Chapter 1
Hope
Today a man continues working on all resource documents that he already starts from last week. He is one of the admirals that already assigned at several naval bases around the world. His name is Hakai. No one knows his real name and doesn't know why he chooses that name. Only he the one knows it, and he never tells his actual name to any of his comrades. Most of the time he will say he forgot his real name.
His focus on the task in front of him is as same as previous day. But, his focus a little bit lost because he heard a loud voice from outside his office. At first, he doesn't care about that voice. As the sound gradually become stronger, he lost his patience. He stands up and moves outside his office, where he find Ooyodo and one girl fighting there.
"You destroyed our base again ?! Do you know that our resource already in a red state for the recent month ?"
"Just shut your mouth, Four Eyes! It is already a habit for me to destroy our base. And every time I wreck this base, at the next day everything back to normal." said the other woman
"You..."
"What is it, Four Eyes? Nothing to say? Are you scared? Of course, you scared. A weak girl like you too afraid with me is normal... Ahahahahaha"
Ooyodo clenched her teeth, and raise her hand. She is ready to slap that girl. On the other hand, that girl ready to retaliate and punch Ooyodo. Unfortunately, Hakai's hand hold Ooyodo's hand to stop their fight. Ooyodo and that girl surprised with Hakai sudden presence there. Hakai looks at both of them and says,
"Both of you... Could both of you lower your voice a little bit? Or Isn't it better if you search another place to fight with each other? I am in the middle of working right now. We have a lot of document that needs a lot of attention lately."
There is a long silence between those two girls. In the end, the girl starts to move away after she looks at Ooyodo. Before that, she said,
"This time... you are safe, Four Eye."
After hearing that, Ooyodo starts to chase her. But, Hakai held her and said that he wants to meet her in his room this afternoon after she is a little bit calmer. After that, Hakai going back to his office.
That afternoon, Hakai, who is in the middle of his rest, hears a knock at his door.
"Ooyodo already arrived here to meet with Admiral as stated by you. Permission to enter your room."
Hakai smile, and then said,
"You may enter the office, Ooyodo."
Ooyodo enters his room, and see Hakai who play with his harmonica. As Ooyodo enter the room, Hakai smiles towards her, puts back his harmonica to the drawer and stand up from his chair. He then moves near Ooyodo, and then said,
"It is good you already arrived here, Ooyodo. Do you know why I called you here ?"
"I know. As that girl and I started creating a ruckus this morning, and that hinder your works, you want to punish me for that."
Hakai only smile hears that. No dark intention showed by Hakai. He then said,
"No... I will not punish both of you for that."
"Then... What do you want, Admiral?"
Hakai then walks towards Ooyodo and then touch her chin. He moves his head towards her, his stance like want to kiss her. Saw Hakai's movement, Ooyodo then said,
"It seems you want to punish me... Sexually..."
Hakai then laughed hard, and move away from her. He looks at Ooyodo's eyes and said,
"Unfortunately, no..."
"I will repeat. What do you want, Admiral? You waste your time by playing around with me."
Hakai only smirk, and then said,
"Ok... rather than hear your tantrum... I will tell you... I will go out for a while..."
"Where will you go ?"
"Where? Hmm... Meet with one of my friends."
"So... in another word, you want me to..."
"Take care this naval base while I'm out to meet with my friend. If anything happens, just called me. I will back as soon as I could."
"That's almost the same as the punishment for me. As that girl is on this naval base." Said Ooyodo.
Hakai only smile hears Ooyodo's complaint about the girl that she had fought this morning. Hakai only pats her head and start walking towards his office door. Before that, 'Ooyodo' ask him,
"If you come back... Are you will bring a friend for me ?"
Hakai looks at 'Ooyodo' and said,
"Maybe I will bring you... Maybe not... I don't have much time... My friend is... not a very patience man... So, I must go now."
After that, Hakai left his naval base and going to his friend naval base.
At one of the Japanese Military Naval Base. At Rabaul to be more precisely. There is one Naval Base where become the main command facility for Ship Girls to fight against Abyssal. They have already done it for several years.
The fight between human and Abyssal never reach their ends. And they will continue spill blood on the sea until any of them stops fighting. And Rabaul is one of the front line naval bases for Ship girls for many years. But, for last two years, there is less war with Abyssal near Rabaul.
Even though they are on the peaceful state, the commander in charge of the Rabaul Naval Base continues to work diligently. A man with a very friendly face, using eyeglasses, and have black hair. His age around 30 years old. His name is Okada Kou. Right now, he is working on the document that enters his rooms. Especially the confidential report.
"The Main branch decreases our resource again because of another Naval Base more need it. Especially Tawi-Tawi Naval Base. By reducing our supply again, will we survive another year here ?"
Kou looks at the document, then lean back against his chair. After that, he looks outside his office for a while to rest his tired eyes. Not long after that, he takes out his harmonica from the drawer. That harmonica has several scratches on its side. He closes his eye, and start to play that harmonica.
Each blow, a tone is out of the harmonica. And those tones create a very sweet melody. With the wind blows into his office slow, its make one soul who hears his song rest and forgets their war state with Abyssal.
Kou plays his harmonica for fifteen minutes. After that, he cleans his harmonica and put it back in his drawer. After that, he looks at the office and saw a lady already occupied one of his offices sit. That woman closes her eyes.
He knows her. She is Aircraft Carrier Kaga, one of his Ship Girls at Rabaul. So, he stands up from his seat and walks towards Kaga. He stands still behind her. He leans toward Kaga, and when his face near Kaga's face, he whispers,
"My music play already is done, Kaga."
Surprised to hear that, Kaga looks her back. Her face has become red, almost as same as a tomato. She hides her face under her palms after seeing her admiral's face behind him. Kou then asks her,
"Since when you are in my office ?"
"Since... You play your harmonica," said Kaga with an embarrassed face
"Isn't it better if you greet me first rather than keep silent and only hears me play music ?"
Kaga only remains silent because she still embarrassed by the previous accident. Kou looks at Kaga's face, then at her rings. He then hugs Kaga from behind, and says,
"But, if it's my beloved wife, it's alright. Right, Kaga ?"
Kaga's face becomes redder after hearing Kou compliments. Kaga knew the order from the Japanese Navy that the admiral and ship girls is not allowed to have a love relation, or even marry them. That's the greatest taboo from the Japanese Navy. But, several admirals don't care with that taboo. They break the rules for their loved one. And one of them is Kou.
Kou continues hugs Kaga for around ten minutes. Until Kaga a little bit calmer.
After that, Kaga stands up, looks at Kou, and kiss him. Kou then reacts back kiss Kaga back. They do it for several times until they hear the door knob is moving. They see Yura, Akatsuki, and Hibiki stand at the door. After that, they take a distance from each other. Meanwhile, Yura who watches it first, scratch her chin and says
"I'm sorry if I interfere with your intimate time... Admiral-san... Kaga-san... But, I think you should know the place and time if you want to do that... Remember, we have a lot of minors here..."
Kaga looked away in embarrassment after hearing what Yura said. On the other hand, Kou only laugh a little after saw his beloved wife reaction. He then moves towards his seat, and says,
"I'm... no... We are sorry about this incident, Yura..."
"I know... Both of you are a newlywed couple. But remember this, if our superior knows about it, they will punish both of you. They will send Admiral to another naval base, meanwhile for Kaga will be scrapped and changed with another Kaga." said Yura looks at them for a while
"I know about it..."
Yura only sighed hears Kou's simple answer. Kou then laughs a little, and then ask Yura,
"So, what the report from you ?"
"Scout unit under flagship Light Cruiser Yura that consist of Destroyer Akatsuki and Destroyer Hibiki, already back from a scouting mission. Nothing out of place 100 KM from our naval base."
Kou writes down Yura's report. He then looks again at Yura, and asks,
"Another report ?"
Yura shakes her head. Kou leans back to his seat and looks back at the report in front of him. Then, he says,
"You are allowed to rest until the next notice. After scout unit number two and three back, I will call you. I hope you're ready at a moments notice given, Yura."
Yura salutes towards her admiral. After that, she takes out Akatsuki and Hibiki, who is talking with Kaga while she gives the reports to Kou. After the three ship girls move out the office, Kaga move towards Kou, and says,
"Those girls are excited about their reconnaissance mission, even though not many Abyssal spawns near our naval base."
"Let them be... We need their excitement for sudden attacks from Abyssal," said Kou
"So... The reason why you never let me go to any mission... Because I lack emotion ?"
"No... It is just..."
"So that's the reason... I knew it... That's the reason... Because I lack excitement with the mission."
Kaga sharpens her eyes toward Kou and saw his bodies already dripping with cold sweats. After that Kaga laughs after looks at Kou's reaction. Kou then says,
"Kaga... you..."
"Ahahahahaha... Sorry, my dear... I only play around with you." said Kaga
Kaga continues laughs, while Kou a little bit annoyed with Kaga's reaction. Not long after that, they hear a knock. Kaga stands up, and Kou says,
"You have my permission to enter."
After that, those who stand behind the door, to enter Kou's room.
The time was 6 pm. Kou stands up from his seat, and then using loudspeaker says,
"Light Cruiser Yura, Light Cruiser Kinu, Light Cruiser Abukuma, and Aircraft Carrier Kaga. I am expecting all of your presence at my office at 1900 hours. Thank you."
After that, Kou sits down, and take the document that draws his attention. A report from headquarters.
After everyone already inside the room, Kou stands up and says,
"The reason why I called all of you at this hour because I get this report from the headquarter. The document told us about an attack at certain Naval Base last week. A pocket naval base to more precise. The size is smaller than Rabaul but bigger than a village. That naval base annihilated without any survivor. No admiral nor ship girls safe from that attack."
Everyone fell silent to hear the report. Until Kaga raise her hand and ask,
"Is there any High-Rank Ship Girls that sunk there? If the headquarter sends us the reports that mean there is a great Ship Girl that sunk there."
"Yes... Light Cruiser Ooyodo. Right now, the headquarter searching another person who could become Ooyodo replacement." said Kou
Silence fell into that room again. After that, Kou says,
"The location of that pocket naval base is 1500 KM from Rabaul which means they quite near to our naval base. The headquarter says that they will send us a unit from Kure and Yokosuka to help maintain this area until the next notice from the headquarter."
Hears Kou said 'Yokosuka,' Kaga become a little bit worried. Not only Kaga, but the other three also worried with that news. Kure and Yokosuka are another Japanese Navy naval base, and Yokosuka itself becomes the headquarter for each operation.
And with Kou and Kaga's status already married, they worry that the atmosphere at Rabaul will become complicated when the admiral from the headquarter comes there.
"Unit from Kure will come first. They consist of two new admirals. I'm not quite sure with their units. One thing for sure is they will arrive here three days from now. Meanwhile, the group from Yokosuka will come two days after Kure's unit came. I hope all of you could become a friend."
Yura, Kinu, Abukuma, and Kaga nodded after hearing Kou's request. After that, Kou says,
"Under current condition, I hope all of you be careful. We never know, when that Abyssal will attack our naval base. Or, maybe our unit will be attacked when undergoing an operation. I hope you increased your awareness. I only hope none of you sink under current condition."
Those four girls nodded after hearing that. After that meeting finished, Kinu, Yura, and Abukuma continue their activity. Meanwhile, Kaga stood still inside Kou's room. See her only stands still, Kou moves towards Kaga, ask her to join him, and have a little chat. After both of them sit down, Kou says,
"What is it, Kaga? Are you still worried because Yokosuka representative will come here and look after us ?"
"..."
"Kaga, I know... I know, you will worry about that news. But, do you remember what I said when I proposed to you ?"
Kaga looks at Kou's face. Kou sees Kaga's anxious face. Kaga looks down and says,
"You say that time; you will fight everything... fight those who doesn't like our decision. Even... If it's our superior."
"You remember it, right? I will show you that when they come. If they don't like it, just let them, because this is our life now. As husband and wife. I will keep my promise there." said Kou
Kaga smiles and hugs Kou. After that, she kisses him right on his mouth and then buried her face in his chest. Seeing Kaga, Kou pats her hair. After that, Kou says,
"I remember one thing... Before our marriage... You promised me... You promised will tell me why you fell in love with someone right me... What about, you say it today ?"
Kaga looks in Kou's eye and then smile. A teasing smile towards Kou. Kaga then sits down, and says,
"It happens when the new admiral acceptance ceremony... Akagi and I want to check the ceremony using our reconnaissance plane. And, that's the first time I saw you... And you could say, I fell in love at first sight."
"So, that's the reason... with your reaction when I meet with you for the first time. Your face is surprised to see me in the same division," said Kou quite surprised
"Yes... I remember... That's time I lost my cool."
Kaga stopped for a while. She then looks towards Kou, and says,
"At first, I still deny my feelings towards you. It is because of the rule at our naval base that will not tolerate any relation between the admiral and ship girls. But, at the end... I fell in love with you. After seeing you once more. At one garden at Yokosuka, I saw you... You played your harmonica. The melody is calming. Your face that time, make me skip a beat. And... I sure about my feeling towards you."
Kou smiles to Kaga. After that, Kaga says,
"And not long after that, you tell your feelings towards me... And not so long, you proposed to me. I was surprised and happy... I told Akagi and Houshou about this."
"What did they say about my proposal ?"
"They support us... I jubilant to hear that... By accepting my feeling... By following my feeling... Now... We are married. Not like one of my friend..."
"Kaga..."
Kou puts his finger towards her mouth, and then kiss her passionately. Kaga then kisses back and ask him to do it in his room.
Two days later, Kou stands on one of the piers at his naval base after finishing jog around Rabaul. He looks at the sea, and says,
"Today... Still no sign of those Abyssal. I hope this condition will stay and nothing happens."
Kou then continues his run activity, and greet everyone that he passed. He then arrives in front of the dormitory. When he reached the door, he sees Kaga stand there and holding a bottle and a towel. Kaga then moves towards Kou, and give him the bottle and towel.
"This is for you... Kou."
"Thank you, Kaga."
Kaga kisses Kou after giving him those two items. After that, Kou move towards his room, take a bath and walk straight towards his office with his admiral cloth.
After arriving at his office, suddenly the head staff of reconnaissance comes to him.
"What is it? If the head staff come straight to me, then something terrible must happen."
"Yes. Our radar got a huge reaction of the Abyssal unit that moves towards our naval base." said the staff
"You said 'Big'... How big is it ?"
"It is around... Three fleets."
"If that many, our ship girls could hold them. But, if there is another attack... we will..."
"That's the report for the Abyssal unit that comes from the south..."
"You said... South ?"
That head staff only nods. Kou understands the dire situation that will happen at their naval base.
"They will attack from our flanks..."
"That's a big problem... With our current resource, our human resources and Ship Girls are not much... If they attack us from different directions... we can't hold it..."
"..."
"We must hold it... Until reinforcement from Kure arrived here tomorrow."
"Unfortunately... They will arrive late..."
Hears that, Kou quite surprised. He then says,
"What do you means by they come late ?"
"They just called us. Right now Kure's reinforcement fleet is in the eye of the storm that occurs nears us. They must stop their advance, so they will not be lost wandering around the sea."
Kou sits down after hearing that news. He then looks outside his office. Kou takes a deep breath, and says,
"From your observation... Is the enemy fleets bring an aircraft carrier ?"
"At least three units of Wo-Class Aircraft Carrier."
"After that ?"
"Most of the fleet consists of To-Class Destroyer, Ri-Class Heavy Cruiser, and Ru-Class Battleship."
"When will they arrive here ?"
"With their current speed, they will come at 1800 hours."
Kou looks at the clocks. He counts that they have around 9 hours from now. Then he understands one thing, and says,
"You said that... there is a storm right ?"
"Yes... And from our calculation, the storm will arrive at 2200 hours."
Kou silent for a while. He then says,
"You could back to your post. Continue your reconnaissance mission."
"Sir, yes sir."
After the staff gets out of his office, Kou sits down and rethink all information that he got.
"We only have 9 hours before they attack here. And there are another 4 hours before the storms arrive. And also the unit from Kure come late."
He then looks at the list of those who garrisoned here. He takes a deep breath, take the mic, and says,
"All leader from each unit, please gather in my office room at 1000 hours. Then, Light Cruiser Yura and Aircraft Carrier Kaga, please gather in my office room at 1100 hours."
After giving that announcement, Kou then readies up the strategy to defend against Abyssal unit that he will submit and presented to all leaders of each group.
At 11 o'clock Kaga and Yura arrive at in front of Kou's office. They saw all the leaders already gather inside the room, and ready to get out to prepare their unit. From their face, Kaga and Yura understand how dire the situation right now.
Kou cleans his desk and then looks towards the door. Kou then lets them come in. After that, Kaga says,
"Is the Abyssal that responsible for the destruction one of our pocket naval base... the one that will attack us ?"
"I can't confirm it yet. Because the one that will attack us is a massive fleet, but from the rumor that I gather, The Abyssal that destroyed the pocket naval base only one," said Kou
"So, we could assume..." said Yura as she looks at Kou
"This is the different fleet. Or maybe, they actually at that Abyssal back when the attack that pocket Naval Base."
Yura then asks Kou,
"I have a question. How big is the Abyssal Fleet that will arrive here ?"
"I calculate... That one of you needs to sink at least 20 of them," said Kou
Hears that number, Yura and Kaga suddenly keep silent. Yura then says,
"At least... Reinforcement from Kure will..."
"They will arrive late... The reason is the storm that occurs near our naval base. We only could use that we have right here, right now." said Kou
"But... With that many ships... How could us..."
Kou looks at Yura and Kaga, and then answers,
"It is impossible for us. Even if we hold them until dawn, I will not promise we are not losing anyone. And there is a possibility that we will lose one or more Ship Girls."
Yura bites her lips after hearing that. Then, Kou says,
"At least, I could minimize the lost from our side by using our knowledge around Rabaul. Kaga, you said there is a shallow water nears here, right ?"
"Yes... The location of that shallow area at the southeast of our naval base," said Kaga suddenly
"I will send Aircraft Carrier Kaga, Light Cruiser Kinu, Destroyer Kagerou, Destroyer Shiranui, Destroyer Hibiki, and Destroyer Akatsuki to that shallow area. Your task is giving air protection for our naval base and protect the other fleet."
"How many are the Aircraft Carriers that they deployed ?"
"Three Wo-Class Aircraft Carrier."
"Could I user Reppu ?"
"Yes. You have my permission. It was a long time ago since we deploy Aircraft Carrier. We will use all resources to protect our naval base. And, Yura..."
Yura then salutes towards Kou after hearing her name called.
"You will lead a unit that consists of Light Cruiser Abukuma, Light Cruiser Kuma, Light Cruiser Tama, Destroyer Inazuma, Destroyer Ikazuchi, Destroyer Kuroshio, Destroyer Hatsukaze, Destroyer Mutsuki, and Destroyer Kisaragi."
"Sir, yes sir."
"Your task is the heaviest of all. You will become the front line of this mission. You will get full brunt force from the enemy. Use your best maneuver, and make the casualty as little as possible. If the war already occurs, just believe with your intuition."
"Sir, yes sir."
"I already ask Heavy Cruiser Takao and Heavy Cruiser Atago to prepare any attack at the port. They will become the last wall to fight against them. If you couldn't fight them, pull back. Help Takao and Atago to protect this naval base."
"Sir, yes sir."
Silent fall at that room after Kou explains his tactics. Until Kou says,
"I only could think like that to protect this naval base. The rest depends on your intuition. Now, all of you could prepare everything."
Yura then salutes towards Kou and get out from the room. Meanwhile, Kaga still stands there. Kou then sits down in his seat, and they could see from his face that he is really tired. His last three hours are the longest three hours he ever experiences. Kaga walks towards Kou, and hug him. She then says,
"Kou... I know it is impossible... But, please take a rest for a while..."
"I'm sorry... I couldn't do that. Today is very busy. And will become the judgment day for our naval base. Is today will become our last day here, or we could see the next sun."
"At least... please grab a meal... I... I couldn't stand if you suddenly unconscious in the middle of war..."
Kou smiles at her, and then says,
"You know... This war will become my second biggest war that I ever experience. At my first war, I scared, and couldn't think anything. And before I realize that all my units... sunk."
"..."
"I don't want this battle as tragic as my previous war. I only want, everyone safe. And we could continue our usual life."
Kaga tightens her hugs to Kou. Kou then holds Kaga's hand, and kiss her hand. After that, he opens his drawer and take out his harmonica, and says,
"I will play one song to fire up our spirit. Please... Hear it..."
Kou starts to play his song, and at that moment Kaga knows that song. A song that Kou played when he was at Yokosuka. The song that makes Kaga fell in love with him. Tears start flowing through Kaga's cheek and drop to Kou's face. Kou feels that tears stops his play, and wipes Kaga's tear. He then says,
"I know... The odds are not in our favor. We will die soon or later at this war."
"..."
"But, I want to give them a good fight. I will give hope to our team, to stay alive. And continue their life."
".."
"And I'm sure... You will think the same as me. All that we do is only nonsense. Nonsense that wraps with a lie which is cover the dark truth of our future."
"..."
"But... I will say it to you; I am jubilant to meet you. Could live with everyone here. But, you are the one who gets my special spot. You are my one and only girl that I love."
Tears start flowing from Kou and Kaga eyes. Kou wipes his tears, then Kaga's tear. After that, he holds her hand, and kiss it.
"After this war end... I will give you kisses. So, stay alive, Kaga."
"You too... To keep that promise."
After that, they hug each other. And then, Kaga takes a deep breath, looks at Kou, and says,
"I will prepare myself for this mission. If I could, please let me go."
Kou nods after hears Kaga's request. He sees Kaga's back faded away through the door. After that, he looks at his harmonica and plays a song.
A song that he creates after his first lost. A song about the bravery of his fleets, and hope from the war.
From his office, he could hear evacuation orders, and all units to prepare for each post. A suitable condition with the song that he just played. After finishing play it, Kou put back his harmonica to his sleeves and walks toward command room.
Everyone at Rabaul already prepares themselves at their respective post, including ship girls. Kou orders them to stay sharp in the field and command room while waiting for a report from reconnaissance unit, and radar unit.
What all face inside the control room is really uptight when the sun sets. Kou close his eyes for a while, and suddenly get report,
"Report from reconnaissance group. Enemy fleet spotted, and will arrive 10 minutes from now."
Kou stands up, and says,
"Tell Kaga. Launch her units now. Give us air protection. We will commence our mission now !"
After that, Kou take the mic, and says,
"We will achieve victory today! Let's show them the power of Rabaul's army !"
Everyone shout after hears that. Meanwhile, Kaga still waiting for orders from the command rooms. After getting her orders, Kaga prepares her bow. She takes a deep breath and looks towards the sea. He then says,
"This is an easy mission. Not a big deal... After all, this kid is excellent."
After that, she releases her arrows towards the sky. After that, she closes her eyes and looks towards everyone around her. She then says,
"We will hold our stance here. Please prepare your sonar and radar around all of you. Even this area is shallow, doesn't mean that their submarine isn't around. Please check around 5 KM from here. If possible, Akatsuki and Hibiki, please use your searchlight. The other, please protect them as they prone to the strong attack."
Everyone shout with their heart's content after hearing Kaga's order. Kaga then says in
"I hope... Yura alright..."
Yura's unit right now already at the front line as an offensive unit. They avoid all enemy concentrated attacks. Yura then orders her fleet,
"We will split our unit into two. The First unit will consist of me, Tama, Ikazuchi, Inazuma, and Hatsukaze. Meanwhile, the other team will be Abukuma, Kuma, Kuroshio, Mutsuki, and Kisaragi. Abukuma, you will lead that team."
"Ok, Yura. I will attack their left flanks. While you attack their right flanks."
They commence their mission and split their units. They move towards designing location, and after the minimum distance to launch torpedo reached, Yura then says,
"All units, prepare your torpedo. We will attack them 500M from now! Our target is Ru-Class Battleship or Wo-Class Aircraft Carrier."
They focus their mind on their target while waiting for Yura's order. After hearing Yura shout 'Fire !', all of them shoot two torpedoes to their target. After that, they prepare for the second salvo. When they prepare it, Yura says,
"Point your main gun towards the enemy... Attack them while loading your torpedoes! Move zig-zag while avoids their attack !"
Everyone nods and fire their main gun towards the enemy. When their torpedoes ready, they launch it again. After the second salvo, Abukuma calls Yura.
"We already sank two Ru-Class Battleship and one Wo-Class Aircraft Carrier. How the situation at your side ?"
"We damaged some of their ships, but we failed to sink any of them. We are running out of ammo here," said Yura
"We also run out of it. Most of us. Let's change our tactics to defensive tactics, with Atago and Takao." said Abukuma
Yura agrees with Abukuma suggestion and orders her unit to move back and rendezvous with Abukuma's unit. When they move back, Yura feels something odd,
"Why suddenly there a very thick mist here..."
Yura shakes her head, and think that just her imagination. Suddenly, she gets called from Kaga.
"Yura... How's the situation there ?"
"Some of them already sunk by Abukuma's unit. But, their number still massive. It's time for us to fall back and strengthen our naval base defense."
"That's good tactics. I'm not providing you much air protection because suddenly a very thick mist arises. I'm sorry."
"That's alright. The air protection that you provide is good enough. Are some of them attack your position ?"
"Yes, some Abyssal Destroyer attacks this position. We sunk them, but Akatsuki and Hibiki got heavy damage."
"That's not a bad or good news. I'm sorry, but I must report our Admiral," said Yura
"Thank you, Yura. That's alright..."
Yura takes a deep breath and then looks at her unit. After that, she reports to Kou,
"Admiral, we will start defensive tactics. Please prepare..."
Yura, who already rendezvous with Abukuma's unit, suddenly stop her report. It is because she saw one figure in front of her. Yura then says,
"I see... Someone stand there... This must be my imagination..."
Kou a little bit confused when Yura says that. He then says,
"Yura... It is better for you to..."
Suddenly, he hears screams from there. And the communication becomes static.
"Yura... Yura !" Kou shouted while taking one of his staff's mic.
At Yura's place, Yura saw Kuma and Tama lost their lower parts. The event is fast, and no one could react. Yura then order all of them,
"Change your formation to diamond formation! Don't let them..."
Yura then hears another scream. This time from Kuroshio and Hatsukaze. She sees their body split. Their blood and oil spills. Yura knows from that attack; they are in the dire situations. And they know that they will wipe out if they don't run from there.
"Everyone retreat! Now !"
Everyone moves at their fastest speed. Yura then calls command room, but no one answers her. At the same time, one by one her comrade sunk. Only Yura and Abukuma left. Abukuma looks at Yura, and says,
"Yura... It seems... this will become our end..."
"Abukuma... Don't say that..."
"Are you blind? Our comrade sunk one by one... No one could harm it with our equipment !"
"..."
"If we stay together... Both of us will sink. But, if one of us distracts him, at least we could alert our friends at the Naval bBase."
"Abukuma... Don't say... you..."
"Yura... you go... I will become bait for you..."
"But...
"YURA..."
Abukuma then smiles to Yura and look back. They could see the figure that chases them come closer. Abukuma then turns on her search and move to different directions from Yura. While Yura keeps her speed and moves towards the naval base, she still tried to call anyone.
"Please... Someone... Please... Answer me..."
Not long after that, she hears a familiar voice.
"Yura... What is it ?"
"Kaga-san !"
"Yura... What happens? You sound dejected..."
There's silent after Kaga asks that. Not long after that, Yura says,
"My unit... annihilated... No one safe..."
"What do you mean..."
"Listen... My unit annihilated by unknown figure... One by one... And maybe... They will target you.."
"Yura... Keep talking..."
"Abukuma... become a decoy for me... She hasn't called me yet. I believe... She is already sinking."
"..."
"Kaga... I have a request... Please... Back to naval base... now... Please, protect our admiral."
After that, the communication between them end. At the end of communication, Kaga hears gunshots that hit Yura, and sound one head being taken off.
Kaga keeps silent for a while, trying to rethink all information she gained from Yura. Not long after that, she hears explosions. Kinu points to the naval base, and says,
"Explosion... come from... our naval base !"
Kaga looks towards there, and start to move as fast as she can. Kaga doesn't care about her unit, because right now, the one that's inside her mind is her husband, Kou.
Little by little, Kaga sees her naval base. The naval base already covered with flame. When arrived at the port, she sees Takao's upper body near some corpse. Kaga then moves to Takao body, and close her eyes. After that, she sees Atago's corpse. This time only head left. Not long after that, her units arrive there. Kaga looks towards them, and order them to scatter, find any survivor there.
After finishing give orders, Kaga then moves towards command rooms. Because of most of the building already razed, it takes a longer time to arrive there. She hears a lot of screams while she moves to command rooms.
She arrives at T-junction and sees Kinu corpse. She lost her left arms and leg. Her eyes focus on something up there. Kaga then moves towards her, pray for her soul, and then close her eyes.
Not long after that, Kaga sees an unknown figure. Kaga runs towards there until she sees the figure. A figure of a man. And at his hand, a head. A head that she knows. Head of someone friendly, and pale. The head of someone she loved most, Okada Kou.
Kaga sees that and rage overflow through her, run towards him, and try to punch him. But, that man blocks her punch. Kaga continues to punch him until that man breaks her arm.
"Pathetic..."
Kaga looks at him, with anger eyes. That man then says,
"I hope more from you... But, unfortunately..."
Then, he lifts Kou's head and shows that to Kaga.
"But... I believe it will become more attractive... If husband and wife... together at... that world..."
That man looks towards Kaga and smile. Kaga sees that man arm covered by thick black mist, and change into a cannon. He moves that cannon into Kaga.
"Run... It's become more interesting when prey runs away from me... Run..."
Kaga stood still. Her eyes are empty. Not like her previous state. She looks towards Kou's face, and then says,
"Liars... You are a liar... How in this world... you could keep your promise... Why you..."
That man then sighed, after looking at Kaga's empty eye. Kaga then says,
"You dreams to stay alive... You raise our spirits... You lead us to stay alive... Why... Why you... Move first before all of us... Hei... Kou..."
Kaga moves towards Kou's head, and try to hug him. That man knows that Kaga's mind is already broken. So, that man says,
"I will fulfill one wish..."
"I want to meet with him... Want to stay with him... I only could live... with him... Without him... I..."
"I will fulfill that..."
"Thank you..."
Kaga smiles towards Kou and then to that man. After that, she says,
"I will follow you... Kou..."
Not long after that, that man changes his arm into a lance, and stab towards Kaga's chest. Kaga, at her last breath, looks towards Kou's head and says
"I'm home... Kou..."
After that, Kaga body fell in front of that man. The war that conducts at Rabaul only last for two hours, but no one safe.
When Kure's unit arrives there, what they see is destruction. Not only that, they saw all corpse there already neatly arrange and easily identified. And their leader's head placed near those corpses.
After that, they go back to Kure and give a report. All naval base get the news and about that, and cause a little bit fear because of that.
Hakai arrives at his base after a long journey. When he arrives at his office, what he sees is 'Ooyodo' fight with the same girl before he has gone.
"You use all of our resources to destroy this small unit ?"
"Heh... You only will lead here for a while. But you have already become a big head... You should know that you are weaker than me, so it is better if you accept it. And you shouldn't call him... Or you..."
Hakai then punch her a little and says,
"What will happen to her ?"
"Admiral... since when..." said the woman
"I have just arrived here... Now, go back to your post... I don't want any fight here..."
That girl suddenly runs away because of the aura that Hakai transmit. Ooyodo then stand up and says,
"Could you meet with your friend ?"
"Unfortunately no... He already passed away..." said Hakai
"I'm sorry to hear that..."
"Thank you. So, how're your works here while I'm gone ?"
Ooyodo tells everything to Hakai, and most of it about that girl. Hakai then sighed and says,
"I believe, she needs a little warning..."
"I agree with you."
Hakai suddenly looks towards 'Ooyodo' and says,
"Before I forget, I bring you, one friend. I believe she will become your best friend..."
"Is that so ?"
"Yes."
"Where is she ?"
"Right now, she is at the dock... Have a little bit 'repair.'"
"Could... Could I meet with her ?"
"Of course... She will become your friend believe me."
"Thank you very much. Ah... What is her name ?"
"Name..."
Hakai thinks for a while, and take something from his pocket. He then looks towards Ooyodo and says,
"Her name is Aircraft Carrier Kaga. Help her to stay in this naval base too, Ooyodo."
"Of course, Admiral !"
Ooyodo runs towards the dock to meet with her new friend. Meanwhile, Hakai moves towards his seat sits there and looks towards the sky. He then put two rings in the drawer where he puts his harmonica. And then he says,
"Of course... All of you already guess it... Where I'm going... What am I... And what happen with Kaga... But, I will state it now... That incident at Rabaul is not very pleasant and not fulfill my expectation... But their expression... Really... interesting... Especially their spirits to stay fight back... Even odds not on their side..."
Hakai keeps silent for a while and then laugh. After that, he says,
"It seems... There will be another event... I hope... This time will be very interesting... And... Who will... become Ooyodo's new friend."