“I saw it with my own eyes,” said Sato, “though I still cannot believe what I witnessed. It was terribly fast, so fast that our gunners had no chance to even take aim at the thing before it struck us. It came from above, then swooped low over the sea. I thought they would get it, but it was impossible. Nothing could have stopped it, and it found the ship as if it had eyes. To this day, I am convinced it must have been piloted, but where the enemy got such a weapon still escapes me. The Siberians? They’ve been under our heel for decades, and now they openly declare war on Japan? That is also unbelievable. Many say the Russians gave them this weapon. We do not know how it is deployed, but some say there is a ship operating up north. You have been here in the South Seas, so you may not have heard, but our sailors have given this ship a name up north. They call it—”
“Mizuchi,” said Hayashi, yet even as he said that he could not remember ever hearing it.
“Yes!” said Sato. “Then you have heard the story once already? The name is well given. I have not seen this ship, but it must be a demon. It struck the Hiryu from well over the horizon with this rocket weapon, and then, when we sent Mutsu and Chikuma up to get after the Siberians, they came back as floating wrecks. I heard what happened—more of these naval rockets. They strike with terrible speed, and set off raging fires that are simply uncontrollable. Whatever this ship is, it is very powerful, very dangerous. But no one has seen it since. I am no coward, but believe me, when I got the news that I was to be transferred to the South Seas Fleet, I was very happy. The farther away from that demon, the better.”
Mizuchi… Hayashi could see a shadow in his mind, something dark and wavering on the sea. It was as if he was up above, ready to strike with his comrades and then he saw himself falling like a stone to attack. The sky was suddenly alive with the strange smoky tentacles of the beast below them. They reached up to find his brothers, striking the planes and smashing them to pieces as they dove—and yes—they were rockets. Now he felt a cold chill settle over him, and an oppressive sense of dread. Mizuchi… death on the sea… his death, but it was a brave death, an honorable death….
He shook his head, almost shivering as he sought to dispel this strange recollection. His better self chided him that he was just being foolish, servicing the fears and rumors that had been circulating through the fleet. But then again, he found it odd that Kaga and Tosa were not assigned to this operation. Then he heard they had been kept in home waters because of the threat posed by the Siberians, something that would have been laughable just months ago. The Siberians? They had no navy at all, but now it seemed that was not the case. They did have at least one good ship, something dark and unseen in the cold waters of the north. Something he had the strangest feeling that he, himself, had encountered in the disturbing vision he had just shaken from his mind… Mizuchi….
Hayashi looked around the briefing room, seeing the faces of all his squadron mates, their cheeks red, smiling, eyes wide as they boasted of the brave attack they had made against the American carriers. They fought well. They were the best of the best, the pilots of the Misty Lagoon, unmatched by any other flyers in the world. He watched them as they boasted, clapping one another on the back, their hands describing the movement of their planes as they recounted details of the attack. And he watched them go, one by one to seek out food and rest. The Lucky Crane was heading north, or so they had learned. They were going back to Rabaul to replenish, and then they would fight again. His men were very eager, and he was proud of them.
He lingered there in the briefing room for some time, hearing the last echoes of the others in the corridor outside. Then a darkness seemed to fall on him, and he saw the empty room, the empty chairs, and that feeling of impending dread returned. What was he thinking? Soon those chairs would all be full again as the men gathered to be briefed on their next strike mission. He would sit next to his good friend Matsua, from the torpedo squadron, and they would discuss tactics after the briefing, just as they always did.
But one day, he thought darkly, those chairs will be empty. Why should it be me that stands here alone to know this? What is this doom I sense all around me now? I must have a case of the jitters from that last mission, though I cannot see why I should be so bothered. No… It was not that, not the mission. I have flown so many others, and never felt any fear worth mentioning. I am no coward. I am not afraid to give my life to strike my enemy, for that is what I came here for. Yet this feeling… it is something more than fear. It is almost as if I can see things that have not yet happened, things that will happen… It is almost as if I can read the book of fate….
He looked around at the empty briefing room, then lowered his head and hastened off to follow his brothers to the mess hall.
Admiral Hara reviewed his orders, a subtle knowing smile the only faint outward sign that he had finally come to terms with what had happened.
Moresby Carrier Force: CV Division 5 – Admiral Chuichi Hara
Sortie from Truk towards the Solomon Islands on about day X–10 through waters to the north-east, and then continue to provide direct support for the Tulagi invasion operation. On day X–5, (the day after the start of reconnaissance flying boat patrols from Tulagi), enter the Coral Sea from the east of the Solomon Islands, begin to provide direct support to the Moresby Invasion Force as required, according to the following strategies.
a. When a powerful naval force is detected, first attack and destroy.
We have certainly done that, he thought. Two enemy carriers! Yet for that we pay with the loss of our sister ship. The Soaring Crane will never fly again. Shokaku is gone…
b. Continue to make preparations for the appearance of a powerful naval force, and mobilize to protect the Fiji Invasion Force as required. Provide limited air patrolling and support for the Fiji Invasion Force when this becomes necessary according to the situation.
Not possible. The action against the Americans in the Coral Sea has left me with only minor damage here on Zuikaku. The Lucky Crane lives up to its name, but we have lost planes, pilots, and now we need to replenish before I can hope to be of any further use to Operation FS. My torpedo bombers have only six lances remaining. It will be necessary to withdraw to Rabaul.
c. Up until day X+5 after the successful landing at Fiji, continue preparations for the appearance of a powerful enemy naval force in the area of the Koro Sea within range of Japanese landing sites. Command of naval units in the area shall be directly under Combined Fleet Headquarters aboard Yamato when engaging a powerful enemy force.
That explains Yamamoto’s order for me to disengage and move east to the New Hebrides instead of pursuing the survivors from that enemy task force we engaged. He wanted me to join Carrier Division 1 and restore the Kido Butai to its normal full strength of four fleet carriers. Unfortunately, I cannot do so, and I have so informed Combined Fleet Headquarters of that sad fact. The Fiji Operation will now only be supported by Carrier Division 1, but I have at least succeeded in covering Operation MO, and insuring the invasion and occupation of Tulagi and Port Moresby. The latter was a significant victory. If nothing else, this will reinforce my proposal that we should make Darwin our next objective after Fiji is secured.