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

“Scouting Eleven will be carrying 1,000-lb. bombs as well,” Brigante said.

“I hope they account for the different weight when they figure out their flight plan,” Lieutenant Drake responded.

“It’s going to be under two hundred miles by the time we launch,” Eric said. “I don’t think fuel is going to be our problem.”

“Are the Wildcats going to actually be able to fly as escort?” Lieutenant Connors asked. “Not for all the good they’ll do against the Japanese fighters, but more targets increases our odds.”

“Pretty sure Commander Thach would slap you in the mouth for saying that,” Brigante said. “The Wildcats have held their own, they’ve just been outnumbered every time we’ve gotten into a fight.”

“Holding their own ain’t saving our ass any,” Connors snapped back.

“There’s a reason those two Atlantic carriers have double the fighters,” Brigante replied, his patience wearing thin. “When you get back, you can add those opinions to your after action report.”

The rest of VB-11 began filing in, ending the discussion. Eric took his customary seat near a ventilation outlet, as he was sure it was about to get almost fog like with cigarette smoke.

Only thing I like about when we go to General Quarters: The damn smoking lamp gets turned off.

He looked at the plotting points on the map once more, noting where the Victorious had apparently gone down.

Commander Martin, I’ll get a hit for you chaps.

Eric felt a slight burning in his eyes as he thought of the gathered British flyers, then blinked it away.

Least I can do for a shot of rum and some mail.

Ewa Field Marine Corps Air Station

1200 Local (1800 Eastern)

9 August

“Well I don’t know, gentlemen, I might have had other plans tonight,” Adam said airily as he looked at the three Cobb brothers. “I mean, it being my first time in Hawaii and all.”

“Sir, the Royal Hawaiian has a hell of a spread,” Sam replied earnestly.

Man looks a bit nervous, like there’s some reason he really wants me at the Royal Hawaiian.

“Plus while our sister’s kind of taken, her roommate Jo is available,” Nick said.

Oh man, if you had eyes in the back of your head.

Sam’s face had gone from exasperated to homicidal in a flash. David reached out and shoved his twin in the arm, causing the man to nearly swing at him.

“Lieutenant Cobb, I assure you that I am quite taken by an amazing woman,” Adam said with a smile. “Although I’m sure Miss Morton would appreciate your efforts.”

“I wouldn’t bet on that with anything you enjoy owning,” Sam rumbled. Once again, David swatted his brother.

You three must have been fascinating to have in the same house. There are definitely times I wish I hadn’t been an only child.

The thought of his upbringing and associated memories of his mother triggered a brief wave of melancholy. Shaking himself out of it, Adam was about to say something when there was the sound of an aircraft in the distance. All three aviators stiffened and turned towards the noise.

“Didn’t you say no one was flying out of here today?” Sam asked Adam, his tone worried.

“No one was,” Adam replied. He stopped for a second, listening more intently. “That’s some sort of large bird, like a Fortress.”

“Transport,” David said, pointing. Following his finger, Adam saw the aircraft after a few moments as well.

“What the hell, I don’t see a damn thing,” Nick said.

“Which is why you ride in a ship that sinks itself on purpose,” Sam replied. After a moment, he relaxed.

“Looks like one of those Douglas transports.”

“DC-3,” Adam said. “Or whatever the Navy calls it.”

That brought a chuckle from both Sam and David, eliciting a puzzled look from Nick.

“Major Haynes hasn’t been a Marine for long,” Sam said. “It shows itself from time to time.”

They watched as the transport plane, in Navy colors, did a circle around the station, then lined up to come in for a landing.

“Huh, brave pilot trying to put that thing down on this runway,” Sam noted. His voice held a slight bit of professional concern.

“Has to be some reason he’s setting down here instead of Barber’s Point or Ford Island,” David agreed.

“Can’t think of a good one, especially if he wants to take back off again,” Adam replied. “Good thing you tore yourself away from headquarters to join us, Nick. You might be about to see a Grade A fuck up.”

Regardless of the pilots’ professional opinion, the transport flared in for Ewa’s short runway. Touching down at the very end, the pilot managed to bring the transport to a stop with room to spare.

“Well here comes the welcoming committee,” Sam noted, pointing at the cars rushing over from Barber’s Point.

I’m thinking that this is someone who is both important and also not a fan of pomp and circumstance.

“Boss, you sure we want to still be hanging around?” Sam asked, seeing the transport starting to taxi towards their hangar.

“We’d look kind of suspicious running away from a transport, wouldn’t we?”Adam replied, then turned and looked around the hangar.

“Heads up folks, we may have some sort of bigwig walking in here in a few seconds,” he shouted to the enlisted Marines all working on aircraft. “Keep doing what you’re doing, there’s a damn war on.”

“Roger sir,” Master Sergeant Bolan, VMF-21’s chief maintenance NCO, shouted back. He and the rest of the squadron’s mechanics were giving each of the FM-2’s a once over prior to reembarking on the Chenango. With the next stop likely being a distant island garrison, it was the best time to figure out any maintenance shortcomings.

The transport actually slowed to a stop a hundred and fifty feet short of the hangar, the twin engines loud even inside of the structure. After another couple of minutes, the pilot shut down first the port, then the starboard radial. The sound of rapidly approaching cars grew louder in the sudden silence.

Kind of crazy to throw a monkey wrench at the welcome party like that.

“I suppose we’re about to meet someone important,” David muttered.

“Last guy who surprised us on