0900 October 10th 1944.
North China Army Headquarters. Jinghong, China.
More good news arrived at Higashikuni's headquarters when the advance of Japanese forces into Luoyang was reported.
Once again Japanese stockpiles had grown considerably due to advances by his forces in mainland China. Another full month of energy supplies was amongst other resources taken.
Additional good news reported the move of the Chinese capital to Yichang province. Japanese troops were already marching towards this province having defeated its defenders.
The news got even better at 1700 hours.
Advances by forces in the north of China had now completely enveloped the Communist and Nationalist center. Time was now all that was needed to defeat these enemies.
Reinforcements had also begun to arrive in Thom Buri with Lt. General Kozuki the first to arrive with his two infantry divisions. These would be further reinforced by the two marine divisions heading north from Kra.
2200 October 10th 1944.
BB Division 1 Flagship. IJN Yamashiro, Bangka Strait.
With the american fleet apparently heading away from the area Yamamoto had resumed his defence of the Bangka Strait. Aircraft were still picking up Kinkaid's fleet periodically.
The latest report had him heading south between Borneo and the Celebes. It was possible he was heading back towards Singapore but only time would tell.
0000 October 11th 1944.
Diplomatic Offices. Tokyo, Japan.
Mamoru had been waiting for the German Ambassador to return to Japan after a trip back to his home Country.
He brokered another deal, using a large part of Japan's raw material reserves, that would see the remaining technology of Germany passing to Japanese scientists for further examintion.
0200 October 12th 1944.
The Skies Above the North Mariana Trench.
American Strategic bombers had been systematically destroying the anti-aircraft defences of Saipan for several days.
Mj. General Fukui had been moved to Guam to provide air cover and he found the bombers over the sea as they headed back to base. The bombers had already suffered some damage to the anti-aircraft batteries on Saipan. Fukui and his fellow pilots made sure the damage increased, although his own aircraft would need some time for repairs after the combat as well.
Other Japanese aircraft had been very busy spotting a variety of different small fleets all around southern and central Indonesia. They had been too busy to keep an accurate track of Kinkaid and the USS Wasp.
Yamamoto now had no choice but to fight the Carrier during daylight. It was raining fairly heavily which made things considerably better for BB Division 1.
The 4th Destroyer Division sank within an hour leaving USS Wasp and its two Light Carriers with no screening ships. IJN Hyuga sank the Destroyer division.
Shortly before Kinkaid managed to open the range and escape the USS Wasp also succumed to Japanese shells. IJN Ise would provide the final fatal blow to Admiral Kinkaid's flagship. The two Light Carriers had also received severe damage during the last hour of the battle but both would escape despite a short chase by Yamamoto.
0100 October 14th 1944.
Diplomatic Offices. Tokyo, Japan.
Some very disturbing reports had been arriving on Mamoru's desk over the last two days and he had been trying to piece them all together to provide an accurate picture before he would need to make a report on his findings. The Head of Intelligence, Koiso Kiniaki, had also been camping out in his office and comparing notes from his agents to that of Mamoru's envoys.
"We are agreed then?" asked Mamoru.
"Yes." replied Kiniaki. "Do you want to make the call or shall I?"
"I will." replied Mamoru picking up the phone and asking to be connected to the Prime Ministers office.
"Prime Minister I would like to have an emergency meeting of the Cabinet called immediately. Both Minister Kiniaki and myself have urgent news that cannot wait until the formal meeting in two weeks time." Mamoru told Hideki. After a brief pause as he waited for an answer he continued. "Yes I am sure its urgent, I am not about to waste the Emperors time or mine on triviality."
"Thirty minutes is enough time, yes." he replied after finally getting the answer he required.
"Let me guess he was busy." said Kiniaki sarcastically.
"Apparently so. Shall we go, it will take us most of the thirty minutes to get to the Imperial Palace."
"We may as well."