This is a work of fiction, the Sakura Wars characters portrayed within this story are not owned by me, and any event or places, resemblances to persons living or dead purely coincidental.

Sakura Wars: The 21st Century

The Return

By Steve Edward

Chapter 1

Bravo Anchorage, Norfolk Naval Base, Norfolk, Virginia – Sunday, January 10, 2010

The chilled waters of the Naval Anchorage were giving off capacious amounts of mists which clashed with the rather bitter cold air; that enveloped the morning light of a new day. At rest in the anchorage, receiving her ammunition load out of sixteen inch shells along with other types of ammunition lay the refitted U.S.S. Wisconsin BB-64.

The Wisconsin, an Iowa class battleship had once again been called to duty and her mission was not the normal one for a battleship. Designed originally to slug it out with other battleships; the Wisconsin's mission had changed with the advent of the airplane. Relegated to shore bombardment duties and providing anti-aircraft defense for carriers she helped with the fight to end World War II.

During the 1950's she handled the shore bombardment duties during the Korea conflict, during which one such bombardment mission in 1952 the ship was hit by two six inch shells from an enemy shore battery; with minimal damage she would return fire with two rounds from her sixteen inch/50 caliber main guns destroying and silencing the aggressor guns that had the audacity to take on such a ship in the first place.

Decommissioned in 1958, it would not be until 1988 when the order was issued by then President Ronald Regan to recommission her along with her sisters for further service. Serving with distinction she would fire her main guns and missiles for the last time in 1991 during the first Persian Gulf War. Ordered home she was decommissioned in September 1991 and she would again lay at rest and except for a brief tow from the Philadelphia Inactive Naval Shipyard to Norfolk, Virginia in 1996 she would slumber to await the next call of duty.

For many in the Navy; they thought that the Wisconsin would never have to return to duty, but the horrifying and tragic events of Saturday, March 3rd 2007 and Sunday March 4th, 2007 that unfolded across the world would change that, and as Admiral Long standing on the pier gazing at the refitted Battleship; he reflected on the events. Was it worth the expensive eight billion dollar refit to the grand dame of a Battleship that was already 66 years old? Would the projected two billion dollar expenditure to bring a group of legendary warriors along with their equipment from the past to the present be workable and would their leader, General Ikki Yoneda who commanded them even believe him?

As Admiral John Long mentally reviewed the problems facing him ahead while gazing at the refitted ship from pier 12; his driver a female United States Marine Staff Sergeant intently watched the surrounding area while alert for any calls coming from the communications suite in the black Chevrolet Suburban.

Behind her down the massive pier were moored the aircraft carriers U.S.S. Enterprise CVN-65 and the U.S.S. John F. Kennedy CV-67, the quarterdeck watches alert to their presence. Strapped to her right hip was a Glock model 21C .45 caliber with 13 round magazine with six more additional spares tucked neatly along the left and right side of her body in highly polished black leather pouches.

Her backup weapons both Bull Dog .44's with hollow points in ankle holsters attached to her right and left ankles stood ready as well. Teresa's skills in hand-to-hand combat and Jujitsu and Karate made her a formidable opponent and not one to trifle with under any circumstance, Admiral Long's Chief of Staff; Navy Captain Frank Orkney had worried about his safety and had personally chosen her over several other candidates, ironically all of them male.

A short chirp from the communications console in the front seat alerted SSGT Teresa Bloomberg of an incoming message, shifting her jade green eyes at the screen from outside the SUV; the high priority message header flashed intently in shades of red. With her towering 6 foot 4 inch frame on a lithe 26 year old body, moving with quiet determination the blond haired Staff Sergeant quietly approached the much shorter Admiral who at age 56 and only 5 foot 6 inches was about to bear a burden that had sent chills down her spine when first informed of the operation.

Meanwhile onboard the U.S.S. Wisconsin BB-64, Captain Sammy Hollister viewed the final load of ammunition making its way into the hatches from her seat on the ships bridge. The refit of the ship had added a lot of new technology, to just about every area of the ship.

The bridge which once had massive engine order telegraphs to the left of the helm, those were long gone, residing now in the Norfolk Naval Shipyard Museum. The consol which contained the ships steering consol and engine controls had replaced it. It looks more like the bridge of the Starship Enterprise than a World War II era ship bridge. Digital readouts had replaced many things; there was still the massive gyro repeater and the magnetic compass in place for the helmsman to steer by.

Plasma screen monitors strategically placed around the bridge viewable from her chair at any time showed various areas. One such area was a clear view of the ships fan tail; the top covering of the wooden deck now interrupted by a massive armored hatch that doubled as an elevator.

In another screen the view of what was below that hatch, tucked into their respective hangers were two SH-60 Seahawk helicopters call signs Charlie 1 and Charlie 2. The suggestion to name them Cheese 1 and Cheese 2, in deference to the State of Wisconsin's heritage as a producer of dairy products fell flat with Admiral Long who replied "Just what I need to hear at some point. Hear comes the big Cheese." Though Commander Healey commented later that regardless of what they were called someone would still likely say, "There goes the big Cheese."

Then there were the empty bays, for equipment that technically did not exist yet they had at one time. The overhead crane rails leading to each bay which would theoretically hold a Koubu and an Eisenklied respectfully for each type.

She had seen both types when they were brought into the shipyard on a rail car. From where they had been found, even the Admiral would not comment. In disrepair and non-functional; Commander Healy taking the time to leave the innards of the Wisconsin which was still in dry dock 8, disappeared to the warehouse where they had been taken. Within two weeks both were actually working and could move around on their own power. Both piloted at each instance by Staff Sergeant Bloomberg. Each was used to test the storage bays and the loading and unloading system.

The Admiral had remained silent during the initial tests and even he appeared startled when Staff Sergeant Bloomberg emerged from the Koubu and the Eisenklied after each test with a vigor he had not seen before, as though it revitalized the spirit and well being of the pilot. Sammy wondered just what those machines did to the pilots while they were inside of them. While visiting the warehouse one late evening the Admiral had the Koubu suddenly activate without explanation and track him around the warehouse, leaving him a bit flustered after the encounter. It had caused a commotion but no harm was done.

Her soft brown eyes drifted slightly to the barrels of the sixteen inch/50 caliber gun turrets, the redesigned weapon system no longer had the need to have a crew within. After the tragic turret explosion on the U.S.S. Iowa BB-61 in the 1980's there had been calls to make the guns safer to use.

The estimated costs at the time were prohibitive; but that did not stop the Navy Weapons System Command from designing and developing a replacement system. Along with a redesign of the guns, the ammunition too came under review and utilizing modern ballistic technology a new type of ammunition and propellant too were designed.

But with the decommissioning of the Battleships in the 1990's the plans were shelved but not forgotten. Those plans were dusted off and reviewed in September of 2007, and production began immediately. Full automated storage and loading systems were installed and an actual system with a single 16 inch barrel was built at White Sands, New Mexico for full testing. The old rifled 16 inch barrels would no longer work and new barrels were manufactured. Smoothbore and lined in titanium, the new system proved to be more accurate than before. The average shell from the former 16 inch system could be expected to land within 50 yards of the designated target; the new system could plant a shell at under 10 yards and deliver the necessary detonation force when needed, thanks to the redesigned finned shells and laser targeting.

Ironically, the shells design was based on the 120 MM Smoothbore gun found on the M1A1 Abrahams Battle Tank which also used such projectiles. The propellant was a different matter; with her Executive Officer's suggestion and a simple sketch on a paper napkin the weapon system came to fruitation. Now with rocket assist as part of the shell and propellant system, the 16 inch guns range were extended from 23 miles to an astonishing 300 miles and with UAV targeting assistance the USS Wisconsin was not something to be laughed at nor be the subject of derisory comments.

Stepping off the bridge she paused briefly at her at sea cabin door of her stateroom. Somewhat curious as to her orders; Sammy played with the idea of opening the door to her safe and reading the sealed orders packet; but dismissed that thought and continued to the Combat Information Center.

Captain Hollister headed towards the Combat Information Center nearly walked into Commander Healey; who with several electricians was trouble shooting a left over "bug" from the refit. Matt was definitely a hands on man when it came to solving problems.

Sensing someone behind him, Matt turned and only seeing the very top of a Wisconsin Baseball cap with a lot of scrambled eggs, his eyes drifted downward and met his commanding officer's questioning looks which posed the already asked question.

"It's the Uninterruptible Power Supply feed Captain." Matt stated. "We have been getting a floating ground error and it has to be corrected otherwise if we have to switch to it in an emergency it may fry some rather important hardware or not work at all."

"Very well Commander, carry on. Are you sure that it can be fixed before sailing?" With numerous electricians standing nearby listening; Commander Matt Healey smiled the wizened smile that Sammy had grown accustomed to and stated "She'll be ready to fight ma'm when so ordered."

With that Captain Hollister continued on towards CIC, to meet with a special guest who had been brought onboard. Entering into the now quiet CIC, an Operations Specialist stood near the plot table, getting observations from both the bridge and anchor watches; she kept a running position of the ships head. In any event if the ship started to drag anchor; the crew would be called away to man their stations to reset it if it had become necessary.

A young man in civilian attire stood out of the way in the background; observing her entrance. Sammy motioned for him to follow and they headed away to the back of CIC, the Marine escort staying near the plot table watching.

The young man had attached to his left wrist a black attaché case with handcuffs. Not any ordinary cuffs, but specially made and keyed. If the wrong key was used or forceful attempts were made to open the attaché case; anyone within a 10 yard diameter of the case and its keeper along with the contents would be vaporized.

After matching her key with the cuffs, the system disarmed and the red security warning light changed from red to green signifying that it could be opened. Placing the contents on a nearby table and getting her thumb print and signature; the courier departed, leaving Sammy to contemplate the additional orders from Admiral John Long.

Sammy picked up the package and left the CIC to her day cabin, where while on the way she could hear the trouble shooting team ahead of her celebrating their problem solving solution and repair.

Passing Commander Healey she tapped him on his arm and motioned him to follow her. The look on her face, that was both serious and sad caused him to pause. He turned to his Chief electrician and ordered him to go to the next problem area and then hurried after his Captain.

In the privacy of her in port cabin, closes the door and walks to a nearby table and places the package on the there. Commander Matt Healey who has called the Executive Officer on the phone stands by awaiting Commander Chris Tyler. Matt answers the door knock and ushers in the Executive Officer.

Together they read the final orders, and simply stated it gave the operational order to deploy to San Diego, California by way of the Panama Canal. Sammy, though she already knew that part of the sailing order still winced; knowing that the 108 foot girth of the Wisconsin going through the 110 foot width of the Canal would be no easy chore. Chris who has already laid in an extra order of rope fenders to be delivered at the Gulf of Mexico side of the Canal ponders if he has ordered enough.

With the exception of the Coast Guard escort out of the harbor for all practical appearances the Wisconsin would appear to be unescorted when she leaves the Chesapeake Bay area. No surface ships would be involved in the escort of the Wisconsin. Instead two nuclear fast attack submarines would assume the escort duties. The SOA or speed of advancement would be at 25 knots and the subs would be one of the few vessels that could maintain that ordered speed for any length of time.

Commander Matt Healey already aware of the ordered speed would be kept busy not only with engineering concerns but tweaking the steam plant seeking performance parameters that would give the Wisconsin a powerful edge even over gas turbine powered surface ships.

The Rules of Engagement were very clear. The submarines would handle any hostile sub-surface targets, and if necessary any hostile surface targets. But Sammy did not anticipate sub-surface problems. As for any surface or air hostiles; she would decide on who would engage whom. The Sea Wraith would be a different matter. Wisconsin would take on any encountered, the submarines would be directed to steer clear.

After the events of March 2007, not a single Sea Wraith or other demonic type creature had been observed in the Atlantic Region. The seismology reports were picking up in frequency and scattered around the Pacific Ocean basin; the paths that the events were taking seemed to be towards Japan. San Diego and Los Angeles both had been rattled with minor quakes.

Chris who understood the implications of encountering the Sea Wraith had decided that if at all possible; try to engage them with the 16 inch main guns; though any target at fewer than 1000 yards should be engaged with the array of 5 inch mark 150's that were on the port and starboard sides. Numbering 12 in all; with 6 on the port and starboard sides, these hi-fire rate guns would be the close in equivalent to that of hand to hand combat and the increased maneuverability of the Wisconsin would come into play. Adjourning, Captain Sammy Hollister orders that the Sea and Anchor detail be set and that the ship be made ready to get underway.