Cuttlefish -> RE: Small Ship, Big War (2/16/2008 3:36:20 AM)
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October 30, 1943 Location: Kwajalein Course: None Attached to: TF 4 Mission: Air Combat System Damage: 1 Float Damage: 0 Fires: 0 Fuel: 472 Orders: Await further orders --- “Ariga! Where are you, Ariga?” bellows Lieutenant JG Kataoka. There is a thud as an 80-pound bag of rice is heaved onto a pile of similar bags. The paymaster looks in that direction. “Ah, there you are,” he says cheerfully. Riku grabs a towel and mops sweat from his face, then salutes as Kataoka comes walking over. “Damn, it’s hot in here,” says Kataoka, pulling at his collar. It is in fact stifling in the crowded storeroom. “Yes sir,” says Riku. Kataoka laughs. “And here I am complaining while you have been down here for an hour being boiled like a yam,” he says. “This is why it is good to be an officer! But seriously, come up on deck and get some air while we talk. I have a job for you.” Riku doesn’t have to be asked twice. He grabs his shirt and tugs it on while they make their way up onto the deck. The breeze when they get there feels wonderful. “I have received two requests that I think require your talents,” says Kataoka. “The first is from our good medic, Lieutenant Nakagawa. He wants to know if we can get our hands on any sulfa drugs.” Riku looks uncomfortable. “Black market only, sir,” he says. “I would really rather not…” Kataoka holds up a hand. “Relax,” he says. “I wouldn’t ask you to. Just get me a name, all right?” Riku nods. “Good man. Second, Lieutenant Sugiyura needs some parts for the motor on one of the torpedo hoists. There’s nothing officially available. Talk to the lieutenant and see what you can do, all right?” “Yes sir,” says Riku. “As soon as I stow the rest of that rice.” Kataoka shakes his head. “You’ve done your part. More than your part, you work like an ox. I’ll have someone else finish that up.” “Thank you, sir,” says Riku. He hesitates. “Sir, can I take the fact that we need these things to mean we are not going back to Japan right away?” Kataoka shakes his head. “No chance of that,” he says. “Not with the enemy applying more and more pressure. Just between you and me, it may be a while before we see Japan again.”
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