6/18/15
After nearly four days the Tenth fleet had nearly arrived at Truk atoll or Chuuk Lagoon as it's now known. The sun has long since set and only the pale moonlight reflects off the ocean's surface.
"So, you would have been converted into a carrier had the earthquake not happened?"
"Yes. Had my hull not been irreparably damaged I would have been converted into a carrier."
"So, Kaga would have been scraped along with her sister."
"Yes."
"Huh. Do you have the ability to launch a squadron like my sister and me?"
"No. I think you have the ability because you were partially converted into carriers."
"Yeah, that's what my sister and I think too. Still not sure why our number five and six turrets weren't removed."
"Don't question it. Just be glad we're not hybrids."
"Wait, you are hybrids are you not?"
"Yes and no. Yes in the fact that we can launch a fighter squadron and no in the fact that we don't have a permanent flight deck."
Amagi nodded, "Have you fought with Akagi-san?"
"No, but my sister did fight with Kaga-san."
"Ise-san, what was Kaga-san like?"
"Well, I didn't fight with her for long but, she was professional and calm."
"Hm, maybe I'll get to meet her."
"Hey, sister, do you anything about the fleet stationed at Truk?"
"No, Admiral Goto didn't tell me anything. Shokaku-san?"
"The only thing I know for sure is that the First Carrier Division is stationed there."
"First Carrier Division..."
"I know what you're thinking. Let's hope it doesn't end the same." With that morbid thought, the fleet continued on.
Ten minutes later, at the head of the fleet, Hatsuharu picked up five radar contacts. She used her spotlight to alert the fleet and Shokaku and Shoho readied a squadron of Zeros. Ise and Hyuga readied their Zeros and launched them while Shokaku and Shoho held theirs in reserve. Ise signaled Hatsuharu to 'wait, don't send a challenge.' Once their fighters formed a screen Ise ordered Hatsuharu to send the challenge. She sent the challenge and they waited with bated breath.
The response came a few seconds later... it was correct. They relaxed and Ise and Hyuga recalled their Zeros while Shokaku and Shoho stood theirs down. Hatsuharu asked 'What squadron and fleet are you a part of?'
'Thirty-first Destroyer squadron, Second fleet. You?'
'Tenth fleet, under the command of Ise.'
'Tenth fleet?'
'We were dispatched by Admiral Goto to reinforce Rear Admiral Nakao's force.'
'Understood, I'll inform Nakao that you have arrived.'
The squadron continued on their patrol while the Tenth fleet continued toward Truk. The islands of Truk came into view in the form of large black silhouettes. They entered the lagoon and headed for the docks.
Rear Admiral Nakao was waiting for them. Standing to his left is a carrier whose resemblance to Amagi is obvious. Standing to his right is a battleship that bears a striking resemblance to Mutsu.
"Rear Admiral Nakao, Ise, flagship of the Tenth fleet, reporting."
"Shokaku, flagship of the Fifth Carrier Division, reporting."
"Ise, Shokaku, it's good to have you. Come, I'll brief you on the upcoming operation."
He turned and they followed him save for the carrier who was staring at Amagi. Nakao turned, "Akagi-san?"
She turned but her eyes kept darting to Amagi. "Go ahead, you already know the plan."
She nodded and slowly walked toward Amagi. She walked up to her and hugged her. Amagi returned it, "I missed you, big sister."
"I missed you too, little sister."
Ise and Shokaku smiled before they followed Nakao. It was a small base compared to Yokosuka but it had a similar layout. Nakao lead them to his office which only had his desk and two chairs. Nakao sat down and the battleship stood beside him.
"My name is Nakao and for a time I will be your commander. To my right is Nagato-san flagship of the Second fleet. Akagi-san is the flagship for the Frist Carrier Division."
Nagato nodded but didn't say anything. "Now, a lot has happened since you left Yokosuka. That raid was the beginning of an abyssal counter-attack; Australia has fallen to the Abyssals and New Zealand will be next."
"That explains why Admiral Goto wanted us to get here ASAP."
Nakao continued, "The Abyssals know we are here and it is only a matter of time before they hit this base. Now I had planned to sortie the fleets as soon as you arrived but recent information has convinced me to postpone the sortie for ninety minutes."
"Now, on to the plan. The First and Fifth Carrier Divisions will form two separate formations. The Second fleet will screen the First Carrier Division and the Tenth fleet will screen the Fifth Carrier Division. The main job of the carriers is to find the enemy carriers and sink them. Do not engage the airfield princess until the enemy fleet is sunk. The Americans are sending their own fleet to Midway and it is imperative that you communicate with them. Questions?"
"Sir, what is the composition of the American fleet?"
"I do not know. That information is being guarded tightly."
"Sir, what is our forces composition?"
"Eight carriers, eight battleships, one battlecruiser, five heavy cruisers, four light cruisers, and Twenty-six destroyers. Any more questions?"
"No sir."
He nodded, "Dismissed."
They stepped out of the office and someone nearly collided with Shokaku. "Sorry!"
Ise recognized the voice. "Akashi-san?"
"Ise-san! It's good to see you again!"
"It's good to see you too. What are you carrying?"
"My own personal Sake. Do you want a drink?"
Ise nodded, "I've never tried it but I'd like to."
"It has been far too long since I had Sake," Shokaku said.
"Perfect! You'll have to wait a minute though. We have a perfect spot to relax and enjoy the drinks."
"We?"
She 'hummed' but didn't say anything and walked away. Ise and Shokaku followed her. Along the way, they ran into Hyuga, Kako, Maya, and Karukaya.
"Hey big sister. Where are you going?"
"Akashi-san invited us for a drink. Do you want to join us?"
"Sure. As long as Akashi-san is fine with it."
"I don't mind. I made plenty so, no worries."
She nodded and turned to the others, "Do you want a drink?"
"Yeah! I haven't had a chance to try Sake but I've heard it's good."
Maya nodded, "A cup of Sake would be wonderful."
Karukaya nodded, "I'd like a cup of Sake."
"All of us are in. Who else is joining for a drink?"
"Mutsu, Hiei, Ryujo, Jun'yo, Tone, Chikuma, Kitakami, Fubuki, and the last one is a surprise," she said with a mischievous smile.
Maya frowned, "I am not fond of surprises."
"This is not a bad surprise it's a good one, I promise."
Maya didn't look convinced, "I will decide that for myself." Akashi nodded and continued to lead them. She lead them out of the base and up a winding trail through the hills. The path had small lights along it illuminating the path. As they reached the peak they heard slow, relaxing music and the crackling of a fire. A small area had been cleared and a fire was lit in the middle of it. Surrounding it were Kanmusu who are enjoying the relaxing atmosphere.
"I'm back, and I brought guests."
"Who'd you bring? Wait, Ise-san, Hyuga-san? I didn't know you were here."
Hyuga stepped forward, "We only arrived a few minutes ago. It's good to see you Mutsu-san." She hugged her and Mutsu returned it. They pulled away, "It's good to see you too Hyuga-san." She turned to Ise and bowed which she returned. "It's nice to meet you in person, Ise-san."
"It's nice to meet you too, Mutsu-san."
"Mutsu-san, you already know them?"
"Yes. I met Hyuga-san when she was summoned and she introduced me to her sister when she invited me to a chat."
"Ah. Well, my name is Tone. It's nice to meet you Ise-san, Hyuga-san."
"I'm Chikuma! Tone-san is my big sister!" She grabbed her arm and glared at Ise and Hyuga. "Mine!" Tone sighed, "Sister, please."
She pouted but let go and walked away. "Is she..."
"Yes. I don't know why."
"Hey, Akashi-san who's the surprise guest?"
She sighed and shook her head. "She appears to have wandered off." She smiled at Karukaya, "Want to help me find her?"
"Yeah!"
"Find who-" Karukaya spun around and prepared for CQC. The destroyer who had sneaked up on her jumped in surprise. Akashi laughed, "Stand down Karukaya, she's friendly."
Karukaya nervously laughed, "Sorry, you surprised me."
"No, I'm sorry. I really need to stop supersizing Kanmusu. My name is Fubuki."
"Nice to meet you Fubuki-san. My name is Karukaya."
"So, I overheard you are looking for someone?"
"Yes. Tell me Fubuki-san, do you see anyone missing?"
Fubuki looked confused and looked around. She gasped and turned to Akashi, "Yamato-sama!"
She nodded, "Yes. It would seem Yamato-sama has wandered off with telling us. So, do you want to help us find her?"
"Yes! Where do you think she went?"
"I have an idea. Follow me."
She started down the path and Fubuki followed her. Karukaya looked back at everyone before following after them. She lead them back down the path but turned down a separate path that they had missed before. This path took them up a hill and when they reached the peak she saw a figure overlooking the ocean. She looked to be holding a small umbrella. Akashi sighed and walked up to her.
"Yamato-sama."
She turned and smiled, "Hello Akashi-san." She looked behind her and saw Fubuki and Karukaya. "I see you brought friends."
"Hello again Yamato-sama!"
She smiled, "Hello Fubuki-chan. Who's your friend?"
Karukaya bowed, "It is a pleasure to meet you, Yamato-sama."
Yamato smiled and bowed, "It is a pleasure to meet you too, Karukaya-san."
"Yamato-sama, why are you up here by yourself?"
She turned and looked out across the ocean. She tilted her head up, "Sometimes, I just need some peace and quiet. Something that seems to be in short supply these days." She faced them, "I'll rejoin with everyone in a minute."
Akashi nodded and walked back down the path. A second later, Fubuki and Karukaya followed after her leaving Yamato gazing at the stars. When they got back Kaga, Akagi, and Amagi had joined them. Karukaya sat down next to Ise and her sister while Fubuki sat down next to Tone earning a glare from her sister who tried to push her away but Tone wasn't having that.
A few minutes later, Yamato rejoined them. "Yamato-san! Glad you rejoined us." She smiled at Mutsu, "I just took a minute to myself."
"Yeah, I could see why you would need a minute. We're not exactly being quiet."
"What are you talking about? We're totally being quiet."
"No we're not. I'm pretty sure anyone outside the base could hear us at times."
"Eh, fair point. Oh well."
"It's nice to see you, Yamato-sama."
She smiled, "It's nice to see you too, Hyuga-san."
She pulled Ise into a side hug, "This is my big sister," she said beaming at Ise.
Ise tried to stand up but her sister wouldn't let go. She nodded respectfully to her, "It's a pleasure to meet you, Yamato-sama."
"It's a pleasure to meet you too, Ise-san."
"Here Ise-san."
"Thank you," Ise took a sip of her Sake.
"Well? What do you think?"
She nodded, "Tastes great Akashi-san. My complements."
Akashi smiled, "Glad you like it. I wouldn't recommend drinking too much through."
"Why?"
"The last time we had one of these gatherings half of us woke up the next day with pounding headaches and double vision."
"It's very impressive that Akashi-san created a recipe that could do that. She won't share it with anyone though," Hiei glared at Akashi and she just shrugged. "It's a closely guarded secret and will stay that way."
"You're no fun."
"It's for your own good. Could you imagine if my recipe was leaked; the entire base would be hungover for a week!"
"That's exactly why I want to know the recipe!"
Akashi laughed, "Well, I'll make you never get your hands on it."
Hiei huffed and crossed her arms. "I'll get it one of these days."
"Sure you will Hiei-san. Now, let's enjoy this for all it's worth, shall we?"
