(Rewrite) The Future of Tomorrow Brought Today

Chapter 6: Trip to San Diego Part 1

Date: January 1, 1944

Location: Pearl Harbor

Time: 7:03 am

Commander Jon and Captain James walk along the walkway overlooking the piers around USS Montana as the ship is being refueled.

"Are you sure that you don't need anymore shells?" Jon asks.

"We still have plenty of AP shells and we haven't even touched our HE shells yet. Although we could use some more anti aircraft shells for our 127mm guns as well as more ammunition for the smaller AA guns." Replies James.

As they continue to walk they come across Captain Joseph who is watching his ship being resupplied.

"Morning Joseph, which cup of coffee that?" James jokingly asks.

"It's only first. My ship should be ready to depart in half an hour, how about yours?" Joseph responds.

"Should be ready in a few minutes."

"I apologize Joseph, it seems we don't have 20mm belts for your planes. However if you want, you can use some of our reserve planes to make up for the losses you've taken." Jon offers.

"We appreciate what you could do for us. As for your offer, I will kindly decline. We will make due with the planes we have." Replies Captain Joseph.

Just then Midway's XO Sam Jewel reaches the walkway and approaches the group.

"Are you sure captain? We lost 18% of our planes. Right now we only have 19 Bearcats and 33 Skyraiders left." The XO informs.

Joseph sighs. "As I said, we'll just have to make due with what we have."

Captain James then voiced his concern. "What about the IJN Shikishima and the IJN Yoshino?"

"Unfortunately the only thing we could do is refuel them. Captain Ren informed me his ship still has half of its AP shells and around three fourths of this HE shells. As for the Yoshino, Captain Jiro reported that his ship still has most of their shells. Both captains told me that they still have plenty of ammunition for their AA guns." Jon answers.

"Well, thanks again for everything you've done for us." Joseph says.

"No problem captain. Now if you'll excuse me I have to go get started on my daily tasks."

Time: 8:00 am

After about an hour all five of the new arrivals were refueled and ready to depart. A few Eagle Union personnel as well as several ship girls gathered by the piers to wave at the departing ships. Upon reaching the entrance of the harbor USS Midway let's out a long toot from the ship's horn. An aft signal light blinks in rapid succession in the direction of the headquarters building. Commander Jon smiles as he translates the morse code message through the meeting room's window.

"Of course you'll be back, I'm counting on it." Jon says to himself before he turns around and approaches the table in the middle of the room.

New Jersey, Iowa, Saratoga, and a handful of naval officers are gathered around the table.

New Jersey then states. "One thing is for certain. Since the Sakura Empire know about the arrival of those ships, they'll have already started to plan on how to counter them."

"The Sakura Empire will likely use their large carriers in this war, especially now that they know about USS Midway." Iowa comments.

Commander Jon takes a seat before replying. "Which is why I hope Midway is successfully converted into a kansen. Until then we'll just have to hold the line by combating their large carriers with superior numbers. Not even Enty is strong enough to match Shinano or Hakuryuu. USS Midway is the only carrier that I know of that could win in a dual with them. So we'll just have to hope that Sakura is hesitant to use their key players while we prep our own. On a more pressing matter, Intel reports that a Sakuran fleet left port and is heading from their mainland to the South East Pacific. They might be trying to cut off our supply lines to the Oceanic Republic (Australia). Inform Port Moresby that they may be the target."