Cuttlefish -> RE: Small Ship, Big War - The Voyages of the Hibiki (3/17/2007 1:33:03 AM)
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April 12, 1942 Location: 250 miles west-northwest of Eniwetok Course: Northwest Attached to: TF 53 Mission: Surface Combat System Damage: 6 Float Damage: 0 Fires: 0 Fuel: 409 Orders: Escort heavy cruiser Kako back to Japan. --- In the Captain's cabin aboard the Hibiki: The captain and the executive officer are conversing when there is a knock at the door. Lieutenant Miharu opens the door, revealing Seaman First Class Taiki Takahashi. The young man is obviously terrified, but nonetheless manages a crisp salute. Taiki: You sent for me, sir? Captain Ishii: Yes, Seaman Takahashi. Come in. Taiki does so, and the exec closes the door behind him. With three people in it the 10' by 12' room is slightly crowded. Captain Ishii: Relax, sailor. You aren't in trouble. On the contrary. But the Lieutenant here has heard some interesting things about you lately, and we wanted to ask you a few questions. Taiki: *still highly nervous* Yes sir. Captain Ishii: Read this, please. The captain hands Taiki a dog-eared, 10-page official Navy document, titled "Remount Instructions for Type 92 110 cm Searchlight". Taiki reads through it quickly, then the captain reaches out and takes it back. Captain Ishii: Tell me, Seaman, what type of bolts are used to attach the sub-flange to the underside of the rail? Taiki: Uh, five by forty millimeter bolts, sir. Captain Ishii: That's right. Hmm, let's see...*he looks through the document* Tell me, what was the last date these instructions were revised? Taiki: August 18, 1937, sir. Captain Ishii: *raises an eyebrow* Indeed yes. What do you think, Exec? Lieutenant Miharu: It's remarkable that there is nothing about this in his record, sir. May I ask him a couple of questions? Captain Ishii: Certainly. Lieutenant Miharu: Seaman Takahashi. Let us say that a ship is 5000 meters due south of a channel marker. We are 4000 meters east of that ship. How far does that make us from the marker? Taiki: 6403 meters, sir. Lieutenant Miharu: Hm. Yes. All right, we are traveling north at 10 knots. After one minute how close are we to the marker? Taiki: Um...6165 meters, sir. 6164.7, really. Lieutenant Miharu: *checks something he has written down* That is correct. Captain Ishii: Well. Very interesting. Thank you, Seaman Takahashi, you are dismissed. Taiki salutes and departs, trying unsuccesfully to conceal his obvious relief. Captain Ishii: What do you think, Exec? Lieutenant Miharu: A talented young man. Rumor in this case seems to be accurate. Captain Ishii: Yes. Hmm...keep this to yourself for now, Exec. Lieutenant Miharu: Yes sir. May I ask why? The Navy could be making better use of him than they are. Captain Ishii: That's what I am afraid of. I want to use those talents. The Navy in its wisdom would doubtless put him to work counting cases of rivets on Saipan, or something similar. I will take some time and think about this.
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