"Minister, we've arrived."
Thanking his driver, Foreign Minister Hirota Kouki stepped out of the car, followed by his contingent of aides and scribes. Ahead of him, the embassy staff have already opened the main doors leading to the reception area...
[Location: Kochi, India]
11 days. That was the first leg of the journey entrusted upon CMDR. Hara and his crew. While this was no issue for the seasoned sailors, having underwent intense training immediately after their assignment, the same could not be said for the two landlubbers that accompanied them. As soon as the the gangplank was in place, the dock workers at Kochi became audience to two men, dressed in the uniform of the Imperial Japanese Army, rushing down to the docks.
Having informed his two guests as to when they're slated to depart for Italy proper, Hara was busy reviewing the duty roster for the coming days as his destroyer resupplied. "Anything from home, Comms?"
"Just that we're to head for Venice. It appears that the Italians might be in a spot of trouble, though that's not exactly within our mission perimeter for now."
"Right. Get the first batch of men off for shore leave. I'll be heading dockside to speak to... whoever the British sent to welcome us for our short stay here." With that, the commander strolled out of the bridge, leaving his Officer on Watch cursing the subcontinental heat.
[Location: Telegram, to Italy]
TO: Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Kingdom of Italy
FROM: Foreign Ministry, Empire of Japan
ENCRYPTION: SECRET
To the Foreign Minister,
We solemly receive your request for aid with heavy hearts, and our government will contemplate the support we can provide with great haste. However, we hope you can understand that at this point in time, as a neutral party our hands are tied up by international laws and norms. Nonetheless, a representative from the Foreign Ministry will be dispatched to your embassy to negotiate possible further developments in bilateral ties that might facilitate the provision of aide, at a time convenient to your embassy.
Also, we would like to inform you that the Imperial Japanese Navy destroyer Amatsukaze, under the command of COMMANDER Tameichi Hara, will arrive at Venice within 15 days, barring unforseen circumstances.
Regards,
Hirota Kouki
Foreign Minister
Empire of Japan