On Seas So Crimson

by James Young

  “But with what vessels?” Inouye asked. “Our battleline is greatly diminished…”

  “I have spoken with Admiral Nagano, who in turn has spoken with the Emperor,” Yamamoto said. “His Majesty has decreed that the Shinano and Taiho are now ‘national priorities’, which will hopefully garner us more resources to complete them.”

  Okay, maybe they are not being optimistic about the Shinano, Yamaguchi thought, nodding at his superior’s words. Now the question remains if the Yamato-class are truly the equal of two or three of our opponents’ vessels.

  “At any rate, we have no choice in our actions,” Yamamoto continued after a moment’s reflection. “Now that we have started this war, we must finish it or else Nippon’s enemies will completely devastate us. I do not intend to allow this to happen while I still live.”

  Neither of the man’s subordinates doubted his words as they returned to planning the Imperial Navy’s future moves.

  Several miles away, at the Yokosuka Naval Yard, Isoro Honda found himself staring off into space at his small desk. Before him was a blank sheet of paper, the ninth to occupy that space since he had sat down to begin his task.

  Who would have thought writing a dear friend’s family would be so difficult? Isoro thought to himself. In his mind’s eye, he could see Ikuko, Eiji’s little sister, with her broad smile and infectious laughter. It had been an open secret that Eiji’s parents had desired that Isoro and Ikuko would someday become wed, cementing the ties between the two families. Isoro had intended it to be this year once Japan was victorious.

  I was a little too optimistic in that guess, he thought, tears threatening to well up in his eyes. I always imagined our children would be screaming “Uncle Eiji, Uncle Eiji.” Now I am not even sure I will survive. How do I tell someone that I will not be coming to visit them again because I failed my friend?

  Looking down at the paper, Isoro was surprised to see wet splotches. With a start, he realized that he was crying. Cursing, he fiercely wadded up the paper and tossed it to join its others.

  Samurai do not cry! He thought angrily. Samurai accomplish their task.

  With his newfound determination, Isoro bent back to the paper and began to write.

  I will avenge you, Eiji, he thought. There will not be enough water in the Pacific to wash away the blood I will spill in your name. As he finished his short letter, he reflected back to their conversation regarding their relative importance.

  The Emperor’s enemies are many, but not so many that they cannot all be smote one by one, Isoro thought. May the gods grant me strength to carry out that task now that you cannot.

  With that thought, Isoro folded the letter and placed it in its envelope. Seeing the time, he turned off his desk lamp, then climbed into his cot.

  Tomorrow will bring me one day closer to killing my enemies. With that thought foremost in his mind, Lieutenant Isoro Honda, currently Japan’s leading ace with thirty-five kills, laid back and stared at the ceiling while waiting for blissful unconsciousness.

  COLLISIONS OF THE DAMNED DRAMATIS PERSONAE

  U.S.S. Houston

  Commander Jacob Thoreau Morton

  Chief Petty Officer Roberts

  Seaman Third Class Teague

  Captain Sean Wallace

  Lieutenant Adam Connor

  Lieutenant Commander David Sloan

  VMF-21

  Major Adam Jefferson Haynes

  Captain Scott Walters

  Captain Keith Seidel

  Captain William Kennedy

  Captain Jacob Bowles

  Captain David West

  Captain Todd Burke

  Wing Commander Connor O’Rourke

  VMF-14

  Captains Samuel and David Cobb

  Major Max Bowden

  Pearl Harbor and Oahu

  Rear Admiral Daniel Graham

  Captain Daniel Davis

  Lieutenant Nicholas “Nick” Elrod Cobb

  Miss Agnes Nunes

  Commander Jason Freeman

  Patricia Ann Cobb

  Josephine Marie Morton

  Joanna “Sadie” Cobb

  Nurse Beverly Bowden

  Nurse Nancy Hertling

  Lieutenant Eric Melville Cobb

  Ensign Charles Read

  Radioman First Class Willie Brown

  Alabama

  Alma Cobb nee Lee

  Samuel Cobb

  Elma Cotner

  Theodore Cotner

  Joyce Cotner

  Beauregard Forrest Cotner

  AFTERWORD TO COLLISIONS OF THE DAMNED

  Whomever said the second novel in a series can be harder was telling the truth. Acts of War was a labor of the many, and this novel was no different. First, I’d like to thank Anita for her support and for helping with the drawings. In the former, considering that the final months of this novel overlapped with a busy Con schedule, she was much more tolerant of long writing absences than I imagine most folks would be. In the second, often she received some horrible chicken scratch notes and a picture that was then turned into the outlines you see at the front of the book. There’s a reason that, in addition to continuing her own writing (The Architects of Lore-series), she’s now going back to school for graphic design. As noted in my previous books, when you get your “franchise spouse” on the first go obviously someone’s looking out for you.

  Second, I’d like to thank my editor, Mallie Rust. Any errors in editing throughout the document are the fault of the writer who told her, “Oh, I’ll have the chapter to you next week…” while forgetting he had a Con. I look forward to future editing endeavors going forward, and if anyone is looking for editing help I’ll be hanging her shingle on my website once she goes “fully live.” In addition to Mallie, the usual suspects (Kat Mitchell, Alma Boykin, and Heather Kitzman) were joined by several other people in in marketing this thing before it was done. I’d particularly like to thank authors Sarah Hoyt (for mentorship and taking time out of her schedule to prod her fans) and David Weber (for carrying me in his online web store) at this time. Finally, I’d be remiss in not thanking the many independent bookstores and Cons that have allowed me to do book signings or grab a table.

  Other than advancing the construction or fielding time of various units based on Axis nations’ resource reallocation, I’ve tried to maintain historical accuracy throughout this book. In addition to Martin Caidin, John Toland, and the inestimable Samuel Eliot Morrison’s works on the Dutch East Indies campaigns, I’d like to specifically recognize Jeffrey Cox’s Rising Sun, Falling Skies as being a particular useful reference. I’d also like to thank Jonathan Parshall and Anthony Tully both for answering e-mails as well as running the website Combinedfleet.com. While there are numerous sites that are helpful with World War II research, Parshall and Tully’s is the “go to” site for most things IJN.

  Thank you, again, for purchasing this book. Please tell your family and friends about it, and if you liked it give it a rating on Amazon. If this is the first Usurper’s War book you have purchased, please check out Acts of War and Pandora’s Memories for more alternative history. Merchandise associated with the series is available on Etsy, Redbubble and CafePress.