looks down at the pass and then up at the two officers, still stunned.

“Well, what are you waiting for?” says Captain Ishii. “Get out of here, young man.”

Taiki suddenly smiles and then salutes. “Yes sir, I will. Thank you, sir. Sirs.” He hurries below to grab his duffel. If he is quick, he thinks, he should be able to catch the afternoon train to Maebashi.

[Terminus]

SCORE![:D][:D][:D]

[alaviner]

ORIGINAL: Terminus

SCORE![:D][:D][:D]

in more ways than just one [:D][:D]

grate stuff CF

[bobogoboom]

and more than once.[:D]

[Onime No Kyo]

From what we know of Taiki, I have serious doubts that he'd know what to do. [X(][:D]

[histgamer]

He will find out soon enough.[:D]

[princep01]

Gentlemen, please.  He is both a sailor and a man.  He will perform admirably and with both respect and honor for his bride.  Have no fear.

[whippleofd]

[:D]

Yea right.

Whipple

[kaleun]

And no Viagra yet!
Maybe Rhino horn.[;)]

[Mike Solli]

ORIGINAL: kaleun

And no Viagra yet!
Maybe Rhino horn.[;)]

I have a sneaky suspicion he won't need any......

[String]

I wonder if Cuttlefish will bring in guest writers? I recall and old Europa Universalis AAR from paradox forums where a guest writer, who was given pretty much a free hand, wrote a pretty steamy scene... [:D]

[kaleun]

Nah! This is a PG rated forum.

[alaviner]

ORIGINAL: String

I wonder if Cuttlefish will bring in guest writers? I recall and old Europa Universalis AAR from paradox forums where a guest writer, who was given pretty much a free hand, wrote a pretty steamy scene... [:D]

So there I was with a ....[:D][:D][:D]

[tocaff]

Guest writers?  What for?  CF is weaving his tale in grand fashion and needs no help.

[Redd]

Damn straight brother.[;)]

[Cuttlefish]

January 18, 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.

---

Morito Miharu and his new friend are sitting on the end of an old fishing pier in Osaka. They are eating dinner while looking out over the harbor. No one will bother a couple of laborers sitting out here, watching the ships come and go,

“I think we have enough money to buy a meal tomorrow as well, Suzuki,” says Morito. “But then we need to find more work.”

“We need to move on,” says Umeda. “Too many people around here know our faces.”

Morito nods. “You are not wrong. Well, I know a man in Nagasaki who might be willing to help us. He has been forced to recant his beliefs, but he was once a loyal Communist.” Privately Umeda thinks the phrase “loyal Communist” is an oxymoron, but he says nothing. He needs this idiot and his connections to stay ahead of the police.

“Nagasaki it is, then,” he says. The two men sit and eat. Out on the harbor a warship, which Umeda easily identifies as a Yugumo-class destroyer, cruises slowly past.

“My brother is an officer aboard a destroyer,” says Morito around a mouthful of rice. “I hope he is all right.” Umeda’s interest sharpens suddenly. He remembers that it was his attempt to arrest a Lieutenant Miharu that led to his downfall.

“What ship?” he asks, managing to sound casual.

“Hibiki,” says Morito. Umeda’s face remains impassive but inside he churns with emotion. This treasonous fool beside me is the man I was investigating when I went to question Lieutenant Miharu, he realizes. Truly, fate is aiding me in my quest for revenge. He thinks quickly.

“Really?” he says in a tone of mild interest. “I know a man aboard that ship. Shun, his name is.”

“You know Shun?” asks Morito in delight. “My brother used to tell me stories about him, back before the war when we were still speaking to one another. A man of great strength, I hear.”

“Oh yes. Very fast too,” says Umeda, striving to keep bitterness out of his voice. His broken wrist still throbs on cold nights.

“Truly, it is a small world,” says Morito.

“So it seems,” says Umeda. He spins a quick lie. “Shun’s family helped my father once. They might be willing to help me. If only I could remember where they lived…”

“Okinawa,” says Morito promptly. “A small village, I should be able to recall the name…hmm…well, it will come to me.”

“I’m sure that it will,” says Umeda.

[Terminus]

Oooh, cue sinister music...[:D]

[histgamer]

Psh if Shun saw Umeda again is would not be Shun's end bu Umeda's I mean even with a silly pistol Shun would simply crush the gun with his one hand and snap Umeda's neck with the other. He is like the Japanese Hercules. Heck Shun is probably even bullet proof.

[Terminus]

DON'T SAY THAT!!! Now Shun will get killed![:-]

[Japanese_Spirit]

Just to say I'm still reading this epic tale Cuttlefish and I really am enjoying it still! Yes, I did a post of guest writing for CF about a year ago. Just a newspaper article to practice my story telling skills. It was fun and I thank Cuttlefish for that opportunity. Sadly though it never recieved much acclaim from readers although CF and Wolf enjoyed it which is good. [:D]

Anyway, just to keep up this epic tale! When I first wrote that article for CF, the Hibiki felt more like a typical AAR with a back story. But now, it feels like a fully fledged novel. The detail is excellent. CF really could make a career in writing.

CF, keep up the good work and this story has inspired me also to consider writing something of my own in the future. It's just a perfect setting. Instead of long posts with pictures, just the simple setting of telling a story about a crew on a destroyer in small to medium posts is an excellent way not to get stressed about updating and to keep the story flowing nicely.