Azur Lane: Return of Davis

Chapter 7: "A Date Which Will Live in Infamy"

5 minutes before attack

December 7th, 1941, Pearl Harbor, Honolulu, Hawaii

7:43 A.M Hawaii Standard Time

74°F, with NE Winds at 10 knots, Partially Cloudy, 86% Humidity

"[A] date which will live in infamy..." - U.S. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt to the Joint Session of the U.S. Congress, December 8th, 1941

The warm morning air was nothing but a chilling reminder of the flames that would be occurring soon enough. I am atop a hill on the northern-most bank of Oahu Island, the home of Pearl Harbour. It's partially cloudy, but visibility is good enough for me. I do a last-minute check upon my gear, the phone by my side ready. M1 Garand for mid-ranged firefights, check. Imported Small Magazine Lee-Enfield No. 4 Mk. I with the Experimental No. 32 3.5x scope for bolt-action sniping, check. Backup Colt M1911 for close-quarters, check.

The trees are my allies as I mount the SMLE. I would use the Springfield M1903A4 for consistent ammo between the M1 and itself, but the scope gets real fucking foggy in high humidity, and it's really humid right now. Leaves cover the glare of the scope, yet still giving me some visibility beyond.

The phone by my side starts vibrating (I removed the bell system inside), and I picked up.

"Belfast?"

Belfast: "The Prime Minister, King, and President are now on the line."

"Good. Put us all on the line and get prepared to defend the air. Make me proud, Bel."

Belfast, after giggling: "Of course, Jason."

I hear the lines changing.

A British voice, who I assume is Churchill: "Ugh, if I have to wait another minute..."

An American voice, likely President Roosevelt: "Calm yourself, Minister Churchill. There's a good reason for this, I'm sure."

"And a good reason there is." My voice is hushed. 2 minutes remain

Churchill: "Who is this?!"

"Commander Jason Davis, Jr. of the Azur Lane, sir. Prime Minister Churchill, President Roosevelt, a pleasure to meet you both. And it's a pleasure to speak to you again, Your Majesty."

George VI: "It i-is, Commander."

"Right. For the reason of this call. I am stationed here in Pearl Harbour on Honolulu to lead the Azur fleet here, as I'm no doubt you're aware. However, by complete accident, I ran across something odd. An Imperial Japanese Navy fleet was spotted, and I overheard their desire for war."

Churchill: "So?"

"You three are the most powerful of your nations, with the most sway. His Majesty has been well-loved by His citizens since his crowning, the Prime Minister can rally Parliament to action, and the President is the President. We need to make this attack look like an accident so we can declare war upon the Japanese without arising suspicion."

Roosevelt: "If you're thinking so far ahead, you must be prepared for the attack, right?" Only a minute remains...

"Yessir, but I can chalk it up to being overly cautious. All the kansen on base who isn't in on the plan already do."

Roosevelt: "So you called us all for a strategy meeting?"

"A fast one, because I need a) for you all to be awake, and b) the attack to not happen. I'm betting they'll start within the next minute or so."