In the dead of night the Tenth and Second fleets sailed out of Truk Lagoon. The evacuation of the base had been ongoing for the past hour and they were taking everything they could and destroying what they couldn't. By daybreak the base would be abandoned and the abyssals would find nothing of value.
As they got closer to Midway the two fleets separated as planned and formed their battle groups. The sun had just risen over the horizon when Shokaku and Shoho launched four dive bombers each to search for the enemy fleet. They were still on radio silence and were only to break it when they spotted the enemy. Ise and Hyuga readied their Zeros and double checked everything with their crew. This was repeated across both fleets as they prepared themselves for battle.
After thirty minutes of searching the bombers have yet to spot any sign of the abyssal fleet. Two of Akagi's bombers decided to search closer to Midway atoll.
As Midway appeared the pilots and gunners of the bombers constantly scanned the skies looking for abyssal fighters. Slowly, Midway grew closer and it became clear it was covered in buildings; the entire atoll was one massive naval base with dozens of docks. They turned toward the second island and it was covered in airfields and hangers. They could just barely see small black dots taking off and they turned away.
Further South of Midway Shoho's bombers spotted an abyssal destroyer sailing south at a good pace. They followed it but lost sight when they entered a cloud. When they exited the cloud they were right above an abyssal fleet. Their AA guns exploded to life throwing flack and tracers at the bombers. One of them was shot down immediately while the second contacted Shoho just before it was shot down.
Shoho told Shokaku this and launched her planes. Shokaku informed the First Carrier Division and launched her Zeros followed by her dive bombers and then her torpedo bombers. Forty minutes later Nenohi spotted a single dot heading toward them. Before it got into range it turned around and headed back towards Midway.
"Ise-san, a single dot is heading towards Midway. I think the abyssals know where we are."
"Understood." Ise and Hyuga launched their squadrons to provide a CAP for the fleet.
While all this was happening Akagi's second flight of scout bombers are still heading away from the fleet. They hadn't seen the abyssal fighters tailing them for a while but they wouldn't turn back for the fleet yet. Suddenly, they saw flashes on the ocean's surface. They turned toward them and it was another abyssal fleet engaging the Americans. They could see dozens of small dots over the engagement as American and Abyssal fighters engaged each other. More dots were coming in from their ten and two o'clock.
They observed the abyssal fleet looking for a possible target when they saw it. An abyssal battleship, battlecruiser and their escorts were engaging an American battleship and her escorts and the abyssals were winning. Their AA guns were focusing on the dogfight so they approached unmolested. They entered a dive and dropped their bombs.
The bombs slammed into the deck and pretreated down before they exploded! Black smoke rose from the holes created and fires were started below decks but the battleship continued to fight effectively. With their bombs dropped the two bombers headed back to Akagi.
With Shokaku and Shoho's strike wave they were closing in on the reported position of the abyssal fleet. Most of the Zeros were flying ahead of them but a few stayed with the bombers to provide top cover. The Zeros ahead of them spotted and engaged an abyssal CAP.
Two Zeros shot down an abyssal fighter and flew under the dogfight that was developing. Three Zeros dove away from the dogfight and five Abyssals on them. One of the Zeros turned toward another Zero and they did a head-on pass with both abyssals being shot down. The other Zero was shot down and they turned straight for the other two Zeros. In a second head-on pass the three abyssals were shot down while one Zero was critically damaged and headed for Shoho.
The Zero increased the distance between itself and the dogfight, entered a climb to get above the dogfight, and turned around. Now with an altitude advantage it could pick targets and dictate the terms of engagement. It picked a target, dived, and shot it down before pulling up and repeating the process.
The bombers replotted their course to avoid the dogfight and continued on. The abyssal fleet slowly came into view and multiple dots appeared on the horizon. The Zeros increased their speed and seconds later, they engaged the Abyssals in a deadly dogfight.
The bombers sighted the abyssal fleet sailing away from them. There are three carriers, five light cruisers, and fifteen destroyers. They circled just outside of their AA guns' range until the B5Ns arrived.
Long-range flack fire started instantly and black clouds appeared around the bombers. The B5Ns entered a dive and split into two separate attack groups. The D3A1s did the same and they picked two carriers as their targets. The medium-range AA guns opened fire followed by the close-range AA guns. One of the B5Ns was hit and it crashed into the ocean. A second one had its tail cut off and it entered a flat spin and third one was hit and its engine burst into flames. The fuel ignited and the bomber ceased to exist.
The D3A1s were met with the same reception. The first group closed in on their target and entered their dive. One of them was hit followed by another and then another. The carrier turned hard to starboard and they dropped their bombs. One of the bombs slammed into one of the elevators and exploded in the hanger. A second bomb hit the bow of the carrier and exploded.
The B5Ns swept in and dropped their torpedoes. The carrier turned hard to port and two torpedoes found their mark.
The second group didn't have the same success. Flying over the fleets' AA guns had reduced their strength and only one bomb hit was scored. With their ordinance expended they headed back to their carriers. The Zeros engaged in the dogfights started to break away when they could.
Back with the fleet Ise's and Hyuga's Zeros spotted dots heading toward them. They counted thirty-six dots and another thirty were above them. They reported this to Ise and Hyuga who reported it to Shokaku and Shoho. They ordered the Zeros escorting the bombers to assist but it would take time for them to get there. Ise and Hyuga's Zeros entered a climb to get above the dots. Once they were above them they leveled out and let them pass. Once they were behind them they turned and dived.
They shot past the Abyssal fighters and attacked the medium bombers. The Bombers' machine guns opened fire a second before the Zeros. They aimed for the engines and shot down six bombers in their first pass. They entered a climb and leveled out for a second pass when the fighters attacked. Ten Zeros were shot down leaving six to press the attack. They attacked the bombers head-on. They cut through the formation and dived away leaving four flaming bombers behind them. The fighters didn't follow them.
Clouds of black smoke appeared around the bombers. They were at a high altitude so only their dual-purpose guns could hit them. Their bomb bay doors opened and each bomber dropped eight two-hundred and twenty-five-kilogram bombs. The bombs whistled through the air and the fleet took evasive maneuvers. Columns of water exploded upward as the bombs exploded in the ocean.
Hyuga was hit twice on her starboard side. One of the bombs detonated on her deck but the second one destroyed one of her 127 mm guns and detonated its ammo.
Ise avoided the bombs although some extremely close to her. Amagi used her maneuverability and speed to avoid the bombs aimed at her. She nearly sailed into another bomb drop but avoided them. Water rained down on her from the bombs exploding.
The bombers turned and headed back but twelve fighters remained, circling just outside of their range. Eventually, they turned away.
"Sister, what strength is your squadron at?"
"Three. How about you?"
"Three as well. Have yours come in for rearm, and repair."
"Understood."
Her two rear guns rotated into cruising position before disappearing. A flight deck now took their place. Her Zeros lined themselves up with the flight deck. One by one they landed and disappeared. A few minutes later the flight deck disappeared and two twin turrets took its place. Her Zeros launched seconds afterward. Once her Zeros were in the air Ise called hers in and they landed before taking off again a few minutes later. Now, the Zeros escorting the dive and torpedo bombers arrived and guarded the fleet.
While Shokaku and Shoho prepared a second strike an Abyssal strike wave was inbound. All three carriers had launched their bombers and fighters and they knew the exact location of the Tenth fleet and had a general idea of the Fifth Carrier Division's location. They were spotted and some of the Zeros moved to engage. The plan was for the first group of Zeros to engage the Abyssal fighters while the follow-up squadrons engage the bombers. The Zeros fired long bursts before breaking off. Tracers rounds flew over their canopies and a portion of the fighter escort chased them. Then, the second group of Zeros engaged followed by a third and when the fourth group attacked most of the fighter escort was tied up in dogfights.
Now, the long-range AA guns of the fleet got involved. The Zeros quickly dealt with the remaining fighters and attacked the bombers. They noticed a new type of Abyssal trailing the formation. It looked exactly like a dive bomber but was slower and had a heavier defensive armament. Suddenly, these Abyssals dived straight down towards the ocean. They rapidly picked up speed and outran the Zeros chasing them. They flew at wave-top level and six broke off and headed straight for two destroyers. One of them was hit and it disappeared in a huge explosion; nothing was left when the smoke cleared.
The destroyers took immediate evasive action to throw them off. Their 25 mm guns opened fire and two more were shot down. The first destroyer turned to port and slowed before accelerating and turning hard to starboard. The Abyssal missed and slammed into the ocean; the explosion that followed created a gazer of water that was over a hundred meters high. The second destroyer avoided her attackers as well.
The fleet massed their AA fire against these abyssals. The fire shot six of the attackers down before they began their attack. Ise was hit first when two Abyssals slammed into her. One of them only destroyed one of her aircraft catapults while the second slammed into her starboard side. The explosion rocked her to port and a huge smoke cloud rose up.
Hyuga saw all of this but didn't have any time to react as she was hit almost as soon as Ise was. It slammed into her number four turret and detonated the ammo in the turret ripping it apart and disabling her number three turret. She growled, not in pain but in anger. Those bastards had hurt her big sister! They were trying to take her away! She will not let that happen!
Her AA guns exploded in response! They fired faster, and hit harder knocking Abyssal after Abyssal out of the sky! The remaining Abyssals attempted to hit Amagi but only one made it through the fire and she avoided it.
Eight torpedo bombers attacked the fleet. They split into two groups of four and attack Hyuga from both sides. Her intense AA fire coupled with the fire of the fleet meant only three of the bombers got through. They dropped their torpedoes but Hyuga easily avoided them.
"Sister! Are you okay!?"
She hissed, closed her eyes, and grit her teeth. "Don't worry about me. Are you okay?"
"Don't worry about you!? One of your turrets just detonated!"
"Good point. My crew is already working big sister. I'm not going to sink. Now, are you alright?"
"Yeah. I'm alright."
"Good... to hear."
Kako looked to Hyuga with worry and moved closer to her. "Don't worry Hyuga-san. I'll make sure the Abyssals don't get close to us."
She smiled, "Thanks, Kako-san."
The remaining Abyssal bombers had sighted the Fifth Carrier Division. The Zeros chasing them were held up by 'burst' fighters so no aircover was in sight. Worse, Shokaku and Shoho were refueling and rearming their planes. Their 127 mm guns opened fire and the Abyssals primarily targeted Shokaku. The torpedo bombers were to attack at the same time but were too far away to score hits with their torpedoes.
The bombers screeched in at near-vertical dives! AA fire took its toll but plenty still got through. They released their bombs and pulled up! One was hit as it banked away and spiraled into the ocean! A second was hit before it dropped its bomb and aimed right for Shokaku's flight deck! She turned hard to port and the bombs landed in front of her and off to her starboard creating towering columns of water! One of the bombs slams into her missing the flight deck but starting a fire! A second bomb lands opposite of the first one and a third slams into her flight deck punching through it and detonates inside the fore-end of her hanger!
Smoke and fire rose from the hole and her crew rushed into action! She turned hard to starboard and watched as more bombs landed where she would have been. Now, the torpedo bombers swept in at wave top level. She turned into the torpedoes but more were dropped off her port side. She waited and then turned hard to port and felt one of the torpedoes scrape her hull. Two torpedoes impact her hull! One hits her bow and the second hits just behind amidships! Water floods in through the holes and she starts to list!
Shoho and been attacked but it was ineffective. With their bombs and torpedoes dropped they headed back to their home carriers. Shokaku was still fighting her increasing list and the fires so her Zeros couldn't land but Shoho had space to take them.
Finally, the First Carrier Division received a report from their bombers detailing an Abyssal fleet's location, speed, heading, and composition. It consisted of five carriers, three fleet two light, two battlecruisers, seven cruisers, and twenty-seven destroyers. One of the light carriers was on fire and a fleet carrier was listing making it clear that the Americans had already attacked. Akagi, Kaga, Hiryu, Soryu, Ryujo, and Jun'yo launched a massive strike wave with the hope of sinking all five of the carriers in one attack.
Eight minutes later Akagi's two scout bombers landed and briefed her on what they saw. She ordered Ryujo, and Jun'yo to divert their bombers and assist the Americans. The flight was uneventful and when they spotted the fleets it looked like the battle was swinging in favor of the Americans. The Zeros spotted multiple black dots flying over the battle. Not knowing if they were friendly or enemy the lead element of Zeros increased speed and entered a shallow climb. They leveled out and dipped their wings to see the fighters and identify them. They looked like Wildcats and they are engaging Abyssal fighters. They were about to dive but the formation leader reported a flight of Abyssals heading for them. They climbed into a cloud and waited.
Two minutes later, the exited the clouds and saw the Abyssal fighters passing below them starting to dive on the Wildcats, they rolled and attacked the Abyssals. Soon, a line was formed as four groups of warplanes attacked each other. The Wildcats broke off and then the Abyssals broke off with the Zeros staying on them. They headed toward their fleet and the Zeros didn't follow them, they entered a climb instead.
Flack bursts started to appear around the bombers and their escort. Their primary targets are the battleships and battlecruisers. From their three o'clock Abyssals are sighted and the Zeros break with a few staying with the bombers. AA fire comes in thick and heavy downing multiple bombers. The torpedo bombers entered a steep dive, banked left, leveled out, and turned back in.
While the torpedo bombers were setting up their attack run the dive bombers split up for their different targets. They entered their dives and dropped their bombs! The first target, a battleship, was hit by two high explosive bombs. The first smashed into an AA gun mount cooking off the ready-use ammo and starting a fire! The second was an armor-piercing that smashed through the deck and exploded causing heavy damage. It destroyed two of the casemate guns and set off their ammo starting a raging fire.
A second battleship was hit by three bombs one of which crashed through the top of its turret and detonated destroying the turret. A battlecruiser was hit by three bombs one of which detonated in the boiler room leaving it dead in the water. A salvo from a battleship finished it off.
The torpedo bombers swept in and dropped their torpedoes. The Abyssals had seen them coming in and took evasive action. Some of the Abyssals avoided the torpedoes while others didn't. One took a hit to the bow while another was hit three times in quick succession and started to list. A battlecruiser was hit four times and rapidly began to list while slowing. A cruiser was hit by a torpedo that missed its target and started going down by the bow. Two more Abyssals were hit. A battleship, which largely shrugged off the hit, and another cruiser which was hit with two torpedoes that sheered its bow off. It sank a few minutes later. The bombers banked away and headed back to their carriers.
The main strike wave continued to close in on the carriers. The Zeros had yet to spot Abyssal fighters so for now they had the element of surprise. Unfortunately, that surprise was lost when the Zeros reported over a dozen dots heading straight for them. They increased speed and pulled further away. The four groups of dive bombers, torpedo bombers, and Zeros banked right to avoid the dogfight. Suddenly, they were hit by AA fire; directly below them was another Abyssal fleet.
Hiryu's bombers reported the enemy force back to the fleet. It consisted of four battleships, four battlecruisers, seven cruisers, and twenty-three destroyers. They asked if their target would change.
"Your primary objective is to sink the carriers. Leave that Abyssal fleet to our own."
They acknowledged the order and continued on. Flack fire shot down a few of the bombers and Soryu's group, at the rear of the formation, reported enemy fighters attacking. They shot down six of her planes before the Zeros could attack. Seven Zeros broke and dived after them braving increasingly heavy AA fire. They shot down four but lost two due to AA fire.
Six minutes later two more squadrons of Abyssals were spotted coming in from their nine and three o'clock. Zeros moved to engage only for a third squadron to appear at their high twelve. No Zeros were in position to intercept them and they attacked Akagi's bombers shooting down seven. Kaga's Zeros attacked them and Hiryu's Zeros reported land-based Abyssal fighters climbing up off their two o'clock, the dived and met them head-on.
In the head-on pass five Abyssals were shot down compared to three Zeros. The Zeros pulled up and turned to attack again but not before the Abyssals shot down five of Hiryu's bombers. The Abyssals came back around and the Zeros attacked them. Three fireballs fell to the ocean and the Zeros turned hard to get on their tails. The bombers' tail guns opened up and smoked an Abyssal's engine; it dived away trailing black smoke.
Seven more bombers fell from the sky while four Abyssals were shot down through a combination of the bombers' tail guns and the Zeros. The Abyssals dived away and the Zeros stuck with them.
Akagi's bombers radioed in, "Enemy fleet spotted."
The torpedo bombers entered a dive and a ferocious barrage of fire hit them! Two bombers were shot down instantly with another two falling shortly afterward! Above them, five streaks of fire appeared as dive bombers are shot down! The AA fire increased in intensity as they got closer bringing down more bombers, they pressed on and started their attacks.
Akagi's dive bombers targeted the damaged fleet carrier and her torpedo bombers joined in. Kaga's bombers targeted a second fleet carrier; Hiryu's bombers also targeted a fleet carrier. Soryu's torpedo bombers aimed for the crippled light carrier while her bombers targeted the second light carrier.
Akagi's bombers hit first. The carrier took evasive action avoiding some of the bombs. One of the bombs slammed into its port side destroying a few AA guns and starting a fire that cooked off the ammo for the guns! A second bomb nearly missed the island exploding right next to the carrier! It started to turn to starboard and a single bomb slammed into the flight deck! Two more bombs hit shortly afterward and a huge explosion sent pieces of the flight deck flying hundreds of meters into the air! Another bomb slammed into the flight deck at the stern followed by a near miss!
Now, the torpedo bombers dropped their torpedoes. The Abyssal's AA guns switched fire them downing three in rapid succession! The carrier turned to port causing the first torpedoes launched to miss. The rest of the bombers adjusted their aim and dropped their torpedoes. One of the torpedoes slammed into its bow followed by another two hits. A fourth and final torpedo slammed directly into its bow. With multiple fires raging on its deck and an increasing list to port the carrier no longer posed any threat.
Reports started to filter in from the other strike groups. Kaga's target had been hit by three bombs and three torpedoes. Hiryu's bombers reported two bomb hits and a single torpedo hit. Soryu's torpedo bombers reported that they sunk the crippled light carrier and her dive bombers reported five hits.
With their mission completed they began the long journey back to their home carriers.
