“Gentlemen,” said Yamamoto, “do not waste your considerable energies on each other. We have common foes, perhaps closer than we realize. Commander Hidaka, Major Brasch, I need the technical analysis to continue. Your Captain Kruger can oversee that process, Major. I want you two, however, to concentrate on historical material pertaining to this war. Lieutenant Moertopo, I am led to believe that a wealth of such material remains within your electronic library.”

“Yes, yes of course.”

“Good, then,” Yamamoto declared. “Waste no more time. I will see you in four days, when you will explain to me and me alone exactly what would have gone wrong for us in this war, and how you think we might avoid those mistakes. I may or may not heed your advice, but nevertheless, I expect you to give a full report. Spare nobody in your censure. Not me, not the cabinet, and not even the führer himself, Herr Major. That is why you shall report to nobody but me. I expect that if you perform this task properly, it could cost you your lives. I shall try to see to it that doesn’t happen.”

Yamamoto grinned wickedly at that. Brasch seemed to appreciate the joke more than Hidaka. Moertopo didn’t find it funny in the least.

“Yet, there is the matter of my shadow,” said Brasch. “Herr Steckel is a true believer, convinced of the führer’s infallibility. He will not appreciate this new line of inquiry.”

“We shall see,” replied Yamamoto.

Chapter 22

22

USS HILLARY CLINTON, PEARL HARBOR, 1021 HOURS, 9 JUNE 1942

Ensign Curtis had a new job. No longer just the assistant bookkeeper on the Enterprise, he and Lieutenant Commander Black had been assigned to the Clinton to undergo “familiarization,” learning the basics of operating with the Multinational Force. Having done so, they would train their colleagues on the Enterprise. The idea of Wally Curtis having anything to teach some of those old salts back on the Big E was enough to keep him awake at night. They were going to eat him alive. He was just sure of it.

But then, Admiral Spruance had personally told him that his quick thinking at Midway had singled him out as a young man who could adapt to change under pressure, and that was something they were all going to have to work on. And he did have Commander Black along to look after him.