Chapter 9: Operation SO - 1st Part
October 25, 1944, at 0738 hours
Rain falls heavily from the dark clouds inside the rain squalls. At the center most of the squall, the destroyer that leaded the attack against the massive opponents found her impermanent sanctuary from the heavy shellfire amidst the decisive battle. Several ships from the screening force from the small task force already began their respective charges.
Few minutes ago, the first salvos ravaged her portside which cut her speed in half then more shells pounded her bridge leaving many casualties. But somehow despite of the damage she received from her bigger opponents, she was still lucky that she did not sunk.
Her bridge was burning, blood splattered everywhere, dead bodies were scattered around, and her crewmen were mortally wounded. The damage control team is doing their best to suppress the fire from her bridge and restore power. Since the bridge was destroyed from the attack, the captain stayed on the deck, his body was already covered with wounds, he lost his fingers from his left hand and blood gushes out from his head and mouth, but despite of his condition he continued to command his ship. The girl kneels besides the captain, she wanted to help that captain but the circumstances wouldn't allow her, she just stared at him with her concern eyes.
"C-Captain… y-you're wounded!"
A young officer approached the captain; he immediately brings out a medical kit to treat the captain's wounds while the girl moves aside.
"D-don't mind me… h-how were the repairs going?" the captain asks while gasping for his breath.
"The damage control crew said it will take a few minutes to restore the ship's power."
The officer replies while treating the captain's wounds.
"Gg…" the captain grimaced as the officer treated his wounds to ease the bleeding, "… whew… I see, once the power is restored, we need to catch with the rest of the screening force and provide cover for their approach." the captain ordered.
"What?!" the young officer questioned his captain; "the ship is already in a bad shape, it won't survive another attack." the he explains.
"D-didn't you hear what I told you earlier ago… we're going to fight until the last shell we have…" the captain replies. His eyes were already weary he is still very resilient.
"This ship doesn't have the chance to survive anyway… as much as possible; I want her to keep on fighting before she sinks, exhausting her last shell against her enemies." the captain smiles at his subordinate.
The girl besides them looks at them with tears within her eyes. Then suddenly, the power of the destroyer was once again restored, but it wasn't a hundred percent operational before the destroyer was struck by the incoming shells. The captain tries to stand up again despite of the wounds; the young officer assisted the captain. One of the sailors approached the captain.
"Sir, several of our main guns and the fire control radar were once again operational but our surface radar was destroyed from the attack and it's already beyond repairable." the sailor reported.
"Hmp, a broken radar could not stop us… take the injured somewhere safe, get ready the guns for defenses, take anything we may use to hinder the enemy's advance… we'll meet the screening force and provide gunfire cover for them." he commanded.
The sailor saluted and immediately returns from his position. The injured were carried somewhere safe inside the ship, the decks become busy again as they prepare for another assault.
Meanwhile from a distance, a friendly ship was approaching. It was a destroyer escort from the small task force trying to join the attack despite of the little firepower she has. The crew from the destroyer escort witnessed the destroyer how she struggles to limp back and joined the rest of the screening force. They also saw the captain of the destroyer on the deck giving his command despite being in a battered condition. The captain of the destroyer saw the approaching destroyer escort, he gives them a salute and the crewmen also gave their own salute at the captain.
The girl from the destroyer also saw the passing destroyer escort, the girl notice that there was a girl much younger than her standing near bow while looking towards to the direction of the superior enemy fleet. The little girl looks at the other girl from the destroyer their eyes met each other; the girl gave a good luck gesture by saluting at the little girl from the destroyer escort. The little girl somehow notice it, she nods at the girl and also gave her own salute.
The destroyer began to move through the squalls, through the smokes, through the flames, through splashes of water, and through rain of deadly shells. The waves battered her damaged hull, the little destroyer fired her guns against her enemies. Other planes from the nearby task forces had joined to assist their efforts to stop the approach of the enemy fleet. The gloomy waters turned into a sea of fire and the skies were also engulfed with flames. The small task force made an overwhelming confusion that disoriented the formation of the larger force.
Moments later, while the destroyer fires her remaining guns relentlessly, she sees a silhouette of a battleship; it was the battleship that made the first shot on her deck. Instead of turning her away, she decided to steam towards the battleship and challenged her to a duel.
Splashes of water washed her decks and waves battered her hull. The destroyer is determined to challenge the battleship despite the damage she already sustained. The two ships relentlessly fired and exchanged shells at each other. The destroyer evaded the incoming projectiles while the battleship shrugged the damage she recieved from the destroyer. After pounding the battleship, the destroyer immediately proceeded through the smoke and disappeared from the battleship's sight.
Water began to splash again as the destroyer steams back to the task group.
Splash!
Johnston was still sleeping on her futon when water splashes on her face that fully waking up the sleeping destroyer again. They were sleeping inside a large green tent that was big enough to accommodate all the destroyers in the naval base in one place; they slept on white futons provided by the Admiral that he had them properly hidden somewhere else and had them spared from the surprise attack yesterday. The tent was separated a little bit far enough among the tents inside the encampment just to provide privacy for the girls. It seems like the girls were on a typical school camping activity if we remove the fact that they were camping inside a military facility.
Johnston rises up her body with her head soaking wet, her eyes scan the surrounding nearby and realize that the Akatsuki destroyers, who were already fully dress up, were the one who sprayed the water while she was asleep. Ikazuchi was holding the glass, Inazuma was holding a tray and Hibiki was holding a plate; it seems that the four girls were fighting over at something and somehow resulted to accidentally pouring a glass of water at the sleeping Johnston. Johnston stared at the four girls with a flat gaze.
"Ah… she did it!" Ikazuchi immediately points her finger at Akatsuki.
"Eh-hey, Ikazuchi-chan… you're the one grabbed the tray and accidentally pours the glass of water at Johnston-chan!" Akatsuki retorts.
"Well if you didn't try to steal the tray from me, the glasses wouldn't have fall, dummy!" Ikazuchi replies while pouting her mouth at her sister.
The two girls glare at each other while pouting, their expressions were quite adorable.
"Hawawa, p-please s-stop fighting early in the morning, nano-desu!" panicked Inazuma as she tries to calm both of her sister.
Hibiki just responds with a shrug, while Johnston sighs roughly. The American destroyer decided to take a peek on the clock and she was surprised that it was 08:26 in the morning; Johnston slaps her face and shakes her head.
"Men, looks like I've overslept again…" she said to herself disappointedly.
Then Johnston hears someone snoring nearby, she decided to check it out and sees Shimakaze was still sleeping in her pajamas. Johnston sweat drops, this probably the first time she experienced that she was not the last person to wake. But still, it was already late; Johnston immediately stands up from her futon and began to prepare herself for the day.
While Johnston was preparing herself, the Akatsuki girls apologized at Johnston for what they've did earlier ago, Johnston just forgive them since Hibiki explained it that it was an accident. It seems that the girls were actually cleaning the tent when Akatsuki and Ikazuchi started arguing about who would be the leader of the cleaning duty, the two girls started fighting over a tray and accidentally sprayed the glasses at Johnston. After cleaning the tent, the girls leaved Johnston and Shimakaze behind. Several moments later again, Shimakaze was still asleep even though Johnston had herself fully prepared; Johnston was not amused at Shimakaze but then she decided not to wake up Shimakaze and exits the tent.
The sun was shining brightly above the blue sky of Ominato Guard District though the wind was still a bit chilly. The naval personnel resumed their duty salvaging the destroyed naval base for equipment that might still operational while continue rebuilding some of the structures that were destroyed. The whole place becomes very noisy during the reconstruction, construction materials were already deployed and several construction vehicles such as cement mixers, steamrollers, bulldozers and mobile cranes were already in the area.
Meanwhile the cargo ship from Sasebo that arrived yesterday hasn't leaved the port, probably they were still waiting to load the resources the Expeditionary Fleet will gain from their mission and ship them back to Sasebo together with them.
Johnston was already properly dressed up for the day though she didn't have enough time to eat breakfast so she decided to head to a ration distribution station and had anpan, a bread filled with sweet red bean paste inside, and a carton of orange juice while on her way to the briefing area, which is also a military tent located inside the encampment. She eats her food along the way. Yukikaze, Amatsukaze and Nowaki were already standing at the front of the briefing area when they see Johnston approaching.
"Ah, good morning Johnston-chan!" greeted Yukikaze brightly as always.
Johnston immediately finished her anpan in her mouth and drinks her juice in one big sip before approaching the rest of the girls.
"Hey, Yukikaze, good morning as well!" replied Johnston.
"Good morning, Johnston-san." Nowaki greets with a light smile.
"Good morning to you as well, Nowaki…"
Amatsukaze sighs, "you're tardy again… do you ever planned to fix that bad sleeping habits of yours?" the girls asked while raising her eyebrow at Johnston.
Johnston puts her hands behind her head and stares at Amatsukaze, "well I'm already trying my best to fix it you know, but the cold weather kinda makes you lazy, don't you think?" she replied.
Amatsukaze swings her head away from Johnston showing her cold treatment at the American destroyer as usual, Johnston scratches her head and replied with a shrug, Yukikaze giggles at her friends for being quite lively this morning.
"Okay, let's go inside now."
The four girls enter the briefing tent. The briefing tent wasn't quite spacious compare to the Admiral's office, there's a projector located on a wooden table at the center of the tent, the projector was attached to an old computer unit on a small desk at the front of the tent, then there's a clean white board at the front of the projector with a flip chart near the white board, and there was also a small filing metal filing cabinet inside the tent, probably this is where they keep the mission logs they were able to salvage from the attack yesterday.
The girls see the five girls from Sasebo already inside the tent having their own lively conversation with each other as usual except for Roberts who still remained quiet all the time while eating her takoyaki she bought from the takoyaki stand within the perimeters of the encampment earlier ago. Johnston sees Roberts eating another takoyaki.
"Yo Sammy, I see that you're eating again huh." Johnston greets Roberts but Roberts only responds with her nonchalant eyes staring at Johnston.
"For a little girl, she is surely quite a big eater." Yukikaze whispers.
Then the four Akatsuki-class notices Johnston and greets her again a good morning. Then suddenly, someone hits Johnston with a rolled paper behind her but it wasn't that hard. Johnston quickly turns around and sees Ryuujou with Tenryuu and Abukuma who just entered the briefing tent.
"Ye're late shrimp…" Ryuujou glares at Johnston with her cold eyes.
"Eh… g-good morning Miss Ryuujou, s-sorry if I'm late…" Johnston smiles then she sees both Tenryuu and Abukuma, "ah, good morning Big Sis Tenryuu, Miss Abukuma." Johnston greets the two older girls as well.
"A pleasant morning to you as well, Johnston-chan…" Abukuma smiles gently at the American destroyer.
"Yo Johnston-chan, seems that your injuries already healed up, how'd you been?" Tenryuu asks while being boisterous as always.
"Hah, don't worry about me Big Sis; I'm a very tough destroyer!" Johnston replies while putting her hands on her hips with a haughty smile on her face.
Then while all the girls that would participate in the mission were gathering inside of the briefing tent, the Admiral together with Nachi arrives. The Admiral was properly wearing his uniform for this occasion but he still has several plasters on his face, the destroyer girls immediately align themselves properly and gave their salutes at the Admiral, the Admiral responds to them with a nod then they drop their hands respectively.
"Good morning Admiral, Nachi-san." Abukuma bows down her head and greets her superiors.
The Admiral stops, he puts his hand under his chin and observes the destroyer girls, "my they are all splendid girls indeed, it is truly an honor that we in the Ominato Guard District to cooperate together with these lovely little angels." the Admiral complimented flamboyantly.
But instead of being flattered by the Admiral's compliments, the destroyer girls stared at him like she was trying to flirt with the girls especially Johnston who had her mouth slightly open while she giving an awkward stare at the Admiral.
"Admiral, you're making yourself sounded like a pedophile." said Nachi while maintaining her position behind the admiral.
The admiral chuckles heartily, "... is that so Nachi-san, you must be overly thinking again…you know that it is a gentleman's duty to make these girls feel comfortable especially knowing that they are always deployed at the frontlines." the Admiral gives Nachi a wink.
But it appears that he was doing the opposite, he's making the destroyer girls far more uncomfortable. His charm and smooth talking might work at the older Kanmusus but it seems that it was not very effective to the younger Kanmusus.
"Hmp, just do your job properly." Nachi scowls at the Admiral; the Admiral feels a nasty feeling from Nachi's glare so he immediately behaves himself.
The Admiral clears his throat again, "ahem, okay… anyway, is everyone here?" he asks.
"Yep, the Third Escort Squadron is now complete." Ryuujou reported.
"That's right; the Expeditionary Fleet is also completed as well." Tenryuu reported.
"I see, alright shall we begin the briefing."
The Admiral nods his head at Ryuujou, Ryuujou approaches the wooden table and spread the rolled paper she was carrying, the paper was the whole map of the Sea of Okhotsk. Ryuujou founded this map inside the archive tent that has the books, maps and special documents that were recovered by the salvage team in the destroyed command building. The map contains the whole area of the Sea of Okhotsk including the islands, locations of several military outposts the Japanese Navy installed for the last few months, plus several potential locations of bases of the Shinkaisei-kan.
The Admiral decided to do the briefing the old fashion way since most of his files were destroyed during the attack. The Admiral brings out his black marker and began scribbling on the map, the destroyer girls were curious about the map while they were converging near the table and then the Admiral puts a big circle on an area near the Kuril Islands. Amatsukaze brings out her small notebook again to list the details for their mission.
"Okay girls, this will be your mission, I name it Operation SO since I couldn't able to think of a good name for a while."
"As you could see, this will be the location of your next mission so I want you all to pay attention… the Expeditionary Fleet will be investigating an abandoned semi-submersible ship located near the Kuril Islands, our scouts reported that the structure is located within these coordinates," the Admiral scribbles numbers at the map, "… as always, the rest of you girls from the Expeditionary Fleet will be salvaging resources that you may find in the area."
"By the way, the patrol boats used for expeditions were destroyed during the attack, so I had to borrow a small trawler at the nearby fishing docks for a while, you can use it to carry those resources back to the base."
The destroyer girls from the Expeditionary Fleet answer yes simultaneously. The Admiral nods at them.
"Okay, then about the Third Escort Fleet, your mission is to assist the Expeditionary Fleet for the rest of the entire mission, protect the Expeditionary Fleet against the Shinkaisei-kan at any means necessary, got it?" the Admiral commanded.
The destroyer girls from the Third Escort Squadron also respond yes respectively.
"I would also like to add that several enemy fleets were patrolling near the area of the structure, some of them have larger ship types with them, since most of our larger ships were currently deployed at the frontlines, try to avoid making contact with the stronger enemies, I don't want some of you to get hurt in this mission as much as possible." the Admiral concerned.
"I hope some of you already participated in a combined fleet assignment since as much as possible I want these two fleets to work together to fulfill this mission…" the Admiral looks at both Ryuujou and Tenryuu who were standing side-by-side, "… probably I'll have Ryuujou-san as the overall commander while I'll make Tenryuu-san to take in charge with the investigation, I will be the one to supervised this whole mission."
Ryuujou nods at the Admiral calmly.
"Don't worry Admiral, you can count on me." Tenryuu gives her thumbs-up at the Admiral.
"Alright, are there any questions about the mission so far?" the Admiral asked.
Akatsuki raises her hand, the Admiral looks at her, "um so this means that we are allowed to take all the resources that we can find inside the structure?" she asked.
"Well there's a possibility that the semi-submersible ship shall be reactivated once we were able to capture that area, just don't take much, maybe something enough that you could carry all the way back here." the Admiral answered.
Nowaki raises her hand, "Commander, are the girls from the Third Escort Squadron were allowed to accompany the Expeditionary Fleet inside the structure?"
"Like I said, the two fleets must cooperate with each other to be able to fulfill this mission and the primary duty of the Third Escort Squadron here is to protect the Expeditionary Fleet."
Nowaki nods at the commander.
Then Amatsukaze raises her hand at the Admiral, "Commander, I just want to know if our respective naval bases were already aware about this operation, are they going to monitor us during the mission?"
"I already contacted your respective naval bases about this operation and they decided to let Ominato handles the rest, Sasebo already said that they only want the resources while Yokosuka only wanted the reports of the operation once it was finished."
"I see, thank you for answering my question." Amatsukaze replied politely, the Admiral smiles at the girl.
The Admiral notices that there are no more people trying to raise their hand to ask questions, "Hmm, any more questions before we end this briefing?" he asked once again but nobody raise their hand.
"Okay good, the Third Escort Squadron shall proceed to the harbor for their equipment while I already ordered some of my men to put the riggings of the Expeditionary Fleet into the trawler, you area also free to proceed. The mission will commence at ten hundred hours sharp so make sure to full prepare yourselves as quickly as possible."
Then while the briefing was still ongoing, someone enters the briefing tent. It was Ooi, she had her sling remove but there were still several bandages on her head, she seems that she overheard about the briefing. Abukuma was surprised to see her fellow cruiser inside the tent.
"Admiral, please allow me to accompany them in this mission." Ooi requested.
"But O-Ooi-san, y-you're condition…" Abukuma was concerned at Ooi but Ooi scowls at Abukuma that immediately silenced the timid light cruiser.
"Ooi-san, I don't think you could able to handle the job in that condition, please take some rest for a while." the Admiral replied.
"Don't give me that crap Admiral; I know you're short in personnel here so I want to volunteer myself in this mission." Ooi glares at the Admiral.
"Mind your tongue Ooi; I know that our Admiral can be a little bit distracted on his actions but that doesn't mean that you're allowed to raise your voice on your superiors." Nachi reminded Ooi, Ooi lowers her head.
"I know you're still upset for what happened to Kitakami-san, I am also doing my best to provide enough attention for her recovery… so please just be patient." the Admiral replied with consideration.
Ooi clenches her teeth; it seems that she cannot accept the Admiral's decision for this matter. Johnston stare at Ooi, she remembers the things she witnessed at the hospital yesterday. The little American destroyer suddenly raises her hand at the Admiral.
"Yo captain!"
Johnston announced. Everybody inside the tent look at her, Ryuujou and Amatsukaze scowl at her because of her impulsive way of calling the Admiral's attention, the Admiral looks at the destroyer.
"Well, I wouldn't mind if we bring Miss Ooi along in this mission, we need somebody who's very knowledgeable enough about the area so that we can avoid enemies as much as possible." Johnston suggested.
"J-Johnston-chan, what are you trying to do?" Yukikaze worries while she whispers to her friend.
"I wanted to help Miss Ooi here, that's what I'm doing." Johnston winks.
Ooi raise her head, she somehow feels a little bit of hope inside her heart.
"Hey shrimp, ye knew that we cannot bring an injured Kanmusu in this mission." said Ryuujou.
"I don't know but I can see that Miss Ooi that she's not going to hinder the operation and beside I somehow feel that Miss Ooi here had already enough experience in the Northern Pacific Area, with her in our team, this mission is going to be a snap." Johnston snaps her finger.
The Admiral stares at Johnston; he could see that Johnston is very determined to help Ooi.
"Eh, I see…" the Admiral takes a sigh then he looks back at Ooi, "... alright Ooi-san, I'll let you go but I'll have your weapons remove so that you won't be able to participate in any battles, you are still in a bad shape to fight and I don't want you to get hurt." the Admiral orders.
Ooi looks at the Admiral; warm tears of joy began to flow on her red cheeks. Ooi looks at Johnston, the little destroyer gave her thumbs-up. She never thought that Johnston would help her despite the nasty attitude she shown to her during their first meeting. She doesn't even know what motives Johnston has, she's just very thankful that girl helped her.
"Ah… y-yeah, Admiral…!" Ooi replies with a warm smile.
Then Yukikaze hugs Johnston unexpectedly, she was very happy for Johnston did. Nowaki also approach Johnston and smiles lightly at her fellow destroyers meanwhile Amatsukaze was still being dishonest with herself, she'll smile at Johnston but she'll tries to avert having an eye contact with the American destroyer. Ryuujou shrugs, seems that Johnston has a point and accepted it, she just responds with her own smile. Tenryuu grins; the four Akatsuki-destroyers approach Johnston and gave her a hug that made them fall down to the ground while Roberts stares at Johnston while tilting her head.
Abukuma was happy to be able to see Ooi's warm smile just this once. Everyone shares smile and laughter inside the briefing room, probably except for Roberts. They could somehow feel the warm atmosphere Johnston had created.
"Well seems that we're already finished here," then the Admiral looks at Abukuma, "Abukuma-san."
Abukuma immediately saluted, "yes?!"
"I want your squadron to accompany them till they leave the bay." the Admiral orders.
"Yes." Abukuma nods her head at the Admiral.
Then the Admiral clears his throat again that calls the attention of everybody, "alright, seems that I already told you all the things you need to know, good luck in your mission… everybody dismiss." the Admiral nods at the girls.
All the girls stand firmly and salute at the Admiral. The Admiral leaves the briefing tent together with Nachi then the rest of the girls leave the tent and proceed to their respective destinations.
The admiral was on his way to his office, there aren't any people around during this time since most of them probably at the wreckage site trying to rebuild the buildings of the naval base. The admiral was walking leisurely while Nachi was walking behind him.
"So you decided not to tell the real objective of this operation." said Nachi while they were walking.
"I don't want those girls to feel any pressure about this mission, so I just tell them that I'm just sending them in a regular expedition... Ryuujou-san and Tenryuu-san already agreed with me about this." the Admiral smile leisurely.
"You're just being irresponsible again…" Nachi rubs her forehead with her hand, "I just hope nothing bad will happen." she added.
"Hey Nachi-san, did you notice the loud little girl awhile earlier ago?" the Admiral asks.
Nachi nods, "yes, she surely has some guts to be able to speak something like that." she commented.
"I don't know what connection she has with Ooi-san but that girl was able to make a viable reason to be able to help Ooi-san… she's quite an interesting kid, don't you think?"
"Hmp, you don't plan flirting with that kid, right?"
"Hey I'm not interested with kids, and besides, I already have you, right?" the Admiral looks back and winks at his secretary ship.
Nachi's cheeks turn red, she tries to avert having eye contact with the Admiral, the Admiral was somehow amuse at Nachi's reaction. The Admiral lightly chuckles.
"Oh Nachi-san, you're so easy to tease."
Nachi becomes irritated, she pulls out her harisen again and whacks the Admiral's head. A big lump appears on the Admiral's head after receiving the blow, the Admiral apologizes sincerely and the two of them continue walking back to the office.
Meanwhile back at the encampment, the four girls were walking on their way to the harbor. Though the main harbor was still damaged from the attack, they will just get their riggings inside a warehouse nearby the main harbor and had them equipped for themselves. Then suddenly, Ooi approaches the girls, Johnston smiles at Ooi while Ooi was still a bit hesitant to Johnston.
"Hey, Miss Ooi, great to see ya!" greeted Johnston, cheerful as always.
"… I just wanted to ask, why did you help me back there?" Ooi asked.
"That's right, what are your motives for doing this?" Amatsukaze also asked.
Johnston thinks for a reason, "hmm, well… I don't know…" Johnston shrugs, the rest of the girls were disappointed on her answer, "… but anyway, why should I need a reason to help someone, right?" Johnston grins at Ooi.
"… eh… I see…" Ooi was a bit surprised on Johnston's answer, "… anyway I wanted to apologize for the bad attitude I showed to you during our first meeting."
"It's no big deal; I had it once during the first time I was assigned in a Japanese Naval Base." Johnston replied remembering her first experience back in Yokosuka.
"By the way we haven't introduced ourselves, my name is Johnston." Johnston grins.
"I'm Yukikaze, nice to meet you."
"My name is Amatsukaze; it's a pleasure meeting you."
"Nowaki. Nice to meet you."
After they've introduced themselves, Ooi smiles at the girls.
"But anyway, I think it would be better if we see your friend before we leave." Johnston suggested.
"My friend?" Ooi asks first then as she think about it, it seems that she understand who is she referring to. "… I agree…" Ooi nods at Johnston. Then the girls proceed to the medical tent.
Moments later the girls arrive at the medical tent, they were already near Kitakami who was still in coma. Ooi sits on a chair besides Kitakami's bed she grabs Kitakami's cold unconscious hand with her own warm hands. The girls approach Ooi and stands nearby the girl; they all feel sympathy for Kitakami's condition.
"So this is Miss Kitakami…" said Johnston while staring at the sleeping girl, "… Miss Ooi, what happened to her?" she asks.
"About Kitakami-san… we were at the harbor during the night before the attack... it was the first time that we both have the same day-off. I was from the Scout Team while Kitakami-san was from the Suppression Squad that were always fighting in the frontlines so it was my first time to be together with Kitakami-san. I always admire Kitakami-san because of her experience in the battlefield."
"While we were at the harbor, we were sharing stories with each other about our respective operations, we were laughing how odd our admiral is… she also told me how she showed annoyance to the destroyer not because she hates them but she doesn't want kids to participate in the frontlines, she was truly a great person and I really admire her even more.
"I had a long and nice conversation with Kitakami-san and it was the happiest day of my life."
"Then suddenly, we starting to hear nearby explosions, we see several flashes from a distance, as we turn our back to the naval base, we saw everything… Ominato was burning."
"Without having any hesitation, Kitakami-san immediately rushes to the Naval Base trying to save anyone from the attack, this naval base was really special to her that she's willing to give her life just to protect everyone."
"While we help for the evacuation, Kitakami-san went deeper through the burning buildings calling out for survivors, I tried to convince her to hurry up and leave before the whole place collapse but she was too stubborn."
"Then Kitakami-san found one survivor buried under the debris, she ordered me to help the survivor and I quickly gave her a hand. The two of us able to lift the debris, I carried the survivor to safety while we try to escape from the burning building."
"While on our way outside, we didn't notice the ceiling was about to collapse, Kitakami-san noticed it and quickly pushes the two of us away from the debris, I sprained me arm a little but… but then… Kitakami-san was trapped inside… my body was frozen I didn't know what to do, then while I unsure what I am supposed to do next, Kitakami-san yelled at me from the other side."
"Prioritize the injured, make sure everybody is safe!"
"Those were the last words I heard from Kitakami-san, her words puts me back to my conscious, as much as I wanted to save Kitakami-san, I respected her orders and proceed helping the survivors inside the burning buildings."
"I did my best to rescue the survivors, when I finally made it outside, I met the rescue team. I quickly approached the team and told them that there was still someone inside the burning building; the rescue team immediately went inside the building."
"Then several moments later, the rescue team managed to recover Kitakami-san inside the building but when I approached them, I saw Kitakami-san… her whole body was covered with ashes and blood flows from her forehead, she was unconscious. I tried to wake up Kitakami-san but the personnel pull me away from her, I tried to resist but they've already taken Kitakami-san away." Ooi's voice was a little bit shaky.
"The next thing that I know, Kitakami-san was already in the medical tent… the doctor said that she was on comatose and possibly wouldn't wake up for a long time. The news crushed me utterly, I don't know how to react about it, the Admiral said that he would do anything he could for the sake of Kitakami-san but I know it wasn't enough." Ooi bites her lips while she was talking to the girls.
"I feel sorry for her, Miss Ooi." Johnston lowers her head while she shows sympathy for the girls.
"That is why I promised to myself that I will exterminate every Shinkaisei-kan that I see; I will avenge Kitakami-san for what they have done." Ooi's expression turns from sorrow to rage, "I'm going to wipe those fuckers till the very last of them."
"Ooi-san… y-you shouldn't rush things." Yukikaze worries.
"Yukikaze is right Miss Ooi; you shouldn't rush things, you should stay calm and wait for your recovery." Johnston responds trying to calm down Ooi, the torpedo cruiser responds a sigh.
"But anyway Ooi-san, would you mind telling us the reason why do you want to participate in this mission?" Nowaki asked.
"… seems that the Admiral hasn't told you the real objective of this mission… yesterday while I was eavesdropping at the Admiral's office, the American Kanmusus that arrive here yesterday were the one who provided the mission for the Admiral, they said that they wanted to recover some kind of a device that has the capability to disrupt any types of radar signals. They said that the convoy that was carrying the device got ambushed by the enemy; the Shinkaisei-kan captured the device and utilized it here in Ominato to make a surprise attack."
Johnston ponders, "A device that could disrupt radio frequency signals… wait could it be the Tanami Project?"
"Do you know something about it?" Amatsukaze asked.
"Not really, I thought it was just a weird rumor… I heard it from before that they were developing a device that can able to catch the enemy off guard by disrupting their communications, a research facility was built in the middle of the Tanami Desert in Australia to work on the project, I just didn't imagine that such thing really does exists." Johnston replied.
"Like said, once we have this device… we may finally have the chance to exterminate completely the threat of these monsters and end this godforsaken war." said Ooi while clenching her hands.
"But why would the admiral hide his true motives about this mission." Nowaki asks.
"It was already some sort of a habit from our admiral; he'll hide the fact that he will be sending us on an important operation so we couldn't feel any pressure from it." Ooi replies.
"Is that so, so he was actually a nice person then?" Johnston commented.
"... I think it's rather an act of negligence..." Amatsukaze commented.
Ooi glances at the wall clock inside the medical tent; she notices that it was almost time for the operation.
"Johnston-chan, I think we should be heading now, you don't want to be late for the operation right." Ooi suggested.
"Ah, yes…" Johnston nods.
Ooi stands up from her chair, the girls decided to leave Kitakami and proceed to the harbor but before they leave, Johnston peeks at Kitakami one more time before she leave, the little girl nods her head and gestures a farewell at the sleeping girl.
The trawler they are going to use was already at the main harbor; the trawler was an ordinary small fishing boat which is enough to accommodate probably about fifteen persons. The vessel was powered by a single boiler that requires diesel. There are also several fishnets, fishing rods, and cooling boxes haven't yet removed from the vessel. The whole vessel was coated in light-blue paint.
Everything was already set for this mission; the Expeditionary Fleet has all their equipment stored in the trawler while the girls from the Third Escort Squadron were now properly equipped and resupplied. The Patrol Squadron leaded by Abukuma was already on stand-by to escort the trawler within the bay and Ooi was already onboard the trawler, she had her binoculars and a map for navigations. Everybody was now fully prepared for this mission, the only thing they need is for the Admiral to give the signal to begin the operation.
Moments later, the Admiral arrive at the dock together with Nachi, he gave the signal to the girls. Tenryuu was the one who navigates the trawler, Ikazuchi and Inazuma pulls the anchor while Hibiki and Akatsuki ignite the boiler. The trawler began to leave the port slowly but their speed was increasing, everybody who helps out for the preparation were waving their hands at the port, the Kanmusus also waves back at them. Then a few moments later, the trawler finally leaves port and proceeds through the blue horizon.
The group steams at less than 20 knots within Mutsu Bay, seagulls were flying at the clear blue sky and the cool wind blew from the north. Abukuma's squadron takes the lead; Abukuma was in front while Hatsushimo, Wakaba and Shimakaze together with her Rensouhou-chan familiars stay near the trawler though Shimakaze would steam farther from the trawler if it wasn't for her speed meanwhile the Third Escort Squadron was steaming behind the trawler guarding for any enemy scouts in the area. Their cruise within Mutsu Bay was quite peaceful.
Then moments later they've reach the Tsugaru Strait. Abukuma and her squadron decided to leave the rest of the fleet and proceed guarding the opening that connects the bay from the strait. The Third Escort Squadron takes their place and escorted the trawler to their destination; they surround the trawler in a box formation. Ryuujou takes the lead of the formation while two girls guarding each flank, Johnston and Yukikaze guard the left flank and Amatsukaze and Nowaki guard the right flank.
More than an hour later, the trawler hit speed at less than 25 knots, the group finally passed the Island of Hokkaido and now steaming towards the Sea of Okhotsk. Inazuma scouts the surrounding using binoculars while Tenryuu and Ooi discuss their navigation plans to their destination, Tenryuu let Hibiki handles the steering wheel for a while. Ryuujou launched several scout planes to recon the area for any possible enemy fleet nearby while the rest of the destroyer girls from the escort squadron stay on guard.
Then from a distance the girls spot a group of a whales breaching at the nearby waters while raising their huge tails. The destroyer girls were mesmerized by the graceful movements of the whale and had staring at them for quite a moment.
"Wow, they're beautiful!" Akatsuki exclaims.
"Oh, those were Grey Whales, they were commonly found here in the Sea of Okhotsk, during this season they come here in this area probably since this must be their natural feeding habitat." Ooi explains.
The girls keep on staring at the majestic whales. Whenever the whales will lift their huge tails the Akatsuki-class girls would wave their hands upward at the majestic animals.
Meanwhile Roberts were also staring at the whale but instead to be happy, she somehow found it a bit ominous. Her body was frozen; her mouth was open in a triangular shape while her eyebrows were a bit furrowed.
"… w-whales…"
Roberts spoke in a soft voice, her voice was a bit shaky while staring at the whale. The rest of the girls somehow notice this, this probably the first time the Japanese Kanmusus hear Roberts say something, this surely surprised them.
"Wha… R-Roberts-chan, you talk?!" Yukikaze was surprised; she exclaims with her high pitch voice.
Roberts looks at Yukikaze, she tilts her head at the Japanese destroyer like a doll.
"… Eh, yeah she can talk… and for an unknown reason, she has this weird phobia with whales." Johnston commented while scratching her nape. "Well even top-notch killers can be afraid of something… sometimes." she whispers.
Ikazuchi immediately looks at Roberts, "Roberts-chan, is that true?" she asked.
Roberts turns her head at the girls, she looks at them with her crimson eyes like a timid puppy, which somehow increases her cuteness factor to the exceeding level. The Akatsuki-class girls could clearly see how the whales disturb poor little Roberts; they immediately hug together Roberts and try to comfort the scared little destroyer escort.
"D-Don't worry Roberts-chan, we're going to protect, nano-desu!" Inazuma declares.
"That's right Roberts-chan, we won't let those whale scare you." said Akatsuki.
"Roberts-chan, I'm always here for you so don't be afraid!" said Ikazuchi.
"Ne volnuytes." said Hibiki.
The girls continue hugging little Roberts. Tenryuu somehow notice this while talking staring after scouting at the blue horizon with her binoculars.
"Eh, they were surely lively today." Tenryuu commented.
Meanwhile Johnston crossed her arms while staring at the girls, she sighs roughly. Yukikaze somehow notice Johnston's reaction.
"Hey Johnston-chan, you seems to be quite jealous at them, right?" Yukikaze asks while smiling.
Johnston was surprise, "ah, n-no… and beside, why would I'd be jealous, is not that I want to join them or anything." Johnston tries to avert eye-contact with Yukikaze; her face was a bit flushed.
Yukikaze giggles at her friend's reaction, "Johnston-chan, if you want a hug, you should just ask me." Yukikaze winks at Johnston.
"Like I said I don't need a hug." Johnston answers while crossing her arms at Yukikaze, "… and beside, I've almost seen the afterlife after that last one you gave me…" Johnston whispers.
"Huh, did you say something?" Yukikaze tilts her head at Johnston.
"Ah, n-no nothing." replied Johnston. Yukikaze giggles at her friend again.
The girls continue steaming towards their destination. While on their way, they stumble upon with several small groups of enemy destroyers. The Escort Squadron easily able to eliminate these threats with their skillful movements and strong fire power. Ryuujou also launched her Type 3 Spotters and dropped depth charges on several areas, she was able to destroyed several submarines who were stalking their positions. The girls suffered some few bruises during the battle but so far none of them were seriously injured, they would return to the trawler to resupply some of the ammunition they used during the engagement.
Then they encountered another enemy fleet composed of destroyers but they quickly eradicated the Shinkaisei-kan as quickly as possible. Johnston delivers the final blow to an I-class destroyer with her combat knife; she sliced the monster wide open until it landed on the waters and began to sink.
"That's another kill… this probably my fifth one," then she looks back at the rest of her squad mates, "so, how was it?" she asks the girls.
"You're really amazing Johnston-chan." Yukikaze cheered amusingly.
"Heh… I could have also done it." said Nowaki.
"Hmp, you wouldn't have that enough kill if you weren't stealing some from mine." Amatsukaze complains.
Among the destroyer girls from the squadron, Johnston leads with five kills, both Nowaki and Yukikaze had three while Amatsukaze stuck with two. Johnston had the most kills since she fights the enemies at closer range rather than the Japanese destroyers who tried to distance themselves while blasting the enemies. Meanwhile Amatsukaze was rather slow that is why Johnston was able to eliminate the enemy before her shot would able to land.
"Hey, it's not my fault if I'm the one who was able to finish off most of the enemies… you should also work on your shooting for you to catch up." Johnston replied.
Amatsukaze clenches her teeth at Johnston showing her annoyance, Johnston just responds with a shrug while having a haughty smile that teases Amatsukaze. Then the girls receive transmission from Ryuujou who was scouting at the other side.
"Hey all of ye, return to yer respective positions at once, got it."
The girls answered yes on the radio respectively and return to their positions.
Then after half an hour, the girls finally able to reach the abandoned semi-submersible ship several nautical miles away from the Kuril Islands. The structure was large and very old. Before it was abandoned, it was used as an oil platform to transfer gas beneath the waters and loaded it to the cargo ships but because of the attack of the Shinkaisei-kan that happened many years from now, they decided to abandon the structure.
The platform was supported by four concrete pillars which about fifty meters high. Several biological fouling organisms covered the submerged metallic beams and the concrete pillars of the structure. The old crane dangles above them. The smokestacks and several concrete structures were already decaying. The whole structure also reeks on seawater. Base on the condition of the structure, it'll probably take years for them to reconstruct this place for reactivation.
Tenryuu maneuvers the trawler around trying to find a way to enter the structure, able to find a small port that was used by the previous ships that visited the structure. The trawler enters the dock, Inazuma and Ikazuchi immediately drops the anchor. At the port, there were two doors from the concrete pillars which probably connecting the port from the platform above. Ryuujou calls all the girls and had them properly align in the harbor.
"Alright, listen up… we'll be splitin' the work here, the Akatsuki and Hibiki will be accompanied by Amatsukaze and myself to take the left door while Tenryuu and Roberts will be accompanied by the shrimp and Yukikaze here will take the right, Nowaki, Inazuma, Ikazuchi and Ooi will stay here and try to guard the place in case of enemy attack."
"Once we manage to load up some resources we can carry, we're immediately headin' back to Ominato, any more questions?" Ryuujou asks.
It seems that no one objects the Ryuujou's, the light carrier nods at the girls, "alright since you don't have any more questions, let's proceed with our mission."
As Ryuujou had planned, the group was separated into three parties; two parties will enter the structure while the other one will stay behind and guard the ship. She decided that each group shall be accompanied by one older Kanmusu, Ryuujou isn't much of a fighter in narrow spaces but she still decided to accompany the two girls from the Akatsuki-class just to make sure they will be safe. Ryuujou handed her scroll to Nowaki for safe keeping before entering the structure.
Tenryuu was the one assigned to carry out the real objective of their mission, she was to recover the device inside the structure, she equipped the Search Radar she received from the American to locate the device inside the structure. Ryuujou also let Tenryuu have the two American Kanmusus in her team, but she still aware that these two do not have any idea about the true objective of their mission.
Meanwhile Nowaki, Inazuma and Ikazuchi stayed behind to guard the ship together with Ooi; the Nowaki scouts the surrounding for any possible enemies nearby while the two girls maintain the ship. The search parties decided to leave take off their equipment behind since they wouldn't be able to use it inside the structure and it might just hinder their movements. Tenryuu, Johnston and Roberts had their melee weapons with them while Ryuujou carries a classic Nambu Type-14 pistol inside a holster around her waist.
Now that everything is already set, the two search parties enter the structure. They enter their respective door assignments.
Ryuujou's team decided to proceed above the ship to find some resources inside the structure. The place was very dark; the hallways were covered by pipelines while seawater flows on the floor. Ryuujou holds a flashlight to find their way within the darkness. Akatsuki was rather scared by the ominous feeling inside the structure; she would cling to Hibiki while they continue proceeding inside meanwhile Amatsukaze was beside Ryuujou scanning the surrounding carefully.
"… a, a lady s-shouldn't be scared in a-a place like this…" Akatsuki's voice was a little bit shaky.
Hibiki also scans the surrounding around her, she seems isn't affected by the place.
"Okay, I've decided that we go on the platform and search for the power room, I also bet we can find the storage area where they keep the resources hidden." Ryuujou suggested.
"But how are we able to lower the resources if we were from above?" Amatsukaze asked. She seems to be playing along so that the two younger girls won't notice though Hibiki is being a bit suspicious since they arrived in this place.
"Don't cha worry about it, we just need to find the power room and reactivate it, once the power is rest we can use the crane to lower the resources we can find back to the trawler below and have the girls back in the trawler gather it for us." Ryuujou replied.
Amatsukaze was a bit fascinated about Ryuujou's plan.
"But like I've said, we should go and look for the power room, probably it's located above."
The girls nod their heads at Ryuujou then the group proceeds searching for a way to get above the platform.
Meanwhile at Tenryuu's team, the group already proceeds deeper to the structure. Tenryuu was holding the flashlight, Roberts walks besides her while Johnston and Yukikaze walks from behind. Johnston puts her hands behind her head, the little American destroyer doesn't even bothered about the ominous feeling surrounding her, meanwhile Yukikaze proceeds with cautious as she scans her surrounding with her brown eyes, Roberts still maintain her cold demeanor.
"Okay, you girls look for the resources… I will go check something else inside." Tenryuu announced.
Johnston and Yukikaze gazes flatly at Tenryuu.
"Big Sis Tenryuu… there's no need to hide the true objective of this mission from us." said Johnston.
"Huh, wait don't tell me that you finally knew about it?!" Tenryuu asked.
Johnston and Yukikaze nod simultaneously.
Tenryuu shrugs roughly, "… and here I thought that we may just hide about it till the end of the mission…" she rubs her temples, "anyway… how did you knew about this?"
"Ooi-san told us about it, she said that it was the reason why she wanted to participate in this mission." Yukikaze answers.
"And besides, they said that the device can be detected by American Radar so I'm already aware that there's something inside here that is worth looking for, am I right?" Johnston smiles at Tenryuu.
"I see… seem that I have no choice but to bring you three." Tenryuu shrugs at them, the group continue proceeding deeper to the structure while looking for the device.
Tenryuu's party continues wandering around the structure. Moments later, they arrive in a dark narrow hallway with several pipes attached to the walls with seawater overflows from the ceilings while the floor was entirely flooded. According to her search radar, the device they were looking for is probably nearby, they just need to keep searching. The party arrives at the edge of the hallway and discovers a ladder leading upward.
"It seems that we have to go up." Tenryuu suggested.
"Yeah probably so…" said Johnston.
The girls take the ladder and proceed upward. After a few minutes of climbing they arrive inside another hallway but this time the walls and the ceilings were made from concrete and more spacious compare to the earlier, but like the other one, there isn't a single pitch of light can be seen inside this place, the group must still rely on their flashlight to find their way.
"Johnston-chan… it is surely creepy in here." Yukikaze worries.
"Nah this isn't so bad… I was sent on a mission to investigate an old ship wreck before; they have many dead bodies inside…" Johnston shares her experience casually, "... but I never thought that a human skeleton would be so white." she thinks.
"Y-you're just making it worse Johnston-chan, and why are you so casual about it?" Yukikaze complains at Johnston with her high-pitch voice, Johnston covers her ears again.
"Eh-heh, I'm just joking Yukikaze… you know, just to decrease the tension." Johnston grins.
Yukikaze pouts at Johnston, "Mou, you're not helping." she sulks grumpily.
Then suddenly the girls hear an ambiguous crashing sound nearby, Tenryuu was alerted while both Johnston and Yukikaze were terrified by the ambiguous sound, they scream and hug each other. Tenryuu immediately points her flashlight at the source of the sound; she discovered that the crash was made by a huge pipe falls down at the floor because of the overflowing water, her palm was a bit shaky. Tenryuu sighs roughly, for a moment she thought that they have spotted an enemy inside the structure.
Johnston and Yukikaze look at each before they realize that the two girls were hugging each other. Johnston quickly let go off Yukikaze, her cheeks slightly turn red, and it seems that Johnston was embarrassed. Even though Johnston is a bit boyish when she acts, she still has some little feminine traits with her though she becomes a bit embarrassed when someone notices it.
"This probably the first time I've heard you scream, Johnston-chan." said Yukikaze while smiling.
"Ah… p-please forget that." Johnston replied timidly.
Meanwhile Roberts stares at Johnston with her nonchalant eyes, Johnston was quite annoyed at the reaction of her former teammate. Tenryuu looks at the girls.
"Hey, let's hurry up so we can leave this dump." Tenryuu suggested.
Then Tenryuu's group continues.
Meanwhile back at Ryuujou's party, it seems that they finally manage to get out from the narrow hallways. They were also walking at the concrete hallways but unlike the other places the foul smell was stronger in this hallway. Ryuujou tied around a handkerchief on her face to resist the foul smell, Amatsukaze also puts her handkerchief on her noise while the Akatsuki and Hibiki uses their neckerchief to cover their noses.
"Men, this place surely reeks…" Ryuujou commented as they continue walking through this hallway.
"I really hate this place!" Akatsuki complains.
Then suddenly, Ryuujou hears splashing sounds coming nearby them, she quickly turns around the destroyer girls, she puts her finger on her mouth and gestures them to be quiet, she also gestures that they should stay. The destroyer girls immediately understand her message and decided not to make any unnecessary sounds. Ryuujou tries to approach the source of the sound but suddenly she hears another ripple behind, she looks at the girls and sees Akatsuki stepped on a puddle nearby, Ryuujou gestures again that the rest should stay at their position for a while which the destroyer girls also immediately acknowledge.
Ryuujou decided to switch off her flashlight and tries to approach the source of the sound. As she came closer she could feel that her feet were slowly submerging into the waters. Ryuujou decided to turn on her flashlight again then she sees countless of dead fishes floating beneath her feet, this must be where the bad smell was coming from. Ryuujou quickly retreated since she cannot stand the smell; she meets up with the rest of the destroyer girls.
"Ryuujou-san, so what was it?" Amatsukaze asks.
"Just several dead fishes floatin' around… our way is block, guess we have to find another way around." Ryuujou suggested, the girls respond with a nod.
Ryuujou scans the whole area with her flashlight then she sees a door nearby their positions. Ryuujou immediately approaches the door, she tries turning the doorknob but it seems that it was locked. The light carrier examines the door carefully; she could see that the screws from the door were already rusty. Ryuujou steps backward and delivers a powerful kick at the door; her kick broke the screws and slams the door to the floor. Akatsuki and Hibiki somehow impressed by Ryuujou's action.
"Now there ye have it." Ryuujou wipes her sweat with her hand while having a haughty smile.
"That was great Ryuujou-san!" Akatsuki cheered.
"Da, truly khorosho…" Hibiki smiles lightly at Ryuujou.
"Ha-ha, Ryuujou-sama is very cool right?" Ryuujou chuckles haughtily.
"Um… Ryuujou-san, I think we should proceed now…" Amatsukaze suggested.
"Ah, y-yeah… sorry about that…" Ryuujou apologizes.
Ryuujou's group proceeds to the open door. While they were entering to the next area, Amatsukaze notice an ambiguous red light from the other side of the hallway where the dead fishes afloat. Amatsukaze turns her head frantically and suddenly the red light disappears, Amatsukaze takes a deep sigh and tries to calms herself but it seems the rest of the girls notice Amatsukaze's reaction.
"Hey Amatsukaze, did you see something?" Ryuujou asks.
"Um… must be my imagination, let's proceed immediately." Amatsukaze suggested.
Then the girls take the door leading to another area.
Meanwhile back at Tenryuu's party, it seems that they haven't made any progress. The group arrived in a spacious room filled with seawater; they could hear water streaming from above. Tenryuu scans the surrounding with her flashlight; she can only see several concrete pillars in the area while her feet were submerged beneath the water. Seems that the devices they were looking for was not in this place.
"… Hey Johnston-chan… you're from America right, do you know something about this device?" Tenryuu asks while they were walking.
"Um not much, I believe that thing was just a rumor since it was kept secret from us, our country surely loves keeping secrets from the public…" Johnston explains, "… a friend of mine once told me that our government was keeping aliens from outer space in the mainland, though I doubt such things exist." she added.
"Eh… I don't even need to learn about that, just asking about the device." Tenryuu sighs.
Johnston looks at Roberts who's walking behind them, "what about you Sammy, do you know something about it?"
Roberts didn't answer, she just ignores Johnston.
"Okay I think we should stop talking and finish our job quickly, my feet are already soaking wet." Tenryuu suggested continue proceeding deeper in the structure.
Several minutes later, Tenryuu's group found a staircase that leads them to the next level. The group arrives in another hallway, this time the cold wind from the outside echoes within this place, there were several pipes again on the walls and light from the outside passes through several holes that barely lightens the room. The signal from Tenryuu's search radar is getting stronger; it appears that they are already getting near to the device.
"Achoo~"
Johnston sneezes because of the cold wind; the other girls weren't affected by the cold since they were wearing long-sleeves unlike Johnston who wears her regular short-sleeves uniform with her midriff barely exposed.
"Men, it is surely freezing in here…" Johnston trembles from the cold while she rubs her hands on her arms to keep herself warm.
Tenryuu notice that Johnston was freezing from the weather, she removes her cardigan and tosses it to Johnston; Johnston immediately catches Tenryuu's cardigan.
"You can borrow it for a while; I just don't want some of my teammates to catch cold." Tenryuu replies.
Johnston smiles at Tenryuu, "ah… y-yeah, thanks Big Sis!" Johnston exclaims at Tenryuu then she quickly wears Tenryuu's cardigan, though the cardigan was a little big and the sleeves were quite long, it's enough for Johnston to keep herself warm.
"What about you Big Sis?" Johnston worries.
"Hah, you shouldn't worry about me, not a little cold can slows me down…" Tenryuu boasts then she suddenly sneezes at the girls, Yukikaze and Johnston looks at her, Tenryuu smiles at them while averting having an eye contact with the girls, "…eh, something just caught in my nose, like I said, I'm perfectly fine."
The two girls sigh at Tenryuu simultaneously.
"Alright, let's keep moving."
Then several moments later, the hallway leads the group to another area. The group arrives in a very spacious area. The room was an old depot area and they are certainly closed to the surface of the platform. The walls and the floor were made from metal while the ceiling was open that they can able to see the tall crane and the blue sky above them. There were several electronic objects and old junks that are scattered around on the floor while they could clearly hear drops of water coming above the ceiling. Tenryuu received a very strong signal in this place, it seems that they have finally found the location of the device; they just need to search for it carefully.
"Alright, this must be the place where they keep that thing; every one of you spread out and began searching for the device."
The rest of the girls acknowledge and be gan their search. Johnston and Yukikaze decided to search together, Tenryuu was far from them searching from the other area, Roberts also decided to help out and search for the device. Even though piles of useless junks and other mechanical objects were scattered around the place, the search wouldn't be very hard since the ceiling was open and providing light for them and Tenryuu and the two American Kanmusus relies on their respective radars to search for the device.
Johnston and Yukikaze were at the piles of mechanical objects and old junks, the two girls search for the devices carefully and separately, they properly segregate the objects that obstructing them for their search. Johnston stares at the each object she grabs and carefully analyses it if this may be the object they were looking for using her radar.
"Johnston-chan, do you have any idea about the appearance of the device we are looking for?" Yukikaze asks while she continues her own search.
"I don't know, but they say it reacts on American Radar so I'll just have to properly scan it with my eyes to find it." Johnston answers.
"I see… I will still try my best to look for it." Yukikaze declares and continue searching.
Moments later, Yukikaze found a strange silver attaché case buried beneath the huge pile of junks she is searching from. The attaché case somehow intrigued Yukikaze's interest; the little destroyer grabs the case without having any hesitation. She examines the case carefully and notices the emblem of the United States Navy.
"Ah, Johnston-chan, look what I found?!" Yukikaze hollers joyfully.
Johnston was still very busy scanning every device she could found; "not now Yukikaze, I'm very busy."
"Hey Johnston-chan, looks at this quick!"
"Not now Yukikaze," Johnston resumes searching, "the signal is getting strong, it has to be near." she whispers to herself.
"Johnston-chan… hey, Johnston-chan… hey…!"
Yukikaze continues to attract Johnston's attention. The American destroyer sighs roughly; it seems that Johnston was slightly bothered by her friend.
"Look Yukikaze, if you're going to bother me on pointless stuff this isn't the time."
Yukikaze bloats her cheeks at Johnston, and moments later she made a big inhale.
"HEY JOHNSTON-CHAN, I HAVE SOMETHING TO SHOW YOU!"
Yukikaze shouts in her very loud pitch voice that made Johnston flinch. Johnston was completely stunned and decided to stop her search for a while to give Yukikaze some attention.
"Eh, Yukikaze...?"
"I already found the device we are looking for, here it is."
Yukikaze shows the attaché case she found and the nearby pile of junks. Johnston carefully analyses the object; it seems that the signal was coming from the case. Johnston smiles at Yukikaze, it seems to be that the team manage to locate what they have been searching inside the structure.
"Wow, Yukikaze… how did you find it, you're not even equipped with an American Radar, right?" Johnston asked.
"Fuu, the goddess of luck is always at my side." Yukikaze boasts at Johnston.
"I think you should be the one to hold this thing Johnston-chan since it's probably for the best." Yukikaze suggested and hands the attaché case to Johnston.
"Ah, thanks…" Johnston gladly accepts it.
Then suddenly Yukikaze notice that there's someone standing beside Johnston, the person was short but a few inch taller than Johnston and wearing a long black hooded cape and a black mask that hides the person's identity.
"Um, Johnston-chan... who's that person?" Yukikaze asks.
"Huh…?"
Johnston turns around her head and sees the person next to her; the person suddenly points a M1911 handgun at her head. Johnston was surprise, her body is totally pinned on her position while the handgun is pointed at her head. She realized that this must be the end of her. Her chocolate pupils shrunk, her heart beats faster, and her sweats flow from every sweat glands of her body. Yukikaze shouts at Johnston but she couldn't hear her friend's voice because of the fear and anxiety she feels. Then all of a sudden…
BANG!
A gunshot resonates in the whole area that had everyone alerted. Johnston becomes deaf for a moment after hearing the gunshot very closed, Johnston notices that Yukikaze was besides her, her friend seems to be telling something but she couldn't hear. Johnston looks at her hand, it seems that the attaché case was still with her. Then she turns her head and sees Roberts standing next to her, gripping tightly on her machete while the mysterious person seems to have distanced from Roberts to avoid the destroyer escort's blade. Johnston slowly starting to regain her sense of hearing.
"… Johnston-chan, Johnston-chan… hey, are you alright Johnston-chan?"
Yukikaze shakes Johnston, and calls her friend. Johnston puts her hand on her head; she received a severe headache from the gunshot's noise. Yukikaze continue to look at Johnston with her worried eyes.
"Ugh, Y-Yukikaze… w-what happened?"
The person points the handgun at Roberts, but Roberts nimble feet allows her to dodge the incoming bullet. Roberts approach the person and swings her blade but the person blocks the blade using the handgun. It appears that the M1911 handgun was also made from a special type of metal to be able withstand Roberts's blade. The clash between their weapons caused a loud spark; the person quickly jumps backward away from Roberts.
The girls were able to have a clear view of the mysterious person, aside from the long black cape and the mask the person wears. They could clearly see that this person is a woman base on her silhouette; she wears a black skirt, tall black combat boots and a pair of black fingerless gloves under her cape, she also wearing goggles which cover her eyes. They can feel an ominous presence coming from this girl; they knew that this person is not an ordinary human since she was able to fight head-to-head against a Kanmusu.
"Johnston, I'm going to deal with her, you take the case and escape."
Roberts suggested in a serious tone. She stares at the person with her crimson hostile eyes. Johnston stares at her former teammate. Then Johnston remembers the conversation she has with Roberts before arriving in Ominato. There is one possibility that will make Roberts acts something like this.
'She must be... Sammy's target.'
Author's Notes:
Chapter 9 is here, and before that I would like to congratulate Akatsuki for getting her Kai Ni, she looks very lovely, like an elephant... eh, elegant lady. Anyway about the recent chapter, it's about the first part of Operation SO (SO stands for Sea of Okhotsk, the setting of the operation). I also made a little background story about Ooi and Kitakami. Anyway I hope you enjoy this chapter, like always reviews, suggestions, and corrections are highly appreciated. Thank you for all of your support for this fanfic.