The Final Storm - Jeff Shaara [68]
The passageway narrowed, and he saw hazy sunlight, heard voices, a quick shout, men suddenly scrambling into position to one side of their gun. He knew he had surprised them, regretted that, had no interest in a show of obedience to some mindless inspection. He wasn’t there to see the men at all. The officer stepped forward, and Ushijima put up his hand, said, “Captain, please relax your men. I am here to examine your field of fire.”
The man stood straight, a perfect show of respect.
“As you wish, sir. You honor us with your inspection!”
Ushijima knew the man, one of his former students at the military academy, knew the man’s family as well. He stepped past him, glanced at the mound of new ammunition, thought, General Wada has done his job, certainly. He will not leave any one of his batteries unprepared.
The piece was one of the larger cannons in Ushijima’s arsenal, a 150. The long, heavy barrel was supported by two spoked wheels, which rested on thick wood planks that led straight to the mouth of the cave. He stepped past the muzzle of the cannon, the smoke thinning, felt the heat from the barrel, moved close to the mouth of the cave, the opening shrouded by camouflage cloth, just a small hole visible.
“What is your target, Captain?”
The man moved up beside him, said, “Sir, we have put several rounds toward that destroyer closest to the shore. They have foolishly moved into range.”
“Have you been … successful?”
“We … uh … no, sir. I was attempting to adjust the range when you arrived. But I shall do what I must until the enemy has been destroyed. I am confident in these men, sir. We can destroy every ship in the enemy’s fleet.”
“Is that so? Then please tell me why you have not already done so?”
The captain seemed surprised at the question, and Ushijima stared out again, did not like embarrassing the man.
“Sir, I apologize. We shall find the proper elevation. My orders are to attack targets as they present themselves. Most of the enemy fleet is well beyond the range of this piece. The destroyer moved within acceptable range …”
“Never mind, Captain. You must follow the orders you have been given.”
“Sir, permit me to inquire …”
“About what?” The captain hesitated, and Ushijima looked at him, knew he had been a good student, had a serious mind for military studies. “I assure you, Captain, General Cho is nowhere close. Ask what you wish.”
“Sir, I have heard that the Imperial Air Force will arrive here at any time. The reports say that the enemy fleet will be forced to abandon their ground troops by sailing away, and if they do not, their ships will be destroyed. My men … the others in our battery are greatly pleased to hear that. I was wondering if you could reveal when this might happen. I do not wish to expend ammunition if it is not called for. We shall require every shell if the ground troops approach our field of fire.”
Ushijima appreciated the man’s logic, but the question was infuriating.
“Captain, you have heard no reports. What you have heard is rumors. The Imperial Air Force, along with the Imperial Navy, has been assuring me for many days now that the enemy fleet is to be utterly destroyed by vast waves of our finest planes and a mighty armada of our finest warships. They have not yet provided me with a timetable for such a wonderful scene of destruction.”
The man bowed.
“I understand, sir. It is not my place to know such details. I should not have asked about matters beyond my responsibility. Please forgive my impudence, sir.”
Ushijima absorbed the man’s words, thought, he believes it still. Perhaps they all believe it. And perhaps that is a good thing, good for morale. I wish I believed it.
THIRTY-SECOND