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Cuttlefish -> RE: Lives for the Emperor - Cuttlefish (J) vs erstad (A) (1/13/2010 3:37:41 AM)
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December 23, 1941
The Coral Sea
The last dive bomber roars off Akagi’s deck and joins the other planes circling nearby. Nearby Hiryu and Soryu are also launching planes. Chief Sado watches them join up and then head west by northwest, towards Port Moresby.
Kido Butai had rounded the eastern tip of New Guinea late in the morning and search planes had soon spotted three ships moored there, two freighters and a smaller ship, possibly a gunboat or a small destroyer. Admiral Nagumo ordered a small strike launched to dispatch them and it is this strike that Sado has just helped to launch.
Sado looks up to see Captain Hasegawa strolling towards him. He comes to immediate attention and salutes. Hasegawa returns the salute.
“That went well, Sado,” he says. “Good work.”
“Yes sir, thank you,” says Sado. He is pleased. If Hasegawa had any complaints about his performance he would not hesitate to make them known, and in excruciating detail. Now, however, Akagi’s captain clasps his hands behind his back and looks after the departing planes.
“We had hoped to find more shipping at Port Moresby,” he says. “Admiral Nagumo has informed me that we will press on into the heart of the Coral Sea tomorrow looking for more of the enemy. Be ready, Sado, with luck it will be a busy day.”
Sado glances up at Akagi’s island where Nagumo is no doubt even now preparing tomorrow’s orders. “Yes sir,” is all he says.
“Carry on. Chief,” says Hasegawa. He strolls away and Sado returns to work, barking orders at the flight deck crew.
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The ships at Port Moresby, a large freighter, a coastal steamer, and a minesweeper, are quickly and efficiently sunk. Radio reports of the attack by Japanese carrier planes are broadcast across the Coral Sea and to Australia, where they are received with dismay. The area is crowded with shipping. Though in many ways taken off guard by the Japanese attack the Allies have moved quickly to counter Japanese threats both real and imagined.
Now these ships pick up speed, many changing course. There is no force in these waters capable of challenging the Japanese and the time when Westerners would mock the military capability of Japan ended sixteen days ago. Something close to panic now spreads across the water at the prospect of a Japanese attack. Everyone is seeking a safe haven but there are few of those to be found.
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