October 7, 1948
Takayanagi Masao looked around the bridge of his current ship. For the 44 year old captain from Osaka, Yamato was quite different from his previous command, the battleship Nagato. It had been about a week since he had taken over command of the Yamato from Aruga Kōsaku who had been promoted to Rear Admiral last month. Aruga was familiar with Takayanagi's work aboard the Nagato and was confident that the new skipper would have no problems with the new ship under his command.
"Beware of the Admiral, though," Aruga had warned him.
From his position on the bridge, Takayanagi looked to his right where Admiral Togo Ryoko was sleeping in her chair on the bridge. He knew that Admiral Togo had made the Yamato her flagship for a mission back in 1945 which, at least according to her, had been completed back then. Regardless, she was still using the Yamato as her flagship and he was told by other members of the crew that she could be a real pain at times, although one would not guess that seeing her sleep like this.
The Yamato had come to the Okino Kita Iwa Firing Range for some gunnery exercise. As it was the closest firing range to China, being less than 100 miles from Formosa, Yamato's presence here was seen by some as a statement to China that Japan was always watching them, ready to jump in should they try something foolish again.
Takayanagi was listening in on the radio operator who was trying to get things sorted out with the Kita Kojima communications post. Takayanagi always found it amusing whenever he heard radio telephony messages being relayed that made use of the Phonetic Alphabet as used by the US Navy as those words stuck out like a sore thumb among all the Japanese that was being broadcasted. It worked and many in the Navy agreed that if it wasn't broken, there was no need to fix it. Especially the 'King King' part which was Kita Kojima's call sign made the captain smile.
"
Yoke-Mike-Tare to Sector Zero Four," the soft crackling from the radio then announced.
"Sir. We are cleared to enter the range," the radio operator told. "Kita Kojima informed that we are to proceed to Sector 04 where a target is ready for us."
Takayanagi gave a nod and the radio operator relayed the acknowledgement back to the communications post on Kita Kojima.
"Change heading to 2-1-0," Takayanagi relayed to the conning tower through the speaking tube that connected the battle bridge with the Conning tower.
"2-1-0. Roger," was the reply.
As the large battleship slowly turned to its new heading, Takayanagi noticed from the corner of his eye that Ryoko stirred and woke up. "Admiral. We have arrived and are currently moving into position for the firing exercise," Takayanagi told her.
"Good," Ryoko replied as she got up. "I guess I will go up to take a look at the proceedings." She then proceeded to the back of the combat bridge and took the ladder up to the air defense command station.
(
proceed to firing exercise)