Chapter 08: Newcomers and Shinano
Taskforce 34 was late to the battles in Gilbert and Marshal Islands. And right now were preparing to assist in the upcoming operations farther east.
Off the coast of Tarawa
The war in no longer a stalemate, the neuroi were getting their asses whooped in Orussia, Romagna and here in the Pacific. North Africa was liberated so the Suez Canal is now back online. New Joint Fighter Wings had been formed such as the 501st "Strike Witches" and the 502nd "Brave Witches". These two soon overtook the 509th in popularity much to the Hell Born witches' dismay although that only happened in Europe. In the Pacific, the HBWs still gets hoots and whistles every time they fly over. Ursula finally was able to create a new type of strikers with the help of the ship girls, the Navy Strikers. Currently there are six types of strikers; three destroyers-class, Fletcher-class, Kagero-class and Type 1936B-class along with three light cruisers; Cleveland-class, Ōyodo-class and Leipzig-class. These cruisers were earmarked for the Pacific since the idea did come from the Pacific. The ship girls have changed very little although some of them get upgraded. These were Akagi, Nagato, Yukikaze and Hibiki although her upgrade was a strange one because her clothes changed and her name changed to Verniy and she speaks Orussian once in a while now. Also Nagato has somehow picked up the habit of smoking cigarettes. The task force has lost two warships, USS Atlanta and USS Juneau. These were their last words:
"Damn, looks like someone punched my clock...See you girls another time" Atlanta said as she slowly slipped beneath the waves.
"*Cough* Looks like my time on stage is done *Cough* I hope you enjoyed my act" Juneau said before she was consumed by fire.
This hit the task force hard as Atlanta and Juneau were very friendly and always had something uplifting to say. Atlanta was a workaholic but a witty one who always had a comment at the right place and time while Juneau was the comical actress who would to ends of the world just to give a reason for everyone in Task Force 34 to smile. Many of the girls whether they were ships, ship girls, and witches were saddened by this. Halsey felt real bad because he failed to judge the situation of the battle of Bismarck Sea. Porter, Yukikaze and Ikazuchi had it worse as they had a part to play in the sinking as Atlanta had to turn hard port, smashing to a small rocky island to avoid Yukikaze while Ikazuchi had made an error as she tried to locate the task force again which had Juneau chasing after her, Porter had no direct attribute to their sinking but she did have an argument with the two cruisers and Porter wished that the two cruiser just got sunk. The neuroi attacked the isolated cruisers and they sunk them but that was easier said than done as the Atlanta-class cruisers fought hard. The taskforce is currently trying deal with their grief, something that used to be easy because, before this you just mourned for the crew but it didn't affect you much as you barely met them but now that the ships are alive it was difficult to move on as they could always see what ships were missing and they could note the missing voices.
"I should have watched my surroundings" Yukikaze blamed herself as she watched Atlanta turn turtle before slipping beneath the waves.
"If I had been more careful, Juneau would still be here" Ikazuchi said, as she watched Juneau become a Viking's funeral boat.
"I am sorry… It was my anger that caused this" Porter said as she cried. In the days to come, Porter became distant and very fearful. Halsey knew that he couldn't have Porter in her condition so he had Helen give her moral support because he had noted that Helen is a good counsellor and it would be easier than having her in the Pearl Harbour and making a shrink thinking he needs a shrink.
USS Enterprise Bridge
"How do I break it to them, Enterprise?" Halsey asked as he paced in the bridge.
"Just tell them Halsey, it would better you told them now than you lying to them until they find out themselves which is worse" Enterprise said. Just as Enterprise finished, Rear Admiral Tanaka came in.
"Admiral Halsey all the ship girls are in the briefing room, like you ordered" Tanaka said.
"Thank you, I will head down soon, just to make sure a few things are alright" Halsey half-lied.
"Alright sir" Tanaka said before leaving the bridge.
"There is your cue, Halsey" Enterprise said.
"Alright, here goes nothing" Halsey said as he headed for the briefing room.
Briefing Room, USS Enterprise
The ship girls were chatting amongst themselves, and then Halsey entered the room. The girls stood up and saluted.
"At Ease" Halsey said.
"So what is the reason we are here, Halsey?" Akagi asked.
"It is about your world" Halsey said solemnly.
"What is wrong, Admiral?" Hyūga asked.
"Is there something wrong?" Ise asked.
"I just got word from Nimitz; he says that the research team tried to open a portal to your world however they failed, it seems you go out of your world but not in" Halsey said.
"So we are stuck here?" Nagato said.
"Yes, you are" Enterprise said.
"Damn, that is a bummer" Kongo said.
"But if it means we continue to serve under you then we gladly accept" Mutsu said.
"We can't leave the job half done so you will see our full support" Yamato said.
"This Musashi agrees, we will continue to assist you to the very end" Musashi said.
"Yes! We will not rest until victory is in our grasp!" Ashigara pumped her fist.
"You have taken care of us so well, it is time we should repay the debt, and I will protect the fleet" Yukikaze said.
"Yeah! We will help speed up this war for you!" Shimakaze cheered.
"We are team so that means we stick together till the end, you hear?" Kitakami said.
"Beside it is fun scaring the neuroi" Tenryuu smiled.
"We shall be operating far and wide throughout this ocean. You can expect much from us" Bismarck said.
"It seems they have accepted what has happened and going to stay by your side" Enterprise said.
"Thank you all for your continued participation" Halsey said as he saluted the girls.
"No thank you for your kindness" The ship girls said as they returned the salute.
"Now that is settled, we can now move on to better news" Halsey said.
"What is that?" Taiho asked.
"When on patrol a Fusoan destroyer Minazuki found a ship girl in the Philippines Sea and she coming over to hand her over to us" Halsey said.
"Who is she?" Hōshō asked.
"That is the problem, apparently she suffered amnesia and can't recall who she is, and currently the crew of the Minazuki is referring her as Yuki" Halsey answered.
"Well how long will it before they arrive?" Kagero asked.
"It was estimated that they will arrive within two ways" Halsey said. After that the meeting room was emptied and all the ship girls headed back to their respective ships.
8th June 1944
IFN Minazuki
Yuki's POV
After a few days of sailing we arrived to a small island that was surrounded by warships. I was amazed to see all the warships some even dwarf the Minazuki. I was sad for it was my last day with the crew of the Minazuki and I have grown close to the crew of the destroyer. I looked at myself before I looked at the sea again. Apparently compared to when I first woke up, I now have bright green eyes when I once had blue and the disc shaped headgear I wear on my head no longer glows blue on it but now it glows green like my eyes. I now wear a Fusoan sailor uniform since my original clothes were too badly damaged.
"It has been nice time that we had with you Yuki" The captain of the Minazuki said.
"I must say that I had fun, I will miss you guys" I began to tear up.
"Oh don't worry Yuki, I am sure you will have a great time with Halsey's fleet" The captain said. He was like a father to me.
"Thank you, captain" I said as I hugged the captain.
"It will be alright Yuki, remember" The captain looked down at me, "No matter what happens, Yuki we will always be with you inside of your heart always".
"Always?" I sniffed.
"Always, my dear, we will be with you forever in your heart" the captain said.
"I will remember that" I then released from the hug. Just then the sound of a boat was heard.
"Looks like your ride has arrived" the captain said, "Come let us lead you to your carriage" The captain and I stepped out from the bridge and headed to the side of the destroyer. I was amazed to see the entire crew there, saluting me as I headed for the boat that had docked next to the destroyer.
"I hope you have fun with the other girls" A sailor said.
"Knock those neuroi dead, Yuki" Another smiled.
"I'll miss you" Minazuki said. I smiled as I heard the voice of the destroyer that had become my home.
"Where you go, we will be behind you in spirit" Another gave me the thumbs up.
"Thank you everyone, thank you for taking care of me" I bowed to the crew. I then turned to the boat and carefully climbed towards it. I saw the crew at the boat wave or smile at me.
"So you are the one they call Yuki?" The captain asked.
"Yes, that would be me" I answered.
"Alright welcome aboard" The pilot extended his hand, "I am Lieutenant John Fitzgerald Kennedy (#1) of the United States Navy welcome aboard PT-59"
"Thank you, sir" I said as I got on the boat.
"Alright, hold something, this boat has kick whenever it starts up" Kennedy said. So I grab onto a railing but just to be sure I had my headgear's tentacles latch on as well. The boat's crew was very amused by this.
"Well I heard of hanging on but this takes it" A crewmember at a machine gun fixture said as he watched me hold on.
"Well, Betio here, we go" Kennedy said as he started the engine. The boat lunged forward and I slipped back a bit.
"So, why do they call you, Yuki?" A sailor asked.
"Well, they decided to call me Yuki because my hair was white as snow" I said.
"Well that makes sense" Another said.
"Well, anyway, I hope you have a swell time with the other ship girls, they are just some the nicest people you have ever met" Kennedy said with a smile, eyes never leaving the sea in front of us.
"You speak highly of them" I said.
"Well, this isn't my first command" Kennedy chuckled.
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"Well I was in charge of another PT boat, PT-109" Kennedy said.
"What happened" I asked, interested to hear about this man's story.
"Well, it was moonless night…" Kennedy began to tell the story; I could already imagine the scene.
August 2nd 1942
Kula Gulf
PT-109
This PT boat had just was just idling in the gulf as it had been ordered along with two other PT boats to patrol the area in case of neuroi ships attempting to reinforce the garrison on New Georgia appear. Kennedy had his boat was idling on one engine to avoid detection of her wake by neuroi aircraft. Because of the darkness, the crew of PT-109 didn't see a neuroi destroyer coming straight at them at full speed until it was too late to speed away.
"OH SHIT!" A sailor said just as the neuroi destroyer sliced the PT boat in half, killing two of the crew, Seamen Andrew Jackson Kirksey and Harold W. Marney with another two badly injured. Because of being sliced in two, the boat began to sink but that was true for the rear end. The bow section thanks to the watertight compartments was still afloat. The survivors all clambered onto the floating segment; however by late afternoon it was apparent that the bow was going to sink so Kennedy and his men decided to abandon it and swim for land.
"There's nothing in the book about a situation like this. A lot of you men have families and some of you have children. What do you want to do? I have nothing to lose" Kennedy said before he led the men to a small island that was called by the locals as Plum Pudding Island. Kennedy despite suffering an injury to the back towed badly-burned senior enlisted machinist mate, MM1 Patrick McMahon through the water with a life jacket strap clenched between his teeth. After four hours of swimming the survivors reached the small island however they had to hide from neuroi patrols. The island was a small island and it had no food or fresh water source available.
"You guys stay here, I will go look for something to fill our stomachs" Kennedy said as he got back into the South Pacific in search of food and water. After swimming for 4 km, around Naru and Olasana islands, he led his men to Olasana Island where there were coconuts tree and drinkable water. Luckily for them the explosion of their PT boat did not go unnoticed by a Coastwatcher who dispatched two natives to find them. After six days of searching, the natives found Kennedy and his men who had survived on coconuts. Then came the rescue in the form of the girls from the 1st Ship Girls Flotilla, who were Amagiri (#2), Yukikaze, Inazuma, Ikazuchi, Hibiki, Tenryuu, Sendai, Ooi and Takao who picked them up and headed for Rendova Island. Kennedy was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal for rescuing Patrick McMahon. Kennedy stated that, "If it wasn't for the ship girls, then there will be a memorial for me and my men"
"So, the ship girls saved your lives" I said.
"Yes, that is why I feel indebted to them and I will try to help them any way possible" Kennedy said as he piloted the boat to an amazing sight.
"Those are massive" I gasped as I saw the big warships that were berthed around a small island. There were many that dwarfed the Minazuki.
"These, Yuki are the ships of Halsey's Taskforce 34" Kennedy said as he makes a turns and heads for a large ship that had planes on it.
"What is that?" I pointed to the ship in front of us.
"That is the USS Enterprise, an aircraft carrier of the United States Navy and the flag ship of the Taskforce 34" Kennedy answered.
"So you are Yuki, welcome to Taskforce 34" Enterprise said. Just then a bunch of girls came from the carrier and rushed the PT boat that I was on and they were surprised.
"Oh my god! It is an Abyssal!" One of them shouted.
"A what? What are you talking about?" I asked.
"Don't lie! What are you planning on achieving here, Wo?" A girl who had long black hair with a black chest piece said angrily.
"Who is Wo? I am Yuki!" I responded.
"There is a mistake!" The long haired girl hissed then she turned to Kennedy, "Lieutenant was she the one you picked up from the Minazuki?"
"Yes, ma'am" Kennedy said stiffly his eyes straight forward, after a moment of silence, Kennedy asked "Ma'am, one question"
"What is it Lieutenant" the girl asked.
"What is this Abyssal are you talking about?" Kennedy asked.
"Abyssal are basically the enemy in our world, they have taken controls of the seas and they threatened to destroy us" The girl said.
"They are monster!" A young girl said.
"They are savage" Another young girl said.
"Judging how she is here, it seems that there are more of them here as well" The black haired girl said.
"Well if you think that I am one of them, then you are wrong! I am not like those!" I growled. Just then all the memories I had prior the storm came back, I remembered who I was and god how I hated it.
"What can you say that will prove it?" Another black haired girl said and this one had two things protruding from a headgear she was wearing. She also had a cigarette in her mouth.
"Just think about it, if I was like any of the other abyssal girls I would be sinking the Minazuki and if that doesn't work, how about this, why did I not sink the PT boat? If I was like the other Abyssals this PT boat would be in Davy Jones' locker by now" I argued as I got off the PT boat.
"She has a point, Nagato" A short haired brunette said to the second black haired girl.
"What do you think Akagi, should we let Yuki aboard?" Nagato asked the first black haired girl. The latter was in deep thought before sighing softly.
"Well better a friend than an enemy, alright Yuki you can join us" Akagi said as she extended her hand "Prove me right"
"Oh you won't regret it" I smiled and I shook her hand. Suddenly my hand began to glow and it spread across my hand and up my body.
"What did you do, Akagi?" A girl asked.
"I don't know!" Akagi replied as she stood back. The glow intensified as it spread across my body.
"What is going on?" I asked fearfully before the glow crawled up my face. I closed my eyes in fear. Then I felt a strange warm coming from inside.
"Do not fear, this is not the end, but merely the beginning" A voice said. I felt my body change.
"This feels good" I uttered.
Akagi's POV
We were just stunned as the Wo; I mean Yuki suddenly began to glow after shaking my hand. Instinctively I looked at my hand to see if anything changed; nothing.
"What is going on?" Tone asked.
"Don't ask me! I am as clueless as you are" Mogami said. The glowing had gotten the attention of the crew of the Enterprise as Halsey radioed.
"Akagi! What is going on down there?" Halsey asked frantically.
"I don't know Halsey, this thing just happened" I said.
"This feels good" Yuki said. I turned towards her to see the glow begin to die down.
"Oh my god" The Lieutenant on the PT boat said. The glowing stopped and now a new person stood in front of us. She had grown to just about Yamato's height and she had an outfit that seems to be a cross between Yamato's and Taiho's. She had a large Yumi, a Japanese bow and a large flight deck on her left arm. She had an island to her right which resembled Taiho's but not quite. She had bright blonde hair in twintails. Her facial features had both Yamato's and Musashi's. She had a slim body although her 'tanks' were quite large. She also had a samurai sword with sheath at her hip.
"Wow this is so cool!" Yuki said as she looked at herself.
"What just happened?" I asked.
"I don't know but I think you just got yourself a new carrier" Yuki said.
"So who are you now?" Yamato asked.
"Oh, I am very pleased to meet you! I am Shinano the biggest carrier of the Navy at your service… just make sure there are no subs nearby" Shinano gave the two finger salute but she scratched her head when she said the last part.
"Shinano? Wait that means…" Yamato said.
"This would mean that Shinano is the sister of Yamato and this Musashi" Musashi said.
"Well technically half-sisters but yes, I am your little sister, Ane-san" Shinano smiled. Yamato blushed while Musashi walked up to her and gave her a nudge on the head.
"It is going to be fun to have you around" Zuikaku said.
"Damn it! Why are all the new ones bigger than me?!" Ryujo exclaimed as she pouted. The rest of the ship girls laughed.
"This is strange" I said.
"Yeah, all this while we thought the Abyssal were utterly different but it seems now that they might be corrupted ship girls" Nagato said before she blew a smoke cloud.
"Wait! We can't be sure this is true! What do we do if some of them are monsters? And if they were ship girls like us, why should trust them?" Shimakaze asked. I could tell she was not convinced with the fact that Shinano now on a ship girl.
"This Musashi think it unwise of Shimakaze to speak of Shinano and those like her in such manner, If Shinano was an Abyssal girl in disguise, why is she not hostile or feeling awkward?" Musashi said.
"This is actually changes everything then" Kongo said.
"So what do we do about the Abyssals now?" Yamato asked.
"Well, it seems that we have to give the Abyssals quarters when we catch them" Bismarck said.
"Hey Shinano, do you remember anything when you were an Abyssal?" Ise asked.
"I can remember but there is nothing useful for us but I do remember hearing a Ru-class battleship say Bissy subconsciously" Shinano said.
"Bissy?" Bismarck asked.
"Yeah, that is about all I remember"
"I wonder if I meet my older sister" I thought.
"Well, anyway
"Hey why don't we celebrate the arrival of our new comrade, I heard there was nice place on Betio" Junyō suggested.
"Alright, let me tell Halsey" I said.
"No need for that" Enterprise said.
"We heard you girls on the radio, sure you can go enjoy yourselves" Halsey said.
"I am sorry but I cannot go…I have something else planned…for today" Kaga said.
"What is it?" Shinano asked.
"Um…"Kaga said but didn't answer.
"Let me answer for you Kaga" I said.
"What is it, Akagi?" Kongo asked.
"Do tell us" Aoba said. Kaga was shaking her head furiously as I looked at her with a smile. Oh this is going to be fun.
"She had arranged with a certain pilot on the Enterprise to have a ride in his plane" I said. Kaga tries to jump me but I sidestepped like a boss which left her splashing the sea.
"Oh…" Zuikaku smiled mischievously.
"Go for him, Kaga!" Ashigara said enthusiastically.
"I will kill you Akagi!" Kaga shouted as she tried to chase me. I ran around with her on my tail. I was having a blast.
"Well I best be going back or my captain will have my ass" the PT boat Lieutenant said as he drove off, "See went the day is shining again.
"But Kaga if you chase me then you will be late for you flight!" I shouted trying to hold my laughter.
"Oh shit!" Kaga exclaimed before she ran to the Enterprise who was laughing her stern off.
"Quick! Quick! He is waiting for you!" Enterprise taunted.
"Alright let's go to Betio!" Junyō said. The ship girls headed for Betio Island for a celebration for Shinano's arrival and they had a swell time. There was even a drinking contest which the destroyers and light cruisers didn't take part in, though Verniy did take a few shots of vodka and the winner was Bismarck which was expected of the German Battleship though Yamashiro came to a close second. After that, they headed back for their respective ships. Shinano decided to bunk in IFN Nagato.
Meanwhile…
General Perspective
USS Enterprise Flight Deck
A lone Helldiver was sitting at the end of the flight deck of the USS Enterprise. The pilot was smoking a cigarette to pass the time when he noticed someone running towards the plane.
"Ah, you finally arrived, Kaga" The pilot said.
"Sorry I was late, Steven, I had trouble with the flight suit" Kaga said as she fiddled with the flight suit just a bit more.
"That is alright, now why don't we get airborne shall we?" Steven said. The two climbed into the Helldiver, with Kaga sitting in Steven's lap much to her embarrassment and joy.
"Alright, we go" Steven said as he pulled the stick back gently. The Helldiver's engine revved as the propellers picked up speed. Soon the catapult launched the dive bomber off the flight deck. Kaga, having never been in an aircraft during take-off, tensed up and she gripped onto Steven's arms and she had her eyes shut.
"Easy there Kaga, there is nothing to worry about" Steven chuckled. Kaga slowly eased up on her grip but still held onto Steven's arms. Her eyes were still closed
"There we have reached cruising speed, and would you look at that, we are in the air" Steven said. Kaga opened her eyes and she was amazed at the sight around her.
"This is so amazing" Kaga said.
"Ha, ha, ha, it is an amazing sight, isn't it?" Steven said. Kaga nodded in agreement, "Hang on, I am going to do some turns"
The Helldiver banked left or right depending on which direction Steven pulled the stick. Kaga was amazed at how relaxed Steven as he flew the plane.
"The sky is so beautiful" Kaga said.
"Look! It's the fleet in all of its glory" Steven pointed to the ships of the taskforce berthed around Betio Island. Kaga turned to see the ships shine in the evening sun.
"Wow" Kaga said.
"Well, that is about it for this flight, I am taking her in" Steven said as he took the Helldiver down to Enterprise. The plane caught the arrestor wire and the plane slowed down to a stop. The two fliers got out the plane. Then the flight deck crew pushed the plane to the elevator to send it to the hangar deck.
"Thank you for the flight" Kaga said.
"Well, anything for a friend, hey if you can have ride any time, just tell me first" Steven smiled.
That evening, Halsey received more orders from Nimitz and this one made him frowned.
"FROM CINCPACFLT TO WARCHIEF 34: TASKFORCE 36 COMMANDER'S, NISHIZŌTSUKAHARA HAS PASSED AWAY, DECISION HAS BEEN MADE TO MERGE THE TASKFORCE WITH TASKFORCE 34. ORIGNALLY ADMIRAL SPRUANCE WAS TO TAKE OVER BUT HE HAD BEEN CHOSEN TO RETAKE THE ALEUTIAN ISLANDS TO THE NORTH WITH HIS TASKFORCE 38
THE FOLLOWING ARE THE SHIPS OF TASKFORCE 36:
AIRCRAFT CARRIERS:
IFN KAGA
IFN SORYU
USS YORKTOWN (ESSEX-CLASS)
USS INTERPID
HMS ILLUSTRIOUS
HMS FORMIDABLE
BATTLESHIPS & BATTLECRUISERS:
IFN MUTSU
IFN HIEI
IFN MUSASHI
USS CALIFORNIA
USS WASHINGTON
USS NEW JERSEY
HMS VALIANT
HMS QUEEN ELIZABETH
HMS RENOWN
HEAVY CRUISERS:
IFN MIKUMA
IFN CHIKUMA
IFN SUZUYA
IFN MAYA
USS CANBERRA
USS QUINCY
USS ALASKA
USS WICHITA
HMS CORNWALL
HMS LONDON
HMS DOVENTSHIRE
HMS SUSSEX
LIGHT CRUISERS:
IFN NAGARA
IFN YŪBARI
IFN ŌYODO
IFN JINTSU
USS COLUMBIA
USS SAN JUAN
USS BILOXI
USS HOUSTON
HMS CEYLON
HMS DAUNTLESS
HMS GAMBIA
HMAS LEANDER
DESTROYERS:
IFN AKEBONO
IFN FUBUKI
IFN INAZUMA
IFN SHIRANUI
IFN SHIMAKAZE
USS GUEST
USS BENNETT
USS FULLAM
USS HUDSON
USS ALLEN M. SUMNER
USS MOALE
HMS ISIS
HMS WAKEFUL
HMAS VENDETTA
HMS SCOUT
HMS QUALITY
SUBMARINES:
I-168
I-172
I-184
I-401
1-403
USS NARWHAL
USS TAMBOR
USS ALBACORE
USS DARTER
USS DACE
TOTAL NUMBER OF SHIPS IS SIXTY FOUR SHIPS
INCLUDING TASKFORCE 34: TOTAL INCREASES TO ONE HUNDRED AND FOURTEEN
THE FOLLOWING WITCHES ARE TO JOIN THE 509TH JOINT FIGHTER WING
FUKUNA SHIGEO, 19, COMMANDER, A6M8 "ZEKE" ZERO, TWO 13 MM CANNONS, TSUNAMI, FUSOAN
JOSEPHINE J. FOSS, 18, CAPTAIN, F6F HELLCAT, ONE M2HB BROWNING, THUNDERSTORM, LIBERION
TAKAHO TOSHIO, 18, LIEUTENANT COMMANDER, A7M "SAM" REPPU, ARISAKA TYPE 99 SNIPER RIFLE, SHARP EYE, FUSOAN
ROSELLE FOSKET, 18, SQUADRON LEADER, SUPERMARINE SEAFIRE MK IV, VICKERS-BERTHIER LIGHT MACHINE GUN, CYCLONE, AUSTRALISAN
KAZUKO SUGINO, 20, SUB-LIEUTENANT, H8K "EMILY" FLYING BOAT, TWO TYPE 99 20 MM CANNONS, SUPER STRENGTH, FUSOAN
ROSEMARY M. HANSON, 17, LIEUTENANT, P61 BLACK WIDOW, M1941 JOHNSON LIGHT MACHINE GUN, MAGIC ANTENNA, LIBERION
JANIE CHECKETTS, 16, FLYING OFFICER, DE HAVILLAND MOSQUITO, LANCHASTER SUBMACHINE GUN, STEALTH, AOTEAROAN
PATRICIA TURNBULL, 15, PILOT OFFICER, BRISTOL BEAUFIGHTER, VICKERS K MACHINE GUN, SHORT FUSE, AUSTRALISAN
JAMIE A. SHIRLEY, 14, SECOND LIEUTENANT, P-80 SHOOTING STAR, M1919A4 BROWNING LIGHT MACHINE GUN, SPEED BOOST, LIBERION
NUMBER OF WITCHES IS NINE
ADDED TO THE 509TH JFW, THE NUMBER WILL BE TWENTY FOUR.
ALSO FIVE NAVY WITCHES WILL BE ARRIVNG WHOM ARE TO JOIN THE FIRST SHIP GIRLS FLOTILLA.
THEY ARE THE FOLLOWING:
AMELIA A. KING, 19, REAR ADMIRAL, CLEVELAND-CLASS LIGHT CRUISER, TWO FIVE INCH GUNS, QUADRUPLE-MOUNT BOFORS 45 MM CANNONS, ERUPTION, LIBERION
YUKARI TAKEO, 19, COMMODORE, ŌYODO-CLASS LIGHT CRUISER, TWO 155 MM GUN, 100 MM ANTI-AIR GUN, RANGE FINDER, FUSOAN
JESSIE YEAGER, 18, CAPTAIN, FLETCHER-CLASS DESTROYER, 90 MM M1A1 ANTI-AIR GUN, DEPTH CHARGES, BALLISTIC STABLIZATION, LIBERION
YOSHINO CHŪICHI, 18, CAPTAIN, KAGERO-CLASS, TRIPLE-MOUNT TYPE 96 25MM GUN, THREE TYPE 93 "LONG LANCE" TORPEDOES, STEEL WALL, FUSOAN
ERICA RAEDER, 16, COMMANDER, TYPE 1936-B-CLASS DESTROYER, 127 MM GUN, BOFORS 40 MM CANNON, AREA SCAN, KARLSLANDER
TASKFORCE 36 WILL BE ARRIVING IN YOUR AREA IN TWO DAYS.
GOOD LUCK HALSEY" Halsey read the message. He then plopped into his seat.
"What's the matter Halsey?" Enterprise asked.
"The commander of Taskforce 36, Admiral Nishizō has passed away" Halsey said.
"That is sad to hear" Enterprise said.
"That is not only thing, Nimitz and Yamamoto had decided that his taskforce should merge with our taskforce" Halsey said.
"Well, what the problem with that? The Karlslander fleet merged with us fine so what is the problem with Taskforce 36?" Enterprise asked.
"Taskforce 36 is the second biggest taskforce in the Pacific with 64 combat ships, which is just behind Taskforce 33 of eighty ships so when our two taskforce combine, we will have a 114 warships and that is a lot ships" Halsey said.
"That is a lot of ships, Halsey but you can lead them" Enterprise said.
"Thanks for the confidence" Halsey said.
"So when will they arrive?" Enterprise asked.
"They will be arriving in two days" Halsey said.
"I suggest you tell Ozawa and Phillips so they know what's up" Enterprise said.
"I was planning to do so, Enterprise" Halsey said as he stood up again and headed to the radio to inform Ozawa and Phillips.
June 10th 1944
IFN Hibiki
Hibiki quietly watched the calm seas that surrounded her. She loved to just quietly watch the sea splashed her hull. She had picked up Orussian words from Verniy. Suddenly something caught her attention; she looked via her range finding binoculars and she saw something huge approaching from the north.
"Chert! Those are pagoda masts!" Hibiki exclaimed. This alerted her crew and they scrambled to their battlestations.
"Hibiki, what did you see? Pagoda masts you said?" Her captain asked.
"Da sir" Hibiki replied.
"All weapons! Turn to face the unidentified ships to the north!" Hibiki's captain ordered. Then her six 5 inch guns turned north and her torpedo tubes were primed and ready
"Sir! We have nine airborne targets" A radar operator said.
"Wait! Don't shoot! Not yet! Hibiki, give them a holler" Hibiki's captain said.
"Da, This is IFN Hibiki of Taskforce 34 to unidentified airborne units, identify yourselves now or my guns will open up on your asses! Teper' (Now)!" Hibiki barked.
"Hey, easy there Hibiki, this is the Taskforce 36's Witches Wing" A witch said and as if on cue, nine witches flew overhead without a doubt heading for the Big E.
"Taskforce 36? That means that…" Hibiki's captain said before a very large warship appeared, one that completely dwarfed the destroyer. It was the largest battleship the world has ever seen, other than the Montana-class battleships the Liberions were building.
"Greetings Hibiki, I am IFN Musashi, I hope we can work side by side to defeat our wreathed enemy" Musashi said.
"Da, let us destroy the chernyye d'yavoly (black devils)" Hibiki said.
"My, for a Fusoan destroyer, you speak fluent Orussian" Musashi said.
"Well, I learned from a friend" Hibiki said while remembering the language lesson from Verniy.
"Wow, this is just simply amazing! I know Nimitz radioed us about this but to actually hear your ship speak is simply fantastic" The captain of the Musashi said. Just then, Hibiki saw a strange sight, it was a girl who Hibiki immediately knew she was a witch because of the animal familiars on her head; she was in a contraption that resembled a Fletcher-class destroyer.
"Who are you?" Hibiki asked.
"Oh, hello there Hibiki, I am Captain Jessie Yeager, of Taskforce 36 well or you should say that should be Taskforce 34's 1st Ship Girl Flotilla, since I have been ordered to join the flotilla" Jessie said as she came to a stop next to Hibiki.
"Wait Yeager? Are you related to Charlotte E. Yeager?" Hibiki asked.
"She refers to be called Shirley but yes I am related to her, she is my older sister in fact" Jamie said.
"Hey, are those the new naval strikers?" Hibiki's captain asked.
"Yes sir, these are the new Fletcher-class destroyer strikers" Jessie said.
"So, they have developed new strikers huh? Well they look amazing" Hibiki said.
"Yes they are…well I best be off, see you later, Hibiki" Jessie said as she steamed ahead.
"This is Admiral Halsey to Taskforce 36; I first give my condolences for the passing Admiral Nishizō, I might not know him personally but I know that he was a good officer and he would want us to continue giving the neuroi hell here in the Pacific, so why don't we honour him and prepare for the battles that we will face" Halsey radioed.
Meanwhile on USS Enterprise
The new witches were introduced to the existing members of the 509th girls. The same was done to the navy sea witches with the 1st Ship Girl Flotilla. Now they were going to have some fun which was to see what the new witches can do.
"Alright, show us what you girls got! Sink those boats" Grace said.
"Roger, this is Commander Fukuna, I am going in! TSUNAMI~!" Fukuna said as she created a gigantic wave that swamped the old torpedo boat.
"Hey, this is Josephine! Have some thunder bitch!" Josephine swore as she unleashed a multitude lightning bolts at an old motorboat, frying it.
"Takaho, here, target is in sight, taking it out" Takaho used her sniper rifle to detonate the old PT boat.
"This Roselle Fosket with the weather, it is going to be a cy-CLONE!" Roselle shouted as she made gale force winds that capsized an old fishing boat.
"Kazuko is here with her Emily strikers! Now you will die piece of shit!" Kazuko barked as she fired her two 20 mm cannons at a written off flying boat.
"I am Rosemary and now have some of my Johnson!" Rosemary said as she gunned down a destroyed seaplane that had been dragged out to sea.
"This is Janie! I am here, oh no, I am not! Where am I? Right behind you! Surprise butt-sex time" Janie shouted as her Lanchaster Submachine Gun as she used her stealth ability.
"What's up mate? I am doing just fine…NOW DIE YOU FUCKER!" Patricia screamed as she unloaded her Vickers K machine gun at her target which was crippled landing boat.
"This is Jamie, full throttle! I got a need for speed!" Jamie cheered as she rocketed in her P-80 Shooting Star while machine gunning a wreckage of an amphibious tank.
"Wow! She nearly broke the sound barrier with that one" Rosemary said as she checked her magic antenna ability.
"Oh sis is not going to be happy" Jessie said.
Meanwhile…
Dover, 501st Joint Fighter Wing Base
"*Clang*" The sound of a wrench fell onto the ground.
"What's wrong Shirley?" Francesca asked.
"My speed need senses are tingling, someone nearly broke the sound barrier" Shirley shuddered.
"Don't worry, Shirley, I know that you can break the sound barrier first" Francesca cheered.
"That's the spirit! Now where did I put that wrench?" Shirley asked as she looked around.
Back in the Pacific…
"Let's see what you Sea Witches can do, you too Shinano" Akagi said.
"This is Amelia, one broadside coming right up!" Amelia said as she fired blanks from her 5 inch guns.
"Yukari reporting for duty, calculating projector… FIRE~!" Yukari hollered as her 155 mm cannons belched fire.
"Jessie here, I see the target, opening fire!" as she fired her 90 mm M1A1 cannon.
"This is Yoshino Chūichi, my armour is invulnerable but my weapons are as strong! Have some flak!" Yoshino barked as she fired her 25 mm guns.
"This is Erica, I am conducting search and destroy mission… target found, feuer!" Erica said as her 5-inch gun let loose hell.
"Shinano here, I am launching my strike force now! Go get them, girls" Shinano said as she launched a barrage of arrows which transformed into A7M Reppus and B7A2 Ryuseis and they annihilated the target which was an burned out Fusoan barge.
"Wow, I am impressed" Grace said.
"Are you sure those strikers of yours are not battleship ones because they can handle against my cannons" Kongo (SG) said.
"My expectations have been blown out the water" Hyūga said.
"Same here" Ise said.
"Well, it was thanks to you girls that we have these strikers in the first place" Amelia said.
"Well, whatever the case, the neuroi are sure going to suffer" Grace said.
That night
Halsey's Quarters, USS Enterprise
"Looks like I have to write a new roster…again" Halsey said as he looked at his typewriter.
"This is what, your seventh roster? Well better start now" Enterprise said.
"Well what to do, Nimitz wants an updated one as soon as possible" Halsey said as he looked at the paper.
"I hope you don't stay up for too long" Enterprise said then Halsey felt someone's hand on his shoulder. He quickly turned around to see if anyone was there but there was no one and the door to his room hasn't been moved.
"That was weird" Halsey muttered, then turned to his typewriter, "The sooner I start, the sooner I can sleep"
After two hours of typing, Halsey finally finished the roster. He then finished whatever coffee that was left in his cup and went to bed immediately. Enterprise read the roster.
SEVENTH REVISION OF THE ROSTER OF TASKFORCE 34
AS OF JUNE 10TH 1944, TASKFORCE 36 WHICH WAS UNDER THE LATE ADMIRAL NISHIZŌ TSUKAHARA HAD SUCCESSFUL BEEN INTEGRATED INTO TASKFORCE 34 UNDER THE ORDERS OF THE ALLIED PACIFIC COMMAND. ALSO MORE WITCHES, NINE NAVY AIR WITCHES AND FIVE NAVY SEA WITCHES HAS JOINED THE 509TH JFW AND THE 1ST SHIP GIRL FLOTILLA RESPECTIVELY. ON A FINAL NOTE A NEW SHIP GIRL HAS JOINED THE FLEET.
ROSTER OF TASKFORCE 34 IS AS FOLLOWS:
AIRCRAFT CARRIERS:
USS ENTERPRISE; 15 CORSAIRS, 36 F6F HELLCATS, 15 SBD DAUNTLESS, 9 TBF AVENGERS
USS YORKTOWN; 42 F6F HELLCATS, 36 SB2C-1 HELLDIVERS, 12 TBF AVENGERS
USS INTERPID; 36 F6F HELLCATS, 6 CORSAIRS, 36 SB2C-1 HELLDIVERS, 12 TBF AVENGERS
IFN ZUIKAKU; 30 MISTUBISHI A6M ZEROS, 9 AICHI D3A VALS, 21 D4Y JUDYS, 12 B5N KATES
IFN KAGA; 30 MITSUBISHI A6M ZEROS, 27 YOKOSUKA D4Y JUDYS, 15 NAKAJIMA B6N JILLS
IFN SORYU; 18 MITSUBISHI A6M ZEROS, 18 YOKOSUKA D4Y JUDYS, 18 NAKAJIMA B6N JILLS
HMS HERMES; 15 WILDCATS, 5 SKUAS (DECISION MADE TO RETIRE VESSEL, AFTER SAIPAN; PLANNED TO REPLACE WITH HMS COURAGEOUS)
HMS ILLUSTRIOUS; 18 SUPERMARINE SEAFIRES, 9 FAIREY BARRACUDA, 9 TBF AVENGERS
HMS FORMIDABLE; 18 SUPERMARINE SEAFIRES, 9 FAIREY BARRACUDA, 9 TBF AVENGERS
KMS ELBE; 15 BF 109S, 9 JU-87 STUKAS
BATTLESHIPS AND BATTLECRUISERS:
USS MISSOURI
USS IOWA
USS NEW JERSEY
USS WASHINGTON
USS CALIFORNIA
IFN MUSASHI
IFN NAGATO
IFN MUTSU
IFN KONGO
IFN HIEI
HMS VALIANT
HMS PRINCE OF WALES
HMS QUEEN ELIZABETH
HMS RENOWN (UNDERGOINGING MINOR REPAIRS IN BETIO)
HMS REPULSE
HEAVY CRUISERS:
USS BALTIMORE
USS BOSTON
USS HELENA
USS CANBERRA
USS QUINCY
USS ALASKA
USS WICHITA
IFN MYŌKŌ
IFN TAKAO
IFN ATAGO
IFN MIKUMA
IFN CHIKUMA
IFN SUZUYA
IFN MAYA
HMS CORNWALL
HMS LONDON
HMS DOVENTSHIRE
HMS SUSSEX
KMS PRINZ EUGEN
KMS BLUCHER
LIGHT CRUISERS:
USS ATLANTA (SUNK)
USS JUNEAU (SUNK)
USS SAN DIEGO
USS CLEVELAND
USS COLUMBIA
USS SAN JUAN
USS BILOXI
USS HOUSTON
IFN KITAKAMI (UNDERGOING REFIT IN PEARL HARBOUR)
IFN TATSUTA
IFN YAHAGI
IFN NAGARA
IFN YŪBARI
IFN ŌYODO
IFN JINTSU
HMS LIVERPOOL
HMS CEYLON
HMS DAUNTLESS
HMS GAMBIA
HMAS LEANDER
KMS KARLSRUHE
KMS KIEL
KMS EMDEN
DESTROYERS:
USS FLETCHER
USS BENSON
USS PORTER
USS EATON (UNDER GOING OVERHAUL IN MARE ISLAND)
USS GUEST
USS BENNETT
USS FULLAM
USS HUDSON
USS ALLEN M. SUMNER
USS MOALE
IFN AKATSUKI
IFN HIBIKI
IFN KAGERO
IFN YUKIKAZE
IFN AKEBONO
IFN FUBUKI
IFN INAZUMA
IFN SHIRANUI
IFN SHIMAKAZE
HMS VAMPIRE (UNDERGOING REFITS IN PEARL HARBOUR)
HMS VALKYRIE
HMS ISIS
HMS WAKEFUL
HMAS VENDETTA
HMS SCOUT
HMS QUALITY
Z42
Z41
Z38
Z37 (UNDERGOING REPAIRS IN PEARL HARBOUR)
SUBMARINES:
I-168
I-172
I-184
I-401
1-403
USS NARWHAL
USS TAMBOR
USS ALBACORE
USS DARTER
USS DACE
U-124
U-123
U-122
U-111
U-110 (UNDERGOING ENGINE REPLACEMENT IN PEARL HARBOUR)
TOTAL NUMBER OF COMBAT SHIPS IS ONE HUNDRED AND TWELVE (NOTE FIVE VESSELS ARE DOCKED; THEREFORE EFFECTIVE STRENGTH IS ONE HUNDRED AND SEVEN.
ROSTER OF THE 509TH JFW:
COMMANDING OFFICER:
GRACE "NANNY" BOYINGTON, 21, COLONEL, F4U CORSAIR, ONE M2HB BROWNING MACHINE GUN, FIRE BREATH, LIBERION
SECOND IN COMMAND:
AKANARI "MATCHAN" SADAAKI, 23, COMMANDER, J2M5A RAIDEN "JACK", ONE 20 MM CANNON, KAMIKAZE, FUSOAN
WITCHES IN THE JOINT FIGHTER WING:
JOSEPHINE J. FOSS, 18, CAPTAIN, F6F HELLCAT, ONE M2HB BROWNING, THUNDERSTORM, LIBERION
FUKUNA SHIGEO, 19, COMMANDER, A6M8 "ZEKE" ZERO, TWO 13 MM CANNONS, TSUNAMI, FUSOAN
JANE "MEAT BALL SMITTY" LUCIANA SMITH, 19, COMMANDANT, F6F-5N HELLCAT, TWO 20 MM CANNON, SUPER STRENGTH, LIBERION
HEIDI "BRAINSTORM" BRESTRICH, 18, COMMANDER, BF 109T-4, ONE MG42, STURM, KARLSLANDER
OKUNIMA TAKEO, 16, LIEUTENANT COMMANDER, A6M6C ZERO "ZEKE", ONE 20 MM CANNON, AREA SCAN, FUSOAN
TAKAHO TOSHIO, 18, LIEUTENANT COMMANDER, A7M "SAM" REPPU, ARISAKA TYPE 99 SNIPER RIFLE, SHARP EYE, FUSOAN
EVA "EYE APPLE" APEL, 15, LIEUTENANT COMMANDER, JU-87T-5, 37 MM AUTOCANNON, ILLUSION MAGIC, KARLSLANDER
ROSELLE FOSKET, 18, SQUADRON LEADER, SUPERMARINE SEAFIRE MK IV, VICKERS-BERTHIER LIGHT MACHINE GUN, CYCLONE, AUSTRALISAN
MARTHA RAY "HAWK" HAWKINS, 15, CAPTAIN, F6F-3 HELLCAT, ONE M2HB BROWNING MACHINE GUN, EAGLE EYE, LIBERION
KAIOTA TOSHIO, 14, LIEUTENANT (NAVY), A6M5 ZERO "ZEKE", ONE 20 MM CANNON, THUNDER, FUSOAN
KAZUKO SUGINO, 20, SUB-LIEUTENANT, H8K "EMILY" FLYING BOAT, TWO TYPE 99 20 MM CANNONS, SUPER STRENGTH, FUSOAN
OLIVIA ROBERTSON "KILLER" CALDWELL, 13, FLYING OFFICER, SUPERMARINE SPITFIRE MK IX, ONE VICKERS MACHINE GUN, HEALING MAGIC, AUSTRALIS
HELEN "COACH" WILLIAM BAUER, 14, LIEUTENANT, F4U-4 CORSAIR, ONE 20 MM CANNON, WAR SPEED, LIBERION
ROSEMARY M. HANSON, 17, LIEUTENANT, P61 BLACK WIDOW, M1941 JOHNSON LIGHT MACHINE GUN, MAGIC ANTENNA, Liberion
CHARLIE R. "SKULL" STIMPSON, 15, LIEUTENANT, F4F WILDCAT, ONE M2HB BROWNING MACHINE GUN, RADAR SCRAMBLER, LIBERION
CHARLIE ARBUTHNOT CROMBIE, 14, FLYING OFFICER, SUPERMARINE SPITFIRE MK VIII, ONE LEWIS GUNS, ERUPTION, AUSTRALIS
JANIE CHECKETTS, 16, FLYING OFFICER, DE HAVILLAND MOSQUITO, LANCHASTER SUBMACHINE GUN, STEALTH, AOTEAROAN
IKIZAWA "KOTESU" TETSUZO, 17, FLYING OFFICER, A6M5 ZERO "ZEKE", ONE 20 MM CANNON, MAGIC EYE, FUSOAN
SAITA "PRINCESS OF RABAUL" JUNICHI, 15, ENSIGN, A6M3 ZERO "ZEKE", TYPE 99 LIGHT MACHINE GUN, DRAGON BREATH, FUSOAN
ADRIANA PHILIP "TIM" GOLDSMITH, 12, PILOT OFFICER, SUPERMARINE SPITFIRE, ONE BOYS ANTITANK RIFLE, BALLISTIC STABILIZATION, AUSTRALIS
JANICE LLOYD "WAD" WADDY, 16, PILOT OFFICER, P-40 KITTYHAWK, ONE BREN GUN, FIRESTORM, AUSTRALIS
PATRICIA TURNBULL, 15, PILOT OFFICER, BRISTOL BEAUFIGHTER, VICKERS K MACHINE GUN, SHORT FUSE, AUSTRALISAN
JAMIE A. SHIRLEY, 14, SECOND LIEUTENANT, P-80 SHOOTING STAR, M1919A4 BROWNING LIGHT MACHINE GUN, SPEED BOOST, LIBERION
THE TOTAL NUMBER OF WITCHES IN THE 509TH JFW IS NOW: TWENTY FIVE
ROSTER OF THE 1ST SHIP GIRLS FLOTILLA:
AKAGI
KAGA
SORYU
HIRYU
TAIHO
SHŌKAKU
ZUIKAKU
SHINANO
HŌSHŌ
RYUJO
CHITOSE
CHIYODA
NAGATO
MUTSU
YAMATO
MUSASHI
KONGO
KIRISHIMA
HIEI
HARUNA
ISE
HYŪGA
YAMASHIRO
FUSOU
BISMARCK
ASHIGARA
NACHI
MYŌKŌ
HAGURO
ATAGO
TAKAO
MAYA (HOSPITALIZED FOR WOUNDS: KICKING A NEUROI DESTROYER'S ASS)
CHOKAI
MOGAMI (HOSPITALIZED FOR WOUNDS: GOING TOE TO TOE WITH A NEUROI CRUISER)
MIKUMA
SUZUYA
KUMANO
AOBA
FURUTAKA
TONE
CHIKUMA
KITAKAMI
OOI
TENRYUU
TATSUTA
SENDAI
NAKA
NAGARA
SHIRANUI
KAGERO
MAIKAZE
YUKIKAZE
MURAKUMO
SHIMAKAZE
AMATSUKAZE
HAMAKAZE
Z1 LEBERCHT MASS
Z3 MAX SCHULTZ
TANIKAZE (HOSPITALIZED FOR ILLNESS: FLU)
INAZUMA
HIBIKI
IKAZUCHI
AKATSUKI
I-8
I-19
I-58
I-168
I-401
MARUYU
AKITSU MARU
AKASHI
MAMIYA
AMELIA A. KING, 19, REAR ADMIRAL, CLEVELAND-CLASS LIGHT CRUISER, TWO FIVE INCH GUNS, QUADRUPLE-MOUNT BOFORS 45 MM CANNONS, ERUPTION, LIBERION
YUKARI TAKEO, 19, COMMODORE, ŌYODO-CLASS LIGHT CRUISER, TWO 155 MM GUN, 100 MM ANTI-AIR GUN, RANGE FINDER, FUSOAN
JESSIE YEAGER, 18, CAPTAIN, FLETCHER-CLASS DESTROYER, 90 MM M1A1 ANTI-AIR GUN, DEPTH CHARGES, BALLISTIC STABLIZATION, LIBERION
YOSHINO CHŪICHI, 18, CAPTAIN, KAGERO-CLASS, TRIPLE-MOUNT TYPE 96 25MM GUN, THREE TYPE 93 "LONG LANCE" TORPEDOES, STEEL WALL, FUSOAN
ERICA RAEDER, 16, COMMANDER, TYPE 1936-B-CLASS DESTROYER, 127 MM GUN, BOFORS 40 MM CANNON, AREA SCAN, KARLSLANDER
TOTAL NUMBER OF SHIP GIRLS IN THE 1ST SHIP GIRLS FLOTILLA IS SEVENTY SEVEN.
COMMANDER OF TASKFORCE 34
ADMIRAL WILLIAM FREDERICK HALSEY
You didn't expect that one did you
Well I hope you enjoyed this one
Author's Notes:
1- Yes he is the President who was shot in Dallas
2-This is ironic as in the real World War 2, it was the IJN Amagiri that sliced PT-109 in half, though it is still debated if it was accidental or deliberate
