Lorelei

---

Creatures of the deep have no eyes

because sunlight never reaches

their world.

In this infinite darkness,

death and silence reign.

Yet they endure,

nurturing the resilient light of "hope".

July 18th, Western Pacific

Japanese waters

USS Bonefish

Gato-class submarine

USS Fleischer

Destroyer

Lorelei

August 6th, 08:
15

Lt. Commander Masami?

You've read Dostoevsky's

"Crime and Punishment"?

Perhaps...

The story of Raskolnikov

who kills an old loan shark

then is consumed by guilt.

August 6th, 15:
00

Yokosuka Naval Base

Remember who it was

he really wanted to kill?

No.

Really...

That's a shame.

Pardon me.

I'm Asakura of Naval Command.

You need no introduction, Sir.

By the way...

You heard about today's

atom bomb on Hiroshima?

Yes.

A ruthless and indiscriminate weapon

that will change world history.

You've been shore-based how long?

Nearly 3 years.

"Captain Coward", right?

Why did you oppose

Kamikaze attacks?

I refuse to call 'suicide' a strategy.

We invest so much in our young men

it's wasteful to throw away

that military potential.

Let's speak frankly.

I don't need a "yes-man".

You abhor the pointless

waste of young lives.

But what if ordered

to deploy suicide tactics?

I have a vital mission.

The US cruiser Indianapolis

was caught off Tinian

and sunk by our subs.

Sadly she'd already delivered

her cargo which was...

an atomic bomb.

Probably the one used on Hiroshima.

For the Yanks, the bomb

was maybe a demonstration.

But if they have more, we're finished.

One of our experts, Mr. Takasu...

He brought something back

from Germany.

Follow me.

This...

is the I-507. An experimental ship

given to us by Germany.

I-507...

A masterpiece of Nazi science,

it's our last hope.

Lt. Commander Masami.

I hereby assign you

command of the I-507

Stop the next atom bomb.

You sail at 0500.

Save Japan from annihilation.

06:
30 August 7th- Uraga Straits

I'm honored to serve with you again.

Enemy ahead. Dive in 60 seconds.

Prepare to dive.

All hands forward.

He runs like a coward, after all.

Engines full stop.

I can't read German.

Can anyone stop this damn thing?

What are you waiting for?

Move your asses!

Engine room, I said stop!

Only one thing for it...

That did the trick!

Depth reading.

We're at dive depth.

Open all vents.

Open all vents.

Depth, 21...

Depth, 21...

Pitch 5 degrees.

Depth, 21...

Attention all hands.

You heard about yesterday's

atom bomb on Hiroshima.

Our mission gives us the chance

to prevent further atomic attacks.

As you know, it's my first sortie

in 3 years.

It's a new ship... we're undermanned.

and you misfits are lucky bastards

to have survived this far.

I know they're not ideal conditions.

But the survival of our homeland

rests on your shoulders.

I don't care what's hiding in your past.

Understood?

Your presence aboard means

you're our nation's last hope.

Don't forget it. Do your utmost.

If your heart's not in it,

own up without shame...

I'll send you home

out of the forward tubes.

Keep working.

Some call me a "coward"

but don't worry.

You're in good hands.

We will complete our mission.

We will make it home.

About that drill...

A drill, huh...

I timed it at 62 seconds.

And you?

The same.

I want it down to 45.

Do not drop your guard.

Survival is about not giving up.

I hate this guy. What's his problem

with kamikaze tactics...

No respect for us

manned torpedo pilots?

Too many fine words...

Behind there, our torpedoes await.

We'll be ordered to attack soon.

That's the secret mini-sub.

No, torpedoes, surely...

Who's wasting precious air?

You again. Names?

Special Assault Squad, pfc Origasa.

Same... pfc Kiyonaga.

Kamikaze torpedo crew, huh?

I'll nail courage into you.

Stand to attention.

Perhaps it's unwise

to hit men before their mission.

Hold your tongue.

Who'd you think you are?

What's going on?

Sir, please tell us our mission.

Don't speak out of turn.

Return to your posts.

You two, report to me later.

Sorry for that. It's a motley crew...

Did you know?

No.

No-one told me of

suicide corps on my ship.

My apologies.

They're pilots of the mini-sub.

Meaning...

it's a suicide weapon?

No.

It's a tracking device.

If sonar is a ship's ears,

Lorelei is its eyes.

The Germans named it

after a mythic witch,

"Lorelei"

Imperial Navy Headquarters

August 7th, 09:
25

August 7th, 09:
25

Today at 0500,

the I-507 set sail in secret.

Whose orders?

Captain Asakura's, I believe.

Where is he now?

We don't know. We're searching.

The best cadet the Naval Academy

ever produced.

He's been a wild card

since he fought in the South Pacific.

We must track him down.

Figure out who's helping him.

Director of Intelligence,

it's your direct responsibility.

We arrive here by end of day on 11th.

We'll test Lorelei, the new sonar.

We're to sink the ship

carrying the new atom bomb

and shut enemy sea lanes.

Our nation's survival depends on us.

Gentlemen, I'm counting on you.

I wonder how good this Lorelei is?

No need to worry.

The Lorelei system is infallible.

But don't forget our orders.

"Avoid the enemy at all costs"

Capt. Asakura was most specific.

August 7th, 22:
55

Hachijojima

Bearing 185, 52 degrees.

Your picture...

If only they'd been evacuated...

Life rarely goes as planned.

I'm supposed to be a star pitcher.

Hey...

Hear something?

Here it is.

Want to see inside?

Then we'll know what our mission is...

Go ahead. I'll keep watch.

Aren't you going?

I'm doing this for you.

I don't recall asking...

Go on.

Okay, okay...

Who are you?

Don't!

Drop it!

Enemy sighted.

All hands, battle stations.

Depth to 21

Distance 6 to 8,000.

Down scope.

They know our position.

Do we wait it out on the bottom?

There's no time.

Okay, let's give Lorelei a try.

But...

We must test the ship's potential.

Unless you have an objection?

Release the mini-sub.

Pilots please board.

Pfc Origasa to the mini-sub.

Private, do you hear me?

I'm already on board.

It handles much the same

as the suicide torpedo.

But the controls are

more sensitive.

Yes, Sir, but...

Maintain 80m separation

to avoid collision.

The mini-sub's fragile...

Take care when you detach.

Are you ready to launch?

Yes.

Start launch procedure.

Flood access tube.

Get to your post!

Standby power on.

Starting up.

Check access hatch.

Commence launch.

Rudder controls released.

Restraints away.

Distance 75... 80m.

Stopping power.

Maintain distance.

Maximum amplification.

Engage Lorelei.

All hands, stand by.

Lorelei pinpoints every ship in the sea.

Lets us pick them off, one by one.

This is the surrounding seascape.

How far can it see?

In normal conditions, 120 miles.

Bearing 210, 5,500 meters...

Three destroyers.

Heading the same way?

Unbelievable... direction AND range...

Sonar, check bearing 210...

Searching...

Three of them.

Probably destroyers.

Exactly right.

Same bearing... closing in.

Let's strike first. Battle stations.

Rate this script:0.0 / 0 votes