1275psi
Posts: 7979
Joined: 4/17/2005 Status: offline
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18/6/42 to 19/6/42 ‘You are only a cog in the machine, my friend, but should a single cog fail –the machine will fail too’ Hosho considers the exhortation received from his company commander the night before, and girds himself for the next effort. The night is dark, darker than any night he has experienced before –the jungle canopy has blotted out the moon. But they need no light – for tonight they follow no path. For the hundreth time he stumbles in the icy water –gasping as it hits his face –desperate to keep his gun above the waters.. He succeeds –hesitates, as the shadow in front of him stumbles too. There is no curse however. No noise at all –as nearly 1000 men stream along this stream, hidden, silent under the canopy. To the east of them, the quarry –the 2nd royal tank regiment –deployed in depth on the rail road, the road leading north. 112th hate this unit. Hate the armoured beasts they drive –beasts whose tracks have run red in companions blood. Now the arrogant british hold the road –defiant against the 41st regiment at its tail. Faintly, in the still of this night –the sounds of guns -hammering, can be heard to the east –to the south. 112th has flanked the tanks. The message comes –and they turn right, climb out of the creek –and carefully, silently –they crawl. For how long? Who knows Hosho’s mind is blank –there is only the silence, and the jungle And then suddenly-the ground slopes upward, the jungle stops –and the moon shines. Arrayed –along the road –2nd royal tanks. They wait And -on time –the pitiful remains of 56 recon –so savaged by these barsteds –demonstrates to the south –and the scream of artillery covers the sounds of a thousand bayonets fixing. Slowly, slowly –his rifle creeps forward –rises. A bug crawls across his face –it bites. He aims –ignoring all –aims at the skinny man asleep against the wheel of the armoured car – A cry and the guns bark –a savage salvo – and then he is up –knees popping, boots squelching –up, up the steep slope –over, onto the gravel bed (railways –he seems to have been on this railway forever -) and the bayonet is going in. Cries. Shadows The barking of guns –the scattering of shadows into the dark. A grenade whistles his way –he catches it –sends it back. Onto the tank –reefing open the hatch even as hands slide away into it, desperate to escape –no feeling, no-this is a lie –savage hate, savage kill lust –heis grenade goes in, the leap free –a bang, hollow behind him – and down the slope –gun barking at the streaks of light firing, fighting back –until the screaming wave overcomes them. And then, gasping, it is over – if you ignore the bloody groans, the one who won’t stop screaming –the gurgles –and the stink of burning And the veteran has but two thoughts –hunting for food and ammo –and wondering who died this time…………… (112th pretty heavily disabled after this –but road cleared with heavy allied losses) Hidaka gathers the new men into the ready room. The room overflows now –soon, when the old hands return, there will be twenty two fighter pilots, 12 bomber men, and their crews. A true sword now. He contemplates them –pleased. Pleased indeed. Some faces he knows already – some he knows from reputation. Many not –but he can see –see in the casual stancem, this comfort with the surroundings, these men are experienced. He eyes them –and they he –each assessing the other. I don’t have to prove myself to you –my new men. But you will have to, to me. But that can come. Now, now I must get you settled in, and comfortable –so you are distraction free. I must get you away from these comforts of Japan, back to sea, back into the sky –and back to the job we do. Killing ‘Welcome to the happy phoenix , My name is Hidaka. I am your leader. You will not like me. Nor, most likely I you. But I will do this. Lead you to glory –one way or another. Get your gear unpacked. PT in 15 minutes” A true sword. Now to sharpen it. PO Nashiguchi climbs the gangway He feels excitement, anticipation. Two weeks leave – two quiet weeks of hiking the hills and paths around mount fujiama–clearing mind, restocking soul. Quiet times. But also –sadly –lonely times But now –now back home –home to friends. Home to the noise, the smell, the rules. Home to companionship And back home –home to his eagle. He returns the gangway salute- yes –she is still a little tattered is his home, but she rides re assuring under his feet. Down , down to his rack –his little locker –the ready room A new pilot comes his way –sweating –SO! –Hidaka has them at work already! Not that he has to worry – Nashiguchi knows he is the strongest he has ever been . He drops his kit –and there is another newby at his rack –and he double takes –who is this? –didn’t he just see that face? The new face smiles “ PO Nakajima! –I see you have met my brother!” Oh –so we have a set of twins onboard now…………, so, this next mess load should be very, very interesting indeed. Po Ogawa strides aboard Eyes hard So, his father still doubts him. Still doubts him! Four confirmed kills –and still he asks why he did not join the army! Damn him Damn him to hell. He will show him. Yes, he will show him ‘Any word on a departure Quartermaster?” ‘No, not yet, rumours , just rumours. Soon I expect, Kaga is out of dock” good ‘Good –let it be soon ney?’ Diogawa returns He comes onboard, unpacks, lies down in his hammock. Its been a good leave –and he might even be in love He thinks about her. And her family On second thoughts, maybe not. And then he is asleep PO Okura returns, deep in the evening By now, the rain is falling, somber, dark, depressing They did destroy father, destroy his business, his workshop. This he knows now. But why destroy his house?, destroy the furniture. What possible link could his fathers activities have to him? And this is the government he fights for? What in the world is happening to his beloved empire? Kurihama returns He is drunk. Ahhhh, it has been such a good leave Countless bars, countless brothels. So many ready to drink, and buy drinks for the fearless warrior………….. A good leave. He remembers her. Lying in his rack, he remembers all of her. All of it. Such an unexpected event. Such an unexpected feeling, reaction in him Like discovering a well that supplies endless intoxiation. But always leave you thirsty for more He remembers her. He MUST do that again. Our stokers return too Minobe sour –who knows what nightmares still stalk him The charge –refreshed –and keen to see how Zuiho will fight him this time. And the others. Some leaves good, some bad But now, all of them, from Hasegawa to the lowest stoker, must turn minds back to HER –the real mistress Behind, they leave brocken hearts, restored hearts, pregnancies yet to be known, love affairs, and dead marriages. A thousand stories. Now returning to one They leave it all that behind That –that and one body. From Combined fleet To Captain Hasegawa Operation M2 – will commence 25/6/42. Zuiho to be ready for sea by this date. Extract from shattering the sword –a cantona production Operation M2 11 carriers 6 battleships 6 cruisers 50 destroyers The largest operation since the war began. Yamamotos great gamble begins to take shape………..
< Message edited by 1275psi -- 6/29/2013 12:01:11 PM >
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