Sakura Wars: The 21st Century
The Return
By Steve Edward
Chapter 26
Monday, February 8th, 2010 – USS Wisconsin BB-64 – 1400 hours –
Having departed Pearl Harbor, the USS Wisconsin with the USS Shiloh and the Oceanic Plain set course West South West , which would take them initially towards the Marshall Islands. Commander Kayama in agreement with Dr. Long at the Tokyo Seismology Institute that the patterns of the Sea Wraiths appearances were suggesting that there would be increased activity to the north and east of the island chain.
With increasing activity, Admiral Long knew it was only a matter of time before Task Group Rose saw further action. Reading the report of an Indonesian Navy Frigate that tried to engage a Sea Wraith three hours earlier left him shaking his head at the stupidity of the ships captain. The frigate getting too close, with its degaussing system inoperative had only angered the Wraith with its small 3 inch deck gun. An Australian Navy P3-C Orion armed with Harpoon missiles had finally taken it out. The sad score was 195 dead, one frigate on the bottom of the Pacific and only four survivors.
Needing to clear his head, Admiral Long headed downward for the main deck of the Wisconsin to do a stroll about the deck while he considered some options. Captain Orkney watching him leave the Flag Bridge could only wonder what the Admiral was contemplating.
Admiral Long eventually found himself drawn to the hanger bay, where he descended from the main deck; making his way to the Koubu and Eisenkleid storage bays. The subdued and indirect lighting focused on each of the Rose Divisions fighting machines, their varied colors shinning seemed an odd contrast to the grey paint of the Wisconsin.
The colors of hope he thought, when sadness seems to overwhelm, one can find succor in the brightness that comes from the darkness. The hope of this world stood before him patiently waiting for the time to come. Nearby in the hanger, Sakura Shinguji stood watching the Admiral. The sadness on his face as he stood next to her Koubu; his hand resting on the left arm, Sakura briefly thought about joining him but thought better of it. She sensed his troubled thoughts, those that the Admiral would have to wrestle with in his own way.
Admiral Long taking one last look turned and walked to the passageway that went forward, his figure receding in the distance, she thought back to when the Admiral had knelt at her father's grave in Sendai. Was he again looking for guidance or some hint to what he could do? Perhaps she thought, but he apparently had found something else.
Thursday, February 11th, 2010 – USS Wisconsin BB-64 – 0900 hours–
Having crossed the International Date Line hours before, Task Group Rose now located some 280 miles ENE of the Marshall Island City of Majuro had altered course to directly to a Westerly heading. Any activity that had been occurring was far south and eastward to alter course for. Australian military forces having tangled with the Sea Wraith previously were at best accounts doing a good job.
Now just three hours behind Task Group Rose, Dr. Long and Professor Kereru having utilized updated computer models were preparing a forecast for another outbreak.
Dr. Long having obtained an apartment near the Seismology Institute had walked to work and arrived before 0600 hours local. With a video conference link she was speaking with her brother Admiral Long and Commander Kayama, "John the activity is steadily decreasing to the south as predicted. The last two incidents were merely hiccups." Sitting back in his chair, Admiral Long replied, "Cynthia if the last two incidents were hiccups, I would hate to find out what a belch would be like."
Dr. Cynthia Janice Long looking crossed, "Nevertheless, since the loss of the Indonesian Navy Ship which I know you're not happy about, the seismometers reporting activity in that area have recorded nothing substantial. We have had our friends in Darwin, Australia confirm that the instruments are still fully operational." Cynthia moving to the side making way for Professor Kereru who spoke, "Admiral, the monitoring stations at Iwo Jima have been reporting a marked increase in underwater volcanic gas release as well as registering some sizeable but minor quakes in the region, but nothing so far greater than a 3.5 magnitude having been detected."
Dr. Sotheby on the Oceanic Plain interrupted, "Professor is the out gassing taking place to the North or to the South of Iwo Jima?" as the monitor momentarily switched to her. Professor Kereru replied, "Oddly only to the east of Iwo Jima but there is no increased activity relating to out gassing to the north of the southern most island of Minamiio-Jima." Admiral Long looking at the chart of the region noted only Bonin Trench to the east of Iwo Jima, but very little indications of the terrain being such that it would trigger a large magnitude quake. Looking back at the monitor, "Cynthia, Professor, start looking hard at your data and give me some kind of answer by 0900 your time. I do not want to have a belch out here and not be prepared for it, Wisconsin out."
Thursday, February 11th, 2010 – USS Wisconsin BB-64 – 1300 hours local –
Admiral Long got the news he did not want to hear. On or about 1100 hours local time a 7.0 magnitude undersea quake struck in a position 235 miles north of the Marshall Island City Majuro, or 180 miles west from Task Group Rose. Task Group Rose proceeding at a maximum speed of 28 knots, limited to the Oceanic Plain's maximum speed was trying to close on the position.
The Navy P3-C Orion patrol aircraft based in the Marshall's and piloted by Lieutenant Commander Cybil Newbern was closing fast on the reported position. Her 20/10 vision scanning the ocean surface, the near cloudless skies make for nearly unlimited visibility sights a schooner under full sail.
The six man crew including the captain of the elderly sailing vessel the Whispering Sea had done all they could and every stitch of canvas they had onboard was up. Onboard two families, neighbors to each other in Cleveland, Ohio had pooled their savings together to go on the cruise. Huddled below in life jackets, both families began to pray. The maximum speed of the Whispering Sea of 18.5 knots under full sail would not be enough, lowering the auxiliary propeller shaft would not help and it would have slowed the vessel.
It was the sound of the Navy P3-C thundering overhead, all four turbo props turning at maximum power that gave them hope. Commander Newburn's radio operator in contact with Task Group Rose relayed the bad news of the schooner sighting as well as the Sea Wraith chasing it.
Admiral Long entering the Combat Information Center of the Wisconsin had heard enough. Ordering Captain Hollister to increase the Wisconsin speed, he ordered that the USS Shiloh and the Oceanic Plain continue at their current speed. Ordering flight quarters to be set, he ordered the Rose Combat Division to battle stations.
Commander Newbern turning and lining up the aircraft on the Sea Wraiths got a target lock. The aircraft weapons officer triggered two Harpoons to fire which both did. It was the attempted firing on the second Sea Wraith that things went horribly wrong.
At 1310 hours, the Rose Combat Division lifted clear of the Wisconsin, now approaching at 45 knots and 175 nautical miles away. Commander Matt Healey force firing the remaining boilers to get the ship to maximum power.
The remaining starboard Harpoon fired, the portside Harpoon misfired and hung uselessly from the wing. Attempts to eject it failed. Commander Newbern watched as the remaining Sea Wraith released an energy burst. Trying to jink the Orion, its normal flight dynamics out of whack with the stuck Harpoon; the energy blast slams into the port wing shearing number 4 engine off the aircraft along with Harpoon missile mounted outboard of the engine and 9 feet of flight control surfaces disappear. It will take every bit of muscle power that Newbern and her co-pilot have to keep the plane flying, the crippled aircraft on a heading taking it towards the Wisconsin, the planes crew only hopes for survival.
To the rear the remaining Sea Wraith closes with the Whispering Sea and attacks. The energy blast striking the Sea Whisper, and shearing off two of her masts; she catches fire and though stunned by the blast the two families and the three remaining crew members scramble for the encapsulated lifeboats.
Thursday, February 11th, 2010 – USS Wisconsin BB-64 – 1325 hours local –
If it was the jet packs of the Koubus racing in that distracted the Sea Wraith or something else, it personally did not matter to Lieutenant Commander Oogami or to Lieutenant's Ri and Altair. Oogami's Koubu screaming in at 400 knots scored a hit near the head of the Sea Wraith which tried to turn and follow its tormentor. Ri, using laser targeting fired 6 Hellfire missiles in sequence, Altair following closely behind and to the port side of Ri launched three explosive tipped oversized throwing knives as she too passed the Sea Wraith which was writhing in pain from the missiles, immediately meets death as the weapons detonate.
Lieutenant Soletta lets fly with her own energy release for good measure then passing over the bobbing life rafts ejects an Emergency Locater Buoy where it lands less than 15 feet from the closest raft, disappearing below the surface only to reappear moments later fully activated by sea water powered batteries, the strobe atop the unit brightly flashing.
Onboard the Wisconsin the distress beacon is plotted and altering course the Wisconsin approaching at 55 knots is 145 miles from the scene. Headed towards the ship is the P3-C aircraft designated call sign Mike-Seven-Nancy, Lieutenant Commander Newbern thinks out her options; her choices are limited. Ditching a stable aircraft is bad enough but her Orion was neither stable nor very controllable. The Flight Engineer reported even worse news that they were loosing fuel and at a prodigious rate.
Onboard the Wisconsin flight quarters sound again, this time for both SH-60-B helicopters, Charlie One and Charlie Two are readied for immediate launch. The USS Shiloh launches her own, clawing skyward the three SH-60-B Navy Seahawks race westward. Below in Main Control, Commander Matt Healey crosses his fingers and orders the main steam valves opened to their stops releasing maximum steam pressure to the racing turbines, the shaft revolutions at maximum, the USS Wisconsin surges to 60 knots.
Mike-Seven-Nancy is 65 miles from Wisconsin, but not alone. In formation on the shattered port wing, Lieutenant Sumire Kanzaki her video feed of the damaged aircraft being beamed back to the Wisconsin; Admiral Long visibly shocked at the damage, keys his com set; "Mike-Seven-Nancy, this is Wisconsin in the clear. The aircraft if that's what you want to call them, flying next to you are called Koubus. We are going to have the Koubu flying off your starboard wing to give you some lift support. The pilot is going to support the starboard wing just enough to take some of the strain off of you. How copy over?" Commander Newbern appreciating any help she could get acknowledges.
Thursday, February 11th, 2010 – Mike-Seven-Nancy – 1345 hours
In a deft display of airmanship and skill, Lieutenant Sakura Shinguji gently closes and makes contact, the left hand its fingers stretched out make direct contact at 175 knots. The two blips merging as one on the radars of the Wisconsin and Shiloh continue closing with the Wisconsin.
Captain Frank Orkney having reviewed the ditching procedures for P3-C aircraft turns to the Admiral, "John, there is no way in hell that the pilot is going to be able to ditch. They are going to have to bail out!" Nodding at the statement, Admiral Long keys the com set again, "Mike-Seven-Nancy, this is Wisconsin prepare your crew for bailout. Ditching is out of the picture, I have three Seahawks headed your direction. As soon as you have visual of the Seahawks have the crew exit. Is that understood over?" Commander Newbern acknowledging the order, orders the crew to prepare for bailout and destruction of classified equipment. At 1355 hours the first of the 10 crewmen jump clear.
Thursday, February 11th, 2010 – Unit 8 Iris – 1400 hours
Circling the rafts, Iris watches with sadness as the Whispering Sea slips beneath the waters of the Pacific on its way with three of its dead crew to a watery grave 14,000 feet below the surface. Her video feed of the sinking captures movement of creatures seeking the dead carcasses of the Sea Wraith. Great White Sharks, dozens are visible their sense of smell very sensitive as they close in from all directions.
For the survivors the added terror of the sharks does little to give them a sense of safety. Above them the strange aircraft circle unable to help, Commander Oogami can do little but provide visual comfort. Trying to kill the sharks would be fruitless as it would bring more of their kind.
At 1410 hours, Charlie One thunders overhead, eyeing the sharks the rescue crew realizes that if they attempt to start a rescue, the possibility of flipping one or both rafts and spilling their occupants into the shark infested waters would be too great of a risk. The pilot, Lieutenant Hess frustrated backs off and hovers. Admiral Long orders the recovery of the Rose Division to proceed. Charlie Two and the Shiloh's Seahawk have successfully picked up all the crew of ill-fated Mike-Seven-Nancy and brought them to the Wisconsin still charging hard at 60 knots, Sakura who held the wing of Mike-Seven-Nancy breaks off, the autopilot unable to control the aircraft; it begins a death spiral and impacts into the Pacific at 280 knots, 5 miles off the port bow of the Wisconsin.
Thursday, February 11th, 2010 – USS Wisconsin BB-64 – 1425 hours
With the laser guidance landing system in operation to guide the Rose Division back to a safe landing it could still not make up for the human equation. In the Control Tower forward of Turret 'C'; Commander David Covington the Officer in Charge of the Seahawk helicopter detachment calmly talked down the Rose Division.
Racing across the Pacific, the Wisconsin at 60 knots adding to what wind there was already coming across the decks; the indicated wind speed fluctuated from 70 to 75 miles per hour.
Playing it safe, Commander Covington landed them one at a time and lowered them into the hanger. The deck crew waiting below quickly hooked the Koubus and Eisenkleids to the storage loading system, clearing the elevator for the next unit.
Commander Oogami was the last down and with his job done for now, David finally could sit back in his chair. Next to him with a Coca-Cola in her hands, Commander Kaede Fujieda handed it to him as David sat.
In CIC, Admiral Long continued to monitor radio traffic between the airborne Seahawks. The First Mate of the Whispering Sea utilizing the emergency radio within the Emergency Locater Buoy, had conversed with Lieutenant Hess in Charlie One and had reported three casualties; among them his friend the Master of the vessel. Advised by Lieutenant Hess that the Wisconsin was coming to pick them up and relieved by the Shiloh's Seahawk, Hess turned Charlie One towards the ship now only 50 miles away.
Thursday, February 11th, 2010 – USS Wisconsin BB-64 – 1800 hours
Loitering in the area at 5 knots, the Wisconsin stood clear of the Oceanic Plain as it prepared to launch the Seeker to examine the site of the seaquake. On the fantail, a memorial service for those who had been lost on the Whispering Sea; lead by Navy Chaplin Lieutenant Seth English had just concluded.
Admiral John Long in his Flag Cabin his blue eyes going over the debriefing reports from the Orion crewmen and the First Mate of the Whispering Sea, Sinclair Ferguson left him with an unanswered question. Why had the Sea Wraith chased after the Whispering Sea?
Found in 1992 in a coastal town on the Oregon coast it was not even seaworthy and was sinking. Salvaged and restored to its original glory, the Whispering Sea was eventually moved to the Gilbert Islands where it had been home ported at the Island of Tarawa in the port city of Bairiki. Advertising the ultimate sailing experience the charter operation had done very well. Except for battery and solar powered radio and navigation equipment and rudimentary radar, the Whispering Sea did not have luxury items and when not entering or exiting a harbor the modern day equipment was shut down.
The knock on Admiral Long's Flag Cabin door interrupted his thoughts as Staff Sergeant Bloomberg entered with coffee tray. Setting it down, Teresa reached for the Admiral's cup and prepared his coffee. Looking up at Staff Sergeant Bloomberg, Admiral Long asked how the survivors were doing, "Teresa in regards to the two families brought onboard how they are faring?" Teresa, setting the coffee cup in front of him replied, "The shock has worn off, but they seem to be doing well. Doctor Nicholas Seagram says overall the survivors have minor scraps and bruises but have been treated for their injuries. One of the children rescued apparently lost something of value and is depressed over it."
Admiral Long leaned back in his chair sipping on the coffee, "Out of curiosity, do you know what it was that he lost?" as John set the cup down, Teresa replied; "Yes sir, I do. He lost his IPOD when the Whispering Sea sank." Asking Teresa to say it again, Admiral Long finally had his answer and another piece of the puzzle as to why the Sea Wraith chased the Whispering Sea. Standing up from his desk, he headed aft to the guest staterooms followed by Staff Sergeant Bloomberg. He had another set of questions to ask now.
Thursday, February 11th, 2010 – USS Wisconsin BB-64 – 2100 hours
What made the Sea Wraith attack had been open to argument in scientific circles for nearly three years. Observations of the Sea Wraith behavior were difficult at best. Attempts to capture a living specimen failed, and the remains would quickly decompose into a slimy and obscenely smelly mess. The only creatures living on earth that seemed to enjoy coming into contact with a dead or dying Sea Wraith were sharks. Sea Wraiths after coming to the surface, if no immediate target was in the area they would go hunting. One Sea Wraith observed off the coast of Okinawa, had traveled for 50 miles before it found what it thought was a suitable target.
The target, a Japanese Self-Defense Force Navy Frigate, its captain wary engaged it at a distance and killed it. Though odd at the time to Admiral Long, it now made some sense. With Chief Bremer and Kohran Ri in the workshop the Admiral watched as they setup the test equipment. Arrayed on the work bench were several models of IPOD's.
The odd request made to the Bridge, to have any crewmembers with IPOD's to lay to the hanger bay even made Commander Matt Healey show up. His concern was whether Kohran was about to do something she was not supposed to do.
Listening to the Admiral's theory, Commander Healey drafted a message which was sent to the Pentagon requesting that they obtain the specifications of several IPOD players. The requestors name opened a lot of doors in different time zones and the specifications along with detailed schematics were Emailed to the Wisconsin where Chief Bremer and Kohran Ri poured over them.
Kohran and Chief Bremer having run the tests independently and then together confirmed the Admiral's theory. Kohran holding an IPOD turned to the Admiral, "Admiral the signals spurious as they may be are present in all of the IPODS that have been examined. All the signals are in the lower band range of 24 to 27 megahertz which is suitable under certain conditions to be used for long range communications. In short this can be a carrot for a Sea Wraith."
Looking at Kohran John replied, "Kohran, don't the Koubus have that bandwidth in their communications systems?" as the Admiral stood up, Kohran scurried out of the workshop and headed to her Koubu. Asking the Admiral to hold the IPOD, she entered her Koubu and powered up the internal power systems then the communications system.
Admiral Long when directed by Kohran to turn on the IPOD did so. Punching the scan feature of the communications system a few moments later an odd tone was soon being heard. The digital readout indicated 26.675 MHZ, and as Admiral Long walked around the Koubu with the IPOD there was no doubt. The spurious signal generated by a Class B entertainment device had been the magnet that had drawn the Sea Wraith to the Whispering Sea.
Friday, February 12th, 2010 – Oceanic Plain – 0230 hours
The video feed from the Seeker as it moved above the ocean floor displayed the ancient volcanic activity that had occurred thousands of years ago. Dr. Paula Sotheby her eyes flickering from monitor to monitor, the 180 degree view of the seascape in full color still presented a thrill to her every time the Seeker was on the job.
The Oceanic Plain some 20 miles from the Wisconsin followed the seaquake signature back to its origin. Off the Oceanic Plain's portside the USS Shiloh at 6,000 yards monitored the area. Not wanting to take any chances Admiral Long had Commander Sherman tag along to ensure the safety of the Oceanic Plain. It was the first sign of an ocean floor crevice that got her heart racing. Paula directing the operator to slow the Seeker, she took control of the centerline camera and zoomed in for a closer look.
With the varied rise and fall of the terrain, the depth registered 13,900 feet at where the Seeker had been paused. The beginning of a massive upheaval had visually begun here. Setting the camera back to normal viewing and having the operator continue, she turned and phoned the Bridge of the Ocean Plain and gave Captain DuPont the official GPS fixed position of the seaquake crevice. Marking it on his chart and logging it, he forwarded the information to the Tactical Officer of the Wisconsin who made a similar notation on her chart.
Friday, February 12th, 2010 – USS Wisconsin BB-64 – 1300 hours
Seahawks Charlie One and Charlie Two had ferried the survivors of the Whispering Sea and the crew of ill-fated Mike-Seven-Nancy, to Marshall Island International Airport near the city of Majuro for further transport to their final destinations. The USS Wisconsin, was headed northward at 30 knots, Admiral Long having had an extended video conference link most of the morning with Pearl Harbor and the Pentagon.
Sitting in his Flag Cabin, John replayed the video feed of the quake site which the epicenter had been located at a depth of 14,200 feet. The conditions eerily similar, a small mountain range had ceased to exist. Underwater volcanic vents emitting gases had been located and samples taken. Finding fresh volcanic rock on the ocean floor, the Seeker retrieved the items and returned them to the surface. The material under examination onboard the Oceanic Plain, he had hoped that there would be some clues found.
Friday, February 12th, 2010 – Tokyo – 1500 hours
Dr. Cynthia Long reviewed the video footage transmitted from the Oceanic Plain to the Tokyo Seismology Institute. Professor Kereru reading the initial scientific analysis of the gases composition and the makeup of the recovered volcanic rock made the Professor go to his research library and retrieve information on volcanic rock composition. Though volcanic rock to the untrained eye may appear similar and its mineral content may appear also be the same as well, it is the chemical and mineral makeup that can provide a telltale signature of where that specific sample had been recovered.
The Professor bringing back a previous laboratory analysis sat down with Dr. Long and did a step by step comparison. When Professor Kereru completed his explanation, she was drafting an immediate message to the Wisconsin. It advised that they should take a look at Iwo Jima one of the most volcanically active underwater regions in the world. The message received shortly after 1830 hours onboard the Wisconsin and after consulting with Dr. Sotheby, the Task Group rejoined together at 2100 hours and set course for Iwo Jima.