Against the Tide Imperial: The Struggle for Ceylon (The Usurper's War: An Alternative World War II B by James Young (story reading txt) 📕

many of her crew did the Agano and the destroyers recover?" Yamaguchi asked once he had control.

"Five hundred, sir," Kaku replied.

Over half the crew dead.

Yamaguchi was suddenly glad he had not ate much that day.

"How many aviators?"

"Captain Takashige had ordered the transfer of all possible aircrew a half hour before the American dive bombers arrived," Kaku replied. "All told, roughly forty-five percent survived."

Yamaguchi did the math in his head and did not like the number. He looked up at Kaku.

"How long did the Agano stand by for survivors?" he asked. Kaku recoiled back from the look on his superior's face.

"The captain stood by for thirty minutes, sir," Kaku replied. "That was in accordance with the standing orders I had the staff broadcast to him."

Which was a prudent and sane decision. Light cruisers do not last well against either aircraft or surface ships.

"Have we recovered the last of the fighters?" Yamaguchi asked, leaning forward to rest his hands on the desk.

"Yes, sir," Kaku replied. "The new American fighters caught much of the Soryu's CAP by surprise, and two chutai were in the midst of launching when the dive bombers struck."

Will the disasters never cease?

"How bad?"

"We recovered two Shiden and four Zeroes," Kaku said. "Three more fighters ditched around the Agano, and one of the destroyers recovered another survivor. He is grievously wounded, however."

"How many Americans did they shoot down?"

"The Agano and destroyers claimed to have shot down eight dive bombers," Yamaguchi said. "The fighter pilots claimed another six with Warrant Officer Nishizawa allegedly shooting down four enemy fighters himself as well."

Yamaguchi saw a flicker of emotion cross Kaku's face.

"You seem skeptical, Kaku-san," Yamaguchi said.

"Sir, if we total all the claims put in today, we should be turning this force around as the Americans are out of planes," Kaku replied bitterly. "The Agano's captain specifically mentioned Nishizawa, so I have reason to believe he saw or heard something that leads him to mention the man."

"But?" Yamaguchi pressed.

"I think, before we send our claims higher, we should be very judicious in our reports," Kaku continued. "I have walked down to the hangar decks and know how much our squadrons have suffered, but we also have been outmaneuvered by our enemies today."

Kaku looked up in shock as he realized what he had said out of fatigue.

"Sir, I am…"

"You are truthful," Yamaguchi cut the other man off. "I have been thoroughly outthought by both the British and Americans today."

"Sir, that is not fair," Kaku replied. "There is no way you could have expected four American carriers."

"Expect, no," Yamaguchi stated, his voice breaking. "But I should not have let my annoyance at the British to cause me to fixate on their forces when I knew at least two American carriers were still out there."

Yamaguchi gestured at the map.

"If not for the Taiho's radar and bad American torpedoes, we would have lost this entire force today," he stated emphatically. "I fully expect Admiral Yamamoto to demand my resignation when this is finished."

Kaku drew himself up to attention, then bowed quickly at the waist.

"Then I, as your chief of staff, shall resign also," he replied stiffly. "You have led this force with aggression and honor, sir. It is your staff that has failed you."

For the first time that day, Yamaguchi felt a sense of pride push itself through the pall of anger, frustration, and sadness. Drawing himself up to attention, he returned Kaku’s bow.

"Kaku-san, if Admiral Yamamoto retains me, you will always have a position as my chief of staff," Yamaguchi said.

"Then it is my fiercest hope that we will be able to apply the lessons the Americans taught us today," Kaku stated.

Royal Hawaiian Hotel

0405 Local (1005 Eastern)

10 August

"Nicholas, you are going to give a woman a complex," Agnes said drowsily. Her lazy smile belied the admonishment as she shifted under the covers. "No one likes to be stared at first thing in the morning."

"I don't ever want to forget your face," Nick responded, reaching over to stroke Agnes' cheek. "I'm burning it into my memory."

Agnes' eyes shot open, and she grabbed his hand.

"You sound like a man who is thinking about it as if it will be the last thing he sees," she said quietly. It was hard to see her face in the room's darkness, but Nick could hear the sadness in her tone.

Whoops. I guess a problem with actually talking to someone every day for months is they figure some things out about you.

Realizing his error, he quickly scooted forward to embrace Agnes as she gave a strangled sob. After briefly struggling against him, she wrapped her arms around him tightly, burying her face in his chest. Nick held Agnes as she cried, shuddering in his arms. Gently, he stroked her hair as she wept for a good twenty minutes.

"I'm sorry, Nicholas," she said lowly into his chest. "I beg your forgiveness for bringing a ghost into our marital bed."

I'm pretty sure that's not a line most men hear on their wedding night.

Nick barely caught himself before he let out a chuckle at the gallows humor of it all.

"I'm pretty sure I'm the one who called him on the telephone," Nick replied sheepishly. "Told him to come over for breakfast, I'm sure the missus wouldn't mind."

Agnes gasped and leaned back up to look at him, her eyes wide.

"I think it is fortunate that we found each other, Nick," she observed archly. "Me a woman with a broken heart. You a man with an incorrigible wit."

Nick looked at her in mock surprise, his eyes having adjusted more fully to the darkness.

"You mean, you didn't think that someone who grew up the smallest of four boys with two louts as brothers would be a smart aleck?"

Her eyes narrowed as he continued.

"Why, to think there's probably someone who is still convinced you're a spy over at fleet intelligence," Nick finished.

Agnes cocked an eyebrow at him.

Uh oh.

With a snort of derision, Agnes sat up and let her sheet fall from her body.

"Are you saying I'm not as fetching