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Cuttlefish -> RE: Small Ship, Big War (2/14/2008 3:01:50 AM)
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October 27, 1943
Location: 540 miles southwest of Kwajalein
Course: Northeast
Attached to: TF 4
Mission: Air Combat
System Damage: 1
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 179
Orders: Return to Kwajalein
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“Sir, may I speak with you?” asks Midshipman Konada. Lieutenant Miharu nods.
“I was just going to the wardroom for some tea,” he says. “Why don’t you join me?’
“Yes sir, thank you,” replied Konada. The two men make their way to the wardroom. Ensign Izu is already there, reading a book. He has made some tea and the lieutenant pours himself a cup. Konada declines any and seats himself stiffly opposite Miharu at the table.
Izu looks up. “Shall I leave?” he asks after taking in the situation. Lieutenant Miharu looks inquiringly at Konada.
“No, sir, please stay,” Konada says. “I would appreciate your advice as well.”
“Very well,” says Miharu, “what’s on your mind, Konada?”
“Sir, as you know a couple of days ago I found a fish in each of my shoes,” says Konada. Miharu nods.
“I heard something about that, yes,” he says.
“Well sir, this morning I rose early to get in some extra study before assuming my duties,” says Konada. “I decided to put on a clean uniform, but when I went to open my duffel I found that someone had placed a seagull inside. Alive! It had made a great mess of things, sir, and even worse it got loose and I had a very difficult time capturing it.”
“How…odd,” says Miharu, his face carefully neutral.
“Sir, all my uniforms must be cleaned! How am I to represent this ship properly in…in…this condition!” he bursts out. The other two officers look, but can find little fault in his current uniform. Konada addresses both officers. “Sirs, I understand that as the junior officer on board I should expect to be the object of a certain amount of pranks, but this is intolerable! What should I do?”
Lieutenant Miharu leans back. “Well, Midshipman, I think I agree that putting a seagull in a fellow officer’s duffel is certainly going a bit too far,” he says. “I will make inquiries and see if I can learn anything. What do you think, Ensign Izu?”
“This is shocking behavior on the part of someone,” Izu agrees. “I too will keep my eyes open.”
“Thank you, both of you,” says Konada. He stands and salutes. Lieutenant Miharu nods in dismissal, and Konada departs. After he is gone the lieutenant takes a sip of tea.
“Ensign Izu,” he says without looking around.
“Sir?” says Izu.
“I know what a tempting target he must be,” says Miharu, “but ease up on him, will you?”
“Yes sir,” says Izu, sounding chastened. Lieutenant Miharu turns and looks at him levelly. “Really, sir, I will,” Izu adds. Miharu nods and the two men sit in silence for a moment. The lieutenant sips some more tea.
Ensign Izu sighs. “I miss Ensign Handa,” he says at last.
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