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1275psi -> RE: The little ship that could. (9/9/2014 10:36:13 AM)
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Ogowa and Diogowa roll their bicycles down the coast road around Hiroshima bay at a good gentle pace
They have done this a lot lately, it gives them exercise, it gives them rest, it disappates the tension.
It allows them to talk
Much of the conversation is actually one way, Okano venting, Diogowa nodding, occasionally commenting, mostly doing what really is needed.......listening.
The pressure on him is now great.
He has come a long way, has our no longer such young man, from an uncertain rookie, desperate to please a father, desperate to please himself, to now the Commander of three naval fighter groups...........Ogowa's eagles, the first shield of japan
The facts are stark. His 100 fighters are really the best that remain in the land.
Japans naval fighter strength seems to have simply melted away. There are units at takao, two squadrons in the Dutch east indies, and those that remain on the carriers
None match Ogowa's eagles in strength, in experience.
Now they rest outside Hiroshima, building stocks of reserves, saving fuel.
Mostly saving fuel
Thus the bike rides. A way to escape, to delay thinking about what they both now feel must come.
they round a bend, cycle down the beach road, move towards the side to give way to two men wheeling a handcart filled to the brim with slate roofing tiles, and Diogowa looks twice, and stops.
'Hey, you pair...........i know you"
the two men stop, stand erect, wary perhaps of the uniform
Ogowa, who has continued, wobbles to a halt, looks back "What is it Diogowa?'
'Zuiho men!..........I know you.........you, .Hirate?...........you did our laundry!"
Hirate smiles........"yes........and you flew .pilot officer Diogowa...............i am so glad to see you still alive sir'
Diogowa grins.....'A lucky barsted i am, yes."
An awkward silence...........we have all known moments like these. But japanese know Hospitality.
'it would give me great pleasure sir, to share tea with you, my home is just here"
And thus fate, it seems will intervene
There will be tea, and talk, and memories.
And Ogowa will be polite, and nod, as he keeps quiet, and Diogowa and Hirate remember Zuiho, remember Hidaka, Minobe, hasegawa, a special, special ship
They will laugh, and remember
But Ogowa will see, and notice the empty larder, the thin meal
he will turn to Miori.'and how do you support yourselves?'.and hear of interrmittant work in the factory, and of fishing, of bartering, and hear behind the smiles and words, the quiet desperation
It as they mount their bikes that he turns to the two sailors 'I like fish...........no matter how small. I will send my quarter master, and I think he will be willing to trade.............
Okano , in the days ahead, will forget the arrangements he makes upon return to the field, to the war. But his orders will stand, andbe fllowed. Every Monday, his quartermaster will arrive at Miori's front door, will deliver a good weeks victals, rice, a duck, vegetables.............and return with sometimes with nothing more than a sardine.
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