Small Ship, Big War - The Voyages of the Hibiki

[Cuttlefish]

May 10, 1944

Location: 290 miles northwest of Iwo Jima
Course: North
Attached to: TF 23
Mission: Air combat
System Damage: 1
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 190

Orders: Return to Osaka

---

Taiki is alone in the petty officer’s wardroom when Shun enters. The young petty officer stands to acknowledge the Chief.

“Chief Shun,” he says respectfully. Shun does not speak at first but instead closes the door behind him and then locks it. He then turns back towards Taiki.

“Takahashi,” he says in his gravelly voice. He then comes towards Taiki, moving on the balls of his feet in a fighter’s crouch. Taiki takes an involuntary step backwards in alarm.

“Chief?” he says. Shun merely grins without making a reply. As he reaches Taiki he throws a punch right at Taiki’s head.

It is possible that Shun telegraphs the punch just a little bit. But it is a vicious punch anyway and if it lands Taiki will need extensive dental work. It does not land. Taiki reacts with great speed and slips the blow by a fraction of an inch. Then, reacting completely by instinct, he grabs Shun’s arm and uses it as a lever to pivot into the big man, driving his elbow hard into Shun’s midriff. Shun actually grunts at the blow. The next move in the sequence is to throw Shun over his shoulder and to the floor, but at this point intellect overrides reflex. Taiki releases Shun and pivots back out of reach, an appalled expression on his face.

Shun is holding a hand over his midriff and grinning. “Good, very good,” he says. “Tell me, Takahashi, who did you take advanced unarmed combat from at Sergeant’s School? Kubo?”

Taiki is confused. “Yes, Chief,” he stammers. “How…how do you know that?”

“Kubo and I are old friends,” he says. “I recognize his technique when I see it – as I recently have.” He gazes levelly at Taiki. “The fact that you took the course is in your file.”

Here it comes, thinks Taiki. He braces himself and meets Shun’s stern look evenly. Astonishingly, however, the chief begin to chuckle.

“Your only mistake was striking too hard,” he says when he recovers his composure. “Next time trust your skill.” Taiki knows he is not talking about what just happened. Shun claps Taiki on the shoulder and goes to the door. He unlocks and opens it. Then he takes one look back at Taiki, chuckles again with a shake of his head, and leaves. Taiki stands looking at the empty doorway for several moments, a bemused expression on his face.

[Capt. Harlock]

“Your only mistake was striking too hard,” he says when he recovers his composure. “Next time trust your skill.” Taiki knows he is not talking about what just happened.

Mystery solved! (And I should have realized that there was a recently trained fourth suspect.) I continue to be awe-struck by your ability to keep multiple complex plot-lines going.

But Miharu may never find out . . . he certainly won't from Shun![:D]

[alaviner]

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

[gladiatt]

ORIGINAL: Cuttlefish

May 10, 1944

Location: 290 miles northwest of Iwo Jima
Course: North
Attached to: TF 23
Mission: Air combat
System Damage: 1
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 190

Orders: Return to Osaka

---

Taiki is alone in the petty officer’s wardroom when Shun enters. The young petty officer stands to acknowledge the Chief.

“Chief Shun,” he says respectfully. Shun does not speak at first but instead closes the door behind him and then locks it. He then turns back towards Taiki.

“Takahashi,” he says in his gravelly voice. He then comes towards Taiki, moving on the balls of his feet in a fighter’s crouch. Taiki takes an involuntary step backwards in alarm.

“Chief?” he says. Shun merely grins without making a reply. As he reaches Taiki he throws a punch right at Taiki’s head.

It is possible that Shun telegraphs the punch just a little bit. But it is a vicious punch anyway and if it lands Taiki will need extensive dental work. It does not land. Taiki reacts with great speed and slips the blow by a fraction of an inch. Then, reacting completely by instinct, he grabs Shun’s arm and uses it as a lever to pivot into the big man, driving his elbow hard into Shun’s midriff. Shun actually grunts at the blow. The next move in the sequence is to throw Shun over his shoulder and to the floor, but at this point intellect overrides reflex. Taiki releases Shun and pivots back out of reach, an appalled expression on his face.

Shun is holding a hand over his midriff and grinning. “Good, very good,” he says. “Tell me, Takahashi, who did you take advanced unarmed combat from at Sergeant’s School? Kubo?”

Taiki is confused. “Yes, Chief,” he stammers. “How…how do you know that?”

“Kubo and I are old friends,” he says. “I recognize his technique when I see it – as I recently have.” He gazes levelly at Taiki. “The fact that you took the course is in your file.”

Here it comes, thinks Taiki. He braces himself and meets Shun’s stern look evenly. Astonishingly, however, the chief begin to chuckle.

“Your only mistake was striking too hard,” he says when he recovers his composure. “Next time trust your skill.” Taiki knows he is not talking about what just happened. Shun claps Taiki on the shoulder and goes to the door. He unlocks and opens it. Then he takes one look back at Taiki, chuckles again with a shake of his head, and leaves. Taiki stands looking at the empty doorway for several moments, a bemused expression on his face.

WOW , i couldn't have guess this one !
Nice job as usual Cuttlefish ! [;)]

[tocaff]

You woulda thunk it?

[whippleofd]

Taiki is confused. “Yes, Chief,” he stammers. “How…how do you know that?”

The Chief ALWAYS knows:

Rule #1: The Chief knows everything.
Rule #2: If you think the Chief doesen't know, remember rule #1.

Whipple

[bobogoboom]

ORIGINAL: John 3rd

ANYTHING that packs nearly 1,000 AA strength is useful!

and in chs kick ass float plane fighters and torpedo planes.[&o]

[Cuttlefish]

May 11, 1944

Location: 60 miles southwest of Osaka
Course: Northeast
Attached to: TF 23
Mission: Air combat
System Damage: 1
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 145

Orders: Return to Osaka

---

Senior Petty Officer Okubo is at the rail, keeping an eye on a group of sailors who are at work replacing the gaskets and knife-edges on a door in the aft deckhouse nearby. Chief Shun comes into view and saunters over to join Okubo. He just stands there for a moment, watching the work.

“It looks at though we should be back in Japan tomorrow,” Okubo comments, just to be saying something. “Any idea where we will be making port, Chief?”

Shun shrugs. “Osaka probably, given our course, or maybe Okayama,” he says. “I haven’t heard.” He turns away, looking out at the green water. Okubo turns with him.

“You caught a break, you know,” Shun says after a moment. He is speaking in a low voice.

“Chief?” says Okubo.

“A break,” Shun says. “Someone decided you ought to get another chance and was willing to take a risk to do it. You were luckier than you deserved. If it was me you would be in irons now. I’ve had about enough of you, Okubo.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Chief,” Okubo says. But he does know.

“Right,” says Shun. “What kind of accident did you have in mind for Aikawa? It had to be something like that. Someone figured it out and decided to punish you informally.”

“Chief, I would never…” Okubo begins.

“Shut up,” Shun says curtly. “Just listen. Lieutenant Miharu is not a stupid man. He probably has gotten pretty close to the truth. If he gets there your career is over. The only reason that hasn’t happened is that you have a guardian angel. A violent one, but still a guardian angel.” Okubo says nothing to this, but his mind is racing. He knows it wasn’t Shun. Who then?

Shun glances over to make sure the men are still at work, then continues talking. “You get no more chances aboard this ship. One more slip and you are through. Remember that, and remember that I’m not the only one watching you.” He pushes away from the rail. “Have a good afternoon,” he says, then moves away. Okubo watches him retreat. He feels cold, as if spirits were visiting his grave.

[ChezDaJez]

Nice. But I'll bet Okubo doesn't take the hint...

Chez

[thegreatwent]

Brilliant writing. As usual[&o][&o][&o]

[F6frc]

Always great, never enough! [&o] [&o] [&o]

[Feinder]

There's always got to be a villian.  We had that bone-head in the KGB (or whatever it was), and now Okubo.  He's certainly smarter and not so impulsive, so he'll probably stick around for a bit.
 
-F-

[Cuttlefish]

May 12, 1944

Location: Osaka
Course: Docked
Attached to: TF 23
Mission: Air combat
System Damage: 1
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 475

Orders: Return to Osaka

---

News of the victory at Woleai reached Japan ahead of Hibiki and, magnified by the press into something more glorious and significant than it actually was, caused great celebration. By the time they reach the docks at Kobe, though, the return of the warships is all but ignored. A more recent event has pushed talk about almost anything else into the background.

---

“Hey, everyone, look at this!” Oizuma, one of the sailors responsible for securing the gangway, bustles back up on deck waving a newspaper. A few sailors gather around and are soon joined by others. Petty officers that come over to get people back to work end up grabbing the newspaper and jawing with the rest of the crew over the headline. Ensign Izu, the officer of the deck, finally seizes the newspaper and restores some order. As the crew moves away, still talking among themselves, Izu stands alone and stares disbelievingly at the headline: “Nagasaki Bombed!”

---

Excerpt from "Naval Battles of the Pacific, Volume 7: Ring of Steel" by Morris Elliot Samuelson; Harper, Row, and Fujimori, New York, 1965

The B-29 raid on Nagasaki had much more far-reaching effects on Japan than the modest damage inflicted by the bombs. It was a severe shock to the Japanese people, who even after two and a half years of war imagined that their home islands were secure from attack. It very nearly toppled the Tojo government, already on the defensive for its failure to stop the Allied advance in the Pacific.

Amid the confusion it took some time for the Japanese to determine from where the bombers had come. First reports that they had come from bases in the Soviet Union caused great concern. Matters were not helped when President Roosevelt airily stated to the press that they had been based “in Shangra-La”.

Eventually Japanese intelligence learned the truth. Incredible though it seemed to them, the bombers had come from Chungking. Over the next several weeks other raids followed: the port at Okayama was bombed, as were Mitsubishi engine plants at Kitakyushu and Matsuyama. Though initially slow to react the Japanese were by this time able to base a large number of fighter planes in western Japan and a raid in early June against Sasebo met heavy opposition. Eighteen of the one hundred and forty B-29s involved failed to return.

Following this raid General Curtis LeMay cancelled the “Chungking Express”, as the raids had become known. The distance was too great, allowing only a small bomb load to be carried, and the number of miles to Japan took a toll even on bombers that did not suffer damage from fighters or flak. LeMay joined those pushing strongly for a faster advance in the Pacific. Bases in the Philippines or the Marianas would allow…

[FeurerKrieg]

The war arrives at the Home Islands....

[thegreatwent]

Time to put on our "The end is near" signs. [:(]

[Radio]

A Spectacular AAR Cuttlefish, thanks for taking the time to write this.

Ever since I discovered this game and these forums a week ago I've been torn between spending my time playing the game or reading your story.

I can now get back to embarrassing myself in my game against Mr.AI (Fortunately he's a closed mouth type who never squeals).

EDIT: I cant find "12 Islands to Freedom" on Amazon. Is it out of print?

[Capt. Harlock]

ORIGINAL: thegreatwent

Time to put on our "The end is near" signs.

I wouldn't go that far yet! For one thing, operations involving the Hibiki have a high success rate. More important, the USN is paying for every new captured base, and with the "interlocking fire" of Guam, Saipan, and Tinian, the cost could be high indeed.

I am impressed that the Allies managed to get B-29's operating this soon, and from China, no less. Speaking of that theater, I wonder how the Great Seige of Mandalay is going?

[Skipjack]

While Combined Fleet withdrawls after it's successful mission, I'm guessing it's time for an massive assault on the Marianas.   I want to see how many N1Ks are available to fight off the U.S. CVs

[Cuttlefish]

ORIGINAL: RabidGibbon

A Spectacular AAR Cuttlefish, thanks for taking the time to write this.

Ever since I discovered this game and these forums a week ago I've been torn between spending my time playing the game or reading your story.

I can now get back to embarrassing myself in my game against Mr.AI (Fortunately he's a closed mouth type who never squeals).

EDIT: I cant find "12 Islands to Freedom" on Amazon. Is it out of print?

Welcome to the AAR and to the forums! As far as "Twelve Islands to Freedom" goes, of the several fictional post-war books that have been mentioned in this AAR that is the one that I, personally, would most like to read. We only got a few hints of what Barnwell went through to escape the Japanese advance in the DEI but I bet the rest would make a terrific story.

[Cuttlefish]

May 13, 1944

Location: Osaka
Course: Docked
Attached to: TF 23
Mission: Air combat
System Damage: 1
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 472

Orders: Await further orders

---

Seaman First Class Riku Ariga sits on a bench in a small park near the docks. He is reading a letter from Nanami Shun for the second time. It is a good letter, and he will probably read it three or four more times before the day is out. For the moment, however, he carefully folds it and puts it away. It is pleasant to just sit in the sun and relax, if only for another hour or two.

Though the cherry trees have long since dropped their blossoms there are flowers growing in bright profusion in the flower beds. Here and there vendors wander by with their carts, their business selling bento lunches beginning to pick up as noon approaches. There are mothers here with their children and couples strolling past. It is an entirely typical and pleasant urban scene and if it was not for the fact that so many of the men present are in uniform one would hardly know there is a war going on.

A shadow falls over Riku and he looks up. A man is standing there looking at him. The man is wearing a weathered coverall. He is of middle years and looks strong and fit despite a slight paunch and the fact that he is missing two teeth. Riku immediately places him as a dockworker, a breed known to every large port in the world. What such a man would want with him here he has no idea.

“Mr. Ariga?” says the man, bowing slightly.

“That’s me,” acknowledges Riku. He does not get up. “What may I do for you?”

The man sits at the other end of the bench, turning to face him.

“My apologies for disturbing you,” he says. “But you were pointed out to me by mutual acquaintances. My name is Kado. I have a business offer for you, if you would care to listen to it.”

Ah, thinks Riku. Of course. “I am sorry to disappoint you,” he says politely. “I am not interested.”

“No?” says Kado. He smiles, showing more of his bad teeth. “It would take very little of your time and would reward you handsomely. I represent an enterprising businessman and all he needs from you are the names of some of your contacts.”

“I regret that I cannot help you,” says Riku.

Kado sighs. “I see you are not a man to sell what he knows cheaply,” he says. “This is good. You know the value of things. Let me tell you, then, that in return for what you know I can offer you 1% of the profits that would result. There is no risk to you and the total value of that might be realized is quite high.” He names a figure that impresses even Riku. One percent of that sum would more than…

No. “Perhaps I have not made myself clear, Mr. Kado,” he says. “I appreciate the generous offer, but I am no longer in business in any form or at any price. You will have to look elsewhere for the assistance you need.”

Kado scrutinizes Riku for a moment. Finally he stands.

“I am sorry to have disturbed you, then,” he says. He nods at Riku and then turns and exits the small park, disappearing among the other pedestrians.

Riku gazes after him for a moment. Something about the encounter strikes him as slightly off. The man to all appearances was a typical wharf rat but something about his language was a little too smooth. In his time Riku has dealt with everyone from bankers to smugglers but he cannot quite place this Kado character. Oh well, he thinks. The man is gone now.

Riku takes out Nanami’s letter and begins to read it again.