/* a short two-part story about submarine's outing to the town */
/* it's more of a quick draft, so don't get your hopes high */
- Admiral! Message from I-168! Says it's urgent! - the secretary ship shouted from her desk, situated at the window left of the admiral's - The fleet has run into ASW patrol. Currently retreating and being pursuited. I-19 is heavily damaged and under tow. I'm passing their position.
- Shouhou, get Akagi, Maya, Sendai, Fubuki and Ayanami, and intercept the enemy fleet. Effective immediately. Battle speed ordered. - the admiral answered, picking up a phone on his right, labeled "arsenal", which was immediately picked up on the other side.
- Akashi's Workshop, how can we serve you today? - a mature, seductive voice asked.
- Asahi-san, get your engineering crews and prepare the docks to accept a heavily damaged Junsen Type B submarine. Tell Akashi we'll need her at the pier number two by noon, first aid may be in order. - the admiral answered with a grim voice.
At first, each time one of the submarines got damage Hara was getting nervous to the point of flipping tables, with time however, he became much more composed when such things were happening. Not because these seemingly frail girls could, apparently, survive everything, but because he got used to the grim reality of the war. This time would be no different if not for the fact that Iku, as I-19 was nicknamed, had to be taken in tow, while also being pursued by an enemy task force armed with anti-submarine equipments. Similarly to their Pacific War counterparts, the four submarines currently available to the JMSDF, were awfully slow on surface and even slower under the water, and modern anti-sonar coating proved ineffective against Abyssal ordnance.
- Don't you worry, admiral. I'm sure they'll be fine. They always are after all. - Asahi said as if feeling anxiety in Hara's voice. - Like overgrown cockroaches, will survive an atomic blast.
- Probably, you're right. Now, off to work. - he answered, putting down the phone.
Asahi wasn't particularly fond of submarines, probably as she was sunk by one, however she'd never let it show in such an obvious manner. Admiral took it as a good sign of her actually caring for those little scamps.
Shouhou finished repeating Hara's orders through the intercom, asking the task force to assemble at pier two in ten minutes. It just started getting bright, so hopefully Sendai was still going about her night battle spree, and she won't be tardy again, the light carrier thought. She left the room, saluting her, now lost in the thought, commander and rushed down the corridor.
The current position of the four submarines, I-168, I-19, I-8 and I-58 was some three hours away at combat speed. Considering the velocity of each group, they should make contact in about two hours and be back in some five, as the carrier task force should easily get rid of the enemy. With nothing else he could do, Hara decided to do some paperwork to take his mind of the issue.
Hara's paperwork spree didn't last long. Unable to concentrate or leave the post, he decided for what he thought unthinkable after the night two days earlier, he called for the base's greatest drunk and degenerate, the person who's once nearly destroyed destroyers' dormitory and kept trying to get the poor kids to drink with her, after all but very few shipgirls gave up seeing her, seemingly, infinite capacity. Admiral decided to call for Junyou, the same who's nearly costed him a huge scandal, if Aoba wasn't captured by the same submarines now in a deadly jeopardy. Obviously, such a person would delay for as long as she could, so instead of calling her directly, Hara just radioed that 10 bottles of moonshine have been found and are going down the drain, because such behaviour does not fit shipgirls of the proud navy.
Junyou rushed into Hara's office just ten minutes later, making excuses even before entering the room. The plan turned out to be a great success and the expeditionary fleet of one light carrier came with a large bottle of booze, which she probably bribed the guard to buy. The shipgirl, while visibly drunk, was quick to notice that there's no moonshine going down the drain, moreso, there's no moonshine at all, and begun her tactical withdrawal.
- You stay right there, Junyou. I didn't call you to scold you. I need a drink, and a partner.
- I'm sorry, admiral, I won'... Eh? What? - Junyou yelled with in disbelief. - Hyaha! I knew that's gonna happen sooner or later! Can't get enough of the old flat-top, eh? - She continued.
- Yes, yes, I can't get enough. I wouldn't call you a flat-top though. - Hara remarked, looking at carrier's somewhat bountiful chest.
- Now, open that bottle. - Admiral took out two crystal whisky glasses from his desk, a commemoration gift for his enlistment and promotion.
- Oi, admiral, could it be that, you know, you want to have some of me? No need to be so... hiccup... shy about it, come here, let me kiss you! - Junyou answered, catching Hara's cheeks between her hands and hitting his chin with the bottle still in her hand, and going right for his mouth.
- You wish! - admiral shouted, gently pushing the, apparently horny, carrier aside.
- Oi, admiral, it's, you know, rude! Refusing a maiden!
Hara ignored the last sentence, took the bottle from the carrier, poured a hefty amount into both glasses, Junyou's first, and just let his body slide down the coach.
- Oi, admiral, but we can't have you feeling so down! Now, now, I'll, you know, lend you my ear!
Read Admiral looked at his carrier, as if he's just seen a dragon, although with shipgirls and Abyssal around, dragons would probably go unnoticed. A bit reluctant, he started describing the situation, taking short sips in between sentences. Junyou turned out to be capable of being serious and actually listened quite well. Right as Hara finished, the sound of printer resounded in the room, bringing the admiral to his feet and rushing to check contents of the message. It read that Shouhou's group had made a contact with enemy task force, just 50km away, consisting of one Nu-class light carrier, one Tsu-class escort cruiser, one Ho-class light cruiser and three Ro-class destroyers. The task force seemed to fly very light air cover and Shouhou informed about sending out a double airstrike to get rid of the enemy before renewing the search for the lost wolf pack, as they've now posed a direct threat to the rescue operation.
Still no contact with our...
Before he could finish his thought, another message came in. This one was from I-168, it read that they have a visual on the rescue party and asked to let them know of their approach. All tension has disappeared, as Hara finished reading the report.
- Junyou, I'm making you the secretary ship for this operation. Get down to it! Let Shouhou know of Imuya's group approach, their angle and course. Afterwards, message the submarines the location of the enemy task force.
- Hyahaa! Let's do it, admiral! - Junyou yelled full of enthusiasm.
- Why so happy? Had too much already? - Hara asked, visibly happy.
- No, no. It's just, you know, seeing you back on your feet makes me... hiccup... kinda, you know, happy.
Junyou then promptly sent the orders to both fleets, and utilizing a moment of Hara's inattention, he added "Go get those bastards, girls!" to Shouhou's orders.
- So, while we wait, care for another round, admiral? - the carrier asked with a carefree tone.
- No drinking on duty, haven't I told you? - Hara looked at the drunk girl with pity, quickly snatching the bottle from her hands.
Oooooh, not fair! - she snapped back, trying to look disappointed and hide the wide smile on her face.
The remainder of the operation went smoothly. Imuya's group joined with Shouhou's task force, with, the strongest, Akagi, taking Iku in tow, which basically meant carrying her in arms. Submarine's state was, however, critical. According to Imuya's on-spot report, I-19 was caught between 3 depth charges, losing a leg and eyes in the explosions. For a normal human such injuries would mean death, shipgirls however proved time and time again that simply losing a limb or two cannot stop them, especially that new could be attached without particular effort. In addition, Iku had her repair crews working to keep her state stable, and soon after repair crews from other shipgirls joined their efforts. Allowing the submarine to regain consciousness even if for a moment.
The fleet returned returned around noon, with nearly sober admiral and Akashi waiting for them at the pier. Akashi wasted no time and immediately loaded unconscious Iku on her rigging, allowing her fairies to do their job, and rushed to the docks. Imuya, Hachi and Goya followed her, disregarding the protocole which required the flagship to submit a report. They were only stopped by Akashi at the entrance to the equivalent of hospital's ER ward, saying that they should probably report to the admiral. Realizing her mistake, Imuya rushed to Hara's office, shortly followed by I-8 and I-58.
When they got there, Shouhou was already done submitting her action report, changed back into a snowwhite JMSDF uniform, and returned to her usual secretary ship job. The light carrier smiled brightly at the fresh arrivals.
- You've done a great job avoiding that enemy in such situation! Akashi just called to let us know that you've probably saved Iku's life, outmaneuvering the enemy like that! - the secretary ship shouted with her usual warmth and enthusiasm.
- I agree, a splendid job, girls. I'm proud of all of you, not only you've...
Before Hara could finish his sentence, all three submarines jumped him and started crying like little, scared babies on their first flight. All that was left was to embrace all three of them and calm them down. Shouhou walked up to them and knelt next to the admiral.
- Now, now, it's fine now, everything's going to be alright. - She said with a quiet, soft voice, embracing the loudest crying Goya. - You did great and you deserve my reward. - She continued, moving away from Goya and pulling a Mamiya Sweets Ticket from her uniform's pocket. - If you stop crying and be brave girls, I've still got 5 of these, and Hara-san never has any time to go with me, so I can give them to you!
Like with all children, a promise of sweets worked and the three submarines stopped crying, thanking Shouhou for her gesture and gently putting the tickets on admiral's desk.
- I apologize! Please forgive me! - shouted Hara who, free of the embrace of three little girls, got on his knees and bent his back. - -
I'll make sure this doesn't happen again!
- Goya doesn't think it's admiral's fault, dechi! - The short haired I-58 shouted.
- Yes, I agree! - The pink-haired Imuya agreed, nodding her head so hard, that her ponytail landed on her face. - Such is war and there are times we you can't avoid such accidents!
- Mhm, mhm. Hacchan... thinks so too... - a blonde, glass wearing girl nodded.
- Such a wonderful bunch of girls you've brought up, admiral. Please, raise your head, and reward them instead! - Said visibly amused Shouhou.
Hara got up on his feet, trying not to tear up, he snorted loudly.
- Admiral, it's not nice to do such things next to a girl, dechi! - Goya scolded her commander, looking at Shouhou.
- I promise to fix my behaviour! - Hara stood on attention and saluted the smallest submarine.
- At ease, dechi!
- But, Shouhou's right... I should reward you. Hmm... You already got the Mamiya tickets, so what could I give you? Is there anything you'd like? - Hara asked openly.
Like at command, all three girls started listing things they'd like to receive, deafening all attempts to make them speak one by one, done by Shouhou and the admiral. Helpless, both of them just glanced at one another, as if to confirm, that they're going to wait through the storm and then proceed. However, at this point, the, seemingly, oldest of three submarines, decided to take the lead and pulled both her friends away, gathering them in a small circle, as if to consult what should each girl ask for, for the best shared gain.
The submarines were known to be sharing everything and always thinking of their group's good. They were so close, that some of the, more entranced with anime, girls actually suspected that they've shared some kind of psychic bond.
After a brief moment, I-168 approach admiral's desk, slapping her hand on its surface.
- Admiral! - she started with determined voice - I'll let you know, that "no" is not an acceptable answer to this request! After a careful deliberation, we've decided that the reward that's going to be the best for all three of us is...
- We want to you to spend the entire day with us, dechi! - Goya interrupted, jumping on Imuya's back.
Such a simple-hearted request, preceded by such a serious and dramatic scene, made both Shouhou and Hara burst into laughter, leaving all three submarines somewhat stupefied, unable to say whether to get angry or join the fun.
- So, what do you think, secretary ship-san? - Hara asked, looking at Shouhou. - Have we got anything important planned for today, or can you handle everything on your own?
Shouhou walked to her desk and opened the right-most drawet at the top, taking out a notebook. Despite being given a much more practical tablet, Shouhou decided to stick to paper notes, saying that writing makes her nostalgic, a reminder of her crews writing letters home.
- Uhm... Nothing serious, a lot of documents to sign, which you were supposed to take care of days ago, but nothing I can't handle for our little heroes. - the carrier answered, shooting lightnings from her eyes in admiral's direction.
The submarines looked at one another, with eyes like puppies who just got their first toys.
- Does it mean? - Imuya asked.
- Yep. Today, I'm all yours. I even know what we will do! - Hara answered full of enthusiasm. - We're going out to the city!
- Eeeeh?! - all four shipgirls present in the room let out a shout of surprise, however its reasons were definitely different.
- A-are you sure about this, admiral? I mean, the project's still top secret, what if somebody finds out? - Shouhou was clearly worried about Hara's stupidest idea up to date.
- Don't worry, love! - Hara answered nonchalantly - These girls deserved it! Half of the shipgirls stationed here have never seen them, not to mention the navy men. If something happens, I'll do what I do best!
- Please, don't say that... - Shouhou whispered, resigned, looking at the most mature, Imuya, to support her. But it was already too late, as all three submarines were already daydreaming about the outside world which they've never seen.
- Yes! I am going to lie! For tonight, you are Admiral Shouhou, and these three will be daughters of my best friends, who had to leave the town for the weekend!
- This isn't going to end well... - the secretary ship tried to protest, but her words disappeared in the enthusiastic shouts of the submarines, running out to their dorm to get ready for the big night. - Eeeh... Hope they'll be alright.