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

"I swear that man is scared of women," Jennifer said, shaking her head. She then turned to Patricia. "I've got a fifth of Scotch back at my place and my roommates are both out with their boyfriends if you want to talk about it."

Patricia was about to protest about the time, then thought better of it.

Let my brothers worry about me for a change. I'm off tomorrow.

"That sounds like a splendid idea," Patricia replied. "If I hurry, I can probably make it to my place and then meet you at yours?"

"Excellent plan," Jennifer said. She reached in her purse and pulled out some paper, then scribbled an address.

I.J.N.S. Akigumo

1015 Local (0045 Eastern)

Northern Indian Ocean

10 August

Isoro finished hauling himself, dripping, up onto the I.J.N.S. Akigumo's deck.

"Ah, the great Isoro Honda, ace of aces," a sarcastic officer said, standing at the top of the line Isoro had just finished climbing from his dinghy. Isoro squinted, the sting of saltwater in his eyes making him momentarily regret that decision, before his face broke into a wide grin.

"Yuta Nomiya, you swine!" Isoro said, stepping forward towards his Eta Jima classmate before both legs swiftly reminded the pilot of the last hour's exertions. Two ratings quickly stepped forward and grabbed Isoro before he completely fell to the deck. Yuta let a brief moment of concern cross his face before once again adopting a faux haughty expression.

"Once more you have cost me a couple dozen yen due to a bad bet," Yuta said, shaking his head. "As it was at Kure, here it is again far from home."

Isoro's grin grew wider.

Give some man bad advice on a horse race and he never forgets. I blame the sake.

For a moment, he basked in the memory of a far more peaceful time.

"I bet our captain we'd haul more Americans than Japanese out of the sea today," Yuta continued, gesturing towards the destroyer's stern. "You would have been American number six."

Isoro looked over at his classmate, surprised.

"Just how many Japanese have you pulled out of the water?" he asked.

"There are a couple more of you fighter pilots down in the wardroom," Yuta replied. "The captain ordered we give them warm tea and some food. After we're done talking to the Americans, you can go below and liven up the place a bit."

Isora was about to respond when a low BOOM brought both of their attention towards the Akigumo's starboard side. Approximately eight miles away, a massive mushroom cloud was erupting from the burning Taiho.

"Could be worse," Yuta observed grimly. "We could be involved in that goat screw."

"They need to just scuttle her and be done with it," Isoro said bitterly. "In about two hours she's going to be a nice, big arrow pointing the way to the task force."

Yuta turned and pointed astern, in the direction of the sailing away Kido Butai. Smoke from the Shokaku could be seen on the horizon, billowing up like an accusatory finger.

"I do not think we're going to be hard to find," the destroyerman replied. "Plus that sounded like her magazines, which means she won't be around much longer.

Both men braced themselves as the Akigumo began to get under way, lookouts scanning the water to see if there were any more dinghies.

There are a lot of men from both sides who are going to die alone and in the middle of this damn ocean. I was lucky I ditched within sight of the destroyer.

"But, anyway, I'm glad you're aboard," Yuta said. "You can help me question our American friends."

Why do I get the feeling this is not going to be conducted over a nice cup of tea? Isoro thought, feeling a slight wave of apprehension.

"Come, let us not tarry," Yuta stated, gesturing aft towards the destroyer's fantail. The vessel was starting to accelerate, smoke pouring from her twin stacks. With the wind starting to freshen from the southwest, the destroyer was starting to pitch slightly in the gathering swells. Isoro felt a chill, and was unsure if it had anything to do with the breeze hitting his wet clothing.

"After our questioning during Hawaii," Yuta began, his tone as if he was discussing a new recipe, "I realized that we were rather inefficient in questioning the two men from Hornet. There were so many more things we should have asked them."

"Two men from Hornet?" Isoro asked, not understanding Yuta's reference.

"Yes, the two aviators from Hornet that we captured," Yuta replied proudly. "How do you think you aviators knew where to strike off Hawaii? Divine intervention?"

Isoro moved past several of the destroyer's crew scrubbing down her deck. The red-tinged water and visible bullet impacts told him all he needed to know about what had likely happened.

"I didn't give it much thought, to be honest," Isoro replied. "That was…that was a busy day. Much like this one. What happened there?"

"One of the American fighters strafed us," Yuta replied angrily. "Killed most of a gun crew and our torpedo officer. We were too busy trying to stop the torpedo bombers attack Soryu to get the fighter."

The duo reached the Akigumo's fantail before Isoro could respond. The feeling of nausea in his stomach increased as he looked at the five standing men surrounded by several glowering members of the Akigumo's crew. All five men had clearly been beaten, and the largest of them was being held up by one of the men next to him. Looking at the insignia, Isoro noted that two of the men were ensigns, two were enlisted, and the large man wore the silver oak leaves of a commander.

"Good morning, gentlemen," Yuta said, his words slow as he tried to remember his years of English. "I am Lieutenant junior grade Nomiya, gunnery officer of the destroyer Akigumo."

One of the two enlisted men glared at Yuta, then slowly and deliberately spat upon the Akigumo's deck in his general direction. A chief petty officer stepped forward to deliver a blow to the man's face.

"Stop!" Yuta