“There are nearly a hundred and fifty of these on the Sutanto,” he said. “Just one would be of untold value to our scientists and engineers. As Major Brasch has pointed out, we cannot hope to build one. But they are such powerful machines in their own right that they can help us develop—what did you call it, Major, precursive technologies.”

“Precursor,” Brasch said in a monotone.

“Yes. Moertopo tells me the number calculator in these machines can perform a trillion mathematical operations in the blink of an eye. Then there are the even larger computers, and the signaling devices, and the automatic rifles, and—”

Yamamoto held up his hands.

“I take your point, Commander. And on that point I have some good news for a change.”

The other two men reacted in their own ways—Hidaka sitting up ramrod straight, while Brasch reclined in his lounge seat and raised an eyebrow.

“I have been keeping something from you. We have found another ship,” said Yamamoto. “The Sutano’s sister ship in fact.”

“But where?” gasped Hidaka.

Yamamoto smiled. The small lines at the corner of his eyes crinkled with honest delight. “On top of a mountain in New Guinea,” he said, shaking his head at the outlandish notion.

“My God,” breathed Brasch.

“Indeed, Major. Her stern is buried in the mountainside. I’m told she looks like she’s sinking right into the earth. There is unfortunately no chance of digging her out. The metal has somehow fused with the rock. As did many of the crew. However, a unit of the Kempeitai is stripping her down.”

“Were there survivors?” asked Brasch.

“Initially.” Yamamoto nodded. “Oh, it’s not what you think, Major,” he hastened to add. “The conditions up there were quite inhospitable. Most of the crew died from exposure while still comatose. I understand we have saved five or six men. They are on their way here now.”

Hidaka was fairly bounding from his seat.

“This is excellent news,” he said. “We have doubled our gains!”

The grand admiral of the Combined Fleet sighed.

“But we will soon lose the advantage of surprise,” he said. “Australian militia scurry about that country like ants. They will soon get word back to MacArthur or Nimitz. And then, my friends, the game will be on in earnest.

“So, Hidaka, by all means, strip the Sutanto. You can start now if you wish. But I want an operational recommendation within two days. If we are to bring off a Kessen Kantai, we must strike before Nimitz.”

Both men left the office to return to their research. Hidaka, with action in the offing, could hardly contain his natural restlessness. Brasch found it irritating, but said nothing.