Abyssal Fleet Event 3

Shaw: "Only the dead have seen the end of war. But, I don't think I'd want to die..."

Shaw was finished. Her dress was in tatters, and the large blue hull perched on her back had become little more than a lump of twisted, smoldering metal.
Watching her sink, Dallas could only shake her head.

Dallas: "Too good for this sinful earth..."

The weather was swiftly turning for the worse. The clouds became thicker, and a light drizzle hinted at an approaching storm. As another volley from the cruisers finished off Noshiro, a gigantic cloud blanketed the moon, blotted out its brilliant light.
Naturally the fairies produced searchlights, but there was little need. Muzzle flashes from machineguns and cannon offered split-second glimpses at the girls' faces: Anger, fear, determination; and above all, desperation; were on display for all to see.
Though the girls hailed from different worlds and different walks of life, they all shared the sentiment of wanting the battle to end.

Dallas: "This ain't lookin' good..."
Los Angeles: "Torps ain't gonna do much against these gals. Their evasion's way-high."
Dallas: "You got a better idea?"
Los Angeles: "Yeah... Yeah, maybe. See how they keep their formation loose? Prolly gonna try and surround us once we group up."
Dallas: "Like a pack 'a coyotes."
Los Angeles: "Let's not give 'em the chance, aight?"

With a nod exchanged between them, the two North American cruisers broke off from one another. Dallas went long-ways around the edge of the Lucian formation, while Los Angeles approached at a steep angle, almost sailing right into the center of the three ships
With the aid of spotters on their shoulders, the two cruisers singled out the limping Shimakaze. A merciless volley pummeled her into a heap of twisted metal and tattered clothes, just as the other two destroyers moved to counter.
The Lucian shells struck home. Yet the cruiser's machinegunners still peppered the destroyers as they passed. And as she disappeared beneath the waves, the last turret on her right arm fired one final salvo into the open air.

Dallas: "Defiant to the end, huh? Aw, Ellie..."

Noshiro and Shimakaze were hit for 17 and 8 damage respectively, removing them from the battle.
Los Angeles was knocked out, while Dallas endured several hits from Noshiro and the destroyers. It's anyone's game, now.

 

NAS Los Angeles (CL-67) - Atlanta Class - K.O.
NAS Dallas (CL-61) - Atlanta Class - 31/45
NAS Shaw (DD-373) - Fletcher Class - K.O.
NAS Chevalier (DD-451) - Fletcher Class - K.O.
NAS Marigold (DD-705) - Allen M. Sumner Class - K.O.

>Fubuki and Akizuki are the last two standing; the tide is now even.

Fubuki: "Should've been warned by Nagato more thoroughly. I got to end this with my sister Akizuki."

>Both can hear Noshiro and Shimakaze's final words as they are sailing away from the recent wreckage.

Noshiro: "H-Hear me out, friends. I-I would've been stronger, b-but I'm only a prototype cruiser... I-I'm gone." Noshiro is lost
Shimakaze: "I wasn't even the fastest at all, then! I-I'm sinking!" Shimakaze is lost

>Fubuki and Akizuki are left to destroy the one enemy cruiser in their way, the NAS Dallas. Sure, she's tough, but can the two of the fleet girls able to sink it? Their chances are a bit slim.

Akizuki: "All right, Fubuki. I know we're the last two, but if we can sink that last enemy ship as a duo, then we can at least head back home in one piece."
Fubuki: "What are we going to do, sis?"
Akizuki: "It's not easy, but I'll let you in a tactic you never get to see before. I'll show you, follow me!"

>Akizuki and Fubuki manage to surprise the NAS Dallas by breaking away their formation, only to come around the left and right to sink it evenly at the same time. They matched their speed amid Dallas' volleys, but can't decide which one to hit, giving them a small window of opportunity to fire their last salvo of torpedoes.

Akizuki: "NOW! Fishes away!"
Fubuki: "It's the fishes to you, toughie girl!"

>Akizuki and Fubuki break away to regroup just as the torpedoes all hit home on Dallas, they look back, smiling as the NAS Dallas finally give in.

Akizuki: "Let's go home quickly before the heavy rain comes. Withdrawing from the battle map!"
Fubuki: "I'm coming! Fubuki is withdrawing!"

>NAS Dallas has received all of the hitpoints in damage. The Lucians have won the battle.

 

HIJMS Noshiro - Light Cruiser - K.O.
HIJMS Yuubari - Light Cruiser - K.O.
HIJMS Akizuki - Destroyer - 6/19
HIJMS Shimakaze - Destroyer - K.O.
HIJMS Fubuki - Destroyer - 4/17

Ahh, that was fun. Well-played, friend. :3

Took some gettin' used to, but I'm really warmin' up to the idea of fleet battles between KanMusu! Let's do this again sometime, 'kay? ^^

With a pyrrhic victory over the Abyssals, the IJN is confident that they will be sending in six unarmed AK ships loaded only with civil cargo coming from Tokyo to Jakarta. However, the Abyssals, given their reputation for attacking shipping lanes, will attempt to stop its advance before it reaches their intended destination.

The IJN will be using two carriers, two heavy cruisers, and their only submarine as escort for the entire trip, and will fight to the death to ensure its survival. They have to pass a minefield set by the Abyssals at the halfway point, or else they'll risk blowing themselves up. Shokaku, Zuihou, Takao, Suzuya, and Goya will participate.

For my formation, Shokaku and Zuihou will be in the far rear, Takao and Suzuya will take the left and right, Goya will be in the front, and the cargo ships will be in the center split into two columns of three, moving at a slow 15 knots since they're big and heavy.

I expect nothing more than a clear sunrise to begin the long trip for our second round in this event. <3
Update: As of 7/21, this battle has already ended with the IJN as the victor, so this post is skipped.

I will close this year's sortie in two weeks at 8AM EST, and the event itself will end on August 14th at 8AM EST for our results.

2nd reminder for unfilled players only: Make sure you have your shipgirls completed before the July 31st deadline. I still have room for 8 more, and you don't want to miss out all the fun. 🙂

>It's been three days since the 17th Imperial fleet gained a first small victory over the Abyssals in the Philippines. The two destroyers Fubuki and Akizuki had returned to Okinawa for heavy repairs and resupplying, whilst another detachment will try to get the shipment of refugee aid to Java.

>Six AK ships with humanitarian supplies, aided by Shokaku, Zuihou, Takao, Suzuya, and Goya, already halfway through their 9-day journey, encounters a suspicious field of mines deep within Abyssal territory. Goya is the first to spot them and relays her sightings over her comm.

Goya: "This is I-58, I have sighted a big minefield dead ahead south of our position. Send in the recon planes to depth charge them to clear our way!"

>Shokaku, the aircraft carrier who is in charge of the escort, acknowledges the order, all five ships release their E13As to dispatch the mines safely. It took a little while, but all the mines were disabled without harm.

E13A #25: "This is E13A Unit 25, we have cleared the enemy minefield, we're heading back to you."

>Several kilometers out, Goya notices something when they just passed right through Balikpapan, a small, unknown enemy fleet.

Goya: "Uhh, Shokaku! My sonar has just sighted five enemy vessels bearing down on us, two-seven-zero! I'm crash diving now."
Shokaku: "Zuihou, launch our dive and torpedo bombers, I'll launch our Zeroes!"
Zuihou: "You got it, Shokaku! All planes, you're cleared to fly! Show us your air superiority for our glorious Empire!"
Shokaku: "Protect our cargo ships until we reach Java! Let no more than 3 of them sink, or we'll fail this mission!"

The battle of Java Sea begins

HIJMS Shokaku - Aircraft Carrier - 45/45
HIJMS Zuihou - Light Aircraft Carrier - 35/35
HIJMS Takao - Heavy Cruiser - 70/70
HIJMS Suzuya - Heavy Cruiser - 63/63
HIJMS Goya - Attack Submarine - 28/28

~Several days earlier~

Two cruisers and three of their finest destroyers; nearly a quarter of her allotted forces; knocked out in a single battle. In truth they'd escaped under "Heavy Damage" just as their Lucian opponents, but their outfits would need to be rebuilt from scratch, and Rear Admiral Taylor felt the loss all the same.
  Well past midnight into the wee hours of the morning (she'd stayed up to watch the action), the admiral would quickly pace about her makeshift office overlooking the abandoned airstrip. Growing tired of that, she'd sit and stare intensely at the map, head cradled within her palms. Never once did she consider a rest, and her only nourishment was a cup of black coffee from the past night.
These Lucians seemed too powerful. The entire ocean was their home turf, and they had every advantage in resources, fleet composition, and experience. How could she, a lowly Rear Admiral with the republic's B-fleet, ever hope to compete with such a foe?

Ivy's thoughts occupied her well after her eyes had grown heavy. Such that when Commodore Nakamura came at quarter to noon, she found the poor girl fast asleep at her desk.

Nakamura: "Ah... Admiral?"

Ivy awoke with a jolt. Seeing her second standing before her, she scrambled to brush the hair out of her eyes and salvage some semblance of proper appearance.

Taylor: "R- Report!"

Here Nakamura would find herself amused. She covered her mouth to hide a smile, before slipping into a peal of sweet laughter at her admiral's expense.
A whit of levity in her darkest hour. In truth, Ivy always appreciated that part of working with her.

Taylor: "Back already, Commodore? I'd figured you'd take at least a week..."
Nakamura: "Ah, New Guinea isn't that far off. B'sides, they didn't really put up a fight. You'll be glad to hear the expeditions were a rousing success."

At last, Ivy breathed a sigh of relief. Perhaps they still had a fighting chance.
At the admiral's request, Nakamura conveyed the personnel report: Jenkins took a bomb hit from a Lucian seaplane, and Alaska took scratch damage from a destroyer escort.
The expedition also secured a modest shipment of steel from that same battle. And the supply ships carrying it? Nakamura assured they'd been safely moored at Nikumaroro, under watch by destroyer escorts and a single seaplane tender. Being transports, they'd remain there till either the end of the engagement, or till the Lucians liberated the island.
With her second's reassurance, Ivy rose to her feet and performed some much-needed stretching.

Taylor: "Natsu, you're a lifesaver. Inform shipyard that I want full repairs on all damaged vessels. If anything's left over, I want it stockpiled for construction attempts. Did I miss anything else while I was out?"
Nakamura: "Actually, yes! There's an intel report that got piped in earlier today; you must've been getting some shuteye..."

 

With the reconaissance planes refueling and the cruisers over a mile back, it fell upon Goya to scope out the enemy fleet. She dipped most of her body just below the water, squinted through her sight.
Two surface vessels sailing in parallel. One was a light cruiser similar to the ships encountered by Fubuki several days ago. Her companion was far more worrying, however.
Like Takao she was a tall girl with broad shoulders and hips; boasting flawless tawny skin and a crimson hibiscus in her hair. Yet on her back she carried a veritable bristle of barrels: Two super-heavy triple-turrets, and an auxiliary battery that was still nothing to scoff at. By Goya's mark she looked more like a miniatured dreadnought. A "pocket battleship", so to speak.
This was all fine and dandy, but what about the third contact? Goya could sense it getting closer. By time she'd put two and two together, the submarine had only seconds to dodge her opponent's opening volley of torpedoes.

Angler: "Hmph, formidable. But I doubt you'll be so fortunate next time."
 

Meanwhile the recon planes had returned to the carriers, just as the first squadron was getting ready to launch. The two carriers let loose their arrows, manifesting entire wings of Kates, Vals, and agile Zeroes. Yet just as Shoukaku was preparing another wing of fighters, her arrow nocked and aimed high, she noticed a faint twinkle against the deep blue sky.
Oh, what Hornet woulda gave to see the look on her enemy's face.

Hornet: "C'mon gals, let's turn 'em to scrap! Attack squadron, engage!"
Hermes: "You're awful enthusiastic today, love."
Hornet: "Heh, you're damn right I am. I ain't seen this sorta action in -years-!"

Hermes smiled as she fitted a Swordfish squadron to her longbow. These North Americans really were something.

Hermes: "Regardless, I'm glad the Admiral's little early-warning system worked out. Think we'll bag one of the carriers?"
Hornet: "The little one, maybe. I'd reckon it'd be a big help for our cruisers."

Hornet's Dauntlesses hurtled towards their targets with incredible speed. At their carrier's order, the swarm opened fire with their forward-facing machineguns. The Brownings didn't even scratch the armored carriers, but Hornet hoped they'd at least catch a few bullets in the eye.
A pillar of smoke and fire enveloped the Lucian carriers as the dive bombers peeled off. Their fighter escort was hot on their tails.
Wildcats, half a squadron of 'em from the Hermes. Their speed and maneuverability was inferior compared to Lucian fighters, but they compensated with heavy armor, and gained a significant evasion bonus under certain conditions.
They'd swoop in like hawks upon enemy planes, picking targets of opportunity before zooming back up toward the clouds.

Hermes: "You've done well lass, now bring it on home!"
Hornet: "Heh, you heard the lady. This party's just gettin' started."

The surprise attack incurred crippling damage to the Zuihou (29 points) and moderate damage (16 points) to the Shokaku. Six Lucian attack aircraft have been shot down or incapacitated, and three Zeroes have been shot down.
Three Dauntless dive bombers were shot down. An ace pilot from the Shokaku also nabbed one of the escorting Wildcats.

 

RPS Hermes Mk. 2 - Hermes Class - 42/42
NAS Hornet - Yorktown Class - 48/48
NAS Hawai'i - Alaska Class - 85/85
NAS Atlanta - Atlanta Class - 45/45
NAS Angler - Gato Class - 30/30
Shokaku/Zuihou Attack Squadron - SBD Dauntless - 33/36
Shokaku/Zuihou Escort Squadron - Martlet V - 9/10

A6M Zero Squadron #163: "We're going down, we're going down!"

>The two carriers Shokaku and Zuihou were furious to see some of their squadrons taken out, but Zuihou is in worse condition. Her flight deck has suffered a malfunction, forcing her to use her flak cannons against any enemy aircraft coming near her.

Zuihou: "Nnngh, I have seen far worse battles than this, resorting to AA spread attack!"
Shokaku: "We got your back! Don't worry; we'll get out of this soon enough!"

>The remaining Vals and Kates spotted their main targets, the NAS Atlanta, and the NAS Hawai'i, respectively. The Vals go in for the dive first on Atlanta, setting her on fire and knocking out half her guns, whilst the Kates dive low and launch a narrow arc of torpedoes, causing a huge hole on the front before they pull back out or shot down.
>Takao and Suzuya then fire their main cannons together focusing on a British light carrier, the RPS Hermes Mk. 2. Scratch damage from the Takao, but the Suzuya did a little better and aimed for her rudders.

Suzuya: "She won't have a clue where to go, she'll soon bump into something horrific!" 😃

>Goya went too far from her teammates, trying to search for her rival, Angler, but she's still lurking around the dark.

Shokaku: "Goya, come back, you're going too far ahead, don't endanger yourself!"
Goya: "I'll be ok, just worry yourselves! Hah! There you are, Angler! Don't hide from me!"

>Whatever's left of the planes from the two carriers are gone, leaving Shokaku with two spare squadrons of bombers and one Kamikaze squadron remaining.
>The majority of the enemy aircraft are shot down.
>The NAS Atlanta suffers 10 points from fire caused by Vals; the NAS Hawai'i took only 6 from the torpedo attack by Kates.
>The RPS Hermes Mk. 2 suffers about 4 points due to a steering failure from the heavy cruisers Takao and Suzuya.
>Goya suffers 3 points from crush depth.

 

HIJMS Shokaku - Aircraft Carrier - 29/45
HIJMS Zuihou - Light Aircraft Carrier - 9/35
HIJMS Takao - Heavy Cruiser - 70/70
HIJMS Suzuya - Heavy Cruiser - 63/63
HIJMS Goya - Attack Submarine - 25/28

Hermes nearly tripped in the water. The shell struck her just below the armored deck, and as a result her rudders were locked at forty-five degrees right.
Here her crew would perform admirably in securing the returning Wildcats. Tossing ropes around their fuselages, the fairies mustered uncanny strength to prevent them from sliding into the sea.
Luckily, Hermes herself was well-equipped for this challenge. Like a Parthian archer she twisted her back well over ninety degrees, tracking her target and drawing the bow behind the back of her head.
The heavy longbow strained her back for all it was worth, felt as if it would tear her arms right out of its sockets. But her perseverence afforded the perfect opportunity to her torpedo bombers. Skirting around Atlanta and Hawai'i, the Swordfish biplanes targeted Takao with a concentrated volley of deadly torpedoes.

As the planes peeled off, Hawai'i moved in to deliver the followup. Grinning brightly whilst tracking her target, the battlecruiser delivered a thundrous barrage of armor-piercing shells. Takao would sail on with hardly a stagger, although not entirely unscathed. A plume of smoke burst from the hull on her back, and a direct hit had turned her number-two turret into a twisted mass of steel. Her clothes were in tatters, smoldering in places against her skin.

Hawai'i: "D'awh, for real? I coulda -sworn- I hit her magazine!"
Atlanta: "Don't worry, we'll get her next time!"
Hawai'i: "Yup yup, I'm loadin' up the next salvo right now! In the meantime, see if ya can keep toothpaste-hair busy. Drop behind me if ya have to!"

While Atlanta prepared another volley from her remaining remaining, Hornet had been launching fighters off her crossbow like no tomorrow. Air superiority was currently up for grabs, and anything less than a stalemate would spell certain defeat for the losing fleet.
An intrepid pair of Wildcats flew past the cruisers to sweep up any remaining Kates and Vals, while the rest of the squadron positioned themselves for the inevitable air battle. The carriers could've easily repaired their flight decks by now, and Hornet had no doubt that they were hungry for revenge.

The battle proved just as intense beneath the waves. Goya might've had size on her side, but Angler proved to be a master at her craft. Every time they took a shot, their torpedoes would miss each other by a hair's breadth; Angler due to the impossible contortions of her long, slender body, and Goya via her petite frame and erratic maneuvers. At one point she thought she'd read the North American's pattern, only for her torpedo to glide harmlessly through Angler's fluttering jacket.
Their frantic duel led them ever further away from the main engagement. At last, when the two wordlessly decided on a moment's rest, they found the cruisers to be little more than a shadow off in the distance. Tiny specks of wreckage descended to the sea floor; mostly aircraft caught in the crossfire.
The pair looked on for at least a few moments, breathing heavily. A couple seconds, a whole minute; who could tell? But when Goya returned her gaze to Angler, she found her opponent floating upright, eyes cast sharp downward, both hands cupped over her mouth.

Angler: "... Damn straight. I ain't had a stretch like this in ages."

At first it seemed like she'd lit a smoke. Then she tossed Goya one of her suckers. Cherry flavor.

Angler: "Truce? For now anyways."

Takao took the brunt of the enemy's damage, with 36 points lost to three torpedoes and shellings by Atlanta and Hawai'i. Atlanta also incurred seven points of damage to Suzuya.
Angler picked up two points of crush damage during evasive maneuvering. Meanwhile Atlanta also lost three points due to fire.

 

RPS Hermes Mk. 2 - Hermes Class - 38/42
NAS Hornet - Yorktown Class - 48/48
NAS Hawai'i - Alaska Class - 79/85
NAS Atlanta - Atlanta Class - 32/45
NAS Angler - Gato Class - 28/30

>Goya felt like she would've offered a choice from her rival: take the cherry and leave, or sink her and leave. She chose the former first, taking the cherry from Angler; she tastes it heartily, only to execute the latter when Angler wasn't even looking by firing two of her 12 remaining torpedoes.

Goya: "Don't take this the wrong way, you sissy! You deserve your place here!"

>Goya then turns around, looks back as her torpedoes landed home on a distracted Angler, aided by the crushing pressure, the NAS Angler quickly sinks within less than half a minute. She then races quickly by climbing back up to periscope depth to meet up with her team in a few minutes.
>While Goya is trying to return to the fray, Takao tossed away her two spare wooden planks for the damaged carriers. While it may not help alleviate hull damage, it sure does keep Shokaku and Zuihou operational.

Takao: "Here! I hope you don't mind replacing those, I'm your repair ship, after all, lucky you both."
Shokaku and Zuihou: "Thanks!"
Suzuya: "Such arrogant American powerhouse ships, they'll soon learn their lesson!"

>Shokaku and Zuihou tosses away their broken flight decks and snap in the new ones, and then Shokaku gives new orders.

Shokaku: "Divine Wind, I call in the Divine Wind! Give your lives in the name of our Empress!" (Green kamikaze planes)
Zuihou: "Rocket-powered Shindens, let's fire it up!"

>As Takao and Suzuya continue raining shells upon the RPS Hermes, with stray shots on Atlanta and Hawai'i trying to protect her, three squadrons of kamikazes take off from Shokaku's three arrows and three squadrons of Shindens from Zuihou follow suit.
>The kamikazes climb steeply into a high altitude to build up momentum for their suicide run, whilst the Shindens form up in a horizontal formation; they close in to soften up the Atlanta's and Hawai'i's hulls with their eight rockets each. Most of them hitting Hawai'i, but a few hit the Atlanta.
>With the Hawai'i badly damaged, the kamikazes then start their steep dive at over 600 km/h, within 15 seconds, they barrel rolled to avoid getting shot, half of them landing squarely around Hawai'i, and one squadron on the Hornet's fuel tank and magazine, setting her alight.

Shokaku: "That's what you get for harassing me and my friend!"
Zuihou: "Yeah, take that!" she high-fives Shokaku

>Goya has finally caught up at the engagement area, she surfaces to see the two carriers, a bit disappointed at where she was.

Goya: "Hey! You didn't forget me, do you?"
Shokaku: "No, but you weren't supposed to be far ahead or behind of us. Anyways, you should be able to keep our cargo ships protected, we almost lost one."
Goya: "My stealth is the key to our success, hehe." she regains her air supply and dives down to periscope depth again, resuming the mission.

>The RPS Hermes has taken in 14 damage from Takao and Suzuya, Atlanta took one stray hit from Takao for 5, plus 12 from Shindens for 17 damage.
>The Hawai'i was knocked nearly to the water line, but still standing from a combination of shells, kamikazes, and Shindens for 50 damage.
>The Hornet took about 25 damage from two explosions caused by kamikazes, her fuel tank and her quiver, preventing her from launching any more planes.
>NAS Angler is sunk single-handedly by Goya, 28 damage from only two torpedoes, aided by crush depth.

 

HIJMS Shokaku - Aircraft Carrier - 29/45
HIJMS Zuihou - Light Aircraft Carrier - 9/35
HIJMS Takao - Heavy Cruiser - 34/70
HIJMS Suzuya - Heavy Cruiser - 56/63
HIJMS Goya - Attack Submarine - 25/28

Feeling the cold, squeezing pressure working its way up her legs, Angler made one final attempt at retaliation. Unfortunately one of her fish detonated within the tube, setting off her entire store and fragmenting her outfit into several jagged little pieces. She was forced to cast it aside.

Angler: "Damn cheat... My only mistake was thinkin' you'd make a worthy opponent."

~***~

Within minutes, the surface battle had taken a turn for the worst. Hermes watched with utter horror as the Lucian planes hurtled headlong into the unfortunate battlecruiser, causing tremendous explosions upon impact. The first few attackers knocked Hawai'i off her feet. Following that, the rest of the squadron found no compunction in pummeling her into the surf.
Their commander proved only slightly less-fazed. As Hermes nocked a particular arrow from the back of her quiver, she paid a glance to Hornet and found a gaping hole in her wooden flight deck. The suicide attackers had struck true, and her fairies worked tirelessly to suppress the inferno within her hangar.

Hermes: "Are you alright, love?!"
Hornet: "I'll be f- fine! How's your rudder?"
Hermes: "I- It's okay! But you're hurt bad!"

Ignoring that, Hornet asked,

Hornet: "You wouldn't happen to have anythin' for the flyboys, would ya?"
Hermes: "As a matter of fact I do!"

Meanwhile some ways off from the carriers, the cruiser battle remained intense as ever. Thinking on her feet, Atlanta sailed over to aid her listing comrade. With tremendous effort she lifted Hawai'i by the shoulders, slapped her repair-pack on the great "02" tattooed on her hip. Hawai'i's fairies went to work immediately, heaving out the flaming hulks of aircraft and patching up several holes in her major bulkheads. Yet the vessel herself remained largely unresponsive.

Atlanta: "Get up, kid! Nngh-... Damn that smarts!"

Hawai'i tensed as a spray of scalding hot seawater stung her numerous wounds. When she finally came to, she found her number-three turret reduced to scrap, her secondary battery disabled, and one of her engine rooms laid barren by fire. Wildcat fighters rained from the sky as Shindens picked them off, and over in the distance the Lucian cruisers were hungrily lining up another volley.
All the while, her experienced comrade had been all but screaming in her ear.

Atlanta: "C'mon, c'mon, c'mon! Get up kid! There y'are."
Hawai'i: "What the hell happened?!"

Suddenly Hawai'i spat out a veritable quart of seawater. Only now did Atlanta notice how low they'd both gone in the waves.

Hawai'i: "I feel like I nearly died..."
Atlanta: "You'll be fine kid, but you gotta hang in there!"
Hawai'i: "I don't wanna die!"
Atlanta: "I can't do this alone, kid! We're all counting on you!"

The very moment Atlanta said that, the air about the cruisers was permeated by a low droning from above. Hawai'i felt the bones in her eardrums vibrate as they passed overhead.
Two squadrons of fighters turned to engage the rocket-powered Shindens. Though piston-engined like the Wildcats, their speed and maneuverability was leagues ahead. They easily kept pace with the advanced fighters, ripping their light armor to shreds with quad autocannons.

Hermes: "... Sea Furies. Admiral said to save 'em for a rainy day."
Hornet: "Heh, talk about the perfect storm."

The air battle was once again an even fight. Suddenly Hawai'i found herself on her feet, swinging all six remaining guns of her main battery over to Takao.
A particular fire lit the battlecruiser's deep blue eyes. Hawai'i - the free-spirited firebrand her comrades knew and loved - was back in action.

Hawai'i: "Everyone is counting on me, and I ain't gonna let 'em down! All gunports, open fire!"

Takao suffered several direct hits from Hawai'i, knocking her down to critical damage and allowing Atlanta to finish her off. The Shindens are evenly matched and have started taking losses, though they still outnumber the Sea Furies three-to-two.
Hornet suffered nine points damage due to massive fires. Hawai'i suffered eight points herself, but recouped fifteen with the aid of her repair kit. Her number-three turret is still inoperative.
Hermes' rudder is now fixed, allowing her to distance herself from the cruisers.

 

RPS Hermes Mk. 2 - Hermes Class - 24/42
NAS Hornet (CV-8) - Yorktown Class - 14/48
NAS Hawai'i (CB-02) - Alaska Class - 36/85
NAS Atlanta (CL-51) - Atlanta Class - 14/45
NAS Angler (SS-240) - Gato Class - K.O.

>All that emotion, particularly on the American side, doesn't make a difference, and the IJN will make all of them pay.
>Takao, almost certain to sink, has only a few moments to spare, the other ships are still as lucky they only focus on her first.

Takao: "I am... barely even finished, but you know that I am one of the best cruisers in this great sea!"

>Takao starts healing herself as quickly as she could, and can still open fire whatever her remaining cannons she had.
>Meanwhile, Shokaku and Zuihou cheered on as their last arrows come in the big toys. Goya attempts to sink the British light carrier RPS Hermes.

Shokaku: "Bring out the heavy-hitters! Make them suffer, expect no less than a glorious victory!"
Zuihou: "Kawasakis and Nakajimas! You are cleared to take off and engage!"
Goya: "You think you're so hot, well, you're going to get sunk, anyway."

>Goya whispers before launching her three front torpedoes right above where her target is, all of which hit home on the RPS Hermes, the British lass didn't even have time to react despite repair efforts, forcing her to go down. Yet, just when she made her kill, she's been spotted by others' sonar.

Goya: "Whahh! You found me! I'm crash diving again!"

>Suzuya and Takao become frantic and use AA guns on every American plane in their sights, whilst still pounding shells on the Atlanta and Hornet. Both of them almost sink at the same time, but somehow when they look closer, they're healing like mad. What in madness are they up to?

Suzuya: "The Atlanta, forever loved by the Southerners around her and friends, is finished."
Takao: "And the Hornet, the great bumblebee of the sea, is nothing more than a stickless hive."
Goya: whispers "Hermes, she is no longer the fastest light carrier of the industrial-grade era, phew."

>As the Kawasakis and Nakajimas make haste helping the friendly cruisers mopping up what's left of enemy aircraft, the Imperials have made sufficient progress.

Kawasaki Toryu Squadron #253: "There's nothing left to wipe out, let's go back to hangar."
Nakajima Hayate Squadron #61: "No enemy air, equals nothing else to attack, our task is complete."

>All American and British planes in this battle are lost; the IJN has won the skies. Unfortunately, the carriers Shokaku and Zuihou ran out of arrows for this battle.
>NAS Atlanta and Hornet, as well as the RPS Hermes are sunk almost simultaneously: Atlanta sunk by Takao, Hornet sunk by Suzuya, and Hermes sunk by Goya.
>The NAS Hawai'i took no further damage, but she's all alone. The Lucians have the upper hand.
>Goya took another 2 from crush depth, and scratch damage upon detection by Hawai'i.
>As expected, the skies are starting to become a bit unfriendly and the waves getting rougher.

 

HIJMS Shokaku - Aircraft Carrier - 29/45
HIJMS Zuihou - Light Aircraft Carrier - 9/35
HIJMS Takao - Heavy Cruiser - 8/70
HIJMS Suzuya - Heavy Cruiser - 56/63
HIJMS Goya - Attack Submarine - 22/28

Hornet's effort turned out be all for naught. A series of explosions raced out her quiver and all across her outfit, knocking her off her feet.

Hornet: "I'll s- see you in hell!"

With her bulkheads ruptured and fuel tank ablaze, she capsized in short order. All that remained of the once-proud carrier was a few charred splinters blown off her flight deck.

Hermes fared only slightly better. Feeling the hull grow heavy on her back, she shot off her last remaining arrows to give her squadrons a fighting chance. Their battered carrier offered one last salute as she slipped beneath the waves.

Hermes: "Ladies, it's been a privilege. Should history deem this battle worth remembering, let it be known as our finest hour."

The Sea Hurricanes gave their lives for the Swordfish bombers, who caused heavy damage to Suzuya with nearly a dozen torpedoes. They'd linger on for a few minutes more, stinging her with machineguns till their canvas wings were torn to shreds.
With Atlanta gone, Hawai'i found herself all alone against an entire enemy fleet. Her first instinct was to run, but the loss of her number-two engine allowed only a fraction of her usual speed.
Even at full sail the enemy sub could chase her down. And the remaining cruiser was hot on her heels to boot.

Then it hit her: There was no escape. Flee, fight, or possibly even surrender; she was destined to sink by sunset.

Suddenly a strange sort of calm washed over the battlecruiser. She found herself hardly troubled by the thunder of Suzuya's main guns, nor did she care for the droning approach of Lucian aircraft. Even the approaching signature on her sonar caused her little concern.
In a moment of utmost clarity, Hawai'i turned hard, putting herself on a near-collision course with Suzuya. A single volley would've sent her opponent to the bottom, but she had bigger fish to fry.
Lifting her final remaining battery high in the air, Hawai'i launched three armor-piercing shells to a specific point near the horizon - right into the path of the light carrier Zuihou.
The shot exploded right against her magazine, causing a chain reaction throughout her outfit. Hawai'i would've gotten another salvo off at Shokaku, but a combination of torpedoes, bombs, and cannon quickly did her in.
Suzuya, the only one close enough to get a good look at her face, might've described it as difficult to read. Her raised brow and quick breath hinted at fear, yet her downcast eyes and small frown bespoke a sickening mix of anger, sadness, and above all, regret.
Sinking fast, she could offer little struggle against the water piling in her compartments. Instead she'd pay one last glance eastwards before before disappearing, leaving only a smoke-stained hibiscus floating atop the waves.

Zuihou was sunk by a shelling from Hawai'i (21 points), and Suzuya suffered critical damage (53 points) from a combination of cannon fire and torpedo bombers from the Hermes.
All North American ships have been lost.

 

RPS Hermes Mk. 2 - Hermes Class - K.O.
NAS Hornet (CV-8) - Yorktown Class - K.O.
NAS Hawai'i (CB-02) - Alaska Class - K.O.
NAS Atlanta (CL-51) - Atlanta Class - K.O.
NAS Angler (SS-240) - Gato Class - K.O.

>In the last moments of the battle, Zuihou declared her final say before joining with the five downed enemy ships:

Zuihou: "No... not me! I won, but not my life!" Zuihou is lost
Suzuya: "I'm nearly out, but I'm glad I am through this." (referring to heavy damage)

>With the four surviving Imperial ships looked on the Javanese capital, they assume all their civil cargo is still intact. Perhaps the Abyssals didn't even care about going after their stuff. Nevertheless, the IJN celebrate their victory in Java, albeit with a single fatality.

Shokaku: "We won! We showed them with our bravery! Let's dock there for our repairs and some rest." <3!

>The Lucians have won the battle, and the cargo has safely arrived at Java. This mission is over. One more battle and the Lucians will win this event.
>Unless of course, if the Abyssals are able to muster up their courage to get their revenge on their beloved Hawai'i.

 

HIJMS Shokaku - Aircraft Carrier - 29/45
HIJMS Zuihou - Light Aircraft Carrier - K.O.
HIJMS Takao - Heavy Cruiser - 8/70
HIJMS Suzuya - Heavy Cruiser - 3/63
HIJMS Goya - Attack Submarine - 22/28

The final battle is upon both sides, the IJN has gained enough momentum that the two Admirals and the battleships will be heading out to Midway amid a storm. If those last two battles aren't enough to make this event just as memorable as the last, then this one is going to be a legend for all the KanColle fans to see.

Admiral Houki, with the assist of Yamato, Fusou, Nagato, and Ise will face off against Taylor, Nakamura, Redwood, New Jersey, and the Thunderer.
Update: As of 7/29, this battle has taken too long to conclude, it has reached a stalemate at its climax. Midway Atoll remains in Abyssal territory.

 

HIJMS Himawari - Battleship - 150/150
HIJMS Yamato - Battleship - 140/140
HIJMS Nagato - Battleship - 135/135
HIJMS Fusou - Battleship - 135/135
HIJMS Ise - Battleship - 145/145

LucianDreamer wrote

The final battle is upon both sides, the IJN has gained enough momentum that the two Admirals and the battleships will be heading out to Midway amid a storm. If those last two battles aren't enough to make this event just as memorable as the last, then this one is going to be a legend for all the KanColle fans to see.

"Final battle" is a bit of a misnomer IMO. This might be the last little skirmish between me and Luci, but the main event hasn't even started! There's still plenty of time for anyone interested to draft their fleet and throw their hat in the ring. ^^

Anyways, I was feelin' kinda creative today, so I decided to write a short log entry featuring my Admiral and some of her ships. Hope ya like! 😃

~***~

Admiral Taylor's command vessel was dated by anyone's mark. Heavy frigate; Oliver Hazard Perry-class; one of the last "traditional" ships laid down before the start of the Armadan program. Eighty years ago it'd been fitted with a battery of deadly Harpoons and crewed by over a hundred-fifty fine men and women. Today, automated systems labored in silence to keep her afloat, and the lack of armament allowed comfortable quarters for Ivy and her charge. She got the feeling they'd be much-appreciated during the voyage ahead.

Nakamura: "Admiral on the bridge."

The entire command room straightened up at Ivy's appearance. A curt nod and small smile returned them to their duties.

Taylor: "At ease, all. Secretary ship, Medusa; I'm glad you could join us."
Yorktown: "Ma'am."
Medusa: "Heh, sure thing hun."

The four of them - Ivy, Natsu, Yorktown, and Medusa - all gathered around the small map splayed out on a table in the center of the room. The lattermost was North America's foremost repair ship, and ran the makeshift naval yard established just off North Island.
Despite knowing full-well the disposition of their fleet, her demeanor was one of perpetual calm, something even Ivy and Yorktown couldn't help but envy.

Taylor: "Give it to me straight, doc: Hawai'i, Hornet. Can you bring them back?"

Medusa paused for thought, but ultimately shook her head.

Medusa: "Can't be done."
Yorktown: "Why?"
Medusa: "The suicide attacks - 'Kamikazes', as the Commodore put 'em - they ruptured their central bulkheads in multiple places. Atlanta and Hermes would've been hard enough, but I've never seen a ship come back from that. The resource requirements alone would be insane."
Yorktown: "Then muster them!"
Taylor: "Yorktown-"
Yorktown: "Hornet fought in dozens battles during our time together. Her experience could prove invaluable to our efforts!"

Yorktown's grief was plain on her face. Medusa's gaze flitted to Admiral Taylor, but she herself was studying her every move.
With a gentle sigh, Medusa spoke,

Medusa: "I am sorry for your loss, Secretary, but you are demanding the impossible."
Yorktown: "You said there was a chance."
Medusa: "A sliver of a chance."
Yorktown: "Oh? And what's your alternative?"

Sensing her secretary's growing apprehension, Ivy moved to calm her down. But Medusa beat her to the punch.

Medusa: "The alternative, Secretary, is to rebuild her."

Yorktown's eyes widened, nostrils flared. The very mention of "rebuilding" remained a taboo among fleet girls, yet here Medusa seemed to bandy about as if it were nothing.

Medusa: "She will look exactly like our Hornet; act very much like her too. She will even regard you as her dear comrade from the moment she's commissioned. But aside from that her memory will be reset. All of her experiences and quirks - all the wonderful things that made Hornet our Hornet - shall remain here along with her broken body. Just like Grasp off the Aleutians."

The eyes of all present followed Medusa's as she glanced out the frigate's portside windows. A young fleet girl in a modest white dress - scarcely past ten by human standards - hovered over the spot where Hawai'i had sunk. Her back-mounted crane struggled to lift the heavy number-two turret from the water, but her eventual success adorned her face with the most adorable smile.
Yorktown took a deep swig through her nose. Ivy and Nakamura watched her closely.

Yorktown: "With... all due respect. Please continue."
Medusa: "Those are my observations. The choice is yours, Admiral."

Ivy acknowledged her with a nod before turning to her second.

Taylor: "Stick around, Chief. Well then, with that squared away... Miss Nakamura."
Nakamura: "Admiral?"
Taylor: "I've been reading over your intelligence reports. Is it true, as you say, that they have four battleships to our three?"
Nakamura: "Spearheaded by the Yamato, yes ma'am."
Taylor: "Mm. And if I read this correct, they have five operational carriers to our four?"
Nakamura: "Three fleet carriers and two light ones. Plus an indeterminate number of escorts."
Taylor: "The new-type fighters photographed by Atlanta?"
Nakamura: "Completely superior to our Wildcats in every aspect."
Taylor: "And their resolve?"
Nakamura: "Likely at an all-time high following the defeat of two whole task forces."

Ivy blew out her cheeks, shook her head.

Taylor: "Then by my mark, ladies, our current position might be untenable."

A pause for thought.

Yorktown: "What would you suggest, Admiral?"

Followed by another, shorter pause.

Taylor: "I'd suggest, Secretary, that we cut our losses and chart a course for safer waters."
Yorktown: "Abandon North Island?"
Medusa: "But where're we gonna go?"

In response, Ivy drew her fingertip across the map to Hawai'i.

Taylor: "The Abyssal anchorage in southern O'ahu. 'Pearl', as the locals call it."
Nakamura: "Home to over two-hundred Abyssal ships, including nearly twenty Battleship Princesses. If there's a safe harbor anywhere in the Pacific, this is it."
Yorktown: "Mm. They wouldn't dare attack us there."
Medusa: "Welp, at least they'll let me use the shipyard..."

With curt nods exchanged between all, Rear Admiral Taylor stood tall and clapped her hands together.

Taylor: "Very well! That's that. Now, we've got a few days till the last expedition comes back, after which I'll call another meeting to give you gals the go-ahead. Following that, Chief, I expect the shipyard to be completely disassembled within the span of two weeks."
Medusa: "You got it, boss."
Taylor: "Secretary, I expect every one of these girls to be briefed only two days in advance. We can't afford the enemy catching wind of our plan."
Yorktown: "Understood!"
Taylor: "Natsu-,"

Yorktown and Medusa exchanged a particular glance. Luckily the Admiral played it cool.

Taylor: "Miss Nakamura, I'd request your presence in my quarters for administrative duties. The rest of you have your orders. Dismissed."

Ten days have passed, and the IJN is very close to repeating history amid global fears. The Admiral had practiced her speeches all week with little breaks, whilst her second, Yamato, has finished cleaning up all of the pleasantries from Lucia’s meeting in early July.
Nagato and Houki tirelessly worked very hard preparing for the inevitable final test before things get very… very serious. Houki looks at Yamato coming into the war room, which is not far from the throne room from where the soon-to-be Empress Lucia currently sits.

Yamato: “Flagship Yamato, ready for action, Admiral! I know it's late, given my recent cleanup duties. Has our prefectural leaders made a consensus, yet?”
Houki: “We already had just recently, Yamato. After several local negotiations with the other prefectures, the majority of this nation aren’t even willing to come, this is very unnerving. Under our ruler’s decree, we have to send every… single… fleet from all our naval bases.
Fubuki: “Every single one, admiral?”
Houki: “Yes, our recent advances in technology, combined with our knowledge of the sea may have toppled them over the past two weeks, but their industrial-grade weaponry, and damage control protocols are what made them our fiercest foe in the weeks to come.”
“Which is why, given our wake-up call, we have to dispatch every single KanMusu group to be with us.”

Nagato then gives the sit-rep to everyone in the war room in her calmest, serious tone, whereas Yamato and the other ship classes are eager to hear. With a heavy sigh, she then speaks.

Nagato: “With Midway the only major obstacle in our proving grounds, we will be sailing very deep in their territory, and we know the ocean is very noteworthy for its unpredictable weather. With only a single airstrip and small shipyard, we will take this island swiftly under the cover of night, and with that, we can then take on Pearl under our ruler’s orders. You’re not going alone without us, that’s why I already warned you too many times."
Fubuki: ".....So, sorry, Nagato."

Admiral Houki hands over the construction papers to Nagato, and she takes a hard look at it. In the meanwhile, Yamato comes around next to Nagato to see it, too.

Houki: “Nagato, what’s the status of our construction efforts for our new shipyard back in Java?”
Nagato: “In less than 24 hours, given our fast build rates, it should be done overnight.”
Houki: “That is very good news, keep me in touch. Now, everyone else, we are ready to meet our new fleet members. Come with me to the shipyard training room opposite to the entrance.”

The Admiral, along with Yamato, and all of the attending fleet girls walk through the hallways, past the main lobby, and a flight of stairs down to a huge training pool facing south where Tokyo Bay is.
As courtesy, the bigger ships bow to the cadets, and they bow in return. The Admiral made a head count of about 50 to be exact from highest to lowest. She turns to Nagato affirming there are four battleships, eight carriers, eighteen cruisers, thirteen destroyers, three destroyer escorts, and four submarines in total.
The cadets then introduce themselves in front of the Admiral, one by one. The battleships consist of Musashi, Mutsu, Hyuuga and Yamashiro; the carriers consist of Unryuu, Amagi, Katsuragi, Hiryuu, Ryuuhou, Shouhou, Souryuu, and Junyou.
For heavy cruisers, Furutaka, Aoba, Kinugasa, Nachi, Ashigara, Maya, Haguro, Tone, and Chikuma, and for light cruisers, Tenryuu, Tatsuta, Tama, Kuma, Sendai, Jintsuu, Yahagi, Sakawa, and Kashima.
Then, the Admiral approaches the finest new destroyers and escorts, starting with Shirayuki, Miyuki, Murakumo, Ayanami, Akebono, Sazanami, Kisaragi, Yayoi, Akatsuki, Hatshushimo, Shigure, Yuudachi, Amatsukaze, Shimushu, Kunashiri, and Etorofu.
Finally, the submarines are greeted last, a fair amount of them made it to the sortie line-up: Iku, Shioi, Nimu and Maruyu.
When all cadets have greeted, the Admiral sighs before making a long pre-battle speech.

Houki: “Given our numbers, we will launch Operation 69, the kind of mission many of us will honorably give ourselves in the line of duty to serve our soon-to-be Empress Lucia. We are going to strike directly head-on at the enemy to take Midway from them, we will push them back to their home island O’ahu and strike Pearl like we once did back in ’41. All of us will be there, and if we finally win this conflict, we will make them surrender or bleed to their last ship.”

Nagato: “That means, don’t… mess this up, new recruits. I don’t want any whining or other nonsense from any of you when we come back. Whatever resources we have, it’s all we have for this entire mission. A word of warning: we won’t retreat from them this time around, so if you happen to show any weakness from now on until after O’ahu, Lucia will relieve you of command, and you won’t be able to attend any more missions for the rest of your lives. Am I clear, everyone?”

Everyone: “MA’AM, YES, MA’AM! IN THE LAND OF THE RISING SUN, WE ARE KANMUSU!”

You're going to feel the full might of the 17th Imperial KanMusu fleet real soon, @[deleted]
7 battleships, 1 of which is an aviation battleship (Admiral Houki is included, she counts as a battleship)
14 aircraft carriers, 7 out of this are light aircraft carriers
22 cruisers, 11 are heavy and 11 are light for balancing
21 destroyers, 3 out of this are escorts
5 submarines

I bet pretty much my whole KanMusu fleet are getting very angry to the point they start flinging insults at Taylor.

A bunch of KanMusu shipgirls takes turns using the comm to insult Admiral Taylor.

Amatsukaze: "Y-You sunk my sister! You won't get away from me when I find you!" angry face
Maya: "Today's the day we're going to kick your butt, and your island!"
Kashima: "Uuu, you cannot escape from us, and we have no intention of sinking."
Tenryuu: "Too scared to fight, huh, huh!? Get out of our ocean while you still can!"
Tone: "I-I'll never lose to you, you foolish one."
Katsuragi: "I-It's not like I'm going to let you sink me, you i-idiot."
Hyuuga: "You have no chance of survival against us."
Murakumo: "I'll make you eat my sakana, sakana bait!"
Kuma: "Kuma is not your teddy bear plushie, kuma."
Ashigara: "Come at us, you pathetic weakling!"
Yayoi: "Don't underestimate our fleet, for we shall chase you to the ends of the Pacific."
Sazanami: "We won't fool around anymore, you careless admiral!"
Kunashiri: "You THINK this is funny, huh, huh!? Humph! Get out of our sea, you worthless piece of trash!"
Yuudachi: "Stupid admiral, I'll haunt your dreams until the very day I will sink you." eyes glowing red
Nachi: "Drown yourself, Admiral; it would be easier, yes?"
Sakawa: "Pya's going to sink you; Pya's going to sink you, teehee."
Haguro: "You won't reach Japan like that again, not even another century."
Hatsushimo: "Your reckless actions will get you sunk when we find you."
Yahagi: "This is where we get serious. Come and face us, you will deserve a quick and painful sinking."
Sendai: "I'll tear your big bulkhead apart and rip you asunder!"
Akizuki: "I won't let you sink my little Fubuki this time around."
Fubuki: "You can't hit me, you can't hit me, you just can't!"
Suzuya: "You are far stinkier than you look, filthy, filthy, filthy!"
Akebono: "You are such a bothersome cocksucker who deserves a big cocking, you cocky bitch!"
Ryuujou: "Fussy wussy, you don't even know who you're messing with!?"
Furutaka: "Numbers don't mean anything when it comes to a fight."
Yamashiro: "You have the misfortune of not hurting us badly, are you, Admiral?" giggles
Ushio: "You are not allowed to hurt my comrades like this! This is your madness, and it will be your undoing!"
Asagumo: "We'll take your precious home island off your country's hands!"
Akatsuki: "Lucia will never forgive you for what you done!"
Goya: "I sank you before, and I daresay I will sink you again."
Isuzu: "Idiot, idiot, idiot!"
Shiratsuyu: "You hear that, Admiral?! We're coming to get you, just you wait!"
Zuikaku: "I'll never let you sink my sister Shokaku; I'll protect her to the end!"
Ryuuhou: "I won't lose to your airplanes, you turkey face!"
Yura: "Your ship is nothing but a rusted, battered, lifeless hulk."
Taihou: "My brilliant pilots will show you true air superiority over yours!"
Ayanami: "I won't give up our waters over to you, and I won't let you sink our lovely Fubuki."
Shigure: "We will produce a shower of lead rain over your head, Admiral."
Miyuki: "I am... your greatest fear, and it won't ever go away in your head."
Iku: "Consider your payback a payback. You will be the one who's going to get punished!"
Shioi: "It's showtime, Admiral. You can't escape from the pursuit of the I-400 class!"
Nimu: "I'll pull you down with me to the bottomless depths."
Maruyu: “I’ll whack you like a mole who gets whacked for calling me one!”

When the Riselian People's battleship Thunderer began her first sea trials just north of the home isles, it was plain from the start that she embodied every aspect of the original vessel. The spirits of her crew coursed like fire through her veins, and her barking, throaty voice captured the character of her former captain.
Just like her namesake, she was regarded as the foremost defender of her home waters. Thunderer, the vessel who happened to be a girl, would soon prove herself as fiercely protective of all she considered her allies. She was particularly stalwart for her fellow countrymen, and among them, no person valued her gruff embrace more than Hermes, the girl who happened to be a vessel.

Sweet, lovable Hermes, whose broken hull lay at the bottom of the ocean.

At first she couldn't believe her ears. Eyewitness reports described the battleship as going weak in the knees, and the color swiftly running from her face.
She'd failed. In the end the odds didn't matter: Her only friend since sea trials was dead. Never again would Thunderer experience her sweet, lilting laughter, or bear her warmth as she ran into the battleship's embrace.
It was true, siblings and historical comrades would have some measure of familiarity after rebuilding, but they came from a wholly different classes and eras. Her friendship with Hermes had been entirely unique to Thunderer, the girl who happened to be a vessel, and its loss wore hard on her for weeks till the Admiral delivered her next order.

~***~

The objectives were simple: Depart a week ahead of the main carrier force, and oversee evacuation of their outpost at Midway. Along the way they'd link up with the captured transports from Nikumaroro, who gladly "volunteered" their cargo bays for the North American war effort.
Thunderer still felt a pang of grief within her breast as she skated across the waves, but she forced herself to pay no mind. She had a task force to look after, and what's more, there was trouble just past the horizon.
As the Thunderer and her allies sailed towards the west entrance to the atoll, the heavy cruiser Lakotah extended her arm to launch a recon plane off her catapult. Shoshone, her oldest sister, did the same.

Lakotah: "We've got a visual on the enemy task force, hang on... Ooh, this is -not- lookin' good."
Thunderer: "Report."
Lakotah: "Five dreadnoughts; repeat, -five- dreadnoughts! Sailing line abreast... Heading: Seventy degrees relative north."
Shoshone: "Confirmed! Ma'am, they're headed straight for us!"
Thunderer: "What's the status of Midway base?"

Jenkins, the only destroyer present among the task force, squinted through her spyglass back at the twin islands ringed by the atoll. The airfield, much to her commander's chagrin, had been disassembled prior to their arrival, but the shipyard's gantries still stood tall against the dark, cloudy sky. Two new advanced destroyers sat in the lagoon, teeth clenched, eyes wide, wrist-mounted guns visibly shaking with fear. Poor gals must've been launched just yesterday.

Jenkins: "Why I'd reckon they're still -days- from packin' it up."

Thunderer knit her brow. On one hand, it'd be easy to turn tail and run back to the anchorage at O'ahu. On the other, Midway Island was within striking range of that harbor, still had a full-featured shipyard, and could serve as the staging area for an invasion of Hawai'i.
A compromise was in order.

Thunderer: "Contact Midway base and order an immediate evacuation to O'ahu. Materiel can be replaced, but their lives cannot."
Jenkins: "Understood. And what about us, ma'am?"

The entire task force regarded Thunderer with a tense expression. She took a moment to think it over.

Thunderer: "We have the numbers, and the element of surprise on our side. Jenkins, how's the engine upgrade the admiral gave you?"
Jenkins: "Works like a charm! Why, I'd reckon I'm the fastest ship in the fleet now!"
Thunderer: "New Jersey."
New Jersey: "VT Shells at the ready, ma'am. Damn gnats won't even know what hit 'em."
Thunderer: "Shoshone-"
Shoshone: "Locked and loaded, ma capitaine! S'long as 'Jersey here covers the AA, me and my sisters are gonna grind 'em to dust."
Thunderer: "Then it's an even fight. New Jersey, get behind me. Cruisers, form Boxcutter Blade and stay in formation. Jenkins! Get ready to zip behind me and Jersey. You're gonna have a little surprise for them..."

~***~

The clouds only became thicker and darker the longer they sailed. By time the Lucian fleet rolled over the northwest horizon, they were little more than ill-defined silhouettes cast against the murky skies.

Thunderer: "Here comes their first volley. Easy now; they've got range, but we'll have accuracy."

Thunderer didn't even flinch as seawater sprayed all around her. Luckily, every shell missed their mark.

Thunderer: "Adjust course twenty-five degrees portside."
Nunavut: "Ma'am?"
Thunderer: "They're set wide-apart. If we change course, they'll only have one or two dreadnoughts in range to fire back at first."

Squinting into their gunsights, Thunderer and New Jersey lined up the southernmost ship in the formation. A tall and proud battleship with powerful legs and rich brown hair.
Envisioning her battered hull slipping beneath the waves, Thunderer couldn't help but crack a grin.

Thunderer: "... We're in range, lass! All gunports, open fire!"

Ise endured a concentrated barrage from Thunderer and New Jersey, taking 130 points of damage and knocking her off her feet.
The smaller North American ships still aren't in range of the enemy dreadnoughts. They're closing the gap with evasive maneuvers.

~The First Battle of Midway has begun!~

RPS Thunderer Mk. 3 - Orion class - 165/165
NAS New Jersey (BB-62) - Iowa class - 150/150
NAS Shoshone (CA-32) - Northampton class - 74/74
NAS Nunavut (CA-33) - Northampton class - 74/74
NAS Lakotah (CA-34) - Northampton class - 74/74
NAS Jenkins (DD-698) - Allen M. Sumner class - 21/21

>Apparently, the IJN must've mistaken that something's amiss on the Intel before having left Tokyo for Midway, but regardless, they have to fight with whatever they have in store.
>With the first huge concentrated volley left a huge blow on Ise and taken on the water line, Fusou circled back, albeit slowly to try and help poor Ise getting back to her feet.

Ise: "This is getting bad right at the start, who are these people!?"
Fusou: "Looks like we're going to punish them for our past historical loss here, and change the way we perceive the war. If we win, as Nagato said back in Tokyo, we'll be certain to hit their home island."

>As Fusou tries her best to get Ise up, Yamato and Nagato are concerned for their safety, but still holding their resolve as a team.

Nagato: "Do not change course! Loosen up, form wide single column, aim starboard!"
Yamato: "This is 17th Imperial Fleet Flagship Yamato, commencing return fire! ENGAGE!"

Yamato's theme starts

>Yamato, Nagato, and Himawari (Houki) open fire with their big cannons, since they're still 2.8 km away from them and the island, the max range of a battleship. Some of them missed, but a few hardened shells hit on Shoshone, AA guns killed all the enemy recon planes before they even get close, since they're ineffective against them.
>Three stray shells from Himawari hit Jenkins, killing her instantly before she even have time to evade.
>Shoshone has sustained heavy damage at first volley from Yamato and Nagato, inflicting 38 damage.
>Fusou only fired half of her main guns whilst helping Ise, it dealt 16 damage to Nunavut.

 

HIJMS Himawari - Battleship - 150/150
HIJMS Yamato - Battleship - 140/140
HIJMS Nagato - Battleship - 135/135
HIJMS Fusou - Battleship - 135/135
HIJMS Ise - Battleship - 15/145

Poor Jennie never even saw it coming. Her central bulkheads practically disintegrated under the battleship's wrath, turning her into a smoldering mangle of scrap. However, her sacrifice would hardly be in vain.
While the destroyer sunk, the Northampton sisters converged on Ise and Fusou with irregular, aggressive maneuvers. They'd charge headlong into scalding hot spray, betting that their enemy would never aim where they'd just missed. And as they closed to torpedo range, they'd occasionally rest almost half their displacement on a hand against the water, allowing their light feet to ride the waves, making turns on a dime.
Truth be told, they almost looked like surfers! Hawai'i would've been proud.

Nunavut: "C'mon, c'mon! This is the chance of a lifetime!"
Lakotah: "Shoshone!"
Shoshone: "Right behind ya, sis!"

With the battleships positioned in a crossfire between them, the three Northampton sisters bent forth to expose the torpedoes on the smalls of their backs. Eighteen armor-piercing fish raced through the water from all directions.
The three sisters cheered as the battleships disappeared behind a curtain of spray. Celebrations were short by necessity however, as the remaining three dreadnoughts were eying them hungrily.

New Jersey: "Great job gals, but stay alert! Shoshone, you're hurt bad!"
Shoshone: "I'll be fine! Really, I'm havin' the time of my life here!"

Nonetheless, her youngest sister hastened to slap their only repair pack on her back, just in time for Nagato's next volley.
Meanwhile, New Jersey and the Thunderer had closed to gun range and were training their sights on Yamato.
Some might've been cowed by the sight of the mighty battleship. The Thunderer was having none of that.

Thunderer: "The line must be drawn here! Make examples out of their entire formation!"

Yamato's armored deck and citadel prevented much of New Jersey's volley from breaching her vital sections, although her number-two turret was lost to two lucky hits. Thunderer's upgraded guns struck home however, cutting right through her deck and setting one of her fuel compartments alight.

Ise and Fusou have sunk after a devastating torpedo attack from the Northampton sisters. Their batteries managed to catch Nunavut during maneuvers, striking her for significant damage. (25 points)
Nagato sustained minor damage (23 points) from Nunavut's guns while Lakotah saw to Shoshone's injuries. Applied in haste, the repair pack only healed her for 12 points.
The Yamato sustained significant damage (41 points) from New Jersey and the Thunderer's shelling. One of her turrets is out of commission, and a moderately-sized fire rages within her hull.

 

RPS Thunderer Mk. 3 - Orion class - 165/165
NAS New Jersey (BB-62) - Iowa class - 150/150
NAS Shoshone (CA-32) - Northampton class - 48/74
NAS Nunavut (CA-33) - Northampton class - 49/74
NAS Lakotah (CA-34) - Northampton class - 74/74
NAS Jenkins (DD-698) - Allen M. Sumner class - K.O.