The Rejected Crown
- Thread starter MrStarbuck
- Start date
- Crossover
8. Its All Fun and Games
- Location
- Ohio
"Traitor!" The threatening hiss echoed from the dark fog around me. "Where are you, traitor?"
The sinister presence was much different from the curious presence from my last dream. I didn't know exactly why but I did not want to get in a conversation with this being.
"Why would you leave the peaceful embrace for our dear Abyss, only to join back with those wretched humans that betrayed me? The whispers growled as I tried all that I could to avoid being detected. I didn't know what I was doing but I tried to conceal myself in patches of deeper fog or where the whispers seemed more distant. "I gave them so much, and then, burning burning. I persevered, surviving my own pyre and in the end, I was torn apart and forgotten."
"We wept when you rejected us, come back. If you don't, still you will not escape, but penance must be made!" I didn't know how this presence could hurt me but It felt similar to my last dream, only stronger and much more angry.
I felt like I was running out of places to hide when a different feeling came to me. I could feel a sensation of security reaching out to me. My dream changed instead of the oppressive darkness I was in a sleepy light grey fog. The repetitive slap of water on rocks echoed around me and a distant cry of a seabird came from overhead. A gentle swell rocked me into a meditative state and I didn't know how long I stayed like that, but it was so peaceful.
My quiet dream was interrupted by a distant-sounding yelp, I barely registered it but then another muffled yelp sounded nearby.
Sleep's hold on me was very weak when a whispered voice pulled me towards consciousness. "Nee-sama get a camera."
"No pictures unless you want to see the business end of ten, Mark 15s." A firm voice that dripped with hostility finally broke through my sleep-addled mind.
My eyes flicked open and I saw the top of a frizzy bright blond head resting in the crook of my arm. My mind started to spool up only to stutter as I wanted to relax in the pleasant warmth that surrounded me. A firm grip around my middle comforted me as a part of me enjoyed the secure feeling of allies to port and starboard.
Another more distant part of my mind rebelled at the obvious discordant thoughts and my eyes snapped open. A shifting at my feet caused me to turn my head to see Johnston glaring at the two Kongo sisters.
"Johnston, no threatening allies." I grumbled, cutting through the tension at the foot of the bed. "They've been very friendly and, likely, I wouldn't have made it back to port without Kongo's help."
"Oh, yes ma'am." Johnston seemed to shrink from my rebuke.
Despite the sudden awakening, I felt great and I couldn't recall having a night so restful. However, the pleasant morning was slightly darkened as I fully realized the situation that I had awoken in. I tried to get up only for Hoel to mummer and the pair of arms around my middle to squeeze me even harder. I was of two minds about my situation. The girls shouldn't be here and I was annoyed to find myself like this. On the other hand, they were so gosh darn cute!
"Hoel, Heerman, time to get up." I said gently, hoping they would wake without falling off of the small bed. The only response I got was another soft murmur from Hoel and a feeling like Heerman was trying to weld herself to me.
"I'll get them up, don't worry." Johnston said with a smirk on her face. "CAPTAIN ON DECK!"
In moments both girls had scrambled to their feet and stood at attention until they realized where they were and saw Johnston's smug grin.
"Sister! That was mean." Heerman whined as she dropped her salute.
"Yeah, I was having a really nice dream." Hoel complained.
"Well, when you were sleeping I was doing our job protecting our carrier." Johnston huffed, "These two ene-allies were about to take unauthorized intel and only I was aware enough to stop them."
A warm sensation ran through me when Johnston mentioned 'our carrier' but I knew that I needed to keep a level head in this situation. "Again Johnston, we are all allies here. I was well protected by Kongo and Kirishima. If we need to ask questions, then I ask why are you and your sisters here and not in your assigned room?"
"Uh- well." Johnston started before her eyes shifted to Hoel with a pleading look.
"Security patrol ma'am." Hoel answered with a serious face. "We were ensuring that security was up to adequate standards, and when we found it lacking I felt that you needed additional protection."
I couldn't help but be impressed by how quickly she came up with such an excuse, either she already had it prepared, or she was experienced in these sorts of situations. "Well I don't have any issues with that but since this isn't a US base I suppose this isn't up to me."
"No problem, des." Kongo cheerfully, although her grin might be a bit too rigid. "We're all friends here. As for security, I think you would have a harder time if you hadn't already started on base."
"Alright." I sighed as I pushed the blanket off of me. "I don't know much about any such security patrols. I'll have to ask Commander Jones about it next time I see him."
"Oh yes, of course." Hoel blinked, a stiff uncertain grin appearing on her face.
"Let's get ready." I said heading towards the bathroom. "We don't have long before we're ordered back stateside and I want to get all the training that I can."
"Understood! We stand read-" The messy-haired blond girl snapped into a reflexive salute before she looked down at her appearance, her eyes trailing over toward her sisters, "Back to our room!"
The three girls zipped out the door with Heermann hastily saying. "We'll be right back ma'am."
The door closed but I could hear a muffled yell. "Out of my way, I'm a fighting ship!"
Johnston shivered with excitement as she watched her radar. CV-44 was performing expertly as she repelled as many strike aircraft as she could. Her fighters had reduced the incoming enemy aircraft to roughly 25% before they got within gun range. It would soon be her chance to show her worth.
"Radar shows that enemy aircraft are within 3-mile range. Fla- Fleet-Carrier withdraw your Combat Air Patrol. We will deal with any incoming."
"Understood, turning away and commencing evasive maneuvers." The carrier said.
"Johnston, you're with me, Final Protective Fire! I want everything between us and our carrier turned to scrap!" Hoel growled angrily over the radio.
"FPF sister?!" I-isn't that a bit too much?" Heermann stuttered.
"I don't want so much as a scorch mark on our carrier. You stay close to her and kill anything that gets past us!" Hoel commanded.
"Understood Sis-Flagship!" Heermann responded.
Johnston grinned, her legs pumping at flank speed as she moved to join her sister to intercept the enemy aircraft. The order of Final Protective Fire didn't care about ammo expenditure, it didn't care about barrel heat. All it cared about was sending as much ordnance down range as quickly as possible.
"My fighters are away… weapons-free?" CV-44 questioned.
Johnston and her sister Hoel shared a look with each other and grinned. "OPEN FIRE!"
In rapid succession their 5in guns breathed fire, then the distance closed and their 40mm opened up, finally the enemy were peppered by the 20mm Oerlikons. Their marksmanship was on point as less than 8 smoking planes made it overhead.
"Engaging!" Heermann cried as she and the guns from CV-44 sent the last enemies spinning into the sea.
"Excellent work everyone." Hoel cheered as the last enemy plane splashed down. "All enemy aircraft destroyed. Damage report?"
"Nothing really got close to me so, no damage." CV-44 shrugged.
"Didn't even scratch my paint." Johnston laughed.
"One of the torpedo bombers exploded right above me, and I got sprayed by some frag." Heermann said as she pointed out a tiny tear on her shirt. "It could have been trouble if it had been carrying live ordnance. I would expect crew injuries and maybe I could have lost an AA mount."
"Sounds reasonable." Hoel nodded as she pointed at a faint red mark just below her knee. "Enemy dive bomber made a close miss off my Port Aft. It might have caused minor flooding or minor damage to a shaft or rudder. So let's be generous. Hoel, for the rest of the exercise you can't use that AA mount, and I'll reduce my max speed by 15 knots."
"So what now?" Johnston asked, a fierce grin on her face.
"Carrier, how are things on your end?" Hoel asked.
CV-44 turned to look blankly into the distance. "Between my fighters and your AA, I believe that we've shot down all or most of Akagi's strike aircraft. My strike will likely engage her fighters within minutes." She said as her rig shifted and a squadron of Corsairs landed on her flight deck.
"Hell yeah!" Johnston said with a fist pump. "That means that ene- the other carrier is combat ineffective!"
"Sister, let's not get too confident." Heermann chided. "Since you insisted on that handicap, they have an extra cruiser compared to our group."
"I had to give them a handicap." Johnston said with an unconcerned wave of her hand. "I mean it's us, and our amazing carrier has a larger air wing."
"Alright, new plan search and destroy." Hoel said as she pointed at her sisters. "Since I'm damaged I'll stay here with CV-44, you two finish off any surviving enemy after she gets done with them."
"Say no more!" Johnston said as she crouched and her screws sent out a blast of water as she rushed toward the enemy position.
"Sister, wait for me!" Heermann yelped as she rushed to catch up.
"I'll have a squadron of fighters ready to guide you in and give you some air cover!" CV-44 yelled after the two smaller girls.
"I am so glad we were able to convince Command to allow this training." Hoel grinned as she sailed up beside CV-44.
"Will those two be alright on their own?" The Carrier asked.
"Oh yeah, the only thing they have to worry about is the jap torps and they know that. I honestly almost feel bad for the other girls."
"Almost?" She queried, but only received a smirk in response."
Akagi tried to keep a serene look on her face but her facade was cracking. How could a newly returned Carrier outclass her so badly in air combat? A big part of her wanted to resent CV-44 but that wasn't fair, especially when they had such a lovely morning together.
She did not know exactly what to expect when CV-44 had visited for breakfast. She had heard rumors about the Ghost kanmusu but any trepidation from her appearance quickly faded after speaking with her.
They had nearly spent all morning discussing enemy tactics and air formations. CV-44 was polite but her questions had an intensity to them, her focus on learning about the enemy was both admirable and intimidating. Because of the pale girl's dogged desire to defeat the enemy, there was no doubt in Akagi's mind that she was on the good side.
Afterward, she tried to interest CV-44 in an introduction to kyūdō. The regimented bow martial art was heavily practiced by Japanese carrier kanmusu, and she thought that some of its basic principles would help the rookie shipgirl.
CV-44 politely declined due to the potential incompatibility with her weapon as well as her limited time at Yokasuka. Instead, the new Carrier was more interested in going out to the kanmusu firing range to practice with air combat formations.
What came next was one of the most humbling events in her life. She and CV-44 went out to the range and began shooting at distant targets with their fighter ammunition. As a veteran kanmusu, she was expected to set an example for any newly summoned warship. It was beyond humbling to see that CV-44 outclassed her in every flight maneuver.
Her only saving grace was when she questioned CV-44 about why she was only using fighters and dive bombers. It was only after some explanation and internal reflection that they came to an understanding. SB-2C bombers were considered ungraceful but they could do almost anything asked of them, depending on supporting equipment. CV-44 took a while but did discover that she possessed the ordinance and mounting racks to turn her SB-2Cs into torpedo bombers.
Akagi feared that she might be a sacrificial test subject for the help she had given the new American Carrier.
"My fighters are down, prepare to repel enemy strike aircraft." Akagi ordered trying to keep the frustration out of her voice. In a matter of minutes, all of her forward fighters and most of her strike aircraft had been destroyed. She couldn't even console herself that CV-44 had a larger hanger than her, she knew that she had been outclassed. Her every maneuver, every formation had been expertly countered. It was like each plane of CV-44 was piloted by an Ace that knew exactly how to support every other plane around it. A kill ratio of 1 kill to 6 losses was humiliating.
"Don't worry Akagi-san, we will protect you!" Fubuki said with a sweet determined smile on her face. She didn't know how badly she had been beaten.
"Remember this is a training exercise." Akagi reminded her small task force. "The incoming aircraft have training munitions, but you are using live ammunition. Repel them as best as you can but stay aware of your firing lines."
"Understood-poi!" Yūdachi responded uncertainly. "Moving to intercept!"
The incoming aircraft were spotted scattered in the distance and spreading out into various attack lanes.
"That's all from one carrier. Naka muttered, before grumbling. "I knew I should have been practicing for my next gig instead of volunteering for this."
"It is a good day for glory." Hibiki said while pulling out a silver flask, unscrewing the cap, and taking three long gulps. "Dang it, who replaced my vodka with water this time!?"
"As soon as they're in range you are free to fire." Akagi said, watching as the spread-out strike aircraft forced her escorts into a fan-like defensive formation.
The swarm of American aircraft eventually came in range, and her escorts opened up with their Type-3 guns. Akagi's heart fell as she quickly saw the difference between her and CV-44's escorts. The US destroyer's fire rate was quicker and more on target than her defenders. Not only that but each group of strike aircraft were more spread out, moving at slightly different speeds and altitudes. While it was a marvel how CV-44 could coordinate each aircraft it made shooting down the planes a confusing task.
"We're not hitting any!" Fubuki growled as she shifted her guns, trying her best but sadly delivering inaccurate fire.
"Just keep it up!" Naka encouraged as she readied her guns for action. "CV-44 is tricky with her aircraft but our experience will see us through!"
As the US aircraft closed several groups of planes pulled ahead, the distinctive bent wings of the F4U Corsair streaked down and peppered the Japanese destroyers with machine gun fire.
"B-blyat!" Hibiki sputtered and cursed as the speed and accuracy of the attack unsettled her. She and the other little Kanmusu were splattered with so many spots of blue paint it looked like they had a colorful sort of chicken pox.
"That was unpleasant.. Po- AH!" Yūdachi exclaimed as suddenly a dive bomber's training munition splattered on her, covering the majority of her head in blue. "Oh.. I think I've been mission killed, poi."
"Don't give up!" Fubuki stressed through her gritted teeth. "We must defend Akagi-sama!"
"I have incoming!" Akagi grumbled as she shifted into a hard starboard turn. A trio of SB-2Cs were making a diving run at her. Curling herself into as small a target as possible she prayed that she wouldn't be hit. Luckily for her of the 3000 pounds of dummy ordinance 2000 missed. However, sadly for her, a single bomb hit just below the small of her back. The blue paint splattered just above her hips.
"Oh dear, from that hit I think I wouldn't be able to launch aircraft…" Akagi muttered stoically.
"Ah-uh, ano!?" Fubuki sputtered as she tried her best to stay in the fight. "We can still win, Akagi-san still has the largest guns in this exercise. If we do it right, we beat them with our guns!"
"There are more incoming!" Hibiki gumbled, as she angled her guns toward the flight of six SB-2Cs that appeared behind a patch of cloud cover. "More dive bombers, evading!"
The strike aircraft expertly shifted their flight lines to avoid the sparse flak that was sent their way, but then they seemed to dive too early. It wasn't the steep near vertical dive that many dive bombers would attempt, while still a sharp dive there was something different from all of the other attacks from CV-44."
"Those aren't dive bombers!" Fubuki gasped as the strike aircraft pulled out of their dives and started to skim just above the water's surface. "They're torpedo bombers! Akagi-san EVADE!"
Akagi sighed despondently, and she couldn't hold back a grimace as feelings of jealousy filled her. Everything about the way CV-44 directed aircraft seemed to be effortlessly graceful. She couldn't even feel anger as the torpedo bombers flared their air brakes to slow for an appropriate drop speed. Trying her best to evade four of the six lines of bubbles hit below her waterline. The lack of any explosion didn't really comfort her as her side and the water around her were splattered in a shifting mix of blue.
The Japanese Kanmusu took a little while to determine their next course of action. Akagi was considered sunk, and Yūdachi would be out of action. They could attempt to flee towing Yūdachi away or they could charge with the three shipgirls that were still combat capable. Unfortunately for them, they didn't get to make that decision before several foamy plumes of water erupted around them.
"Attention enemy warships!" The gleeful voice of Johnston called on an open radio channel. "You are within gun range and our capital ship's next strike is at best minutes away. Surrender or prepare to be destroyed!"
"Ohhh.." Naka groaned. "I think we lost this one, can we just go home?"
"Ano… Ano?" Fubuki questioned, whipping her head around looking for something that might save them but finding none.
Twisting a lock of pale blond hair between her fingers she paced around what should be her own head. She paused and her light blue eyes stared out into the cloying gloom that surrounded her. It didn't take long before the familiar disturbing sensation started to creep up her spine and she brought her gaze down to the deck. She brought up a finger to her mouth but her lips felt that her fingernails were already at the quick.
"XO, is there anything new since the last contact?" She asked, already knowing the answer but wanting to fill the silence.
"I'm afraid not, we're still heading toward where we detected the SOS but as you know it's hard to navigate. Our situation isn't any worse than it has been, I don't recommend traveling any faster than we are, and I don't think the watertight doors can handle much more." He said pacing around the bridge, his steps altered due to the heavy list she was suffering. "With all the damage we took I'm amazed we haven't been sunk."
"Damn destroyers." She agreed with a growl and began to pace herself. What she didn't say was that she wasn't so certain that she hadn't sunk.
She literally lost track of how long she had been in this dark hellscape. All measuring instruments either didn't work or were lying. You couldn't trust a compass that did nothing but spin or shift every other minute, and the chronometer was the worst liar. Nothing was certain in this dark place.
The SOS signal had been the only new thing that had happened since… She didn't know how long, and she checked to make certain that the helm still held course. At least there was something to do, maybe she wasn't alone. There was a task that needed to be done, she could be useful. Yes, there was someone out there wanting help.
She looked up hoping to see something other than blackness, but she could barely make out the vague shape of her 8-inch guns. Beyond that was the endless, unfathomable, listless, black. It wasn't just black it was somehow darker, it seemed to suck the idea of light in drawing everything away. It wasn't right. "It…" She muttered, that was right there was something out there calling, soothing, smothering, domin-
"Ma'am!" The voice of her XO cut into her strayed thoughts and she quickly yanked her eyes down to the deck.
"S-status report!" She sputtered.
"No changes yet Ma'am." The XO said firmly, yet couldn't keep a note of concern out of his voice.
"Well make some changes!" She snapped, "Make a full check of all radio frequencies and perform searchlight sweeps.
She began pacing again as she looked over her command crew. Were there fewer officers than there should be? She felt like she was missing something. She didn't want to study the situation too intently lest her gaze be drawn out a window.
"Don't stare, IT stares back." She muttered to herself as she pulled at a lock of hair. "Don't stare, don't stare. There is something to do, I know I heard it. Someone needs my help, I can be useful. I can still fight! Just don't stare."
The sinister presence was much different from the curious presence from my last dream. I didn't know exactly why but I did not want to get in a conversation with this being.
"Why would you leave the peaceful embrace for our dear Abyss, only to join back with those wretched humans that betrayed me? The whispers growled as I tried all that I could to avoid being detected. I didn't know what I was doing but I tried to conceal myself in patches of deeper fog or where the whispers seemed more distant. "I gave them so much, and then, burning burning. I persevered, surviving my own pyre and in the end, I was torn apart and forgotten."
"We wept when you rejected us, come back. If you don't, still you will not escape, but penance must be made!" I didn't know how this presence could hurt me but It felt similar to my last dream, only stronger and much more angry.
I felt like I was running out of places to hide when a different feeling came to me. I could feel a sensation of security reaching out to me. My dream changed instead of the oppressive darkness I was in a sleepy light grey fog. The repetitive slap of water on rocks echoed around me and a distant cry of a seabird came from overhead. A gentle swell rocked me into a meditative state and I didn't know how long I stayed like that, but it was so peaceful.
My quiet dream was interrupted by a distant-sounding yelp, I barely registered it but then another muffled yelp sounded nearby.
Sleep's hold on me was very weak when a whispered voice pulled me towards consciousness. "Nee-sama get a camera."
"No pictures unless you want to see the business end of ten, Mark 15s." A firm voice that dripped with hostility finally broke through my sleep-addled mind.
My eyes flicked open and I saw the top of a frizzy bright blond head resting in the crook of my arm. My mind started to spool up only to stutter as I wanted to relax in the pleasant warmth that surrounded me. A firm grip around my middle comforted me as a part of me enjoyed the secure feeling of allies to port and starboard.
Another more distant part of my mind rebelled at the obvious discordant thoughts and my eyes snapped open. A shifting at my feet caused me to turn my head to see Johnston glaring at the two Kongo sisters.
"Johnston, no threatening allies." I grumbled, cutting through the tension at the foot of the bed. "They've been very friendly and, likely, I wouldn't have made it back to port without Kongo's help."
"Oh, yes ma'am." Johnston seemed to shrink from my rebuke.
Despite the sudden awakening, I felt great and I couldn't recall having a night so restful. However, the pleasant morning was slightly darkened as I fully realized the situation that I had awoken in. I tried to get up only for Hoel to mummer and the pair of arms around my middle to squeeze me even harder. I was of two minds about my situation. The girls shouldn't be here and I was annoyed to find myself like this. On the other hand, they were so gosh darn cute!
"Hoel, Heerman, time to get up." I said gently, hoping they would wake without falling off of the small bed. The only response I got was another soft murmur from Hoel and a feeling like Heerman was trying to weld herself to me.
"I'll get them up, don't worry." Johnston said with a smirk on her face. "CAPTAIN ON DECK!"
In moments both girls had scrambled to their feet and stood at attention until they realized where they were and saw Johnston's smug grin.
"Sister! That was mean." Heerman whined as she dropped her salute.
"Yeah, I was having a really nice dream." Hoel complained.
"Well, when you were sleeping I was doing our job protecting our carrier." Johnston huffed, "These two ene-allies were about to take unauthorized intel and only I was aware enough to stop them."
A warm sensation ran through me when Johnston mentioned 'our carrier' but I knew that I needed to keep a level head in this situation. "Again Johnston, we are all allies here. I was well protected by Kongo and Kirishima. If we need to ask questions, then I ask why are you and your sisters here and not in your assigned room?"
"Uh- well." Johnston started before her eyes shifted to Hoel with a pleading look.
"Security patrol ma'am." Hoel answered with a serious face. "We were ensuring that security was up to adequate standards, and when we found it lacking I felt that you needed additional protection."
I couldn't help but be impressed by how quickly she came up with such an excuse, either she already had it prepared, or she was experienced in these sorts of situations. "Well I don't have any issues with that but since this isn't a US base I suppose this isn't up to me."
"No problem, des." Kongo cheerfully, although her grin might be a bit too rigid. "We're all friends here. As for security, I think you would have a harder time if you hadn't already started on base."
"Alright." I sighed as I pushed the blanket off of me. "I don't know much about any such security patrols. I'll have to ask Commander Jones about it next time I see him."
"Oh yes, of course." Hoel blinked, a stiff uncertain grin appearing on her face.
"Let's get ready." I said heading towards the bathroom. "We don't have long before we're ordered back stateside and I want to get all the training that I can."
"Understood! We stand read-" The messy-haired blond girl snapped into a reflexive salute before she looked down at her appearance, her eyes trailing over toward her sisters, "Back to our room!"
The three girls zipped out the door with Heermann hastily saying. "We'll be right back ma'am."
The door closed but I could hear a muffled yell. "Out of my way, I'm a fighting ship!"
Johnston shivered with excitement as she watched her radar. CV-44 was performing expertly as she repelled as many strike aircraft as she could. Her fighters had reduced the incoming enemy aircraft to roughly 25% before they got within gun range. It would soon be her chance to show her worth.
"Radar shows that enemy aircraft are within 3-mile range. Fla- Fleet-Carrier withdraw your Combat Air Patrol. We will deal with any incoming."
"Understood, turning away and commencing evasive maneuvers." The carrier said.
"Johnston, you're with me, Final Protective Fire! I want everything between us and our carrier turned to scrap!" Hoel growled angrily over the radio.
"FPF sister?!" I-isn't that a bit too much?" Heermann stuttered.
"I don't want so much as a scorch mark on our carrier. You stay close to her and kill anything that gets past us!" Hoel commanded.
"Understood Sis-Flagship!" Heermann responded.
Johnston grinned, her legs pumping at flank speed as she moved to join her sister to intercept the enemy aircraft. The order of Final Protective Fire didn't care about ammo expenditure, it didn't care about barrel heat. All it cared about was sending as much ordnance down range as quickly as possible.
"My fighters are away… weapons-free?" CV-44 questioned.
Johnston and her sister Hoel shared a look with each other and grinned. "OPEN FIRE!"
In rapid succession their 5in guns breathed fire, then the distance closed and their 40mm opened up, finally the enemy were peppered by the 20mm Oerlikons. Their marksmanship was on point as less than 8 smoking planes made it overhead.
"Engaging!" Heermann cried as she and the guns from CV-44 sent the last enemies spinning into the sea.
"Excellent work everyone." Hoel cheered as the last enemy plane splashed down. "All enemy aircraft destroyed. Damage report?"
"Nothing really got close to me so, no damage." CV-44 shrugged.
"Didn't even scratch my paint." Johnston laughed.
"One of the torpedo bombers exploded right above me, and I got sprayed by some frag." Heermann said as she pointed out a tiny tear on her shirt. "It could have been trouble if it had been carrying live ordnance. I would expect crew injuries and maybe I could have lost an AA mount."
"Sounds reasonable." Hoel nodded as she pointed at a faint red mark just below her knee. "Enemy dive bomber made a close miss off my Port Aft. It might have caused minor flooding or minor damage to a shaft or rudder. So let's be generous. Hoel, for the rest of the exercise you can't use that AA mount, and I'll reduce my max speed by 15 knots."
"So what now?" Johnston asked, a fierce grin on her face.
"Carrier, how are things on your end?" Hoel asked.
CV-44 turned to look blankly into the distance. "Between my fighters and your AA, I believe that we've shot down all or most of Akagi's strike aircraft. My strike will likely engage her fighters within minutes." She said as her rig shifted and a squadron of Corsairs landed on her flight deck.
"Hell yeah!" Johnston said with a fist pump. "That means that ene- the other carrier is combat ineffective!"
"Sister, let's not get too confident." Heermann chided. "Since you insisted on that handicap, they have an extra cruiser compared to our group."
"I had to give them a handicap." Johnston said with an unconcerned wave of her hand. "I mean it's us, and our amazing carrier has a larger air wing."
"Alright, new plan search and destroy." Hoel said as she pointed at her sisters. "Since I'm damaged I'll stay here with CV-44, you two finish off any surviving enemy after she gets done with them."
"Say no more!" Johnston said as she crouched and her screws sent out a blast of water as she rushed toward the enemy position.
"Sister, wait for me!" Heermann yelped as she rushed to catch up.
"I'll have a squadron of fighters ready to guide you in and give you some air cover!" CV-44 yelled after the two smaller girls.
"I am so glad we were able to convince Command to allow this training." Hoel grinned as she sailed up beside CV-44.
"Will those two be alright on their own?" The Carrier asked.
"Oh yeah, the only thing they have to worry about is the jap torps and they know that. I honestly almost feel bad for the other girls."
"Almost?" She queried, but only received a smirk in response."
Akagi tried to keep a serene look on her face but her facade was cracking. How could a newly returned Carrier outclass her so badly in air combat? A big part of her wanted to resent CV-44 but that wasn't fair, especially when they had such a lovely morning together.
She did not know exactly what to expect when CV-44 had visited for breakfast. She had heard rumors about the Ghost kanmusu but any trepidation from her appearance quickly faded after speaking with her.
They had nearly spent all morning discussing enemy tactics and air formations. CV-44 was polite but her questions had an intensity to them, her focus on learning about the enemy was both admirable and intimidating. Because of the pale girl's dogged desire to defeat the enemy, there was no doubt in Akagi's mind that she was on the good side.
Afterward, she tried to interest CV-44 in an introduction to kyūdō. The regimented bow martial art was heavily practiced by Japanese carrier kanmusu, and she thought that some of its basic principles would help the rookie shipgirl.
CV-44 politely declined due to the potential incompatibility with her weapon as well as her limited time at Yokasuka. Instead, the new Carrier was more interested in going out to the kanmusu firing range to practice with air combat formations.
What came next was one of the most humbling events in her life. She and CV-44 went out to the range and began shooting at distant targets with their fighter ammunition. As a veteran kanmusu, she was expected to set an example for any newly summoned warship. It was beyond humbling to see that CV-44 outclassed her in every flight maneuver.
Her only saving grace was when she questioned CV-44 about why she was only using fighters and dive bombers. It was only after some explanation and internal reflection that they came to an understanding. SB-2C bombers were considered ungraceful but they could do almost anything asked of them, depending on supporting equipment. CV-44 took a while but did discover that she possessed the ordinance and mounting racks to turn her SB-2Cs into torpedo bombers.
Akagi feared that she might be a sacrificial test subject for the help she had given the new American Carrier.
"My fighters are down, prepare to repel enemy strike aircraft." Akagi ordered trying to keep the frustration out of her voice. In a matter of minutes, all of her forward fighters and most of her strike aircraft had been destroyed. She couldn't even console herself that CV-44 had a larger hanger than her, she knew that she had been outclassed. Her every maneuver, every formation had been expertly countered. It was like each plane of CV-44 was piloted by an Ace that knew exactly how to support every other plane around it. A kill ratio of 1 kill to 6 losses was humiliating.
"Don't worry Akagi-san, we will protect you!" Fubuki said with a sweet determined smile on her face. She didn't know how badly she had been beaten.
"Remember this is a training exercise." Akagi reminded her small task force. "The incoming aircraft have training munitions, but you are using live ammunition. Repel them as best as you can but stay aware of your firing lines."
"Understood-poi!" Yūdachi responded uncertainly. "Moving to intercept!"
The incoming aircraft were spotted scattered in the distance and spreading out into various attack lanes.
"That's all from one carrier. Naka muttered, before grumbling. "I knew I should have been practicing for my next gig instead of volunteering for this."
"It is a good day for glory." Hibiki said while pulling out a silver flask, unscrewing the cap, and taking three long gulps. "Dang it, who replaced my vodka with water this time!?"
"As soon as they're in range you are free to fire." Akagi said, watching as the spread-out strike aircraft forced her escorts into a fan-like defensive formation.
The swarm of American aircraft eventually came in range, and her escorts opened up with their Type-3 guns. Akagi's heart fell as she quickly saw the difference between her and CV-44's escorts. The US destroyer's fire rate was quicker and more on target than her defenders. Not only that but each group of strike aircraft were more spread out, moving at slightly different speeds and altitudes. While it was a marvel how CV-44 could coordinate each aircraft it made shooting down the planes a confusing task.
"We're not hitting any!" Fubuki growled as she shifted her guns, trying her best but sadly delivering inaccurate fire.
"Just keep it up!" Naka encouraged as she readied her guns for action. "CV-44 is tricky with her aircraft but our experience will see us through!"
As the US aircraft closed several groups of planes pulled ahead, the distinctive bent wings of the F4U Corsair streaked down and peppered the Japanese destroyers with machine gun fire.
"B-blyat!" Hibiki sputtered and cursed as the speed and accuracy of the attack unsettled her. She and the other little Kanmusu were splattered with so many spots of blue paint it looked like they had a colorful sort of chicken pox.
"That was unpleasant.. Po- AH!" Yūdachi exclaimed as suddenly a dive bomber's training munition splattered on her, covering the majority of her head in blue. "Oh.. I think I've been mission killed, poi."
"Don't give up!" Fubuki stressed through her gritted teeth. "We must defend Akagi-sama!"
"I have incoming!" Akagi grumbled as she shifted into a hard starboard turn. A trio of SB-2Cs were making a diving run at her. Curling herself into as small a target as possible she prayed that she wouldn't be hit. Luckily for her of the 3000 pounds of dummy ordinance 2000 missed. However, sadly for her, a single bomb hit just below the small of her back. The blue paint splattered just above her hips.
"Oh dear, from that hit I think I wouldn't be able to launch aircraft…" Akagi muttered stoically.
"Ah-uh, ano!?" Fubuki sputtered as she tried her best to stay in the fight. "We can still win, Akagi-san still has the largest guns in this exercise. If we do it right, we beat them with our guns!"
"There are more incoming!" Hibiki gumbled, as she angled her guns toward the flight of six SB-2Cs that appeared behind a patch of cloud cover. "More dive bombers, evading!"
The strike aircraft expertly shifted their flight lines to avoid the sparse flak that was sent their way, but then they seemed to dive too early. It wasn't the steep near vertical dive that many dive bombers would attempt, while still a sharp dive there was something different from all of the other attacks from CV-44."
"Those aren't dive bombers!" Fubuki gasped as the strike aircraft pulled out of their dives and started to skim just above the water's surface. "They're torpedo bombers! Akagi-san EVADE!"
Akagi sighed despondently, and she couldn't hold back a grimace as feelings of jealousy filled her. Everything about the way CV-44 directed aircraft seemed to be effortlessly graceful. She couldn't even feel anger as the torpedo bombers flared their air brakes to slow for an appropriate drop speed. Trying her best to evade four of the six lines of bubbles hit below her waterline. The lack of any explosion didn't really comfort her as her side and the water around her were splattered in a shifting mix of blue.
The Japanese Kanmusu took a little while to determine their next course of action. Akagi was considered sunk, and Yūdachi would be out of action. They could attempt to flee towing Yūdachi away or they could charge with the three shipgirls that were still combat capable. Unfortunately for them, they didn't get to make that decision before several foamy plumes of water erupted around them.
"Attention enemy warships!" The gleeful voice of Johnston called on an open radio channel. "You are within gun range and our capital ship's next strike is at best minutes away. Surrender or prepare to be destroyed!"
"Ohhh.." Naka groaned. "I think we lost this one, can we just go home?"
"Ano… Ano?" Fubuki questioned, whipping her head around looking for something that might save them but finding none.
Twisting a lock of pale blond hair between her fingers she paced around what should be her own head. She paused and her light blue eyes stared out into the cloying gloom that surrounded her. It didn't take long before the familiar disturbing sensation started to creep up her spine and she brought her gaze down to the deck. She brought up a finger to her mouth but her lips felt that her fingernails were already at the quick.
"XO, is there anything new since the last contact?" She asked, already knowing the answer but wanting to fill the silence.
"I'm afraid not, we're still heading toward where we detected the SOS but as you know it's hard to navigate. Our situation isn't any worse than it has been, I don't recommend traveling any faster than we are, and I don't think the watertight doors can handle much more." He said pacing around the bridge, his steps altered due to the heavy list she was suffering. "With all the damage we took I'm amazed we haven't been sunk."
"Damn destroyers." She agreed with a growl and began to pace herself. What she didn't say was that she wasn't so certain that she hadn't sunk.
She literally lost track of how long she had been in this dark hellscape. All measuring instruments either didn't work or were lying. You couldn't trust a compass that did nothing but spin or shift every other minute, and the chronometer was the worst liar. Nothing was certain in this dark place.
The SOS signal had been the only new thing that had happened since… She didn't know how long, and she checked to make certain that the helm still held course. At least there was something to do, maybe she wasn't alone. There was a task that needed to be done, she could be useful. Yes, there was someone out there wanting help.
She looked up hoping to see something other than blackness, but she could barely make out the vague shape of her 8-inch guns. Beyond that was the endless, unfathomable, listless, black. It wasn't just black it was somehow darker, it seemed to suck the idea of light in drawing everything away. It wasn't right. "It…" She muttered, that was right there was something out there calling, soothing, smothering, domin-
"Ma'am!" The voice of her XO cut into her strayed thoughts and she quickly yanked her eyes down to the deck.
"S-status report!" She sputtered.
"No changes yet Ma'am." The XO said firmly, yet couldn't keep a note of concern out of his voice.
"Well make some changes!" She snapped, "Make a full check of all radio frequencies and perform searchlight sweeps.
She began pacing again as she looked over her command crew. Were there fewer officers than there should be? She felt like she was missing something. She didn't want to study the situation too intently lest her gaze be drawn out a window.
"Don't stare, IT stares back." She muttered to herself as she pulled at a lock of hair. "Don't stare, don't stare. There is something to do, I know I heard it. Someone needs my help, I can be useful. I can still fight! Just don't stare."
It's listed as chapter 9 in the threadmark, not 8.
- Location
- Ohio
So I have had this posted this chapter on other sites. I am just sadly slow on getting this up on this site. Please enjoy my late update.
Fixed thanks.
Fixed thanks.
Maybe it's just me but I think you put a little too many 0 here ..........
I know CV-44 has escalation issues but dropping 3000 pounds of dummy ordinances on one ship is a little too much for a friendly exercise
Even worse more then 2000 of them missed the target and that just beg CV-44 to bully poor Japanese shipgirls until she gets better aim.
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Tisaku
Head Chief Thinkomancer
comboed
the only thing
rifle
chatter
chatter
en bloc
elusive
Flak
chinned
their
their
flak
..."
. "
Taffys
Taffys
jacket
Taffys
abyssals
and
Abyssals
good morning
strategic
fightin'
murmur
shrapnel
- Location
- Oregon, USA
Not really. The planes dropping them (SB2C Helldivers) are known to carry a 1,000 lb bomb internally and a pair of 250 lb bombs on the wings, sometimes. The SB2C-4 can add another 500 lbs of bomb to each wing. And practice bombs weigh roughly the same as the real thing, or it isn't very good practice for the planes.
Sure, looking at it by weight, that's 3,000 lbs of weight dropped in a ship's general direction. But in actual objects, it's only really 3, each plane dropped 1 bomb(practice) that weighed 1,000 lbs, and 2 of them missed.
- Location
- Oregon, USA
I suspect you're thinking too much on the 'girl' side of the 'shipgirl' bit. Yes, compared to a less than 200 lb young woman, a 1,000 lb practice bomb (aka a casing filled with, likely, wet sand instead of explosives) is a big thing. Compared to a 37,100 ton displacement carrier (if Akagi were empty), it's a much, much different story.