The following morning, I was awake and ready to go almost an hour before first light. Having made the decision to sail for Pearl Harbour the day before, I had spent the remainder of the afternoon packing the required supplies needed for the expected four-day voyage.
I had also instructed the research team to compile as detailed as possible reports on everything that we had so far discovered, including the latest theories for my meeting with Admiral Jensen.
Picking up my new seabag, I made my way down to the dock, with a quick detour, firstly to the Research Labs to collect the reports from my In Tray and then to the kitchens to grab my morning coffee.
On reaching the dock I find Prinz Eugen looking out to sea accompanied by Akagi and Kaga, "Are we waiting for the others?" I ask.
"Spee and Bogue both left just after dinner was being served in the kitchens," Eugen replies.
Mentally running through the previous days briefing on how the trip was to be conducted, "When did we decide on them leaving early?" I query, failing to recall any discuss about this.
"We didn't," Eugen says calmly, "However Bogue is nowhere near fast enough to keep up."
"So, she just decided to go early?" I ask slightly concerned that I hadn't been consulted on the matter.
"We will catch them by tomorrow," Eugen says confidently, "Plus Spee is there to provide cover fire should things turn nasty."
"Very well," I answer conceding the point as it was already too late to do anything about it.
Stepping into one of the shore boats the team used to patrol around the island as part of the routine monitoring of the atoll and surrounding reef, I indicate to Luke at the helm that it was time to go.
None of the girls elected to join us in the boat, opting instead to use their own rigging to skate out of the atoll to where the hull of the Prinz Eugen lay anchored.
By the time we had reached a boarding ladder dropped down the port side near the stern, the girls had long arrived and we patiently waiting by the railing. Taking hold of the ladder, I turn to Luke, "Make sure the Professor doesn't do anything too stupid while I'm gone. He has a habit of doing whatever he wants regardless of the possible outcomes."
"Not to worry Captain," Luke answers with a chuckle, "We'll keep him in line. And hopefully when you get back the Global Explorer will be up and running again."
"That would be some good news," I agree, "However it doesn't help me much. I see no reason to take Jim away from command. He knows what's at stake, plus has the respect of the crew."
Not waiting for a reply, I rapidly scale the ladder and step onto the deck. Taking a look around, I can hardly believe that I find myself standing aboard a ship that despite being over eighty years old and the last time anyone had seen it, was inverted and nearly completely submerged off Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands, appeared to be in prefect conditions as though it had just been launched.
"If you follow me, I'll show you do your quarters Commander," Eugen says indicating towards the superstructure.
Slowly following behind, we walk past two pairs of heavy long-range guns which appear at first glance to be similar to the ones on Bismarck's rigging, "I guess this explains partly why the crew of the Hood mis-identified the Bismarck in the Denmark Straight," I say to myself quietly.
Passing by the last of the rear guns, I hear the faint noise of rattling chains coming from the bow. I also sense rather than hear the ships engines rumble to life.
On reaching the hatchway that I would later learn is the shortest passage from the outer deck to the bridge, the ship was now well under way. I could see that both the forward anchors were already secured and the occasional crest of a wave could be seen as the Prinz Eugen cut through the low Pacific swells.
Several hours later after a quick tour of the ship's interior, I found myself working in the radio room pulling apart the ships radio in an attempt to expand the range of signals it could receive.
"I don't see how pulling apart the only working radio is going to help," Eugen comments from the door.
"You said it yourself," I answer not looking up from the task in front of me, "You tried to contact us when you first picked up our lifeboat, and as I said, we never received any radio calls. Which means that this radio can't send on a frequency that modern radios can pick up."
"Sounds boring," Eugen states, "Wouldn't it be more entertaining to join me in the shower and relax for a while?" she adds with a light laugh.
Looking up at this last statement, my attention is momentarily drawn to the bulkhead wall where the sounds of a loud crash from the other side could be heard. Turning to face Eugen at the door, before I can respond to her proposal, she begins to laugh and with a casual flick of her hair departs down the corridor.
Still dumbstruck by this exchange, I barely notice that the doorway is once again occupied. This time by Akagi who judging by the fierce look on her face appears ready for a fight. "Everything okay?" I ask nervously.
Wordlessly Akagi walks into the radio room and takes the only vacant seat. Mentally shrugging off the drama that appears to have either resolved itself or at the very least has been put aside for the moment, I quickly scribble out a note on the pad of paper I had on the bench next to the various pieces from the radio for the next chance I get to speak with the research teams back at Midway.
It was early evening when I finally finished putting the radio back together, holding one of the headphones up to my ear, I began to dial through the newly expanded range in the hopes of picking up something.
It wasn't until I reached the highest range, that I could faintly hear what sounded like idle chatter between a pair of fishing boats. Putting the headset back down, resigned to the fact that further work and parts not aboard would probably be required to get full usage of the ships radio, I stood up and stretched the aches from my back from being hunched over the bench over the past seven hours.
A quick look around the radio room to ensure that everything was back where I had found it, I find Akagi is still seated in the exact same spot where she had sat down just after the exchange with Eugen.
"I'm off to the galley for dinner," I comment before stepping out of the radio room and heading down the corridor. Behind me I hear footsteps following.
On entering the galley, I find both Kaga and Prinz Eugen already seated at the only table. Going over to the one of the storage lockers, I removed one of the boxes from within and placed it on the table, before opening the box and taking the pre-prepared meals out and passing them around.
"I know that these certainly aren't the best, but until we figure out what works and how aboard ship, this will have to do." I explain whilst demonstrating how to activate the reheat cycle built into the small boxes.
As we wait for our meals to reheat, I turn to Eugen, "Do you have a rough idea of when we will be meeting up with Bogue and Graf Spee tomorrow?"
"Based on our earlier plans," Eugen begins, "We were estimating a meet up some time around noon."
Nodding my head, I continue, "Well the radio is back together, so you should be able to get in touch with them tonight and get their current position and heading so we can get a more accurate time."
At the conclusion of dinner, which thankfully tasted better than it looked. I made my way to the bridge where we had agreed that I would take the first watch of the night. It wasn't long before I was joined by Eugen.
"Okay," I begin taking my first good look around the bridge, "So how does this all work?"
"Don't tell me you don't know how to pilot a ship," Eugen replies with a look to disappointment.
"Eugen," I answer, "I've spent nearly my entire life on the water. I'm a qualified Captain, which requires me to know how to pilot all sorts of ships. That being said, I've never piloted anything larger than the Intrepid. Which I should also add had an entirely digital navigation and control system."
Eugen continues to give me a look whilst considering my reply. After a slightly uncomfortable moment of silence, she finally speaks up again, "Well I guess we should start with what you do know."
Nodding in understanding I begin to point out the various controls and indicating what I believed their main functions to be. Once completed Eugen appeared satisfied with my answers, "It would appear that you don't require any explanation of how any of the controls work."
"Well, I might know what everything here does," I reply, "However that is assuming that this is a conventional ship. Now under normal conditions, if I were to request a lower speed setting I would do so from here," I continue indicating the telegraph, "My question is how does this work now, given that there are no crew on board to acknowledge any inputs from here."
"Any inputs made here, I receive through what you call rigging so I can make the required actions," Eugen answers, "However it easier to simply say what you need."
"I guess that makes sense," I say taking a seat at the chart table, "With that out of the way can you show me on the chart what our current position is."
"We are currently here," Eugen states pointing at a position on the chart whilst taking a seat next to me.
"So that puts us two and a half days from Pearl then," I say.
"It will most like be three and a half days," Eugen admits calmly, "Once we rendezvous with Bogue and Graf Spee, we won't be able to maintain our current speed."
"Right," I answer making a few notes on the chart, "By the way, what's with the different colour hair?"
"Oh this," Eugen answers casually brushing her now silver coloured hair from her face, "I finally got around to removing the last traces of the paint scheme the US Navy gave me."
"Wait, so the paint scheme applied to the ship has an effect on you also?" I ask.
"I guess," Eugen answers with a shrug, "I was in the process of restoring my original configuration when I came across your life boat."
"Speaking of the ships configuration," I say changing the subject, "I'm going to have to insist that you not fly the Reichskriegsflagge."
"And why is that?" Eugen asks in a serious tone.
"I'm well aware that to you, it's the battle flag of the Kriegsmarine," I answer, "However there are laws today banning any flags that include symbols from that time period that are linked to the Nazi Party."
Eugen looks at me through narrowed eyes.
"There are a lot of people that will be highly offended," I add, "And it's bad enough I'm going to have one hell of an argument with some of those people, over the issue of why a civilian is in possession of his own personal multi-national armada. As well as defending the possible charges of tampering with multiple war graves. I would rather avoid this argument if I can."
"So, what do you suggest?" Eugen asks coolly, "Do you want me to fly the American flag? I'm sure it's still around here somewhere."
"Do you consider yourself American?" I ask in reply.
"No." Eugen retorts shortly.
"Then don't fly it," I answer, "However what about the flag that today German Navy are using," I counter, pulling up a picture on my laptop I had retrieved from my bag after dinner sliding it over.
Eugen looks at the picture on the screen for a few moments before answering, "I guess this is okay. However, I insist on flying the other when we are in combat."
I sit back in the chair and think about her response for a moment, "Fine," I finally agree, "I mean we are fighting something from another world from what I can tell. And after one of them shot my boat out from under me. I really don't care if I offend them."
It wasn't until the following evening that the silhouette of the USS Bogue came into view on the horizon. And it took another two hours until we had finally caught up and Eugen reduced speed to match Bogue.
As the sun slowly slipped below the horizon, Bogue and Graf Spee made their way across to the Prinz Eugen where I had decided to hold a strategy meeting after the evening meal. Watching on from the bridge, I could see no difference in how the Bogue operated despite now being completely empty in terms of crew aboard.
"So how does that work then?" I pondered quietly to myself.
Behind me I hear Eugen's light laugh, "You really are a curious one Commander."
"How so?" I inquire turning to face her.
"You ask far more questions about details that most would have someone else look into," Eugen replies simply.
"Blame it on me being a researcher first and a captain second," I answer truthfully, "Besides asking questions and finding answers to those questions is why people hire me."
Eugen tilts her head to one side considering my reply before answering my original question, "I would have to guess that she also has the ability to remotely operation her ship."
"Okay," I say, trying to grasp how that works, "So it sounds similar to the Auto Pilot systems that modern ships and aircraft have."
"I'm not familiar with those," Eugen admits, "Mine is linked to the onboard radar. So long as I can see the ship on radar, I can issue commands that it follows as though I'm on board."
"Well, that's interesting," I muse quietly considering my planned strategy for the remainder of the voyage.
"Okay," I begin looking around the assembled group sitting in the galley of the Prinz Eugen after dinner, "We are roughly two and half days before I expect we will encounter any shipping out of Pearl Harbour and three and a half days until we reach the port itself."
I turn to point at one of the charts I had retrieved from the forward fire control room, "This is the layout of the port of Pearl Harbour. I've updated all the new modifications to the port since this chart was originally printed."
"I can still see a number of weak points in their defences," Kaga points out.
"We are not launching an assault on the port," I point out, "However, I can not be sure that the enemy we encountered the other week won't make an appearance."
"So, what's the plan then," Bogue asks barely able to remain seated.
"Based on what Eugen told me earlier," I begin, "I'll be leaving a three-ship fleet to patrol the area here." I add pointing to an area of open sea just outside the entrance to Pearl Harbour.
The girls look at each other at this announcement, "You mean we all won't get to see the port?" Eugen asks.
"Correct," I say, "Bogue, you will be leading this part of the operation. I want you to conduct Air Recon in the region and keep me informed if anything approaches the island with hostile intent."
Bogue looks at me before speaking up, "How do I contact you?"
"I've got some long-range portable radios. I'll give you one before I leave to head into Pearl," I answer, "Now Spee, you'll remain with Bogue to provide escort."
A slight smile flashes across Spee's face, "And Eugen. I want you to remotely operate the ship, whilst you join myself, Akagi and Kaga in the launch to go into Pearl."
"You don't want to sail into Pearl?" Eugen asks.
"I don't know what the US Navy reaction would be to either the Prinz Eugen or the Bogue steaming into Pearl Harbour, considering the fates of both ships," I state, "The only objective for this is simply for me to report to the US Navy that I believe that the Carrier Fleet we were tasked with finding has been attacked and sunk. And I want to bring them up to speed on the latest situation we are currently investigating."
"You mean us?" Kaga asks pointedly.
"I do," I admit, "Which is why you three will be joining me. Admiral Jensen is a practical man, who prefers to see results rather than merely read reports on them."
"And if they decide we are the threat all those news reports are claiming?" Akagi asks.
"Let's just say that I'm not responsible for what you do for your own defence if this goes badly," I say, "And I'll be saying as much to the Admiral when I make my report."
"Alright Eugen, tell me what you are picking up on radar?" I ask.
Eugen is standing just inside the bridge, eyes closed focusing on the radar readings being sent to her via her rigging. "I can see at least four ships moving out of the harbour, they appear to be merchants based on the size readings I'm getting," she begins, "I can also see two more smaller ships heading in. And there appears to be at least twenty ships anchored either at one of the docks or in the harbour."
So, you'd say you have a good clear reading of the dockyards?" I ask, impressed at the amount of data she was able to relay to me.
"Yes," Eugen answers opening her eyes and looking my way, "The furthest contact is fifteen kilometres away. I can easily control the ship from this range if you are happy to make the final part of the journey in the ships launch." She finishes pre-empting my next question.
"Yes," I reply, "This is a decent range, and gives us the required distance to not be considered an immediate threat."
Stepping off the bridge, I make my way down to the main deck, where one of the motorized shore boats had been prepared and was now being lowered into the water. Both Akagi and Kaga were already aboard and once the boat touched down on the surface, they quickly detached the hooks.
Without waiting for Eugen to join me, I climbed down the side onto the launch and started the motor. As the engine warmed up, Eugen joined us and I saw the hull of the Prinz Eugen start to move off to continue the agreed patrol route.
"So, what now?" Eugen asks as I engage the engine and begin to pilot the launch towards Pearl Harbour.
"I already contacted the Admiral this morning," I answer, "He has meetings for most of the day, however has agreed to meet me in the afternoon. Given the time now, we should have a couple of hours to wait."
"That sounds boring," Eugen states.
"Maybe," I admit, "But I intend to check out the area where the Arizona was. I might find something the others have overlooked, as they aren't aware of the situation."
