Saratoga grinned as Sakawa came eagerly running up.
"Did you put those index cards on Kirishima's table like I asked you to?"
"Hai! You can count on Sakawa! Number one cruiser. Can Do!" The light cruiser replied cheerfully.
"Good! They ever let me out, I want you on my team! I'll insist on it!"
Sakawa beamed. "Yes!" She pumped an eager fist into the air.
Saratoga chuckled. "You've done your part. Now we'll do ours." She looked back at the rest of her team. "Everybody ready?"
They nodded with a determination that had been lacking the night before.
"Good. Just remember the plan. I don't just want to win a race, I want to beat them in their own minds. We have our assignments and targets. Let's get over to the line."
***
Kaga looked at her partner with discomfort. "The wind blows uneasily."
Akagi agreed. "I feel as if we have sailed these dangerous tides before."
"Perhaps. But we are Dai-ichi Kido Butai. We are the finest of Japan steel. All we need for victory today is our strength and heart and our unconquerable warrior spirit." She looked uneasily at Carrier Divisions 2 and 5. "Admittedly we must rely upon the speed of others, but our spirit must not flag, lest by our poor example, they lose heart." She turned her gaze to the six carriers opposing them as they made their way to the line. They were all good ships. Even the American, but a swordsmith needed fire and hammer and tongs to shape such raw iron into a fine blade. Kaga intended they be humbled. That was necessary for them to be forged properly.
Kaga turned back to her partner, all worry banished from her visage.
"It is time. Let us go into battle."
***
"Mic check. Testing! Testing! One... Two... Welcome to the Yokosuka Naval District Carrier race! I; Kirishima, fourth of the Kongo class fast battleships, will be your announcer for today's competition between First and Third Strike Fleets!" Kirishima looked out at the many Kanmusu in attendance. Ryuho had pushed hard to get a large turn out and appeared to have succeeded. Many of them had strong opinions. The Kongo sisters were for the most part neutral in their opinions, but Kirishima knew that there were those among the battleships who dearly wanted to see First Strike Fleet humbled.
Others; like Fubuki, were fervent fans of Akagi and her team. They enthusiastically lined the courseway ready to call out their support for their champions.
Shimakaze just hoped the race wouldn't be boring.
Down near the starting line, Yamato walked over to Shinano.
Shinano bowed in respectful greeting. "Sister. Shinano is pleased to see you."
Yamato smiled. "I; Yamato, am pleased to see you as well sister."
"Shinano will bring our line honor."
"Shinano already has." Her sister replied.
Back in her tower, Kirishima continued her announcing.
"Introducing our competitors! Wearing Blue shorts, Third Strike Fleet! Their team: Flagship Amagi, Kasagi, Unryu, Katsuragi, The mighty Shinano and from America, Saratoga!"
A moderate amount of cheering went up at this.
"Wearing red shorts is First Strike Fleet! Akagi! Kaga! Soryu! Hiryu! Shokaku! And standing in for Zuikaku is Taiho!"
Very enthusiastic cheers went up.
"As we wait for the race to begin, I have been given several factoid cards regarding our competitors today." She paused a moment. "The first one is about Shinano. Shinano is the largest carrier participating here today. The third sister of the Yamato class and the largest carrier ever built until 1960 and the American Nuclear Carrier Enterprise! This is 23,000 tons more than Kaga."
Saratoga banished a grin from her face. Warfare was part psychology after all. Time to take to the start.
"Secretary Ship Nagato will signal the start of the race! Runners take your positions!"
Nagato looked over the contestants and raised her hand. Finally her hand dropped. The race was on.