The Iceman returns (Poor bastard)

[Sachmle]

March 30th, 1912 0400hrs
Office of Contaalmirante Alejandro Bartolo y Juarez
Naval Station Rio Gallegos, Naciones Unidas

Alejandro sets at his desk ready the newspaper. Sitting next to the paper is his morning coffee and half a cigar. To himself he comments on the brewing trouble in the Mediterranean and thanks his lucky stars that he's nowhere near there. As he turns the page there is a knock at his door. Remembering the last time someone knocked at his door this early he quickly finishes his coffee and resumes chomping on the cigar.

Alejandro(Slowly rising to answer the door): I hear you one moment. (Opens the door and to his surprise and torment it's the same petty officer as the one who delivered the orders for him to sail the Straight of Magellan with 4 destroyers with suspect seakeeping and 2 PCs, one of which was practically running on one shaft in winter no less.)

Petty Officer Marquez: Sir! (snaps to salute).

At ease. And to what purpose does this little visit entail?

Sir, wireless from Bahia Blanca.

(Cigar falls from his mouth, landing on his shoe.) Mi dios, deben odiarme realmente!

Sir? Who hates you?

Almirante Torres and Ministro Rodriquez.

Sir, I doubt that they 'hate' you.

Deliver this wireless to Capitan Morales and tell him to call the yard boss and order full supplies, fuel, and feed water. Tell him I'll be down to the yard as soon as I finish some paperwork.

Contraalmirante, if I may. What is going on?

We're being dispatched to the other side of the goddamn ocean, that's what.

Sir, for what possible purpose?

To pick up a very special lady, one that we've been waiting 4 years for.

Sir? What lady could be so important to go across the ocean for, and why us?

Islas Malvinas will be ready for sea trial on May 3rd and we're being dispatched to Brest, France to pick her up. We'll have to make room for the extra crew on all the ships to man her once we get there. All told I figure roughly 400 additional crew will have to be squeezed onto are 2 cruisers and 10 destroyers. And I figure there sending us because they hate me, but also because the D-100s have almost 2 and ¼ times the range of the La Rioja's up in La Plata.

I see. Will that be all sir?

No, let Capt Morales know that we'll be leaving port as soon as possible, probably tomorrow morning.

Aye, aye sir.

Alejandro salutes the young man as he runs off towards the docks and then bends down to pick up his cigar. After brushing off his shoe he heads back inside for his lighter.

(To himself) Why me? What did I do to them to deserve this? Why do they always send me on these 'excursions' right where all hell is breaking loose. Father was right, I should have joined the Army.

[Sachmle]

April 27th 1912 1050hrs
Bridge of PC Nueva Alborada
Dockside Brest, France

Almirante Bartolo: Well, finally we've arrived.

Capt Morales: All lines are secure Sir. Should I muster the crew to go ashore?

Yes, but remind them to be on their best behavior. I don't want to offend our French friends, not with those sitting there. (Motions towards the French BBs sitting at dock)

Of course Almirante. They will be excellent ambassadors of our homeland while we're here. Should I escort Capt Jimenez to his ship, or will you?

I'll take him. You can see the yard boss and assure full stores are placed on all the ships.

Yes Sir. Will there be anything else before I muster the crew Sir?

No, that will be all. Leave me 4 or 5 strong men, probably from the evening stokers. I have some things that need moved.

Sir?

I'll be transferring my flag to Islas Malvinas before we leave port. I may never set foot on a Battleship again so I'm taking this opportunity.

Yes Sir.

[Sachmle]

April 27th 1912 1200hrs
Office of Captain Georges La Martel
Brest, France

Capt La Martel: Almirante, I hope your trip was well.

Almirante Bartolo: As well as can be expected. We did see some interesting things along the way.

Really, such as?

Well there was this Dutch cruiser, or frigate, or whatever they call them near Lisbon on the way up. Just chattering away about any ship she saw.

Ah yes, we've heard of her. I believe she is the Count der Assen if I'm not mistaken.

Seems rather un-neutral to me for them to be broadcasting the location and movement of every Iberian ship they see.

Yes, I tend to agree, but alas, what can one do about other nations and their actions. As long as her activities don't harm French interests I have no issues with her.

Yes I suppose you're right. Well on to more pressing matters. Do you have any towed targets for the gunners that will be manning Islas Malvinas to practice on, and could we possibly use them? We will of course make financial reparations for any damage caused in their use.

I don't think that will be a problem, but aren't you taking her back to La Plata?

That is the plan, but it never hurts to be prepared.

Very well I'll see what arrangements can be made. When would you like to use them?

Towards the end of July after all the other bugs are worked out.

I'll see what can be done.

Thank you and have a nice afternoon.

You as well.

[Sachmle]

July 17, 1912
Off the coast of France
Inside the spotting top on Islas Malvinas

"Long!"
"Down 200"
screeeeeeeeeeeeech!
"What the hell was that!"
"It sounded like it came from 'Q' Sir."
"Gunnery Officer... 'Q' is jammed again Sir. She won't depress."
"Inform Capt Jimenez"
"Aye Sir"

[Sachmle]

July 27th, 1912
Off the coast of France, again
Spotting top of Islas Malvinas

"Hit"
"Excelente. Now lets see if we can get 4 in a row"
"Aye Sir"
"A, Q, and Y report ready to fire"
"Clear....fire!"
"Hit"
"Perfect. Finally it seems the kinks have been worked out with the new equipment"
"Yes it does."
"Capt Jimenez has ordered us to cease firing, he's returning to port."
"Very well"

[Sachmle]

July 30th, 1912
Brest, France
Almirante's quarters aboard Islas Malvinas

Bartolo: So, you are satisfied that all is well?

Jimenez: All my department chiefs report satisfactory performance on all critical systems.

Very well, inform the Harbour Master of our intention to depart as soon as all stores are full and send word to the other ships.

Aye, Sir.

[Sachmle]

July 31st, 1912
Just off Brest, France

Capt Jimenez, all ships report clear of the channel.

Jimenez: Very well. Helm set course for Ciudad George, 12kts.

Helm: Aye Sir.


August 13th, 1912
Ciudad George, Gran Columbia

"All moorings are set."

Jimenez: "Very well. Assemble the crew. We should have until tomorrow for some shore leave. The crew should be feeling more at home here than in France, all those pasty fellows and their strange tongue."

"Aye Sir"


August 26th, 1912
La Plata, NUS

Bartolo: "Finally, home."

Jimenez: "Yes, it is nice to be home again. Will you be returning to Rio Gallegos in the morning?"

"As of right now, I have no orders as to where I'm going. One would presume that I'll be taking 2nd Scouting out tomorrow and heading home, yes."

A young ensign appears on the bridge, holding a  teletype.
"Sirs. I have a telegram from Bahia Blanca for Almirante Bartolo"

"Here, let me have it then. (reads it) Well, it appears we will be in your company for a while longer, Capt Jimenez."

"Sir?"

"Our fine little fleet has been ordered to make for Rio Gallegos as soon as we're fueled and stocked. From there we are to proceed to *CENSORED* at best speed and refuel."

"What is going on? Why would we go there?"

"That is just a fuel stop, we are to then proceed to *CENSORED* and await further orders."

"Mierda! That's where *CENSORED* is supposed to be."

"Yes, I'm aware of that."

[Sachmle]

September 15th, 1912
Off the Northwest coast of *CENSORED*

Bartolo: Well there's one more stop along the way and then we'll be in *CENSORED*.

Jimenez: Yes, and hopefully the next one will be less 'interesting'. Those locals seemed rather interested in the Neuva's and the D-100s.

Bartolo: Yes, very. From what I gathered from *CENSORED* they have no vessels that can even approach 27kts. I feel sorry for them if they ever pick a fight with the *CENSORED* or the *CENSORED*.

Jimenez: Yes, especially the *CENSORED*, they seem to think speed is armour and use it almost to an extreme.

Bartolo: Yes, but I've looked over the reports on their losses from the Pacific War and their theory doesn't seem to hold water, unlike many of their ships.

Jimenez: Yes, rather painful lesson, I'm sure.

Bartolo: I'm going to my cabin to study the intelligence reports, alert me if anything comes up.

Jimenez: Yes, Almirante.

[Desertfox]

Let me guess... ;)

Northwest coast of New Guinea

We'll be in Phillipines

Maoria has no vessels that approach 27knots

They pick a fight with the DKB or the Swiss

Especially the Swiss

;D

I know I got at least the last right!

Bartolo: Yes, but I've looked over the reports on their losses from the Pacific War and their theory doesn't seem to hold water, unlike many of their ships.

The irony is that I hardly lost any ship due to paper thin armor. The preeminent exponent of assymetrical warfare, torpedoes, and mines, lost the majority of its ships to just those causes!

[Sachmle]

September 23rd, 1912
10nm west of Pago Pago

Jimenez: THAT was a tender?

Bartolo: So the Columbian's say. Rather large wouldn't you say.

Yes, very. I wonder how much coal she holds?

I'm not sure, perhaps I'll try and find out once we get home. Well, our bunkers are full, and our stocks are better than half, hopefully this will be an uneventful leg of the journey.

Yes, I hope so too. She's quite a ship, but I'd hate to see the look on Almirante Torres face if we scratch the paint.

Well, yes, that would be an interesting conversation, but we were sent to do a job, and if she gets damaged doing that job, well he'd have to have expected the possibility.

True, but that doesn't mean he won't be upset with us.

He's always upset with me anyway, so what should it matter. It's not like I knew who she was.

Sir?

Old stories for a different time Capitan.

Yes sir. It's time to make our turn anyway. Helm. Come to course 312, speed 12 knots.

Helmsman: Aye Capitan. Coming to course 312. Engine room answers bells for 12 knots.

Capt Jimenez: Very well.

*OOC Almost there*

[The Rock Doctor]

They're big so I can fit flight decks to them in a couple years...

Kidding.  I like the dialogue there.

[Sachmle]

They're big so I can fit flight decks to them in a couple years...

:o

Kidding.  I like the dialogue there.

THX

[Sachmle]

October 2nd, 1912
22nm SE of Zamboanga Philippines

Ships lookout on foretop of NNU San Carlos de Bariloche: It's her alright, tell the Capitan.

Teniente de Crucero Ramirez: Capitan, they've spotted Islas Malvinas. They say she's about 27,000 yards ESE of us. Heading appears to be 311, speed 12 knots.

Capitan de Crucero Humberto Castilla: Very well. Sound the ships whistle to let the other know the sighting is friendly and send for Vicealmirante Marquez.

Ramirez: Aye sir.

The reverberating sound of the ships whistle sends many men scrambling to see what's going on.

Vicealmirante Enrique Marquez: What is going on Cpt Castilla?

Castilla: We've spotted Islas Malvinas approaching from the ESE.

Marquez: Good, good. Let us make speed and meet her. Send a signal and advise Contraalmirante Bartolo I'll be coming aboard once we're tied along side.

Castilla: Aye. Radio, send the signal.

Radioman: Aye Capitan.

[Sachmle]

October 2nd, 1912
16nm SE of Zamboanga Philippines
Bridge of NNU Islas Malvinas

Teniente de Navio Paniagua: Almirante on the bridge!
everyone on the bridge snaps to attention and salutes

Vizealmirante Marquez: At ease.
walks over to Contraalmirante Bartolo
So, Alejandro, this is Islas Malvinas. Muy bueno. The French seem to have done a wonderful job. As have you getting her here so expediently. We were not expecting you for another week.

Contaalmirante Bartolo: Well Enrique, she handles like an armoured cruiser, and no seas have bothered her yet. We did encounter some rough weather and had to slow for the destroyers, but nothing major. How has the situation here been?

Marquez: Quiet, too quiet. We've seen no suspicious ships at all. It appears the Dutch AC that was milling about has disappeared into the NOI.

Bartolo: Well, that may be for the best anyway. Do we really want to be in a firefight with the Dutch this far from home? I'm sure the Iberians would assist us in getting some repairs here, but I presume we'd have to get to Rosario or Bahia Blanca for real repairs.

Marquez: Possible, but El Presidente sent us here to do a job, and we shall do that job, no matter what.

Bartolo: Of course, I didn't mean that we should shy from action, just that inaction isn't a bad thing.

Marquez: SarcasticlyYes, I'm sure you did. In any event, as the senior officer here, I'm transferring my flag to Islas Malvinas. You may transfer yours to San Carlos. I'll arrange for you personals to be transferred as soon as mine are secured.

Bartolo: Aye, sir. Will that be all.

Marquez: Yes, that will be all. Dismissed.

Bartolo grumbles to himself, just out of earshot: Pendajo.