The return journey north towards Wake Island took just over three days despite running the engines at near maximum capacity. And with the weather turning for the worse the Intrepid struggled against the ever-increasing waves to the point that even running the engines at flank speed resulted in only attaining ten knots.

"It's no good Captain," I hear Kevin's voice over the Bridge P.A. speakers, "We can't gain any more speed without risking an engine failure."

Over the past three hours we had been going through the engines electronic programming to try to squeeze more speed from the Intrepid's dual powerplant in order to close down the remaining fifty kilometres to the target search area. And with the seas becoming wilder by the hour, every moment we were delayed in reaching the co-ordinates listed in the note meant more time for any signs of the fleet to become a wider spread grid to search through.

And assuming a worst-case scenario, even more time for any survivors to endure the rough Pacific Ocean.

Throwing one of the program manuals onto the chart table in resignation, I pick up the radio, "Okay then. Let's just try to maintain our current speed as best we can in these conditions, and hope that the weather improves overnight."

A scan across the horizon through the Bridge windows revealed a grim outlook for the near future, I feared that the weather would get worse overnight before it improved any if at all.

Handing command of the ship over to Jeanie Fischer, First Officer of the Global Explorer, I opted for an early meal before reviewing the shipping reports and radio messages, hoping that someone on another ship had seen any sign of the American fleet.

As I enter the galley, I find it almost empty. Aside from the ships cook the only other occupants were Akagi and Kaga. Neither of them appeared to be in a good mood. I took this partly to be my orders not to conduct any aerial scouting whilst the Intrepid was racing to the new search area.

Taking an offered plate from the cook with a raised eyebrow. "I've only got the one option available this early Captain," he answers my unasked question.

"Tell me you at least have coffee?" I ask looking at the plate sceptically loaded with what appears to be the chefs take on Sweet and Sour Pork with Rice.

"Of course," he replies with a smile, "I never let the coffee run out when you're on board sir."

Taking the offered mug on his return, I make my way across the galley to the table where the girls sit. Placing both plate and mug on the table before taking a seat, "So why the gloomy looks?"

"I fail to understand why you don't let us scout out ahead," Kaga states, "You would still be looking in the wrong direction if not for us."

Quietly taking a sip of coffee whilst listening to Kaga vent her frustrations uninterrupted, I notice the scowl of disgust from Akagi as I place the mug back down, "Not a fan of coffee?" I ask looking in her direction.

"It smells like burnt dishwater," Akagi says coolly wrinkling her nose at the smell.

Carefully moving the mug further away I look across the table at Kaga, "To answer your concerns. The reason for not conducting aerial scouting is that the weather has given us a less than two-kilometre visual distance. That combined with the rough waves, as I understand Naval Aerial Flight Operations it is extremely risky to launch aircraft in these conditions."

Raising my hand to prevent interruption I continue, "That said. I'm very aware that we would still be thousands of kilometres off target had you not spotted those cubes floating in the ocean. And whilst they certainly don't help our search efforts the fluke of finding that bottle floating in the same part of the sea certainly did."

Kaga looks at me through narrowed eyes as if trying to judge my honesty.

Continuing to maintain eye contact with Kaga, I realize that the colour of her eyes matches the same colour as the flames she conjures when performing flight operations.

As this fact registers with me, Akagi speaks up once more, "You do know we are capable of dealing with whatever the Pacific Ocean can throw at us?"

Turning to face Akagi once more I reply with a smile, "I would expect nothing less from the famed First Carrier Division."

The look of surprise on both girls' faces was worth the comment. Pausing a moment to take another sip of coffee before continuing, "Since we discovered the re-appearance of lost World War 2 warships, I've scoured all the available archives for any information on the four of you."

"I can't imagine there would be much worth reading about any of us," Kaga confesses.

"Not true," I answer, "Humanity has a talent of creating ways to inspire, celebrate and even remember people, places, events and even man-made machines. There are countless records of the events of World War II. Some told by those who served, some by those who interviewed those who served and went over the records kept by the relevant services involved."

The girls exchange a look between them quickly before looking back in my direction.

"There have been countless movies based off events of the war. There are at least six notable movies that are based on the events of the Attack on Pearl Harbour and three on the events of the Battle of Midway," I explain further., "There have even been songs written and recorded about events of the war. Bismarck features in two them alone."

Seeing that my words are starting to have an effect I press the point home, "Why do you think the Americans are so worried about the reported sightings of Japanese Carriers in the Pacific. America and Japan might be allied right now; however, they still remember how hard you hit them last time. For the first six months of the war you two were part of the most feared attack force ever seen at the time in the region. You scored major hits not only on American soil, but also numerous Pacific islands in the region and even attacked my homeland."

The look of surprise on their faces speaks volumes.

"We attacked your homeland?" Kaga asks quietly.

"The bombing raid on Darwin," I answer.

"You don't seem to be bothered by that history," Akagi states.

"Why would I be?" I ask, "At the time those events happened, I hadn't even been born. My grandfather was a soldier in the British Army during the war. There's no point in holding a grudge about something that doesn't directly affect you. Besides the Americans are right to be worried, I've seen firsthand what you can do. And whilst you lack the firepower of their modern-day Super Carriers, you'd be harder to hit then they are given your current form."

Suddenly the collision warning alarm screams throughout the ship. Grabbing hold of the table I brace myself for impact as the ship makes a violent turn to port.

With a sickening crack the Intrepid keels hard over to starboard, before very slowly rolling back onto an even keel. A quick glance over at Kaga and Akagi confirm that they are unharmed from the violent impact. Standing up I exit galley and make my way forward to the bridge.

"What happened?" I ask on entering the bridge and seeing numerous warning lights flashing on the damage control board.

"Unknown vessel appeared out of nowhere and rammed us amidships," reports the Jeanie, "Damage Control teams are working on sealing the compartments and contain the flooding."

"And the other vessel," I begin, "Where is it?"

"It reversed course just after impact and is slowly sailing on a parallel course to us over there," one of the junior officers' reports, pointing to the port side of the ship.

I look in the indicated direction to see about fifty metres off the port side of the Intrepid is a large ship, judging by the appearance it is a large cruiser almost twice the length of the Intrepid, with a lower main deck allowing me a good view across its length.

"Have you been able to raise anyone on the radio?" I call back over my shoulder.

"No," the helmsman replies, "Radios and radar went offline moments before impact."

Scanning across the deck of the cruiser, it seemed lifeless. Nothing was moving on deck, and had I not been aboard at the time of impact and heard the reports from those on the Bridge firsthand, I would have struggled to believe that the ship just of the port side had been involved in a collision as there was no evidence of any damage.

Suddenly the collision alarm screams out again. I grab hold of the door frame as the helmsman frantically spins the rudder controls hard to starboard.

Looking forward I feel my jaw drop in shock. Standing directly in our path is what appears to be yet another humanoid figure. This one completely different from any of the previous encounters as the numerous armaments appear to be inspired by sci-fi cyborgs.

"Damage Control here, we've managed to contain the flooding to just the single compartment," a voice speaks over the intercom, "However we can't afford any more holes, as the pumps have failed."

Just as the intercom clicks off another voice shouts from outside, "Torpedos on the port side."

I look over at the helmsman, the helpless look on his face says it all. I grab the intercom, "Brace for impact!"

At such a close range the torpedos each find their mark, slamming into the hull of the Intrepid with a dull thump as the detonators set off their charges. Each impact marked with a huge plume of water exploding straight up from the point of contact.

"Damage report," I call out.

The reply was almost instant, "We have flooding in every compartment."

I slam my fist into the wall next to port side door.

Still holding the intercom, I key the mic again, "All hands. Abandon Ship!"

Throwing the intercom onto the chart table, I turn and walk off the bridge down to my cabin. As I reach the door, I see Kaga and Akagi leaving the galley and heading in my direction, "Come on," I say quickly grabbing up the most critical of documents I can carry safely off the ship and stuffing them in a bag I retrieved from the desk drawer, "We've been torpedoed and the ship is sinking. I'll lead you to the life boats."

With a final scan of my cabin, I follow the girls back up the corridor to the bridge where I quickly log into the ships computerized mainframe. Finding that the ships secure satellite connection hasn't been disrupted by whatever knocked out the radios and radar, I quickly type in a set of commands and confirm my actions by entering my security clearance.

Another quick scan around the bridge to ensure that everyone else has left, I spy the two cubes I had fished out of the water three days ago, quickly seizing them up and putting them into a coat pocket, before exiting out onto the starboard wing and down the ladder to the main deck. Quickly assessing the scene in front of me, I find my Luke organizing the loading of the life boat.

"What's the count?" I ask.

"Everyone is accounted for Captain, you're the last," the Kevin replies, "Couple of minor injuries, but nothing life threatening."

Nodding my head in approval I continue, "Good thing we only have experienced crew aboard."

From towards the bow of the Intrepid I can hear the faint echoes of what sounds like an argument. Lobbing my bag into the life boat I turn and make my way forward. Emerging onto the open deck, I find the humanoid figure I had earlier seen now appears to be floating in mid-air just ahead of my stricken ship.

"It's pointless to resist," I hear her saying, "The humans of this time are weak. Now is the perfect time to take back what they stole from you."

I gaze over in the direction the speaker is looking, to see both Akagi and Kaga standing there, their rigging deployed and seemingly ready for a fight.

"Strength is a matter of perspective," Kaga shouts back over a roll of thunder.

The figure laughs at this outburst, "Just look at how easy it is to sink their ships. They sail straight into my ambushes and don't even offer the slightest hint of resistance."

"Only cowards attack with no warning," I call out stepping forward, "And attacking a research vessel is hardly something worth bragging about."

"Enough!" the figure screams, "No-one dares speak to me like that."

"There's a first time for everything," I retort, "Besides, if you are going to be so dishonourable as to attack with no warning. There is no need for me to display any curtesy to a nameless coward like you."

"Nameless coward you say," the figure smirks, "Everyone fears the name I bear."

"Prove it," I challenge stepping between Akagi and Kaga.

"What are you doing?" I hear Kaga whisper quietly from behind me.

"Buying time for the crew to evacuate the ship," I quietly answer.

"I've got nothing to prove to you human," the figure finally retorts, "However you and your crew won't escape this encounter so there is no harm in letting you know the name of the one that finishes you."

I look at the figure expectantly.

"My name is Peace Breaker and before this is over you will regret not taking up my offer to join us."

"We will never join you," Kaga shouts back, "The Captain is right. You fight without honour."

"Then you can meet the same fate as those before you," Peace Breaker announces.

Before another word can be spoken the world flashes a brilliant white before my eyes.


A slight groan escapes my lips as I slowly open my eyes and try to comprehend where I was and why it felt like every bone in my body was broken.

"Try not to move too much Captain."

Slowly moving my head to the left, I see Kevin sitting a short distance away with a concerned look on his face.

"What happened?" I ask weakly.

Standing up Kevin steps lightly around numerous crates lashed to the deck of the life boat, stopping at one and opening the lid. As he closes the lid, I see he has a bottle of water in his hand.

"Don't drink too quickly Captain," Kevin instructs as he holds the bottle to my lips, "You've been out like a light for the past five days."

Whilst taking a couple of small mouthfuls of water, I glance around the boat to find that nearly all of the crew within eye sight in the poor light appear to be sleeping, "So I've got a few more questions to add," I say turning to look back at Kevin.

"To answer your first question," Kevin begins, "Luke told me that you went forward just after checking in with him on the status of the evacuation of the ship. We waited for your return, however we had to leave after an explosion near to bow made it impossible for us to linger."

"Can't say I remember an explosion," I admit.

Kevin nods his head, "It's possible that you were already unconscious by that point. We only learned what happened almost an hour after the Intrepid sank."

Continuing to look at Kevin whilst waiting for him to resume his recap of the events I had missed. Finally, Kevin spoke again, "We all thought the worst when Akagi and Kaga returned with you slumped over being supported by both of them. They both claim you were shot."

At these words a vision of the events aboard the Intrepid after I had ordered the ship be abandoned flashed across my memory, "Yes," I confirm quietly, "It called itself Peace Breaker. And said that we would meet the same fate as those before."

"Any idea what that means?" Kevin asks, "Last we heard, the girls drove this Peace Breaker off after you were shot. They also said something about what sounded like a shield of sorts. But the way they describe it sounds far-fetched."

Closing my eyes, I run through my recollection of the events again, "I think that might be true. The last thing I can clearly remember is a brilliant white light, and assuming it's not my mind playing tricks there was a sort of transparent blue shape that briefly appeared. But if I had to describe where it came from it was as though it came from me and moved outwards towards Peace Breaker."

"Any idea what caused it?" Kevin queries.

"None that come to mind at this moment," I admit.

"Fair enough," Kevin answers, "So what else do you want to know."

"Where are we right at this moment?" I ask, "And I don't mean in a life boat floating in the Pacific at night."

Supressing a laugh Kevin finally replies, "Well at least your dry sense of humour is still intact. And we are about two days south of Midway. We started heading for home almost as soon as you were brought back aboard."

"Any signs of the American Fleet?" I ask almost expecting the answer.

"None," Kevin confirms, "And both Akagi and Kaga have continued to scout the area around us since the sinking. There's been no sign of anything out here apart from us."

"I suppose we'll have to report a total loss of the fleet once we get back home to a working phone," I acknowledge supressing a yawn.

If Kevin replies to my last statement, I don't hear it. As my body still weak finally gives in to the need for more sleep.