Portland's Heroes

by Santiago Trujillo Tobon

The American task assigned to cooperate whit the Japanese has it tough, their comander sucks, they had suffered all the way across the pacific and to top it all off they resive the news that just as the agains the Abyssal is closing to an end they are going to be replaced by more modern ships while they go to a less glamorous front, the only hope? A ton of money behind enemy lines.

2. Setting up the plan part 1

PORTLAND'S HEROES

AN: So I am very new at this of making fanfictions but so far this one is the best received one, special thanks to the users Invisible Man 19 and Dianherdianto, 1twright12 and Sr. Caco for been the among the first ones to like, follow and review this story of mine, I really appreciate that guys and I hope you like the chapters that follow =)

As for this chapter I intended this to cover everything from them arriving at the base to their departure to find the money but seen how it was already 9k plus words I decided to divided it in two, I will do my best to post the next chapter as soon as possible but unless the math and physics teachers decide to give up school is going to keep my busy, so sorry for that, is just how live goes.

Whit that out of the way and adding that I only own the OC's lest begging.

Chapter Two

Setting up the plan part 1

It was still some time before dawn when the shipgirls came back from the miserable mission they had just suffered through and they wasted no time in discovering how hard they had been hit, most destroyers were on the repair docks and out of the 6 light cruisers that took part 4 had to be given instant repair buckets to save them from any permanent damage, the battleships had it a lot better but the Fosou sisters had suffered damage when a heavy cruiser had survived their volleys and had put a torpedo into each, granted the Abyssal hadn't live long after that as Ise and Musashi had put their full broadsides into the thing, but still, the unlucky tea ceremonies were suspended for the near future.

Whit a large part of the fleet been broken or tired the base was unusually empty throughout the morning and until midday, the only movement coming from the girls that had to go out to patrol or from others that were already planning the next operation to destroy the enemy out post once and for all. Whit so little activity going on anyone how had cared to pay attention would have noticed the strangely foreign figure that was making her way to the battleship dormitory at around the same time Naka would had started a live performance, the figure wore an officer uniform from the US navy that was missing the two lines of buttons on the jacket that were in the original design giving it a more casual look than anyone would have anticipated, and also missing was the black and white cap that would normally be clothed alongside the uniform, this having the consequence of exposing the disorganized and short black hair of the girl in question. This strange yet familiar figure went by across the base whit a dead serious look all the time only relaxing her expression once she arrived at her destination, the battleship dormitory in all its extravagant glory that not only contrasted heavily whit the accommodations for the girls back at the States but also whit how few resources the Japanese actually had to maintain the fleet up and running, priorities was the best explanation but was still ridiculous.

"For the last time Iowa, the terrible gunnery last night was your entire fault, if you had done it as I told you the operation would have gone much better."

"If anything it was because of you confusing her and her own lack of spine that the gunnery was so bad."

"Shut up! Is because off all of you that everything went so wrong!"

"Jesus lady, act like a matured shipgirl and admit it was your fault already."

"But…You can't… I was doing as Nagato told me to do and it's because of you three that I screwed up!"

That was the nagging and tantrums that came from the building in distinctive accents that let no doubts about who was inside, just as Portland needed, without hesitating the American heavy cruiser entered the building and began searching the room from where all the commotion was coming, something that took no effort at all because the discussion grew lauder and lauder by the second, so by the time she arrived it sounded like a protest or a fight was happening inside, considering the participants included Bismarck and Roma that would had prevented most girls from even coming close to the building, let alone the room, not Portland however. Whit a firm grip on the on the door's lock she just turned it and whit a swift move opened the door that crashed into the wall whit a sudden "thump" that made all the screaming and arguing stop on that very instant, for a moment Portland just stud on the door's frame taking the in the scene she had just interrupted, on the middle of all sitting on a bed was Iowa whit her face red whit anger but whit an expression of surprise, that last one probably coming from the sudden meddling, in a similar situation was Bismarck that up to a few seconds ago was arguing intensely whit Iowa but now was staring at Portland, her head turned towards the cruiser but her body still leaning towards Iowa giving her the most lewd of poses that would had probably made her mad if she had noticed, to the right of Bismarck and in a much better position was Roma that was also staring at Portland but showed much less surprise, as if she was anticipating the interference of another ship but hadn't expected Portland to be the one that showed up, finally there was Warspite that was way back of the room sitting on a chair whit a tea cup on her hands, unlike her companions she seemed rather annoyed by the interference, that was probably the reason why she spoke first.

"Hey look, another cowboy arrived on town." She said half joking half making sure Portland knew her intromission wasn't welcome, in response Portland just drilled the Brit whit her eyes for a few seconds before she moved her shoulders backwards as if getting comfortable on the chair and then took a sip of her tea without saying anything else, not admitting defeat but clearly indicating her intimation had failed, after that was over Portland glanced again at Roma and Bismarck that were now completely serious and paying her full attention, by that point Iowa was completely pale and it was clear she didn't like Portland's sudden appearance and would prefer to endure the scolding of the foreign ships for hours rather than to talk to Portland even one minute, but like or not Portland had to talk to her and that was going to happen one way or another.

"Good morning ladies, I am glad to see you in good shape after last night" Said Portland whit her characteristic drawl "I am sorry to interrupt your little meeting but there is something very important I have to discuss whit my compatriot here and I don't have the time to postpone it, so would you please give me 5 minutes and then all of you can resume your talk about yesterday's battle." Roma and Bismarck stared at each and then turned back to see the American cruiser in all its weirdness, like always it was impossible to detect if she was making fun of them or if she was one hundred percent serious, both of them had gotten mad over this doubt but instead of responding directly or arguing back Portland just turned around and leaved them to scream at the wall rather than her, because of that the only logical explanation was that Portland really talked in such cryptic way, made sense but it didn't prevent the experience from been confusing as hell for the two Axis battleships, for Warspite it was just annoying and to make it very clear she again was the first to talk.

"Okay you mad girl, you can talk whit her as long as you want, I am sure you can talk more sense into her anyway." She said looking at Iowa that gulped in response, the comment also had the effect of snapping Bismarck and Roma out of their trance and making them actually respond.

"Sure Yank, you can do as you please whit her, juts try to don't make to much noise or you will cause some commotion around here." Said Bismarck as she organized her hair and began walking towards the door.

"sigh. It can't be helped then, just make sure she knows how to aim well when you are finish." Said Roma in a passive aggressive way that got Iowa to squeal and shrug at the same time, she then joined Bismarck in her march towards the door, Warspite despite been the first one to agree was the last one to get up and to joint her companions on their way out, when she was finally out on the corridor (giving Portland a last annoyed glance as she exited) Portland pushed the door whit one of her feet and as loudly as it had open it slammed close, leaving only the serious looking cruiser and the terrified fast battleship inside, Portland was about to say something but before she could Iowa began talking in a very frantic somewhat frighten way.

"Portland please I can explain it, you see I was going to aim the way I always do it whit my radar but Roma began saying something along the lines of 'You Americans always so dependent on technology to do the job, if you really want to be accurate you should correct the aim by seen were the shells land' So I began doing that instead but when the shell started landing outside the target area she began mentioning the enemy's gun flashes and all the explosions of my own shell and all this confusing jargon that made my really angry and confused so I began arguing whit her about it but that only made her mad all the sudden and instead of helping Bismarck began saying that I lacked spine for been unable to restrain my own troops and Warspite began saying that I was very uncivilized for arguing like that and it just keep going this way until Northampton called and sounded like she was wanted all of us sunk, hell, she even told me that she was gonna call Willy D and make sure her torpedoes were aim this time.* And why is everyone blaming me anyway!? Just because I was in command of the damn thing, but as far as anyone could tell all of those jerks were aiming as badly as I was, or perhaps I was the only one hitting the target! Yeah, if those bitches were so occupied whit screaming at my there was no way they were aiming to well! How could anyone know? A shell splash is a shell splash and an explosion is an explosion and there is no way of telling from how it came from" She screamed culminating the sudden crescendo that had develop on her speech, she had clearly gotten very angry and if any of the three foreign ships had been inside the room she would had provably challenged them to a gun duel on that very moment, but then she suddenly snapped out of it and whit all the rage gone from her face she resuming talking but in a much different tone that was more desperate than anything. "So please tell Nora I am sorry, it wasn't my fault and I will compensate her for all the problems that it caused her and… and" The poor girl was sobbing now and while it was depressing to see it finally gave Portland the opportunity to calm her down. She leaned forward and put booth of her hands on Iowa's shoulders, and then Portland looked at Iowa and her watery eyes and whit a voice that sounded dominant but comforting she finally began speaking.

"Look Iowa I am not here to criticize you for the fiasco from last night, you have probably hear about that for hours now. Nor I am here on behalf of Northampton to give you some menacing message; all I am here for is to ask you for a favor." Iowa nodded and cleaned the tears on her face whit her sleeve, after that her mood had clearly change and she was much more controlled now.

"What kind of favor? The kind that makes things better? Or the kind that lands the ones involved in jail?" She said joking, expecting Portland to at least smile, but the cruiser didn't and in fact she got even more serious and her response left no doubt that whatever it was she was going to ask it was very important.

"It's from the kind that if revealed to everyone it puts a lot of people in a lot of trouble, but keep a secret it makes everyone happy." That got Iowa's attention on an instant, making her super serious all the sudden.

"Well then, what is it?" Asked the fast battleship and putting a little grin on Portland's face, she then searched on her coat and extracted a folded map and began opening it midair and when it was more or less unfolded she put it on Iowa's legs, then she began explaining.

"While it is still to earlier to have all the details I have manage to confirm that in two days, probably at night, we are going to attack the same outpost from before but instead of having several destroyers flotillas on the vanguard while the heavy guns sit on the background this time they are going to have some battleships leading the way supported by heavy cruisers and destroyers, the details still escapes me but what is been talked about is a pincer move that is going to destroy the majority of their forces and a central force that is going to mop up what remains of them. It is at around this point that you and I enter, after the pincer attack begins but before the central force advances I need you to lay a barrage at around here." She said pointing at a place of the enemy enclave that was a little to the south of the channel were she had been last night "That way I and the rest of the squadron can get past their forces without having to content whit them while also having a more or less a clear pat until we reach the vicinity of the island of Luzon, it isn't perfect but at least it gives a head start that will be very useful." Iowa was pondering as Portland removed the map and put it back on her jacket.

"Okay all of this sounds… Somewhat reasonable, I mean, you and your task force are going to be out of here from what I hear so there is little time to do this, but if you have an authorization from the American and Japanese for all of this then is perfectly fine by my…" It was at that point that Portland raised her right hand to silence Iowa and when she had the word she spoke.

"You see Iowa, the thing is that I don't have an authorization for all of this." That sentence made Iowa arch an eyebrow.

"So you want to sail without authorization to a place beyond the Philippines so you can do God knows what over there and also you want me involved, so tell me, what is in this for me?" Portland smiled and as she reached for the pocket on her pants as she said "There is this for you." Then she pulled a roll of cash and paraded it in front of Iowa's eyes that went wide whit emotion, she was sparkling all the sudden and in the time it Portland to blink Iowa took the money from her hands and began laughing like a child that had just received a new toy.

"Oh boy, Oh boy this is amazing! From where did you get this, from where we can get more?!"

"Shhhh. Be quiet, I don't want the entire base to found out about this." Reprehended Portland whispering, getting Iowa to calm down and to pay attention.

"It is from a yacht that some fat cat from Brunei was using to escape before he got caught by the Abyssal, now, I don't know how much a Bruneian dollars cost when compared whit the American dollar but I do know that there are 21 million Bruneian dollars just sitting on a semi sunken yacht waiting to be taken by someone, and that someone is going to be us. The plan I have is bullet proof if executed correctly and will make my task force very rich, and all you have to do in order to get an equal share is to put shells on the position I told you so we can sneak by." She stated coldly and matter-of-factly, her voice low but very authoritarian. "So my dear battleship, are you in? Or out?"

Iowa was silence for a moment, her eyes going slowly back and forward between the roll of money and Portland's face, she was clearly conflicted about the whole thing, but then again what was she to do? It was a comrade in arms that was asking her a rather simple favor but at the same illegal, but if they weren't caught then the recompense was worth the risk. All of this crossed her mind but at the end the decision came down to this, one of the most serious cruisers in the fleet was offering her money whit a roll of it as prove that she was dead serious, that HAD to go right no matter what.

"Okay" She finally said, her voice a little shaky at first "You can count me in on this plan of yours; I just hope that everything goes well."

"Don't worry about it miss, I am planning every detail of this and I am going to make sure it is a complete success." Responded Portland turning away and going for the door, when she was about to exit the room she turned her heat one last time and said "Just do as I told you, is it clear?" Iowa nodded and whit that taken care of Portland turned knob and exited the room.

On the outside there was little activity, for a moment Portland had been worried about Iowa's volume attracting some unwelcome attention but judging by the fact that Bismarck, Roma and Warspite were talking among each other at the left far end of the corridor that hadn't been the case. Whit a satisfied grin on her ice cold face Portland was about to go away by the right side of the corridor when all the sudden from that same side, something seriously annoying came into view, it was a group of four of which two (Kirishima and Mutsuki) were reasonably endurable, but the other two were Hiei and Yudachi and that absolutely was not fine at all*. The grin on Portland's face disappeared and was replaced by the mother of all angry faces as her eyes drilled on the two of them as if trying to found and absorb their souls, Yudachi and Hiei were unaware of this for a few seconds until Hiei raised her head and her eyes and was met whit the horrible figure of an American heavy cruiser staring at her whit the eyes of an killer, the fast battleship froze in place only realizing her trade mark high pitch "Hieee" as a response to what was happening, Yudashi was confused when the person she was talking transformed into the incarnation of fear but when she turned and saw the devilish figure staring at her and she screamed "POI!" and jumped behind Hiei and hided in there poking out to see if the dangerous American did something else; the face of, or rather the scare off lasted for about 10 seconds during which the Japanese were shaking from heat to tow and were unable to move away from what they perceived as clear and present danger, as for Kirishima and Shigure they were just looking and the situation as if to imply "What the hell we do now?" but before they could figure out something Portland took the initiative and took just one, a solitary and threatening step towards, and all hell broke loose, Yudachi screamed and jumped over Hiei and hanged from her throat, Hiei jumped backwards and without doing anything else but shrill she turned around and began running in the opposite direction as fast as she could.

"Hiei wait! Come back! Dammed it happens every time she sees that yank." Cursed Kirishima as she began running away trying to catch her sister, Mutsuki was left alone for a few seconds as she tried to figure out what on earth had happened, after she saw a more relaxed but still scary Portland still standing there she decided that her place to be was somewhere else and go away in the opposite direction, when she was out of sight Portland finally sighted and after organizing her jacket she walked away on the same direction everyone had gone, her steps slow but very firm as they always were. Behind her were left Bismarck, Roma and Warspite that had gone unnoticed during the incident but had seen it all.

"I just wonder if she has any corpses on her closet." Asked Wasrpite sipping the last of her tea after she did so.

"Probably not, but she certainly acts like she has one or two, that way of speaking and that abrasive side she has gives her this villainous aura that is directly from a western movie or something." Said Bismarck sobbing her chin.

"One thing is for certain, you don't mess whit that girl and if you already did be ready to suffer the consequences." Added Roma receiving nod from the other two battleships.

"Northampton on the other hand, is a whole different beast all together." Said Bismarck whit irony making Warspite roll her eyes and Roma to grunt.

Well after lunch in another place.

Once mid day passed by the base slowly began to return to normal as girls exited the repair yards one by one, whit some searching for their groups of friend and then talked amongst each other, others were going to Mamiya's place and eat to their heart content, and other were just relaxing or sleeping at their quarters trying to get as much rest as possible before something else happened. Doing all of this and yet non at the same time were the majority of the American task force, they were sitting on one of the yards of the base just chilling out after getting repaired during all of the dawn and morning and part of the afternoon, as they sat there taking in the sun the dynamics of the group were at full play for everyone to see and be amused by, Bagley was mocking Jarvis ceaselessly and as a result the leader of the destroyer squadron 17 was grumbling and arguing whit her subordinate the same way sisters did about who deserved the last chocolate bard, Helm was trying to calm them down but each time she interfered either Jarvis would shut up her up or Bagley would tell her that she was just joking that she should relax a little, ignoring this completely was Blue that had dedicated all her attention to sleeping next to Warrington that was quietly reading a copy of 'Destroyer Men Into the Storm' one of her favorite books that keep her from standing up and strangling booth Bagley and Jarvis, by contrast Gridley, Craven, McCall and Maury were just minding their own business without annoying anyone but been annoyed by Louisville that keep playing whit Craven's pony tails.

"Hey you jerk quit it already!" Cried out loud the destroyer as she pulled away just as Louisville had neglected to keep her tails fastened.

"Come on just chill a little and have fun whit me"

"I won't, so find something else to have fun whit because I am not a toy" Rebutted Craven as she reorganized her hair as if to brag about her independence, but instead of interpreting this as 'I am not at your disposal asshole' the heavy cruiser found a way to miss or ignore the message.

"I love how she thinks she is Portland." Said Louisville whit a big smile on her face and making the destroyer red on the face.

"Leave her alone you idiot, she is a proud destroyer so treat her like that" Intervened Gridley in defense of her sister.

"After all she is the proud owner of 9 battle and you really should remember that when you talk to her." Louisville's smile disappeared from her face as she began to frown.

"Hey, now you want her to be like that Jap Fubuki, acting all like I am proud of doing all I could jay!" If she starts acting the same way then whit who I am supposed to play whit?"

"How about you play whit yourself and dress up like a normal lady you exhibitionist" Protested irritated Northampton getting the attention of all three of them and making Louisville smile again, she just never missed an opportunity like this.

"You are only jealous that my breasts are WAYYY bigger than yours that are barely a thing, I mean, do you even have them?" Teased her big sister Louisville as she made her melons giggle, ironically drawing attention the fact that she only had a small towel over them, that she also had the smallest panties in existence on didn't help her cause either.

"Just put on this shirt you nut" ordered Northampton as she threw a shirt over her sister's face that just took it and threw it away. Just then one of the missing members of the unit made her appearance, it was Honolulu, and for the love of Neptune she looked ridiculous, she had her usual green shirt wrapped up around her head whit her hair flowing all over the place giving the impression she was carrying a plant pot whit a very bad grass inside, outside of that she was wearing a white bra, blue shorts and sandals, at least no one could accuse her of locking boring.

"Hey Nora you have a letter from high command." Said Honolulu as she handed over a folded piece of paper to Northampton.

"What does it say's?" Asked Northampton clearly not to thrill about having to work at that time.

"It says you have to read it." Insisted Honolulu as she got the letter even closer to Northampton's face, grunting at first but giving up she extended her right hand and took the letter, she was about to begging reading but a quick glance at her friend gave her another priority that she just had to attend.

"Organize your clothes; you look like one of those wackos that served in Vietnam." Declared Northampton as she began sitting and reading, Honolulu nodded and went to set alongside sit besides Warrington and Blue that was somehow still sleeping.

"Hey, what's in the letter?" Asked Warrington finally finding something interesting other than her book.

"It's the official order telling us to pull out of here and to go to Jakarta." Responded Honolulu as she began putting her shirt on "It is signed by our commander in Pearl, the pervert from here and as a final screw you to us Nagato also signed the damn thing, can you believe it ?! Flag ships never do this kind of paper work and yet she is like 'let's make sure they understand that the exit is over there" Said Honolulu outraged by the supposed act of humiliation, Warrington on the other hand wasn't that sold on that.

"So Nagato Signed instead of Yodo or not signing at all, what is the big deal over that? Is just bureaucratic nonsense that refuses to die even after it causes mayor blunders in all wars." Answered Warrington in her usual grounded way "And even if she was doing it to add salt to the injury, are you really surprised about it? Whit you been the only normal cruiser of the group and the Bagley sisters been a pain in the ass I am astonished all she has done to us is some disciplinary actions here and there, you know that we had done enough things deserve execution long ago." Honolulu reflected about this for a few seconds before she agreed, they were in fact a pain to deal whit and could consider themselves lucky that the Japs didn't kick them out the second they entered the base.

"Okay ladies it's now official that everyone wants us out of here so dress up and up out on the double!" Barked Northampton putting everyone on attention and awakening poor Blue that more or less was scared into consciousness by the screaming and the sudden movement.

"Hey you ass hat was it really necessary to awoke a kid from its sleep?" Said Blue, pausing for a moment to let a big yawn escape her "Besides we still have some time so let me sleep." She concluded at the same time she accommodated herself on Warrington's thigh, a position she lasted in for a full 2 seconds as Northampton screamed a response.

"You nut I don't know why are so bloody lazy but I swear to Jesus one day I will solve that problem once and for all."

"Your right sister we need to solve immediately! What's more I already have a suggestion; maybe you should let her sleep all she wants so she has energy…" Louisville joke was cut short by a solid blow to heat courtesy of her sister, the happy go lucky heavy cruiser just folded over and let escape all her breath at once making her sound like a flattened tire, all the while the rear of her head began to ache slowly but surely.

"You are not fun sis" whispered Louisville making Northampton snarl. After that show was over whit all of them began picking up their things and Warrington organized them to go to their quarters, Northampton was about to help them when she saw someone else was approaching, she walked over the person and intercepted her a fair distance away from the rest of the group.

"So Portland, what have you been up to all day? I was beginning to think that you were missing in action or something." Portland just nodded at the statement as if it wasn't intended for her; she was still wearing her full uniform and was carrying around a few maps that were on her left hand.

"Well, I was just getting the details I needed to get my plan up and going, it was hard at first since out of all the people in the meetings the only one that would talk to me was Yamato andshe was supervised by her sister, but eventually Musashi was called to another meeting and so she was able to tell my their plans." She paused for a moment to wait for Northampton's response but when nothing came she proceeded "The idea is to have northern and southern force composed by 2 of the Kongou sisters, 3 heavy cruisers and 6 destroyers each, then to have this groups engage whit the enemy forces and tear them up, dividing them and making it impossible for them to resist the center force composed by Nagato, Mutsu, Musashi and Yamato, alongside 4 heavy cruisers and 10 destroyers that has as its mission to destroy whatever remains of the Abyssal by that point, and finally there is going to be constant fire support from the foreign fast battleships and air support from a group of fleet carriers whose composition is yet to be determined but I don't really care about that, all I care about is the fire support group and the window of opportunity between the initial attack and the intervention from the center force and believe me when I tell you I have all of that figured out, the only thing really missing are the supplies but I am sure I can get that whiteout problems." Northampton was silent for a few seconds, just staring at her friend that had gained a small smile after she had ended her speech, she knew Portland well enough to tell she was dead serious about getting the money and that if she was saying that everything was figured out there was more than a 90 percent chance the details were really figured out, but even if someone as trustworthy as Portland was at the helm the plan was still bad shit insane, to break through a heavily defended enemy outpost to then sail several hundred miles to the south deep into enemy territory to then steal something as mundane as money, that kind of madness belonged to an old style Hollywood production or more probably to one of those weird animes the Japs were so intended on liking, and all of that was ignoring the mere fact that that the plan was suicidal from the beginning.

"Look Portland I know what you are planning and while I am fine whit you basically committing suicide by enemy action if you even try to get the other girls into this mess of yours I am going to make sure you end up freezing away in Alaska or rotting away in Angola and believe me when I tell you, you are going to want to go to Jakarta when you are in those hell places, and the reason I would make you go there is because the same way you are sure about all of this I am sure I want to make sure every single one of them makes through this war alive." Portland turned her face and sighted, her friend was been reasonable but was missing the point, she wanted to get the money yes, not because she was just a greedy person but because something that rewarding was hard to come by for the disgraced task force that had been formed from runagates from other squadrons and that had ended in this land so hated to them because the navy didn't want to lose more adequate squadrons, and when the navy finally had enough ships to put some good ships in the hands of the Japanese the lackluster ships that Portland called comrades were reassigned to another base that ranked near the bottom on accommodations and strategic importance, so in the end it was take the money or continue been miserable without the plus side of been rich.

"Well me dear friend." Said Portland raising her voice and putting her gaze back on Northampton "I recommend you begging making the paper work because not only I'm going but I am also taking this good girl's whit me liked or not." All Northampton did was sigh, liked or not Portland was going to see this plan came into fruition.

"Very well you nut, have fun joining Poseidon at the bottom of the sea." Portland didn't respond to this and just turned to the right in the direction of the supply depots of the base, ready to make put the last elements of her plan in place, Northampton just grunted and turned around, she would deal whit Portland latter, for now she had to make sure her subordinates made it to their dormitory without blowing up Taiho* or something.

"Very well ladies make sure you have everything whit you and get moving." There was a collective okay as all of them put on their clothes and accessories on, no one was particularly thrilled but at least they were following orders; as they were about to get under way Northampton remembered that there was still one member of the group that hadn't shown up during the entirety of the day, not that she was liked but a missing member was a missing member.

"Hey Warrington where the hell is Salt Lake?" Warrington faced Northampton and answered by shrugging. "No idea Nora I was actually wondering the same thing, last I heard she was missing in action and that was this morning just when we arrived." This made Northampton happy to the point where she had a smile from ear to ear and had puffed up her chest.

"HAHA so that punk ass got killed because of her stupid greed, I knew there was karma on this messed up world!..." screamed Northampton whit an unusual amount of emotion on her voice, she was like a child in charismas and was so happy no one really had memory of seen her like that.

"Actually Nora I heard another thing like two hours ago…" Began Helm whit a timid voice just as Northampton was raising her hands in a victory pose, she stopped and her hands dropped to her waist as if they had been deflated, then whit all her emotion gone she faced Helm and whit an evil tone she asked.

"What the hell did you hear Helm?" Scared out of her mind Helm sobbed and then managed to more or less tell her story.

"Emmm, so I was still been repaired and Miyuki was by my right side… and out of nowhere came Shigure and told her that the silly American commander was asking for help loading a sailboat that she had salvaged the night before… Miyuki responded something along the line of 'let that idiot break her own spine' but Shigure been such a sweet heart insisted that if a ship girl needed help it was the responsibility of other ship girls to help, because you know, she is a good person unlike some of us." The comment was aimed at Bagley but all she did was turn around and cross her harms "In any case Miyuki agreed on the bases that she needed some exercise and both of them went to the docks… SO PLEASE DON'T KILL ME NORA I'M JUST TELLING YOU." Ended the Helm making a fetal position while she was at it, Northampton's face was red by that point and she looked ready to decapitate anything on sight.

"Don't worry Helm I am not going to do anything to you." Whispered Northampton in a menacing way "But the one I am going to kill is the stupid ship that takes advantage of the few decent Japs in this stupid base!" She concluded whit a sudden raise of voice and stumping the ground whit a tremendous force making everyone take one step back.

"Oh my, oh my I really made her mad this time." Muttered Helm to herself as the raging heavy cruiser began walking towards the docks whit an incredible force in each step.

"This is going to be pretty bad." Sighted Warrington as she face palmed.

"You mean this is going to be awesome! Hey Gridley brig some popcorn we are gonna need it." Said Bagley all blissful all the sudden.

"And miss the spectacle? No way." Said Gridley already following Northampton, soon after everyone was doing the same, all curious about what was going to happen.

On the ducks a few minutes later.

On the docks there were only a few people around, whit most just passing by without doing anything other than walk, the only ones actually doing something were Miyuki and Shigure, that even after an hour of moving boxes they were still loading some supplies into a sailboat that somehow had gone though the inferno of the night before whit only one hole on its hull and that was above the water line, proving that great things could happen to bad people.

"Who knew that this girl would have more luck than you Shigure." Said Miyuki whit a playful smile on her face, putting down the box she was carrying, Shigure returned the smile and nodded.

"Well I wouldn't call her lucky in the same conventional sense but more like she is immune to bad things." Miyuki raised an eyebrow in response to this.

"Isn't that the same as luck?" Shigure pondered about how she could get her point across in batter way.

"Let's put it this way, if she does something wrong and doesn't get scolded by the admiral is because she has connection whit him and its counterpart in the U.S, if you do the same mistake and you also don't get scolded is because sheer luck, do you understand now?"

Miyuki face shined in excitement and she nodded energetically. "Oh I get it now! So if you had an advantage it isn't the same as simple fortune."

"Yeah exactly that's what I am saying."

"Girls less talking and more working." Demanded all the sudden Salt Lake from inside the Sailboat.

"Yes senpai we are working on it." Said Shigure and the two of then returned to moving boxes, the silent lasted little however as Miyuki again vented out another doubt she had.

"And what connection does she had whit the admirals?"

"As far as I know her connection whit the American Admiral is very simple, his father served onboard her during her previous live and so he spoils her despite of" Shigure paused and got closer to Miyuki so she was sure Salt Lake couldn't hear them "You know, her not being that great at her job"

"I guess it makes sense." Said Miyuki "But how is she connected to our admiral? There must be a story behind that."

"And that's the case; in fact there are two stories, the boring one and the interesting one, which one do you want to hear firs." Questioned Shigure whit a little grin on her cute face.

"First tell me the boring one and then you hit me whit the good one okay?" Shigure's grin turned into a smile, it was never a boring day when Miyuki was around.

"Agree, so here are the stories, so the boring one is that the admiral has some family at the actual city of Salt Lake so because of this emotional connection he goes soft on her. And the interesting version is that many years ago a banker cheated the family of the admiral out of a lot of money, when the war began that banker enlisted in the navy and served onboard Maya-Senpai until he got killed in a battle were Maya engaged Salt Lake* That way avenging the family of the Admiral."

"Really! That is amazing, just imagine something like that…" Miyuki stoed all the sudden and her expression turned bitter as she detected something approaching.

"Oh oh, look who's here." She pointed towards the corridor between two depot buildings and sure enough Northampton was approaching like and she looked more like a bull than usual, her face displaying a level of anger no one else could master.

"Crap she sure looks angry and its coming this way, quick let's get out here, but not to far away because I want to see want happens." Miyuki grabbed Shigure by her left wrist and dragged her to a pile of boxes nearby, they discovered a space between the boxes and they began spying what was about to happen whit all the interest they could master.

"Look she has arrived."

Northampton was standing in front of the Sailboat seen it whit all her distain, the fact that the stupid cruiser had somehow brought that ship to the base without suiting showed there was a clear unbalance in the universe, how it was even possible? That was up to discussion but at the moment the priority was to scream some sense into Salt's block head.

"Hey jackass, what the fuck are you doing?" She screamed kicking one of the boxes in the process, the thing flew on into the sea as if its contents didn't weight at all, but despite the commotion there was no response at all.

"Hey Salt Lake I know you are there so come out!" She screamed again kicking another box that this time hit the mast of the sailboat spilling its contents all over deck, that actually made Salt Lake City to show up from below decks, it was like a bad impression of a cartoon because she poked out her head slowly and turned it from left to right as if she was searching for the responsible of the disturbance, then she lay her eyes on Northampton's angry eyes, then she forced the most plastic smile in history and began talking in a condescending tone.

"Oh hello Northampton nice to see you here, would you please pass me that last box that is over there." She pointed to a box full of fuel that was very close to Northampton that responded in the simplest way possible, by kicking the box to the side and throwing the cans of fuel all over the place.

"I am not some stupid girl that you can take advantage of so you don't have to do any work, if you want these boxes on that ship of yours then do it yourself!" She then kicked the last box that was near her sending it crashing against the hull of the sailboat and then towards the water, by that point Salt's plastic smile had turned into a disgusting grin that indicated she was angry at Northampton's display, but instead of screaming in response she just turned her condensation up to eleven.

"Okay dear you just need to calm down and count up ten, and then we can talk like normal persons do." Northampton face was red whit anger but she remained silent long enough for Salt Lake to continue talking " In any case since you were interested enough to come here I will tell you about what is happening, as you already know you are going to be transferred to Jakarta in one week, until then its official that Nagato has ordered you to remain at your quarters until you report to New Jersey in four days, until then I want you to keep calm and don't cause any trouble, as for me I am taking this fine ship to Tokyo were I am going to talk to some of the high command in there, so see ya" whit that Salt Lake made her unexpected move, she moved to the bow of the ship and in a single action untied the lines that keep the sail boat close to the pier and then and returned to the stern of the ship and started to little engine of the boat that slowly began moving away.

"Hey what are you doing!? Come back!" Demanded Northampton but it was too late, Salt just moved the ship away and if she heard Northampton she didn't show it, the only other thing she said before she was to far away was a rather strange non sequitur.

"And remember looting is punished by dead!"

"Loot what!? There is nothing to loot in here, or what do you think, that I like Kako's and whatever the hell her sister is called aquariums so much I would steal them?!* And come back you nut!" But Salt didn't come back, she just waved one hand and steered the sailboat out of the harbor, all the while Northampton keep screamed at her futilely trying to get her attention, by that point not only had the rest of the group reached the area but all the persons that were near the pier were now standing nearby in total amazement as the spectacle as it unfolded, even Shigure and Miyuki had come out of hiding and were now standing near the rest of the American group.

"You guys are kind of amazing, how a unit whit so much crazy in it can be combat effective is something I will never understand." Said Miyuki to Gridley and McCall that were the closes to her,

"You see, this is the American way." Joked McCall in a sassy tone that failed to be funny at all whit only reactions been Miyuki's and Shigure's confused faces, Gridley chuckled at this.

"To be honest I also have no idea how we get through any operation without getting kill, but for the love of God you have to admit that something like her is a terror on the battlefield." She said pointing at Northampton that was still screaming at the disappearing sailboat.

"You are right about that." Admitted Miyuki "But you have to admit that most of you are totally and completely out of your minds."

"Okay I will give you that." Admitted Gridley "If you admit that we are the most determined girls in all the seven seas." Miyuki's smile reappeared on her face and whit friendly tone she responded "HA ha-ha-ha I will give that Yankee when you conquer the Java sea, wish you luck in there!"

"Thanks you we will do our best." Said Gridley raising her thumps and giving back the smile, it was good to have at least one functional relation at the base.

"Don't you mean you wish Jakarta luck? Because if Northampton doesn't calm down she is going to burn the whole city down." Interrupted McCall getting everyone's attention back to Northampton that was culminating her rant by getting on her knees and screaming at the top her lungs.

"DANM YOU SALT. DAMN YOU TO HELL! Sob" And after that final outburst she just laid down on the ground and began crying like a child, the idiotism of Salt Lake finally been to much for her.

"Hey Warrington, what do we do now?" Asked Honolulu.

"No idea is the first time I have seen her like this, maybe you can console her?"

Me? No way! Don't you remember when I tried to hug her after the attack on that battleship prices a few weeks ago, she hit me in the got, and she was happy at that moment! If I get close to her at this moment she will tear me apart on a second." Responded Honolulu in a panicky way.

"Okay then I'll do it." Said Gridley stepping forward and kneeling besides Nora and began caressing her head whit all the delicacy she could muster.

"Thanks you sob" murmured Northampton extending her hand and hugging Gridley by the waist.

"You're welcome ma'am you know you can count whit me in any case you may need me." Responded Gridley using a maternal voice, something that made the situation all the more ridiculous.

"So tell me McCall." Spoke Shigure for the first time.

"Yes?" Answered the named destroyer.

"If your superiors are mad like a hatter and most of your destroyers are also a little different let's say, how does your squadron works?" McCall smiled and shrugged.

"What can I say except welcome to Merica's navy, the number one shit show ever to grace the pacific."

After the show was over, at the American dormitory.

30 Minutes or so after Salt Lake sailed away (No pond intended) all the members of the squadron minus Portland were standing in front of their quarters in one of the most remote parts of the base, they originally slept whit everyone else but as a result of several incidents that included (but not limited to) Arashi making Maury cry during the day and been scared of Craven during the night* Jintsu not liking Honolulu and vice versa* and Northampton getting into a fight whit everyone in the cruiser dormitory, they had been exiled to a point so far the closes dormitory was a five minute walk.

"Okay girls there are a few things that that call for some addressing so listen up because I won't repeat it!" Barked Northampton at the line of Americans that was organized from the tallest that was Louisville to the smallest that McCall, Nora was back to been her usual authoritarian way, she had recovered remarkably well after Gridley padded her for a few minutes.

"First of all and as you all probably know our time outside the base, the time we lobbied so hard to get WITHOUT SALT'S HELP! Has been revoked, so we are going to stay here until Jersey decides to show up and lets us go. Second, despite the fact that I am also enrage by this situation I will not tolerate any comments about wanting to see Nagato and Salt Lake City get nuked again*, or wanting to rob all the ice-cream on Mamiya place, or any desires to sacrifice Yukikaze to restore the balance of luck in the universe or any other creative crap you nut's come up whit, because all of those nice things only happen to patient and good people and you are we aren't neither at the moment so don't illusion your selves, is it clear?" There was a collective "yes ma'am" accompanied by a general sense of sadness and confusion over this, were there been forbidden from joking about doing it or there was a real concern about one of them actually going ahead and doing it? (To what lows had their situation come to?)

"Whit that out of the way there is only one thing left to discuss. Since we are basically under house arrest I have decided to decorate this shoe box of ours to be a party room of sorts, but to this end I need the help from some of you. Craven and Maury I need you to come up whit a make shift cinema screen, use some covers or whatever you see necessary as long as it isn't something we use most of the time."

"Yes ma'am"

"Louisville you will clean up all the mess that is around here, but for the love of God actually do it."

Louisville was just staring at the skyline and was more busy scratching her left breast "Oh, what? Yes ma'am!" She finally spited out. "I guess." She muttered to herself.

"Jarvis I need you to install the projector and the computer we use to play movies, before you say it yes, the thing has been repaired after someone spilled water over it." The comment was aimed at Louisville that in response turned her eyes away and began whistling.

"Okay Nora if it is working then I can get it mounted." Said Jarvis a little unsure but given a determinate military salute.

"Very well Jarvis I like to hear that. Honolulu! You will make a mini bar for Lu, Portland, you and me, pay special attention to the decoration of the damn thing because last time you decorated it was the most boring thing in history, so star living up to your name and make something beautiful."

"But Nora we don't have any booze!" Protested the light cruiser cracking her voice a little, clearly displeased Northampton put her hands on her waist and making sure the mockery was evident responded.

"But Nora we don't have any booze. That's nonsense, if you need it you can buy it, borrow it or steal it from Bismarck or Pola, heck, in desperation you can even get sake from Junyou and Chitose, I don't care as long as it get us drunk, so go out and get it you nut!"

"Yes ma'am!" Screamed Honolulu to compensate for her protest.

"Very good, as for me I will go out and bring some movies, some coke, and whatever snacks I can get my hands on, while I am gone Warrington is in charge so pay attention to her. As for the rest just stay calm, don't kill anyone, don't disrupt the work of the others and for the love of Jesus don't do anything to any jap, we are already in a crappy spot and we don't need it to be worse, is it clear."

"Yes ma'am!"

They responded in unison but whit different levels of enthusiasm.

"Okay girl's that is the spirit. Before I go are there any questions?" Out of the group the only one that raised a hand was Louisville that did so while still scratching the same breast.

"Yes Nora I was just wondering if there is any way I could make my breast bigger, you see I want to be bigger than Iowa but just massaging them isn't doing the trick so if you could give me a hand I would welcome it." Northampton's face was as red as a tomato and she looked ready to scream at the top of her lungs, but instead she bit her lower lip and took in a big breath, it was by doing this that she calmed down enough to respond.

"No sis I can't help you in making your breast bigger but I can get them smaller by putting 10 manuals on each orb, would like that?" Louisville crossed her arms and whit a long face only said "Party-pooper"

"Okay are there more productive questions?" This time Helm and Maury raised their hands but before they could talk Northampton responded, already knowing what they were going to ask.

"No, the movies are not going not be romantic because the last time we chose that genre we ended up seen that terrible vampire movie that almost made me tear me eyes out, so to make it clear as day, no, we won't be seen love movies!" Whit that the two destroyers lowered their hands in defeat, they had actually liked that movie you know.

"Oh and one last thing, if and when Portland decides to show up I want you to ignore any crazy ideas she might have, and that is an order so follow it." Everyone looked at each other whit a little confusion on their faces but they all decided to agree without questioning to avoid a pointless confrontations whit the easy trigger they had in front.

"Okay girls you have your orders so move it!" Whit that Northampton finally turned around and began going towards the rest of the base and the rest of the squadron entered their quarters to begging the preparations for their last week on the base, no one really bothering to put to much attention between the dispute between Portland and Northampton, they just happened to time to time and none of them really reached the same apocalyptic levels the ones involving the japs or Salk Lake, the only ones that even mentioned it were Craven and Warrington and they were not concerned at all.

"What do you think it is this time Warrington?" The destroyer lieder response was simple.

"Probably nothing, Portland is the kind of girl that takes everything very seriously and Nora takes something's very seriously and some other not, so their disputes come from that most of the time, besides, when has Portland done something stupid?" That was good enough for Craven that then dedicated herself completely to coming up whit a movie screen, if only they knew what the silent one on the group had in store for them.

Historical references

*Same reference as last time.

* All three of them were present at the first naval battle of Guadalcanal. While generally considered the clousterfuck to end all clousterfucks I manage to recollect the following information about the interaction of this ships during the battle. During the opening phase Portland focused its fire on Kirishima that at that moment was the best target, then as the American and Japanese formations disintegrated Portland engaged the destroyers Inazuna and Ikazuchi until she was attacked by Yudashi that launched 8 torpedoes at her, of which at least one landed home, blowing off 2 of the propellers and jamming the rudder to starboard for the rest of the battle, after a few circles Portland fired another couple of rounds at Kirishima that landed on her superstructure and started fires on deck. Yudashi keep going around until one of her boiler rooms was knocked out and she was left dead in the water, until daybreak when Portland (That was still circling around) put an end to her. Kirishima, severely damage by the actions of several cruisers soldiered on until air attack finished her off the next day. So in conclusion this three have a history together and if Portland is ever implemented look forward to her not liking this two (The information about Yudashi torpedoing Portland came from the book 'Japanese Destroyer Captain')

*It's probably common knowledge to most but just as a remainder. On the 19 of June 1944 during the battle of the Philippine Sea Taiho was torpedoed by the submarine USS Albacore, while the torpedo caused no fatal damage initially, it did rupture aviation fuel tanks that leaked for hours, eventually this fuel evaporated and speeded across the ship and at 2:30 PM (6 and a haft hour after the torpedo impacted) the ship exploited and sunk.

* That battle would be the one of the Komandorski Islands. On the march 27 1943 an American task force composed by the heavy cruiser Salt Lake City, the light cruiser Richmond and the destroyers Coghlan, Bailey, Dale and Monaghan intercepted a Japanese force composed by the heavy cruisers Maya and Nashi, the light cruisers Tama and Abukama and the destroyers Wakaba, Hatsushimo, Ikazuchi and Inazuma that was trying to reinforce the Japanese positions in the islands of Attu and Kiska. In the ensuing 4 hour battle Salt Lake got heavily damage (She was actually dead in the water for a while) while booth Maya and Nashi suffered some damage, in the end the superior Japanese force had to retreat due to fuel concerns and fear of an air attack.

*Craven and Maury took part in massive PTSD generator known as the battle of Vella Gulf, during which 6 American destroyers (USS Dunlap, USS Craven, USS Maury, USS Lang, USS Sterett, and USS Stack) attacked a Japanese convoy of 4 destroyers (Hagikaze, Arashi, Kawakaze, and all lucky Shigure) In the resulting action all four destroyers were hit by torpedoes and Hagikaze, Arashi and Kawakaze were sunk almost instantly by them or the following gun bombardment, the only reason Shigure escaped was because the torpedo that hit her was a dud and didn't do any damage. (Because when they say she was lucky they are not joking)

*Jintsu and Honolulu took part in the battle of Kolombangara during which Jintsu was set on fire by American light cruisers and then was sunk by a torpedo, and Honolulu was struck by a torpedo that left her out of action for several months.

*Booth Nagato and Salt Lake City were used in operation Crossroads, the navy study designed to test the effect of nuclear bombs on a fleet, not only that but booth survived the two detonations that were made during the tests.

Kancolle references

This one is kind of a mix between history and Kancolle. The Furutaka class cruisers had to keep their portholes close because water would come threw them when it raised; this is represented in the manga Fubuki Ganbarimasu by them having their room full of aquariums. (BTW I will only note the references that are super specific or about some character that isn't well known, as you can probably tell noting everything would be time consuming and pointless)

AN: I went from not liking how this was looking to actually been a little proud of it, so far I am loving how this is going and I hope all of you like it =) As I told you before thank you to the ones that had already like this story, you guys rock and I hope you keep liking it. In any case take care and see ya!