Sakura Wars: The 21st Century

By Steve Edward

The Return

Chapter 21

Sunday, January 31st, 2010 – USS Wisconsin BB-64 – 0600 local –

Though bruised from his collision with the raised combing of the armored door the day before John had begun his morning run, two hours before. The Officer of the Deck had quietly reported to Captain Hollister that the Admiral was up and about running on the main deck in the company of several of the Rose Combat Division. Leni's Chow running with him as John and Leni with Sakura circled the expanse of the Wisconsin from bow to stern, making 10 revolutions.

Thanking Leni and Sakura for joining him, John departed and cleaned up. Having a light breakfast, he had stopped by CIC to get a briefing and satisfied that things were going the best that they could, he headed to the Flag Bridge; which is where Captain Hollister found him.

Having brought coffee she handed him his battered cup, "Still bothered by what has happened John?" nodding as he took a sip, "Yes I am. I knew we were walking on thin ice bringing the Imperial Flower Combat Division back to 2010. After all the years that my father and mother kept what was to happen a secret from me, all it takes is some slimy Senator with his own personal agenda to cause havoc."

Sammy broached the subject of the DVD's, "Commander Sherman has requested that instead of light line transfer that we transfer the DVD's by helicopter to the escorts. He has offered to do the chore for us and will deliver to the McCain and the Hooper. I've scheduled flight operations for 1300 hours." John turned to see Captain Frank Orkney standing at the bridge wing door, "Well good morning Frank, have a good sleep?" as John took the message board from Frank, "Very nice thank you, but you took some of my running partners with you this morning."

Hearing that comment, "Well I did not know that they would be "waiting" for me," as he began to scan the messages. Looking up to Sammy, "The upload to Washington D.C., has that been done?" Smiling as Sammy leaned up against the repeater stand, "I would say that General Gleason among others has their hot little hands on them about now." Taking another sip of coffee, "Ok, I'll bite just were else were they uploaded to?" as he turned in his chair. Sammy straightening out, "The Navy News Service of course with your authority for immediate release. The National Public News Service was the first one notified followed by all the majors like CNN, MSNBC, FOX News, ABC." Looking at Frank "Go down to CCTV and monitor the news channels and see what the talking heads make of the videos. It may get interesting later in the day." Hearing that, Frank smiled and headed for the CCTV center.

Sunday, January 31st, 2010 – Washington D.C. – 1100 local –

With a five hour time difference and soon to be six, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Allen Gleason was getting pressed for time when it came to communicating Task Group Rose. Replaying the events of the past two days, with demands that the Task Group be recalled and the Rose and Dream personnel be taken into custody had caused a near riot on Capital Hill. Sitting in the Green Room of the 'Meet the Press' studio's he opened a packet sent to him by courier.

Allen doubted that Admiral Long would allow that to even happen and would exhaust every legal means at his disposal to keep his people out of "protected custody."

Examining the message and finding the professionally labeled DVD's, Allen for the first time in two days cracked as smile.

Allen was not due to go on until 11:30 AM, but he went out the door and asked for the producer who when given the DVD's put them individually into a deck of players. The producer looked at the material excitedly and asked if he could get permission to air it. Quickly going to commercial break, the producer turned to the General and advised he was going on in 5 minutes.

General Allen Gleason placed a discreet call to the White House and alerted the White House Staff that Admiral Long had sent to him the proverbial bombshells, one that was going to end up sinking the careers of numerous politicians. When the Press Secretary came on the line, he told her to tune into 'Meet the Press' and watch. Hanging up and giving the phone to his Aide, Allen walked onto the set with a pre-recorded interview ready to air by the producer. The very same one made on the USS Wisconsin by Admiral John Long less than twenty-four hours before.

Sunday, January 31st, 2010 – USS Wisconsin BB-64 – 0615 local –

Frank sitting in a chair in CCTV made note of the sudden commercial break that occurred on 'Meet the Press' and Petty Officer Simmons did too. Punching the sound for that satellite feed they both sat back and listened, "Seems there was a rush to get the Chairman on rather fast. They did not even give time for the floor people to set up the wireless mike on him."

"We have with us now the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Allen Gleason. General Gleason we understand that a short while ago you received a pre-recorded briefing and interview conducted by Admiral John Long, who is currently commanding Task Group Rose which is embarked on the Battleship USS Wisconsin. Can you provide some details for us?" Looking at the camera, "Yes, Lisa I will be happy to. The recorded briefing was made by Admiral Long to be distributed to the escort ships which are with the USS Wisconsin at this moment. They are the USS Shiloh CG-67, USS Hooper DDG-70 and the USS John S. McCain DDG-56.

Frank turned to Marla, "Get this on tape or DVD. I don't care which," Marla smiled, "Already doing it Captain." Turning back to the screen, "The briefing was made by Admiral Long to explain in detail to who the Rose and Dream Divisions are. In short Lisa, it was to put at ease the crews of his escort ships and let them make an educated choice in this matter."

The commentator taken aback, "But surely General this is out of the ordinary is it not?" as she leaned forward in her chair, "Yes it is out of the ordinary, but Commanders in the field have that discretion to decide how much information that is given to the troops under their commands. In this case, Admiral John Long who has been inundated with requests for interviews decided that based on the news reports he was watching that it was time to reveal the truth, the full truth to the crew of the Wisconsin but to the crews of his escorts."

Frank smiled at that comment, as the crew of the Wisconsin had been briefed when they left Norfolk, Virginia in early January. The crew of the Wisconsin knew just about from the beginning about the 1927 retrieval mission which would be conducted by Admiral Long, and he was proud that they had kept their mouths shut. Getting out the chair Frank heard the commentator announce that the show was being extended an hour without commercial break to play the pre-recorded message in its entirety. Looking down at Marla, "Petty Officer Simmons, your work was excellent on this. I believe the proverbial Tomahawk has landed on Capital Hill. Keep me posted on anything else that takes place. I am going for a run."

Sunday, January 31st, 2010 – USS Wisconsin BB-64 – 1100 local –

Sitting on the Flag Bridge, John had been reading the messages that had been pouring in. A harried Radioman advised that there was a two hour backlog in the receiving queue as he left to bring the traffic still printing on the printers. Looking at the clocks on the Flag Bridge noting it was now 1600 hours in Washington D.C., he guessed that it was pandemonium there. He had directed that all release requests for the videos be directed to the Navy News Service in Washington D.C. in an attempt to cut down the message traffic. Some had not gotten the word, but would be notified to contact that agency.

In Japan, the American Ambassador had been summoned and put on notice that any attempt to incarcerate or otherwise restrict the movements of the former Imperial Flower Combat Division would be dealt with accordingly. The long lost heroes had been found and the Japanese Government had already announced that if the United States did not want them, they would be welcomed with open arms and be provided safe havens.

John who had spent the better part of an hour on a secure satellite link with both the White House and the Chairman of JCS had been informed of the Japanese Governments decision and public statement.

Other countries had joined in with offers of sanctuary for the Rose and Dream Divisions adding to the already messy leak aftermath. The Senator from Ohio was suddenly now not available for comment though his office in Washington D.C. had since tried to retract the statement, the damage was done. In short, the gamble to put a public face on the Rose and Dream Divisions had worked. The President's commentary of why so many salvos in the first place, left him initially speechless; but the chuckle that turned into outright laughter as the President noted that the tactics used were even better than planting a real Tomahawk onto the Capital Building.

Commander Yuichi Kayama entered the Flag Bridge in a hurry, "Excuse me, Admiral you had better read this message traffic sir," as he handed it to the Admiral.

Reading through it twice he turned to Staff Sergeant Teresa Bloomberg, "Have the Bridge page Task Group Rose Staff to the Flag Bridge on the double," acknowledging the order she called the bridge and moments later the 1MC blared out the page on all circuits. Captain Hollister, who had just begun her lunch, had the growler which was mounted to the right side of the table near her right knee began to howl in earnest.

Monday, February 1st, 2010 – Tokyo – 0600 local –

Doctor Cynthia Janice Long had flown from California to Japan Thursday evening the day before the departure of the Wisconsin. Arriving in Tokyo on what was then an early Saturday morning she had little chance to sleep. The breaking news involving Task Group Rose and the Wisconsin was front and center when she landed.

Whisked out of the airport by Professor Niche Kereru her new colleague she ends up at the Seismology Institute after discovering her hotel was being staked out by News Crews seeking interviews. By Saturday evening, in her words she was not a "Happy Camper."

Though the Institute did not have fancy digs, it at least did have bunk beds. Crashing out and waking up late Saturday evening with Professor Kereru's wife having cooked Janice a meal she had gone over the data that Commander Kayama had given to her in San Diego with the Professor.

It was the remote readings from detection stations scattered around the Pacific Basin that had been reporting increased activity that bothered Janice. After plugging the data into the forecast model, and discussing it with Niche they ran more calculations.

It was just before 0600 local time on Monday that the monitoring systems alerted them to seismic activity in an area near the island chain of Hawaii, the activity pointed to a massive underwater quake sometime in the next two days. Janice chewing on her lower lip picked up the phone and sent out a Sea Wraith forecast alert. Its possible location would be at best an estimate for now. But the quake if it did occur will be in the Eastern Pacific, near the State of Hawaii.

Sunday, January 31st, 2010 – USS Wisconsin BB-64 – 1130 local –

With the staff on the Flag Bridge, Admiral Long having setup a chart was looking at the waters surrounding Hawaii. The message from Janice who was in Tokyo could not be taken lightly. Having already ordered that all Task Group Ship's shift to the Hawaiian Time Zone so that everyone would be on the same page, he was utilizing a protractor measuring distances and calculating speed requirements.

Turning to Captain Orkney, "Frank I want full up to date fuel status on all ships by 1200 hours, have Sammy get the USS Shiloh to go to flight quarters at 1200 hours if possible to get the DVD transfer done, and based on fuel states if no top offs are needed; I want to come to 30 knots immediately and send an immediate message to US 7th Fleet Pearl Harbor that Task Group Rose is increasing SOA and why we are doing it." Captain Orkney hurried off the Flag Bridge to get the orders carried out and draft the messages.

Turning to Commander Fujieda, "Kaede put the Rose and Dream Divisions on alert and have Fujii get her division watch sections ready to go. Set the first watch for 1200 hours with 4 hours on and 8 hours off. I hate to say this but the holiday is over with." Turning to Commander Kayama, "Yuichi, if there is so much as a sneeze picked up by the seismic detectors that places it anywhere within 50 miles of the coast line of the Hawaiian Islands I want it charted and plotted with continuous follow-ups with Tokyo and the monitoring stations in Hawaii." Dismissing Commander Kayama, John without realizing it was tapping his fingers near the coast line of Hilo, Hawaii as he glanced at the clocks on the bulkhead above him.

Sunday, January 31st, 2010 – Washington D.C. – 2000 local –

The duty officer in the Pentagon Situation Room noted it was 1500 hours Hawaiian local when the message was received from Pearl Harbor. The message carbon copied to the Pentagon, was acknowledging the change in Task Group Rose Speed of Advance or SOA from 15 knots to 30 knots. It also contained information concerning available assets that could be sent to sea.

Making notifications to appropriate interested parties, it was the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff putting in an appearance 30 minutes later to get a secure communications link with the Wisconsin to speak with Admiral Long.

Sunday, January 31st, 2010 – USS Wisconsin BB-64 – 1530 local –

Admiral John Long on the Flag Bridge was notified that General Allen Gleason was on secure voice wanting to speak with him, "Allen, this is John. Look I believe that based on the available data that Tokyo has at the moment we will have a major underwater quake taking place somewhere close to Hawaii. Doctor Long's projections have not been far off before and that is why I increased speed. If it does happen I want the Task Group in the area to be ready to intercept any Sea Wraith."

General Gleason taking it in, "I will concur on your decision, have you been monitoring reports about Kilauea on the main island. Its lava flows have tripled in the past three hours." John who had been interested in seismic activities and not lava flows, "No Allen, I was not aware of that. Do any of the experts have an answer?" as John tapped the chart, Allen replied "Unfortunately they don't. We are seriously behind the learning curve here. What are your "experts" saying onboard?" Allen referring to Commander Kayama, "Kayama stated that in the outbreaks in Japan when the creatures they called Kouma's put in appearances that it was mainly after minor quakes on land. But nothing was ever noted when it came to sea-based appearances. He helped out with getting the data from 1915 to 1927 and Janice has that in Tokyo. The Japanese seismologist working with her thinks that the lava flows might be somehow related, but it is in theory only and not fact. That's why I had not paid much attention to the lava flows."

General Gleason sitting back in his chair, "Very well then, I'll go to the President tonight. I'll have Admiral Guthrie in Pearl, get the assets ready just in case. Looking at your SOA it will put you off the coast of the main island by early morning, with your thinking, will be the area that the Sea Wraith appears?" John paused a moment, "Yes I believe it will. I have the gut feeling that when the Sea Wraiths appear they will be butt ugly as usual and even meaner."

Monday, February 1st, 2010 – USS Wisconsin BB-64 – 0545 hours local –

Steaming through the night at 30 knots, the USS Wisconsin and her escorts had approached the southern most main island of Hawaii. In the morning sunrise the smoke from Mauna Loa as its violent eruption continued was clearly visible. Admiral Long on the Flag Bridge studied it as it continued to drift seaward away from land. Dispatched from Pear Harbor, a Military Sealift Command Replenishment ship was refueling the McCain and the Hooper. The long high speed run had depleted their bunkers. The Shiloh still ahead of the Wisconsin would refuel next.

The rampant rumors about the Wisconsin and her whereabouts had been the subject of morning talk shows. Reports of the Wisconsin steaming away from her escorts into the vast reaches of the Pacific in an effort to disappear had been a hot topic and a headache for the Public Affairs Offices in the Pentagon and Pearl Harbor both. Admiral Long still refusing to be interviewed directly had been the subject of quickly produced biographies that covered his involvement in events in March 2007. The Master of the Queen Mary 2 had been interviewed in London on his experience and interaction with Admiral Long, could offer little more than to say that the man knew what he was doing.

The massive underwater quake predicted for the area occurred about the same time as the Mauna Loa eruption, which occurred at about 0412 hours, rattling windows for miles. The active Mauna Loa had surprised everyone when it had cut loose. Doctor Long in Japan watched the seismology data as it started pouring in and began plotting them. The epicenter 77 miles ESE of Hawaii on a flat plain of the Pacific Ocean floor was the source of a 7.5 magnitude quake. Sending immediate alerts out along with Tsunami alerts; Janice could at that point only sit back and watch hoping for the best outcome.

Elliot Webber a retired Army pilot had taken the job at KNHL Television to be the pilot of NEWS 8 which he was piloting now. Having flown from Honolulu to Mauna Loa to cover the large eruption, he was loitering in the area near Kilauea crater getting shots of the increased lava flow. The director of the morning news program had asked him to keep an eye out for the Wisconsin just in case since NBC in New York had been riding them on trying to find the ship.

Elliot who was much wiser than the suites, sitting at their desks in New York knew better than to go hunting for the Task Group. Knowing the rules of the military he would "wait" till she was sighted by someone else. Turning NEWS 8 to the left to make another pass, he sighted the upper works of a large ship on the horizon. Because of the shipping activity in the area he at first dismissed it then decided to swing back and gain altitude. The camera operator in the rear complained to him as he did so, but Elliot ignored him. The nose camera spinning around caught something on the surface in the distance but bent on getting a better view of the ship; Elliot ignored it.

Elliot applying power and increasing sped headed toward the ship on the horizon. To the right of the ship following on what appeared to be a parallel course were another group of ships. Recognizing a ship further ahead from the rear ship as a Ticonderoga class cruiser; Elliot had the camera operator zero in on the cruiser.

Keying his radio Elliot called the station newsroom, "This is NEWS 8, be advised I've got a sighting on Task Group Rose. The USS Wisconsin is in Hawaiian waters at this time." It was just past 0600 hours, when the camera operator glanced out the port side of the Jet Bell Ranger added, "Oh SHIT! Look at those things, Elliot; to the left Elliot!" The reporter riding along, Sandra Delray coolly flipped the transmit switch beaming a live shot of her from inside of NEWS 8 and told the stunned news director that two Sea Wraith were inbound to Hilo.

The nearly calm Pacific waters were frothing. In the middle of the disturbance were two things that Elliot had never wanted to see in person. Sea Wraith, the largest he had ever seen was headed shoreward towards Hilo.

Monday, February 1st, 2010 – USS Wisconsin BB-64 – 0610 hours local –

Petty Officer Nina Bell at her station within CIC was monitoring the local air picture, while keeping an ear tuned to the International Air Distress Speaker. The air distress frequency monitored by most military ships as routine had not emitted any sounds except for the occasional crackle. When the pilot of NEWS 8, Elliot Webber came over the distress frequency trying to raise the Wisconsin, Nina was the first to reply and to advise him to clear the frequency.

Elliot taking a risk, "USS Wisconsin, this is Elliot Webber; pilot of KNHL TV NEWS 8 I can confirm sighting two massive Sea Wraith inbound to Hilo. Their base course is on or about 285 degrees and they are at about 355 degrees relative to you range 15,000 yards, speed estimated 30 knots plus through the water. I am squawking 8888 for identification by all units; this is no drill."

Commander Chris Tyler on duty in CIC as tactical officer directed Petty Officer Nina to locate the aircraft by radar and have the pilot switch to a standard frequency if possible, alerting the Bridge and Flag Bridge he ordered the Officer of the Deck to sound General Quarters and call for flight quarters.

Admiral John Long headed to CIC and joining Captain Hollister was briefed by Commander Tyler who then departed for the Bridge. Turning to Sammy, "Advise Shiloh we are coming through and to clear out of the way and launch the Rose Combat Division now."

Lead by Commander Oogami the Rose Combat Division boarded their Koubus and Eisenkleids and prepared for launching as the deck crew scrambled about the machines. The Sea Wraith still making their way shoreward were less than 3 miles off from Kukii Heiau in waters that would be too shallow for the Wisconsin to follow.

Commander Mike Sherman in Shiloh heard the Wisconsin ordering his ship to move out of the way. Going to Flank Speed, he turned the Shiloh to starboard and ordered General Quarters as well. Keeping his stern to the Wisconsin, watched as the Battleship accelerating to nearly 50 knots was throwing a nearly 60 foot high rooster tail from the stern of the ship as it raced past. Commander London in the Hooper and Commander Welter in the McCain having nearly completed refueling ordered emergency break-a-way's and ordered their ships to General Quarters.

Ashore walking from their hotel which was near Kukii Heiau, the Grace Family who ironically hailed from Horicon, Wisconsin which is located Northwest of Milwaukee had come to Hawaii for a family vacation. Hoping to visit the Hawaii Volcanoes State Park, they had found out that the park was now closed to visitors so Nick Grace led his wife Jessie; with son and daughter Patty and Patrick both who were twins along the beach. Patrick, who for the first time was seeing the ocean, was curious to the sight of what was coming towards them being followed by a helicopter. Thinking that it might be a really big fish; he stops and points it out to the rest of the family.

Nick Grace turning to see what Patrick is pointing to has seen it before but only on television. Telling them to turn around and run he has to grab Patrick and run with him, Jessie struggling to run in the sand while running with Patty breaks her ankle falling to the ground screaming, Jessie's scream apparently attracting the Sea Wraith.

The Rose Combat Division splitting into two separate platoons of 5 each split apart. Sumire, Lachette, Kanna, Leni with Commander Oogami take on the Sea Wraith the furthest out; while Maria, Sakura, Orihime, Iris and Kohran roar shoreward to Hilo.

NEWS 8, capturing the beginning of the battle watches as Oogami traveling at nearly 300 knots with his two oversized swords score a hit and the creature's body reeling from the blow and trying to find its attacker is struck again this time by Lachette as she sends four explosive tipped oversized throwing knives into its body. Leni with Kanna deliver the coup de grace.

Elliot in communication with the Wisconsin watches as the final Sea Wraith begins to exit the water, in front of it less than 200 yards away the Grace Family. It is pandemonium at the television station as the news team director trying to get Elliot to close in, watches on the screen when a bright yellow Koubu swoops in front of the creature and suddenly stops and begins to glow eerily, the morning daylight adding to the scene. The Sea Wraith releasing an energy blast at the yellow Koubu gets a surprise of its very short life.

Admiral Long watching the scene from surveillance video being beamed from UAV-1 takes in the battle playing out on the beach. "Alert all incoming strike aircraft to stand clear, we have civilians on the beach. Rose Division is will be directly engaging," John not wanting to have the Air Force F-22 Raptors now two minutes out releasing any of their ordinance has them stand clear.

Iris had seen the family on the beach and had raced in placing her Koubu directly in the path of the Sea Wraith. Focusing her energy now being backed up by the Dream Division onboard the Wisconsin, she smiled and waited. The Grace's to the rear of Iris watched as her Koubu began to glow and moments later the Sea Wraith released its energy burst.

Admiral Long watching from CIC saw the impact take place, the sheer intensity of the energy dissipating overwhelming the camera optics in NEWS 8 and UAV-1. When the picture cleared, Iris was still in front of the Sea Wraith or what was left of it as it upper body minus 30 or so feet toppled into the waters of the Pacific Ocean. Having joined Iris in the final moments were, Sakura and Orihime on the left and to her right Maria.

Maria seeing the family on the beach in apparent distress maneuvered her Koubu to a landing nearby followed by Iris and Sakura. The danger now apparently over, Admiral Long ordered aerial surveillance to begin immediately of the surrounding area which was done. Captain Hollister ordered the Wisconsin to reduce speed to 5 knots and hold position off of Hilo while they begin to recover the Rose Combat Division.

Maria and Iris with Sakura approach the stricken family and offer medical aid. Nick Grace who had at the last moment had tried to shield his family looked at the woman who called herself Maria, "Please help my wife, she is hurt;" as Iris walks past and kneels next to Jessie and Patty to examine them while Sakura attends to Patrick.

The Grace family had been shielded by Iris when the Sea Wraith fired the energy blast and fortunately it was redirected away and back into the creature killing it instantly.

In shock from the event, uninjured with the exception of Jessie who has broken her right ankle they are fine. Hawaii State Patrol Officer Lena Kunai arrives on scene and is greeted by Maria, "Are you a police officer?" as Maria eyeing the uniform notes the badge, Trooper Kunai taking in Maria acknowledges her position, "Yes, I am a Hawaii State Patrol Officer can I be of assistance?" as Trooper Kunai standing in front of Maria has to look upward due to her 5 foot 5 inch frame.

Taking note of the injuries she radios in for an ambulance and assures Maria that the family will be cared for. Taking over the first aid treatment, she watches as three young women reboard their machines and roar skyward back to the Wisconsin, the time according to her watch is 0640 hours.