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Cuttlefish -> RE: Small Ship, Big War (12/22/2007 12:50:30 AM)
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August 21, 1943
Location: Truk
Course: Docked
Attached to: TF 46
Mission: Transport
System Damage: 1
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 475
Orders: Escort tankers back to Japan
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Petty Officer Okubo is ashore on Dublon Island. His task is to keep Hibiki’s enlisted men from having too much fun. This is a job that suits him well, because if there is one thing he enjoys it is preventing other people from having fun.
The actual orders to the crew are to avoid being “drunk and disorderly.” Since Hibiki is headed back out to sea tomorrow the crew are just supposed to stretch their legs and relax a bit. Dire penalties have been threatened for those who overstep this restriction. Waking up in the morning with a hangover the day the ship sails is kind of a naval tradition, but Captain Ishii does not want someone who is trying to spot something as subtle as a periscope amid sun-dappled waves to be suffering from a throbbing headache while they do so.
Thus Okubo and several other officers and noncoms are ashore keeping an eye on things. So far Okubo has not had an opportunity to bring anyone up short. That’s the trouble with a veteran and well-trained crew, he thinks, they know where the lines are and don’t usually step over them.
As he passes a warehouse he sees Ariga and several other sailors loading a small truck with crates. He doesn’t even consider going over and harassing them, not since that little conversation he had with Shun a couple of months ago. He moves on, coming to a row of bars and gambling houses.
The first place he checks appears to be a haunt of naval guard troops – the 41st Naval Guard unit is in charge of security for the island – and he moves on after a quick look around. The second place has a couple of tables full of Hibiki’s sailors, but they are doing more eating than drinking. He gives them a hard look just to let them know he is watching and then leaves.
As he approaches the third place he sees a pair of Hibiki’s sailors entering ahead of him. He steps inside, blinking for a moment as he moves from the bright sunshine to the dimness within. The tables are crowded with sailors, but these are merchant types. He does not see his crewmen. His eyes narrow. Ah, he thinks, they are trying to stay out of sight by using a private room. If they think they can fool Okubo by such tactics they are mistaken. He sees a closed door at the back and knows from long experience that this will lead to such a private room. He strides towards it.
“Sir, I am very sorry, but this is reserved,” says the proprietor, a short, balding little man who appears suddenly in front of him. “They wish to remain private.”
Okubo growls at him. “I’ll bet they do,” he says. “Move aside!” The proprietor gives a nervous shrug and does so, and Okubo wrenches open the door.
A dozen men are seated cross-legged around a table inside the small, smoke-filled room. They turn hostile eyes on him, and Okubo realizes why they wished to remain private. This is a navy island, and soldiers from the 56th Infantry Division would naturally want to keep a low profile while here.
The soldier nearest the door, a sergeant, snubs out his cigarette before standing. “You want something, sailor boy?” he growls. Okubo pales a little. The man is almost as broad through the chest and shoulders as Shun is.
“My mistake,” he says quickly. “I was looking for two of my sailors.”
“Ah,” says the sergeant. “I do not think you will find them here.” He grins suddenly. “Try the brothels. They usually give the women the day off when a new navy ship comes in. The sailors put on kimonos and take their place.” There are hoots of laughter from the soldiers behind him. Okubo clenches his fists. This is more than he is willing to stand and take from some ape.
“At least,” he says, “sailors use women, not the local wildlife.” There is sudden silence from the table. The other eleven men stand up, and they look angry. Okubo realizes this would be a good time to leave. Before he can put this plan into action, however, the sergeant lunges towards him.
To give Okubo some credit he puts up a pretty good fight for the short time the fight lasts.
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Taiki is strolling along a street in front of several bars and other dives. He is keeping an eye on the crew ashore to make sure they stay out of trouble. In fact he does not expect to have to take any action; the crew knows what is expected of them and he is just “showing the flag” to give them a bit of a reminder.
As he passes a bar, though, one of Hibiki’s sailors comes running out. “Hurry, Petty Officer, they’re killing him!” says the man.
“What? Killing who?” demands Taiki, but he is already moving, following the man inside. The place inside is mostly empty, except for a handful of merchant sailors and another of Hibiki’s men. They are all looking at a closed door at the back, near which stands the proprietor, wringing his hands.
“It’s Petty Officer Okubo!” says the sailor. “He came in right behind us and charged into a room full of soldiers!” Taiki frowns. He can hear the sound of blows even from here. He looks around quickly and realizes that while he can count on the two men from Hibiki there may not be much other help to be had here.
He strides over to the door and throws it open. There are a dozen soldiers in the room, and several of them have Okubo up against a wall. Okubo looks dazed, and there is blood on his face. The soldiers turn and look at Taiki, and the looks are decidedly unfriendly. Taiki’s mind races.
“There are fifty men from his ship headed this way!” he tells them urgently. “Quickly, run while you can!”
The soldiers do not stick around to verify Taiki’s claim. They release Okubo, who slumps to the ground, and bolt out the back door. Within ten seconds the room is vacated. Taiki breathes a deep sigh and then goes to check on his fellow petty officer. Okubo is semi-conscious at best and he is obviously hurt. Taiki directs the two sailors to help him, and together they semi-carry him out to the street.
Riku has a work crew nearby, Taiki recalls, and they have a truck from the motor pool. Taiki sends one of the sailors to have them bring the truck over here. This is done, and Okubo is laid in the back across some Chinese cabbages. Taiki climbs in beside him and Riku puts the truck in gear and heads towards the docks.
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