It takes almost an hour to navigate my way down through the ship before finally locating the engine room. Stepping through the hatchway, I weave my way between the massive boilers towards the rear of the compartment.
Ducking underneath a series of tubes running through to the next compartment, I locate the maintenance hatch. Opening the hatch, I drop down into a small corridor that according the notes Kenji had forwarded to me would lead to an inspection plate for the Number Three turbine.
The corridor offers very limited amount of room to work in, "Clearly this was designed with smaller people working here in mind," I comment to myself as I squeeze past housing for the reduction gears.
Finally locating the inspection plate on the reverse side of the reduction gear housing, I pull up the photo on the phone and compare the markings engraved on the plate to the faded writing. "Unbelievable," I mutter under my breath.
Quickly snapping a photo of the inspection plate before returning back to the engine room. I decide to investigate further and cross to the other side of the compartment and make my way down to the Number Four turbine.
It was almost three hours by the time I finally returned to the bridge, having decided to conduct a more detailed search of the engine room. Finding I had a strong signal on both the satellite phone and my mobile, I compose a quick e-mail which I forward to both the research team back on Midway and also to Kenji, before hitting redial on the satellite phone.
'I'm guessing you finally finished your search,' Kenji says by way of greeting.
"Took me an hour just to find the engine room," I reply, "The ship is an absolute maze below deck."
'Did you find what you were looking for?' Kenji asks.
"Yeah," I answer, "I located all four inspection plates for the turbines. I sent you some photos. If you can verify the numbers for me that would be great."
'Sure thing,' Kenji replies, 'You still believe your theory is right?'
"The more I searched through the engine room, the more convinced I feel that my theory is correct," I answer, "However my understanding of the Japanese written language is barely passable. I believe that the markings on the inspection plates match those you sent me photos of, but I need to be sure."
Over the phone connection, I can hear Kenji tapping away at a keyboard. 'Okay,' he finally says after a moments silence, 'I've got all four of the photos you took of those inspection plates. The angle you took them from is not the best though.'
"Given the lack of space down there for me to move around, I consider it a miracle I was able to get any angle in clear view of the camera," I reply, "They clearly didn't envision a six-foot-tall Aussie working down there."
'No, I highly suspect that they didn't consider someone like you ever working on one of their fleet carriers,' Kenji remarks with a laugh, 'Now, getting back to the reason you called. Would you like the good news or the bad news first?'
"I'll take the good news first thanks," I say.
'The pictures you sent, are clear enough for me to read the markings and compare them,' Kenji answers.
"And the bad news?" I ask.
'The markings on the inspection plates you photographed match perfectly with the notes my great-grandfather wrote down.' Kenji says in reply.
"That proves that my theory is correct," I comment, "So how is that bad news?"
'You clearly haven't heard the latest news reports,' Kenji begins, 'The Americans are claiming that the attack this afternoon on Pearl Harbour was committed by the Japanese Navy.'
"Wow," I comment, "They didn't take long to point the finger at someone."
'So, you are up to date on the latest news then?' Kenji asks.
"Not exactly," I reply, "I happened to be visiting Pearl when the attack occurred. None of the attacking aircraft I saw bore any resemblance of the type of aircraft that are on record with any Japanese Naval or Air Force planes."
'That's not what is being reported,' Kenji explains, 'That Admiral Jensen gave a brief interview, where he explained that the attacking forces came from those two Japanese Carriers that the US Navy reported on a few weeks ago that were attacking merchant shipping in the North Pacific. It also doesn't help when there are now at least a dozen videos showing up all over the net, showing aircraft with distinctive Japanese markings flying in combat over Hawaii.'
"Can you forward me links to those videos?" I ask, "It'll help the team back at Midway with this latest project they are looking at."
'Can do,' Kenji confirms, 'Anything else I can do for you?'
"Not right now," I reply, "But do you remember your login credentials from when you were assigned to the Intrepid for your Undergraduate Field Assessments?"
'Yeah, I do,' Kenji replies, 'Why?'
"Once I figure out how to run my laptop off a constant power source out here, I'm going to give you access to the project," I explain, "I know that your field of studies is more on the experimental side of mechanical engineering. But I think your insight could be vital given how outside the box you tend to think."
'I'll take that as a compliment,' Kenji says with a laugh, 'I'll send my login data to your e-mail.'
"Make it the secure one," I answer, "Only a few people know what we are looking into right now. And not everyone knows everything thankfully."
'Sure thing,' Kenji says, 'Sounds like you've got something serious going on over there, if the little bit you've told me about so far is to be believed.'
"You're not wrong," I admit, "Anyway I've got to go. Someone is trying to reach me on the portable radio."
Not waiting for a reply, I hang up the satellite phone and unclip the radio from my belt, "I hear you, what's up?"
"If you're not busy," I hear Eugen say, "We have company arriving."
From the elevated position on the bridge, I had a near three-hundred-and-sixty-degree view of the surrounding ocean, and once alerted to a new arrival in the area I spot them almost immediately. The company Eugen mentioned appears from the distance to be a lone ship.
Keying the radio, "Eugen, can you identify who they are?" I ask.
"It appears to be a lone American cruiser," Eugen replies, "I recognize the flag."
'This could get interesting quickly,' I think to myself, "Any chance you can get them on the radio?" I add aloud having keyed the radio once more.
Without a pair of binoculars to hand, all I can do is watch on as details of the approaching ship slowly became clearer. Through the glare from the setting sun, I see that the ship is fitted with four sets of gun turrets, two mounted forward of the main super structure and another two, aft of the second mast.
The radio in my hand finally buzzes once more as the approaching cruiser appeared to be slowing, "Commander, I think I know which ship that is." I hear Eugen say.
Before I can reply, however the approaching cruiser had come to a stop and from the distance, I witness a young woman with short pink hair appear on deck, before jumping over the side and skate across the remaining distance, disappearing from my view behind the hull of the Prinz Eugen.
As I'm mentally going through my history knowledge trying to piece together how a German heavy cruiser could possibly know any of their American counterparts, from behind me I hear approaching footsteps.
Turning I see Kaga walking slowly past the table as if in a trance, with Akagi a few steps behind with a worried expression on her face. "Is everything okay?" I ask.
"It will be in time," Akagi replies, "It seems as though my sister is a touch overwhelmed at being reunited with her ship."
"Right," I reply, "We'll get to that soon. First I need to find out what the deal is with this American cruiser that has turned up."
"Are we still under attack?" Akagi asks with the hint of a grin.
"Doesn't seem like it," I answer, "The ship in question doesn't seem to pose a threat. At least not at the moment. And Eugen claims she knows which ship it is, although I can't figure out how?"
As I say this, both Prinz Eugen and the mystery pink haired girl appear once more, both skating towards the bow of the carrier, where they momentarily disappear from view, before re-emerging on the flight deck, seemingly having jumped up from the surface of the ocean.
Making a mental note to get the team to run some more tests in the lab when we get back, I climb down from the bridge to the flight deck.
"This is our Commander," I overhear Eugen saying to her companion pointing in my direction, "He's mostly busy doing boring tasks."
"Okay," the pink haired girl says, "I'm Pensacola," she finishes turning to me flashing a smile.
"Captain Nathan Harrison," I say in reply, "Eugen says that she knows you somehow. But I'm not seeing the connection."
"Operation Crossroads," Pensacola replies.
"That was the American nuclear tests after the war, right?" I ask after a moment.
Pensacola simply nods in reply.
"That answers that question," I say, "Can I ask why you are here?"
"I came across a sinking ship," Pensacola replies, "I took a look to see if there were any survivors. Finding none, I followed the debris path until I found you guys."
"I can explain the lack of survivors and the floating wrecks easily enough," I say.
"No need," Pensacola interrupts, "Eugen has already told me. And based what she's said, you need all the help you can get."
"Well, I won't lie that I'm still searching for the answers to whatever is going on," I admit, "And when it comes to naval combat, I'm completely out of my element. But if you want to join us, I won't stop you."
"Sounds good to me," Pensacola replies.
"If you'll excuse me," I say, "I have to check on the others and make sure we can get back underway."
Once back on the bridge, I find Kaga still standing exactly where she had been before I went to meet our new arrival. "Any change?" I ask Akagi who was standing off to one side.
"I can hear you Captain," Kaga states, speaking up before Akagi has a chance to answer my question.
"Any chance you can link up with the ship being as we both now know this is your ship?" I ask.
Kaga simply looks in my direction with a hint of a smile etched on her face. Before I hear the thump of the boilers burst to life deep in the hull of the ship and a thin wisp of smoke begins to emanate from the downturned funnel slowly building to a continuous column as the boilers came up to temperature.
"Excellent," I say, "Now I'll definitely need to find a way to answer potential charges of tampering with a war grave." I add silently to myself remembering my discussions earlier in the week back at Midway, "I'll be back in a moment, I need to make a phone call."
Stepping out onto the starboard wing of the bridge, I pull out the satellite phone once more and hit speed dial. Waiting for the phone to make the connection, I look out over the horizon quietly wondering what further secrets the sea was going to yield before this was over.
'Midway Research Labs how can I direct your call,' a voice on the other end of the phone says.
"It's Harrison, can you put me through to Jim?" I ask.
The phone line buzzes for a moment, before I hear Jim on the other end, 'Nathan, good to hear your voice. We were worried when we heard about the attack this afternoon.'
"It certainly was a disaster," I reply, "Would've been a lot worse if I hadn't given the girls the all clear to shoot back."
'What do you mean?' Jim asks, 'There's nothing in the news about that. In fact, the Americans are pointing the finger at the Japanese.'
"Yeah, I heard," I say, "I've already spoken with Kenji since the attack."
'Why would you speak with him, before calling us?' Jim asks sounding annoyed.
"Possibly because your family doesn't have any connections to the military," I answer, "Whereas Kenji's great-grandfather does."
'Yeah, in Japan,' Jim admits, 'But how does that help.'
"Because he was able to confirm through the notebooks his great-grandfather left him, that I'm currently standing on the bridge of the Imperial Japanese Navy Aircraft Carrier Kaga," I reply sharply.
'A-are you serious?' Jim stammers.
"Yes," I answer, "Now I need your help in testing a theory. How long until the Global Explorer is ready to go back out?"
'The new engine arrived the day you left,' Jim answers, 'We finished fitting it today and were planning a test cruise tomorrow.'
"Perfect," I say, "I need you to find a pair of ship wrecks for me."
'That could take some time Nathan,' Jim explains, 'You know how long it takes the professional ship wreck hunters to locate their targets.'
"Good thing I already know exactly where these two wrecks lie then," I say as I rattle off a pair of co-ordinates.
Over the phone I hear Jim opening up one of the large sea charts he keeps in the desk drawer of his office, 'What are you expecting to find there?'
"I expect you'll find nothing," I admit, "Those two locations are the confirmed sites for the Akagi and Kaga. The RV Petrel logged both of those sites a few years ago. It was a coincidence that we were running supplies to them at the same time as they found both wrecks."
'So, you're saying that these locations are not a matter of public record,' Jim enquires.
"Correct," I admit, "Outside of the Japanese Government, the US Navy, a few select naval historians, the crew of the Petrel, and the senior officers of the Intrepid, you are the only other person I'm aware of who knows the importance of those locations."
'What exactly do you need me to do?' Jim asks.
"Just drop the DSV onto both sites, video document the seafloor and send the videos to the server so we can review them back at the lab," I explain.
'Okay,' Jim says, 'Sounds like a much better shakedown cruise than we planned. Mind if I take your crew with me?'
"Go for it," I answer, "Better than them sitting around being bored."
I hear Jim laugh over the line, 'Before you go, I'll put you through to Strickland. He has a request.'
I hear the line buzz again as Jim transfers the call.
'Strickland.'
"Professor, It's Nathan," I say, "Jim put me through, said you had a request."
'Ahh, yes,' the Professor says, 'I've got a delivery waiting to be shipped out. However, the Captain of the ship my order is on, has holed up in the Port of Honolulu and is refusing to depart without an armed escort.'
"I'm guessing that today's air raid on Pearl Harbour hasn't convinced him that he's not safe even in port then," I state.
'If anything, it's made him even less likely to sail,' the Professor laments, 'However, I need what is in the hold of his ship so we can continue the tests.'
"You want me to get him to transfer the cargo to one of the ships I have out here?" I ask.
'No,' the Professor replies, 'Whilst that would be the easiest way, we have no way of getting any of those ships into the atolls docks. The captains' tramp steamer is the largest ship that can get through.'
"Well, I'll go talk to the man," I say, "See if I can convince him to make the run. Send me the details."
'Very good,' the Professor answers before the line goes dead.
Stepping back into the bridge I say, "Looks like we are going back to Hawaii."
It was early morning the next day when we entered the Honolulu Channel, as I scanned across the harbour towards the naval base. Most of the buildings, including the airport were still smoking from the air strike.
"Captain, we've got company heading our way," Pensacola says, pointing in the direction of an approaching harbour boat.
"Have they tried to radio us?" I ask.
"They just did now," Pensacola replies, "They want to know our intent."
"Tell them we want to dock over there," I say pointing to an empty berth ahead of us.
As we wait for a reply, I observe the harbour boat circle around and maintain a constant distance from us, whilst matching our slow speed back in to the harbour. "They are requesting permission to come aboard, to conduct customs checks before they pilot the ship in," Pensacola says relaying the reply to my request.
I take a look around the bridge noting that the others who I had earlier decided would be accompanying us in. Suppressing a laugh at how I'm going to explain this one to a civilian given the reaction I had received the day before from the Admiral. Turning back to Pensacola I say, "Let them aboard."
"Okay," she replies cheerfully.
It took the harbour boat less than a minute to close the remaining distance. During which time, I had made my way down from the bridge and to the aft of the rear gun turrets to lower a boarding ladder for one of the crew to climb up.
On reaching the top of the ladder and stepping on deck, I say, "Welcome aboard the USS Pensacola."
"Michael Johns, Harbour Pilot for Honolulu Harbour," the crew member from the harbour boat says before looking past me, wide eyed exclaiming, "What the hell is that!"
Turning to find what he is talking about; I discover that the girls are standing a short distance away lined up as if on parade for inspection.
"Someone did make mention of a customs inspection," I reply, "If I had to guess, they are lined up for said inspection."
"So why are three of them armed with what appear to be large calibre guns?" he starts, "Why does that one have what appears to be a shark tail and razor claws on her hands? And why is that one only carrying a baseball glove? And where is the rest of the crew?"
"There is no rest of the crew," I reply calmly, "There are only the five of us aboard. As to the rest of your questions, if I could answer them I would."
"That's impossible," Johns declares, "You can't run a ship this large with only a crew of five!"
"You're right," I admit, "This ship is actually run entirely by her." I finish indicating towards Pensacola who waves in reply.
"You know what," Johns says, "Don't bother with the explanations. I've seen enough episodes of the X-Files to know when to keep clear of things beyond my pay grade."
"If it helps," I say as the man starts to climb back down to the harbour boat, "We will only be here for a few hours. We only came in to provide an escort for the MV Percy and to pick up some supplies."
"You'll find the crew of the Percy at Smith's Union Bar," he calls up to me as the harbour boats steers away.
