Chapter 2 Chapter One

A Liberty Ship was full of sleepy sailors who were just waking up from a sleepy night. It made a clanging sound when it came across the side of the USS Northampton. A stout colonel in a snow-white uniform jumped Come out and step up the gangway.The heavy cruiser, tied to a buoy, floated in Pearl Harbor with the rising tide coming in from outside, its gray hull and guns tinged pink by the rising sun.The colonel climbed up the steep gangway to salute the flags and officers as the Liberty steamed toward the destroyers moored in West Bay. "I request permission to board the ship." "Agreed, sir."

"My name is Victor Henry." The duty officer's eyes widened.Dressed in starched clothes.In his white uniform with gilt buttons, white gloves, and long binoculars tucked under his arm, the breezy ensign was straight enough, but he straightened up even more now. "Oh, yes, sir. I'm going to inform Colonel Hickman, sir—orderman!" "Don't bother him yet. He doesn't know I'm coming, so I'll walk on the deck first." "Sir, I know he's awake." "okay then." Henry walked forward along the foredeck, where the work team in dungaree overalls was already moving around, busy avoiding the spray of water from the hose as the shiny-footed deck sailors washed the deck.The iron deck under the feet is very comfortable to step on.The breeze in the harbor has a pungent smell, and it smells very comfortable.This is exactly Pug.The world Henry is familiar with is an orderly world composed of huge warships, powerful machinery, active young sailors, heavy artillery and the sea.After a long journey abroad, he finally came home.But his interest faded as soon as he saw the miserable scene outside the starboard bow.A black layer of oil floated on the surface of the harbor, and jutting out of the water was the striped red bottom of the overturned battleship Utah, a loathsome symbol of the shame and disgrace of the entire Pacific Fleet .In this bombed-out battleship anchorage, the USS California, the battleship he had come to command in Hawaii, was stranded in the mud beyond Pug's sight, and was now watered up to the cannons. , still smoking ten days after the disaster.

The "Northampton" certainly cannot be compared with the "California".She was a treaty cruiser about the length of the California, at six hundred feet, but half as wide, and a quarter as tonnage, with smaller guns and a thinner hull. , much less resistance to torpedoes.However, after Captain Henry's long service ashore, the ship seemed very large to him.Standing near the fluttering blue pennant and anchor chain, looking back at the turrets, tripods, and bridges jutting out into the sun, he could hardly believe himself.This battleship was many times larger than the destroyer he was the captain of in the end.It had always been his dream to be captain of a battleship; but the commission on the California never seemed quite real, and in the end a disaster snatched it from him.He had served on a heavy cruiser before, but being a captain was another matter after all.

The pudgy gangway messenger looked no more than thirteen years old, and he hurried forward to salute.On the whole, this group of sailors looked particularly young.Two young men wore the gilt collar pins of a lieutenant commander so pompously that Pug took them for lieutenants at first glance.Surely they didn't have to work hard for fifteen years to put on these two half-gold bars like he did!The benefit to people during the war is that they can improve quickly. "Colonel Henry, sir, Colonel Hickman greets you, sir. He's in the shower and he'll be done in a minute. He said he had your letter in his cabin, from the land office of the California, and he You are invited to breakfast, sir, and please come with me."

"What's your name, what level?" "Sir, my name is Tilton, and I'm the corporal, sir!" He answered the incoming captain cleanly and enthusiastically. "Tilton, how old are you?" "Twenty, sir." Years make a man old; and the others, each one of them looked astonishingly young. The captain's cabin was a little royal, with a Filipino bellboy in a snow-white coat, with a round brown face, dark eyes, and a mass of black hair. "My name is Alimon, sir." When he handed the letter to Colonel Henry, his smiling and clever eyes, and his dignified nodding gesture showed that he was more proud of his identity than flattering his superior. "Colonel Hickman will be out in a minute. Coffee, sir? Or orange juice?"

The spacious cabins, the waiters, the handsome blue leather furniture, and the royal desk all made Pug.Henry was triumphant.The prestige of the captaincy was soon to be his, and the privileges gratified his vanity.He couldn't hold back this feeling.What a way to climb up!Lots of new burdens and no extra money, he thought to himself, flipping through the bundle of letters.One of them was from Rhoda.At the sight of his wife's handwriting (what a joy it had been), his elation was drained, just as the upturned Utah overshadowed his enjoyment of walking the decks again. Same.In a wave of lonely sadness he tore open the pink envelope and read it while drinking the coffee which had been served with a silver milk jug emblazoned with navy on a silver tea tray.Dear Pug - I have just sent you a telegram at this very moment to take back that absurdly stupid letter.The dire news about Pearl Harbor was still blaring on the radio.I have never felt so up and down in my heart in this life.How scary are these little yellow monkeys!I know we're going to wipe them out, but I have one son on a sub, one on a dive bomber, and God knows where you're at right now.I pray to God that the "California" was not hit.And to top it all off, I wrote you that awful, inexcusable letter just six days ago!If I can get it back before you read it, I'll give anything.Why on earth am I writing that letter?I was really inexplicably dizzy at first.

I will never ask for a divorce again, if you don't blame me for my misbehavior and you still really want me.Do whatever you want, but don't blame or hold Bamu.Kirby.He's a very decent guy, as I think you know. Pug, I've been really lonely as hell for a while, and—I don't know, maybe I'm going through menopause or something—but I've had a really wild mood swing for months, ups and downs.I feel very restless.I really don't think the body is very good.Now I feel like a criminal awaiting sentencing, and I guess I won't sleep until I get your next letter. One thing is true, I love you and always will.With this relationship, you can go on, can't you?My heart is very disturbed.I will wait for your reply before I can write any more.

One thing to say though—Natalie's mother called me less than half an hour ago.She was going crazy.The strange thing is that we have never met or spoken to each other!She had not heard from her daughter for weeks.The last news was that Natalie and the baby flew back to Rome on the fifteenth.What happened?The timetable must have been thrown up, and what if we were to go to war with Germany and Italy?Byron must have been mad with anxiety.I never objected to him on the matter, I mean he married a Jewish girl, but it made the situation much more complicated by adding a lot of danger!Let's pray to God that she will get out no matter what.

Mrs. Jastrow's voice sounds very pleasant, without any foreign accent, and she is a New Yorker through and through!If you get news of Natalie, do send a telegram to the poor woman, it's a good thing. Alas, Pug, we are at war at last!Our whole world is falling apart.You are as strong as a rock, but I am not.Forgive me, maybe we'll get back together again. Luo, who loves you with all his heart, December 7 This letter is not reassuring to read, he thought, but it is quite Rhoda's style.The section about his daughter-in-law aggravated Pug's heartache.He knew she was in trouble, but he put it out of his mind, because he was preoccupied with himself, and there was nothing he could do to help her.His world crumbled, and so did his private life.He can only live one day at a time and accept it.

"Hello Moon, how did you treat you? You are welcome aboard!" A tall officer with thick blond straight hair, a pouch bulging like a frog under his chin, and a belt on his belly Stretched into two piles of protruding flesh, he hurried out from the inner cabin, buttoning a khaki shirt that was ironed.They shook hands. "Eat something?" Alimon put his breakfast on the white linen tablecloth with his shiny knife and fork, which was better than Victor.What Henry had eaten in months was far stronger: half a fresh pineapple, warm bread, steaming coffee, and a hearty plate of scrambled eggs with ham, spinach, and melted cheese.In order to break the silence, Pug first opened his mouth to say that he deliberately simplified the general etiquette, and just ran aboard like this, because he heard that the "Northampton" might soon set off with an aircraft carrier task force to reinforce Wake Island. .If Hickman wanted to step down as captain before sailing, he was willing to do so.

"Wonderful! I'm very glad you're reporting. It's almost time for war. I don't want to leave the ship at this time, but I have a minor operation that's been delayed for a long time, and it's long past shift time." Schick Man's big, amiable face showed lines of sadness. "To tell you the truth, Henry, I had a dispute with my wife. It was in October. Some bastard in Washington who had an office in the Department—" His thick shoulders slumped despondently. "Damn it. Married twenty-nine years, and she's been a grandmother to three grandkids, and she's done all that stuff! But Ruth's still pretty, you know? I swear, Ruth." She's got the shape of a showgirl. Half the time she's left alone--oh, that's a problem! You know that sort of thing." Pug thought he had heard that complaint a lot before; it was the most common misfortune in the Navy, and yet he had no idea how much it could do until it befalls him. pain.How could Hickman or anyone else speak so casually?He couldn't get a word out of his own throat about such a thing, not to a priest, not to a psychiatrist, not to God in prayer, let alone to a stranger.He was grateful that Hickman turned his goldfish eyes to look at him now, grinning sadly and said, "Come on, to hell with it! I heard you held positions in Berlin and Moscow, yes. Is it? It's a rare and strange thing." "I went to Moscow with the first Lend-Lease mission, which was a short-term special mission. In Berlin I was a naval attaché." "It must be very exciting. There's a lot of trouble there!" "But I'll take charge of the Northampton." Hickman listened to Victor.Henry expressed his distaste for years ashore in a sharp tone, blinking warily. "Okay, I would like to say, Henry, this is a very good warship, and the crew on board are quite capable, but the expansion of the fleet is exhausting us. We have been doing damn trainers these days. What the ship does." Hickman picked up the ringing phone from the phone rack on the bulkhead. "Hey, Halsey's private launch is coming up." He drank his coffee, stood up, put on his gold-rimmed hat, and grabbed a black tie hastily. Pug was taken aback. The "Northampton" was the flagship of Rear Admiral Spruance, who commanded Halsey's Screening Fleet.It should be Spruance visiting Halsey, not the other way around.Hickman straightened his tie and hat and said, "You're welcome, finish your breakfast. We can start handover work this morning. My clerical sergeant major has sorted out the voyage diary and other records. , we just happened to have a list of projects. The latest arrivals are registered, and the handover report is ready. You can look at these registers at any time." "Does Halsey come on board often?" "First time ever." Hickman, eyes wide, handed Pug a folder. "Looks like there's going to be a big move. You might want to look at the papers. We've heard a lot from Wake Island." Through the porthole Pug could hear the whistle of Halsey's ship.He glanced at the flimsy documents, and the pain he felt because of Rhoda gradually disappeared.Just looking at and touching the fleet's correspondence, the war waves contained in these faintly copied documents immediately stimulated the vitality of his life.Hickman returned shortly afterwards and said, "That's the old man. He's like crazy about something. Let's go to the office!" Young clerical sergeants in spotless white uniforms spread out impeccable checklists, ledgers, and engineering records on Victor.In front of Henry, the gray-haired officer opened his eyes wide to check.The two captains were intently reviewing the records when the general's aide-de-camp called.He said Spruance's Fleet Command had asked for Victor.Colonel Henry arrived.Hickman, looking a little confused, simply relayed the words to his visitor. "Shall I take you there, Henry?" "I know the way." "Can you figure out what's going on?" "Not a shadow." Hickman scratched his scalp. "Do you know Spruance?" "I recognize it a little bit. We met in the Combat Academy." ""Do you think you can replace me before we attack?We were notified to leave within seventy-two hours. " "I intend to." "Excellent," said Hickman, squeezing his hand. "We have to talk about the stability of this ship. There are a lot of questions." "Hello, Pug," said Halsey. Beneath the thick eyebrows was the familiar gritty, sly look, but the brows were gray and the eyes were sunken.He was no longer Billy.Halsey—the irascible captain of the destroyer USS Chauncey.He is William, Commander of Air Forces, Pacific Fleet with three silver stars on his collar.f.Vice Admiral Halsey.Halsey's belly was sagging, and his once-thick brown hair was gray and disheveled.Freckles and wrinkles appear on the face with age.But the square jaw, the witty way he grinned faintly, the way he stretched out his hand like a curve, and that tight grip, all remained the same. "How is your wife?" "Thank you, General, Rhoda is fine." Halsey turned to Raymond.Spruance turned away from him, who was standing beside him, his hands on his hips, studying the Pacific chart on the table.Spruance was a little younger, but the signs of age were much less marked, probably because of the strictness of his habits.He looked good, with no blemishes, and a lot of hair, just a little gray.He hadn't looked the same since Pug had followed him to inspect the War College.Halsey famously said he didn't trust anyone who didn't drink or smoke.Spruance didn't touch either, but they were old friends who could trust each other.Early in Pug's career at sea, Spruance had been a junior captain in Halsey's destroyer fleet. "You know, Ray, among all the ensigns in the fleet at that time, this guy's bride is the most beautiful." Halsey had just finished smoking a cigarette, and lit another one after another, his hands trembling a little . "Have you seen her?" Spruance shook his head, his eyes serious and indifferent. "Colonel Henry, you worked on the Wake Island issue at the War College, didn't you?" "Yes, sir." "Think about it, Ray, why did you study Wake Island in 1936?" Halsey said. "Wake Island was just bush and black-footed albatross then." Spruance watched Victor warily.Henry, the latter said loudly: "General, the purpose is to experiment with tactical principles, assuming that 'Orange' has controlled the sea area, is far away, and the enemy's air force has ground bases." "Sound familiar?" Spruance said to Halsey. "Oh, hell, what does a sand table in a drill a long time ago show?" "Same distance. Same tactical and technical performance of ships and aircraft." "The principle is the same—like finding the enemy and destroying the enemy." Halsey's chin lifted.Pug was familiar with the look. "Have you heard the joke going around in Australia? They say that soon these two yellow races - the Japanese and the Americans - will be at war in the Pacific for real." "That's a good pun," said Spruance, pointing his feet at the chart. "But it's more than two thousand miles to Wake, Bill. We should say strike tomorrow, which is unlikely, but—" "Let me interrupt you. If we need to, we'll do it!" "Even so, let's see what happens." The two generals crouched on the chart.Pug quickly guessed that reinforcements to Wake Island were already underway. The "Lexington" and "Saratoga" aircraft carriers and their supporting ships have been sailing westward. One is going to destroy the Marshall Islands air base south of Wake Island, and the other is going to reinforce the navy. Marines and attack any Japanese navy it comes across.But Halsey's Enterprise was ordered to an anchorage less than halfway from Wake Island, where she could cover the Hawaiian Islands.He wants to go all the way.He argued that Hawaii had Army Air Forces on combat alert, and that the Japanese fleet would never dare to make another sneak attack; Can rush back in time to intercept. Pug realized that the sand table exercises of 1936 were prophetic.During that exercise, the Marines on Wake Island were under siege following the Japanese surprise attack on Manila.The Pacific Fleet then sailed to rescue them, forcing the main Japanese force into battle.But the task is not done. The "orange" air force beat the "blue" into a U-turn and fled.The exercise referee judged that due to bad weather, inexperienced pilots and an underestimation of the strength of Japanese air defense and aircraft, the "blue" aircraft carrier did not destroy the enemy's airfield on the island. As Spruance marked distances, times, and dangers, Halsey couldn't help exclaiming; "Jesus Christ, General Jackson, Ray, I know all this. I want some arguments to throw at the Pacific Fleet Commander-in-Chief, this way I can do it myself!" Spruance put the two feet down on the chart and shrugged. "I doubt the whole operation will be called off." "Canceled? Damn! Why? Those Marines are holding on well!" Pug agreed entirely with Halsey, interjecting that when he himself was flying from Manila to Hawaii in the Pan Am Clipper, he had been shelled on Wake Island. "Oh, what? Are you there?" Halsey turned and looked at him angrily. "What do you see? How lucky are they?" Pug described the Marines' fortifications, saying he thought they could hold out for weeks.He referred to the letter he had brought to HQ Pacific Fleet for the Commandant of the Marine Corps, and quoted the colonel's parting words in the Coral Underground shelter: "We will probably end up having to eat behind barbed wire Fish and rice, but at least we can make those bastards work harder to get the place." "You hear that, Ray?" Halsey rapped on the table with his bony, gray-haired fist. "Don't you think it's an honorable duty for us to aid and support them? Huh, the report sent back says nothing but the heroes of Wake Island! 'Send more Japanese!' I never I've heard more inspiring things than that." "I very much doubt any news from Wake Island. It's all a press thing," said Spruance. "Have you ever been stationed in Manila, Henry?" "I'm from the Soviet Union, passing through Manila, General. I'm Naval Adviser to the Lend-Lease Mission." "What? Russia?" Halsey jokingly poked Victor with two fingers.Henry. "Ah, that's right! I've heard people talk about you, Pug, being friends with the President, but I don't know who it's all about! Oh, old Moose. Benton told me that you took American bombers take a ride over Berlin. Hey, did you really go?" "General, I'm an observer. I probably observe how frightened I can be." Halsey rubbed his chin, looking mischievous. "You're aboard to replace Sam Hickman's, aren't you?" "Yes, General." "Would you like to change jobs and stay with me in charge of the combat department?" Victor.Henry argued: "I have orders, General." "Orders can be changed." Pug knew this man well from his days on the destroyer.Major Halsey gave him his first "distinction" passing report card for sea service.Once Bill.Halsey was in charge of Fleet Combat Operations - as he always did sooner or later, he was always keen to seek honor and fight - and he trusted his men so much that his operations officers could decide the course of major battles, which was a matter of course. It was a temptation; a far greater temptation than the appointment of Chief of Staff, Pacific Fleet, which Pug had turned down. But Victor.Henry was tired of being the servant of the great, of taking unnamed responsibility for important issues. "Northampton" meant a return to the straightforward career ladder of old: eye service at sea, intermittent ashore, more sea service; finally command of a fleet, with the hopeful rank of admiral. The "Northampton" was the last and most important rank of command at sea.He would put eight-inch cannons in battle.He's a gunslinger through and through. But it's not good to turn down Vice Admiral Halsey in person.Pug hesitated, not knowing how to deal with it.raymond.Spruance, who was leaning over the chart with his two-legged ruler, said, "Bill, isn't that a lieutenant colonel's post?" Halsey turned to him. "It shouldn't be like this. It doesn't fit with the expanding Operations Branch! I'll change that soon." Spruance's casual remark made Pug.Henry got off the hook.He didn't even have to speak.Halsey studied Pug carefully, and picked up his hat. "Well, I'm off to HQ Pacific Fleet. Ray, I'm going to win that argument. Ready to go tomorrow. Nice to see you, Pug. You're in great shape." He swiped outstretched his gnarled hands. "Do you still play tennis?" "Hit when you get a chance, General." "Still reading the Bible every morning and Shakespeare at night?" "Yeah, so to speak, at least I still try to do it." "I'm disappointed by how well you live." "Ah, I drink and smoke a lot now." "Is that so?" Halsey grinned. "That's an improvement." Spruance said, "I'm going ashore, Bill." "Okay, let's go. How about you, Pug? Want to go to the beach?" "Ah, thank you, General, if that's all I can do." On the quarterdeck he handed the letter for Hickman to the ship's duty officer and descended the ladder to the luxurious black motorboat.He doesn't sit with the generals.Motorboats plowed like ferries through waters of foul-smelling oil and wreckage.The harbor has been soiled since the Japanese attack.Parked at Fleet Landing is a gray Navy Chevrolet with the three-star flag flying from the front fender.A straight-faced marine in uniform opened the door. "Oh, gentlemen," said Halsey, "anyone want a lift from me?" Spruance shook his head. "Thank you, General," Victor said.Henry said. "I'm going to my son's place." "Where does your son live?" Spruance asked as the Chevrolet drove away. "In the hills above Pearl City, sir." "Let's go, shall we?" "It's five miles, General." "Are you pressed for time?" "Ah, no, sir." Spruance strode through the clanging Navy Yard.Pug had been drinking heavily for a week trying to forget about Rhoda in the evenings, and it was hard to keep up with him.They began to climb an asphalt road through the green hills.Although Spruance's khaki shirt was stained with sweat, he didn't slow down.He didn't speak, but not because he was out of breath.The older man was breathing evenly, and Pug felt a little embarrassed by the comparison of his own panting.They turned a corner on the uphill road and looked down on the wide panorama of the base: the docks, the cranes, the moorings for the destroyers and submarines--and the horrific fragmentation of half-sunken battleships, burned planes and blackened , Only the hangar with the roof truss left. "It's a beautiful view," Spruance said. "Excellent, General." The General turned his face away.There was a look of approval in his calm eyes. "I was going to spend the day aboard the Northampton, sir," gasped Pug now that they were talking, "but Admiral Halsey wants to start tomorrow, and I think I'd better Or get my stuff." "Well, I don't think you're in such a hurry." Spruance wiped his sweaty brow with a folded white handkerchief. The remoteness and exposure of Wake Island, a location like that and the current weakness of the navy, he said, all but ruled out a fight.After December 7th, General Kimmel undoubtedly wanted to save face.He ordered the rescue before the president fired him.However, the fleet awaits a new commander in chief of the Pacific Fleet, and the interim commander, Lieutenant Admiral Pai, has other plans.Abandoning this rescue mission would likely create a big debate, with good arguments on both sides, but Spruance suspects that these Marines are as destined to Will spend the war years in prisoner camps. Spruance's tone was as calm as in the combat academy, and his walking pace was so fast that Victor could not.With his heart beating wildly, Henry said that December 7 had changed the balance of power in the Pacific.America has been half disarmed.The balance of power was ten or eleven aircraft carriers versus three, ten combat-ready battleships versus none, and no one knew where the enemy's heavy forces were located.The Japanese have shown excellent combat and logistical prowess.They brought out the best ships, planes and fighters in the world.The Philippine Islands, Southeast Asia and the East Indies may all be acquired by them.The British spread their troops wide, and their strength seemed weak.At this point, there was literally nothing for the Navy to do except engage in some "hit and run" raids to improve combat skills while unnerving the Japanese.But the Navy had to maintain a front at all costs from Hawaii to Australia through the arc of islands that were out of range of Japanese planes.New aircraft carriers and battleships are added to the fleet in time.Starting from Hawaii and Australia, they would counterattack Japan from the east and south.However, this will take a year or more.At the same time, Australia must be held, because this is the continent of the white race.If non-whites took over, it could trigger a world revolution that would destroy civilization.raymond.After Spruance made this lurid comment, he fell silent. They walked through the tall, sweet-smelling green sugarcane forests, scrambling up the hill to the leisurely singing of the birds under the increasingly hot sun. "The future is pessimistic, General." Victor said.Henry said boldly. "Not really, I don't think Japan can make a big deal. Weak industrial base, supplies can't sustain a long fight. She'll have a lot of trouble for a while, but if our domestic fighting spirit is strong, we'll win the war. We It is necessary to have a strong president. However, our country is fighting on two fronts, and the German front is the decisive one. Therefore, we are second in order here. We have eaten as soon as we come up A major defeat does not lend itself to premature heroic action in the Pacific, such as an all-out battle to reinforce Wake Island." Warren's house was set away from the main road, and was located among the lawns and gardens. The corridors were wide and winding. It seemed that if a general lived there, it would be more suitable for a naval pilot.When they stood still, Spruance said, sweating profusely, "Does your son live here?" "His father-in-law bought the house for them. She's an only daughter. He's Senator Ragucho from Florida. Actually, the house isn't that big inside." Spruance wiped his flushed face with a handkerchief and said, "Senator Ragucho! Oh. He's changed his mind about the war, hasn't he?" "General, a lot of good people really think we shouldn't be in the war." Ragucho was a major isolationist until December 8th. "indeed." Spruance refused to go in for a rest, so he just ordered a glass of water, drank it at the door, and handed back the glass, saying: "So, you are going to take your things on board today?" "Yes, sir. I'd better get up and take command as soon as possible," said Pug. "All circumstances must be considered." There was a look of surprise in Spruance's gray eyes. "Ah, good! Always carry out orders immediately." Neither of them mentioned Halsey's intention of having Pug as his staff officer. "Then come and have dinner with me. I'd love to hear your story about flying over Berlin." "Then I am honored, General." Janice, in a wet lavender tank top, soiled gray shorts, and sandals, was crouching in a large, dug-up brown spot on the grass behind.Her sallow hair was messed up, and her long bare legs and arms were tanned.Due to special regulations on Japanese vegetable farmers, fresh vegetables are scarce.She started a vegetable garden, and is very happy about it. She straightened up, smiled and wiped her forehead with her arm. "My God, look at you! Are you planting, or what?" "Spruance sent me down from the Navy Yard." "Ah, he! I hear all the junior officers shut up when he came on deck. Commanding the Northampton will cheer you up if it doesn't wear you down. Warren Phone. He's home for lunch." "Well, then he can drive me and my stuff to Fleet Landing." "Are you leaving already?" She put away her smile. "We're going to miss you." "Dad?" After a while, Warren's voice came from outside the bedroom door.Pug opened the door and pushed aside the two small, half-packed boxes.Uniforms and books were piled on the bed. "Oh, I stopped by the land office of the USS California, and they're sending your mail to the USS Northampton. But it's just arrived, too." A glimpse of British postage stamps startled Pug.est.Tudsbury's office address was on the envelope.He opened the telegram first, and handed it to Warren without saying a word. Urgent State Department Natalie's whereabouts Telegram me Mariveles base Squid submarine Byron Warren wrinkled his tanned brow on the telegram.He was wearing a flying suit and always had a cigarette dangling from his tightly shut mouth.He looked tired and grim. "Do you know anyone from the State Department, Dad?" "Well, get to know some." "Why don't you give it a try? Braney's pretty closed up there in Manila." "I want to fight, I should have fought long ago." Warren shook his head. "Where the hell might she be in a dilemma." He pointed to the letter from London. "Erist. Tudsbury. Is that the British broadcaster?" "That's him. Your mother and I met him on the boat to France." "Eloquent. Lunch in half an hour, Pa." After waiting for Warren to leave, Pug opened the letter.As soon as he arrived at Pearl Harbor, he sent Pamela a dry text message sadly.Tudsbury, finally broke with her.她不可能已收到那封信并且写了回信。两封信交叉错过了。他发现，她信上的日期实际上是在一个月前。我的亲爱的：我希望这封信好歹总能到你手中。有件新闻，英国广播公司要我父亲搞一趟菲利斯。福格那种样子的广播旅行，环绕这个受苦受难的星球完一圈，到主要的军事基地转一转：亚历山大、锡兰、新加坡、澳大利亚、珍珠港、巴拿马运河等等。主题：英国国旗上的太阳永不落，可是除希特勒以外还可能有一个敌人——那就是日本，使用英语的各个民族（包括勉勉强强的美国人）必须坚持阵地。韬基己讲好要。我跟了去。近来他越来越感到疲劳或是对气候不适应——他的视力下降得很厉害，女儿就代写广播稿，甚至文章。现在，文章虽是代笔的，倒也顶用呢。 他对我谈起这件事时，我光听见这几个字——珍珠港！要是整个计划不告吹，要是我们能保住我们冒险的“飞机和轮船”的计划，我们就该在一个月左右到夏威夷了。你和你那老天保佑的“加利福尼亚号”将在什么地方，我不知道，可是我会找到你的。 喂，你得胜了！我知道你该在我开口之前先写信给我的。对不起我打破了你的规定，可是据我所知，你的电报或信要下个星期才到，而那时我已不在这里了。可能已经有给我的一封长信由符拉迪沃斯托克、东京或是马尼拉寄来。真是这样的话，我希望那是一封情书而不是措辞审慎的决裂的信。我就是这样既害怕又期待着你的信。不管那是一封什么信，帕格，我反正收不到了。 最亲爱的，你可以爱你的妻子，也爱我呀。我让你吓了一跳吧？晦，事实是你已经这样做了。你知道自己是爱你妻子也爱我的。你甚至已告诉过我了。你只不过对此装出一副讲究实际的模样罢了。老实说，就你妻子来讲，也完全可能爱你也爱另外一个男人。可能这更让你吓一跳吧。但是这类事情一直都有，我的爱人啊，我打赌真是这样的，特别是战争年代里，连很好、很体面的人也是这样。你和亨利太太被关在一个非常特别的由教堂到海军的小天地里过了四分之一个世纪。哦，亲爱的！我没有时间把这信打完，要不，我还是截掉这傻乎乎的最后一段吧。我明白再争论也是无望的。 既然终于在给你写信，我真讨厌了打住了不写下去。这正象水坝决了口一样，可是我得打住了。你不是再听到我的消息，而是要看到我了，谢天谢地。 伦敦的天气真没法说，战争消息也同样没法说。看来我们从莫斯科跑得不算太快；它真有可能沦陷，就象它落到过拿破仑手中一样！那将是怎么样的一番景象啊！可是对我说来，老实讲，唯一算得上消息的——而且是令人高兴的消息——是忽然有了个机会能够又见到你。尽管你非常亲切和甜蜜，我在莫斯科有个可怕的感觉，仿佛我是在最后看你一眼。现在（求神明保佑一切顺利）我来了。 爱你的帕姆一九四一年十一月十七日他能想象出那年轻的脸蛋，能听到那年轻、热诚、语调优雅的声音急急忙忙地倾吐出这些话来。他和塔茨伯利的女儿这段渴望而又无望的小小浪漫史曾在莫斯科昙花一现，现在最好三刀两断。这一点帕格是知道的。他已经作过努力了。而且直到现在为止，他以为自己已经成功了。这种奇怪、脆弱的战时关系残余——比调情略微过头些，又可怜巴巴地算不上露水夫妻——使他能更好地理解罗达已发生的事情，而且终于渐渐开始宽恕她了。他只要他的妻子回到他的怀抱。他已经用强烈的措辞给她写过信了。同这个二十九或三十岁、跟随她那有名气的父亲漂泊的年轻女人相处，很难想象会有什么前途。 最好一刀两断；然而他脑海中却思潮翻腾，猜测着他们现在可能在什么地方。他们是不是可能在十二月七日之前就已去新加坡了呢？塔茨伯利是个拼命的旅行家，一个象推土机似的人。只要他能搭上军舰或轰炸机，他就会不停地走。没准儿突然之间塔茨伯利父女俩真的在檀香山出现了呢？帕姆无意中为罗达所作的辩护是多么厉害的嘲弄啊！帕格把那封信撕掉了。 华伦和杰妮丝正在后面走廊上吃午饭。当帕格身穿蓝色军服哼着歌走出来时，他俩面面相觑。 “我们太一本正经了，”杰妮丝说。 “要是我穿着军服上船，就不会把它弄得太皱。” “您好象挺高兴。”华伦评论道。 “想到可以拿海上津贴了。”帕格在铁架玻璃面的桌子旁一把椅子上坐了下来。他吃光了一大盆很可口的炖肉，又让添了些洋葱和土豆。自从他到珍珠港以来，他们还没看到过他中午吃这么多东西。 “您胃口好极了，”华他说，看着他父亲吃。他和杰妮丝对罗达来信要求离婚的事一无所知。他们把他喝酒和垂头丧气归结为失掉“加利福尼亚号”的缘故，现在他看起来兴致好了。 “斯普鲁恩斯将军硬拖着要我爬坡，走了五里路。” “爸爸，琴对娜塔丽的事有个主意。” “是啊，您干嘛不直接打电话或电报给我父亲呢？”帕格机警地看了他儿媳一眼。“他一定能够让国务院快点儿采取一些措施、要是这是办得到的话。” “嗯，现在华盛顿该是几点啦？这会儿他在那里吗？” “有五个钟点的时差。他可能刚好离开他的参议办公室。过一会儿试试看，打个电话到他家里去。” “这个主意不错，杰妮丝。” 在华伦帮着帕格拿着箱子的时候，杰妮丝正给小孩洗澡。小维克多咯咯咯地笑着，朝她拍着水。她是个红光满面、快快活活、富有性感的年轻妇人。一点也不因为自己湿透的背心显出乳房而感到难为情。帕格脑中浮现出罗达在他们圣迭戈基地的平房里给华伦洗澡时的情景，也是这副样子。四分之一世纪还要多些的时间就象吸一口气一样地过去了！一个也是这样的婴儿，已经变成了身穿飞行服、高个子、面容严峻的年轻人，正朝他自己的儿子低头微笑着。帕格摆脱了为时光流逝而悲哀的可怕感觉，开玩笑说已经把杰妮丝家里所有的酒都喝光了。他还吻了一下她那潮湿而光滑的脸颊。 “只要停泊在港内就回来，爸爸。房间会为你准备好的，酒柜也会装满的。” 他举起摊开的巴掌说：“我一在海上担任指挥职务，就又戒酒了。” 华伦用一只手把公家的吉普车开下山。他嘴里的香烟一晃一晃的，沉默了一会儿说道：“'企业号'是不是马上赶到威克岛去，爸爸？” “是什么让你这样想的？” “就是你急急忙忙去接管那艘屏护舰队的旗舰！” “你摩拳擦掌想打仗，是吗？” “我可没这么说。”华伦透过香烟的烟雾斜着眼看了他一下。“我对急于开走我们最后的一艘航空母舰有疑问。我不相信陆军航空部队会很好地保护这个基地，保护我的妻子和孩子。嗯？不说话了？” “我真不知道，华伦。” “'企业号'上人人都在说，为了要让我们能出发，海尔赛在太平洋舰队司令部大叫大嚷。” “这倒是可能的。你们那儿的新飞机驾驶员考核得怎么样了？” “爸，他们还嫩，嫩得很。他们还没有飞行过多少小时！中队需要他们，因此他们会撞到障碍物上折断脖子，或者淹死，或者也就学会了。等我们在港口停泊的时候，我就要把他们训练得不那么傻。” “你现在当教练啦？这倒真快。” “我的指挥官把分遣队交给我了。我并不争。他也已推荐我在国内任教练，可是我为这事大吵了一场。现在不是离开太平洋的时候。” 华伦让他父亲在电话局那儿下了车，说是他会把箱子送到舰队登陆处去的。他们的分手几乎象是一会儿又能在一起吃晚饭那样随便。但他们握了手，而平时他们却很少这样做，并且还微笑着互相看了一会儿。 小小的电话局里烟雾弥漫，挤满了等着的水手和军官。总接线员是个四十岁左右、南方口音很重的长得丰满的女人。帕格提到拉古秋时，她神情就活泼起来了。“那可是一个大人物啊！要是他当了总统，我们就不会这么一团糟了，是么，上校？我会尽力帮您接通的。” 半小时之内拉古秋参议员就在乔治市他的家里接电话了。听到是帕格的声音，他大吃一惊，很快地掌握了情况，简单扼要地问了几个问题。“对，对，对，好的，知道了。我记得结婚宴会上有她。再说一遍，她娘家姓什么？好，杰斯特罗，和他那有名的叔叔一样。娜塔丽。杰斯特罗。亨利。皮肤黑黑的姑娘，很漂亮，说话很快。作为犹太人可能会发生一些麻烦。但意大利在那方面还不算坏，而且跟一个名作家一起旅行也会沾上一点光的。啊，连我都听过埃伦。杰斯特罗呢！”拉古秋嗓门嘶哑地咯咯笑了。“她可能挺好，但是最好要有把握。我怎么回你话呢？” “只要打电话给人事局的达德利。布朗，参议员先生。他会把信息转给海军部门的。收信人写'乌贼号'上的拜伦。” “知道了。你在指挥'加利福尼亚号'，对吧？” “'诺思安普敦号'，CA－26，参议员先生。” There was a pause. “'加利福尼亚号'出什么事了？” 帕格也停了一下。“我在指挥'诺思安普敦号'。” 参议员的声音又低又严肃：帅B 格，我们在那儿对付得了他们吗？ " “可要费很大劲儿哩。” “喂，我要辞去参议院里的职务参军。你认为怎样？陆军在木材和纸张方面吃亏很大。我一年可以节省几百万元战争经费。他们已提出让我当上校，可是我坚持要当准将。” “我当然希望你能当上。” “好吧，代我向孩子们问好。我会把那犹太姑娘的情况告诉你的。” 二十四小时过去了，维克多。亨利感到象是已在“诺思安普敦号”上度过了一个星期。他观看了船上各处——从舱底到大炮射击指挥仪——会见了军官们，留神观察了全体船员工作，视察了机舱、锅炉间、弹药舱和炮塔，还和副舰长吉姆。格里格作了长时间谈话。吉姆。格里格是爱达荷州人，是个说话简短、楞头楞脑的指挥官。他眼圈发黑，脸色疲倦苍白，略带着适合于一个吹毛求疵的副舰长的蛮横神气。帕格发现没有理由不去马上接替希克曼谷里格正在指挥这艘船。随便什么笨蛋都可以接任。他的无能显不出来。帕格并不认为他自己是个笨蛋，只不过老朽了，神经过于紧张。 第二天他省去了和平时期冠冕堂皇的一套，举行简单的仪式接任。军官们和全体船员面对面地分两排在船尾三号炮塔处列队。阳光照耀下的白制服在暖和的微风中飘动着。维克多。亨利没和希克曼。格里格站在一处。他在扩音器前宣读他负责指挥的命令。他从飘动着的文件上抬起眼来就能在船员们列队的后边看到“犹他号”有油迹条纹的大红船底。 他转过身来朝着希克曼敬礼。“我接替您，长官。” “很好，长官。” 这就是全部仪式。维克多。亨利当上了舰长。“格里格中校，舰艇的全部标准作战规定继续有效。全体船员从后甲板解散。” “是，是，长官。”格里格象海军中士似的敬了个礼，向后转，发了命令。队伍解散了。帕格用舷侧吹哨致敬的仪式送别他的前任。希克曼的举动象是在过生日。他妻子又来了一封信，暗示说所有一切都不会失掉。这使他象年轻人一样迫不及待地回到她身边去。他头也不回，看也不看，一个劲儿跑下舷梯，上了快艇。 整整一个下午帕格翻阅格里格中校堆在他书桌上的文件和舰艇的文献。阿里蒙为他单独准备了丰盛的晚餐，有甲鱼汤和薄牛排，色拉和冰淇凌。他正坐在扶手椅上喝咖啡时，一名海军通信兵给他送来一张手写的条子。信封和里面的信纸上都印有两颗蓝星，字迹写得挺拔、清楚，一目了然：亨利上校：我很高兴你已接任。我们明天出击。你半夜时会收到作战命令。新的太平洋舰队司令是尼米兹。对威克岛的救援看上去更渺茫了。祝你幸运、顺利——雷。艾。斯普鲁恩斯一九四一年十二月十九日第二天早晨，阳光灿烂，风平浪静，这艘巡洋舰启航了。舱面船员动作熟练，轻而易举地解缆拔锚。船首朝着海峡外面，随着潮水摆动。 维克多·亨利装出一副镇定的样子，看来骗过了驾驶室全体人员，他说道：“三分之一马力减速前进。”航信士官通过机舱传令钟传达了命令。甲板摇摆了——对帕格来说心里真有一种说不出的热乎乎的感觉——“诺思安普敦号”在新舰长指挥下出发投入战斗。他还没从拉古秋参议员那里听到娜塔丽·杰斯特罗·亨利的消息。