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

like I nearly ditched rather than landed, and I'm sitting here twiddling my thumbs while they refuel my fighter.

Isoro took another defiant drag of the cigarette as he watched the man continuing to close.

But yes, let's talk about how my one cigarette on an open flight deck may be the demise of us all.

"Are you deaf, you idiot?" the ensign screamed, his face starting to color as he strode forward. Although Isoro was sure the man was probably only a couple of years younger than him, the junior officer's outraged demeanor and ill fitting helmet made the gap seem much larger.

I am about to cuff you like we are back on the school yard.

Isoro took yet another drag, then again exhaled upwards so the man would see it. The ensign, truly incensed, began moving even quicker.

"I will kill you…" the man shouted , starting to break into a sprint down the Soryu's damaged deck. Isoro was aware of several men turning from the gun tubs at the spoken threat. He ignored them and continued to focus on the stouter, shorter man he was about to come to blows with. To his shock, the officer stopped, looking past him.

"Ensign Tokugawa, I think that striking a superior officer would not improve your day," a wholly unfamiliar voice said from behind Isoro. "Even if you win, Vice Admiral Yamaguchi would have you flogged for removing Lieutenant Honda's services during this battle."

Isoro turned around to see another pilot, likewise outfitted in his flight suit and helmet, standing looking at the scene with a bemused expression. Face expressionless, Isoro took another drag of the cigarette, then turned to look at the ensign.

"As for you, Lieutenant Honda, clearly you cannot smell the fuel fumes coming from below," the man observed, looking at the cigarette in Isoro's hands. "I know it's likely because of the charred flesh, but I assure you the fuel truck refueling our fighters has a very impressive leak."

Isoro considered the man speaking, then the cigarette in his hands. He stubbed the latter out on his life jacket, then placed the unsmoked half in his pocket. Ensign Tokugawa, satisfied that the problem was solved, pointedly looked at the man next to Isoro before bowing and turning back towards Soryu's island.

"Forgive me, I do not recognize you…" Isoro said.

"Lieutenant Iyozoh Fujita," the man said, then added with a slight smile. "I am not surprised you do not know of me. The leader often does not see those who are giving chase."

Isoro found himself smiling as well.

"I believe Warrant Officer Nishizawa holds that distinction," Isoro replied. "Especially after this morning."

"Glad to see someone had a decent flight then," Fujita replied, his face clouding. "The new American fighters were a very unpleasant surprise."

"Yes, yes they were," Isoro replied. "I ended up taking a swim."

I am just glad I did not face them in a Zero, he left in his thoughts.

"At least your carrier did not get hit," Fujita observed. "While I am glad that Soryu is still nominally functional, I can only hope those worsening storms between us and the Americans will keep them at bay."

"The torpedo pilots claim to have sunk a battleship and severely damaged the Repulse," Isoro replied. "Maybe that has given the Americans pause."

Fujita looked astern.

"We can only hope so," the other pilot replied. "I don't know how bad the casualties were aboard Akagi, but it appeared the Kaga air group got very shot up attacking the surface vessels before I returned here."

Isoro shrugged.

"I was busy getting into dry clothes," he said. "Then I was told I was to fly a chutai of Shinden over here. Last I saw the Soryu, I did not think she would be conducting flight operations anytime soon."

Fujita pursed his lips and was silent for several seconds. Isoro could see the man struggling to hold in his emotions.

"I am told the damage control measures were arduous and we were quite fortunate our executive officer hoarded wood for the flight deck," Fujita stated. "The fires were intense but we managed to get them out. It was the casualties that were problematic."

I'd imagine a hundred or so burn victims would indeed be a problem.

He glanced to the newly repaired portion of the flight deck. He was about to speak when the carrier's after elevator began cycling.

"We shall see which one of us gets to take off first," Fujita said with a smile.

"I would expect that the hangar crew would take care of their own first," Isoro replied. "Especially since they're more familiar with your Zeroes."

"Perhaps," Fujita said. "Unless their mothers taught them to take care of guests first and foremost."

Isoro laughed at that.

"That is a very fair observation," he replied, then grew pensive as he looked up at the sky. "I will be honest, I do miss the Zero's range. We'll be back here almost twice as many times as you will."

"I am sure that you'll be sent back to the Akagi after this," Fujita said somberly. "Quite frankly, I am surprised that you were sent to reinforce us at all."

"Vice Admiral Yamaguchi is doing his utmost to save every carrier he can," Isoro said. "You are in far better shape than the Shokaku. She burned for hours and her flight deck is completely gone."

Fujita visibly shuddered at that report.

"The stench aboard her must be terrible," the pilot noted. "Any word on casualties?"

"I understand many of the air group's support personnel are dead," Isoro replied. "I overheard that as Rear Admiral Kaku was taking my report."

"Your report?" Fujita asked.

"I was asked about the new American fighters," Isoro replied with a shrug. Looking over as the elevator rose, he smiled. "It looks like your hangar crews have manners after all."

Fujita glanced over and smiled himself as the plane handlers shoved the third Shiden in Isoro's scratch chutai astern off the elevator.

"Well, you've hardly been down long enough for the engine to get cold, so looks like you'll be taking off shortly," Fujita stated, envy dripping off every word.

Isoro scoffed.

"The less the