Cuttlefish
Posts: 2454
Joined: 1/24/2007
From: Oregon, USA
Status: offline
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July 20, 1943
Location: Okayama
Course: Disbanded in port
Attached to: None
Mission: None
System Damage: 7
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 475
Orders: Proceed to Okayama for refit
---
“Welcome back, Captain,” says Lieutenant Miharu “You look well, sir.” And indeed Hibiki’s captain looks more relaxed and much less tired than he did ten days ago.
“Thank you, Exec,” Ishii says cheerfully. “It looks as though the ship is coming along. Any problems?” The lieutenant assures him that all is well. They adjourn to the captain’s cabin and spend some time going over the progress of the repairs and the new personnel changes. Finally Captain Ishii waves a hand at his executive officer.
“All right, that’s good enough,” he says. “I can figure out the rest. Go pack your bag.” Lieutenant Miharu grins.
“Already packed, sir,” he says.
“Then why are you still here?” says Captain Ishii. “Give your wife my greetings.”
“I will sir, thank you.” Lieutenant Miharu starts to leave, then stops and turns back. “Oh, sir, one more thing. Seaman Ariga insists on speaking with you as soon as possible. He won’t say why, sir.”
“Ariga, eh? Shun’s daughter is here, isn’t she? Has there been trouble?”
“No sir, not that I know of. At least nobody has tried to kill anybody else this time around.” Captain Ishii grunts.
“Well, send him up, then. I don’t think he’d bother me if it wasn’t important,” he says.
“Yes sir,” replies Miharu, and leaves.
---
It is several hours later, near sundown. Three men walk down a narrow street near the docks. The man in the lead stops in front of the side door of a long, narrow warehouse. He fumbles with some keys in the dim light, then unlocks the door. He pushes it open and enters. The other two men follow.
Once inside Riku flips on a switch. A single light comes on overhead, illuminating a patch of bare concrete floor. Stacked in the middle of this space are a number of square wooden crates. In the shadows to either side tall stacks of other boxes and crates can be glimpsed.
“If this is not worthy of the Captain’s time I will crack your head open,” growls Shun.
“Now, Chief,” Captain Ishii says. “I am sure Seaman Ariga would not drag us out here if it was not very important.” He fixes Riku with a piercing gaze. “Would you, Ariga?”
“No, sir,” says Riku. “I mean yes, sir, it is important.” He advances towards the crates. “This is the problem shipment, sir.” Captain Ishii advances. The crates are stamped, in English characters, “M&M Enterprises”. Ishii looks puzzled.
“What is this?” he says. “What’s the problem?” Suddenly a voice speaks from the darkness off to his left.
“What is the matter, Lieutenant Commander Ishii?” it says. “Have you lost your taste for salted sea urchin eggs?’ Lieutenant Umeda emerges into the light, pistol drawn. Captain Ishii narrows his eyes.
“I know you,” he says. “You’re that idiot who tried to detain my executive officer as we were leaving on a combat mission.” Lieutenant Umeda grins nastily.
“I am so glad you remember me,” he says. “I had a lot of time to remember you while I was lying in that hospital bed in Rangoon.”
“Sea urchin eggs? Rangoon?” says Ishii. “What are you babbling about?”
“What I am talking about is that you and Chief Petty Officer Shun are under arrest for smuggling,” says Umeda. “You have been dealing with the enemy, Captain. That is not only illegal, it is reprehensible. Making money while others serve and die for the Emperor, you make me sick.”
“What is this?” Ishii demands of Riku. Riku looks apologetic.
“Sorry, sir, he knows everything,” he says.
“Knows everything? Everything what?” demands Ishii. Shun growls and steps towards Riku, but Umeda raises his pistol.
“Stop right there,” he says. “I don’t want you harming my chief witness.” Shun stops, and Umeda glances at his watch. “We will wait a few moments,” he says. “I called as soon as I saw you approaching. More Tokeitai will be here shortly.”
No one speaks. Captain Ishii stands there looking outraged. Shun stands helplessly, dividing murderous looks between Riku and Umeda.
Soon the tromp of feet is heard from the open door. In walks a Tokeitai officer and six men, all armed with rifles.
“I am Captain Shimura,” the officer announces. “What is going on here?”
“Hello, Captain,” says Umeda. “I placed the call, I am Lieutenant Umeda. This is Lieutenant Commander Ishii, captain of destroyer Hibiki. This is Chief Petty Officer Shun of the same vessel.” He indicates Riku. “This is Seaman Ariga. They are the chief conspirators in a smuggling ring that has spanned much of the Central Pacific. They have been dealing with the enemy, sir. The proof is before you.” Captain Shimura raises an eyebrow.
“Indeed?” he says. He indicates the crates. “These, I assume?” Umeda nods. Captain Shimura points to one of his men. “Open that crate there,” he says. The enlisted man nod. He leans his rifle against a wall and grabs a crowbar. The lid is quickly pried off the crate. Captain Shimura leans over and looks in.
“What’s this?” he says. “Thirty-seven millimeter ammunition?” Captain Ishii raises an eyebrow.
“I see what you mean,” he says to Riku. “That is a problem. We need don’t have any guns of that caliber aboard ship.”
“What!” screams Lieutenant Umeda. He points angrily at Riku. “Where are my eggs?”
“Eggs, sir?” says Riku. “Are you feeling well, sir?” Umeda turns purple. He turns to Captain Shimura. “Sir, this man has documents and contraband that reveal the entire plot!” The enlisted man has opened all the crates, with the same result. Paperwork from First Fleet headquarters consigning the ammunition to Hibiki is found and examined.
“What about these charges?” Captain Shimura asks Riku.
“Sir, I am very sorry. I have no idea what this man is talking about,” Riku says. Captain Shimura turns to Ishii.
“Sir, this is one of my most reliable men,” says Ishii. “Lieutenant Umeda seems to bear me a grudge. I believe it has warped his judgment. He has been ill, it seems. Perhaps his return to duty was premature.” Lieutenant Umeda’s face contorts with rage.
“You…you…” he says to Ishii, then fury overcomes him completely. He raises his pistol and levels it at Ishii’s chest.
Riku doesn’t think, he just hurls himself in front the captain. Shun has not taken his eyes from Umeda through the entire exchange, and he lunges at the Tokeitai officer. He manages to knock the gun out of line just as Umeda fires. The bullet zips just past Riku and Ishii and buries itself in the wall behind them. The sound of the gunshot echoes in the cavernous space, then there is a dry snap as Shun breaks Umeda’s wrist. The gun clatters to the floor.
Shun scoops up the weapon and whirls to make sure his captain is all right. When he sees Riku standing in front of the captain he raises an eyebrow. From behind Riku Captain Ishii reaches out and touches the sailor’s shoulder.
“That’s fine, son,” says Ishii. “Thank you. You can stand down now.” Riku lowers his arms and steps to one side, feeling slightly foolish.
“Seize him,” Shimura barks, pointing at Umeda. Two of his men do so. Umeda stands held between them, cradling his wrist. Shimura turns to Captain Ishii.
“Sir, I apologize for this,” he says. “You are unhurt, I hope?”
“Yes, thank you sir,” says Ishii. He indicates Lieutenant Umeda. “Go easy on him, sir. I don’t believe he is entirely well.” Captain Shimura looks grim.
“Laying false charges and attempted murder,” he says. “Umeda has much to answer for. You and your men can go, Captain.” He pauses. “There will of course have to be an investigation.”
“Of course, sir,” says Ishii. “You will find that Hibiki has nothing to hide.” He turns to Riku and Shun.
“Come along, gentlemen,” he says. “I think we are done here.”
---
“Well, that went well, I thought,” says Captain Ishii later, back aboard Hibiki. “Nicely done, Seaman Ariga, thank you.”
“Sir,” says Riku anxiously, “when I suggested this plan I had no idea he would try to kill you.” Captain Ishii waves away his protest.
“You could not have foreseen that,” says Ishii. “Umeda might have saved his career despite it all, if it weren’t for that. It was clearly an irrational act. There was no way to predict it.” Riku looks only slightly reassured. Captain Ishii stretches.
“It’s good to be back from leave,” he says wryly. “But I think that is enough excitement for one evening. Good night, gentlemen.” Riku salutes and departs. Shun lingers for a moment.
“Something on your mind, Chief?” Ishii asks him. Shun stirs.
“What he did tonight, to protect you,” says Shun. “That was well done.”
“I agree,” says Ishii. “You might have said that to him, though, Chief.” Shun shifts uncomfortably.
“Maybe,” he says reluctantly.
“You did well too, Chief,” says Ishii.
“Thank you, sir,” says Shun. He thinks for a moment. “I should have tied an anchor to that guy back when I threw him overboard,” he says thoughtfully. “It would have saved a lot of trouble.”
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