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Cuttlefish -> RE: Small Ship, Big War (11/28/2008 11:09:18 PM)
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October 4, 1944
Location: Tokyo
Course: None
Attached to: TF 27
Mission: Surface Combat
System Damage: 0
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 475
Orders: Return to Tokyo
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With the task force anchored once again in Tokyo Bay Captain Ishii takes a stroll about the deck. As he makes his way aft he encounters Shun, who is benignly watching a work party scraping and painting the coping around a door in the aft deck house.
“How are you doing these days, Chief?” Ishii asks. “Any trouble from that bullet wound?”
“It’s just fine, sir,” says Shun. “The scar tissue pulls a little bit sometimes but it’s getting better. I put eel grease on it.”
“Eel grease,” says Ishii with a smile. “That brings back some memories.”
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April 1924: Aboard light cruiser Tatsuta, Sasebo harbor
It is Ensign Hagumu Ishii’s second day aboard his new assignment. Many of the ship’s officers are new, including the captain. Two weeks ago Tatsuta had been involved in an unfortunate incident outside the harbor when it rammed and sank an IJN training vessel. Several lives were lost and the former captain, Ichimura, and a number of others have been quietly transferred to shore duty.
Ishii is already known as a promising and aggressive officer, though his habit of speaking frankly to his superiors has already caused him some trouble. But he is undeniably talented and is just the sort of officer needed to help restore the ship’s damaged reputation.
At the moment Ishii is approaching the bow, where a work gang is repairing some of the damage suffered in the collision. One of the sailors straightens for a moment to wipe his brow and a shock of recognition runs through Ishii. Though he has not seen him in five years he knows this man.
“Shun?” he says, striding forward. The powerfully built young sailor’s eyes widen in surprise but he does not miss a beat in coming to attention and saluting sharply. His gaze flickers across the braids on Ishii’s sleeve.
“Ensign Ishii, sir!” he barks, eyes again forward. Ishii is bemused. The last time he saw Shun the young Ryukyun was more than a little bit of a wild man. He vividly remembers Shun swinging an axe with gusto as he and Ishii battled pirates on the deck of the old steamer Hier.
“At ease,” Ishii says. Shun relaxes his stance a little and clasps his hands behind his back. “It’s been a long time,” Ishii continues. “When did you join the navy? I frankly didn’t think you were the type.”
“It was an…impulse decision, sir,” says Shun. The rest of the work gang has stopped to listen but they abruptly return to work when Ishii turns a baleful eye in their direction.
“Leading Seaman, I see,” says Ishii. “It seems you have done well. Well, I am happy to…” He pauses, staring at Shun’s face. The big sailor has an obvious black eye and the whole orbit of the affected eye is covered with a shiny substance. “What is that around your eye, Seaman Shun?”
“It is eel grease, sir,” says Shun promptly.
“Eel grease?”
“Yes sir. It’s an old island cure, sir. It eases swelling and bruises. It is good for wounds, too, sir.”
“I see,” says Ishii. “Eel grease, I will remember that. May I ask how you came by the black eye?”
Shun looks just a little uncomfortable. “I was ashore last night, sir,” he says. “A crewman aboard another ship was making fun of Tatsuta and speaking slightingly of Captain Ichimura. I took offense, sir.”
“I guess you haven’t changed completely,” says Ishii dryly. “But you let him get a punch in, Shun. I am surprised at you.”
“He had five friends who decided to join in, sir,” says Shun. His lips twitch slightly in what might be a smile. “And sir, I promise that they all look worse today than I do.”
Ishii laughs. “I imagine they do,” he says, then becomes more serious. “Though I do not think that brawling is the best way to represent your ship, Seaman Shun.”
“No sir,” says Shun.
“Well, I’ve kept you from your duties long enough,” Ishii says. “No doubt we will have a chance to talk further some other time.”
“Sir,” says Shun, snapping another salute. He returns to work as Ishii walks away.
Ishii has often wondered what happened to Shun after the two of them left Hier, both a bit wealthier than when they boarded. He never expected to run into him here, of all places. Serving with the man should prove interesting, he thinks.
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