Against the Tide Imperial: The Struggle for Ceylon (The Usurper's War: An Alternative World War II B by James Young (classic book list .txt) 📗

There's something he's not telling me.

"We cannot offer you a parole or any similar repatriations," Yamaguchi stated. "Indeed, at present we would likely have to place your men in temporary holding while we arranged shipping for you to be returned to more permanent camps in Siam or Burma."

Wavell's face showed a moment of hesitation and surprise as he looked at the RAF officer beside him.

"We were under the impression that the Usurper's government had arranged parole with the Emperor himself," Wavell stated. "At least, that is what was communicated to us…"

"That is what was stated to us by an emissary from His Majesty's Government," the RAF officer stated hurriedly. "That all of us would be repatriated by shipping arranged by King Edward's government pursuant to your handover of Ceylon to His Majesty's forces."

"What?!" Nara roared, standing up. Yamaguchi did not even bother looking at the man as he considered regarding Wavell.

"I do not know what has been negotiated between our governments," Yamaguchi stated simply. "What I do know is that the Imperial Japanese Navy currently controls the waters surrounding this island and the Army is in the process of wresting control of it from your forces."

Yamaguchi looked at Nara, his face impassive as he waited for the Army officer to sit back down. Face flush and hand gripping his sword, Nara returned to his chair.

While Nara having a stroke would be amusing, the likely outcome would be a bloodletting that is helpful to no one at the moment, Yamaguchi thought.

"Given those circumstances, what King Edward's government may or may not have negotiated is of little concern to myself or Lieutenant General Nara," Yamaguchi stated. "I can promise you that if you surrender, here and now, your men will not be mistreated. The Imperial Japanese Navy will personally guarantee their safety."

The rattle of Nara's sword vibrating against his chair was audible to all present.

"However, as you have noted, we have defeated all Allied forces in the area," Yamaguchi continued. "Every day you make us resist is another day that we will have to expend supplies and shipping for Lieutenant General Nara's forces. Eventually, those ships will dwindle as we conduct other operations."

Yamaguchi smiled, and hoped Wavell could tell there was no mirth in his expression.

"Which, of course, means when you do surrender there will be far less available shipping for prisoners' supplies or transport," Yamaguchi said. "Then, of course, we just may have to let the Army take certain expediencies in order to preserve our own soldiers' rations and those of the civilian populace."

"You bastard," Wavell said, starting to stand up. The IJA soldiers behind Nara and Yamaguchi starting to raise their rifles caused the man to think better of whatever he was planning.

"I realize it may be difficult for you to accept that Ceylon is, shall we say, under a different sun than the British Empire's," Yamaguchi stated. "But we did not suffer our own losses just to hand this island over to anyone, much less so your men could go be employed elsewhere."

"Even if that elsewhere is fighting against your Soviet enemies?" the RAF man snapped.

Yamaguchi raised an eyebrow.

Well that's a surprising twist.

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Nara turning to face him. The Army officer’s eyes were narrowed, as if he too realized there was something very amiss.

Seems like there is a bit of both alliances having countries with their own interests. Or, alternatively, what we've heard about the Germans tying grain shipments to British participation in war is true.

"I leave that for the diplomats to figure out, Field Marshal..?" Yamaguchi said, his voice rising to indicate he did not recognize the man.

"Air Marshal Boyd," the man spat. "His Majesty's government."

Ah yes, I forgot their Royal Air Force has their own flag rank. Very foolish of me.

Wavell looked at his companion with no small bit of annoyance.

"Dangerous decision to come to an island without notifying your erstwhile allies," Yamaguchi said. "Nevertheless, I am glad to meet the emissary in question."

"King Edward has been quite clear in his communications with your government as to expectations regarding this island," Boyd continued. "Your ambassador in London was rather reticent to commit to any course of action, so I was dispatched here on behalf of the rightful government."

Yamaguchi kept his face impassive even as he felt goosebumps raise along his arms.

How in the Hell did you get here?! I will have to speak to Ozawa-san regarding his patrols.

"So, as an allied officer now under my command, I will have to formally request that you leave these proceedings," Yamaguchi stated, then turned to Nara. "I assume you can provide Air Marshal Boyd with an escort back to your headquarters?"

Boyd looked positively apoplectic at Yamaguchi's statement.

"I am not under your command," the man sputtered, starting to color.

"Well, then the alternative is you are here as a spy, Air Marshal Boyd," Yamaguchi said. "Lieutenant General Nara, what is Imperial Army policy on spies?"

"We shoot them out of hand," Nara said eagerly. He turned and spoke in rapid fire Japanese to the men behind him. A lieutenant responded with an abrupt "Hai!" and began drawing the Nambu pistol at his waist. Yamaguchi noted the well-disciplined officer kept the weapon pointed down at the ground until he was standing beside Nara. The weapon's cocking was loud as he began to bring the pistol up to aim at the senior British officer.

"What?!" Boyd stated. "You cannot just shoot me! I am–"

Yamaguchi was proud of himself for not flinching, either at the shot or Boyd's scream as the pistol round struck him in the chest. Wavell sprang backwards, holding his hands up as the two officers behind him immediately began to reach for weapons that were no longer at their sides. The Japanese lieutenant, for his part, cursed and rapidly fired