The Future of Tomorrow Brought Today

Chapter 10: Training Begins

Date: July 29, 1943

Location: Newport Naval Base, California

Time: 8:30 am

For the past 30 minutes Commander Evan has watched the new kansen learn to operate their riggings on a screen in the bases command center. Surprisingly they had quickly gotten used to maintaining their balance even while preforming quick maneuvers. Evan then have the go ahead to begin weapons test firing.

Old mass produced targets such as a few New York class battleships, several Omaha cruisers, and Clemson destroyers sailed out to different ranges. After a few salvos Montana got used to her advanced range finding and targeting equipment. She began to strike her targets with every salvo no matter the range with unparalleled accuracy. Shikishima however was struggling to hit targets at long range. She didn't have the advanced equipment that Montana had. However when her shells did hit they either severely wounded the targets or destroyed them. Yoshino was doing better but not by a lot. Meanwhile Midway was practicing operating her aircraft. She didn't struggle at first when she was only operating half her planes. However after she launched the rest of her planes Midway began to struggle to control them all. After all no other carrier in history except for her sisters operated over a 100 planes. Not even Hakuyruu. Evan then grabbed the coms and reassured her that with time she would get better at controlling all of her aircraft. The rest of the test firing went smoothly. However when U-3008 went to fire his magnetic guided torpedos he noticed two unfamiliar buttons and an unfamiliar joystick on  the far right side his weapons panel. He tried to remember what these strange controls were for but nothing came to his mind. He then radioed to the command center.

"Sir, I have a few strange controls on my weapons panel that I'm unfamiliar with. Requesting permission to test what these controls are for?"

"Denied, U-3008 continue with your torpedo firing test. I'll have a team of scientists look over your sub again once today's firing test finishes." Evan orders.

U-3008 complies and fires his torpedos at a target destroyer. Moments later two columns of water erupt beside the destroyer. What's left of the Clemson class destroyer quickly capsizes as it takes on water. With the firing test complete Echo fleet returns to the port. Once they dock their ships they are greeted by their instructors.

"Great work demonstrating the firepower you possess. The commander informed us to begin training you while he attends to other matters. Today we will begin studying strategies and tactics. Azuma will follow Kronshtadt. U-3008 is pared with Albacore. Jason is with Vestal. Midway and Nisshin will follow Essex. And lastly Montana and Shikishima will come with me." Georgia informs.

Over the next few hours the instructors begin teaching basic strategies and tactics. Essex brought Nisshin and Midway just outside the Newport wall so she could teach them how to use their spotter planes. Albacore and U-3008 headed over to one of the mess/hang out rooms. There Albacore did more socializing than teaching with U-3008. However they did at least cover how to coordinate attacks with other subs. Georgia brought Shikishima & Montana to the one of the study rooms. Montana's and Shikishima sighed and braced for a lecture as Georgia handed out textbooks. From there Georgia went over how to aim should your firing control computers fail. Over at the docks Vestal brought Jason over to section of the pier where there were part in need of repairs. Vestal then begun to teach him the basics of how to repair damaged parts and how to replace broken ones. The engineer workers nearby were glad to see another repair ship and offered to find parts for the two to work on. Kronshtadt took Yoshino to the library and begin to show silhouettes of different ships so Yoshino could memorize them.

Once it was early in the afternoon the instructors gave Echo fleet a break so they could get lunch. Until now their meals were brought to them. This was due to high command wanting to keep their presence a secret for as long as possible. Everyone in the base new about the new ships but only a few knew about their personification. But now that they had begun training the secret was about to be out. As Echo Fleet entered the cafeteria a few kansen and naval personnel noticed them. As the new kansens quietly continued to walk around the edge of the room they gradually drew more attention. They could even hear a few comments about them.