Nimitz leaned back and sighed. "The end of JTF 20 happened, Yorktown. The end happened."

Kure, December 5th

"Do you know why I brought you here?" Jack asked. Amagi smiled, "No. You wouldn't tell me." He smiled and nodded. "Do you remember, this is the place I first kissed you. And I gave you that" Amagi nodded and pointed to a flower pin in Jack's hair. "How could I forget?" He smiled, "It's been a month since then, and I've decided." He smiled, "Decided what?" Amagi looked at him smiling. "Amagi, will you do me my greatest honor? Will you marry me?" He got on his knees and got out a beautiful diamond-encrusted ring with a shining purple jade at the center. "Oh, my- Yes! I do! 1,000 times over! I do! I do!" She squealed in pure delight and happiness, kissing him and hugging him. Finally, he teasingly pushed her away, "Let me put the ring on first." He said cheerily. When she finally stilled he slipped the ring on her ring finger. She raised it up to eye level. "It's beautiful..." Jack smiled pleased with himself. "Yep, It matches with your eye color." He said. "Wow. I can't believe you thought of that." She said. Still hypnotized by the ring. "So, when will we have the wedding?" Jack asked, "How about next May? The weather will be nice enough for an outdoor wedding." Amagi nodded.

Kure, December 6th

Admiral Wilkes once again stood before JTF 20. "Our mission today is very daunting." He said seriously. "Your task is to eliminate a Siren Base camped out in the center of the Luzon Strait. It threatens operations in the South China Sea. It will be an all-out assault. Various naval forces will assist you. Reports, however, say that a large Siren carrier group has been spotted patrolling the base. You leave in a week. Dismissed."

"That was short," Belfast said. "Too short. We have no clue what we're up against, or what 'Naval Forces' will be assisting us. It wasn't longer than a minute!" said Queen Elizabeth. "Ja. And what troubles me most, Admiral Wilkes was always a strong enemy of JTF 20. Why the sudden change of heart. I think something sinister is going on here." Bismarck said. Jack scoffed, "You're overthinking it. It's politics, through and through, it's common knowledge I'm surprised you don't know about it." Belfast looked at him, "Know what?" she asked, "Wilkes is running for Senate in 1946 since he washed out this year This is gonna look good on his campaign. Spearheading the fight for humanity. Makes a catchy slogan for his campaign don't you think? He wants a big victory before the year is out, something that'll look good in the papers so it looks like he was doing good the second he got here." He removed a tape recorder from his pocket. "You didn't!" Queen Elizabeth said. Jack nodded, "I recorded the whole thing. In case he blames us for a defeat in Luzon Strait we can always claim we were inadequately informed."

Kure, December 13th

"Listen up! I am Rear Admiral George McMillin! I will be leading you into combat today!" There was no applause or welcoming but the admiral continued like there was nothing wrong. "I believe Admiral John Wilkes gave you all the information you need to know! We'll be assaulting a Siren Base defended by a Carrier Group within the Luzon Strait, prepare for battle. I want us at sea on the double! We leave at 15:00 hours!" The Kansen left in various states of disgust "He still didn't tell us anything!" Queen Elizabeth moaned. "We go in. Whether we like it or not." They all agreed on that.

The Pacific Ocean, December 29th

"Today is the day!" McMillin shouted over the speakers. "I want a full recon on that Siren base!" Jack was amazed, "You mean he didn't know at all?!" He marveled at the incompetency.

Meanwhile, Enterprise readied an F4F for a recon mission. "This is USS Enterprise sending Angel 1 on recon!" The lone F4F took off, Enterprise focused and soon saw what the F4F could 'see' "Anything?" Admiral McMillin asked. "Nothing yet," Enterprise muttered over the radio. "It's too quiet."

USS Iowa

"You think it's abandoned?" Jack asked, "Not likely." Another man said. "I have a bad feeling about this..." Admiral McMillin picked up the radio. "Still nothing Enterprise." He asked "Nope." The radarman suddenly went pale. "Sir! We got a lone contact on the fringes of our radar! It's behind us!" As soon as he said that it disappeared. He tapped the radar screen. It didn't show up. "Nothing sir." He exhaled. The radio squaked. "My F4F is circling the base. It's abandoned." she said. "That isn't right... there are no signs of wear or even abandonment. It's too clean, and tidy. This wasn't done in haste." Jack nodded, "I don't think that contact was a malfunction." They slowly approached the base, soon it was in view of the Iowa's bridge Suddenly, the radar went wild. "No... No! NO!" The radarman banged against the radar. Jack pulled him back and stared at it. Then went into action mode. "ITS A TRAP!"

With Enterprise

"Wait..." She focused more to lengthen her vision. She gasped, "2 Oceana Class Carriers, accompanied by 4 Navigator class Heavy Cruisers, and a Peace Breaker class-"

KA-BOOM! KA-BOOM!

2 flashes of light soared across the sky and then 2 destroyers erupted in flames. "Shit! Those peace-breakers!" Another 3 flashes of light hit another 3 destroyers.

USS Iowa

"Destroyer Squadron 4 is eliminated!" "Cruiser Squadron 2 is reporting casualties!" "Task Force 10 is reporting heavy damage!" Jack turned to Admiral McMillin. "We got to retreat!" The admiral whirled on him "No! We will not retreat! We will push forward!" Jack was ten seconds way from tossing him out the window. "Sir. With all due respect they have-" Enterprise used her radio. "It's no use! They've surrounded us!" As she said that 3 Siren Rook Cruisers warped inside their lines. "Sunuvabitch! They're getting behind us!" Jack shouted the Iowa turned it's guns toward one of them. "FIRE!" McMillin shouts, 2 of the Iowa's guns fire a the Rook stood no chance, the small light shields quickly break and the Rook erupts in flames. The guns turn toward a second Rook. "FIRE!" The same happens, as one cannon is fired the first shell impacts against the shield the other 2 pierce its armor and cause it to explode. However one last Rook remains, with the Iowa caught in reloading it fires it's main guns. The bolts of energy slam into assorted parts of the Iowa, one of them being the bridge.

Jack watches as a bolt of light soars straight into the bridge, KA-BOOM! He's thrown back against the wall unconscious

With Amagi

Amagi watches as Battleship Squadron 9 is decimated. "(We got to take out those Peacebreakers!)" Fuso shouts Another kansen, Fubuki carries bad news. "(We lost contact with the entirety of Command Squadron!)" Amagi whirls on her "(What?! We have to help them!)" Fuso moves with her back to the now distraught Kansen. "(Amagi! I know it's Jack but we can't risk it! Command Squadron is on the other side of this base and if we move now we would be exposed!)" Amagi hated her brilliance sometimes. She knew Fubuki was right. A lone BB squadron traversing the mile around this base was too good a target. "(I hope he'll be alright.)" Fubuki consoles her. "(I hope so too. I hope so too.)"

Jack coughs. The smoke thickens the air, the bridge is on fire yet somehow he, and some other crew is still alive. "How's the admiral!" Is the first thing he says as he gets up. Checking on his COs is instinct. A sailor places his hand on McCillin's still neck. He sighs. "Rear Admiral George McCillin is dead. 12:34 hours military time." The battle had only been on for 34 minutes. "Who's in command?" Jack asked. The crew shuffled nervously. "Whos in command?!" He shouted. "As... second in command of the Iowa. And seeing as the rest of the command fleet is gone. You are sir. You now command JTF 20." Jack shook his head, "That's impossible! There isn't a commodore? Captain?" A midshipman stepped forward. "To avoid confusion in situations like this... only officers within the Command Squadron are eligible for emergency field promotions." Jack slammed his fist against a desk. "Damn bureaucracy!" He shouted. "Sir. Orders?" The radarman asked. "Make contact with whoever's left. And take stock of our armory!" One Chief Petty Officer is confused. "Sir?" Jack turns to him and points out the exposed bridge. "We're making our stand at that base."

"What do we have?" Jack walked into the store. "Not much. Some 120 M1 Garands, 5 M2 Brownings, I'd say 370 - 380 grenades. Of course, there's ammo for all of it." The security sergeant said. Jack nodded, he went back up to the bridge. "Who've we contacted. Not many people. Battleship Squadron 6 led by Bismarck is intact. Cruiser Squadron 3 led by Belfast has suffered some casualties. Destroyer Squadrons 6 and 1. Task Force 12 consisting of Enterprise and Langley is okay. We know TF 10, Cruiser Squadrons 2,4,7, and 9, Battleship Squadron 10, and Destroyer Squadrons 13, 19, 20, 21, and 22 are eliminated. We lost contact and are unable to verify the location or status of Battleship Squadron 9." Jack cups his hand across his face. "Jesus. So we have 2 carriers, 2 battleships, 1 light cruiser, 1 heavy cruiser, and 12 destroyers. Did you tell them we're meeting at the siren base?" The radioman nodded, "Bismarck wants to talk to you by the way." He tentatively picks up the radio, 'Huh quie-" "WAS ZUR HOLLE DENKST DU?!" She went on a German rant but quietly, a Z-class calmed her down. "What are you thinking?! They could be lying in wait there!" He sighed. How did Bismarck time her screaming so perfectly just when he let his guard down 'Bam!' she started yelling. "Well, it's the legions out there or the legions in here. Besides. We've already docked." He said. Bismarck humphed giving up since she knew there was no changing his mind. "Fine! This is your idea!" Jack smiled. "Great! Meet us at the drydock." He puts down the receiver and grabs a Garand. "We need to scout for supplies first."

A few hours later Jack and some other men came back. "Anything?" He asked the other parties. They shook their heads, "Our sector was bled dry.' Jack picked up a rifle and loaded it. "We're going to search for the other sectors." He had a squad of men follow him out into the base

"Jack. It's been hours, we should go back." One soldier stated, "Not yet." He said, "I get that you want to find survivors. Particularly Battleship Squadron 9, but the men are tired, and need rest." A sergeant said to him. He sighed. "Fine, let's head-" Suddenly around the corner footsteps, "Lewis get that MG set up quick!" The man complied as the rest scrambled into cover "Identify yourselves!" Jack shouts, "Jawhol! It is Bismarck!" The men cheered, "Good to see you, Bismarck!" She smiled, "Ja! It took us forever to search the base." Suddenly more footsteps. "Don't be alarmed. We located some of the other squadrons." Out stepped Belfast, a few hundred men, some light cruisers, and some destroyers. "No sign of Battleship Squadron 9?" Bismarck shook her head, "I'm sorry Jack." He sighed and slumped against a wall.

Suddenly, a voice "Come on Amagi, we got to go it's getting dark." Jack was ecstatic, "Amagi? Is that you?" At first, it was silence, and then "Jack? Where are you?!" Jack almost whooped, he ran and rounded the corner, almost tackling the Kansen. "Oh, man! I've been so worried!" The sergeant with him rolled his eyes, "Yes, yes all is well, oh wait. We're in the middle of a Siren Base surrounded by a Siren Fleet. With all due respect, we should get moving." Jack got off her, "Yes. We should."

Siren Drydock

"You are really all that's left?" Z1 asked, Jack nodded. "Anyway, all we have are Kansen? All the production-types aside from the USS Iowa were eliminated?" Various calls of affirmation confirmed that. "Hmm. The sirens have at least 2 Oceana Class, 4 Navigator Class, and a Peace-Breaker. Not to mention multiple Rook class cruisers." Amagi said, "We would want to double or triple those numbers. There's no way they could eliminate most of our forces with those few forces." Langley offered, Jack turned to Enterprise, "Enterprise. What do you see?" Her eyes twitched, "The Sirens are fanning out, but I spotted another 4 peacebreakers, 2 Queen Class Carriers, 2 Oceana Class Carriers, 32 Explorer Class, 10 Navigator Class, along with what's got to be dozens of production types." She sighed. "We have one choice," I said grimly "Please not another mad plan of yours." A cruiser somewhere sighed,

"We will have to spearhead a breaking of their line."

As the Kansen geared up for what may as well been the end of their lives. Amagi walked over to Jack. "Bismarck told me how worried you were." She said simply, Jack turned. "Fuso told me how worried you were." They both chuckled. Suddenly, Jack pulled Amagi in for a kiss. Surprised, she let out a muffled Mmmphhh. Before embracing the gesture and accepting the kiss. They only let go of each other for air. "It'll be fine. We get out of here. And It will be over."

"I had no idea how wrong that statement was at the time." Jack told Akagi.

"Listen! I know this may be the end of our lives. So I have a few words to say." Jack choked. "It was an honor. Fighting alongside each and every one of you. Whether you are Ironblood, Sakura, Eagle, or Royal. We all learned that we are just as human as one another. And we will die for the sake of humanity. The Sirens think we are their plaything! Another stepping stone in their expansion! Well, let's just say they stepped on one sharp rock. And when this is over! We will have our four lines of history! Written in Iron and blood! And bound to outlast time itself!" Jack cheered! "Kansen! Into Battle!"

On board the Iowa's exposed bridge Jack watched the formation which could be described as no less than "Amazing" The destroyers speared the charge at the tip of the V formation. Behind them were the cruisers. Behind that, the Battleships and carriers. The Iowa was at the center guiding the battle.

"Up ahead!" The helmsman shouted. "Full starboard!" Jack shouted. The Iowa's guns aimed at a Rook class cruiser. "Fire!" Iowa's forward-most gun fired. Breaking its shields and causing it to explode. "Bishop class up ahead!" The helmsman shouted again. "Ute!" Fuso shouted. Fuso and Yamashiro fired one gun each at the Bishop, annihilating it. "7 Knight Class!" The radarman shouted, "Destroyers! Hit em with a spread of torpedoes!" Jack ordered, "Roger!" They fired a spread of torpedoes, leaving nothing but flamming wreckage. "Here's the hard part! 8 Explorer Class Destroyers!" The radarman shouted, "Carriers! Dive bombers now!" Enterprise and Langley responded "Right!" Launching 45 Dauntless Dive Bombers the bombers ruthlessly pursued the Explorer class, sinking the Sirens. "Alright! Big shot time! We've spotted their Carriers!" Jack whirled to the Helmsman. "Broadside position!" The man nodded and twirled the helm rapidly, meanwhile the Kansen moved into a firing line. "Steady... Steady... NOW FIRE!" He shouted the entire forced unleashed a deavastating barrage of dive bombers, torpedo bombers, torpedoes, and shells against the carriers and their escorts. Sinking all 4 carriers and 16 Explorer class. "Hah! We've nearly obliterated their forces! Now lets-"

Fwew! Fwew! Fwew! Fwew!

A deadly barrage of laser shots hit the Kansen, they scrambled for cover. "Where's it coming from?!" "I don't know!" Panicked, the Kansen fired rapidly in all directions. The ruthless barrage continued. Jack, though never sure what he heard, could've sworn he heard laughter. "Full spee-"

KA-BOOM!

A laser shot pierced a gun on the Iowa and incited an ammo detonation. Nearly snapping the ship in half. "Shit!" Jack was jostled to the floor. Suddenly the radio squawked, "Jack! Get the Task Force out of here! I'll cover you!" Amagi said over the radio. Pushing the operator aside he grabbed the radio and headset. "Nonono! You will come with us!" He shouted,

"I love you Jack, but please. For me, just go." Amagi said over the radio "I won't leave you!" Jack said, he was crying now, "I can't leave you!"

"You can and you will. Please... don't make this hard for me." She cut off the radio, "Amagi?! AMAGI?!" Jack screamed, Running to the deck he watched as Amagi's rig moved to block the sirens with a broadside. "No. Please. Don't." He collapsed. "Amagi..." He clutched the flower pin. He watched as the rig faded. Then, another hail of laser fire. And that same mysterious laughter. And then an explosion. The light reflected on Jack's tears as he watched the Amagi sink and burn.

"T-that's the whole story," Jack said quietly. Tears streaming down his cheeks. Akagi wrapped him in a hug. "I'm sure you blame me now. For everything." He said quietly. "No. I could never blame you for anything. You tried so hard to save our sister. You truly cared about her. Just as I care about you." Akagi said quietly, grabbing Jack, she did something unexpected and kissed him.