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Cuttlefish -> RE: Small Ship, Big War - the Decisve Battle (3/7/2008 1:44:42 AM)
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November 21, 1943
Location: 180 miles southwest of Nauru Island
Course: Northeast
Attached to: TF 4
Mission: Air Combat
System Damage: 2
Float Damage: 0
Fires: 0
Fuel: 218
Orders: Get Zuikaku safely back to Kwajalein
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Hibiki steams slowly northeast, now part of Zuikaku’s forward screen. The sea is choppy under a flat gray overcast, but this suits the crew just fine. Anything that helps to hide them from Allied search planes is a good thing right now.
There is still no sign of any pursuit. They know the enemy carriers are still out there, though. From time to time during the day Hibiki picks up frantic broadcasts from damaged Japanese ships under air attack. These are ships from the surface action of two nights ago, ships that were too badly damaged in the fighting to get far enough away from the battle area. Several ships are lost in this fashion, including battleship Haruna and Hibiki’s sister-ship Akatsuki.
The reports deepen the gloom aboard Hibiki and the other surviving ships. It does not slow them down, however, and every mile of ocean that passes under their keels brings them closer to protective air cover from bases in the Marshalls and the Gilberts.
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Riku and Oizuma stand along the rail, looking out at the gray swells. Shiro, just coming off duty, stops and joins them.
“Is there any news?” he asks. Riku shrugs. Oizuma glances over at him.
“Nothing really,” he says. “It sounds like the enemy carriers are still well to the south.”
“Good!” says Shiro. “Maybe that snake of yours is still protecting us, Oizuma.”
“You would not be the only one to think so,” says Oizuma wryly. “They have started leaving offerings again. Be careful where you step when you come down to sleep this evening.”
The men stand in silence for a moment, each deep in his own thoughts. Finally Shiro stirs.
“I wonder what happens next?” he says.
“What happens next?” says Riku. “We go on, of course. This was one battle. There will be others. We have been defeated today, but that does not mean the war is over. We keep fighting.” Shiro looks at him, startled. There is a firmness and conviction in his friend’s voice that is new. It helps shake off a little of his own depression.
“I meant, where do we go if we reach Kwajalein,” he says. “But you are right, we are not beaten yet.”
“Maybe we will go back to Japan?” suggests Oizuma.
“Don’t bet on it, Snake Man,” says a gruff voice from behind them. The three men turn to see Chief Petty Officer Shun standing close at hand. They come to attention.
“Relax,” Shun growls. The men do so. “You think they are going to be in a hurry to send any of these ships back to Japan?” Shun says. “I do not think so. We know too much, it would be bad for morale at home.”
As the sailors digest this Shun turns his gaze on Riku.
“That was well spoken,” he said. “I’ve heard enough sniveling and moaning today to make me sick, Ariga, but you talked like a man. Damn right we keep fighting. If those dirty American devils and their British friends think they know what it takes to beat us then let them think again!” He turns and stalks away.
The three watch him go. “Come on,” says Shiro after a moment. “Let’s go get some food.”
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Headline from a major Tokyo newspaper for November 21:
Japanese Carriers Victorious in South Pacific
All Japan rejoices today at the news that a large British and American carrier force has been defeated by our brave sailors and airmen. In a battle near the Santa Cruz Islands six enemy aircraft carriers have been sunk. Japanese forces, determined to secure the victory, are pursuing the shattered remains of the enemy fleet to the southwest…
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