Kantai Collection : Red October
Prologue : Goodbye My Motherland
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Sea of Okhotsk
Port Khrushchev
Day 0 of Operation Red October
…
It was always cold and hard in Russia, especially in the freezing waters of Okhotsk. There was barely any greenery, just dead bushes and snow that littered all over the abandoned naval base which was Port Khrushchev. October was wearing her usual winter white military coat , a bottle of Vodka in hand while sitting on the concrete pier of the Port, staring stoically at the distant sea that bellowed at her face . She watched as thin ice crack on its surface, and then she studied its waves, which were roaring and gushing aggressively as usual, licked her legs with its salty cold water.
The Typhoon-Class Submarine was unfazed by such small aggression done by her Motherland`s waters. For this was nothing compared to what the Americans did to her and her family all those years ago. Now she squinted her eyes beyond the horizon, beyond the rocky shores few metres away from her boots, and she saw Japan , where her greatest enemies, the Americans are, along with their Japanese dogs and their Shipgirl Slaves.
Being a Shipgirl too herself, October sighed at this thought, but October is not a Admiral`s bitch unlike those American and Japanese whores. October gave her service to her Admiral was only due to respect, but her true heart lies to the Motherland, that was why she gave up half of her humanity to become this unnatural being of a Shipgirl to her nation`s own secret shipgirl programme. Another reason for this decision was to forget her painful past life as a human, that didn't really worked out for her through , poor October still remembered her life as Sanya, one of the two daughters of a late former KGB captain.
Her father was a bold veteran of World War II, a veteran of many wars, Afghan, Vietnam and many other glorious more. Her father gave his life and devotion to his beloved land , he gaved his all - then 1991 happened. That idiot of a leader, Gorbachev lured by Americans' trickery of freedom and capitalism , and the Great Soviet Union collapsed. The once great Union of Lands was divided, lost a majority of its former military might , and all for what? A American-puppeted drunk by the name of Yeltsin who supposed to be the face of Russian "freedom" took control of the former great land and Russia had became stagnant ever since. Her father , along with many other former good bureaucrats, lost their jobs and glory. Her family had been reduced to poverty, that bitch of her mother left her daughters and her sick father for another wealthier capitalist West German, and later her father...died of an heart attack. The War Hero deserved better, Sanya now October bitterly thought as she took a sip of her hard Vodka, before angrily clenching the bottle so hard that it cracked and shattered into pieces inside her fist.
At this moment, October sadly looked behind, and a defiled tower of concrete that once used to be the prominent Naval Base Port Khrushchev, now merely a shadow of its former self, looked down upon the Silver haired Submarine. The crimson flag of the dead Soviet Union was hanged from a rusted metal pole nailed on its roof, no longer flying, but lifeless and unmoved for more than thirty years , now all covered in icicles...dead , cold and hardened.
A sight that make October cry in her heart, but the bitter age of Yeltsin was long over, sweet revenge and justice will come for the Americans in its place.
"Comrade October, mooding by yourself again I see." A voice mused behind the Nuclear Submarine`s back.
October looked behind her and saw Admiral Kuznetsov, wearing his green military cap and commissar officer jacket as usual.
"No, Comrade Admiral, for today, is supposed to be a date of celebration." October said , getting up from her sitting position, a cloud of cold air escaped her mouth as she spoke.
"That's the spirit comrade, the others are waiting for you." Kuznetsov gestured the Submarine to follow him.
Admiral Kuznetsov was a buffed up man with a chiseled jaw and board shoulders and has a gruff yet lighthearted voice. His voice was always too loud, his humor too affected. A man who commanded his fleet with respect and discipline for he never allowed a person to forget what he was. The perfect Admiral, Kuznetsov was an easy man to fear - and to respect. Admiral Kuznetsov was a Aircraft Carrier, just like October, a cold war era Shipgirl ... in this case : Shipman , which was the result of a top secret project to catch up to the Japanese and American Shipgirl arm that was laughingly still World War II based. The Admiral was exceptional to other Admirals, especially to those Japanese and the Americans commanders who twiddled their thumbs and shook their boots while their fleetslaves do their dirty work. Kuznetsov or formerly Vladimir Romino have the guts to take up the arms and become a experiment for his Motherland, something October deeply respect.
So for seven years, October was ever happy to follow her Admiral, or rather she sees him as her comrade, as a equal. Hence even today, October was happy to disappear with Kuznetsov into the darkness of Port Khrushchev, even through the Silver-haired Submarine knew what would happen in the next few hours.
They walked for quite sometime in the dark unlit steel plated corridors of Port Khrushchev, it was Kuznetsov who decided to start the conversation first.
" October, are you sure you want to do this comrade, nobody knows whether this operation would be a success, you might lose yourself forever , and I don't want to lose one of my best men that served under me for far too long."
"Comrade Admiral, I always have faith in the motherland`s science. Plus , if you can keep you memory as Admiral Romino, I am sure I can keep mine as October, even if they bleached my skin white , took away my body heat and made my eyes glow red in the dark, I am still a Russian, a soldier of the Motherland."
Kuznetsov laughed impressively, the aircraft carrier that used to be the human Vladimir Romino could only nod at the brave, yet foolish Red October. October smiled dryly too at her admiral, once Kuznetsov looked away, October`s smile had been flipped into a frown.
As the Abyssal crisis unfolded, Americans and Japanese have been displaying their full shipgirl might upon this alien threat that had infected the Pacific. Russia was very far away from that area, so the biggest country in planet Earth didn't get involved much in this conflict but just studied the situation closely. Being a pragmatist, October`s countrymen took the time prepare and rearm by exploiting on the Japanese arrogance of their much boasted World war two Kanmusu fleet. While everybody was distracted, Russia had already harnessed the more mordern Cold War arm behind everybody's back, unboasted, still kept in the dark, ready to strike when the time is right.
Now her land continued to exploit on her enemies` ignorance, and October feared this time the Motherland had taken that exploitation too far.
Apart from using her enemies` arrogance of their fleet as a advantage, the Motherland too, used the knowledge on her enemies` enemy to her advantage, the Abyssals. As a World Power, Russia has the right to take part in the European Anti-Abyssal Research Organization. Many of Kuznetsov`s scientist friends themselves in that department has met several captured Abyssals eye to eye, from lowly animalistic I-class destroyers to humanoid Abyssals like Ri-classes and Wo-Classes then finally to the much feared Princesses and their Demons, and those interviews with these mysterious beings came shocking relevations and discovery for the Motherland`s intelligence.
Contrary to what the Japanese and American military demonize the Abyssals as, emotionless savages hellbent in eliminating humanity to extinction. Most Abyssals , namely the humanoids and the Princesses were amnesiacs, little girls who woke up in the middle of the ocean half naked, only to find angry Shipgirls opening fire in their faces for no good reasons. Hence it would be no surprise that they would band together and labelled humanity and the Shipgirls as their natural enemy - foolish Western aggressors. More shockingly, it appears to the EARO that Shipgirls who gets sunk, became the Abyssals, either a Princess or a regular Humanoid, riddled with amnesia along with a hint of slight psychosis , but still have fragments of memories of their past lifes. The Military of course, concealed this fact to their Shipgirls and to the public due to political and military morale reasons, any means to give the Bourgeois control over the masses and over their Shipgirl dogs.
To add on the October's resent, after the Russian annexation of Crimea and the constant protection of Syria, a nation that America would very much like to swallow alive, EARO kicked the nation out. No big surprise from the salty imperialists.
Still, the Abyssal lore was no big secret to the Russian shipgirls like October, as there would be no impact on their morale since they weren't even fighting a Abyssal War. The information would only unify the Russian fleet further by making them detest the Western Imperialists more. The only Russian shipgirl who actually fought against these "aliens" was the Battleship Gangut who was the only World War II era shipgirl and was just sent out there just for show, to show the world that the Russian government do contribute to the world's collective security.
Although October cringed at the thought of Shipgirls becoming Abyssals. The whole scope of it is just disgusting and ridiculous, it was like a typical American zombie film, where one family member get bitten and become a zombie, forcing the protagonist to kill that family member.
October clenched her fists tighter, as she knew that is a poor analogy. Unlike the stereotypical Zombies in the movies, these "zombies" have memories of their pasts, they can be rehabilitated back to the society as respectable members. Yet the Western Military and the Bourgeois knew this, but they continued this purge that is ten time worse than the Purges done by Stalin, but except their actions was more foolish and more wasting of human resources as compared to the former leader of Russia. October too, was angry at the Shipgirl-turned Abyssals as she think they are unpatriotic, even if they had their hair and skin bleached, they are still their own countries` people. Once they have memories of their former selves they should serve their nations back, turning tail and firing back is a disgusting act of treason!
"Comrade Red October? Are you alright, you seem rather...Red." Kuznetsov said , responding to his subordinates' dark expression.
"I am fine Admiral Kuznetsov, I was just thinking about unhappy things Comrade Admiral."
"Well don't be! You should liven up a bit October. I mean, you just came back from the cold Murmansk exercise course. Lots of girls want to get out of those freezing waters the second they dipped their toes into its surface. Leaving that hellhole is a privilege to be happy about."
October gave her Admiral a sly smile.
"Where me and my comrades will be going to Admiral Romino, will be colder."
Kuznetsov clapped his subordinate`s shoulder, and chuckled softly.
"Why is it, Comrade Captain, that you always seem glad to leave the Motherland and go to sea?" The giant man asked with a genuine a smile.
"Comrade Kuznetsov, our enemies are far across the seas over there, the enemies that caused so much pain and disgrace to our people. I am always glad to leave the Motherland and prepare for the day when I make the enemies of state pay for their crimes against our land."
Kuznetsov was quiet for once, he nodded and he continued the solemn walk. Then the two halted their advance as the metal door on their right stuttered for a while before bursting open.
Outpour from the metal shutter came two Kirov-class battlecruisers, rolling on the concrete floor laughing. The two Shipgirls wore white Soviet Navy uniforms, one wore a ushanka while the other wore a sailor hat with the red hammer and sickle insignia. Both blonde, had very red faces with dumb-looking smiles , and both had a bottle of Vodka in hand.
"O..h Voroshilov, do... you Alweys, luuked zis Redd.d? " The one in the Ushanka moaned drunkingly.
"Shut the fook up Frunze y...yer syka, you looked Redder than me! And Prettier!" The Cruiser with the white Sailor hat cooed before tackling Frunze, kissing her sister by the lips passionately.
October, intolerant of such indiscipline, began to growl and step forward to break up the two incestuous lesbian cruisers. Kuznetsov put an hand over his fiery captain`s shoulder.
"Let them, this would probably be their last day on Earth as humans."
October sighed sadly and entered the metal door the two cruisers came from.
The Nuclear Submarine and the Aircraft carrier arrived at the dockyard of the abandoned naval base. More aged and dirty Soviet flags, accompanied with decommissioned warships and Submarines that laid unloved and rusted in these neglected tubs of concrete that used to be dockyards rudely greeted the two, along with the heavy stench of liquor and laughter from October`s other Comrades.
On one of those frigates, were more Shipgirls, lighting a bonfire on top of it, then did cossack dance in a circle while blasting the classical music from a radio without a care in world, singing loudly and drunkenly while dancing inappropriately on the former Soviet War machine. On the catwalks metres above October`s head, she saw Sierra Class chugging bottles after bottles of Vodka into her throat, then inconsiderately throw the empty bottles off, laughing while watching them shatter amusingly.
October turned to her left and saw a singing Gangut holding a passed out Kirov by her shoulder passing by the displeased Nuclear Submarine.
"Everybody is having fun, don't you think?" Kuznetsov smiled as he took two bottles from a nearby table and passed one to October.
She took Kuznetsov`s offer and took a gulp of the hard liquor then nodded .
With a sad sigh ,October took a look at her comrades, whom were trying to have the best last party they can ever have before leaving for their dark destination where there would be no point of ever returning.
She saw the eyes of the other Submarines who did the cossack dance on the figrate. There were beads of tears on their eye ducts as they danced, and October knew those were not tears of joy or drunk despite how much those Submarines tried their best to pretend it was so.
Those same tears can be seen on Voroshilov and Frunze , Kirov, and Gangut. But not herself, October hated crying, so She looked at her watch, breathed in a air of cold air and decided it was time to put a end to this soap opera.
"Its time..." October declared.
Kuznetsov`s smile evaporated immediately, he looked up and heaved his shoulders. " Its time indeed."
Kuznetsov exchanged glances with Gangut, who nodded solemnly. The Battleship nudged softly her comrade awake, Kirov looked up sleepily, "Waa...its time?"
"Its time." Gangut answered.
The Cruiser sighed heavily as she got up and walked slowly to her position.
With a loud commanding voice, Kuznetsov yelled : " IT'S TIME!"
The Music stopped , the girls on the frigate stopped dancing, the drunk Submarine on the catwalk stopped drinking and dully walked down. The two Cruiser who was just making out outside joined the gathering mechanically. Not a drunken smile in each and every one of their faces, all that drunk facade had been converted to either just determination, or uneasiness.
The group of ten women marched and stood on the concrete ground of the docks, all with hardened expressions that of a Soldier. Except for two Cruisers who stood at the end of the line..
"V... Voroshilov?"
"Yes Frunze?"
"You sure we still be ...us after all this?"
"Like what Comrade October always said , have faith in the Motherland`s science." Voroshilov whispered.
A man in a lab coat walked into the scene with a tray of eleven syringes, all had contained glowing purplish liquid that reflected a ominous light on the Labcoat`s face, unnerving the Russian Shipgirls further.
"What is that?" October asked, furrowing her eyebrows.
"Our insurance policy ," The man in the labcoat reassured as he picked up one of those syringe with his gloved hand, rubbed the tip slightly with alcohol , then plunged the serum into October's neck, causing her to fidget a bit.
The Labcoat repeated this on the other ten girls of the line, who mostly bit their lips or let out a cry.
The tension through soon ended when the man finished his work, and left the place with a tray of empty syringes in the stolid Russian fashion, without a smile and without a sound, saving the silent base only for the winter wind to howl .
Admiral Kuznetsov marched in front of his soldiers, Gangut stood on his right. He nodded sadly, and proudly, at his brave comrades that followed him for more than seven years...only to bid them goodbye and bon voyage.
"Comrades,"
The eleven soldiers stood in attention and stomped the ground. The sound of their boots echoed throughout the base of Port Khrushchev. Kuznetsov nodded before continuing.
"I believe you know why you are here today, and I am here to say you all are the most courageous soldiers I ever had. Seven years ago, you given up your humanity to become a weapon of war to defend our people against the threat of the enemies of our state. Today, the Motherland calls out for your sacrifice again, although unfair, yet you still agree, I admire your valor. Still, as your Admiral, I believe it would be my responsibility to tell you that the Operation have a chance in failure, unlike the West , the Motherland treats you as her people, not her weapons. So, I am here to say you always have a choice to back out. This is your last chance."
Gangut anxiously looked at October with begging eyes, the Battleship went closer and grabbed her hands. Tears streaming from her face.
"Please Tovarishch, this is madness, don't do this."
"No comrade Gangut, I had made up my mind, plus have faith in us, I promise I will be back by October, in your birthday."
"You promise?"
"I promise, sister."
The Battleship wiped her tears away and walked back, then saluted.
Kuznetsov looked at the others.
"So what about the rest?"
"We are ready!" The Submarines cried.
"Never afraid to die!" Voroshilov said
"For the Motherland! " Kirov roared
Frunze was the only who said nothing, but eventually she nodded.
Kuznetsov smiled dryly, "Then in behalf of the Motherland, I wish you all the best of luck. The state awaits for you to report on your victories, just remember, no matter what , there is no Shipgirls or humans in the Fifth Flot, just Russians. "
The Admiral saluted, Gangut readied her guns
"URAAH!" The eleven cried, striking their fists in the air.
Gangut closed her eyes and fired at her comrades with a fiery salvo, and eleven bodies dropped into icy cold waters of Okhotsk. Sinking to the cold unloving seabed, joining the ruins of the deep sea.
That`s how October and her ten sisters in arms sunk, for a worthy cause. Drowning, a experience that was supposedly to be painful and excruciating, yet the Submarine felt no pain even as she felt the seawater started invading her lungs. October was disappointed through, as the Sea Of Oshotsk doesn't turn out to be cold as what she wished for. She looked up to the dying light that shone through the sea, and she saw the silhouette of Gangut.
"Don't worry Svetlana, I will be back...by October." October thought as she disappeared completely to the bottom of the sea.
Gangut dropped on her knees, shivering and crying at her acts of murder. Kuznetsov struggled to maintain his composure, taking a cigar from his coat and lit it.
"Comrade Yuri, is the canisters ready?" The Admiral said breathlessly.
"Da, Admiral." The Labcoat answered, appearing with a cart that carried three black barrels. Kuznetsov bent his body forward and looked inside. A vat of churning black goop with countless glowing red dots greeted the Admiral`s face.
"So, this is the thing that makes Abyssals." Kuznetsov said as he put an hand over the handle of the cart, taking one last glance the swirling vat of hot liquid inside the barrels. Then with a kick, the cart flew into the watery grave of the Fifth Flot and with that, its contents poured onto the seawaters then spreaded like an oil spill.
Gangut stood closer to the docks, and watched as the vat of nanomachine spread and polluted the waters of Port Khrushchev into a thick opaque soup.
"Commander?"
"Yes Gangut?" Kuznetsov repiled, puffing a air of black smoke from his cigar.
"If the Operation backfires horribly, will we have to put down October and the others as well?"
Kuznetsov let out a raspy breath from his cigar stained throat, he gave Gangut a dark look at immediately shut the Battleship up.
"Comrade Gangut, till that happens then we make hard decisions. Still, October and the Fifth Flot are the most trustworthy and patriotic soldiers that an Admiral could ever dreamt of, I have faith in them."
Kuznetsov slowly walked to a metal table and halted , the glowing tip of his cigar illuminated the Admiral`s face grimly as the man darken his expression. On top of the table was the old version of the world map, Kuznetsov can still see the words "Soviet Union" etched on the biggest area on the map instead of "Russian Federation". Few squares away from that area was the USA, three single alphabets that turned on the Shipman in a instant.
"Still, Comrade Gangut, I urge you to be more optimistic in this Operation, for if Operation Red October succeeded, the world`s greatest espionage would be conducted by Russian hands, and if that happens..."
Kuznetsov smiled grimly as he pressed the tip of his cigar at Washington and let his cigar sizzled the piece of paper for a while, until a black spot formed on the capital of the capitalist state.
"...then America will bleed."
*Prologue End*
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Author`s notes
Great thanks to MortalitasBorealis for allowing me to borrow EARO and many other elements from his story.
This fanfiction was inspired mainly by two things, Tom Clancy`s Hunt For Red October, and MortailtasBorealis`s Abyssal Diaries Trilogy, both great stories aren't owned by me but by their respective owners.
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