"I'd have thought that because you are Japanese you do not drink normal black tea.", said Gangut, her accent exaggerating her words.
"While it is true that us Japanese traditionally drink green tea, I, Kongou, was born in the United Kingdom! So it would be reasonable to enjoy the tea said country loves.", proclaimed the battleship, lifting her cup to her hands for another sip.
"My little cousin here was truly the odd one out in the entire fleet of British. But we had numerous cases as such and regardless we still loved and respected her, albeit teasingly.", said Warspite whilst stifling a giggle.
"I am older than you, you know...", chocked Kongou.
"One tends to forget such trivial matters, dear.", replied Warspite, her hand placed on the side of her head. Age being a rather unnecessary matter considering that all three of the gathered woman were over a century in age.
The three battleships were currently in the Mess Hall on the newly constructed second floor, which had multiple secluded seating areas not too dissimilar to Westernized tea rooms. Seated together in one such tea room, the trio enjoyed their maroon coloured black tea, accompanied by muffins, scones as well as biscuits to go with their hot beverage.
Gangut, who usually were to her own devices when not talking, took a teaspoon of jam and placed it on her tongue before quickly sipping her tea. This was quickly noticed by the two woman across her.
"My, what is that odd way of enjoying tea?", inquired Warspite.
"Jam should go on bread, Gangut-san.", informed Kongou.
"I'm not really sure. My crew, specifically my captain, would do it whenever he drank tea.", replied the Russian woman. "So maybe I was just subconsciously imitating his, their, actions."
"I heard about this from Akashi.", recalled Warspite. "Although generally it would be very difficult for us to assume human form in any capacity, to cope somewhat we subconsciously copy the actions of our crews in the multitude of memories we have of them."
"That's amazing. Who would've thought our minds were so able.", said Kongou.
"It's what being human is. We are extremely intelligent and besides, it was humans who built ships as fine as us anyway.", explained Gangut.
"Although their frightening ingenuity has led to such creations as the Yamato sisters.", said Kongou.
"And masterpieces like little George and Vanguard.", added Warspite.
"Speak for yourself. There hasn't been another more powerful Soviet warship after me!", boasted Gangut with a grin, before laughing wildly.
"My, that is true, but it's only because the industry couldn't build another battleship.", stated Warspite, to which Gangut went silent.
"Yes. Those bloody Duma су́кa couldn't sort out the industry enough to give me another few cousins. But anyway, the Union wasn't a naval power in either war anyway, I admit.", she said.
"But you and Tashkent-chan are fierce warships nonetheless.", admitted Kongou.
"And I, or rather the entire base, can only imagine what a fleet of Russian ship girls could do to those Abyssals.", said Warspite.
"Thank you both.", said Gangut in deliberate English.
"But that reminds me, Warspite.", said Kongou to which said warship paid attention. "When you mentioned masterpieces earlier, how come you didn't mention her?"
"Her?", said Gangut, perplexed as she didn't in particular know many British battleships.
"Well, I do not mean to sully her renowned reputation but I was part of the new generation of her successors.", stated Warspite.
"Like I said! Who is 'her'?", blurted out Gangut, seemingly fed up with how the two women were conversing without her.
"Of course, we're talking about the first original battleship.", smiled Kongou warmly.
"The progenitor of capital ships. His Majesty's Ship Dreadnought.", said Warspite, emphasizing the warship's name to who virtually every modern battleship and by extension most warships in general owed their design to. An expression of understanding and realization appeared on the Russian woman's face, along with her mouth shaped into a silent 'oh'.
"Believe it or not Gangut, but many of the newer battleships actually look up to us. Reason being just because none of them had actually seen Dreadnought, and they all practically envy her to no end, plus they seem to see a bit of her in us. They imagine, we look like her. Similarly at least.", said Warspite, her tone so soft and caring Gangut wondered if she was one of those envious women.
"It's how it is for us, being dreadnoughts and all, we owe our very class to her. Although I was originally a Battlecruiser.", added Kongou, with more pride than one should feel about her class given it's combat record.
"But despite our steel and steam origins, now that we have become flesh and blood I believe we should also honor those who have built us.", said Warspite.
"Jacky-san?", joked Kongou, to which Warspite laughed and Gangut remained ever oblivious to.
"Admiral of the Fleet Sir John Fisher.", clarified the British woman to her Russian counterpart. "First Sea Lord of the Board of the Admiralty."
"He was basically the overall head of the navy in all matters, particular designing warships. Dreadnought and Invincible, the first Battlecruiser, were more or less his brainchildren." clipped Kongou.
"But now that we're finally together, I've wanted to tell you something rather concerning regarding Fisher.", said Warspite, to whom both women paid attention. "The Admiral, had become First Sea Lord in 1904 but resigned some time afterwards. However, he would reassume office in 1915 and oversaw the development of new warships, particular battlecruisers like you once were Kongou."
"Although with massive modifications I became a Fast Battleship, so it feels a bit like I've betrayed my original origins.", said Kongou sheepishly.
"Not at all. We need Fast Battleships for getting at those Abyssals quicker than us old dreadnoughts ever could.", complimented Gangut, patting the Japanese woman on her shoulder.
"Nonetheless, continuing from earlier, Fisher took the battlecruiser concept to it's logical extreme and a design so obscure that only a handful of officers and some flagships know more than a sentence of it's proposal.", the two women inched closer, as they knew it's an extremely rare occasion for little to be known about a thousand ton marine weapon. "She was to be a true mammoth, bigger and faster than Yamato and despite her lack of armour for her size, had incredible 20 inch guns."
"What was her name?", asked Gangut wide eyed.
"His Majesty's Ship, Incomparable. She would've truly lived up to that name I believe.", stated Warspite so quietly as if she feared anyone would overhear the conversation about a never-completed warship. Such talk was frowned upon by the ship girls, as it was their relative equivalent of telling ghost stories. Yes, even the most fearsome reputations on base would pale in comparison to the very thought of paper warships.
"Although it's not really a good thing, but because of the incident which gave us Montana, do you think we might be able to summon even such dreaded warships?", said Kongou, bordering on taboo.
"The gateway has been anything but predictable, Kongou. But, even though Montana wasn't directly summoned from it one could tell it must've been it's forces at play in that incident.", said Gangut.
"To be honest, if we could summon those fearsome warships it would play heavily in our favour. However, it is too unbelievable a belief, as Gangut already said. The gateway is just too vast a pit of unknowledge and understanding it would be nothing short of impossible.", stated Warspite.
"That is the undeniable truth.", stated Nagato, her voice practically a boom as her presence shocked all three seated women, reputation be damned.
"Nagato-san! Did you here everything we said?", asked Kongou nervously. Apparently her hyperactivity paled in the face of Nagato's intimidating authority, regardless of age as that tended to have varying effects on various ship girls.
"All I'm going to say is that Mutsu and I speak about similar things. But, that aside, Warspite-san and Gangut-san, I'm here to collect the two of you for a mission set out by the Admiral.", said Nagato.
"Excuse me for asking, but before we embark would you like to join us for a cup of tea or two?", asked Warspite, the unexpectedness of the offer clearly caught the Japanese woman off guard as she fake cleared her throat, cracking a bit at her usual serious persona.
"Thank you. Well, it's been a while and Mutsu's not here, but I'll take you up on the offer.", said Nagato, knowing full well that it was practically impossible to refuse Warspite's tea offer without immeasurable guilt, as many ship girls exaggerated the British woman's love for tea.
Nonetheless, Nagato scooped up a chair from the opposite table and seated herself beside Gangut. The Russian woman passed the battleship a saucer containing a few slices of fruit cake - a favourite around the base. Before pouring anything for Nagato, however, Warspite simply asked in her warmest smile, "How much sugar would you like with your tea?"
Not too long after, Gangut and Warspite were sailing in the Pacific as part of the mission handed to them a few hours earlier by the Admiral. Their location was just West of the Japanese coastline, close enough to the North for the chill breeze of the Arctic to sweep across their rigging, although they could withstand varying temperatures much better than most people.
The fleet was small, besides the two battleships three other ship girls joined the fleet and sailed in Diamond formation. At the head of the formation was the fearless Jervis with the carrier Ark Royal and Russian Tashkent following in line. The two battleships took the right and left flank each.
Immediately the water became choppy, and although it was a dull blue earlier, it immediately became dark grey with only the white froth breaking the ominous colour. Snowfall, light enough to only be minute white particles, drifted lazily to the sea from the black clouds ahead. If the sudden change in weather conditions wasn't a dead giveaway at their presence, then Warspite's radar immediately indicated hostile contacts.
"Abyssal warships 10 degrees to starboard bearing 50,000 meters. Three enemy warships designated. Engagement forthcoming.", clipped Warspite as the fleet now locked eyes on her indicated position. Ark Royal on the other hand didn't, as her head was on a swivel to search out the skies for any Abyssal aviation. The fleet now split up and sped up, Warspite and Gangut heading straight for the Abyssals with the rest pealing off and gaining distance from the targets at high speed.
"Targets are in range!", alerted Warspite, as Gangut took the lead and the two battleships formed a battle line parallel to the Abyssals.
"Speed is 20 knots. Range is now 23 kilometers. Maximum elevation.", chanted Gangut, as she did not possess as advanced radar as Warspite she took to calculating range and forming a firing solution mentally. "Cтреля́ть!"
Gangut's twelve 12 inch guns opened up one turret at a time, sheets of fire engulfed in black smoke belched from their barrels. This was followed by Warspite's 15 inch rifles that fired simultaneously which had a concussive hollow boom to them. In that moment, Warspite recalled her earlier mission orders
"We've received information from the US government, particularly these photographs taken from a satellite stationed over the north Pacific."
"These are Abyssals. But... I don't recognize them."
"Yes, we've ran the photographs through multiple intelligence sources and none can be matched. It's been confirmed, therefore that this is a new species of Abyssal warship."
"What type are they?"
"Via reconnaissance aircraft tracking we've confirmed they are battleships, but another alarming factor sprang up."
"And that is?"
"They're fast. Able to keep pace with Abyssal destroyers."
"Fast battleships? My, my, my, it seems our enemies have really outdone themselves."
"They've been designated as Ta-class and the massive concentration in the photograph is thought to be a homogeneous group of various fleets. We found this out when it split into multiple smaller formations and thus we lost track of some of them. However, two of such warships sprang up in a small fleet on the northern trade routes."
"That is truly concerning. The northern trade routes have very little Abyssal activity, so to position heavy units there would be disastrous."
"Yes, those ships have no protection whatsoever, and not to mention it's the most used route from the North Americas to East Asia and vice versa."
"A wolf among sheep. They're commerce raiding!"
"That is why you and Gangut have been assigned to intercept them. Virtually all of the fast battleships are in repair, rest or cannot be deployed due to resource constraints. And it is Dreadnought week after all."
"That is not a concern at all, admiral. We can defeat them."
"I expected as much. And Ark Royal, Taskent and Jervis are to join you two. Although speed has dictated naval battles for quite some time..."
"...It is aircraft carriers that orchestrate them."
"Exactly. In the battle, Ark Royal will provide distant covering sorties to negate the enemy's speed advantage. And with such a small fleet you can expect no interception from other Abyssal forces. You're the flagship"
"Roger, admiral."
"This is an unofficial fleet so we'll need a fleet name for radio communication. What do you suggest, Warspite?"
"Let's see... How about, Queen's Ladies?"
The shells of Gangut landed close enough to the Abyssals to shower them in sea splash, whilst those of Warspite had an early success by hitting one Ta squarely, knocking out a gun turret. The three contacts were two Ta's and one Ne-class cruiser. And Warspite had to give credit to the advances humanity had made in technology, as she laid eyes on the stricken Ta.
Just like in the photograph - much to her surprise was coloured - the Abyssal woman was white overall. Her pale skin matched with white clothing which was black in some areas and scant in all but the most important ones. The only Abyssal part of her it seemed, was the black armoring, the malicious looking gun mounts which looked like they were hewn from the skulls of Abyssal destroyers, and the light green eyes which seem to leak their own light.
But there was no time to admire any pleasantries, as for the Abyssals any day was a good day to kill and their shells landed far enough from the ship girls to not alarm them. Sailing now parallel to each other, the two forces slugged it out relentlessly in a centuries old tactic used since the advent of naval cannon: the battle line. With this, all guns could be fired in a broadside, but doing so exposed a warship's side considerably. Unfortunately, the dreadnoughts of the ship girl fleet preferred this tactic overall as it was tradition.
Despite the deadly nature of the battle, and the enemy fire landing close enough now to send splinters around her, Gangut recalled a loud voice in her head. It was a song, a battle chant her crew had used to uplift themselves in dire stages to showcase themselves fearless men, and oftentimes to tell how many of the crew was still alive. Her fairies couldn't do that, but it was too unique a memory to replicate anyway. And that chanting made her feel powerful, so she suddenly erupted with it too.
Over the sounds of gunfire, explosions and splashes a low, moaning howl thick with Russian accent met Warspite's ears, and she quickly figured out what her comrade was doing. The Soviet was singing wordlessly, humming loudly, and her shells hit the previously unscathed Ta. And from the dark and gloomy clouds aircraft swooped in, shocking the Abyssals into the defensive.
Although Fairey Swordfishes were a favourite of Ark Royal she opted to use the never before seen Blackburn Skuas instead, and added in a dozen Supermarine Seafires to dive low and strafe the enemy. With the fighters disrupting the Abyssals' attempt at AA fire, the obsolescent bombers could get high enough and fly slow enough to ultimately dive on their targets, releasing their single 500 lb bombs.
Towering geysers and storms of splinters bracketed the Abyssals in practically every direction, as all the bombs had missed, but the shells couldn't have landed closer. On the ship girl's side, a single shell had been hurtling towards Gangut, and had hit her squarely on her bow section, holing the armour and just barely missing the cordite-laden barbette. But with the air assault providing enough distraction to firmly put the Abyssals into a defensive state, Gangut replied in kind with a mighty salvo that crippled an Abyssal Ta with plunging fire.
Licked with flames and baring her teeth, the Abyssal Ta took careful aim at the Russian battleship, nevermind her damaged state and exposed position, before firing. The shells hurtled in a curved arc, passing those thrown by the ship girls before dropping out of it's flight and hitting Gangut squarely in the gut with an explosion.
"Gangut!", screamed Warspite as she sped forward to her comrade, who was now encased in a wreath of black smoke.
"СУ́КА! Я утоплю тебя в океане!", bellowed Gangut, clearing the smoke with a deafening salvo. Warspite didn't understand much Russian, but was positive that what the battleship said was far from womanly. Nonetheless the British Battleship carefully looked her counterpart over, noting that her clothes were torn and burnt around the shell hit area, and the skin beneath was scratched enough to permit light bleeding. Yet, Gangut still hurled ordnance at the enemy, not showing even an ounce of pain.
"Let's have at them!", said Warspite as she too rejoined the fray, her salvoes hitting the flagship Ta before a blinding flash and massive explosion overwhelmed the two Abyssals. Immediately thereafter, a pillar of fire and smoke - bigger than anything the two ship girls had ever seen - rose up from where the flagship once was. No, Warspite had definitely seen something like this, the memory of which made her skin crawl as flashes of Jutland played in her mind.
"Warspite! You hit the magazine!", exclaimed Gangut, confirming the situation.
Then, something odd happened. Not truly odd, but more never before seen or witnessed by an enemy of an Abyssal. The two warships left, both extensively damaged and in various states of afire, seemed to glare at the two ship girls a while. The kind of glare that prompted Warspite to scowl and Gangut to outright bare her teeth. This staring match was abruptly ended when the Seafires dove in and began strafing the Abyssals to relatively little effect. Then just as quick as the warplanes climbed away, the Abyssals swung around and just up and left the battle.
"Wait! What? ЭЙ! They're running away!", cursed Gangut before she had her engines run at maximum horsepower and was prepared to chase down the enemy were it not for Warspite's outstretched arm.
"They're retreating Gangut. We'll never catch up, and that means this battle's our victory.", she said, instantly stopping the Russian woman.
"Our mission was to force them off the sea lane. We just made them retreat.", argued Gangut.
"We have done just that. Think about it, Gangut, we've nearly never seen Abyssals retreat in battle. I believe that we have put up stiff enough resistance that they have given up their apparent raiding.", reasoned Warspite, and to her credit Gangut really had no reply as she clearly knew the experience the Grand Old Lady possessed.
"Okay, then. So what do we do now? Have Ark Royal chase them down with aircraft?", said Gangut.
"No, I don't think we should, lest we alert and invite potentially heavier units to the area. We will regroup and immediately head back to base. I trust the Admiral has a plan for this lane anyhow.", said Warspite.
Not too long after the two forces rendezvoused into one, the fleet sailed back home, the sun already casting it's red hues on the ocean's surface. Hours later, with nothing but battle stories and cheery smiles passed between them, the Queen's Ladies docked back into the launching chamber and returned to their relatively peaceful days. Albeit, Gangut had to be taken to the repair docks for her battle damage, much to her dismay as she really only wanted a good bottle of Vodka to chug for her damage.
"Please excuse me.", said Yuubari as she entered the Admiral's room.
Well specifically speaking it was Ayano's office, below that of Ichiro's and as distinct as the gender of the two. Whilst it too had similar layouts - a large window at the end of the room, in front of which was a working desk and in front of that was a table and leather couches - Ayano's had a TV mounted to the right wall and Karen's desk was against the left wall.
But over the few days of assuming office the room had taken on a more Japanese appearance, as a result of the admiral and her XO moving in their own belongings. The couches and tables were replaced with zabuton cushions and a kotatsu, which required the wall mounted TV to be placed on a desk stand and the installation of tatami mats. Even the walls had paintings depicting various Japanese woodblock prints of dragons and legends, whilst others had phrases on them. A favourite of Ayano read 'An Admiral's Duty Is Loyalty To Their Fleet'.
"Oh, Yuubari, good mornin'.", greeted Karen, to which the woman in question bowed slightly.
"I have business with my superiors regarding RD.", stated Yuubari, finding it odd to address the new two women as such. Although no ill will has bred between Ayano, Karen and the ship girls as of late, many still instinctively refer to Ichiro as their admiral and practically revere him. But with the rapid growth of the fleet new sub officers needed to be recruited via the Circle Programs, and as a result of Ayano's position as Admiral of the Japanese Fleet, all matters regarding that faction fell under her and Karen now. Their popularity was still evident however, as Ayano went by the unofficial and somewhat discreet moniker as the Sakura Admiral and Karen was the Kawa Captain.
"I'm all ears.", said Ayano, all to happy to halt the mountain of paperwork she had to continuously assault ever since assuming her position.
"Recently, a few weeks that is, Akashi and I were experimenting with some ship girl equipment when we suddenly came across something concerning.", began Yuubari.
"Enlighten us.", said Karen, taking a seat at the kotatsu.
"We found, created and tested a battleship main armament. A 46cm Twin Gun Mount, that we don't know who belongs to.", said Yuubari, a hint of serious in her voice.
"Wait but wouldn't that be a Yamato's... No. Those are triple guns, and you say you encountered a double?", said Karen, to which the cruiser nodded.
"It must be fictional. Just a bit of accidental dabbling then.", said Ayano, whose brain had been alert the second Yuubari said 'concerning'.
"I'm afraid not.", replied the cruiser.
"You have a reason then?", said the female admiral, to which Yuubari nodded.
"I had been the base's mechanic since way before RD was even a thing, and have been very close to all ship girl equipment from various nations since to then. Fictional designs cannot just be accidentally made, as they require multiple prerequisites. Hence, although we've never seen or heard of a ship with such an armament I'm pretty sure she does exist.", she explained.
"Do you think it has something to do with Montana?", said Karen.
"I believe...", said Ayano, carefully phrasing her words to make sure she wasn't disbelieving herself. "Our new America super has most likely opened a new world of possibilities regarding the ship girls."
"Judging by what the admiral has said, we can understand that such a thing, or specifically such a ship girl has never happened before. For all we know it could happen again.", said Karen.
"For better or for worse, it could already be happening.", added Ayano.
"First it was just steel coming through that gateway, but now it might be paper too.", said Yuubari.
"Nonetheless I'm sure you have a schedule to adhere to, so continue testing this new equipment and proceed with your other RD duties.", ordered Ayano politely.
"Our girls need some new toys to keep the fight interesting.", winked Karen.
Yuubari only bowed to her officers, then exited the room all to excitedly, leaving Ayano and Karen back to their own problem. Although, in hindsight, earning a handsome sum of money just by dealing with tons of papers seems more a boon.
Although in the past, the carrier range had been home to just those of the sun. Their practice with bows and arrows a quiet trial filled with grace and precision. Nonetheless it embodied, and was not too dissimilar to the practice of kyuudou, the way of the bow. In such a practice calm psyche and precise postures were stressed to evolve oneself on a mental and psychological aspect. Many carrier girls found peace and joy in this practice, and even with the addition of magic, the practice of aircraft launching, was always a peaceful one.
"But then, these Americans stomp in here, and make a hell of a racket with their guns.", lamented Zuikaku, as she sat in the far corner of the range.
"Now, now, Zuikaku. They are carrier girls like us as well. You should treat them as equals if not your superiors.", calmed Shoukaku, although her words sent her sister practically seething and was about to say something had the first gunshot signalling the beginning of the American practice session not rang out and silenced her.
Well more specifically, the timed three round burst from Enterprise's M1918 Browning Automatic Rifle - her current iteration of launching tool. All three bullets decorated the target, and although none hot the center, it was internally celebrated by virtually every carrier at the range. And all of them were at the range today.
"Gotta love rapid launching.", said Saratoga beside her, hefting her Thompson/flight deck combo onto her shoulder.
"Although, precise and accurate squadron control wins the day.", stated Intrepid, as she aimed through the sights of her Springfield.
"As long as it flies off the deck, it can sink anything.", said Gambier Bay, firing off a few shots of her shouldered weapon, with the '73' on her flight deck being the playground of a few of her fairies.
But of course, the main attraction was definitely Enterprise, with even her fellow American ship girls stealing glances at the carrier's posture and from as she laid her cheek on the BAR's buttstock and peered through the iron sights. Zuikaku, despite herself, hadn't been silenced by the report from Enterprise's weapon, bit rather from the carrier's virtual presence herself.
Yes, the American who had stomped around the Pacific with her sisters and cousins surrounding her, only to claim it alone against virtually the entire Japanese navy was quite all that. Someone who wouldn't exist a second time, and who's actions could not be repeated, had quite the aura surrounding her that made her impossible to dislike. And that awe was prevalent not only with the carrier girls.
"Such a beautiful yet powerful thing. I can't say I'm all that disagreeable with the Japanese now.", said Enterprise, as she looked her BAR over.
"Well, when they arm you, feed you, and give you a good place to crash, you tend to not dislike them pretty quickly.", said Saratoga, in between firing semi-automatically.
"Just wait and sea what planes they'll give us! I chose the FM-2 and TBF. What will you choose, E?", inquired Gambier excitedly, her question making the previous mass enfilade stop.
"An all Grumman air group huh?", reminisced the carrier in question. "I think I'll take the F4F, SBD and TBD into my squadron. Just like old times."
"Oh come one, E!", said Saratoga, practically bursting out of laughter, which confused Enterprise.
"Let me explain, E. Abyssal fighters are some nasty combinations of fast, tough and heavily armed - A P-47 of sorts. But they're rather low on maneuverability and their pilots - if there is such a thing - aren't that skilled in aerial combat. Nonetheless, the Japanese admiral had more advanced aircraft built as soon as possible.", said Intrepid.
"He wants the best equipment for his fleet to give us the best edge!", yelled a partially drunken Jun'you from the edge of the carrier range's wall. How she had heard the conversation from there is a wonder that no one would bother with.
"While we had Wildcats and Devastators for the few weeks that we began combat, they're all replaced with mighty Hellcats and Avengers now. Only the Slow But Deadly Dauntless is left, due to it's damn ruggedness.", elaborated Saratoga.
"I see. Well, in that case don't mind if I do choose those Hellcats and Avengers. Which model numbers are available?", said Enterprise.
"Currently, the dash three for the Hellcats, dash five for the Dauntlesses and dash one C for the Avengers. It's the only plane type we've got at all, and hence it's the only planes, besides Gambier's Wildcats that we're equipped with.", said Intrepid.
"And if you don't mind me asking what about everyone else?", said Saratoga, audibly enough so virtually everyone in the range could hear her. This outright question caught practically every non American ship girl off guard, but the ice had to be broken long ago.
"Just, so you know that's none of your-", stated Zuikaku before...
"My new form possess advanced aircrafts, Saratoga-san.", interrupted Shinano, her words clipped enough to quieten her comrade.
The woman, the biggest of the carriers in the fleet, in both physical size and wonder stood up from her seat beside Houshou and approached the Americans. Although, her size alone, being a good foot taller than Enterprise and another 10 inches taller than both Saratoga and Intrepid, not to mention Gambier Bay.
"I have only one type of fighter and bomber each, as well as a new advanced reconnaissance plane.", began Shinano. "The A7M, B7A and C6N respectively."
"So you're packing Sams, Graces and Myrts then. Not bad at all.", said Intrepid.
The very fact that Shinano, probably the one ship girl that many on base thought would have had enough of a problem with her American counterparts to slug them, was talking to one of them was more of an icebreaker than anything afloat. Since it proved well enough, that although her career that many would have believed to be mighty and glorious was abruptly cut short and robbed from her. A sister of Yamato had more pride than the lead ship herself, many knew.
"Most of us, I mean all has got Zeroes for fighters. Well, except Taihou, Unryuu and Shinano here.", said Jun'you, impressively differentiating between sober and drunkard.
"So far, the big fleet carriers, like myself have B5Ns and D3As for bombers, although replacements are forthcoming.", said Akagi, her smile not faked and her face a portrait of pleased.
"Those are good planes and all, but I can't wait for some new ones!", said Ryuujou, as her and all the other light carriers agreed.
"I'd pay good money to see Jills, Judy's and maybe even Sams on your flight decks.", stated Saratoga.
"Although I bet that those girls at RD will pull a fast one on us and do the little extra. Shinano's proof of that.", said Taihou, raking her eyes over the new sturdy steel reinforced bow in it's stand at the range's right wall that was as big as the carrier was tall. The carrier knew full well, that no one on base could draw that bow, but Shinano.
"By the way, Shinano, you mentioned new form. Is that like my Mark 2 upgrade?", asked Saratoga.
"Yes, the kai form I have been given by Yuubari-san, Akashi-san and Nina-san. It turned me into a heavily armed full-fledged fleet carrier like I was meant to be after my battleships status was rescinded.", replied Shinano.
"So? How many planes can you carry?", inquired Gambier, clearly awestruck at the Japanese woman before her, having been so towards Yamato 70 plus years earlier.
"A hundred or so.", stated Shinano, with a light laugh that was more out of humility than that of pride. But the figure shocked many in the range nonetheless, with Jun'you sending some colourful curse words into the air to boot.
And then every Japanese carrier girl clearly understood why Shinano wasn't all that antagonistic towards her - their - former enemy, despite the circumstances surrounding her sinking. It was precisely that enemy whose successful campaigns across the biggest ocean on the Earth set in motion the carrier conversions that took place in their shipyards, and called battleships into question. And Shinano, due to the crippling loses inflicted on carriers in that war, was placed in the class of the most powerful warships as a result. One could even stretch it further and say, she owed practically her existence to them.