Stepping onto the deck, he leaned against a bulkhead and savored a breeze that cooled his damp skin. Huge propellers churned the water at the stern of the ship. Closing his eyes, he thought of Alaska. The first snows had probably already fallen, and the hunting season was in full swing. He imagined himself in the high country, his cheeks burning from the cold and his sights set on a mountain sheep. The ram would be resting on a craggy ledge, fall sunshine illuminating his heavy, white coat. He would hold huge curling horns aloft with pride.
Luke heard voices and opened his eyes just as someone shouldered past him. “Hey!” Luke yelled. “Watch it…” His eyes focused on the offender. “Barry? Barry from the Nevada?”
“Luke? Is that you?”
“Barry! For crying out loud, what are you doing here?”
Each man gripped the other's arm.
“I can't believe it's you!” Luke said. “How'd you end up on the Wasp?”
“Put in for it.” Barry grinned. “I told you I'd be back.”
“You look good.”
“I feel good. Healed up just like the doc said, and here I am.” He let loose of Luke. “I heard the ship's been in the Atlantic dodgin' U-boats.”
“Yep. We've had a real ride, all right, but so far so good. We managed to sink a few along the way. Now we watch for Nip Zeros and Kamikazes.” He pulled his wet shirt away from his body. “I'd rather be in the Atlantic. Me and the heat don't get along.”
Glancing at another sailor, Barry hefted his sea bag to his shoulder. “This is Lance. He was showing me around.”
“I'll take over for you,” Luke said.
“Fine by me.” Lance headed down the corridor.
“Thanks,” Barry called after him, then turned to Luke. “Landing on this can is real interesting.” He shook his head. “Whew. What an experience.”
“Yeah. Planes come in pretty fast. A couple of days ago one of the flight crew fell overboard while signaling a plane down. Guess he wasn't paying attention.”
“They fish him out?”
“Well, he didn't go far. He fell into a safety net. He was more embarrassed than anything.” Barry's open, friendly face crinkled into a smile. “Never thought I'd see you again,” Luke said, suddenly choked up. “Good to have you aboard, old friend.”
“Figured you needed someone to look after you.”
“I'm fine. It's you we got to worry about.”
The two friends quieted and stared at the Pacific.
“Maybe we'll sail home together after the war's over,” Luke said. “Hope it's soon. I'm a little tired of watching and waiting for torpedoes, knowing that sooner or later they're coming.”
“I'm ready for a fight. Been on leave long enough. Heck, I figure if I was supposed to get it I would have kicked the bucket back at Pearl Harbor.”
“You were pretty shot up, all right.”
Barry shifted his eyes to the churning water. “Yeah.” He looked at Luke. “You off duty?”
“No. Just came up for some air.” He raised an eyebrow. “You'll see.”
“I need to store my gear.”
A horn brayed. Barry dropped his duffel bag. “What's going on?”
“Probably spotted a sub or Jap plane.” Luke ran for the stairway. He took the steps two at a time, then hurried down a corridor. Barry followed. Both men fell easily into their assigned duties and checked doors and fire hoses as they made their way through the ship. Rewinding a hose, Luke said, “This sea is crawling with Japs. We're always on alert.”
A bell sounded, signaling the all clear. “False alarm,” Luke said flatly. “You get all pumped up and ready for battle, then nothin'.” He shrugged. “Can't complain. I've seen plenty of action.”
He moved down the passageway and Barry followed. “Doesn't stay quiet around here for too long. A week and a half ago a kamikaze was headed right at us. I figured we were done for. I started praying. God must have heard ‘cause that Jap splashed into the sea right off the bow.”
“I'd say God's watching over you, old buddy.” Barry slapped Luke's back.
“I pray he keeps it up.”
Barry and Luke sat in one of the safety nets off the flight deck. Sailors used them as hammocks. Time spent here was the best you could get on the ship. The steady breeze was refreshing, and the gentle sway of the nets was soothing. Luke gazed at a choppy sea. “Without escorts we'd be sitting ducks,” he said, nodding at a destroyer lying off starboard.
“Those poor slobs probably have some rough days,” Barry said as the accompanying ship dipped into a deep trough.
“Yep. When the seas get rough, the men strap into their bunks. Many a time I've been thankful I'm on a carrier.”
“Heard there's a typhoon bearing down on us now. Guess we're all in for a bumpy ride,” Barry said, apprehension touching his voice.
“Don't worry. The navy doesn't take its ships through foul weather unless there's no way around it.”
The contingent of ships skirted the worst of the storm, but the seas were rough. The destroyers bounced through waves as they continued their vigil over the aircraft carrier. Even the Wasp did its share of rolling. Many men were sick. Queasy and a bit green, Luke worked his shift with a bucket beside him. The hours passed slowly.
