Cuttlefish
Posts: 2454
Joined: 1/24/2007 From: Oregon, USA Status: offline
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May 19, 1942 Location: Tokyo Course: South Attached to: TF 62 Mission: Surface Combat System Damage: 0 Float Damage: 0 Fires: 0 Fuel: 475 Orders: Proceed to Kwajalein. --- Hibiki is docked, having just finished taking on fuel. Out in the bay the ships of task force 62 are beginning to gather. On the Yamato Rear Admiral Ishikawa signals that all ships are to prepare to sail. On the bridge of the Hibiki Captain Ishii is about to order the gangway removed and all mooring lines cast off. Midshipman Izu: Captain, sir, there is an officer to see you. He requests permission to come aboard, sir. Captain Ishii: What, now? Who the hell is it? Midshipman Izu: His name is Lieutenant Umeda, sir. He's with the Tokeitai. Captain Ishii: What could he want? Very well, I'd better see him. Escort him to the bridge, Midshipman, and be quick. We need to leave. A moment later Midshipman Izu shows Lieutenant Umeda onto the bridge. Umeda is wearing a standard naval uniform, but the high black boots and insignia identify him as a member of the Tokeitai, the Navy military police. So too does the arrogant look on his face. Lieutenant Umeda: Captain. *he salutes, and Ishii returns the salute* Captain Ishii: What can I do for you, Lieutenant? Lieutenant Umeda: I need to borrow your executive officer, Captain. It should not take long. He will be back within a day or so. Captain Ishii: That is impossible, I am afraid. This ship is about to sail. And I am not going to Kwajalein without my exec. Lieutenant Umeda: I offer a thousand pardons if my request is inconvenient. It is necessary, however. I must insist on speaking with Lieutenant Miharu. Captain Ishii: This is my bridge, Lieutenant, and you will insist on nothing. Please accept my regrets for being unable to comply, but if you do not wish to visit the Marshall Islands I suggest you depart immediately. Lieutenant Umeda: My apologies, sir. But if you insist, let us contact your commanding officer. This request comes from the Tokko, Captain, and the Tokeitai is handling it as a courtesy to them. I believe we both know what Fleet Headquarters will say if we contact them. If you wish to sail on time I'm afraid you must comply. Captain Ishii: *looking grim* I think you might be surprised by what my superiors would say, Lieutenant, but very well. I have no time to waste with this. As we are quite busy here at the moment I request that you meet the Lieutenant on the foredeck. Chief! CPO Shun: Yes, Captain? Captain Ishii: Please escort Lieutenant Umeda here to the foredeck and then go and find Lieutenant Miharu. Lieutenant Umeda: Thank you, Captain. I am glad we were able to come to an agreement. *he salutes and departs. Shun turns to follow* Captain Ishii: Chief. *Shun pauses and turns* CPO Shun: Yes, Captain? Captain Ishii: *low voice* Please ask Lieutenant Umeda to be careful. Some patches of fuel may have spilled on the deck during refueling and it could be slippery. Dangerously slippery, in fact. The Chief gazes at the Captain for a moment, and then a slight smile twitches his remarkably ugly features. CPO Shun: Yes sir. Understood. Shun departs. Captain Ishii paces the deck for a moment, then steps out onto the port observation platform. He is just in time to hear: Lieutenant Umeda: Hey, what...? Aauugh! There is a splash. CPO Shun: Man overboard! *A life ring is scaled out over the rail* Captain Ishii: *calls down* What happened, Chief? CPO Shun: The poor devil slipped, Captain. I tried to catch him, but was too slow. Captain Ishii: How is he doing? CPO Shun: He seems to be a good swimmer, Captain. In fact, he's already clear of the bow. Captain Ishii: Notify the dock that there is a man in the water. Take in all lines to starboard. Ensign: All lines taken in fore and aft, sir. Captain Ishii: Starboard back one quarter. The deck plates of the Hibiki begin to vibrate as she backs slowly but smoothly away from the dock. By the time a sputtering Lieutenant Umeda is helped up onto the dock Hibiki as already well out into the bay. Shortly after taking her position in departing task force Hibiki flashes signals that her radio has malfunctioned. It remains out of commission for the next several days, despite dedicated efforts to repair it.
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