On Seas So Crimson

by James Young

  Eric was stunned. Their father had taken them to see the Colorado once when all of the boys were far younger. It was this trip that had almost guaranteed every one of the boys being in the Navy in some capacity. The vessel had seemed so large, so solid then that he had trouble imagining her being gone.

  “What in the Hell were our fighters doing?” Eric asked.

  “Getting the shit shot out of them,” Charles replied. “Seems like the Japs can make some fighters after all, and those fuckers can shoot too. I can testify to that first hand.”

  “Still, there were three carriers plus Army’s fighters,” Eric said.

  “Sorry sir, that didn’t seem to matter a hill of beans,” Charles replied. “The torpedo and dive bomber squadrons are untouched, though, so it’s not a total loss.”

  “We do anything to them?” Eric asked.

  “The Nautilus put holes in a couple carriers, the Army claims it sunk one,” Read replied.

  “What happened to the Nautilus?” Eric asked, his tone worried.

  “She was sunk,” Charles said. “That’s the word.”

  Nick…Eric thought, his eyes stinging.

  “Hornet’s strike put at least two, probably three bombs into another carrier, and the torpedo guys swear they got at least two hits,” the junior officer continued.

  “I bet Lieutenant Commander Couch is pissed that there were only three hits,” Eric said, shaking his head.

  Charles took a deep breath.

  “Lieutenant Commander Couch is dead. So are Commander Ring and Lieutenant Commander Waldron,” Charles replied, his voice starting to have some emotion come back into it. “Lieutenant Commander Mitchell is still upstairs in the burn ward. He’ll probably never fly again.”

  There was a strained silence for a few moments as Eric let what his wingman was saying sink in. Hornet’s air group had been decapitated in less than twenty-four hours.

  I guess carrier fights are far worse than all the theorists thought they’d be, Eric thought. No one’s going to be able to say any of our officers were scared to lead from the front of the formation.

  “But, you’ll be pleased to know, Radioman Brown survived the explosion on the hangar deck with minimal injuries,” Charles said. “He’s gone back into the Battle Fleet gunner pool, much to his disgust. He said to get better soon, there can’t be that many intelligent pilots left.”

  Eric cracked a smile at the last comment.

  “Somehow I don’t have problems seeing Brown saying exactly that,” Eric said. “Probably with lots of other pilots in earshot.”

  Charles was prevented from answering by a commotion in the hallway.

  “Uh, sir, she can’t go in there! It’s against regulations!” someone shouted.

  “Then you and your regulations can try to stop her,” a gruff, familiar voice bellowed. “When you lay a hand on her, I will take your arm, your regulations, and anything else loosely attached then feed them to you.”

  The argument moved into the hospital ward as the doors opened.

  “Whoa, look at that skirt,” Charles breathed. “I can see why those two captains don’t want the orderly touching her.”

  Eric grimaced at Charles’ comment.

  “Did you say two captains, Ensign Read?” Eric asked, closing his eyes and smiling.

  “Yeah, but don’t worry about them. You’ve got the wartime wound working for you,” Charles said.

  “Whatever you do, do not look at the woman like you just talked about her,” Eric said.

  “You know, you could have told us that you were going to be on a morphine binge when you arrived in Hawaii,” Sam said, stopping at the foot of Eric’s bed. “Of course, you never were that considerate of a person, you little knucklehead.”

  “Yes, because if you were, you would’ve saved some of the morphine for us!” David quipped.

  “Nevermind scaring your poor little sister to death,” Nick said, then after a moment’s pause, “Sir.”

  Turning to look at Patricia, pain shooting through his shoulder, Eric raised an eyebrow. She was standing with her hands clasped in front of her brown dress, hair held up off her face by a bright flower.

  “Tootsie, you have anything to add?” he rasped.

  To Eric’s surprise, Patricia completely lost her composure at his comment.

  “Oh God, Eric,” she sobbed, bending down to hug her brother, but not knowing where to begin.

  “Miss Cobb, as long as you don’t touch the bandage, it shouldn’t hurt,” Beverly said, appearing behind Sam. She turned to the biggest of the Cobb children as Patricia embraced her brother’s back and stroked his hair.

  “Next time you ask me to do you a favor, don’t threaten to hurt one of my orderlies,” Beverly said. “I’ve still got to work here, and there won’t always be some huge oaf around that could probably bend one of them in half.”

  “Nancy Hertling’s been staying with Patricia and Jo Morton since Commander Hertling passed,” Sam said apologetically. “It’s made her a little distraught, so I wanted to make sure she had a chance to see Eric. I didn’t think it was too much to ask for her to come into the ward.”

  Nurse Bowden rolled her eyes.

  “Five minutes, Captain Cobb, five minutes,” she said.

  “Thank you, Beverly,” Sam said sincerely.

  Charles was completely mortified as he watched the Cobb family reunited. Oh my God, he thought. I called his sister a “skirt”. Feeling his cheeks burn as he continued to look at Patricia, he tried to figure out how to make things right.

  It was at this point that he realized Patricia’s other three brothers were in turn looking at him. Nick simply had one eyebrow raised and an amused smirk on his face. The two twins, on the other hand, looked like they were about to kick Charles’ ass, broken arm and all.

  Oh God, I’m going to die, Charles thought.

  “Ensign, I don’t believe we’ve met,” the one on the left stated icily. The unspoken, “So there’s no reason you should be looking at our sister” hung clearly in the air. The smaller of the two, he still appeared to have a twenty to thirty pound weight advantage on Charles.

  “Uh, hello,” Charles stammered.

  “Is that how they talk to superior officers where you’re from?!” Sam nearly bellowed, stopping all traffic in the ward. The same orderly he had threatened to abuse earlier poked his head around the door, a stern look on his face. Help, however, came from an unexpected quarter.

  “Knock it off!” Eric snapped from his bed. “He’s my wingman!”

  Nick piped up from behind his two brothers.

  “So why isn’t he in a damn bed like you are?”

  That was enough for Charles. Turning to look at the younger man, he was about to snap off a retort when Patricia suddenly stood up.

  “If you gentlemen will excuse me,” she said briskly, her tone indicating that there was no question in her words. She spared a withering look for her four brothers.

  “Where are you going?” Nick asked, rising from the chair he had been sitting in.

  “I’ve listened to you all squabble for twenty-one years,” Patricia said, her voice dripping with disdain. “I’ve never thought it more inappropriate, nor do I find it comforting that even after having lived out here with all of you for four months I’m still just a damn kid in your eyes.”

  “You’re not a kid in our…” Sam started.

  Patricia stopped what she was doing, then took a deep breath.

  “I will tell you this for the umpteenth time: Women, my dear ignorant brother, enjoy being looked at,” she said slowly, as if talking with a dimwitted child. “The ensign, while not exactly discreet, was looking at me. He was not, as that gentlemen with the two broken legs in the corner is, leering at me.”

  “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to…” Charles started to say.

  “Please, ensign, just stay out of this,” Patricia stated. “It’s a fight that’s been going on for my whole life, and it’s only gotten worse since I went thro
ugh puberty.”

  “Oh crap,” Eric muttered from the pillow. “Here we go…”

  “As I was saying,” Patricia continued, ignoring her brother. “Judging from the ensign’s blushing cheeks, he probably said something about my appearance to Eric. Since he is still breathing, it was probably not too vulgar.”

  “Patricia,” David started to interrupt.

  “Will someone please let me finish a thought?” Patricia sighed, exasperated. There was a chuckle from several of the surrounding beds. “When you first saw Sadie, you probably had a good long stare. Not because you loved her, but because she is a beautiful woman. Probably even said something lecherous, knowing you.”

  “Wait, uh…” David began to reply.

  “She’s got you there, David,” Sam replied lowly.

  “So, pardon me if I don’t want to be around while you attempt to brace this poor ensign for doing the same thing.”

  “Charles. His name is Charles,” Eric groaned from the bed.

  “And everyone here not currently wearing a bandage or with a permanent bed is now going to leave this ward,” Beverly stated flatly, having come back up behind Sam and David. All of the Cobbs except Eric turned to look at her.

  “Told you what would happen if you caused too much of a ruckus,” she said, low enough for only the Cobbs’ to hear. “Old Harry there went and bent Commander Wills’ ear. I barely managed to keep you all from getting thrown in the hack.”

  Nurse Bowden does not seem to be happy, Charles thought.

  “I don’t think you guys will be coming back as a group anytime soon,” Beverly continued, her voice harsh.

  “Dammit,” Nick muttered. He was immediately cuffed by Sam.

  “Watch your mouth in front of the ladies, Nick,” Sam said. Charles initially thought he was kidding until he saw the man’s eyes.

  “So, I would suggest all of you officers move out,” Beverly said, making shooing motions. “I managed to get your little sister some additional time, but then again, she didn’t threaten to kill Harry with his regulations.”

  Charles watched the play of emotions over everyone’s face.

  “Take care, Eric,” Nick stated, realizing when it was time to exit an area. “Try not to eat the hospital out of house and home.” For the first time, Charles saw that the other officer was clearly upset by his brother’s wounds.

  “We’ll be back,” Sam and David both said in unison. Charles looked askance at the two of them.

  “Yes, they always do that,” Patricia said wearily, pulling up a chair on the other side of Eric.

  Patting their brother on his uninjured shoulder, both twins headed for the door. Sam favored the orderly with a scowl as he walked by, making the man take a couple of steps back.

  Beverly watched them go, sighing and shaking her head.

  “Sam does have a bit too much temper for his own good,” she said, turning back to Patricia. She reached into her pocket and pulled out a slip of paper.

  “What I didn’t tell them was that I got a pass for you,” she said. “Just show this to the guard at the front gate of the base, then to the nurse at the admittance desk. If anyone gives you any trouble, tell them to talk to me.”

  Patricia’s shock was plainly visible. Looking at her askance again, Charles saw her face flush a little bit. It made her look even more beautiful.

  “Ensign Read,” Eric said from the bed, startling him.

  “Yes, sir,” Charles responded, looking down at him.

  “This woman is my sister, Patricia. Patricia, this is Ensign Read.”

  Patricia stuck her hand out. Charles took it gently, then was surprised by the strength of her grip.

  “Hello,” Patricia said, smiling. She has pretty eyes, Charles thought. A shadow passed over Patricia’s face, and he saw the eyes suddenly go cold.

  Well you sure don’t learn quickly, do you? Patricia thought, angry at herself. It wasn’t that Ensign Read wasn’t a handsome man, his eyes seeming to be dark brown pools that she could get lost in. It was the fact that Nancy Hertling had only just fallen to sleep after awakening from a screaming nightmare not four hours before.

  Nurse Bowden moved the paper, regaining Patricia’s attention.

  “Oh, thank you,” Patricia said, releasing Charles’s hand. Beverly gave her a knowing smile, then moved off.

  Having regained her senses, Patricia mentally shook herself.

  Yes, he’s attractive, she thought to herself. He’s also in the military, and there is no way that I am going to allow myself to fall for him.

  What in the hell? Charles asked, seeing the look Patricia gave him before turning to her brother.

  “Is there anything that you need me to bring you?” Patricia asked Eric, her voice going soft.

  “I guess my comic book collection would be too much to ask for?” Eric retorted, reaching out to pat his sister’s leg.

  “I think after having you yell at me for losing some of them that I learned my lesson about that,” Patricia replied softly. “Plus I’m not sure I’m welcome back at Mom and Dad’s house anytime soon. Although I understand Joyce might have helped me out some with that.”

  Eric laughed bitterly.

  “Well here I am in a hospital bed,” Eric replied. “She might have had a point about my luck.”

  “Nevermind her,” Patricia said with a shrug. “I’m just glad you’re okay, and she can enjoy a nice, long life as a spinster as far as I’m concerned.”

  “Has anyone told Mom and Dad that I’m hurt?” Eric could suddenly see his parents getting the telegram and starting to worry.

  “I think I’m lucky to know,” Patricia replied. “But we sent them a letter knowing we were all relatively fine.” Physically, anyway, she thought.

  “I’m not relatively fine,” Eric said, his voice rising.

  “So I fibbed a little bit and Nick forged your handwriting,” Patricia said. She heard Ensign Read laugh. “Sam said you weren’t likely to die and it was only a little white lie. She’ll be worried enough soon, even with Sam and David going back to the mainland.”

  “What?!” Eric asked.

  “We can talk about that later,” Patricia said. “I’m not walking back to my house, and I don’t want Sam and David causing a scene.”

  “Fine,” Eric said. Patricia stood, and she noted that Ensign Read stood with her.

  A gentleman, she thought, then kicked herself. I need to get a grip.

  “Ensign Read,” she said coolly, nodding.

  “It was a pleasure to meet you, Miss Cobb,” Charles replied.

  “Likewise, Ensign,” Patricia found herself saying with a smile. With that, she turned to leave the ward.

  IJNS Akagi

  North Pacific

  0650 Local (1350 Eastern)

  30 March (29 March)

  “Lieutenant Honda!”

  Commander Fuchida’s shout shook Isoro out of his reverie. He turned and came to attention as the Akagi’s CAG approached him. To Isoro’s surprise, he saw Captain Genda right behind Fuchida as they approached him at the Akagi’s stern.

  “Sir,” Isoro said, bowing formally.

  “Beautiful morning,” Fuchida said, as they stood and looked at the sun low on the eastern horizon. “Unfortunately it looks as if we will have stormy weather ahead.”

  Isoro nodded, the sky one of the reddest he had ever seen.

  It is as if the gods are weeping blood at what we have unleashed, he thought. Even with several Zuikaku orphans, the Akagi’s pilot accomodations were noticeably empty. Regardless of the cost, we have proven that the Americans are very beatable.

  “When we return to Japan, your squadron will be detached from Akagi,” Fuchida said. “You will be sent to the south.”

  Isoro nodded again.

  This assignment does not please me, he thought inwardly.

  “Sir, who will be commanding the squadron?” Isoro asked.

  “We do not know yet,” Fuchida answered. “You will likely meet your new comm
ander when you reach Formosa.”

  “Your squadron will be held in reserve until we attack the Indies,” Captain Genda said. “The fighting in the Philippines is heavy, but the Americans lost many of their bombers on the first day.”

  “Sir, how did we accomplish this?” Isoro asked, incredulous. “The Philippines are several hours behind Hawaii!”

  “Our forces trailed them back to their base then attacked when they landed,” Genda replied. “Our losses were not as bad as we expected, but were still quite heavy.”

  This seems to be a recurring theme, Isoro thought. Fuchida spoke as if he had read Isoro’s mind.

  “Congratulations on your kills,” Fuchida said. “Your squadron did an excellent job during both strikes.”

  “Thank you, sir,” Isoro said, bowing again. “If I may ask, how long will my squadron be at Kure before we leave?”

  “Three days,” Fuchida replied. “Do you have someone you wish to see?”

  “No sir,” Honda replied. At least, not that I’m going to admit to.

  “The poor man probably wants to eat something that did not come from a can,” Genda said with a laugh. “Do not worry, you will have a chance to enjoy your status as a member of the Kido Butai. They are already telling tales about us to everyone who will listen.”

  I hope this is not a long war, Yamaguchi thought, looking over the casualty forms. We cannot continue at this rate.

  “Sir, I have informed Combined Fleet Headquarters that we lack the aircraft to aid at Wake,” Rear Admiral Kusaka stated stiffly, standing before his desk at parade rest.

  A decision you heartily disagree with, Yamaguchi observed silently. He dipped his pen into the inkwell at his desk and made a notation on the casualty report form.

  It would appear that the Suisei, while it holds many improvements over the Aichi, is horrifically vulnerable to heavy anti-aircraft fire.