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Cuttlefish -> RE: In Drydock (4/28/2007 11:15:38 PM)
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July 10, 1942
Location: Kobe
Course: None
Attached to: Disbanded in port
Mission: None
System Damage: 2
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 475
Orders: Repair the ship and get back in the war.
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(The previous day)
Chief Torpedo Officer Sugiyura is on his way to make an inspection of the Hibiki’s torpedo storage areas below decks. As he walks down a narrow companionway he suddenly pauses. From the bulkhead beside him he hears a dull, irregular thumping noise.
The lieutenant’s brow furrow in puzzlement. He steps to the partially open door leading into a storage area behind the bulkhead and peers into the dim room inside. What he sees alarms him so much he bursts into the room. At the far end of the room Chief Petty Officer Shun has a sailor by the throat. The poor sailor is pinned against a bulkhead, his feet a foot off the floor. The drumming of his heels against the metal behind him was the sound that alerted Sugiyura.
Sugiyura hurries forward. “Chief! Stop it!” he orders. Shun does not move. His eyes are locked on the sailor’s face. He seems to be completely unaware of Sugiyura’s presence. “Attention!” snaps the lieutenant. No response. He grabs the Chief’s arm and tries to break his grip, but the arm and the grip are like steel.
Sugiyura glances at the sailor. His face is purple and he is twitching feebly. There is not much time. Sugiyura steadies himself and takes a deep breath, then releases it slowly. He centers himself as he was taught, banishing Shun, the sailor, and everything else from his mind. Another deep breath and suddenly he turns, jamming stiffened fingers into the nerve cluster in Shun’s right shoulder.
Shun’s outstretched right arm trembles, then his hand opens involuntarily. The sailor collapses to the floor. He gags, then begins taking huge, painful, whooping breaths.
Shun blinks and seems to become aware of Sugiyura for the first time. He pivots to face him and tries to salute, but his right arm will not obey him properly. Shun looks confused and tries again, then finally salutes the Lieutenant with his left hand. A racking cough from the floor draws his attention. He looks down and sees the sailor curled up and wheezing at his feet, and his eyes widen. He looks up at Sugiyura with a confused expression. The torpedo officer suddenly feels completely out of his depth.
“Chief, report to your quarters and remain there until sent for,” he says. Shun slowly nods.
“Yes sir,” he says. He looks down at the sailor in concern.
“I’ll see he is taken care of,” says Sugiyura shortly. “Go.” Shun turns and departs. Sugiyura reaches down and helps the sailor to his feet. The lieutenant recognizes him now that his face looks a bit more normal. His name is Riku Ariga, or something like that.
“Are you all right?” asks Sugiyura. Ariga tries to speak but only wheezes. He settles for shaking his head. Sugiyura frowns. The sailor does not look too healthy. The lieutenant helps him out of the room and towards the dispensary. He only uses his left hand, though. From the feel of things he has broken a couple of fingers on the right one.
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(Today)
Captain Ishii is seated at the head of the table in the officer’s wardroom. Lieutenant Miharu is seated to his right. Standing to the left side is Chief Torpedo Officer Sugiyura. Two of Sugiyura’s fingers are splinted and bandaged.
Standing at the far end of the table are Seaman First Class Riku Ariga and Chief Petty Officer Shun. Riku seems to be all right, although there is a series of ugly bruises around his neck and he does not seem able to turn his head very much. Shun is stolidly at attention, but he is obviously uncomfortable.
“Is that the whole story, then?” Captain Ishii asks. Riku and Shun both say “yes sir” in unison. Ishii looks down the table at Shun. “Well, Chief, what do you have to say for yourself?” Shun draws himself up
“Sir, my actions are inexcusable. I have brought shame upon myself and upon this ship. I must obviously receive the harshest possible punishment.” Ishii leans back in his chair.
“There’s one thing I still don’t understand,” he says. He gestures at Riku. “This young man is obviously smitten by your daughter. I understand a father’s feelings in this regard, believe me. But from everything I have heard Seaman Ariga has behaved respectfully towards her. He has made no improper advances. The worse thing he is guilty of is bad love poetry. An offense to be sure, but hardly worthy of strangulation. I know you have a temper, Chief, but it takes a lot to set it off. Why did you do it?” Shun hunches his shoulders and looks down. He mumbles something inaudible. Ishii asks him to repeat it. Shun sighs and raises his head.
“She talked about him,” Shun says. “When I was home. She mentioned his name and asked me about him.” Beside him Riku draws a quiet breath. Captain Ishii opens one hand.
“Two young people, possibly interested in one another. But again, nothing untoward has happened,” he says.
“He is not worthy!” bursts out Shun. “Of all the men on the ship, he…he…” words fail him. He glares at Riku, then subsides. Captain Ishii sighs, obviously trying to decide how to proceed.
“Sir, may I speak?” asks Riku. Captain Ishii nods assent. Riku turns and addresses Shun. His voice is still hoarse, but he speaks clearly.
“Chief Petty Officer Shun,” says Riku, “you are correct. I am not worthy. I know what you think of me as a sailor and as a man, and I do not say you are wrong. If it will satisfy you, I will take an oath. I will swear before you, these officers, and all my ancestors that from this moment forward I will not attempt to see your daughter. I will not speak her name, I will not write to or about her. Nothing. I will do none of these things until the day you approach me and give me permission to court her. Will that satisfy you?” Shun gazes at Riku for a long moment. Riku looks steadily back. Finally Shun nods.
“Very good,” says Captain Ishii. “If that is settled, then, let’s get back to the business of getting this ship ready for battle.” He turns his head and addresses Sugiyura. “Lieutenant, thank you. You saved this hearing from being a much more serious matter.” Sugiyura salutes and departs. Captain Ishii turns back to Shun. “Chief, you are dismissed.” Shun does not move. “Is there anything else, Chief?’
“Sir, there is the matter of my punishment,” says Shun. Ishii sighs.
“Very well, Chief. For assaulting a member of the crew while not executing your rightful duties you are confined to quarters for one week when not on duty. Rice and water.” Shun nods.
“Very good, sir. Thank you.” He salutes and departs. Ishii turns his gaze upon Riku. His expression is not unkind.
“Seaman Ariga,” says the captain, “that was well done. But you must realize that you have more of a chance of carrying this ship on your back to the top of Mount Fuji than you do of ever receiving the blessing you want from the Chief.” Riku nods. “All right. The medics recommend you be given the next couple of days off. Dismissed.”
“Sir,” says Riku, “with your permission I would like to return to work right away.” Lieutenant Miharu, who knows something of Riku’s zeal to avoid work, speaks for the first time.
“Whatever for, Ariga?” he asks. “You really are hurt. You need some rest.”
“Yes sir,” says Riku. “But I will never win the Chief’s approval by taking it easy in my hammock.” Lieutenant Miharu nods.
“I see. Very well, Ariga. Carry on.” Riku salutes and departs. Ishii and Miharu stand up.
“Young love,” says Ishii, shaking his head. “It can move mountains, but I don’t think it has a chance in this case.”
“I don’t know, sir,” says Lieutenant Miharu, “he strikes me as a very determined young man.” Ishii shrugs.
“Well, as long as no one is trying to kill anybody else it isn’t up to us. Let’s get this ship ready to sail.” The two of them depart, leaving the wardroom empty.
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