Sakura Wars: The 21st Century
By Steve Edward
Chapter 25
Friday, February 5th, 2010 – USS Wisconsin BB-64 – 2230 hours local –
Admiral Long having successful made his way, not back to his cabin but to the Rose Division Stateroom area, where guest cabins were located nearby; entered the empty cabin that he had previously selected. Laying out his wares across the bunks and the various breadboards he got to work.
The Rose Division spread out in a systematic search in groups of two. Captain Hollister remained on the Bridge and switching the various video monitors on and scanned their displays. Staff Sergeant Bloomberg and Commander Kayama were one search team when they encountered Captain Frank Orkney. Advising him of what was happening, he headed for the Bridge. Joining Sammy as she viewed the monitors he crossed his arms, "Sammy, I am not involved nor will I become involved. By the way just what is this all about anyway?" As Sammy explained the situation; Frank leaned against the ships control consol, "So Teresa had Kohran rig sensors in both his Sea Cabin and inport Flag Cabin so she would know when he headed out for the 0400 hour morning runs. Good god almighty, no wonder he is doing this. Let me guess Sammy that you were up here when he went into the workshop?" Acknowledging that she had been, Captain Orkney chuckled, "Well you like to come up here at 2100 hours when you are inport do you not?" Acknowledging glumly that she did, Frank continued; "He played you like a fiddle, he knew you would be up here. I am done offering any more blow by blow analyses of John. You and the Rose Division are in for a time of your lives. Good luck and good night." Leaving the Bridge, Captain Orkney headed to his cabin hoping like hell he did not bump into the Admiral, because the man was on the warpath.
Hearing footsteps outside the cabin, John paused. The main lights were off and the red desk lamp would not show under the cabin door. The guest cabins were normally locked and he heard the knob jiggle as it was tested. Having borrowed a key earlier from the Mess Specialist in charge of the cabins it was how he had gained entry.
Sakura Shinguji and Leni Milchstrase having checked the other cabin doors and finding them locked continued onward, not suspecting just how close the Admiral was. Satisfied that they were gone, he continued his work.
The mini-drill that the Admiral had tested earlier was battery powered and very quiet. Fitted with a carbon steel bit, he slipped it into one of the pockets of the overalls he now wore, having taken his very recognizable khaki's off, he would at a distance look like one of the Wisconsin crewmembers about their duties.
Friday, February 5th, 2010 – USS Wisconsin BB-64 – 2330 hours local –
Gathering his completed breadboards and associated tools that he would need to install and rig them, using a small dental mirror to examine the passageway, he exited the cabin and locked the door behind him and headed forward. With the tool belt properly secured with its associated tools, the Admiral headed down a nearby ladder well just as Lieutenant Commander Oogami and Lieutenant Commander Tachibana came from a side passage. Maria looking down only saw the blue work overalls and a battered looking Wisconsin ball cap, as the crewman entered the next deck level. Dismissing him, Maria and Ichiro headed aft toward the guest cabins to check the doors yet again.
Admiral Long after entering the deck headed forward then turned into the cross passageway to go to the starboard side. Catching sight of Staff Sergeant Bloomberg and Commander Kayama ahead of him, John slowed. Entering an electrical alcove he stopped and watched as they turned and headed forward. Checking behind him, he then followed. Using the dental mirror again he quietly turned the corner and continued up the starboard passageway discreetly following the search party.
Coming to the vertical ladder he wanted, he proceeded to climb to the scuttle above and bracing himself began to open it. Bloomberg hearing the sound of the scuttle opening turned around and seeing only blue coveralls casually asked the sailor if might have seen Admiral Long walking about. Changing the pitch of his voice, John stated he had not. Satisfied, Bloomberg shrugging her shoulders at Kayama walked back to join him and they continued forward. The "sailor" disappeared from view into an equipment room located on the next deck above that was in the heart of the Rose Division Cabins.
Glancing at his watch, it was 2345 hours; right on schedule as he took several of the devices that he had made and arranged them. Carefully examining the back of the breadboards now covered in electrical tape, he patiently began drilling mounting holes on an open area near a communications telephone board.
Completing the task, the noise masked by the ventilation system that kept the electronics cool, he wired the devices to the appropriate targets. Satisfied with his handiwork, the Admiral taped a yellow sticky note near the devices so that the Internal Communications Specialists could safely remove them by following the written instructions.
Heading for the door and cracking it open and using the mirror again, John slipped out into the passageway and headed forward. Pausing briefly as he neared the ladder well that went into Flag Country, hearing nothing he casually began to climb.
Saturday, February 6th, 2010 – USS Wisconsin BB-64 – 0010 hours local –
At the top landing a pair of feet came into view. They belonged to Sumire Kanzaki who with Kanna Kirishima were about to descend. Seeing that it was a sailor who obviously had his hands full, they stepped back. Because of the light shining from below and the dark clothing, the Admiral's features were obscured. Turning right and keeping his back to them, he pardoned himself for intruding and they both descended without giving him a second look.
Giving a sigh of relief, John headed to the next equipment room. It was there he suspected that he would find what he was looking for and where he would rig his final gifts. Entering the equipment room he locked and secured the door with monofilament wire, even Kanna would have trouble breaking it.
On the Bridge, Captain Hollister waited for the other shoe to drop. No one had seen the Admiral now nearly three hours. Alerting the Quarterdeck that she wanted to be informed immediately if he was even seen, she sat back in her chair. The ringing of the phone startled her, but it was Kohran. She had Kohran go back to her workshop and check it thoroughly to see what else was missing. Hearing that breadboards and a large number of electronic components and wire were missing, Sammy knew the Admiral had been busy.
The Admiral examined the device that was mounted above his toys. Carefully opening and squinting at the small schematic that was pasted to the back side of the access panel, he carefully probed the circuits of the device till he found what he was looking for. Impressed with Kohran's ingenuity he carefully put into place a previously prepared set of jump wires. Checking the electrical circuit for stability, he traced the wires that lead in the direction of his two cabins and then taking a stapler from his overall pocket and placed a pair of staples into the circuit, in effect shorting it out. Watching the meter and a small LED he had rigged, it stayed green. Satisfied, he turned and traced the wires that headed aft, towards the Staff Secretary Cabin. Smiling as he rigged his final toy the Admiral checked the jumper connections one last time. Removing the monofilament wire and placing it in his overalls and unlocking the door he turned and headed to a nearby scuttle within the equipment room and carefully opened it. Taking the line testing phone from his tool belt, he patched into the communications phone trunk and dialed the Bridge.
Sammy, who had been rejoined by the Rose Division after they had unsuccessfully tried to find the Admiral, answered the phone. Spinning around to see where the Admiral was calling from and seeing no point of origin, she listened, "Hi Sammy just to let you know the mission is not yet complete. I have to return some stuff that I borrowed. Time is a wasting, Bye."
Saturday, February 6th, 2010 – USS Wisconsin BB-64 – 0045 hours local –
Turning to the Rose Division, she announced what he had said and as a group they headed aft. The Admiral already through the scuttle and headed through the second scuttle heard the equipment room door above crash open. Maria doing a quick scan did not see anything out of place, had Kohran done the compartment check she might have seen his toys had she been looking hard enough.
Strolling down the starboard side toward the mess decks, the Admiral blended in with the off coming engineering watch and since he was hungry he went through the chow line. Might as well sample the fair he thought, accepting a Ham and Cheese sandwich with French fries. Sitting with his back to the passageway that went through the mess decks, he caught sight of Staff Sergeant Bloomberg leading one group and Commander Fujieda the other as they raced through the mess headed aft. Overhearing one of the Enginemen comment that the Admiral must be running another drill, he smiled and grunted in agreement, his mouth too busy with the savory Wisconsin Sharp Cheddar Cheese as he chewed.
Finishing his meal, and dropping his tray off at the scullery he headed forward and to the next deck, where he entered the guest cabin. Changing back into his khaki's, John began his trip back aft. It was going to be tricky, but he was going to return the tools and equipment that he had borrowed. Of course he would likely have to find a Radio Shack later in the morning to replace the components that he had used.
Sammy who was still on the Bridge turned with resignation as the phone range again. This time it displayed the caller's location as Guest Cabin Number 10. Knowing it was not occupied she picked up the phone and listened, "Hi Sammy it's me again, sorry to be a bother but just wanted to say it has been fun. See you in a little while." Now furious she hit the 21MC squawk box button for the hanger bay and yelled into it, "The Admiral is in Guest Cabin Number 10 which is aft of the Rose Division Cabins." Everyone on the hanger bay scrambled back forward.
John strolling aft on the port side came to the vertical ladder. In the distance he heard the pounding feet and quickly ascended to the next deck. With the scuttle cracked open he watched as everyone ran past. Lowering and securing it, he strolled into the Personnel Office passageway and then down the next stairwell.
The group arrived at Guest Cabin Number 10, joined there by Sammy. The note taped to the door simply stated, "Please do not bother kicking the door down as I am no longer inside." Sammy now even more furious headed aft followed by the Rose Division, who now knew they had all been had. Commander Kayama commented, "He is running us in circles as he did in 1927, he is doing it to us again."
Saturday, February 6th, 2010 – USS Wisconsin BB-64 – 0115 hours –
Now on the exterior of the Wisconsin, the Admiral strolled across the Quarterdeck in front of Chief Bremer who was about to announce his presence was given the carry on command by the Admiral. Watching as he headed aft to the fantail, he turned and dialed the Bridge. Getting no answer, he sent the Messenger of the Watch forward to locate anyone from the Rose Division to tell them that the Admiral was now on the fantail. The Messenger of the Watch headed forward inside the skin of the ship and encountered not only the Rose Division but his Captain as well. Advising Captain Hollister of what the Officer of the Deck said, he was nearly run over as the group headed aft and upward to the exterior of the ship. Chief Bremer hearing the sound of running feet looked forward just in time to see Captain Hollister followed by the Rose Division run by. He never even had time to say Attention on Deck.
Below in the hanger bay, Admiral Long entering the workshop laid the equipment that he had borrowed back where he had found it. Quickly exiting and headed forward he could hear the Rose Division scrambling down the stairwell. Scampering up two stairwells back to the Personnel Office passageway he strolled forward and passing the Rose Division Cabins headed to Flag Country. Approaching Captain Orkney's cabin, the door opened and Frank standing in the door with two cups of coffee passed one to the Admiral.
Frank looking at John, "Well did you have fun?" As the Admiral took a sip of his coffee, John replied; "Most fun I have had yet. How was Sammy taking it?" As John casually looked back down the passageway, Frank replied; "According to Chief Bremer, she is furious. At least that what she looked like when she ran full tilt across the Quarterdeck in pursuit of you." John looking at his watch, "Well in about 3 hours and thirty minutes she is going to freak out when my toys go off." Frank rolling his eyes, "Not the same stuff that you rigged when you pulled the prank on Alex in 1980?" as John strolled away; "Yes that prank, but new and improved and no mechanical Westclox involved."
Admiral Long while visiting Alex at his residence had seen the old Westclox Baby Ben sitting in Alex's display case and decided after seeing it that he needed to pull the same prank to teach someone a lesson in being over protective. Passing Staff Sergeant Bloomberg's cabin he grinned knowing she was in for a surprise. Hoping she would not trigger any rounds off, he continued to his cabin.
The Rose Division had not realized how close they had come to catching the Admiral. Kohran who looked in the workshop found the equipment bag and the test meters returned. Captain Hollister looking at her watch realized that John was done and what ever he had been doing it involved electronics. The phone rang in the workshop and Kohran answered. Handing it to Captain Hollister she listened, "Sammy, the exercise is over. Come to my Flag Cabin and bring the Rose Division."
Saturday, February 6th, 2010 – USS Wisconsin BB-64 – 0135 hours –
Sitting at his desk, Admiral Long was typing an e-mail to the Supply Officer concerning the midnight rations when the knock interrupted him. Giving permission to enter he pushed back from the desk and looked as Captain Hollister followed by the Rose Division entered his cabin. Picking up the blue overalls and the battered baseball cap he laid them on his desk. Shock of recognition from several including Kanna and Sumire were visible.
Standing, Admiral Long circled his desk, "First off congratulations for not "seeing" me. Kanna, Sumire had I been a terrorist, I would have taken both of you out when you went down the stairwell. Staff Sergeant Bloomberg and Commander Kayama the same thing to you, check your six. I must admit had the Marine Security Detachment been involved I would have had a much more difficult time. As it was just an exercise, it was for everyone a learning experience. Remember the lessons and never assume that just what is front of you is the real thing. Good night and get some sleep all of you are going to need it."
The Rose Division departed leaving Captain Hollister behind, the look in her eyes was enough boil water, "John just what kind of exercise did you pull? You know damn well that they still unfamiliar with this ship. What the hell are you thinking?" Taking a sip of coffee, "A wakeup call of sorts, they need to know other areas of this ship right down to the scuttle passages. They were utilizing the paths of least resistance, I was chowing down on the mess decks and watched them go by. They are in a different era and need that reinforcement and Sammy so do you. I would have expected a better response from you after Frank chatted with you on the Bridge." Sammy taking a step back, "Frank was involved in this too?" John shaking his head no, "Frank had an inkling that I was going to do something, but what he did not know. He knew better than to get involved. My goal is to have both the Rose and Dream Divisions know this ship better than her builders did 66 years ago. Their survival and being able to defend this ship goes along with their regular duties and they now know it or will know it shortly. You are dismissed Captain, and have a pleasant morning."
Closing and locking his door, Admiral John Long took a quick shower and went to bed. It was exactly 0200 hours as he glanced at his watch, right on schedule.
Saturday, February 6th, 2010 – USS Wisconsin BB-64 – 0400 hours –
The alert panel within Staff Sergeant Bloomberg's cabin triggered precisely on time, as Admiral Long had planned. Teresa thinking that the Admiral would forego his morning run since the "exercise" earlier rolled out of bed in shock. Scrambling to dress, she picked up the phone and pressed the preprogrammed dialing button.
The electrical signal activated several of the toys and bedlam ensued. Captain Hollister's phone in her cabin being wired with a toy proceeded to emit electronic screeches and it cascaded from there. Thankfully Iris did not loose her temper otherwise a psyche episode would have added to bedlam. The only ones spared the rude awakening was the Dream Division.
Staff Sergeant Bloomberg for the trouble of pressing the programmed dialing button got an earful of electronic screeching followed by the alert panel beginning to electronically yodel. Turning around to hit the silence button it triggered another signal with caused the phone she had just slammed down into its cradle to start ringing. Spinning around to answer, she got an electronic recording, "Gotcha, you're late and too late. Have fun with the toys." Other phones ringing in the Rose Division Cabins as their occupants picked up the phones, they too heard the same message. Sammy's was a bit different as she was desperately trying to get her phone to stop making so much noise, it rang normally and picking it up; "Remember what I said and take it to heart. Gotcha, you're late and too late. If you want to go running you are already late."
Admiral Long had already been up and out of his cabin by 0345 hours and was chatting with Chief Bremer on the Quarterdeck. Since the Chief had helped duplicate the electronic message chips, John figured he at least owed him an explanation. The Quarterdeck phone rang and the Messenger of the Watch answered. The Admiral could hear the screaming over the phone as the sailor held the receiver away from his ear. Motioning to the sailor to give him the phone, he took it and waited for Sammy to settle down.
Turning to Chief Bremer as he spoke, "Hi Sammy and a good morning to you to," As the screaming continued, "Well you fell into my trap, as did Staff Sergeant Bloomberg;" Holding the receiver away from his ear, Sammy continuing to yell; "Yes Sammy, I know what time it is. So stop wasting time and get dressed for running and come down to the Quarterdeck. But remember no guns."
It was 0415 hours when the Rose Division was assembled on the pier along with Captain Hollister. Admiral Long surveying the group, "I decided to pull the prank to get everyone's attention. In this day and age we live in an era that is decidedly more dangerous. I had expected to at least be challenged by some of you," the Admiral looking directly at Bloomberg, "But I was surprised that I was not."
The Admiral continued, "As for the running around on the ship, you did rather well getting from one point to the other; utilizing the least obstructed routes. However I was using scuttles and used vertical access points. Remember that. There are more routes around a ship than you can think of, until you start using them."
Looking at Kohran, "Ri, as for that gadget you set up; I am impressed. Please ensure it is dismantled later today. Staff Sergeant Bloomberg, enough of the motherly monitoring of my movements. Commander Fujieda the same goes for you. As for the rest of you, after the run and everyone has had breakfast get some more sleep then break into groups and start learning the interior layout of the Wisconsin. Both with the lights on and the lights off as it will pay dividends later. Staff Sergeant Bloomberg, Lieutenant Commander Oogami and Lieutenant Commander Tachibana take the lead and set the pace. Move out." It was 0430 hours.
Sammy running along side the Admiral quipped, "John you are such an educational hard ass," as they ran past the Ocean Plain, John replied; "Yes, but it was worth it." Minus the Dream Division, the Rose Combat Division ran 12 kilometers by the time they returned to the Wisconsin, it was nearly 0630 hours.
Saturday, February 6th, 2010 – USS Wisconsin BB-64 – 1700 hours –
The crew of the Wisconsin had heard about the "exercise" during the course of the day. The sight of the Rose Combat Division making their way around the ship in an unorthodox manner made for lively conversations in the mess decks. The Admiral at times leading various members of the Rose Division and even the Dream Division made for even more interesting conversations.
Commander Matt Healey in Main Control, watched as one such group exiting the escape trunk then crossing over to the other side and finally emerging on the main deck followed by another group coming down which then zig zagged around Main Control and back up the other escape trunk to the opposite main deck, as the Admiral ensuring that his order for becoming familiar with the ship was carried out.
Petty Officer Alice Jennings, who had been tasked with removing the Admiral's toys and delivering them to his cabin, had found Kohran busy dismantling the sensors. Kohran looking at the Admiral's handiwork realized that she could not even fathom the electronic devices he had fashioned in such a short period of time and took one to study.
Having assembled the involved parties over dinner in the Flag Mess, Admiral Long listened as each gave a run down on what areas of the ship that they had covered. Satisfied that it was going as planned, the Admiral dismissed the Rose Division for the rest of the day, but reminded them that shore liberty was to end at 1600 hours on Sunday in preparation for the ship to get underway on Monday morning. He also advised Staff Sergeant Bloomberg and Lieutenant Ri that they needed to go to Radio Shack, which they did.
Sunday, February 7th, 2010 – USS Wisconsin BB-64 – 0400 hours –
The Officer of the Deck, Ensign Debra Craig; having given permission for the Rose and Dream Divisions to depart the ship, watched as they assembled on the pier with Admiral John Long. When she had been accepted for assignment to the Wisconsin, she knew she was not going to just any command.
Even the crew of the Wisconsin was different. It was like being in the submarine force as her father had been where silence was the golden rule. The Wisconsin had been the equivalent of the surface silent service. The crew having been briefed after the ship left Norfolk on what Admiral John Long was doing and eventually when the Rose and Dream Divisions had come onboard it was not until the leak in Washington D.C. that the world truly knew the magnitude of the Wisconsin's involvement.
The warriors as Debra called them, some just as young as her in relative years. All of them had become part of the ship's crew. None had that haughty attitude of "I am important" instead they set out to prove they could fit in without complaining. Iris and Leni both had put in appearances inside the Combat Information Center. Ensign Craig at her duty station had heard the sound of a scuttle hatch opening in the darkened compartment. Standing merely inches away from it when it opened, Iris standing on the ladder looking up and smiling as she climbed out followed by Leni.
Both pardoned for intruding and zig zagged around the Combat Information Center among the watch standers who were conducting training exercises of their own till they located another scuttle and disappeared from sight as they headed upward to another compartment. Then Sakura Shinguji and Lachette Altair entered from another scuttle from the other side of the Combat Information Center, and they too zig zagged around the compartment and pardoning their intrusion; Sakura who had determined the best way to carry her spirit sword the Arataka was at a 45 degree angle on her back made for an impressive and formidable sight as she and Lachette went through the scuttle at her feet.
As the Rose and Dream Divisions set off on their run she could sense the spiritual closeness that they all held for each other a bond that would even grow stronger among the crew members of the Wisconsin.
Sunday, February 7th, 2010 – USS Wisconsin BB-64 – 1900 hours –
The remainder of the stay in Pearl Harbor was taken up with a final load out of supplies. As Admiral Long sitting in the briefing with personnel from the Oceanic Plain and the USS Shiloh he reread the after action report that hade been received from the USS Hooper, which engaged two Sea Wraiths in the Caroline Island Chain, near the island of Pohnpei. Looking up to those around him, "About 5 hours ago, an old friend of ours the USS Hooper had to engage two Sea Wraiths after a 6.0 earthquake in the Caroline Island Chain. Commander Sherman you will be happy to hear that the Sea Wraith rounds as we are calling them worked successful. Andrea put 10 rounds into each killing both.
Also the Hooper had to use the degaussing system for defense. Hooper got hit twice. There were a couple of minor injuries mainly from an electrical system failure that caused a small fire within their main engine room."
Commander Sherman making a note, "Ok so we know that the military degaussing system will work at least that is some comfort."
We have done all we can to prepare for this. Each of you have the orders that should be followed in specific instances, John turning to Captain DuPont of the Oceanic Plain, "Harry if we get in the middle of something, I'll entice them with the Wisconsin do not risk the Ocean Plain, is that understood?" Very clear Admiral, but if anything happens by god I am not leaving any of you behind."
Nodding at his statement, Admiral Long dismissed the briefing and headed to his cabin. John changed out of his khaki's into workout clothing and dialed Kanna's cabin. Inviting her to a work out on the outside exercise area forward of turret 'C', he headed aft.
On the Ocean Plain, Captain DuPont in his wheelhouse doing a final look over of his navigation charts glanced out of the forward window and saw the crowd gathering on the fantail of the Wisconsin. Curious he grabbed a pair of binoculars and focused in on the activity. Dr. Sotheby having come to the wheelhouse to talk to Harry, grabbed a second pair and watch along with DuPont as Admiral Long and Lieutenant Kirishima did a sparring match.
Though Kanna was much taller and had more experience with the form of the Ryukyuu Kirishima style of Karate, the Admiral had proven to be a quick student and was handling her attacks extraordinarily well, while in return showing what he had learned against her. To outsiders the attacks and throws were bone crushing, but were reduced to practice level of force. Completing their sparring match and bowing to each other out of respect they departed for their respective cabins. Dr. Sotheby commented, "You would not want to meet them on a crowded street in broad daylight because somebody would get hurt." Captain DuPont agreed.