And here is part two of my double update! I think once you've finished this one, you'll understand why I uploaded these two chapters on the same day. Enjoy!
While the tugboats were working in and around the harbor, Comet was waiting with the fleet girls in the briefing room for their mission briefing. Comet was tiredly checking the pocket watch he had gotten from one of the older railway engineers who had been close to retirement. He had been working endlessly over the last few days, with Rebecca gone back up river to work with her fleet again, he had to take over all the car ferry duties, and while Comet sometimes got assistance from Mac and Rock, they couldn't take over those duties full time, and hence Comet would sometimes pull up to four railway barges across the bay, double that of the allowed number of barges.
"Ugh, right now I would be halfway across the bay with my first transfer. I hope captain Walters has a good temporary replacement..." Muttered Comet, tiredly and concerned.
"I bet he already has someone covering that." Smiled Mutsuki.
"I hope so. Otherwise Mac, Rock and I have to do double nightshifts over the next few days to get the work done." Huffed the tugboat, as the door opened and secretary ship Nagato walked in.
"Good morning. Following the attack on the supply convoy from the rearward supply lines, the admiral decided to send out a group to patrol the route and destroy any potential attackers. You will be guarding the 25 mile long sector from the south most part of the northern islands until the end of our radio range. We have arranged that supplies will be stored there for the duration of this operation, hidden out of sight in case that any Abyssal comes past and destroy them." Explained Nagato.
"How long will we be patrolling the area?" Asked Comet.
"We are currently expecting another attack within three to five days from now on. We will sent decoy ships along the route to lure the Abyssal out and destroy them. Your normal duties will be covered, so don't worry about those. If there aren't any further questions, you are dismissed. Be ready for launching in 15 minutes." Finished Nagato before she left the room.
"Huh, the northern islands aye? That's usually the furthest Prometheus and Churchill went out before the Abyssal started this whole stuff..." Murmured Comet.
"There were some settlements long ago, but they were abandoned after the first attacks." Said Sendai as they went towards the launching stations.
"Is that so? Maybe they have stored the supplies there?" Suggested Fubuki.
"We should've asked Ms. Nagato where they stored them..." Yawned Comet as they walked into the launching station.
"We just have to wait and see Poi." Said Yuudachi.
The squadron quickly launched and was soon near the northern islands. From afar, they could already see the abandoned settlement, plenty of smaller houses were silently looming from the embankment that lead further inland, while rusty cranes stood at the piers.
"That looks spooky..." Muttered Mutsuki.
"Ugh, don't tell me you believe in ghosts." Shuddered Comet, trying to shake the tiredness off of him.
"No! I just don't... like it here. That's all!" Grumbled Mutsuki.
They slowly stopped at the pier, where Jintsuu gathered them.
"Okay, we will move in pairs of two, patrolling the sector with two hours intervals. Comet, we need you to stay here and guard the supplies in case someone does come across and finds them." Said the light cruiser.
"Alright. I'll get my bunker moving. Might as well get useful and find a good lookout point while I'm at it." Yawned Comet again as he steamed off towards some of the warehouses.
"Okay, I will go with Sendai, Naka will go with Yuudachi and Fubuki will go with Mutsuki. We'll be going at 1015 hours. Make sure to stay hidden and keep your eyes on the horizon." Ordered Jintsuu as she and Sendai started off on their patrol.
"Aww, there's no one here to listen to Naka-chans songs!" Whined Naka.
"Let's search for a good place from where we can watch the open sea." Suggested Mutsuki.
"Good idea. I wonder where Comet went to. Maybe he found a decent spot?" Pondered Fubuki.
"Wondering where your boyfriend went to poi?" Asked Yuudachi cheekily.
"D-don't be silly!" Stuttered Fubuki, a light pink blush covering her cheeks.
"Ah! She's blushing!" Pointed Naka out, as the others giggled.
"Fubuki, do you like Comet?" Asked Mutsuki in between her giggles.
"Well, yes, but only as a friend! He helped me out so many times in the short time he knows me, and also believes in the good within other people. He works so hard to make sure that he keeps up to the expectations of his friends and puts the sake of the others in front of his own." Said Fubuki, not noticing that she was rambling, nor that her blush had now deepened in color.
"She is totally in love with him poi." Whispered Yuudachi to Mutsuki, who nodded with a smile.
From within one of the closer warehouses, they could hear a loud rumbling, followed by a crashing sound, as out of the roof, a slight dust cloud rose into the sky.
"Let's check in there." Suggested Fubuki quickly as they headed towards the old warehouse, both Mutsuki and Yuudachi already planning on a way for Fubuki to get closer to Comet.
They quickly entered the warehouse through the gates, and saw a small pile of supplies, along with an letter that was pinned to a wooden support beam next to the pile. On top of the pile, covered from head to toe in black coal dust, and pretty much knocked out was Comet, slightly snoring as he slept on top of the supplies. He had dropped his work suit which was stored next to the pile and above it was another floor with a hole in it.
"From what I'm guessing, he was so tired that he fell asleep while standing, tumbled over, crashed through the floor and landed on the sack of coal underneath him." Stated Naka.
"Well, we can't let him sleep on the supplies, let's get him off of them." Said Fubuki, as she started to take her outfit off and placed it next to Comets.
She quickly walked up and lifted the sleeping tugboat onto her shoulder, being surprised how heavy he was, since he was rather slim in stature. She struggled to lift him up, while the steam tugs body weight was slowly pulling her down.
"Could you give me a hand?" She asked a bit shakily.
"Sorry Fubuki, it took us a bit to take our outfits off." Apologized Mutsuki as she grabbed Comets other arm and lifted it onto her shoulder as well.
"Where did you learn to take your outfit off that quickly without the helping apparatuses at the launching station?" Asked Naka.
"Comet taught me. He usually helps the engineers with their locomotives and has gotten used to quickly taking his outfit off and putting it on again." Explained the special destroyer, while Naka and Yuudachi got a mischievous glance in their eyes.
"Uhu, so you could say Comet taught you how to 'undress quickly'." Sniggered Naka.
"I didn't thought you two were that far already poi." Giggled Yuudachi, as Fubuki started to blush deep red again.
"W-what are you thinking about?! Comet and I would never-!"
"Thats what you say, but I think the expression on mr. Sleepyhead here tells something else." Interrupted Naka, as Fubuki turned to the railway tug, who had snuggled his head into the space between her shoulder and neck, creating a very suggestive scene.
"C-comet! Stop it!" Whispered Fubuki, blushing madly in embarrassment, although deep down she somewhat enjoyed it.
"M-Mutsuki, I think we can drop him here." Said Fubuki as she and her friend dropped the tugboat on the ground, the railway tug frowning slightly at the loss of warmth.
"...Fubuki..." Muttered the tugboat in his sleep.
"Huh?" Asked Fubuki, thinking the tug had woken up and spoke to her.
"Must... protect Fubuki... can't lose her..." Muttered Comet, before he went silent again. Fubukis blush turned an even deeper shade of red as the railway tug made her heart flutter slightly.
"Alright, we found the supplies and I think we can cover the port entry and most of the sea further out from within here quite well. We just have to be careful when being on the upper floor in case another board gives way." Said Naka, unusually serious for once.
"Just in case we do get spotted in here though, we should make sure that we can quickly get out of here. I hope Comet has woken up before that happens..." Continued the light cruiser as she checked the old clock that hung inside the building.
"Eeeh?! How did it get 11:50 already?! Yuudachi, we need to get ready soon! Fubuki, Mutsuki, make sure that nothing happens while we are out. Jintsuu and Sendai should return in an hour as well, so you won't be alone for too long." Explained Naka as she and Yuudachi got back in their outfits again.
They went out for their patrol round right on time, while Fubuki and Mutsuki stayed back inside the old warehouse with their sleeping friend.
"Fubuki, I'll go and look for something where we can put our outfits on! Anywhere is better than on the cold floor!" Called Mutsuki from the back of the warehouse, where the doors to the village was.
"Okay! But don't wander off too far! I'll be on the upper floor and keep a lookout for anything on the water!" Called Fubuki back, as she climbed the old wooden stairs, each step being accompanied by an unnerving creaking of the wood.
Once on the upper floor, she saw a large hole in the middle of the floor. She made a large detour around it, and got to the other side. There, she saw something lying on the ground. She picked it up, surprised that it was what she thought it was.
"Comet must've dropped it when he broke through the floor. I better return it to him once I'm back down." She muttered to herself, as she put the revolver into a pocket.
Mutsuki soon returned with an old handcart, on which the put their outfits on. Afterwards, they climbed onto the second floor again and continued to survey the ocean for any enemy movement. The day had started sunny, but now thick gray clouds covered the sky, blocking the sunlight.
"I hope it won't start to rain." Sighted Fubuki.
"I don't really mind the rain. But I wouldn't want to fight against an Abyssal in a downpour..." Said Mutsuki, as a low rumbling could be heard from afar.
"Sounds like thunder..." Gulped Fubuki.
"'Red sky at night, shippers delight. Red sky at morning, shippers warning'." Said Mutsuki.
"Where did you learn that?" Asked the special destroyer.
"The admiral once said that. It means that, if the evening sky is glowing red, the next day will be calm, but if the morning is glowing red, there is going to be trouble on the waters. I remembered how the sky glowed red last evening, but it looks like this time it's different." Explained Mutsuki, as suddenly, they could hear a sound, as if a bell was ringing in the distance.
"Huh? W-What is that?" Asked Fubuki, a bit scared.
"S-sounds like a bell." Replied Mutsuki, somewhat scared as well from the sound.
"But Sendai said this settlement was abandoned after the Abyssal first hit!" Exclaimed Fubuki, as the bells continued to ring.
The bells continued to ring for a further few minutes, before they stopped. Both destroyers were creeped out by the strange occurrence. Just then, they could see Jintsuu and Sendai, slowly heading towards the port entry. The two destroyers were relieved when they saw that company arrived at last, and quickly went outside to greet them.
"Welcome back!" They waved, as the two light cruisers stopped at the edge of the pier.
"Did you hear the bells as well?" Asked Sendai.
"Yes. But we don't know where they had come from!" Said Fubuki.
"We saw a church, built further up the embankment. I think that's where the noise was coming from." Said Jintsuu.
"But you said this place was abandoned!"
"That's what we thought as well. Come on, we'll store our outfits with the supplies and head up to the church to warn whoever is up there that it isn't safe here." Said Jintsuu as she and her sister exited the warehouse, Fubuki and Mutsuki following them nervously.
They were slowly walking through the abandoned settlement, the houses emptied of any life and giving off a spooky atmosphere. This only increased when they reached the church. It was nailed shut, the woodwork already rotten through, and some planks from the church tower lying next to the tower on the ground. They pulled off the wooden planks covering the doors and walked inside the church. Inside, it was dark and quiet, just the low howling of the wind from outside made any noise in the large building. They headed towards the church tower, but when they reached it, they were in for a surprise. The bell was with them on the floor, it's support beam had given way and the bell crashed down, destroying the stairs up towards the tower platform with it. The four ship girls suddenly felt very nervous, as that destroyed the suggestion that the church bell was the noise they heard.
"M-maybe we should return to the warehouse?" Suggested Jintsuu.
"G-good idea." The others stuttered in agreement as they turn to get out of the church.
They walked back down the embankment when they heard a noise that made them all froze in their place. The bell rang again. They slowly turned around towards the church tower, but didn't saw a bell inside it. They walked even faster, almost running back towards the warehouse. Once inside, they quickly locked the door behind them and rushed towards the cart on which their outfits rested.
"Okay, who is in for it that we never speak about this, ever again?" Asked Sendai, shaken out of her wits as the others agreed.
Half an hour later and it was Fubukis and Mutsukis turn to go on patrol. They had already received message from Naka and Yuudachi that there was no trouble to see on their run, so both Fubuki and Mutsuki left the small settlement without much worrying. They did, however, quickly made their way past the church when they were on level with it, and quickly went on their way across the waves down the shipping route. It was easy work, and they soon passed Yuudachi and Naka who were returning to the settlement, glad to get back into cover before the storm would hit. The water was starting to get rougher, waves were building and rain started to fall as the two destroyers finally reached the marking point which marked their sectors end.
"Here Mutsuki, no unusual activities in our sector, we're heading back now." She reported back to Jintsuu, but was confused when she didn't get an answer.
"Mutsuki to Jintsuu, can you hear me?" She asked but still got no reply.
"Fubuki! I think something's wrong back at the settlement!" Mutsuki said.
"Right! Let's head back!" Nodded Fubuki as she started to race back towards the island. However, when they were halfway there, they were greeted by a flock of Abyssal air units, who promptly opened fire at them.
"Now we know what's wrong! The Abyssal! They found us!" Shouted Fubuki as she started to fire at the Abyssal, Mutsuki doing the same.
The two destroyers were fighting hard, but weren't built to fight against that many air units, and got hit more than once. Fubuki just took down another unit as she saw a further one in the corner of her eye, heading towards her. She turned around, but was too slow as the unit already unhooked its torpedo and dropped the payload onto the unfortunate ship girl. Fubuki was thrown backwards, lucky to still be afloat, but was now unable to defend herself, as the torpedo took out her main turret.
"Fubuki! Get out of here! I'll cover you!" Shouted Mutsuki but Fubuki didn't think for a second to abandon her friend.
Just then, she noticed the slight weight in her pocket. She reached into it and pulled out Comets revolver, which she had forgotten to put back into the tugboats own pocket.
'I never shot with this thing before. It looks so easy with Comet. I have to try! I have to help Mutsuki!' Thought the destroyer to herself as she pulled up the Revolver like Comet usually does.
She looked at her target and fired, but the shell didn't hit its intended target but another air unit behind it. Fubuki was confused, until she remember what had happened a few days ago...
Comet was on the training range with Fubuki like usual, he and Rebecca had managed so well today that captain Walters allowed Comet to take some time off for training. Comet was most pleased as he made his rounds across the range, when he looked over to the side, seeing Rebecca sitting on her own on the stone pier.
"Hey Rebecca! Want to try?" Asked the male tugboat.
"I'm not sure if I'll be able to fire that thing, much less hit anything!" Retorted the female tug.
"Oh don't you worry! I'll show you how you fire this 'thing'!" Laughed Comet as a spark went through Fubuki that made her stop training.
Over the last few days, she had always felt a little jealous whenever she saw Comet and Rebecca work together, and the same feeling was building up within her again. Rebecca slowly came up next to Comet who reloaded the shells into the revolver, before handing it to her.
"Now, I usually shoot with one had only, but since you never shot with a gun before, you should use both hands." Explained Comet, as he held Rebecca's hands lightly, making her hands grip the revolver lightly.
"Okay, right hand grabbing the grip like any normal object, left hand underneath the right hand for support. Yes, that's how you hold it. Okay, legs spread, shoulder wide should be enough. Now" he leaned closer, their cheeks almost touching, making Rebecca blush lightly. "Look through these rear two points. Can you see the third little point on the front of the barrel?" Asked Comet.
"Y-yeah..." Stuttered the tug girl.
"Alright, once all three are in one line, you are on sight. Just aim at the target over there and then gently pull the trigger once you feel you are ready. Take your time." Finished Comet, as he got away from Rebecca's side.
Rebecca did as Comet instructed, and after checking that she was aiming properly, slowly pulled the trigger. A few seconds passed, and she thought the gun was malfunctioning, before she unconsciously pressed a little harder, and the gun fired, sending the shell smashing through the target, as well as her onto the waves. Comet quickly helped her up.
"Well, it was alright for a first try. But next time, don't let your guard down once something doesn't works the first time. Otherwise you'll just end on your bunker again." Chuckled the male tugboat.
"I'll remember that. Can I, um, can I get another try?" Asked Rebecca.
"Sure! Come on!" Chuckled Comet as they got into position again. Fubuki witnessed the scene and went back to her training, this time a bit more intensively than before...
Fubuki pulled the revolver up again, spreading her legs to the width of her shoulders, and grabbing the revolver with her right hand firmly, supporting it with her left.
"Two dots... And once all three are in line, I'm aiming correctly..." Muttered Fubuki, as she dodged another attack from an air unit. The unit wasn't so lucky though, as Fubuki used it to turn her theoretical knowledge into practical skills. She pulled the trigger, easily managing the recoil, and hit the unit, destroying it with one shot.
"I did it!" She cheered, but had to focus on the mission again, as the air units continued to torment them. It took a lot of time, but finally, all air units were destroyed.
"Quickly! If they sent their air units for us, then they are probably attacking the shipping route right now!" Said Mutsuki as they both raced back towards the island to warn the others.
However, as they got closer, they could again hear the ringing of the bell, accompanied by the sound of shells being fired at something. Both destroyers picked up the pace, trying to contact the others again.
"Jintsuu! It's Mutsuki here! What's going on?!" But only static came as a reply.
They rounded the curve and saw the settlement, or rather, what was left of it. Plenty of the houses had been destroyed, turned to burned out wooden skeletons. The warehouses were wrecked, plenty of which nothing more than rubble, the piers were bombed out and the rusting cranes had been blown into the water. Swimming in said water was a group of eight Abyssal ships. A destroyer, two light cruisers, an aircraft carrier, two battleships, a small boat which they guessed was an Abyssal tugboat and the most shocking sight of them all; a black and red dressed tugboat with red base cap. In front of them, battered, bruised, and out of commission were Sendai, Jintsuu and Naka, while the tugboat was tying the three light cruisers together for transport.
"They are trying to take Sendai, Jintsuu and Naka away!" Exclaimed Mutsuki.
"We have to stop them!"
"But how? We're only two destroyers."
"I will distract them, you will get the Sendai sisters away from here and get help."
"But you're risking your own life that way!"
"We have no other option right now!"
Mutsuki sighted, and then hugged Fubuki.
"Be safe, okay?" Fubuki hugged her back.
"I will. Stay safe as well." Said the special destroyer, as Mutsuki hid behind the bent of the port entry, while Fubuki looked at the Abyssal ships again. The two battleships were continuously shooting at the building in the settlement, trying to destroy the building out of which the bell ringing came. The destroyer was collecting the supplies that were left, and the aircraft carrier was with the tugboat, probably being its escort back to their home base.
'Where is Comet?' She pondered, as she saw that he was nowhere to be seen.
Then, a thought overcame her. What if he still was asleep when they attacked and he was crushed underneath the collapsed building? She shook the thought off and tightened her grip on the revolver. She remembered how Comet drew the attention to himself when they took down the Abyssal dreadnought. She inhaled deeply and blasted her air horn loudly, gathering the attention of the enemy ships. She quickly left her hiding place and crossed to the other side of the port, taking pot shots at the ships in the port. She did managed to hit the aircraft carrier, as well as one of the battleships before she picked up speed and raced off. The Abyssal ships didn't liked the idea of an easy prey getting away that easily, and quickly, the battleships, cruisers and the red tugboat hurried after her. Once Mutsuki saw the final Abyssal ship disappear, she pulled her turret up, aiming at the aircraft carrier, before firing a salvo. The shot hit true, destroying the runway of the carrier, rendering it useless. The other two ships were surprised and Mutsuki wasted no time and switched her aim at the destroyer, who was scrambling to get her into his aim. Mutsuki fired, and hit, tearing through it and detonated the stored munition, successfully sinking the destroyer. The aircraft carrier and the tugboat started to get away, defenseless against the destroyer and her firepower, pulling the three Sendai sisters behind them. They tried their best to get away quickly, but Mutsuki kept firing at them. As they passed one of the destroyed warehouses however, there seemed to be an explosion from within it, as a large dust cloud rose to the sky and over the waters next to it, engulfing the two fleeing Abyssals and the three light cruisers. Mutsuki had to stop firing in case she'd hit the Sendai sisters. But she got a surprise as the sound of shells rang out from within the cloud. A few seconds later, the cloud had dissolved, and she could see the Sendai sisters, cut loose from the Abyssals, which were slowly sinking. Next to them was Yuudachi, who was smiling brightly at Mutsuki.
"Hehe, that was a blast poi." Giggled the destroyer.
"Where were you?" Asked Mutsuki.
"Me and Comet were stuck inside the warehouse, he had slept through the collapse poi! He woke up when he heard Fubuki blow her air horn and tried to dig through the rubble poi. I think he hit a shell in there and blasted us a hole out of there poi." Explained Yuudachi.
"But where is Comet?" Asked Mutsuki, searching for the tugboat.
Fubuki was racing forwards, trying to get away from the pursuing Abyssal ships, which were continuing to bombard the destroyer. She kept close to the coast in hope that the shallower waters would keep them at bay, but they kept following her regardless of how shallow it was. The cruisers and one of the battleships were keeping up the bombardment, while the other battleship aimed above her, at the cliffs. It fired, making the rock crashing down onto the water and, unfortunately, on Fubuki as well. The destroyer was hit by several of the rocks, making her crash onto the waves, destroying parts of her suit, and cutting into her flesh. She screamed in pain, as she slowed to an stop, the battleships, cruisers and the tugboat stopping in front of her. The battleship was staring down at her coldly, until her face turned into a cold, evil smile. The tugboat next to it was smirking in pure delight.
"Not so tough anymore, aye? Silly little destroyer." Sniggered the tug.
"R-Rodney?" She asked.
"Wow, how long did it took for you to figure that one out?" Asked the rogue tug sarcastically, but couldn't continue to taunt the destroyer as the battleship held up its hand for him to be quiet.
"Special destroyer Fubuki. You will suffer for what you did. You and all the pesky Fleetgirls." It said, shocking Fubuki.
It grabbed Fubuki by her arm, but the destroyer wasn't going to give up without a fight. She raised the revolver, shooting at the battleship, who was blasted off of her, hissing in pain and anger. Fubuki fired again, this time at the cruisers and the other battleship. Two hits went towards the battleship, another two hit the cruisers, before the final shot hit the ammo depot of the first cruiser, making it explode and engulfing the second cruiser partly. Fubuki fondled with the gun, trying to reload it, but as soon as she loaded the final shell, the battleship that tried to grab her the first time punched her into her stomach. Fubuki went down, and the battleship kicked the hand holding the revolver, kicking it into the air.
"Foolish child! You will pay for this as well! Your death will be a slow one, I'll promise you this." Hissed the battleship, pulling her by her hair and whispering the threat into her ear.
Unbeknown by the ships, the revolver had been caught mid fall, and the ship which caught it was slowly coming up behind them.
"Rodney, get her tied up, we'll get the others and bring them home." Ordered the battleship, to which Rodney grinned in delight.
"Aye aye, boss woman." Smirked the tug, as he gripped the rope that was attached to his belt and began to tie Fubukis hands, to which she struggled in an attempt to stop him.
"Hold still you little Bi-!" But he couldn't finish his sentence as two rapidly following shots from behind them interrupted him.
They looked behind them, and saw how the cruiser started to sink. Another two shots rang out, hitting the second battleship in the rudder and engine, rendering it inoperable. They looked around, confused and alerted, when they finally saw him. Battered, bruised, covered in coal dust and with several deep cuts in his arms and on his face, was Comet. He was glaring at them, his revolver already directed at the battleship, as his glare turned into a slight grin.
"You shouldn't have tooled with the third torpedo squad. Time to hit the waves scrapheaps." Smirked Comet, as he pulled the trigger and hit the battleship twice, both shattering its turrets and making it defenseless.
"Rodney! Take care of this one, I'll take care of the destroyer!" Growled the Abyssal.
"With pleasure." Smirked the diesel tug as he handed her the rope, unaware that he hadn't tied her up correctly.
The battleship was starting to move out but Comet wanted to stop it from doing so. He quickly dashed forwards, but was stopped by Rodney who threw himself against the steam tug, throwing him off course and onto the water. The steam tug got up quickly as the rogue tug stood opposite of him.
"I always knew you were a rotten piece of float. Never thought you'd step so low as to betray your own comrades though." Spat Comet.
"Pah! I'm better off with the winning side. They at least see sense that we are better. And now I'll show that to you. Once, and for all!" Smirked Rodney, as he launched himself against the other tug.
Comet rolled his eyes and moved out of the way of Rodney's charge, grabbing him by the collar and pulling him backwards, making him land on his back. He got onto his knee and quickly punched the former Red Stack a few times into his face, before getting out his revolver again, grabbing it by the barrel.
"You are nothing more than a big show off and loudmouth. You'll die if you keep it up. Come to your senses or meet your demise." Hissed Comet coldly.
"Piss off you stupid steamer powered relict." Hissed Rodney back, but mumbling heavily, blood gushing out of his nose.
"So be it." And Comet quickly hit the diesel tug on his forehead with the grip of his revolver, knocking the diesel tug out.
"I've got to stop that battleship." Said Comet and steamed off, in the direction he saw the battleship leave.
A few miles further out at sea, he saw a blur, moving across the waves. Comet knew that it could only be one thing, and sped up, racing across the water. He got closer and closer, seeing more details and knew that it was Fubuki and the Abyssal. Fubuki had managed to loosen the knot on the rope, and was waiting for the perfect time to flee. The Abyssal looked at her, and saw Comet a bit further behind them.
"You won't destroy my plans for this destroyer, you foolish tugboat!" Shouted the Abyssal, as it sped up.
Fubuki knew that it could only be Comet, and quickly slipped her hands out of the rope. However, her suit was in too much of a damage, and she couldn't move forwards on her own power any longer. The battleship noticed that Fubuki had cut herself loose and stopped, turning back only to see that Comet had caught up with both of them, standing in front of Fubuki, handing the destroyer his revolver and six shells for her defense, before glaring daggers at the Abyssal battleship.
"You will not take her away from me, YOU HEAR?!" He shouted, making both Fubuki and the battleship look at him in bewilderment.
"Oh, so you've got something for her then? That explains some things. But it won't help you!" Replied the battleship, moving up against the tug.
Comet didn't evade, he stood firm and took in the charge of the battleship, putting on full power in order to stop the Abyssal in its tracks. The battleship punched him, several hard hits landing on his face and rips, but he stood strong. He retorted with punches of his own as well, kneeing her into her stomach and ramming his elbow into her back, hoping it would cause some effect. The battleship buckled under the blow to her back, but stood upright quickly, continuing the unfair fight against the steam tug.
"You won't be able to safe her little tugboat. Just give up. Otherwise, you will both just lose your lives." Smirked the battleship.
"You don't get it right? I don't care what happens to me, how many cuts I get, how many shells I take in, how many blows I take. All I care, is that, at the end of the day, she returns to the port as safely as she departed from it. For that, I'd even sink myself." Smirked Comet, as the battleship scoffed.
"That can be arranged." But before the Abyssal could continue its assault, several shells hit the water next to them. It looked into the directions from where the shots came from, and saw Mutsuki and Yuudachi heading towards them, towing the three Sendai sisters with them.
The Abyssal let go of Comet and took a few steps backwards, but before it could turn around, from behind it, a steam hooter and two air horns rang out.
"Aha! An enemy! By the powers entrusted by the international sea protection association, I hereby arrest you!" Came a posh voice as a Prometheus and another tug dressed in a gray uniform came up from behind them, a large goods vessel in tow.
The battleship, knowing that it was outgunned and outnumbered, growled in anger that it had to abandoned its prey.
"This time you're lucky. Next time, that destroyer will pay. And you'll be watching her demise. I'll make sure of that. Make the most of today, steam tug." And the Abyssal quickly turned and started to race off, evading the incoming shells from the two destroyers and ignoring the orders shouted by the gray dressed tugboat. They all gathered where Fubuki and Comet were resting, the former held tight in the laters arms, who was whispering his apologizes into her ears.
"I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have fallen asleep like that. I should've been there and helped you." He whispered.
"Good work Comet old chap! You did well in protecting miss Fubuki here!" Said Prometheus, as he patted the railway tugs back.
"Good work?! He let that Abyssal get away without even as much as a second in trying to stop him! That was assistance of avoiding law enforcement! I can get you court materialized for this!" Burst out Typhoon, glaring at the smaller tugboat with his silver – grey eyes, while trying to smooth out his grey uniform in order to look presentable for his superior officers, aka the destroyers.
"Typhoon, just stow it for now." Sighted Comet, tired from the whole ordeal, as the naval tugboat started to get really mad about the steam tug.
Comet couldn't care less and carefully helped Fubuki to get back onto her way towards the naval district.
"Say, did Comet ever tell any of you steam tugs if he had a crush on somebody?" Asked Mutsuki Prometheus, who helped the two destroyers to tow in the three light cruisers.
"If you want to ask if he confessed to any of us if he has a crush on miss Fubuki up there, I have to disappoint you, however, we all suspect it for quite a while now. It surprises us all that he hadn't told her already." Chuckled the large tugboat as the two destroyers sighted.
"I wouldn't worry though, I have the feeling it won't be too long now before one of them tells the other what he feels for the other." Reassured Prometheus, as Comet slowed down his pace to speak to the ocean going tug.
"Hey Prometheus, remember that settlement on the northern islands? The ones you and Churchill would go to?"
"Hmhm, quite so, yes. What about it?"
"Well, Fubuki just told me about something strange that happened there. She said that there was a bell that continued to ring, even throughout the Abyssal attack. Do you know anything about it?" The larger tug's expression turned into a slight frown at the question.
"Yes, I do. That was the bell of the S.S. Cassandra. Also known as the death bell of Captain Starr." Explained Prometheus somberly, as the others shook when they heard its title.
Prometheus, knowing that they wanted to know what happened continued.
"Captain Starr was a noble man who came from a long line of proud sailors. He lived in the settlement on the northern islands and was captain of the S.S. Cassandra for many years. The S.S. Cassandra was one of the most beautiful ocean liners of her time, and carried plenty of people across the oceans. Even on the day the Abyssal started to attack. There had been rumors about strange beings sighted on the ocean, but nobody thought much about it. The S.S. Cassandra, was the first ship to be sunk by them. At the time the Cassandra was hit, more than 1000 passengers were on board the ship. Along with them was a crew of 400 sailors. The attack happened so fast, that in the end, only four men survived the attack. Captain Starr was one of them. The Cassandra quickly sunk beneath the waves, but a few days later, the bell of the ship was found on the coastline close to our harbor. It was given to captain Starr, who placed it in his office in his home. A few days later, he was found dead in his seat, overlooking a news article of another attack from the Abyssal. Official explanation was that he got a heart attack, but many believe that it was a relative to one of the passengers or crew members of the Cassandra who killed him in grief of their loss. He was soon buried on the graveyard near the church, and his house was closed off until one of his family members would come and decide what to do with it. Then, one week after he was buried, people called and claimed that somebody was ringing the bell inside his house. The police came and investigated, and there it was: the bell stood in its place, ringing slowly, but nobody was there who'd pull the cord. The neighbors were spooked, and believed it was the ghost of captain Starr. They took the bell and put it into the towns council for safekeeping, but the very next day, the ringing of the bell could be heard again inside the house. They checked, but couldn't find the bell anywhere, but the ringing still came from inside the room. Nobody could explain why or where the sound came from, but they hadn't got any time to figure it out, for that very night, the Abyssal attacked the settlement. Afterwards, they decided to abandon the settlement, and with the abandonment, the phenomenon of the ringing bell was left in the town as well. Or it would be, if it wasn't for the fact that the bell was taken away from there as well." Explained Prometheus.
"Who took the bell? And where?" Asked Comet, awestruck from the story.
"It were the three other survivors of the attack on the S.S. Cassandra. Captain Walters, captain Red and the admiral."
"Wait! They were the three survivors?!" Asked Mutsuki, shocked as the others were. Even Typhoons mouth was gaping at the reveal.
"Indeed they were. Returning from an important meeting following the increasing amount of sightings of 'strange creatures who roam the sea'. They brought the bell to the harbor, where it has remained ever since."
"Why haven't we heard from it then? Surely the others would have seen or heard it a few times since it got to the base!" Asked Comet.
"You have to ask the admiral about that my dear. As for the second part, it did rang out. Plenty of times in fact. However, you couldn't hear it. It always sounded on this very island. I am not sure why or how. It is a mystery in its own right."
"Alright alright, enough fairytales for one day! Come on, come on! We have to get to the base, we are expected there at 1650 hours!" Barked Typhoon, who got out of his awed silence.
Comet rolled his eyes and picked up speed, but only so much as he'd thought would still be comfortable for Fubuki to travel at.
"You keeping up Fubuki?" Asked the steam tug.
"Uhu." Murmured the destroyer.
"Thank you for saving me." She continued, her voice almost too silent to register.
"No problem. I couldn't let them take you away from your friends right?" Retorted Comet with a chuckle.
"...From you..." She murmured.
"Huh?"
"You said 'You will not take her away from me.' What did you mean by that?"
"I- uhh, what I meant was..." Stuttered Comet, flailing to find an answer.
Fubuki chuckled lightly, her eyes partly closed already.
"Hehe, you're cute." She whispered, before kissing him for just a second.
Comets safety valve blew off within a few seconds following the kiss, as his hooter blasted loudly, pulling the attention of the others onto him. He had a deep red blush on his face, and looked like a deer caught in the headlights, before his brain began to work again. He suddenly noticed that the weight on his shoulders had increased. He looked over at Fubuki, alarmed at seeing that the girl had passed out.
"Oh no. Oh no! F-Fubuki! Wake up! Please! Come on, wake up, don't do this to me, I beg you please!" He called, not caring if anyone heard him.
"Comet? What's wrong?" Asked Prometheus, not seeing what the matter was.
Comet didn't reply, he just started to accelerate quickly, racing off at full power, not caring if he'd run himself into the ground back towards the harbor.
"I think something has happened with Fubuki!" Said Mutsuki.
"Let's head to the base quickly then Poi." Agreed Yuudachi.
"Mr. Prometheus? Could you take care of bringing the Sendai sisters in?" Asked Mutsuki.
"Of course my dear. Just make sure our friends are alright. I have the feeling poor Comet is running himself to pieces again." Said the ocean going tug as he took over the three light cruisers.
"Hey! You two! Slow down this instance! You are going way above the allowed speed for pursuing operations of this type!" Barked Typhoon as the two destroyers rushed after the tugboat.
"I think if a life is on the line, one can make an exception Typhoon old chap." Mused Prometheus as they watched the other ships hurrying back to the harbor.
"Pah! Sentimental hulks! No wonder we haven't won the war yet..." Grumbled the naval tug as Prometheus sighted. This was ought to be one long way home.
When the two destroyers finally caught up with the steam tug, he was already passing the harbor gates. He rushed to the launching station and carefully removed the suit from Fubuki, making sure to not harm her in any way. After he got her out of the suit, Comet ripped his own suit off, and carried the destroyer to the docks. He was panting hard, his own injuries tearing at his remaining energy as he burst through the doors, and wobbly made his way to the docking stations, in which he carefully placed the destroyer. The clock above the dock quickly started to calculate the time needed for Fubuki to get back to full health. Comet didn't registered it. His own fatigue finally caught up with him, his injuries burned, and his muscles ached. He tumbled over, and fell into Fubukis dock, the clock winding another time, doubling the already given time. Mutsuki and Yuudachi came in just in time to see Comet falling into the dock, and quickly went to prevent the tug boat from drowning.
"What is going on here? Mutsuki? Yuudachi? What happened to Fubuki? And where are the Sendai sisters?" Asked the admiral as he and captain Walters walked into the docks.
"And what happened to Comet? He looks like he just came out of a head on collision!"
The two destroyers quickly explained everything that had happened during the mission. They also explained them about their meeting with Rodney. The admiral and captain Walters listened to every word and looked at each other in worry about the development.
"Thank you you two. You can go and refuel, then go and help Prometheus in getting the Sendai sisters and the goods vessel into port. Pick up Edwin for help, he should be free by now." Said the admiral and watched as the two destroyers left the docks.
"So it really was Rodney who was with the Abyssal. I just can't believe it..." Muttered captain Walters.
"Comet continues to surprise us with every new day. Holding a battleship at bay, bringing a destroyer into port whilst having severe damage and injuries and still keeping conscious until he was sure that said destroyer was alright." Mused the admiral.
"He really does love that girl, doesn't he?" Smiled Walters.
"Hmhm. Any idea who will take over his duties while he is in the docks?"
"Not yet. I'll look who can be spa-" his sentence was cut off when the sound of water splashing could be heard behind them.
They looked around and saw how Comet slowly and wobbly walked through the doors.
"That stubborn young fool!" Cursed Walters as he hurried after the tug, trying to stop him.
When he caught up with the tug, he stood directly in his path.
"Comet! Get back into the docks on the double! You need to get repaired! You are in no condition to work!" Ordered the captain, but Comet just walked around him and continued on his path towards the launching stations.
"Need... To... Get... Back... To... Work..." Wheezed the tug as he got back into his suit and started to move off to his usual pickup stations.
"Dedicated and crazy. Bad mix, for his sake." Sighted Walters.
"We really need someone to help him... I'll call to captain Stone. Maybe he can lend us Rebecca for another few days." Said the admiral as he hurried back to his office as the steam tug got smaller in the distance, black smoke and long, drawn out steam clouds marked the way the battered up tug took.
"I do hope she can." Murmured captain Walters as he returned to his office.
Comet, Mac and Rock slowly walked back towards the tugs home. The two switchers had accompanied their 'older brother' when they noticed how badly damaged he really was. The railway tug was almost completely out of power when he fell through the door, but was quickly caught by the two switchers. Bull and Boomer came to their aid and brought the railway tug to a chair, bringing him into a sitting position.
"Thanks guys, but I am able to get myself sitting you know." Said Comet, but it was more a wheeze than a sentence.
"Not by the way ya look to me." Argued Bull.
"You look like you've got hit by the wrong end of the cutters torch!" Added Boomer.
"If I were you, I'd head to the docks immediately Comet." Said Churchill.
"I can't! I have work to do!" Wheezed the tug, before coughing slightly.
"By the look of things, it seems that if you keep working, you will fall apart as soon as you get out there again Comet my dear." Said Prometheus.
Comet stared at the larger tugboat, almost glaring at him, before sighting.
"And what should I do? I can't just take some time off, there is too much work for me alone, I can't just take some time off knowing that there is no one who can take over!"
"You won't have to worry about that. The admiral called captain Stone and they have come to an agreement. For the duration of the increased workload, Rebecca will help with the workload. She will take over your duties tomorrow morning. Mac and Rock will help whenever they have time until you have returned from the docks. And that's exactly where you are heading now! And I won't have any of your excuse against it!" Said captain Walters as Comet sighted.
"Very well sir..." Sighted the railway tug as he got up and wobbly started to get to the docks.
"Hey! Wait Comet!" Called Mac and Rock simultaneously as they hurried to help their friend.
"And you lot need to get to sleep! The 'Kraka-Toa' has been finished and needs to be loaded tomorrow! We'll have to help as well, so get up bright and early tomorrow!" Called the captain as the other tugs all nodded and headed to their beds.
Mac and Rock brought Comet to the docks, and handed him to the men who were already waiting for him.
"Huh? Welcoming committee or somethings?" Murmured the tug.
"Nope, but the male sector of the docks are closed off for maintenance. You have to be repaired in the docks for the female ships." Explained one of the workmen.
"Just my luck." Sighted Comet as he slowly made his way to the changing rooms. After changing into his swimming trunks (the tugs all agreed to wear them in the docks for privacy reasons) he got back to the workmen who blindfolded him so that there would be no chance that he would see anything he wasn't supposed to see. They led him to one of the docking stations and once he was inside, went away. Comet waited a few seconds after they left, before yanking the blindfold off his eyes.
"Useless rubbish. I wouldn't peak any..way..." He grumbled, but stopped when he noticed that he was in the docks right next to Fubuki.
His head got bright red again, as he noticed that they had taken off Fubukis clothes, but the embarrassment quickly changed to anger when he noticed that some random workman had undressed his Fubuki.
'Woah! Wait a sec! My Fubuki? Where did that jump from?!' Thought the tug, before shaking his head violently.
"I think I'm getting weak in the boiler now... I need to get some rest. This day was waaay too long..." Sighted the tug as he leaned back and closed his eyes.
"C-Comet...?" Came a very well-known voice next to him, as his eyes flew open, all the tiredness gone and an unknown energy rushing through his veins.
"Fubuki? Oh thank god you've woken up!" Sighted Comet.
"W-what happened?" Asked the destroyer.
"We were heading home when you suddenly passed out! I was so worried about you! I'm so glad you're ok!" Explained the tug.
"R-really? How long was I out?"
"Uhh about 4 or 5 hours now. By the look of your timer, we won't be getting out of here before tomorrow though..." Said Comet as he looked at the timer, seeing how it slowly counted back from currently 19:43:52 hours.
"How come you need to wait longer than me? Didn't you get in here the same time I did?"
"Uhh, well, I did, from what Mutsuki and Yuudachi told me earlier, I passed out after I brought you in, but once I woke up, I kinda got out again to get back to my work..." Murmured the tug, slowly sinking into the water.
"Why did you do that? You were in much worse state than I was, you need to get repaired more than I need to!" Exclaimed the destroyer.
"I couldn't leave the others with my jobs as well as their own. They are overworked as they are. I couldn't give them the burden of taking over the car ferry duties as well! Plus, knowing how captain Walters would probably put Churchill onto car ferry duties, I couldn't have him put together with Franklin and Edward for longer than one day. Even that is way too long for the sake of peace in this harbor. But now that captain Walters has gotten Rebecca back to take over some of my duties, I can take a short break." Explained Comet, as Fubuki tensed slightly.
"How long will she stay this time?" Asked the destroyer.
"As long as the increased workload keeps up. Afterwards, I'll have to manage on my own until captain Walters or the Red Stacks get another railway tug." Explained the railway tug, before noticing that Fubuki had tensed up.
"You alright? You look a bit tense."
"Y-yeah, I'm alright." Stuttered the destroyer.
'Why am I so jealous of Rebecca? She didn't even do anything to make me turn jealous...' Thought Fubuki to herself.
'Hehe, you're cute...'
Fubuki shivered as the scene suddenly got into her train of thought again. She now completely remembered what had happened before she had passed out. She started to blush bright red at the thought, something the tugboat noticed as well.
"Did you catch a cold? Should I go and get some medicine or something?" Asked Comet as he started to get out of the docking station.
"N-n-no! E-everything is alright! Just, please, stay inside!" Answered Fubuki, getting even redder as the tug started to get out of the water.
"Alright then." Murmured the tug concerned, sinking into the water again.
The two ships fell into silence again, both of them not knowing what to say.
'What is going on? Why did I... why did I kiss Comet?! What was I thinking?! What is he thinking of me now?!' Thought the destroyer, scared that she might've scared off the tugboat.
'Why is she so strange now? ...Is it because of the kiss? Does she think I hate her now? What should I do now?' Thought Comet concerned.
"G-good night Comet." Murmured Fubuki.
"Good night little Blizzard..." Muttered the tug as they both went quiet again, both blushing lightly again because of the nickname Comet gave her.
Looks like things are getting interesting now, don't they? We're slowly getting closer to the main event of this story :) Don't worry though, the end is still quite a way away at this point, but we are steadily making progress.
