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Cuttlefish -> RE: Small Ship, Big War (8/9/2007 9:39:26 PM)
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February 20, 1943
Location: 50 miles north-northwest of Makassar
Course: Northwest
Attached to: TF 72
Mission: Air Combat
System Damage: 4
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 450
Orders: Return to Balikpapan to refuel and rearm.
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Riku scrapes the last of the pot of rice he is carrying into a bowl and hands it to one of the rescued sailors. The man has a bandaged forehead and is sitting on the deck atop a makeshift mat made from a pair of blankets. He thanks Riku for the rice and begins to dig in. Riku takes in the man’s injuries and pallor and digs into a rucksack he is carrying slung around his neck. He comes out with a small coconut and hands it to the man, along with a knife. After another moment he manages to dig out some salted meat and hands it over as well.
The man gratefully accepts this bounty. Riku bends down to pick up his now empty pot of rice and is suddenly shoved roughly from behind. He fetches up against a bulkhead and whirls around, already coming to attention. Stepping up in front of him is Petty Officer Okubo, who looks angry.
“What do you think you are doing, Ariga?” he demands. For emphasis he shoves Riku back against the bulkhead. Riku is confused.
“I am feeding the rescued men, Petty Officer,” he says, “as I was ordered.”
“Feed them, yes, but not like this!” yells Okubo. He gestures back at the sailor Riku has just fed, who is now sitting immobile and doing his best to become invisible. “Look at him! He is eating better than I am! You are giving them meat and fresh fruit! We have not had fresh fruit in the Petty Officer’s mess for over a week,” he finishes with a growl.
“Petty Officer, many of these men are hurt,” says Riku. “I thought that they could use the nourishment, so I dug into our reserves…”
“You thought?” bursts in Okubo. “You are not supposed to think, Ariga! You are supposed to give them a standard ration, not feed them like they were nobility!”
Riku has no answer to this. He can feel himself becoming angry, but knows from long experience that attempting to tell Okubo that he is wrong would earn him nothing but some bruises. Even showing his indignation would be a serious mistake, so he keeps his eyes straight ahead and his face blank. Okubo is a self important, by-the-book type, and Riku knows that trying to reason with him would bring only more grief.
“Well?” snarls Okubo. His small eyes narrow. “I’m waiting for an answer, Ariga. If you can’t…”
Chief Petty Officer Shun does not approach, he is just suddenly there. Even as Riku groans inwardly with dismay a part of him wonders how the Chief does that. The startled Okubo breaks off his harangue. He turns to face Shun and comes to attention. Riku braces himself and prepares for real trouble.
“Hello, Chief,” says Okubo. “I was just disciplining this idiot Ariga here for…” He gets no farther than that when Shun’s right fist lashes out, delivering a short, powerful punch almost too fast to see to Okubo’s jaw. Riku is shocked, but he is surely not as surprised as Okubo. Okubo bounces off the bulkhead beside Riku and is saved from falling only because Shun neatly seizes him by the jacket on the rebound.
“I heard,” growls Shun. His face is almost expressionless. Riku knows better than most that this is a sign that the Chief is truly enraged. “Tell me, Okubo,” says Shun softly, “how do you suppose these men ended up on our deck?” His voice sounds like gravel falling into a bucket. Okubo’s eyes uncross. He works his mouth, but cannot answer immediately.
“I will tell you how,” says Shun. “They ended up in the water saving, among other things, your sorry ass.” He releases Okubo, who staggers back but manages to come to attention. A livid mark is already spreading on his jaw.
“They lost their friends, their shipmates, and their ships,” Shun continues. “In light of that I think you can do without a little food. Do you agree, Okubo?”
“Yes, Chief, I agree,” stammers Okubo. Shun smiles grimly.
“I thought you might,” he says. “You are dismissed.” Okubo leaves, still walking a little unsteadily. Shun turns to Riku, who has not dared to even breathe during this exchange.
“I think you have work to do, Ariga?” he growls.
“Yes, Chief Petty Officer,” says Riku promptly. He gathers up his rice bucket and starts to head back to the galley for more food. He only gets a few steps before Shun speaks once again.
“Ariga,” says Shun. Riku turns apprehensively. He had dared to hope he was out of this. Shun clears his throat. “You’re doing a good job,” he says reluctantly, indicating the rescued sailors nearby. “Keep at it.” Riku manages to nod.
“Yes, Chief Petty Officer,” he says. “I will.” He turns and leaves, and doesn’t really start breathing again until he is below decks.
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