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Cuttlefish -> RE: Small Ship, Big War (11/14/2007 3:56:36 AM)
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July 12, 1943
Location: Okayama
Course: Disbanded in port
Attached to: None
Mission: None
System Damage: 14
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 475
Orders: Proceed to Okayama for refit
---
Riku is tired of looking at paperwork. Lieutenant JG Kataoka has gone on leave and left Riku with a great pile of requisitions and other forms. Wading through them the sailor is amazed that anything in the Navy ever gets done. There must be more people creating and filing papers than actually crewing the ships, he thinks.
Riku’s own approach to acquiring items for the ship is more direct and personal, involving barter, persuasion, and scrounging. But he knows Kataoka expects to find the paperwork completed properly. And besides, there are some items here that he suspects it will be easier to get by going through channels rather than around them. New glass for the bridge, for example.
He finishes working on a small stack of papers then slips them into a folder and stands up. If he hurries he can get these to fleet headquarters a few blocks away before lunch.
As he steps into the companionway a couple of sailors go trotting past him, heading up on deck. Both are in full uniform, and one of them is adjusting his cap as he goes. Riku stares after them curiously. Could some admiral be making a surprise inspection of the ship?
---
“Father, may we go aboard? Just for a moment?” Nanami asks. She is standing on the pier looking at Hibiki with her grandmother and her father, Chief Petty Officer Shun. Even with one turret missing and a gaping hole in her deck the destroyer looks lean and rakish.
Shun hesitates. He does not think this is a good idea, but Nanami rarely asks him for anything. And it isn’t against regulations as long as the officer of the deck allows it.
“I will ask,” he says after a moment. “Wait here.” He leaves the two women and strides swiftly up the gangplank onto the ship. There he locates Ensign Handa. The ensign glances over the rail at the two women and immediately gives his approval. As soon as Shun departs he turns to spread the word for everyone to look sharp, but the deck has been miraculously cleared.
Word spreads across the ship like lightning that Shun is bringing his mother and daughter on board. Sailors hastily wash their faces and comb their hair. Clean uniforms are donned at record speed. Shun’s mother ascends the gangplank slowly, leaning on her son’s arm, and by the time the three of them stand on deck the crew is beginning to reappear.
Ensign Handa steps forward to welcome them aboard. Behind him sailors begin to form up in review fashion, falling into ranks without any orders needed. They stand silently and respectfully at attention. Nanami gazes at all the men in their splendid white uniforms and her eyes shine with pride.
Shun looks around in astonishment at this gesture of respect. Admiral Yamamoto himself could find no fault with this display. He is so moved that he does not notice his daughter glancing here and there as if looking for someone in particular.
---
Riku still does not know what is going on, but he heads out on deck to find out. He gets to the steep, narrow stairs at the end of the companionway and his foot is on the first treader when a hand descends on his shoulder. Taiki is standing behind him, and his face is grave.
“Seaman Ariga,” he says, “please go immediately to the chain storage locker and make sure that everything is properly stowed. Take your time about it. Take at least half an hour.”
“Yes, Petty Officer,” he says, confused. He lowers his voice. “Taiki-san, what is…?”
“Just do it,” grates Taiki.
“Yes, Petty Officer, at once,” Riku says stiffly. He turns and hurries forward. Taiki looks after him for a moment, pained by the puzzled and hurt look on Riku’s face. Then he turns and hurries up on deck.
---
Lieutenant Miharu himself arrives to give the women a brief tour of the ship. Everyone goes out of their way to be proper and helpful. Nanami is obviously impressed and pleased to get a glimpse at the world where her father spends most of his time. As the tour nears its end, however, she does begin to look around a little anxiously. As they return to the deck by the gangplank she smiles brightly to see Taiki standing nearby. She glances at her father, then steps over to him.
“Mr. Takahashi, it is good to see you again,” she says. Taiki catches Shun’s eye. The Chief nods ever so slightly.
“It is an honor to have you on board, Miss Shun,” he says with a slight bow. “And you as well, Mrs. Shun,” he says to her mother. The older woman inclines her head to him. Whatever thoughts she is having she keeps to herself for the moment.
“If I may ask,” she says, “I have not seen your friends, Mr. Kuramata and Mr. Ariga. Are they on board?” As her back is to her father she does not see his back stiffen. Taiki does, however.
“Seaman Kuramata is on leave,” he says formally. “Seaman Ariga has duties elsewhere at the moment. I will be sure to give both of them your regards.”
“Oh,” she says, a little sadly. Her father steps forward.
“Come, Nanami,” he says. “Your grandmother is getting tired. It is time we went to dinner.” Nanami rejoins him and Lieutenant Miharu accompanies the three Shuns down to the pier. Up on deck Taiki lets out a deep sigh and gives a small of prayer of thanks that disaster has been averted. He is unaware that others are staring at him. Soon there is wild speculation all over the ship about why Shun’s beautiful daughter chose to speak to Taiki alone of all the noncoms and enlisted men, and especially about why Shun seemed inclined to let him live afterwards.
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