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Cuttlefish -> RE: Small Ship, Big War (1/23/2009 7:12:37 PM)
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January 7, 1945
Location: Osaka
Course: None
Attached to: Disbanded in port
Mission: None
System Damage: 0
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 475
Orders: None
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Riku stands on a pier waiting for a boat from Hibiki to come and collect him. At his feet are a couple of crates, the result of a successful morning’s trading with the crew of heavy cruiser Tone. They contain dried squid, a commodity requested by the ship’s cooks. Squid is considered a treat by the crew and the cooks like it because it takes so much effort to chew the men tend to think they’ve been fed more than they really have.
An officer comes down the pier and approaches him. Riku turns and salutes as he draws near. With mild alarm he notes that the officer is one he knows: Captain Shimura of the Tokeitai.
“Seaman Ariga,” says Shimura. “I am pleased you are back in Osaka. I have been wishing to speak with you.” Riku’s mind races through a list of possible offenses, past and present, and wonders what might have caught up with him this time.
“Relax,” says Shimura, as though reading his thoughts. “You are not in trouble. Quite the contrary, actually. I wish to offer you a promotion.”
“Sir?” says Riku. His past dealings with Shimura have mostly ended well but he can’t imagine why an officer in the naval equivalent of the kempeitai wants to offer him anything, much less a promotion.
“At ease,” says Shimura genially. He pulls up one of the crates and sits on it, gesturing for Riku to use the other one. He does so.
“These are difficult times for Japan,” Shimura begins when they are both settled. “We are beset by enemies both within and without. The enemies within – communists, pacifists, traitors, those who would sap our resolve by speaking of surrender – are more subtle and in their way even more dangerous to Japan. Catching them requires vigilance, subtlety, and cleverness.
“I have reason to believe that you possess all these qualities and more,” says Shimura. “You are well connected. You are – and I mean this as a compliment – one of the most naturally gifted liars I have ever met. You are highly intelligent. You understand people and what motivates them. You would make a superb addition to the Tokeitai.”
“You give me far too much credit,” says Riku modestly. He is trying to buy time to think. He knows that Shimura could pull strings and simply have him transferred, rendering this interview unnecessary. But he also knows that Shimura is reasonably clever, for an officer, and he obviously appreciates that a willing recruit is far more valuable to him than someone unwillingly dragooned into the position.
“Oh, I don’t think so,” says Shimura with a chuckle. “I have seen what happens to those who underestimate you. I think it is a grave oversight, in fact, that you have not been elevated to petty officer. We can rectify that immediately. And for someone with your gifts I would say a field commission is not impossible.”
Riku knows very well why he has not been promoted, though Lieutenant Miharu has never spoken to him about it. For one thing he is still doing penance for certain acts in his past. And for another there are some, unaware of the true story, who might see it as favoritism towards the man who married Chief Shun’s daughter. Riku has no problem with this and even sees it as fair.
What he does have a problem with is joining the Tokeitai. He thinks of things he has seen in Japan’s POW camps and represses a shudder.
In a flash of insight he realizes that Hibiki is his home, far more than his parent’s house ever was. Someday, after the war, he and Nanami will make a home. But for now the slightly battered and aging destroyer is where he belongs. The problem, of course, is to convince Lieutenant Shimura of this. He has no doubts that if he simply refuses Shimura will have the orders drawn up anyway.
“Your offer is a generous one, sir,” says Riku. “May I have a day to consider it?” He would like to ask for more time but judges that Shimura might become suspicious were he to do so.
“Of course,” says Shimura. “It is always best to consider a situation from all angles. Just do not take too much time. Call on me at Tokeitai headquarters to let me know your decision.”
“I will, sir, and thank you,” says Riku. To his relief he spies Hibiki’s boat approaching. Shimura sees it too and stands to leave. Riku of course also stands.
Shimura takes a few steps away and then turns. “Oh, by the way, Ariga,” he says. “Congratulations on your recent marriage. Your wife is on Okinawa, I believe?”
“Thank you, sir, and yes she is,” says Riku.
“That is perhaps no longer as safe a place as it used to be,” says Shimura. “As a member of the Tokeitai you would be in a better position to do something about that.” He nods and then departs, leaving Riku to stare after him in dismay.
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