Seas of Blood, Steel, and Oil

UbeOne · Aug 21, 2019

Ricarda Howe, HMS Howe
Japanese Waters?
Daytime
We have company 2

Ash19256 said:
ATTN THIS IS USS PENSACOLA TO UNKNWN AIRCRFT CARRIER. PLEASE IDENTIFY YOURSELF OVER

I hear that as I continue to launch aircraft, long and short beeps that my fairy crew translates from Morse to words. However, I don't see anyone here who would be noticing me besides my companions. Confused, I consider not replying back, but they might mark me as hostile if I do that. Instead, I have my radio operators send a Morse message towards the direction the transmission came from. <THIS IS HMS HOWE>

"Wait what? Are they talking about her?" Repulse gestures to Howe.

"Or her?" She points at the distant Shiloh

"I dunno, but I responded just in case. Better safe than sorry." Huh, the distant carrier over there kinda looks like Kancolle's Saratoga...

ravagEr said:
Repulse/Earlene Reager

"Well, mostly yeah. (An Illustrious) got some bombers, Shot the hell out of one of those jap Battlecruisers, can't really remember which one... And then I got smacked with a couple of bombs, which hurt like hell, then we joined up wi..."

"Nevermind. I'll tell you later, Hoo-Howe. Long story."

Goddammit Repulse!

"Sorry. You look a lot like... Someone else"

I nod. That's good. Someone was able to provide air cover for Force Z, after all. "Maybe that was Kongou?" I answer. I vaguely remember that she was there, unless I was mixed up. "And it's fine. I'm Hood's twin sister, except I wear red instead of blue," I remark.

Poteitoku said:
Timmerman momentarily cheers "Yes, some actio-" before realizing shes being told to run away. "Oh... On your lead." She turns to Johnston and nods.

"They have a hostile carrier over there. I'll be counting on you all when their planes arrive," I tell her and the other destroyers. Unlike me, they are from WW2, and assuming they have their full AA suite, they should have an easy time versus enemy aircraft. Unless that Wo has WW2 planes, in which case I would be at a big disadvantage...

"Loud and clear!"
She turns to the other battlecruiser in the group.
"C'mon! Let's go!"

"There are two battleships in the enemy group. I wouldn't recommend a gun duel just yet," I tell the two battlecruisers, just in case they have such ideas. They lack the armor for slugfests, after all.

Miho Chan · Aug 21, 2019

Shiloh
Time to Destress
Sea of Japan

UbeOne said:
<This is Howe. Hostile Abyssals inbound from northeast!>

Ash19256 said:
ATTN THIS IS USS PENSACOLA TO UNKNWN AIRCRFT CARRIER. PLEASE IDENTIFY YOURSELF OVER

UbeOne · Aug 21, 2019

Ricarda Howe, HMS Howe
Japanese Waters?
Daytime
We have company 4

Miho_Chan said:
<Roger that Howe, sending an escorted strike package. Recommend our planes stagger their assaults, over>

<Works for me, over,> I reply. I direct my striking aircraft, the Darts and escorting Flycatchers, to implement that, while some of my fighters are assigned to combat air patrol. Air cover always comes in handy. Meanwhile, I see one of my scouts starting to return to me, the one which first spotted the enemy group. I have it take a more roundabout route, albeit within constraints of remaining fuel, so that it's less likely to be traced back to me.

SeismicGuide · Aug 21, 2019

UbeOne said:
Ricarda Howe, HMS Howe
Japanese Waters?
Daytime
We have company!

Just then, one of my scouts reports an enemy presence, east-northeast of us. From what I can see from its perspective (the whole CCTV-like feel remains impressive to me), there are three... girls, but monstrous ones in white and black. I recognize the profiles of a Ta-class fast battleship, a Ru-class battleship, and a Wo-class fleet carrier, and my eyes widen at the sight. I don't see escorts with them, but they're still very much a threat. I can feel it in my bones. Goodness, now I'm thrown into my first battle of this life.

"Abyssals, east-northeast!" I report to my companions. "One Wo, one Ta, and one Ru. Preparing strike package. Suggest gaining distance from them." With my rifle on hand, I launch as many Blackburn Darts and Fairey Flycatchers as I can, which are my torpedo bombers and fighters, respectively. Their engines roar as the miniature biplanes take off. I can't help but feel that I'd be more confident if I have late-WW2 planes on deck... and come to think of it, Connie would probably want to use her main guns on them, but she's a battlecruiser, not a battleship, and it's dangerous to go alone or with minimal escort.

I inform Shiloh (@Miho_Chan) as well. <This is Howe. Hostile Abyssals inbound from northeast!>

"Abbie's? See, I said we got brought back because of a war!" Johnston growls out

Ash19256 said:
Maria Smith/USS Pensacola, ACR-14
Time: 1:10 PM, November 1st, 1914
Location: At Sea, Northeastern Pacific Ocean

Captain Smith nods. "Even if it doesn't work, we now know one way to not contact an aircraft carrier." He turns towards his signal officer. "Warrant Officer Johnson, transmit the following message over radio. 'Attention, this is the USS Pensacola, ACR-14 to unknown aircraft carrier, please identify yourself, over and out.'"

"Aye sir."

With that, the now named Warrant Officer Johnson sits down, puts on what looks like a really old pair of headphones, and begins tapping a little lever thingy, next to a buzzer of some sort that buzzes when the lever is depressed.

.- - - -. / - .... .. ... / .. ... / ..- ... ... / .--. . -. ... .- -.-. --- .-.. .- / - --- / ..- -. -.- -. .-- -. / .- .. .-. -.-. .-. ..-. - / -.-. .- .-. .-. .. . .-. .-.-.- / .--. .-.. . .- ... . / .. -.. . -. - .. ..-. -.-- / -.-- --- ..- .-. ... . .-.. ..-. / --- ...- . .-.

ATTN THIS IS USS PENSACOLA TO UNKNWN AIRCRFT CARRIER. PLEASE IDENTIFY YOURSELF OVER
(Yes, I'm aware this is a hilariously long string of Morse. This is why prosigns were invented.)

@Miho_Chan @SeismicGuide

- .... .. ... / .. ... / . ... -.-. --- .-. - .. -. --. / -.. . ... - .-. --- -.-- . .-. / ..- ... ... / .--- --- .... -. ... - --- -. --..-- / .-- .... .- - / -.-- . .- .-. / .. ... / .. - ..--.. / --- ...- . .-.

(Translation: THIS IS ESCORTING DESTROYER USS JOHNSTON, WHAT YEAR IS IT? OVER)

Poteitoku said:
Timmerman

Timmerman momentarily cheers "Yes, some actio-" before realizing shes being told to run away. "Oh... On your lead." She turns to Johnston and nods.

"Mm. You ready? I need everyone at optimal condition, Seaman. We might be going up against Late-war IJN tactics, sad to say, but make sure that none of them hit the carrier. Am I understood?"

UbeOne said:
Ricarda Howe, HMS Howe
Japanese Waters?
Daytime
We have company 2

I hear that as I continue to launch aircraft, long and short beeps that my fairy crew translates from Morse to words. However, I don't see anyone here who would be noticing me besides my companions. Confused, I consider not replying back, but they might mark me as hostile if I do that. Instead, I have my radio operators send a Morse message towards the direction the transmission came from. <THIS IS HMS HOWE>

Willie watches you. She seems to be attentive to the emotions of others

"I dunno, but I responded just in case. Better safe than sorry." Huh, the distant carrier over there kinda looks like Kancolle's Saratoga...

"You send any planes over where it came from, Captain?" Willie asks

"They have a hostile carrier over there. I'll be counting on you all when their planes arrive," I tell her and the other destroyers. Unlike me, they are from WW2, and assuming they have their full AA suite, they should have an easy time versus enemy aircraft. Unless that Wo has WW2 planes, in which case I would be at a big disadvantage...

Johnston seems to have been a step ahead of you, as she's shouting out orders to the other destroyers

"I want every damned Bofors, Oerlikon and Five inch gun trained on those fuckers! Remember! If our CVs have Biplanes, the enemy most likely do aswell, tell your boys to slightly compensate for that! These aren't Zero's or Kamikaze's, but act like they are! Bring'em down, Girls!"

"Mm!" Willie Dee makes a noise

"Aye aye!" The Raven and Blonde "twins" shout together

"Understood, Commander!"

"There are two battleships in the enemy group. I wouldn't recommend a gun duel just yet," I tell the two battlecruisers, just in case they have such ideas. They lack the armor for slugfests, after all.

Constitution grumbles something about "Fucking carriers, ruining our fun..."

Miho_Chan said:
Shiloh
Time to Destress
Sea of Japan

<Roger that Howe, sending an escorted strike package. Recommend our planes stagger their assaults, over>

<THIS IS THE USS SHILOH. WHICH PENSACOLA OVER>

Johnston watches the sky

@Miho_Chan

Your scouts turn to return to your deck to rearm and refuel, but one gets unlucky as an Abyssal AA shell rips through its fuel tank, setting it ablaze

Poteitoku · Aug 21, 2019

Timmerman

SeismicGuide said:
"Mm. You ready? I need everyone at optimal condition, Seaman. We might be going up against Late-war IJN tactics, sad to say, but make sure that none of them hit the carrier. Am I understood?"

Timmerman quickly nods. "I may not know much about what these planes are capable of, but I'll take them all down!"

SeismicGuide · Aug 21, 2019

Poteitoku said:
Timmerman

Timmerman quickly nods. "I may not know much about what these planes are capable of, but I'll take them all down!"

"Good, I'll say it again, remind your boys that these might be biplanes. Compensate for their slower speed." Johnston says,

Ash19256 · Aug 21, 2019

Maria Smith/USS Pensacola, ACR-14
Time: 1:10 PM, November 1st, 1914
Location: At Sea, Northeastern Pacific Ocean

UbeOne said:
<THIS IS HMS HOWE>

"Captain, it sounds like there might be multiple aircraft carriers in the area - I just received a message from an HMS Howe..."

Miho_Chan said:
<THIS IS THE USS SHILOH. WHICH PENSACOLA OVER>

"... and our unknown USN carrier is apparently USS Shiloh. They're asking, uh, which Pensacola we are. I'll be sending a response to them.."

SeismicGuide said:
- .... .. ... / .. ... / . ... -.-. --- .-. - .. -. --. / -.. . ... - .-. --- -.-- . .-. / ..- ... ... / .--- --- .... -. ... - --- -. --..-- / .-- .... .- - / -.-- . .- .-. / .. ... / .. - ..--.. / --- ...- . .-.

".. along with one to an escort that I presume is one of theirs."

With that, Warrant Officer Johnson begins tapping again.

.... ..- .-.. .-.. / -. ..- -- -... . .-. / .- -.-. .-. -....- .---- ....- .-.-.- / -.-- . .- .-. / .. ... / .---- ----. .---- ....- / --- ...- . .-.

HULL NUMBER ACR-14. YEAR IS 1914 OVER
(The link in the Morse code is to the online translator I'm using)

Poteitoku · Aug 21, 2019

Sean
[hr[

Ash19256 said:
"Captain, it sounds like there might be multiple aircraft carriers in the area - I just received a message from an HMS Howe..."

Ash19256 said:
"... and our unknown USN carrier is apparently USS Shiloh. They're asking, uh, which Pensacola we are. I'll be sending a response to them.."

"Multiple carriers, both unknown to me... I don't ever remember there being a USS Shiloh... Could this be more time travel shenanigans?" I go back into thought. Unknown ships that I can see first-hand. This could be fun!

Timmerman

SeismicGuide said:
"Good, I'll say it again, remind your boys that these might be biplanes. Compensate for their slower speed."

"I've never actually fought anything, so I'll let them know." A tiny Timmerman-looking person appears on her shoulder, and she talks a bit to it. "Hey, make sure to compensate for low plane speeds, okay? Make sure the AA is ready for incoming aircraft." The tiny Timmerman replies with an excited "Science!" and disappears once more.

Ash19256 · Aug 21, 2019

Maria Smith/USS Pensacola, ACR-14
Time: 1:10 PM, November 1st, 1914
Location: At Sea, Northeastern Pacific Ocean

Poteitoku said:
"Multiple carriers, both unknown to me... I don't ever remember there being a USS Shiloh... Could this be more time travel shenanigans?" I go back into thought. Unknown ships that I can see first-hand. This could be fun!

"Considering one of the questions asked was 'what year is it', I think it is," Warrant Officer Jackson absentmindedly replies while listening for a response.

Captain Smith hums thoughtfully. "Does the naming convention match with any ships you know about? Shiloh was a famous battle in the Civil War, although I could see it fitting in with names from other wars."

SeismicGuide · Aug 21, 2019

Ash19256 said:
Maria Smith/USS Pensacola, ACR-14
Time: 1:10 PM, November 1st, 1914
Location: At Sea, Northeastern Pacific Ocean

"Captain, it sounds like there might be multiple aircraft carriers in the area - I just received a message from an HMS Howe..."

"... and our unknown USN carrier is apparently USS Shiloh. They're asking, uh, which Pensacola we are. I'll be sending a response to them.."

".. along with one to an escort that I presume is one of theirs."

With that, Warrant Officer Johnson begins tapping again.

.... ..- .-.. .-.. / -. ..- -- -... . .-. / .- -.-. .-. -....- .---- ....- .-.-.- / -.-- . .- .-. / .. ... / .---- ----. .---- ....-

HULL NUMBER ACR-14. YEAR IS 1914
(The link in the Morse code is to the online translator I'm using)

Johnston has her radioman tap out a quick response

-. ..- - ...

NUTS

Poteitoku said:
Timmerman

"I've never actually fought anything, so I'll let them know." A tiny Timmerman-looking person appears on her shoulder, and she talks a bit to it. "Hey, make sure to compensate for low plane speeds, okay? Make sure the AA is ready for incoming aircraft." The tiny Timmerman replies with an excited "Science!" and disappears once more.

"Your crew should've still been trained to use those guns of yours, even if you never did" Johnston says, her eyes glued to the clouds above

Ash19256 · Aug 21, 2019

Maria Smith/USS Pensacola, ACR-14
Time: 1:10 PM, November 1st, 1914
Location: At Sea, Northeastern Pacific Ocean

SeismicGuide said:
-. ..- - ...

All of a sudden, Warrant Officer Johnson snickers.

"Johnson?" Captain Smith sounds amused and curious.

"Their reply to hearing the year was one word: 'Nuts'."

That causes everyone else to give an amused chuckle or two, although Maria is out and out laughing hard enough she's leaning on a wall to keep herself upright.

Poteitoku · Aug 21, 2019

Sean

Ash19256 said:
"Considering one of the questions asked was 'what year is it', I think it is," Warrant Officer Jackson absentmindedly replies while listening for a response.

Captain Smith hums thoughtfully. "Does the naming convention match with any ships you know about? Shiloh was a famous battle in the Civil War, although I could see it fitting in with names from other wars."

"Well... There's Saratoga and Lexington. I'm almost positive Lexington is named after the battle, though I don't know of a battle of Saratoga."

Ash19256 said:
"Their reply to hearing the year was one word: 'Nuts'."

I laugh a bit. "Yes, it's absolutely nuts."

Timmerman

SeismicGuide said:
"Your crew should've still been trained to use those guns of yours, even if you never did" Johnston says, her eyes glued to the clouds above

"Like I said earlier, I was meant to test experimental machinery. They never intended for me to fight. Even then, I won't lose!"

Ash19256 · Aug 21, 2019

Maria Smith/USS Pensacola, ACR-14
Time: 1:10 PM, November 1st, 1914
Location: At Sea, Northeastern Pacific Ocean

Poteitoku said:
"Well... There's Saratoga and Lexington. I'm almost positive Lexington is named after the battle, though I don't know of a battle of Saratoga."

"The Battle of Lexington was where the Revolutionary War started, and the Battle of Saratoga was where it ended."

Poteitoku said:
I laugh a bit. "Yes, it's absolutely nuts."

Captain Smith nods. "Yes, from quite a few perspectives it definitely is."

SeismicGuide · Aug 21, 2019

Ash19256 said:
Maria Smith/USS Pensacola, ACR-14
Time: 1:10 PM, November 1st, 1914
Location: At Sea, Northeastern Pacific Ocean

All of a sudden, Warrant Officer Johnson snickers.

"Johnson?" Captain Smith sounds amused and curious.

"Their reply to hearing the year was one word: 'Nuts'."

That causes everyone else to give an amused chuckle or two, although Maria is out and out laughing hard enough she's leaning on a wall to keep herself upright.

"Looks like we won't be getting much help, girls"

Johnston decides to tell the ACR of the enemy warships in the area

.--- --- .... -. ... - --- -. / .... . .-. . .-.-.- / .-- .- - -.-. .... / --- ..- - .-.-.- / . -. . -- -.-- / .- .. .-. / .- -. -.. / ... . .- / .- ... ... . - ... / .. -. / - .... . / .- .-. . .- .-.-.- / - .-- --- / -... -... / --- -. . / -.-. ...- --..-- / -.-. .... . -.-. -.- / .. -.. / -- .- .-. -.- . .-. ... / --- ..-. / .--. .- ... ... .. -. --. / .- .. .-. -.-. .-. .- ..-. - .-.-.- / ..-. .-. .. . -. -.. .-.. -.-- / .- .. .-. / .- ... ... . - ... / .- .-. . / .- -- . .-. .. -.-. .- -. / .- -. -.. / -... .-. .. - .. ... .... --..-- / --- ...- . .-.

JOHNSTON HERE. WATCH OUT. ENEMY AIR AND SEA ASSETS IN THE AREA. TWO BB ONE CV, CHECK ID MARKERS OF PASSING AIRCRAFT. FRIENDLY AIR ASSETS ARE AMERICAN AND BRITISH, OVER

Ash19256 · Aug 21, 2019

Maria Smith/USS Pensacola, ACR-14
Time: 1:10 PM, November 1st, 1914
Location: At Sea, Northeastern Pacific Ocean

SeismicGuide said:
.--- --- .... -. ... - --- -. / .... . .-. . .-.-.- / .-- .- - -.-. .... / --- ..- - .-.-.- / . -. . -- -.-- / .- .. .-. / .- -. -.. / ... . .- / .- ... ... . - ... / .. -. / - .... . / .- .-. . .- .-.-.- / - .-- --- / -... -... / --- -. . / -.-. ...- --..-- / -.-. .... . -.-. -.- / .. -.. / -- .- .-. -.- . .-. ... / --- ..-. / .--. .- ... ... .. -. --. / .- .. .-. -.-. .-. .- ..-. - .-.-.- / ..-. .-. .. . -. -.. .-.. -.-- / .- .. .-. / .- ... ... . - ... / .- .-. . / .- -- . .-. .. -.-. .- -. / .- -. -.. / -... .-. .. - .. ... .... --..-- / --- ...- . .-.

@Poteitoku
Just as everyone's calming back down, Warrant Officer Johnson pales slightly. "Sir, message from one of the Shiloh's escorts. Hostile naval forces in the area, two battleships and one, I think aircraft carrier, assuming CV is the hull code those use. We'll need to check our fire, although hopefully the enemy isn't using American or British aircraft."

Captain Smith scowls. "Damn. Johnson, send back a message explaining the forces with us, then signal the Reid to inform them of the situation, and do the same for the New Jersey. Bosun!"

"Bosun's mate aye sir."

"Sound general quarters."

"Aye sir."

With that, the petty officer who spoke up turns towards a brass box in the wall of the ship, over a red switch box. He picks up what appears to be a short and narrow straw, which turns out to be a whistle when he blows it into the speaker-looking device on the bottom of the box. After that, he speaks into the microphone. "General quarters, general quarters, all hands man your battle stations. Set condition one throughout the ship. General quarters, general quarters."

With that, he flips the switch under the intercom box, and you hear a very loud klaxon begin to sound. One of the warrant officers promptly hands you and Maria helmets, and puts his own helmet on, even as the rest of the bridge crew do the same.

If you listen, over the sound of the klaxon you can hear sailors scrambling to their posts, feet pounding on the metal floor of the hallways. You can also hear Johnson's radio set buzzing away as he hurriedly but accurately taps out his messages.

"Captain, Reid and New Jersey both acknowledge, although the Admiral is going to want an explanation as soon as it's possible to do so."

Captain Smith nods. "Very well. Helm, set course to rendezvous with the task force, increase speed to ahead flank."

"Aye Captain, rudders hard starboard, engines ahead full."

The man standing behind the large steering wheel begins turning it as quickly as possible, while another man grabs and throws forwards the engine telegraph to the setting simply labeled full, making sure that both reach full at roughly the same time.

Beneath your feet, you almost swear you can feel the ship beginning to vibrate more heavily as the engines pick up speed, while you also feel the ship leaning over into the turn.

Out one of the bridge windows, you can see a destroyer with four smoke stacks also making a hard turn.

.--. . -. ... .- -.-. --- .-.. .- / - --- / .--- --- .... -. ... - --- -. / -... . / .- -.. ...- .. ... . -.. / ..-. .-. .. . -. -.. .-.. -.-- / -. .- ...- .- .-.. / ..-. --- .-. -.-. . ... / .. -. / .- .-. . .- .-.-.- / .---- / ...- .. .-. --. .. -. .. .- -....- -.-. .-.. .- ... ... / -... -... --..-- / .---- / .--. . -. ... .- -.-. --- .-.. .- / -.-. .-.. .- ... ... / .- -.-. .-. --..-- / ...-- / ... -- .. - .... / -.-. .-.. .- ... ... / -.. -.. --..-- / --- ...- . .-.

PENSACOLA TO JOHNSTON BE ADVISED FRIENDLY NAVAL FORCES IN AREA. 1 VIRGINIA-CLASS BB, 1 PENSACOLA CLASS ACR, 3 SMITH CLASS DD, OVER

.--. . -. ... .- -.-. --- .-.. .- / - --- / .-. . .. -.. --..-- / .-. . ...- . .-. ... . / -.-. --- ..- .-. ... . / - --- / .-. . -. -.. . --.. ...- --- ..- ... / .-- .. - .... / - .- ... -.- / ..-. --- .-. -.-. . / .- - / -... . ... - / .--. --- ... ... .. -... .-.. . / ... .--. . . -.. .-.-.- / ..--- / .... --- ... - .. .-.. . / -... -... / .. -. / .- .-. . .- --..-- / .---- / .... --- ... - .. .-.. . / ...- . ... ... . .-.. / -.-. .- .-. .-. -.-- .. -. --. / .- .-. -- . -.. / .- .. .-. -.-. .-. .- ..-. - .-.-.-

PENSACOLA TO REID, REVERSE COURSE TO RENDEZVOUS WITH TASK FORCE AT BEST POSSIBLE SPEED. 2 HOSTILE BB IN AREA, 1 HOSTILE VESSEL CARRYING ARMED AIRCRAFT.

.--. . -. ... .- -.-. --- .-.. .- / - --- / -. . .-- / .--- . .-. ... . -.-- --..-- / . -. -.-. --- ..- -. - . .-. . -.. / ..-. .-. .. . -. -.. .-.. -.-- / -. .- ...- .- .-.. / .- ... ... . - ... .-.-.- / .-. . .--. --- .-. - / .- ... / ..-. --- .-.. .-.. --- .-- ... / -....- / .... --- ... - .. .-.. . / ..-. --- .-. -.-. . ... / ... .--. --- - - . -.. / .. -. / .- .-. . .- --..-- / .- - / .-.. . .- ... - / ..--- / .... --- ... - .. .-.. . / -... .- - - .-.. . ... .... .. .--. ... / .- -. -.. / .---- / ...- . ... ... . .-.. / - .... .- - / .-- .- ... / ... . . -. / .-.. .- ..- -. -.-. .... .. -. --. / .- .. .-. -.-. .-. .- ..-. - .-.-.- / . -. / .-. --- ..- - . / -... .- -.-. -.- / - --- / - .- ... -.- / ..-. --- .-. -.-. . / --- ...- . .-.

PENSACOLA TO NEW JERSEY, ENCOUNTERED FRIENDLY NAVAL ASSETS. REPORT AS FOLLOWS - HOSTILE FORCES SPOTTED IN AREA, AT LEAST 2 HOSTILE BATTLESHIPS AND 1 VESSEL THAT WAS SEEN LAUNCHING AIRCRAFT. EN ROUTE BACK TO TASK FORCE OVER

SeismicGuide · Aug 21, 2019

Ash19256 said:
Maria Smith/USS Pensacola, ACR-14
Time: 1:10 PM, November 1st, 1914
Location: At Sea, Northeastern Pacific Ocean

@Poteitoku
Just as everyone's calming back down, Warrant Officer Johnson pales slightly. "Sir, message from one of the Shiloh's escorts. Hostile naval forces in the area, two battleships and one, I think aircraft carrier, assuming CV is the hull code those use. We'll need to check our fire, although hopefully the enemy isn't using American or British aircraft."

Captain Smith scowls. "Damn. Johnson, send back a message explaining the forces with us, then signal the Reid to inform them of the situation, and do the same for the New Jersey. Bosun!"

"Bosun's mate aye sir."

"Sound general quarters."

"Aye sir."

With that, the petty officer who spoke up turns towards a brass box in the wall of the ship, over a red switch box. He picks up what appears to be a short and narrow straw, which turns out to be a whistle when he blows it into the speaker-looking device on the bottom of the box. After that, he speaks into the microphone. "General quarters, general quarters, all hands man your battle stations. Set condition one throughout the ship. General quarters, general quarters."

With that, he flips the switch under the intercom box, and you hear a very loud klaxon begin to sound. One of the warrant officers promptly hands you and Maria helmets, and puts his own helmet on, even as the rest of the bridge crew do the same.

If you listen, over the sound of the klaxon you can hear sailors scrambling to their posts, feet pounding on the metal floor of the hallways. You can also hear Johnson's radio set buzzing away as he hurriedly but accurately taps out his messages.

"Captain, Reid and New Jersey both acknowledge, although the Admiral is going to want an explanation as soon as it's possible to do so."

Captain Smith nods. "Very well. Helm, set course to rendezvous with the task force, increase speed to ahead flank."

"Aye Captain, rudders hard starboard, engines ahead full."

The man standing behind the large steering wheel begins turning it as quickly as possible, while another man grabs and throws forwards the engine telegraph to the setting simply labeled full, making sure that both reach full at roughly the same time.

Beneath your feet, you almost swear you can feel the ship beginning to vibrate more heavily as the engines pick up speed, while you also feel the ship leaning over into the turn.

Out one of the bridge windows, you can see a destroyer with four smoke stacks also making a hard turn.

.--. . -. ... .- -.-. --- .-.. .- / - --- / .--- --- .... -. ... - --- -. / -... . / .- -.. ...- .. ... . -.. / ..-. .-. .. . -. -.. .-.. -.-- / -. .- ...- .- .-.. / ..-. --- .-. -.-. . ... / .. -. / .- .-. . .- .-.-.- / .---- / ...- .. .-. --. .. -. .. .- -....- -.-. .-.. .- ... ... / -... -... --..-- / .---- / .--. . -. ... .- -.-. --- .-.. .- / -.-. .-.. .- ... ... / .- -.-. .-. --..-- / ...-- / ... -- .. - .... / -.-. .-.. .- ... ... / -.. -.. --..-- / --- ...- . .-.

PENSACOLA TO JOHNSTON BE ADVISED FRIENDLY NAVAL FORCES IN AREA. 1 VIRGINIA-CLASS BB, 1 PENSACOLA CLASS ACR, 3 SMITH CLASS DD, OVER

.--. . -. ... .- -.-. --- .-.. .- / - --- / .-. . .. -.. --..-- / .-. . ...- . .-. ... . / -.-. --- ..- .-. ... . / - --- / .-. . -. -.. . --.. ...- --- ..- ... / .-- .. - .... / - .- ... -.- / ..-. --- .-. -.-. . / .- - / -... . ... - / .--. --- ... ... .. -... .-.. . / ... .--. . . -.. .-.-.- / ..--- / .... --- ... - .. .-.. . / -... -... / .. -. / .- .-. . .- --..-- / .---- / .... --- ... - .. .-.. . / ...- . ... ... . .-.. / -.-. .- .-. .-. -.-- .. -. --. / .- .-. -- . -.. / .- .. .-. -.-. .-. .- ..-. - .-.-.-

PENSACOLA TO REID, REVERSE COURSE TO RENDEZVOUS WITH TASK FORCE AT BEST POSSIBLE SPEED. 2 HOSTILE BB IN AREA, 1 HOSTILE VESSEL CARRYING ARMED AIRCRAFT.

.--. . -. ... .- -.-. --- .-.. .- / - --- / -. . .-- / .--- . .-. ... . -.-- --..-- / . -. -.-. --- ..- -. - . .-. . -.. / ..-. .-. .. . -. -.. .-.. -.-- / -. .- ...- .- .-.. / .- ... ... . - ... .-.-.- / .-. . .--. --- .-. - / .- ... / ..-. --- .-.. .-.. --- .-- ... / -....- / .... --- ... - .. .-.. . / ..-. --- .-. -.-. . ... / ... .--. --- - - . -.. / .. -. / .- .-. . .- --..-- / .- - / .-.. . .- ... - / ..--- / .... --- ... - .. .-.. . / -... .- - - .-.. . ... .... .. .--. ... / .- -. -.. / .---- / ...- . ... ... . .-.. / - .... .- - / .-- .- ... / ... . . -. / .-.. .- ..- -. -.-. .... .. -. --. / .- .. .-. -.-. .-. .- ..-. - .-.-.- / . -. / .-. --- ..- - . / -... .- -.-. -.- / - --- / - .- ... -.- / ..-. --- .-. -.-. . / --- ...- . .-.

PENSACOLA TO NEW JERSEY, ENCOUNTERED FRIENDLY NAVAL ASSETS. REPORT AS FOLLOWS - HOSTILE FORCES SPOTTED IN AREA, AT LEAST 2 HOSTILE BATTLESHIPS AND 1 VESSEL THAT WAS SEEN LAUNCHING AIRCRAFT. EN ROUTE BACK TO TASK FORCE OVER

"Allied Fleet assets consist of one Virginia-class battleship, one Pensacola-Class Armored Cruiser and Three Smith-Class DDs!" Johnston shouts out

.-. --- --. . .-. --..-- / .--. . -. ... . -.-. --- .-.. .- .-.-.-

ROGER, PENSACOLA.

[Captain Shiloh! You and Captain Howe are the task commanders here, Orders?] Johnston raidios Shiloh

Poteitoku · Aug 21, 2019

Sean

Ash19256 said:
"The Battle of Lexington was where the Revolutionary War started, and the Battle of Saratoga was where it ended

"Oh, I see. Yeah, it makes sense then."

Ash19256 said:
Captain Smith nods. "Yes, from quite a few perspectives it definitely is.

I nod.

Ash19256 said:
Just as everyone's calming back down, Warrant Officer Johnson pales slightly. "Sir, message from one of the Shiloh's escorts. Hostile naval forces in the area, two battleships and one, I think aircraft carrier, assuming CV is the hull code those use. We'll need to check our fire, although hopefully the enemy isn't using American or British aircraft."

Captain Smith scowls. "Damn. Johnson, send back a message explaining the forces with us, then signal the Reid to inform them of the situation, and do the same for the New Jersey. Bosun!"

"Bosun's mate aye sir."

"Sound general quarters."

"Aye sir."

Without thinking, I mutter "Ah, shit..."

Ash19256 said:
With that, the petty officer who spoke up turns towards a brass box in the wall of the ship, over a red switch box. He picks up what appears to be a short and narrow straw, which turns out to be a whistle when he blows it into the speaker-looking device on the bottom of the box. After that, he speaks into the microphone. "General quarters, general quarters, all hands man your battle stations. Set condition one throughout the ship. General quarters, general quarters."

With that, he flips the switch under the intercom box, and you hear a very loud klaxon begin to sound. One of the warrant officers promptly hands you and Maria helmets, and puts his own helmet on, even as the rest of the bridge crew do the same.

I take the helmet and quickly put it on by watching what the others do. This is what it's like to be on a ship in battle... Interesting but terrifying.

Ash19256 said:
"Captain, Reid and New Jersey both acknowledge, although the Admiral is going to want an explanation as soon as it's possible to do so."

Captain Smith nods. "Very well. Helm, set course to rendezvous with the task force, increase speed to ahead flank."

"Aye Captain, rudders hard starboard, engines ahead full."

The man standing behind the large steering wheel begins turning it as quickly as possible, while another man grabs and throws forwards the engine telegraph to the setting simply labeled full, making sure that both reach full at roughly the same time.

Beneath your feet, you almost swear you can feel the ship beginning to vibrate more heavily as the engines pick up speed, while you also feel the ship leaning over into the turn.

Out one of the bridge windows, you can see a destroyer with four smoke stacks also making a hard turn.

I silently watch the course of events taking place, sometimes nodding as a reaction. On the inside, though... I've only ever seen this in games! This is so cool! ...Well, until we start getting pummeled.

Timmerman

SeismicGuide said:
"Allied Fleet assets consist of one Virginia-class battleship, one Pensacola-Class Armored Cruiser and Three Smith-Class DDs!" Johnston shouts out

Timmerman tries to remember anything about warships before her time, but can't seem to. She oddly comes up with an idea, but shoves it into the back of her mind. Now's not the time for fooling around.

UbeOne · Aug 21, 2019

Ricarda Howe, HMS Howe
Japanese Waters
Daytime
Time for battle

SeismicGuide said:
"Abbie's? See, I said we got brought back because of a war!" Johnston growls out

- .... .. ... / .. ... / . ... -.-. --- .-. - .. -. --. / -.. . ... - .-. --- -.-- . .-. / ..- ... ... / .--- --- .... -. ... - --- -. --..-- / .-- .... .- - / -.-- . .- .-. / .. ... / .. - ..--.. / --- ...- . .-.

(Translation: THIS IS ESCORTING DESTROYER USS JOHNSTON, WHAT YEAR IS IT? OVER)

"Mm. You ready? I need everyone at optimal condition, Seaman. We might be going up against Late-war IJN tactics, sad to say, but make sure that none of them hit the carrier. Am I understood?"

Willie watches you. She seems to be attentive to the emotions of others

"You send any planes over where it came from, Captain?" Willie asks

Johnston seems to have been a step ahead of you, as she's shouting out orders to the other destroyers

"I want every damned Bofors, Oerlikon and Five inch gun trained on those fuckers! Remember! If our CVs have Biplanes, the enemy most likely do aswell, tell your boys to slightly compensate for that! These aren't Zero's or Kamikaze's, but act like they are! Bring'em down, Girls!"

"Mm!" Willie Dee makes a noise

"Aye aye!" The Raven and Blonde "twins" shout together

"Understood, Commander!"

Constitution grumbles something about "Fucking carriers, ruining our fun..."

Johnston watches the sky

@Miho_Chan

Your scouts turn to return to your deck to rearm and refuel, but one gets unlucky as an Abyssal AA shell rips through its fuel tank, setting it ablaze

Ash19256 said:
Maria Smith/USS Pensacola, ACR-14
Time: 1:10 PM, November 1st, 1914
Location: At Sea, Northeastern Pacific Ocean

"Captain, it sounds like there might be multiple aircraft carriers in the area - I just received a message from an HMS Howe..."

"... and our unknown USN carrier is apparently USS Shiloh. They're asking, uh, which Pensacola we are. I'll be sending a response to them.."

".. along with one to an escort that I presume is one of theirs."

With that, Warrant Officer Johnson begins tapping again.

.... ..- .-.. .-.. / -. ..- -- -... . .-. / .- -.-. .-. -....- .---- ....- .-.-.- / -.-- . .- .-. / .. ... / .---- ----. .---- ....- / --- ...- . .-.

HULL NUMBER ACR-14. YEAR IS 1914 OVER
(The link in the Morse code is to the online translator I'm using)

SeismicGuide said:
"Allied Fleet assets consist of one Virginia-class battleship, one Pensacola-Class Armored Cruiser and Three Smith-Class DDs!" Johnston shouts out

.-. --- --. . .-. --..-- / .--. . -. ... . -.-. --- .-.. .- .-.-.-

ROGER, PENSACOLA.

[Captain Shiloh! You and Captain Howe are the task commanders here, Orders?] Johnston raidios Shiloh

"What Johnston said," I answer Willie regarding Pensacola and the others, "My scout found them as steel hulls though. You can see the smoke from here."

A message reveals that it's the year 1914. We were thrown that much back in time? "1914? Goodness, this place will be less friendly in the coming decades..."

"You have less armor than them. The odds aren't in your favor," I tell Connie, my face a serious one. It's like telling my sister to fight Bismarck up front, and look how that went.

SeismicGuide · Aug 21, 2019

UbeOne said:
Ricarda Howe, HMS Howe
Japanese Waters
Daytime
Time for battle

"What Johnston said," I answer Willie regarding Pensacola and the others, "My scout found them as steel hulls though. You can see the smoke from here."

"Mmhmm" is the collective sound from the two sisters

A message reveals that it's the year 1914. We were thrown that much back in time? "1914? Goodness, this place will be less friendly in the coming decades..."

"That it will. Better enjoy the peace while it's here." Johnston mutters

"You have less armor than them. The odds aren't in your favor," I tell Connie, my face a serious one. It's like telling my sister to fight Bismarck up front, and look how that went.

"As if I didn't know, Captain"

A harsh glare comes from the eldest Fletcher in the vicinity

"I've delt with TA's and RU's before. The TA most likely out-ranges me, but can take just a little bit more then I can, before pulling back and the RU quite possibly out Armor's me. I was built to outrun anything I couldn't Outgun, and outgun anything I couldn't outrun, I know how to pick my fights, Brit."

Ash19256 · Aug 22, 2019

Maria Smith/USS Pensacola, ACR-14
Time: 1:10 PM, November 1st, 1914
Location: At Sea, Northeastern Pacific Ocean

"All repair parties, manned and ready."

"Magazines, manned and ready."

"Engineering spaces manned and ready, all boilers on the line, maximum speed available 22 knots."

"Fore turret, manned and ready. Two 10 inch guns ready to fire."

"Aft turret, manned and ready. Two 10 inch guns ready to fire."

"Starboard 6 inch casemate guns, manned and ready."

"Port 6 inch casemate guns, manned and ready."

"Starboard 3 inch guns, manned and ready."

"Port 3 inch guns, manned and ready."

"All guns, manned and ready."

Even as the remaining combat staff report their readiness over speaking tubes or the intercom, Captain Smith is stoically calm, although he exudes a faint sense of pride in his crew.

As the last area reports their readiness, he smiles faintly. "Excellent. Lookouts, keep an eye on the skies and the horizon for incoming enemy forces. All other stations, maintain combat readiness."

He indicates for the bosun to stop transmitting over the intercom, sighs, and then says, under his breath, "Now all we can do is wait, I suppose."

Miho Chan · Aug 22, 2019

Shiloh
Task Force 42
Sea of Japan

SeismicGuide said:
[Captain Shiloh! You and Captain Howe are the task commanders here, Orders?]

SeismicGuide · Aug 22, 2019

Miho_Chan said:
Shiloh
Task Force 42
Sea of Japan

<Confirmed Joshnston, orders are to link up with my group, and protect the natives. How copy?>

[Johnston copies.]

"Alright girls, you heard the order, Link up with TF Shiloh"

"Aye." William says with a smile

"Roger!" The elder three Gearing's chorus

Ash19256 · Aug 22, 2019

Maria Smith/USS Pensacola, ACR-14
Time: 1:10 PM, November 1st, 1914
Location: At Sea, Northeastern Pacific Ocean

@Miho_Chan @SeismicGuide @UbeOne
<.- .-.. .-.. / ... - .- - .. --- -. ... --..-- / - .... .. ... / .. ... / .--. . -. ... .- -.-. --- .-.. .- .-.-.- / -.-. --- -- -... .- - / .-. . .- -.. -.-- / .- -. -.. / .-. . - ..- .-. -. .. -. --. / - --- / - .- ... -.- / ..-. --- .-. -.-. . / .- - / -... . ... - / .--. --- ... ... .. -... .-.. . / ... .--. . . -.. --..-- / --- ...- . .-.>

ALL STATIONS, THIS IS PENSACOLA. COMBAT READY AND RETURNING TO TASK FORCE AT BEST POSSIBLE SPEED, OVER

SeismicGuide · Aug 22, 2019

@Miho_Chan

Flak begins to burst around your planes.

As your planes ready to drop their torpedoes, five of your bombers have already crashed into the waves, however the other seven reach the dropping point, let the torpedoes loose, and turn to make a run home.

Two hit their mark on the Ta-class, three have hit the Ru-class, but the last two miss the WO-Class, who's already launching planes of her own, and disappears in her wake

@UbeOne

As the American bombers return to their carrier, Two Abyssal fighters strafe two of your planes, and two of your Flycatchers quickly dive onto the two aircraft.

Several bursts of flak wipes out nine more of your bombers, while the remaining seven fly on to drop their payloads. Seven torpedoes drop as your bombers make a turn to return to you.

Two of your pilots seem to have decided to go against orders and drop their torpedoes at the Ta, who seemed to already to have been taking on too much water, in a attempt to bring down its AA capability. Two more go after the Ru, who's showing signs of wanting to turn tail and run, while the last three follow orders, and two hit the Wo, while the last explodes in her wake.

Ash19256 said:
Maria Smith/USS Pensacola, ACR-14
Time: 1:10 PM, November 1st, 1914
Location: At Sea, Northeastern Pacific Ocean

@Miho_Chan @SeismicGuide @UbeOne
<.- .-.. .-.. / ... - .- - .. --- -. ... --..-- / - .... .. ... / .. ... / .--. . -. ... .- -.-. --- .-.. .- .-.-.- / -.-. --- -- -... .- - / .-. . .- -.. -.-- / .- -. -.. / .-. . - ..- .-. -. .. -. --. / - --- / - .- ... -.- / ..-. --- .-. -.-. . / .- - / -... . ... - / .--. --- ... ... .. -... .-.. . / ... .--. . . -.. --..-- / --- ...- . .-.>

ALL STATIONS, THIS IS PENSACOLA. COMBAT READY AND RETURNING TO TASK FORCE AT BEST POSSIBLE SPEED, OVER

Johnston has her raidio crew tap out another message

.-. --- --. . .-. --..-- / .--. . -. ... .- -.-. --- .-.. .- .-.-.- / - ..-. / .... --- .-- . / .. ... / ... -.-. .... . -.. ..- .-.. . -.. / - --- / .-. . -. -.. . --.. ...- --- ..- ... / .-- .. - .... / - ..-. / ... .... .. .-.. --- ....

ROGER, PENSACOLA. TF HOWE IS SCHEDULED TO RENDEZVOUS WITH TF SHILOH

Ash19256 · Aug 22, 2019

Maria Smith/USS Pensacola, ACR-14
Time: 1:10 PM, November 1st, 1914
Location: At Sea, Northeastern Pacific Ocean

SeismicGuide said:
.-. --- --. . .-. --..-- / .--. . -. ... .- -.-. --- .-.. .- .-.-.- / - ..-. / .... --- .-- . / .. ... / ... -.-. .... . -.. ..- .-.. . -.. / - --- / .-. . -. -.. . --.. ...- --- ..- ... / .-- .. - .... / - ..-. / ... .... .. .-.. --- ....

<.--. . -. ... .- -.-. --- .-.. .- / - --- / .--- --- .... -. ... - --- -. --..-- / --- -. .-.. -.-- / -.-. --- -. - .- -.-. - / .-- .. - .... / ... .... .. .-.. --- .... / .... .- ... / -... . . -. / ...- .. .- / .- .. .-. -.-. .-. .- ..-. - / .- -. -.. / .-. .- -.. .. --- .-.-.- / -. --- / ...- .. ... ..- .- .-.. / -.-. --- -. - .- -.-. - / .-- .. - .... / - ..-. / ... .... .. .-.. --- .... .-.-.- / .-. . -. -.. . --.. ...- --- ..- ... .. -. --. / .-- .. - .... / ...- .. .-. --. .. -. .. .- -....- -.-. .-.. .- ... ... / -... -... / ..- ... ... / -. . .-- / .--- . .-. ... . -.-- --..-- / --- ...- . .-.>

PENSACOLA TO JOHNSTON, ONLY CONTACT WITH SHILOH HAS BEEN VIA AIRCRAFT AND RADIO. NO VISUAL CONTACT WITH TF SHILOH. RENDEZVOUSING WITH VIRGINIA-CLASS BB USS NEW JERSEY, OVER

Seas of Blood, Steel, and Oil

Daydreaming CPU

One with too many ideas

Daydreaming CPU

The Quakiest of Quakebotes

The Quakiest of Quakebotes

The Quakiest of Quakebotes

The Quakiest of Quakebotes

The Quakiest of Quakebotes

Daydreaming CPU

The Quakiest of Quakebotes

One with too many ideas

The Quakiest of Quakebotes

The Quakiest of Quakebotes