Chapter 06: First Shots in the War and first love?
20th June 1943
USS Enterprise, Taskforce 34, Solomon Sea
The first action in Halsey's plan is to capture New Georgia Island and use its port as a supply depot for the next target, Bougainville Island and New Britain Island. It was also chosen because it was not so heavily defended and it would give the 1st Ship Girl Flotilla a feel of battle in the Pacific. The flotilla grew bigger as more ship girls appeared, this time, Zuikaku, Hiei, Haruna, Mikuma, Maya, Chokai Aoba, Ooi, Ikazuchi, Akatsuki, Kagero and 1-401 or she likes to called Shioi.
"So we will land forces here on Segi Point, after which we will build an airbase once it is cleared" Vandegrift said while pointing to the map of New Guinea.
"Alright, now your 4th Marine Raider Battalion will do that and then they will followed up by the rest of the division in landing on Vura port on Vangunu Island, Zanana, Rice Anchorage on New Guinea and on Rendova Island, Sasaki, your forces will also land with the marines" Halsey said.
"I have no issue with that" Sasaki Minoru said.
"Hey Halsey, I heard that a new strikers is being developed, ones that relating to the navy, is this true" Vandegrift asked.
"Yeah Ursula and her team of researchers and scientists developing on the naval strikers" Halsey said.
"Oh I can see where she got the idea from" Sasaki said.
"Akagi, your girls will support the 4th Marine Raider Battalion in their landings on Segi Point and then assist the push up to Viru Harbour" Halsey said.
"Yes sir, my girls will show what we can do" Akagi said.
"Grace, your unit will have to take top cover of the area until an airfield is built" Halsey said.
"Will do, we keep those skies clear of any black crafts" Grace said.
"Alright, then let's get this started then shall we" Halsey said. The allied commanders nodded and they left to prepare for the attack that was planned for the early morning of the next day.
Meanwhile...
Mess hall, USS Enterprise
Martha, Helen and Jane were there with Shōkaku and Taiho because they were interested to see the fairies the carrier girls have.
"Oh my god, they are so cute!" Jane said as picked one of the fairies up and hugged it against her face. The fairy tried to pry from the Liberion's grip but failed.
"So, other than these little ones, you have construction fairies and damage control fairies" Martha asked.
"Yeah, Akagi told us to let the construction and damage control fairies to assist around the ship" Shōkaku said.
Engine Room, USS Enterprise
"Hey Al, you saw that tiny girl walk by right?" An engineer asked.
"Oh, those are fairies, they came with the ship girls, they are real nice, Phil" Al said.
"But isn't it weird that some tiny girl is running around this?" Phil gestured to the boilers.
"Oh, open up your mind a bit and you will be fine, they are really useful, they are" Al said.
"Whatever, Al" Phil said as he went off some where.
"What a close minded idiot" Al said before he turned to a damage control fairy that had just walked up his desk.
"We finished cleaning the boilers' gears and we fixed the small damages on the boilers" The little girl said.
"Thanks, now why don't I give you girls something to eat" Al said as he took out a sandwich and gave to the damage control fairy. Her eyes grew as big as they could as she took the sandwich.
"Can I take this?" She said before looking at the sandwich then at Al, she did this for at least five times.
"Yes it is, it is a thank you for the work you have done" Al said. The fairy then jumped to Al and hugged him.
"Thank you, sir" The fairy said.
"Aw shucks little one, you are so sweet, now why don't you share that sandwich with everyone else" Al said
"Yes" The fairy said before she ran with the sandwich to where the rest of the damage control fairies were.
"Don't forget to clean yourself before you eat" Al reminded.
21st June 1943
Waters between New Guinea and Vangunu Islands
A Marine's POV
Our assault boats moved slowly through the water, I looked around to the rest of the guys that were in the boat and their faces were stiff either from the determination or just plain fear. Personally I was fucking scared because it was the neuroi. Sure everyone is afraid of those fuckers but these fuckers and I am talking about the Pacific neuroi, they are the absolute worse. We always say that the boys sent to North Africa and Europe, the lucky bastards because the neuroi they face are nothing I repeat nothing like the fuckers we face, not by a long shot. These black bastards, no racist intentions there, are fucking more savage and they are very sneaky bastards. They love to hide in foxholes and tunnels. We have to go in and root them out and that is dodgy business. And if that is not enough, the bastards have gone and adapted to water, the only barrier we got against them. They can be very devastating warships. Just look at what they did to the Fusoan warships that were at Guadalcanal.
"Alright, once we hit shore, head straight in, we don't have time to kiss the ground" The 1st Lieutenant said loud enough for everyone on the boat to hear but soft enough not to attract attention. The lieutenant is alright guy, doesn't drink though but a swell guy. Just then James, a pal of mine notices something in the water next to our boat.
"Hey Tom, Tom" James said as he tapped my helmet.
"Would you stop tapping my helmet? For fuck's sake, I am not a diner bell" I snapped but I was smart to keep my voice down.
"Sorry Tom, just that I saw something cool" James apologized. I stared at James for a few seconds and sighed in defeat as I decided to see what is it that James thought was cool.
"What is it?" I asked. James smiled once he heard that I agreed to see what he found.
"Look over there" James pointed over to the right side. I turned and truth be told I thought someone had spiked my food or something because to the right of our boat was a young girl in a sailor's uniform with a skirt walking next to us and she had big guns. Then I remember something the lieutenant said about this thing… what was it again? Oh yeah ship girls, they were called… Oh great I sound like my grandma.
"Well she, James is the new weapons against the neuroi" Nick, another marine and this guy was from the New York City. I think he's from Brooklyn. He and I are the smartest in the Battalion seeing both of us were in university before the war started. Well I finished my World History Course; Nick had another year to finish his Biological Course. By the way, we go way back, ever since junior high, we have been good friends ever since.
"Yeah, the Lieutenant told us about a new striker they were deploying and they having the prototypes tried out for combat" I said.
"One minute out" The captain of our battalion said from the lead boat, "Anything out there?" another guy asked.
"This is Kitakami of the 1st Ship Girls Flotilla, negative on that, we detect nothing for about 2 kilometres but we will give them a warm welcome if they do" One of the girl said. I looked to where the voice came from and I saw a slender girl with black hair in a khaki uniform and skirt. She had quite a lot of torpedo launchers on her left forearm and left leg. She also had something that resembled a ship's mast and funnel on her back. In her right hand was something resembled a dual gun turret with a handle on back. I don't know why but she looks quite exquisite to me.
"Wow, she looks nice" I commented. I think I said it out loud because she turned to my direction. My body reacted late and our eyes met, my dark brown eyes saw her purple eyes. We kinda stared at each other for a while before it registered in our minds that it a stare that was too long. I immediately broke from the stare after realising that. My face was red from embarrassment but my eyes turned back to her and I saw her blushing as well. I then mouthed to her my name. She did the same and I was surprised that her name was Kitakami but I thought it was nice name. I smiled to myself at first as I found myself in love but then I remembered that it would be impossible for me to meet her again because she was a witch and I was a marine.
"Alright, we are going ashore, weapons free" the 1st Lieutenant said. I decided to push that thought aside and focused on being a marine. I readied my M1928 Thompson, yes it was the one the gangsters use, this one was mine, and anyway I looked at my Chicago Typewriter and checked for any problems. However the thought of that navy witch kept returning. Then I made up my mind and I decided to chat with her once this was over. The boats were soon on the beaches and in seconds the ramps came down and we raced forwards. The ship girls opened up their searchlights to uncover any targets. We ran for at least 450 m inland before realizing that there was nothing there, nothing, not even a neuroi infantry guy.
"Well that was a waste" A marine said.
"So what now, sir" I asked the 1st Lieutenant.
"Tell the men to push forward and set up a defensive perimeter, we might have the beach head doesn't mean the neuroi will let us have it" The lieutenant said.
"Alright let's push forward and secure a perimeter so the Seabees can set up an airfield" I ordered and we pushed inland and by the end of the day we got the entire Segi Point Peninsula. But the neuroi wasn't going it easy to hold, oh no siree, they are coming, my guts are screaming of a neuroi counter attack.
Later that night…
"FUCK YOU AND DIE!" A marine shouted as he fired his BAR at a neuroi that was coming.
"Don't waste your shots and waste those bastards!" I shouted.
"EAT LEAD MOTHERFUCKERS!" Another marine barked as he unleashed a hell storm of bullets at the neuroi with his M1919 machine gun.
"You are losing your touch Jones, the piece of shit is still moving" A marine barked.
"Argh, help me! Put it out! Put it out! AAH~!" An unfortunate soldier who had the flamethrower cried as he burst into flames.
"Harold! Get me the fucking radio!" I shouted.
"Got ya, one radio coming right up" Harold shouted his reply as he ran to grab the radio.
"Oh Fuck-" A marine said before his head was obliterated by a neuroi beam.
"Shit! They got Matt" Another soldier barked.
"Where is the fucking navy?!" Another devil dog shouted.
"They can't support because the water is too narrow!" A leatherneck witch boomed.
"Here Tom, the radio" Harold barked as he came running to me. I grabbed the radio and immediately turned the dial for the navy; and apparently I got the Fusoan Navy.
"This is Ashigara, 1st Ship Girls Flotilla, what do you want us to destroy?" The reply came.
"This is Sergeant Major Thomas Eisenhower! I need some fire support! Coordinates are as follows 8o 34' 21 South, 157o 51' 54 West! Give them hell!" I radioed.
"Roger! My ten cannons aren't just for show!" Ashigara replied. Soon we heard gunfire, very loud ones as the ship girls fired their guns. Their shells smashed into the neuroi that came attacking.
"This is Lieutenant Commander Eva Apel of the 509th Hell Born Witches JFW! I am coming over to support you!" A witch shouted. I looked up and I saw a witch fly overheard and she had a 37 mm cannon.
"Hell Yeah! The neuroi are fucked! Here comes the Hell Girls!" James shouted as he fired M1 Garand.
"Eat lead neuroi assholes!" The witch shouted as her cannon shells were unloaded on the neuroi infantry. I was firing my Thompson at the neuroi. Just then I saw a Fusoan soldier who was a few metres away from me get sliced by a neuroi. I could hear his agonizing scream.
The battle was hard and long but we blunted their attack. As they retreated our wise command told us to push forward. By daybreak we liberate some shit of a town called Lanibeti and it cost us almost all of Baker Company, all those good men gone within seconds.
22nd June 1943
Coast Segi Point
Kitakami's POV
I was just sitting on the beach watching the sea splash against the beach, while vehicles and men moved inland. I saw the faces of the soldiers that came ashore. They were all different from the happy and young to the stern aged but I didn't really care because there was one face I couldn't get out of my mind, is that one marine with brown eyes and brown hair. It was just yesterday morning when I saw his face, it was dark but I could see his face, he had a small moustache and a slightly triangular face. I don't know but when I think of his face, I feel like something inside of me is going on overdrive and my face become red.
"I wonder if he thinks about me like that" I said to myself.
"Hey you there" I heard someone say and from what my radar is picking up the person was behind me. I turned to see who it was and it was him.
A few minutes earlier
Tom's POV
"Ah man, last night was a killer" I groaned as I walked on the beaches. If you do not know what happened, well my guts were not lying as the neuroi tried to attack our positions but unfortunate for them and lucky for us, we had very well fortified positions, the boys on the anti-tank artillery really earned their pay especially the Krauts on the 88mm cannons. Oh if you were wondering, after we landed, supporting units came ashore mostly the Seabees, Fusoan Naval Infantry battalions with some Karlslander Marine-Sturm companies. They helped reinforced our line. The neuroi infantry tried to charge at our positions with their infamous human waves, the Fusoans dubbed it the Banzai charge and the name stuck. Now back to the topic, we held the neuroi for the whole damn night. We couldn't get a nap without the neuroi trying again to stop our little advance. Only when the fighter support came and the navy gave the bastards a warm welcome only did they retreat. Now my platoon was getting some desperately needed R&R. I then checked my uniform and I looked at my shoulder patch, at the second lieutenant rank that was on my shoulder. Yeah I got promoted but I was not too happy about it because it was a result of the death of my platoon's commander during the night attack, the guy was stabbed in the chest by a neuroi infantry type and I was the one who had to shoot the neuroi with my Thompson. Now I am in command of men's lives and I am not sure I can do it.
"Hey Tom" I turned to see my pals sitting around some crates eating. James was calling me over, "Come and sit here with us"
"The food is just fine" Harold, another guy in my platoon, said.
"It is a hell lot better than Mike's chemical warfare sample" Edward, a friend of my smiled while slapping another platoon member's arm.
"Is my cooking that bad?" Mike asked.
"Well, let's put it this way, if I threw your cooking at the neuroi even they will die" I smiled.
"So are you joining us?" James asked.
"Nah, I am fine" I said as I continued walking.
"Alright suit yourself, it means more for us fighting men" Harold said. I continued walking but I stopped over at the food serving tent to grab some grub, a few pieces of bread and a few pieces of bacon. I stashed them in a metal box that I carried around with me. Then I saw two girls chatting to themselves, one of them had orange attire and looked like one of those ninjas I read about from Fuso while the other girl had an eye patch on and she had mechanical cat like ears on either side of her face, she also had a black sweater on. That's funny… won't she feel hot in that? But how am I to question when I am wearing a scarf my sister gave me before I left for the Marine Corps. She means well but I hope she will be alright over in North Africa because my sister, Grace is a bit slow and she has birth defect which left her a stuttering girl but she is still a bundle of joy. Even if she can't speak, she has a laugh that can brighten up anyone's day.
Meanwhile somewhere in North Africa
"Excellent shot Grace!" A witch said as a large neuroi erupted into a ball of white fragments.
"Th…tha…than…thanks, m…ma…am" Grace stuttered.
"Hey! Ya are getting better with ya'r speech" Another witch smiled.
"Keep it up and you'll be better than Mary here" The first witch said.
"What do ya mean by that? Huh Lisa" Mary asked.
"*Laughter*" Grace laughed.
Back in the Pacific
"Excuse me" I asked the two girls. They stopped chatting and looked at me.
"Yeah, what is it?" The eye patched girl asked.
"What I was just wondering if you have seen Ki…Kitakami?" I stuttered when I was trying to say her name.
"Oh, she is sitting at the beach over there daydreaming about some guy" the ninja girl said.
"Oh thanks…by the way I never got your names" I said as I held the back of my helmet.
"Oh I am Tenryuu, aren't I scary?" The eye patched girl said.
"Well, I was intimidated by your eye patch" I said honestly.
"I am Sendai! Night battles are my speciality" The ninja girl said.
"So you were the one chanting night battle over and over again last night" I said.
"Yeah, I just love night battles" Sendai said.
"Well, see you two girls later" I said as I headed for the beach. I walked on the beach with my scarf fluttering in the wind. I then saw her just staring out to sea.
"I wonder if he thinks about me like that" She said. Oh if only I could tell her.
"Hey you there" I said. She then perked up and turned to my direction.
"Hello" She said. I decided to walk towards her.
"Do you mind if I sit here?" I asked.
"No problem" She said.
"Thanks" I said as I plop down right next to her, "Hey, you are Kitakami right?" I asked.
"Yeah and you are Tom right?" Kitakami said.
"My name is actually Thomas but everyone calls me Tom" I said
"Oh but I think Thomas suits you better" Kitakami said.
"Thanks" I replied.
"You are welcome" Kitakami said.
"So~ have you eaten?" I asked.
"No" Kitakami said.
"Why is that?" I asked.
"I completely forgot" Kitakami scratched the back of her head.
"Well I have some food with me if you want" I said as I pulled out my metal box and opened it. The food was surprising still warm.
"Are you sure?" Kitakami asked.
"It is alright, my mother always told me that if I share my food, it will taste better" I smiled as I gave her two pieces of bread and three pieces of bacon.
"Thanks" Kitakami said as she took the sandwich from my hand and then took a bite, "Wow, it is so good"
"So, you like bacon, huh?" I asked with a smile.
"Yes, it is so nice" Kitakami said.
"So, you are one of those ship girls I heard about, huh?" I asked. Yeah, yeah I knew about them not being from this world but it doesn't we can't talk right?
"Yeah, I was one of the first girls to arrive here" Kitakami said.
"So how is it?" I asked.
"How is what?" Kitakami asked.
"How is the transition from your world to here? You know, the differences between where you came from to here" I said. I had to use everything in me not say shit hole instead of here.
"Well, everything is so different, back in our world, we rarely see men and the only I have ever seen is the Admiral who was in charge of our base, in Rabaul" Kitakami said.
"So I bet you were surprised to see so many men in one place?" I asked.
"Yeah at first but after I saw you, my fear just disappeared" Kitakami said.
"What me? I calmed your fear but I never spoken to you until now unless…" I said.
"So? Your calm eyes gave me a sense of calmness" Kitakami said.
"Did you not see the fear in these eyes? The things these eyes have seen, no one not even the hardest criminal deserved to see" I asked.
"What do you mean by that?" Kitakami asked.
"I had been in this war for two years and I have seen some serious shit. I had been through hellish conditions. If fighting the neuroi was bad enough, I have to do in this tropical hell. I once, back in Guadalcanal had to fight off an entire regiment of neuroi with this other guy, I think his name was Bastilone, reinforcement did come but they were slaughter within minutes of reaching our positions. We soon ran out off ammunitions so we had to fight with our bayonets and fists but haunts me it that all those marines that came to support me and Bastilone were all new guys, I saw their faces... all of them were kids for fucks sake! They had their lives ahead of them damn it and I led them to their death" I raised my voice unintentionally as I recalled Guadalcanal, an island with a name written in blood.
"Hell that was one hell of a fight but it was not your fault, you led those boys to the best of your abilities" Kitakami said surprised but she gave me some encouragement.
"Yeah, now your own world is not so bad now isn't it?" I asked.
"Yeah, if we compare it, but I have a question" Kitakami said.
"What is it?" I asked as I pulled out a flask and drank a bit from its content. It was vodka a drink I had a liking ever since college.
"Did ya see the same in mine?" Kitakami asked.
"I am no expert in that field but I can tell that you are one that seen some intense action" I said.
"Yeah I had some hectic moments" Kitakami said. Then there was a silence.
"Come on Tom, say something! You won't get far if in silence" I thought
"So… do you have any sibling?" I asked.
"Well, I have one, her name is Ooi" Kitakami said.
"How does she look like?" I asked.
"Well she is wearing something like my uniform only in reverse and she has long brown hair, she is also a nice sister with manners of a proper girl" Kitakami said.
"Well she sounds like a respectable girl, like a friend of mine, Oliver, he is a nice guy with bright blonde hair, he may be a bit silly but he is a gentleman, hey! I wonder if we hook them up, you think they will get along?" I asked. We probably imagined the same thing because after a moment of silence.
"That would be a sight to see! I bet Ashigara would be jealous as hell" Kitakami joked.
"Well from what I just heard I am guessing Ashigara is one for romance" I added. We laughed ever louder at the thought of another girl getting jealous. Our laughter caused us to fall backwards and land on the sand on our backs.
"So how about you, do you have a sibling?" Kitakami asked.
"Yeah… I do, I have a younger sister, Grace, and she is a lively girl even though she has speech problems" I said. We then sat back up.
"Oh I am sorry to hear about that" Kitakami said.
"Oh, don't be, she is doing fine, in fact I think she is doing better than me, she is a bundle of joy and her laughter can make anyone's day, she is the reason I am wearing this scarf" I said while pulling up one end of the scarf.
"Wow, that is nice of you and I must say, she must have a good eye because this scarf is so well done" Kitakami said as she looked at the scarf.
"Well you should be saying that to my sister because she made this scarf which makes it even more special to me" I scratched my head.
"Wow, she is so good" Kitakami said.
"I am glad you think so, I will write her about you" I said. I chuckled while she giggled.
"Hey what that's on your shoulders" Kitakami asked pointing to the 2nd Lieutenant patches on my shoulders.
"Those are patches which indicate my rank which is a 2nd Lieutenant" I answered.
"How long have you been an officer?" Kitakami asked.
"I was promoted just this morning" I sighed.
"Why do you sound down? Isn't being promoted a good thing?" Kitakami asked.
"Yeah it is but I was promoted because the my platoon commander was killed by the neuroi, those bas…assholes but my main fear is that now I am in charge of men's lives, and these men are my friends and I am scared that if I make a mistake, someone is not coming home" I said.
"Tom, don't be too hard on yourself, if you were given command of the platoon that means that they trust you to lead the men with the best of your abilities, and if your men don't grumble then they trust you as well so just do what you think is best for the battle" Kitakami said.
"This is has been fun" Kitakami said.
"Yeah" I said, "So…how long are you going to be here?" I asked.
"Why? You don't want to see me?" Kitakami asked jokingly.
"No, no, I didn't mean it like that, what I meant was how long will it be before we can't just sit here and talk" I said.
"Well me and the rest of girls here, who there are about 8 of us, we will be supporting you marines until you capture a place called Viru Harbour" Kitakami said.
"So we have quite a number of days of small talk like this" I smiled. Kitakami giggled.
"Yeah, small talk like this is fun" Kitakami said.
"I love to have a chat, especially with someone like you, it takes my problems away" I said.
"Yeah, every time I have small talk, it seems that everything else disappears" We then stared at each other for a while. Our faces moved closer to each other, our eyes never left each other.
"No Tom! You two are soldiers! One of you might die! And then what?" My mind screamed but my body shut it up and continue to close the distance with her. She too was closing the distance. Our noses were inches from each other. We were still staring into each other's eyes. Then we closed the gap and our lips met. And god, all my problems seem to just melt away when our lips clasped. This was just wonderful.
"Achoo!" A small voice said.
Meanwhile in a bush behind them
Sendai's POV
After that guy asked us where Kitakami was, we wondered if he was the guy that Kitakami said she saw because he fits the bill so Tenryuu and I decided to tail him. Aoba who was just walking around taking photos decided to join us in guarding this area decided to come along. We snuck around the bushes and watched as that guy sit down and talk with Kitakami. Aoba with her camera also with her began to take pictures. We could hear what they said thanks to our radio. I was surprised that the guy who we know as Tom had a sister and she was the reason he was wearing a scarf. I was also taken back to hear that a man with a calm face has a dark secret.
"Hey, they are having a nice time together" Tenryuu said.
"I wonder what Ooi would say if we told her" Aoba said. I noticed that they were closing the gap between their faces.
"Hey look they are getting closer" I said.
"What? I need to take a photo" Aoba said as she pulled out her camera and took a photo.
"Oh! Ashigara is going to blow her top if she found out about this" Tenryuu said.
"Yeah…A…Ah…" Aoba said but she was about to sneeze. Tenryuu and I quickly covered her mouth.
"Don't sneeze! They might find us" I said. We held Aoba's mouth until her urge to sneeze disappeared.
"You want to die?" Tenryuu threatened. Aoba then calmed down and we relaxed our grip. But fate wanted to give us our just reward for spying.
"Achoo!" Aoba sneezed. We quickly glanced at Aoba who was sheepishly rubbing the back of her head, "Whoops"
"Shit" Tenryuu said as she and I glanced over to see that the two have stopped kissing and have distanced themselves from each other.
Back on the beach
Kitakami's POV
Oh my, so this how a real kiss feel like. It is so good. It is as if all the problems of the world are gone, that we are not fighting a war.
"Achoo!" someone said. My eyes shot opened and I saw his eyes were opened as well and they were surprised as well. Then we saw what we were doing and we immediately backed away from each other.
"I am sorry! I didn't mean to do that!" Thomas said as he shook his hands furiously with his face scarlet red.
"I am sorry too, I don't know what came over me" I said. Why did it have to stop? I am going to torpedo whoever that disturbed us.
"Actually I kinda liked it" Thomas said, his face still red.
"Me too" I said.
"So what does this mean?" Thomas asked.
"Well Thomas, it means that we are in relationship now" I said.
"Well, I can do that, Kitakami, I had wanting to tell you that I had feelings for you" Thomas smiled.
"Well ya'r feelings are returned" I said. Damn his smile is so nice, "So what do we do now?" I asked.
"Why don't we just go already, just ignore them" Thomas said as he stood up and dusted himself off. He then pulled me up.
"Alright let's go then" I said, we then went our separate ways as Thomas had duties to do and I had to guard the landing ships.
3rd July 1943
Mess hall on USS Enterprise
Tom's POV
Well, my battalion was pulled out after we captured Viru Harbour which no easy task, most of the guys in the second company of my battalion was wiped out and for some odd reason my squad was sent to the USS Enterprise and we were told to wear our smartest uniforms. I still see Kitakami as it appears she stays on the Big E. By this time, my relationship with Kitakami was found by everyone well since a newspaper that was circulated in Taskforce 34 published by a ship girl who goes by the name of Aoba. Not only gossip was on the newspaper but it also said about the successes of military operations both here and in other parts of the world. They had little sections that told about the stats of military hardware and famous soldiers.
"Why are we here on the Big E?" James asked.
"You will see" Enterprise said.
"Holy shit! What was that?" Brandon, another guy in my squadexclaimed.
"Relax Brandon, it is just the Enterprise" I said.
"Oh yeah" Brandon said.
"So Tom, what are we doing on the Enterprise?" Nick asked.
"Don't ask me, Nick, I have no clue" I said. Just then Kitakami appeared and she saw me and smiled. She gave me a peck on the cheek. I then returned the favour much to the surprise of my comrades.
"Hey Thomas, how are you?" Kitakami asked.
"I am doing just fine" I said.
"So what are you doing here?" Kitakami asked.
"You search me, I was going to ask you" I said. Then it seems a thought came into her mind.
"Oh! Now I remember why I came here" Kitakami said as she slowly dropped her fist into her palm.
"And what is that?" I asked.
"Admiral Halsey wanted me to get you" Kitakami said.
"What?" James asked.
"Why?" Mike exclaimed.
"Well where is he then?" I asked calmly.
"He is at the flight deck, come on let's go" Kitakami said as she headed out of the mess hall.
"Alright, you lead" I said as I followed her lead, "Come on boys! Let's go see what Bull wants with us"
"Alright Tom" The rest of my platoon said as they all got up and chased after me.
Flight Deck of the USS Enterprise
After manoeuvring through the maze of the Enterprise, we arrived to the flight deck of the Enterprise where I saw Admiral Halsey and a few other naval officers there and I even saw General Vandegrift there as well, heck there even the 509th Joint Fighter Wing and the 1st Ship Girls Flotilla there as well. Instinctively I saluted the commanders. Kitakami did the same as well.
"Ah, Second Lieutenant Eisenhower, I was wondering when you will arrive" Halsey said.
"Sorry for my tardiness, it wouldn't happen again, sir" I replied in a tone my uncle has thought me to response to an officer and before you ask, yes my uncle is General Dwight Eisenhower. Now that I think about it, did he get my letter about Kitakami?
Meanwhile…
Allied Main Headquarters, London
"*Hearty laughter* Congratulations Thomas, you lucky man" Eisenhower laughed
"Ike! What the hell is going on? Did Arnie throw a laughing gas bomb in here again?" Katherine asked as she quickly opened the door.
"Oh, Katherine! No, no, not that, it is my nephew, he just wrote to me that he got himself a girl" Eisenhower said.
"Well lucky him" Katherine said.
Back on the Enterprise
"Well, come over here, Eisenhower" Vandegrift said. I walked towards the commanders and stood in front of them with full attention.
"Alright, then let's begin" Halsey said. Then Grace came with a box with her and when she arrived she opened the box. Halsey then pulled something out, "2nd Lieutenant Thomas Eisenhower, for your valour and bravery in the battles of Tulagi where you placed your life on the line to save not one but a squad of marines from being slaughtered and in Guadalcanal where you and John Bastilone singlehandedly prevented a neuroi regiment from reaching Henderson Field, I am proud to bestow to you on behalf of the United States of Liberion Navy and Unites States of Liberion Marine Corps, the Navy's Distinguished Service Medal, I hope you will continue to fight the good fight"
"Thank you sir" I saluted. I was surprised as hell to be honest but I couldn't let it show.
Third Person's POV
The Allies have succeeded in capturing Vangunu Island and Rendova Island. Now they were preparing to assault two more positions on the island of New Georgia, Zanana and Rice Anchorage. This time the heavy ship girls are going to get involved.
4th July 1943
Kula Gulf
USS Enterprise
The day before an amphibious assault force invaded the area around the town, Zanana. They succeeded in securing their position there and are now heading for Munda Point to capture an Airbase
"Alright boys, since it is Independence Day, let's have some fireworks!" Halsey barked.
"That's the spirit!" Enterprise cheered. Soon all the warships began to bombard the beaches.
"Alright, this is going to be best 4th of July fireworks display ever" Missouri cheered as her 16 inch guns unleashed hell.
"YEEHAW! Have a taste of freedom, neuroi bitches!" Iowa barked as her 16 inch guns blasted away at the neuroi positions.
"I might not be Liberion but I will join in the celebration; this is what a member of the Big Seven can do!" Nagato said as her 14 inch guns belched fire.
"Burning Love~!" Kongo shouted. She found the catchphrase that her ship girl counterpart always uses to be very entertaining so she decided to use it as well with the consent of her ship girl counterpart.
"This is going to be a hella lot of fun!" Baltimore roared as her 10 inch guns boomed.
"Some fun, I am going to have here" Yahagi said. She loved to speak in a reverse order.
"This Fletcher loves fireworks for Independence Day" Fletcher said. Not only were the ships firing their guns, the ship girls were stuck in it as well.
"Main guns fire!" Atago (SG) said as her guns unleashed hell.
"1st, 2nd, 3rd cannons open fire!" Yamato hollered as her big guns barked.
"Hey! Don't leave me out of this!" Atago shouted as she broadsided at the neuroi.
By daybreak, the Liberion 1st and 4th Marine Raider Battalions along with Fusoan 1stRikusentai Regiment and the Karlslander 1st Marine-Sturm Angriff Battalion took off and headed for the Rice Anchorage. They landed and immediately headed for Bairoko, a harbour to link up with another landing force in Enogai Point. The push was fast but the neuroi stood fast in their defense around Bairoko for the first engagement but with the help of the ship girls, the marines pushed through the defense line and they got within 2 km of Bairoko before the neuroi tried to counterattack.
Meanwhile to the south the Liberions, Fusoans and Australisans pushed at a very painful slow pace. This was mainly due to the harsh terrain and the limited experience and incompetent officers of the force. The island was only liberated by the 25th August. Now the next objective was the Bougainville Island and the New Britain.
