Salute To An Enemy

"I am so, so sorry" Akeno said. She had handed Kaede a message that Tsugmi had intercepted being broadcast from the British Royal Yacht Britannia several miles away – the Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom and Head of the Commonwealth had died after 96 years of life and 70 years of service as Queen. Kaede looked very much Japanese but was, in fact, part British and had embraced both parts of her life with equal measure and the girl sat there with a horrified look on her face.

"Thank you for telling me in private, Captain" she whispered softly. "May I take this watch off to think?" and Akeno nodded, repeated her sorrow and then left the cabin to return to the Bridge.

"How is she taking it?" asked Mashiro.

"Abut as well as can be expected" Akeno shrugged. "But Kaede is occasionally hard to read"

"I never bother to read her" Mashiro admitted, "I'm waiting for the audio book"

"Maybe she could go over and pay her respects" the Captain turned to Rin who was on the wheel. "Bring us about and take us to full speed. Plot an intercept course and close the Britannia"

"Aye"

"Captain?"

"At least we could let her sign a book or something" and then Akeno thought of something even different which made her smile. "Radio Room. Contact the Britannia and ask her intentions"

"Copied"

"If I know the Royal Navy, they will be sending their fleet to escort her back home" Akeno told a frowning Deputy Captain. "The British are all about respect and tributes and, even though the war was long ago… I can think of no finer tribute than a former enemy standing guard"

"Neither can I" replied Mashiro with understanding. They had orders to return home after training with Mina's school, but the orders had not specified precisely how to come back.

"We should be with them in about half an hour" Rin reported as she put the wheel amidships and held the course.

"Radio Room. Britannia reports that she is putting around and returning to the UK"

"Roger" Akeno replied into the speaking tube. "Deputy Captain, please use as many crewmembers as you need to tidy the ship up as best as you can. Tama, prepare a series of blank charges to be fired in tribute. Bridge to Hime" Akeno picked up the handset and dialled the all-ship circuit. "Please report to me on the double. Chief Engineer, report to me on the double" and the crew must have known something was wrong because Akeno almost never talked like that preferring, instead, to let them handle their own work and to bring problems up at the weekly meetings she held.

#

"Sir? Japanese destroyer closing fast from the starboard beam"

"How do you know?" asked the Captain of the Britannia.

"Because it's the only flag that isn't black or at half mast" and the Captain turned to see the Harekaze come racing up and assume station on their starboard stern quarter – all flags at half mast and keeping station with them perfectly. "Harekaze is signalling, Sir. They report they will escort us until the fleet arrives" the man pressed his headset tighter to his head for a moment. "Their Captain requests permission to come aboard with one other"

"An aide, I presume?" the Captain guessed.

"No, Sir… British subject – wishes to come aboard and pay respects"

"Oh" the Captain could see the Harekaze's hatches open and the crew of trainee girls coming out in clean uniforms and lining up on the port side as it slowly moved a little bit closer to the Britannia. "Tell them to come over when they are ready. Bousun's Mate, Sideboys… Man the sides"

#

Akeno and Kaede stepped aboard the Britannia and accepted and returned various salutes before being taken into the ship and to the quarters of the Queen where she had been placed inside a coffin topped with various badges, insignia, medals and the state crown. Akeno stepped forward and saluted the coffin in a manner that would make any naval officer jealous whereas Kaede drew a sword and brought it up to touch her nose, turned round and then pointed it to the ground and bowed her head.

"Ah" the Captain nodded his head knowingly as Akeno smiled faintly. She had an idea that Kaede would do that and had loaned her a sword from her chest – a gift from Mina for years of friendship.

"She's loyal to both Japan and the United Kingdom" Akeno said softly. "When we heard your broadcast, I could not let her not say her goodbyes. I have orders to return home"

"I see"

"However, orders are open to interpretation of the Captain. We will wait for your navy to arrive and then, if it is allowed, join you on your journey home"

"There will be many that will not like a Japanese ship being seen nearby" the Captain said.

"I know, Sir, but in Japan it is the greatest honour to be respected by either a current or former enemy. Kaede has told a lot about your Queen and how she respected traditions from all her peoples… I think she would be loving of this one"

"Yes" the Captain looked at the coffin. "I rather think she would"

#

The Harekaze sailed with the Britannia alone until the Royal Navy arrived to escort their beloved Queen home. After discussing the situation, the Harekaze was given the place of honour to lead the sad fleet home to the UK. When Britannia had docked and the Queen was carried off by sailors, Harekaze rotated her main weapons to the sea and fired a volley salute before they returned to the travel position and Akeno led the crew off in their best uniforms to line the route. There was a lot of interest in the class and even more of a Japanese ship there – a former enemy in the very heart of Portsmouth. When all the officers had seen the Queen off in a hearse, one of the Admirals came over and asked to speak to Akeno.

"On behalf of the people of this country, I thank you for helping to bring out Queen home. Relations between our two countries have not always been the best, but a former enemy paying tribute has done a lot to heal any wounds still amongst some. His Majesty has asked that you and your crew secure your ship and then travel to London"

"What for?" blinked Akeno. She shot a look at Mashiro who was as confused as her Captain.

"His Majesty has decreed that, given your service to the Crown and His People, you and your entire ship's company are to be invited" the Admiral smiled faintly at Akeno's sudden wide eyed look.

"I… I…"

"I think she is surprised to see me" a voice made the Admiral turn round to see the new King with a grief filled expression on his face – yet still managing a faint smile.

"Sire"

"Admiral" the King looked at Akeno. "I have been told by my staff and my First Sea Lord that you have a crew member aboard that is half British"

"Kaede, Your Majesty" Akeno nodded once. "When we heard the terrible news, I wanted to make sure that she could pay respects. Then I decided to… creatively interpret our orders to sail home"

"I see" King Charles regarded the girl for a long time. "I realise my family and my Government have thanked you, but I wish to thank you personally, Captain, Misaki, and that is one of the reasons I have asked for you to not only be given places at the funeral service but also for your class to be given permission to march through London with fixed bayonets"

"We only carry a few small arms for defence purposes in the event we are boarded"

"I am sure that the navy can find a few spare weapons" the King smiled. "I must go now, but I would like to see you and your crew before you must leave for your home"

"We would be honoured" Akeno replied, thinking there would be a meal or just tea – Kaede had often told them about the customs of the British. King Charles nodded and turned around and walked off before suddenly stopping. He was aware that the eyes of the world were upon him either there at Portsmouth or watching on various devices as he turned to face Akeno as she spoke to Mashiro and some of her senior staff.

"Captain Misaki?" Akeno turned around and looked at him. With very deliberate motions, King Charles III pulled his sword out and brought it up to the salute and held it there until Akeno returned the salute and he walked away.

#

"Well" Mashiro's mother watched a TV screen as it showed the Harekaze's crew being shown to seats, "That is something that you don't see every day"

#

A fortnight later, the Harekaze slipped her moorings and sailed for the English Channel and to the open waters beyond for home. Each of the class had been honoured with a medal for escorting the Queen home and the ship itself had been awarded an Admiralty Pennant for valuable service in protecting the Britannia and then forming part of the escort to bring the Queen home to her people.

"We are clear and free to navigate" Mashiro reported.

"Right" Akeno was jarred from her thoughts about the passing and ending of an era. "Signal the tug that we are setting course for home"

"Aye" and a moment later the reply came back.

"Message from the tug. They say 'Good luck and safe travels Harekaze from all in the Royal Navy'. Message ends"

"Reply 'Understood. Thank you and goodbye'… Wait, Shiro… Add to the end 'God Save The King'"