Family
January 7, 1931. Liverpool Port.
New Year’s dawn covered our faces with a cold fog. Without time to sink into the excitement, the fleet quietly and slowly left the port.
“Admiral, all ships have departed.”
“Okay, form Danjongjin and head south. The goal is Gibraltar.”
“Yes, 15 knots current speed.”
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Pulled out of the harbor by a tugboat, Repulse finally turned her bow again into the open ocean.
The giants that follow behind them are the Indipatigable and the Furious.
It’s a fleet that hasn’t changed much from the past, but everyone’s faces were full of confidence.
Is it because of the successive victories? I even feel a little pressure.
“Admiral, the fog is thick. How about slowing down?”
A voice coming down from the palace hall.
It was Torbay’s opinion. I shook my head and answered.
“When there is fog, you have to get out quickly so you don’t have to worry about being caught. Both Gibraltar and Suez will arrive and depart at night.”
Although there are only three ships, the fact that an elite capital ship with this level of skill goes on an expedition can have a big impact on the naval power. It should be done as stealthily as possible.
The Navy Headquarters seems to be considering the option of crossing the Cape of Good Hope, but that is a matter to be judged on the spot. Furthermore, on the African side, the US Navy’s cruiser fleet often appears for trade destruction.
In fact, considering the deadline, it is more convenient to just go to Suez. Anyway, by the time we cross Suez, even if the US military knows about it, it will be difficult to respond.
“All right. Then, I will do my best.”
“Keep working hard.”
short answer. There are no more objections from the other side. The need to be the best was enough to make people aware of last night’s announcement.
The chief of staff sneaked up behind him and spoke in a calm voice, not sure who would hear.
“It has really become a celebrity. How can you care about other people’s eyes like this?”
“Isn’t it the largest overseas dispatch? Make sure you prepare well. We are also going to do diplomatic activities.”
A warship is a moving territory. It itself symbolizes national power, and extraterritoriality is actually applied.
In addition to this political meaning, it is also used for inclusion diplomacy, but at least we won’t be able to do that. The opponent is one of the three largest naval powers in the world.
“Are you really going to see the Japanese Navy?”
“Yes, chief of staff. … Where did you go to talk?”
“What do you see me as? It sounds like a pretty big deal anyway.”
“There is definitely something. You shouldn’t think that you can safely go sightseeing.”
… To be honest, I don’t want to get caught up in these political issues. Now I’ve got a bag too big for that.
I sent the chief of staff in case there was a suspicious look, and talked to the adjutant who was looking around.
“Adjutant, how does it feel to be part of Task Force Z?”
The adjutant, Lieutenant Colonel Rich, turned his head and looked at me. It is impressive to see how the body was stiffened in moderation. Maybe it’s because I’m still less tense? He then speaks in a voice mixed with admiration.
“A very organized and skilled group… … It is truly the best mobile unit in the Royal Navy.”
“is it? Thank you for the compliment.”
It was an embarrassing answer, but in fact it is an exaggerated rumor.
Even if you think about it right away, there is Admiral Pound’s H Task Force, a battlecruiser squadron in charge of the Halifax offshore, Bermuda, and Central America.
Other convoy cover units, South American task force K, etc… The Royal Navy has a variety of front-line units.
All of them are extremely trained elite agents. Rather, the proficiency level may be higher than this one. Not only have they experienced enough real combat, but there are also ships that survived the Atlantic Fleet Battle at the beginning of the war.
“You will look different when you adapt. We didn’t get to this position simply because we fought better than everyone else.”
I should say that things are a little more complicated than that… Several things happened. I was lucky.
The adjutant only put on a puzzled expression, but that was all I could say.
It was because the fog had lifted and the bright sunlight was shining through the windows.
Task Force Z.
The task force, consisting of two battlecruisers, one aircraft carrier, two heavy cruisers, and eight destroyers, left Liverpool that same day.
“It will be a long way.”
“Come to think of it, did you contact your parents?”
Kirk asks while handing over a coffee cup.
I smiled lightly at the anxious expression on his face and said.
“It is top secret.”
The cool cries of seagulls echoed in the cloudy sky.
coffee is too sweet
* * *
Three days ago, Leicestershire.
The smell of alcohol filled the room.
It’s not alcohol. It’s used as a kind of anesthetic.
Taking heavy steps, I quietly looked at the struggling old man lying on the bed.
“I’m home.”
My father, who struggled to open his eyes, gives me a mischievous look. No answer was heard. I brought a chair and sat down and continued talking.
“It’s a medal.”
Limply, the medals in my hands in order.
DSO and Bath Medal.
The five medals hung in order sparkled in the lights.
My father watched the medals colliding with each other with a metallic sound. Before long, cold eyes look at the epaulettes on my shoulders.
The parched lips finally moved slowly.
“Yes, Samuel. You are here now.”
A dying voice echoes faintly in my ears.
He bowed his head and said nothing. Then the voice continued.
“Samuel. If not now, I probably won’t be able to tell you this.”
I listened quietly, leaving him barely spitting out a single word.
If you ask me what kind of pity I feel for this old man, I will say no.
They are just witnessing a lonely downfall.
It’s scary. I don’t know this person, only vague memories remain in my head. The person that person looks at and expects from is not the person he originally knew.
“What’s the point of saying sorry now… I’ve done a bad thing.”
However, for some reason, it was not very pleasant to see him lying lonely in bed.
“I was afraid. I fear that no one will give me hope until I close my eyes.”
David H. Lewis.
He was discharged as a lieutenant colonel in the Royal Navy and had a glorious ‘Belle Epoque’.
The duty evaluation was not bad, but there were no remarkable achievements, so he was unable to rise to the rank of colonel and resigned.
However, I was just listening in silence as I figured out the truth through the intelligence department as to why it didn’t produce results.
“Your grandfather. Do you know why you didn’t become an admiral?”
Isn’t it strange?
He was well evaluated by his subordinates and had no particular flaws, but why was he so omitted from the list of promotions?
“It was so stupid. the person was nice Because he was a person who gave away his achievements to others. So, did his colleagues help him? No, no one came to see him when he was discharged.”
And why did a man famous for benevolence become so senile and lock himself in the house?
“Maybe I’m just out of luck. I guess I didn’t make good friends. But results are results. No one helped him.”
It was a long time ago, so I had a hard time finding the details. However, I was able to get a rough outline.
“It made me think that life might be like that.”
And after the next words, the old man shut his mouth.
“Samuel, don’t trust people. don’t trust anyone Don’t be swayed by what others say. Most of them have lived lives that have nothing to do with you. Only act according to your judgment.”
Maybe it’s because it’s creepily similar to the life I’ve lived. Is it because my past life is a life that comes to mind?
That’s why I couldn’t help but shudder at his life. Feeling the tragedy of his hair standing on end, he quietly closed his eyes to his distorted life.
It must be too great a tragedy for an individual to pass over as a life without luck.
Soon, an eternity of silence lingered in the room.
An anxious breathing sound as if it would dissipate at any moment.
Suddenly, he opened his eyes again and looked at me.
“Yes, Samuel. You are here now.”
A dying voice echoes faintly in my ears.
He bowed his head and answered quietly.
“Yes, I am.”
* * *
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Portuguese offshore. Task Force Z, Flagship Repulse Bridge.
Waves crashing over the sharp side of the boat. The blue sky is reflected on the surface of the water and shimmers.
Sunny weather, no visibility, few clouds. The weather is good for sailing, but it’s very unsettling considering our mission.
“The weather is like this when you have to hide… … .”
“Isn’t it good that air operations are smooth?”
The adjutant asked while looking out the window with his hands behind his back.
I shook my head slowly.
“The Furious’s aviation fuel load isn’t that great. There is no problem with supplies in the Mediterranean, but considering the time we will cross the Indian Ocean in the future, it is better to save fuel.”
Hawker Osprey passing through the sky. As it was originally planned to be converted to a surface reconnaissance aircraft, reconnaissance is also carried out without problems. The full-fledged aerial combat ability is somewhat disappointing except for speed.
Is it time to mount a proper new fighter?
With that thought in mind, I continued to answer the adjutant’s question.
“It would be good to detect the enemy in advance with aerial reconnaissance and avoid it. However, if it is bad weather, there is no need to run into foreign merchant ships in the first place.”
The best way to hide is to remain invisible in the first place. And in this respect, the Repulse Fleet can boast of being superior to anyone in the Royal Navy.
Even if there is a spy inside England, it will take some time before they notice the departure of the fleet. Until then, we have to move a little further towards the Far East.
You never know what they’ll do if they know the power balance in the Pacific is off.
“okay. After all, it seems that the Atlantic Ocean is not for everyone.”
“Stop flattery. I was just lucky.”
I waved my hand and said that, but the adjutant had already taken out a notebook and wrote something down with an envious look.
A person who would later become the most famous captain of the British Navy. Because luck is as good as outstanding skills, if you help me well, I will continue to win and win.
If you think about it, why did you want to help these people with all your heart?
They left their names in history, but they have nothing to do with me.
Still, I wanted to help.
“Look, Chief of Staff.”
The chief of staff, who was looking outside with binoculars, turned his head. A confused face at the sudden call.
Come to think of it, I met this guy a long time ago.
“I like this unit. How are you?”
The reason I help them may be because of simple envy. It’s because you’re actually seeing the great commanders whose names are left in history.
However, after living in this world for about a year, I could no longer see them as mere great men.
“What are you talking about all of a sudden? suddenly.”
The chief of staff frowned as if he was talking nonsense.
After scratching his head, he thought for a moment before opening his mouth.
“Is there anything you don’t like? It’s a body everyone knows anyway.”
“… Yes, it is.”
Everyone is like me. Now they are comrades living in the same era.
Now, it seemed that the sense of fellowship took precedence over envy.
Is this a comrade?
So I can no longer think of abandoning someone.
With a sigh, I looked at the horizon where blue waves sang. The sun rising in the middle of the sky was illuminating the route.
“More than that, Admiral, I got a call from the upper level.”
“Communication?”
The chief of staff talks as if he had just remembered. He also tilts his head with a puzzled face.
“I hear there are passengers from Gibraltar?”
I don’t know if it’s a hasty judgment, but for some reason I had a troublesome premonition.
… This hunch was right.