"Wake up."
Nnnnnnnhh-
"They are here, Magician."
Ow. Stop prodding me-
"The enemies are here." What?
My eyes snapped open as my senses returned. That's right, I have to-
"YEOWWW!" Something jabbed fiercely into my back, causing me to yell in pain. "Hey-" I turned around, and stared at the chair I was sitting in. "Did you have to do that?"
"You were sleeping." The offender spoke, her voice coming out of a shape vaguely resembling a face that was forming in the chair. "Shouldn't a commander always snap to attention when a battle is near?"
I threw a glare at the 'face' that appeared in the chair. "I'm not the commander."
"Then, why are you here? I was under the impression that was the reason that you, and not Commander Phoenix, is currently on the seat you so asked me to create." Before I had a chance to respond, the 'face' simply melted back into the chair.
"So, human, why not go for a swim, if you are so unwilling to lead?" I spun to see Beacon-Of-Pride-And-Power drilling her eyes into my soul, with the same expression she had been sporting for the previous few days - barely any expression except for the mixture of unsettling curiosity...and something else that was in her eyes.
I gritted my teeth, before returning to an erect and straight posture. The owner of that face was no other than Rally-Of-The-Needed, aka. the gestalt of the Abyssal installation, and whose entire form included the very chair my ass was currently sitting on.
Which was I was so nervous around the whole base over the past few days. She clearly didn't like me, one reason being all the 'things' that I had asked (or 'pestered') her to do, some including asking her to allow Siren-Of-Knowledge to conduct several 'dangerous' experiments on her deck, and requesting her to reconfigure some parts of herself. Clearly she was still grumpy over that.
Not to mention that she her view of me was similar to Beacon's, that I had my worth was not that much to guaruntee myself a spot here.
Speaking of which...I stole another peek at Beacon - holy shit stop staring at me, you sadistic fuck. Ever since that gut-wrenching talk I had with her on that day, she had not spoken to me personally, ecept in meetings and planning. She never wore that slasher-style expression since that day, and instead just kept observing me with that same look that was now on her face. And everywhere I went, there was always one of her goons stalking me.
And right now, I was the only one with her in this room other than Rally. The commander was on the deck preparing her air support, Siren was busy prepping all the 'new' equipment, and the Secretaries were waiting in position. Not a comforting thought.
Right, this room. I took a deep breath, before beginning to look around it. The place was originally Phoenix's office, but I had asked Rally to redesign it a little. Now, there was a 'screen' on the other end facing me, which was blank - for now. There were a few tables and chairs facing said screen, including the one that I was currently on. They were unoccupied, given that they were meant for people that were currently not around. As for me, I had a few pieces of paper on my table, which detailed the current intel I had - ammo, fuel, force strength, etc. etc.
Outside the windows on the side was a thick fog, the work of those 'weather-mages' that Siren managed to gather from the ranks of the Abyssals. I had asked them to create a thick fog around the place, and tried to make a storm in the area outside, in an effort to slow the enemy down.
All those were fine and dandy, but now...
Out of a sudden my heart suddenly felt like lead.
Of course, I was going to be fucking commanding a force when I was a complete greenhorn at this game called 'war', how could I not be scared? Either I am going to crash and burn horribly, or win...
Yeah, win. That sounds so easy, doesn't it?
Right now, I really felt like jumping into the ocean. Everything else be damned, as long as I got to fucking live.
I doubt I have that option anymore though. Beacon has her eyes on me, and I already made a huge bet on this. If I backed out now, she would chop me apart and scatter the remains.
And I would have disappointed everyone, wouldn't I?
Goddamnit. I wish I was home. Or I had my mother, teachers, or even a single classmate... This fucking sucks.
"Well?" A voice cut through my haze of thoughts.
"Yeah yeah, hold on." I cut show weakness here, Beacon is like a fucking shark here - "Alright, give me a sec."
Fooooooo~ Alright, stop moping.
Think about yourself.
Win.
Win to survive.
I took a second deep breath, and put a finger to my head. "Siren? I assume the 'radar' is ready and operational, right?" I spoke out lord, while trying to ensure that those same thoughts were broadcasted into the minds of the staff.
At least Phoenix was able to organise thsi 'communication network amongst us. It would be hell trying to organise everyrhing with any form of delay here.
"Yep!" Siren's reply was eerily chirpy.
"Alright, please have it on screen." I made sure rhat my message wasn't just sent to Siren, but also Rally, given that the 'screen' mainly worked thanks to her cooperation-
The black, empty space suddenly changed, displaying a replica of a typical old cathode-ray based radar screen. Two lines, light green and perpendicular to each other, appeared. Moments later the first scan results appeared, with 30 dots in a neat formation, coming closer each time the wave swept across said 'screen'.
And the main problem of this feature showed up. As far as I knew, the Abyssals had based this off the very primitive systems that were installed on WWII-era warships. Which meant, there was no IFF capacity on it, and it could be easily jammed, by either any electronic countermeasures the humans had or the ones we derived. Also, given that the set we were currently using was jury-rigging from several parts, we didn't have much time to fully calibrate it, meaning that it was still unreliable and thus required other methods to verify the data. Sliver lining? At least it wasn't affected by the abysmally confused weather outside.
But hey, any information was better than no information.
"A force, 30 strong." Maybe that worked? "Most likely a scouting force, given the small number of shipgirls sent out...Siren. Do you have any idea what shipgirls are those?"
"Hmmm...there are 6 Battleships...7 Cruisers...13 Destroyers...and..."
"And what?"
"Well...I can't tell what the last four are. Their signatures are too...different, like they...are shipgirls...yet not shipgirls. Its...hard to explain." Siren tone was especially shaky, as if she was disturbed by that.
"Ok." What the hell? Is there another type of shipgirl other than the Missile Destroyers? I tried to fight down the fear inside as I tried to comprehend that possibility.
"Can you tell what are the shipgirl's positions in the formation?" I asked, grabbing a piece of paper to copy the formation on a piece of paper.
"They are all closely bunched up together, so its hard to tell. I can say, however, is that the unknown contacts are at the front of the formation."
"Alright." I noted that down. "How long till they reach here?"
"15 minutes."
"Ok." Now, should we follow the original plan?
Yes. Currently, they are in a good position to strike. Torpedo attacks would be very effecrive with this plan - they would have problems seperating and disengaging. We would have to adjust that the Abyssals would hit them from behind...artillery is still not an option, but we can move the rocket platforms, if they are needed. Anti missile and aircraft...still a problem.
"Siren, please activate the airborne radar."
"Um, sorry, just now the structure broke when we tried to start it, and...it collapsed."
"What?" Oh fucking shit, now of all times? "Ok, how about your personal ones? Can you detect any human aircraft?"
"We...can, but all we are seeing is a garbled mess." This time, it was Phoenix who spoke. Not good...fighting with an completely unknown enemy air presence was totally bad news. "Alright, if you guys launch planes now, how long will it take for them to reach the enemy?
"A few minutes." Not too shabby, but sending troops without air cover...is still not desirable, despite short amount of time. Not to mention I don't know of any advances the humans have made in aeronautics other than 'giant flying battleship'.
Was a risk I am willing to take?
"Hey, human, time is running out, you know." Beacon's cold voice resounated through the room.
"I know, I know, hold on." I replied hurriedly. Take, or don't take?
Dammit, no time for anymore decisions!
"Fine, we will have to take the risk. Commander, please tell your division to launch their planes, fighters and dive bombers only. Do your best to gain intel on enemy air forces."
"Acknowledged."
"Juri, Yuri, please confirm, are you two ready?" I pegged the both of them.
"Confirmed." "Ready!"
"Alright, we are ready to go. There's a change - now, attack from diagonally behind, not from the sides, sweep past them and release all your torpedoes, before going into a melee. Warning: for a few minutes you will be fighting with no air cover! In that case, ensure that your AA systems are ok and make sure not to get hit by any bombs and torpedoes."
"Understood!" This is crazy. Having 50 Abyssals hand hold on two chains...
I clear my throat. "45 seconds countdown, begin!"
As they began counting, I lean back against the chair. Only then I realise that I have liquid on my forehead.
How do Abyssals sweat anyway?
"So, you are still not going to rely on my powers?" Beacon spoke.
"I already said it - they are most likely launching a scout force first, so it would be better to use your powers for their main thrust." I wiped the 'sweat' off manually. "Phew, talk about tough..."
"Hmm, I noticed. You haven't said anything about the fact you would be killing your own kind."
Huh?
"You have been really uptight about the fact that you still see yourself as human, Magician. And yet, you are commanding us, a 'race' that is not human, to kill them."
...fuck, I can't deny that, can I
"Is the really the time?" I spit out those words slowly and carefully.
"Maybe."
I snort. "Just...could we continue this later?"
"Maybe."
Don't fucking do this. Anger pulses through my heart. "Whats your reason for doing this?"
"My own amusement? But honestly, it is interesting to see the thoughts of a hypocrite."
Time ticks away as I ponder her comments.
"If I don't win this, I will die. And that's my priority. For now."
"So you consider your survival more paramount than your loyalty to your race. That's...selfish, cowardly, intolerable in fact...but it matches what I know of you." She glided over, towering over me.
With the old sadistic smile back.
"Well, just don't disappoint me, human." She slowly returned to her place.
...sigh.
"God, please forgive me, for whatever I do." I murmur.
The countdown reached zero, and I braced myself for a battle.
"45 seconds countdown, begin!"
As Magician's voice went off in the network of minds, two sisters recieved it, and acknowledged the order.
"Sister, which position do you wish to take?" Juri asked.
Yuri pondered over it for a few moments before giving her reply. "Why don't you make your choice instead? I will be happy on either side."
"Hmmm." After feeling her thoughts filter through her sister's mind, Juri replied, "Perhaps I should take the left flank. My right arm is still damaged from the previous battle."
"Then I shall take the right side." Light laughter premated their minds for a few moments.
"Sister...this battle will be interesting, won't it?"
"True."
Both siblings thought the same way. Wordlessly, they explored their positions now - their new commander, their new abilities, the progress they made. Both felt proud of that progress, and they could feel each other's pleasure.
And they more than eager to test that mettle.
The countdown ticked down to its last few seconds.
"Sister, good luck."
"Same to you."
They closed their eyes. As they focused, energies coalased around the groups, bending laws of physics and theories yet unexplored.
When they opened their eyes again, they found themselves facing the exposed backs of their enemies.
And in a single instant, the hunters became the hunted.
Unpausing, the cruisers and destroyers took a few steps, in sync, infront of their formations, and extended their torpedo tubes. With a single motion, they fired their weapons, and the torpedoes lept from their launchers like hunting dogs.
As the tubes of twisted metal and magic rushed forward to bring death to those in their way, their would-be victims only just realised the danger they were in.
"Good. Cruisers and destroyers, return to your formations and stay under the cover of the battleships. All units, begin broadside actions!"
As strange magics propelled the bearers of oblivion, a chord of gunfire signalled the start of the battle.
