As I Go to the Sea
By Hanzhen Teng
Cast of Characters
VICE ADMIRAL YAMA a 49-Year-old male who has served in the Navy for 30 years. He has a plain naval watch.
REAR ADMIRAL KA a 48-Year-old male who has served in the Navy for 27 years. They both graduated from the Naval Academy.
Their passion for patriotism makes them take duties extremely seriously, and they consider honor more important than their own lives.
Setting
Midway, 1942.
SCENE FOUR
About thirty minutes later, YAMA, KA and other staff officers are still waiting for the information from the attack group. Yama stands on the platform near the ship bridge while looking up to the national flag waving in the wind. Ka comes out and stands by Yama.
KA: It strikes with the screaming wind. (referring to the flag)
YAMA: And now those sea eagles are fighting with the horrendous waves. (referring to the pilots)
The transmission of a successful attack reaches the staff officers, and all start to cheer. One staff officer informs Yama and Ka about this success.
KA: Good job boys! (cheering) Just within half an hour! They didn’t let us down! Kami is on our side! Yama, we shall win the battle!
YAMA: What a great attack! These brave sea eagles broke the waves and returned back to the sky!
Another staff officer comes to inform Yama and Ka of the enemy casualty and the loss of the attack group. Yama suddenly becomes serious since he realizes the battle isn’t over yet.
YAMA: Gents, (calling staff officers) our attacking force destroyed one of their aircraft carriers, that is all due to every pilot's effort at the frontline, for those who lost their lives but made accomplishments in this mission … now, let’s give them a moment of silence. (taking off his hat)
Yama’s voice is broadcasted to the whole crew, and all crew members remain in silence for a moment. Then all go back to their positions.
KA: They became blooming cherry blossoms, scattered in front of Kami’s shrine…
SCENE FIVE
Dozens of aircraft can be seen far away from the ship bridge, they slowly approach the fleet under the flaming sunset and thin clouds. Those are the enemy attack groups coming for revenge. The battle command is conveyed to the crew members again.
YAMA: (somber expression) It seems they have more aircraft than we do. That will definitely be a tough battle.
KA: Their attack groups will arrive here in five minutes. Shall we launch our last four fighters?
YAMA: Launch them as quickly as possible! We must catch any potential opportunities!
The fighters are ready to take off, but an unexpected enemy attack group appears right above the fleet and dive down through the clouds.
YAMA: (roaring) All prepare for impact!
The bombs shook the entire aircraft carrier and destroyed the front deck. Yama and Ka are almost thrown up to the ceiling in the sound of explosion, and they drop from the midair.
YAMA: Kami … why did you fool me…? (getting up from the floor with difficulty) Is everyone alright? (looking around the room)
KA: I am (a beat) fine. My leg got hurt a little. That was a big impact …
Yama helps Ka up carefully and pulls other staff officers up.
KA: Yama! Forget me, go check the damage! (leaning against the wall)
YAMA: I’ll be right back! (walking to the platform)
The first thing that comes to Yama ’s sight is the deformed front deck with burning debris.
YAMA: Put out the fire as soon as possible! (yelling to the crew members working on the deck) Call the medicals to come here and rescue the wounded!
There are still several remaining planes above the fleet from the enemy attack group.
YAMA: Check the damages of our fighters on the de— (suddenly stopping while Yama realizes the deck is unable to launch fighters)
The thunder of launching and explosion of ammos appear again in the side of the deck. Ka walks out from the room and stands on the platform.
KA: (speaking weakly) What damages were we suffered? What’s the situation?
YAMA: (yelling to the deck) Ka, are you alright? Medical!
KA: (interrupting Yama) Nah … I don’t really need medical; let them help others first …
Yama looks at Ka for a while and agrees to Ka’s request. Then all devote to busy work.
SCENE SIX
Hours later, the hand of the clock on the wall points to 1:30 AM. In the past few hours, Yama, Ka, staff officers, and all crew members were trying to put out the fire and repair the damaged aircraft carrier. Fortunately, there were no enemy planes harassing the fleet.
KA: Commander, our crew did their best to save this aircraft carrier, but (a beat) Our ship lost her source of power (a beat) we have to evacuate …
YAMA: Such a meritorious ship. (a beat) Alright. (a beat) From now on, I have decided to abandon this aircraft carrier, and all crew members prepare to evacuate …
KA: Oh (a beat) my ship (a beat) she has accompanied me for years (a beat) (walking around the room and tries to see the front deck from the window)
The smoky clouds gradually disperse and the moonlight shines on the bridge.
YAMA: The light from Tenkoku ...
KA: Pure and bright …
YAMA: It will bring us to the shore of Tenkoku … and we shall bloom together in front of the shrine in Tenkoku.
Staff officers are asking Ka and Yama to evacuate together while they all walk down the bridge and stand under the banner waving in the night.
YAMA: No, gents (a beat) under my command, I failed to avert the tragedy and save those young men (a pause) I didn’t fulfill my duty as a commander (a beat) I will not live with the expense of honor. Staying on the ship will be my atonement. (Smiling at the staff officers)
KA: And I shall stand with him to the end. (With a determined look, all staff officers bow heads in silence).
YAMA: Don’t feel sorry for us … you all know an allusion, as the Kusunoki brothers failed to protect the Mikado. They sacrificed their lives to atone (a beat) “would that I had seven lives to give for my country!” That was what they said, (a beat) what they thought, (a beat) now, we just step on the trace of past ancestry.
KA: The Mikado has bestowed the honor upon us. We shall never fail in our duty (a beat) If we do, there is no way to confess, but death.
YAMA: It’s time to say farewell. What should I leave for you as a souvenir?
Yama takes off his cap and watch, and hands it to the closest staff officer, followed by Ka taking off his cap.
YAMA: Let us see you off. There is one more thing. (going to the flagpole and lowering the national flag) Please, take this. (folding the flag in his hand) You all! Please keep it and take it back to that distant homeland. (handing it to the closest staff officers again)
KA: Now! Everyone! Please take care! (saluting)
Yama and Ka watch staff officers getting on the rescue boats. Then, Yama and Ka stand under the empty flagpole and the bright moonlight refreshes their faces.
YAMA: At sea, be my body water-soaked … (murmuring in a low voice)
Ka joins this short verse, an old poem, “UmiYukaba” by Ō tomo no Yakamochi.
YAMA AND KA: On land be it with grass overgrown. Let me die by the side of my Sovereign! Never will I look back.
END OF PLAY
About the Writer...
Hanzhen Teng is a senior at The Kiski School in Pennsylvania. With plans to major in history or cultural studies, Hanzhen has a passion for writing and enjoys transforming abstract ideas into clear expressions. His writing has earned him a bronze medal in the Harvard International Review and a high commendation in the John Locke Essay Competition.
About the Artist...
Raiti Namiranian has been drawing since she was young. Her favorite materials are watercolor, ink, and digital art. She is inspired most by eye-catching colors and natural beauty.