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

past," Yamaguchi replied. "I will give the Soryu what CAP we can as long as she is in range, but I am not losing four carriers to save another."

Kaku nodded, then exited the compartment. Yamaguchi turned to regard the Indian Ocean map on the starboard bulkhead.

Regardless of what happens the next few hours, we own Ceylon. If the Italians continue to move their fleet south into the Indian Ocean, the Americans will not be able to surprise us like this again.

Pacific Fleet Headquarters

2130 Local (0330 Eastern)

9 August (10 August)

"Bill, I got the message and came over as quickly as I could," Admiral Dunlap said as he walked into the Pacific Fleet's status room. "Now tell me what was so urgent you had some poor ensign drive from this building to my house at reckless speed.

Vice Admiral Halsey turned around from where he stood at the map. The look on the man’s face made Dunlap’s stomach drop. He kept his own face confident despite Halsey's funereal appearance.

Oh shit, Fletcher has gotten his ass kicked. But panic is contagious, and there will be none of that in this headquarters.

"Frank has gotten himself in a bit of a bind," Vice Admiral Halsey said, holding up a message flimsy. "It's roughly an hour old."

Admiral Dunlap took the message and read it quickly, then shook his head.

"I'd say it's a mixed bag," Dunlap said. He turned to the young officer Halsey had sent to fetch him.

"Ensign MacDonnell, I need you to go back to my quarters and collect Vice Admiral Wake-Walker," Dunlap said. "He may bring his aide or a flag captain, but no one else."

"Aye aye, sir," the ensign said, his blue eyes earnest. He hurried out of the headquarters, and Dunlap looked back at the message once more.

Mixed bag indeed, Dunlap thought as he finished rereading Vice Admiral Fletcher's report. Looking up, he regarded Halsey, then the other man standing with him. Like Halsey, Vice Admiral John Towers looked like he was about to attend a funeral.

"How did we get this status report?" Dunlap asked. "Please tell me Fletcher did not break radio silence to send something this long."

"Jack dragged the Curtiss out from Brisbane to operate with his tankers," Towers explained.

"The Curtiss?" Dunlap asked, confused for a moment. Halsey and Towers looked at one another.

"Gentlemen, pretend that I'm someone who just got dragged off the retired list and has yet to receive the full update from the staff," Dunlap stated with a smile. "Because you may recall, that is exactly who I am."

"Sorry sir," Vice Admiral Halsey said, his tone sincere. "When war began, I detached the Curtiss to the Asiatic Fleet once we were sure that the Japanese weren't coming back to Hawaii for an extended stay."

Which, to be fair, some would say we're still making a big assumption on. However, they hardly even nicked the Army’s air forces back in March, so they'd have needed all those big carriers again.

Admiral Dunlap allowed himself a small prayer of thanksgiving that his predecessor had at least managed to bag one Japanese carrier and mauled another.

Even if it seems like the damaged vessel got back into action quicker than we expected, it sure has kept the Japanese from being overly aggressive in this direction.

"So Fletcher is using her as a relay station?" Dunlap asked. "How?"

"I assume some sort of flying relay, sir," Vice Admiral Towers answered. "Put a dispatch on a SBD, fly it back to the Curtiss, she transmits the message."

Dunlap considered the map of the Indian Ocean that was now stapled to a rolling blackboard and wheeled in front of the main Pacific map.

I am still at a loss on how half my fleet ended up in the Indian Ocean. Although I'm sure that's exactly what poor Husband is thinking right now as well. He's going to be super happy to find out he's fresh out of battleships.

Pushing thoughts of Admiral Kimmel’s likely reaction from his mind, Admiral Dunlap turned to his own staff.

"So explain to me why you both look like your dogs died right after your wives filed for divorce," Dunlap said.

Once again, Halsey and Towers shared a look as if they were wondering about their new commander's mental facilities.

"Yes, it sounds like the Massachusetts is pretty hard hit and the Indiana is going to need some time in the repair yard," Dunlap continued. "Both of which triggers Fletcher's orders to disengage. But he thinks he's severely damaged or sunk three Japanese carriers, and last I checked he has all four of his left to pursue."

"Sir, that's part of the problem," Halsey said firmly. "Unless you release Fletcher from Admiral King's orders, he cannot catch the remaining Jap carriers."

Now we come to the meat of it. They want me to authorize Fletcher to disregard Admiral King's last directive.

"I am willing to admit my ignorance of carrier operations, gentlemen," Dunlap said. "That's why I have you both. If that map is correct, the Japanese are still well within range of Fletcher's forces."

Halsey and Towers looked at each other as Dunlap continued.

"Even if he is forced to start shepherding some cripples, it seems like he has more than enough firepower and time to finish the job," Dunlap stated. "Tell me what I'm not understanding before I agree to countermand a former superior."

Towers must be a helluva poker player. However, Vice Admiral Halsey I can read like a book.

"Sir, with all due respect, Admiral King is dead," Vice Admiral Halsey exploded, gesturing at the map. "We have a chance to finish the Jap fleet off."

Halsey did not answer my question.

Dunlap briefly considered whether he wanted to push harder in the face of the man's near insubordinate response, but decided to take a different tack.

"I have a distinct advantage that neither of you gentlemen possess," Dunlap said. "Namely, I got to speak both with Secretary Knox and President Roosevelt before I got on a plane to fly out here."

Dunlap paused to make sure both men understood the implications of what he was