A/N: Welcome back~ The nightmare continues~
Enjoy~
The Mist 2: Rescue Operations
Prologue
Agent Miller was never the superstitious type. He was always the type to rely on cold logic and hard science to guide his judgement.
Seeing countless monstrosities arrive out of a veil of mist, however, made him a tad bit more hesitant to be so stiff-minded.
The muted thrumming of the helicopter went entirely ignored by the stone-faced man, his black hair slicked back into a neat style. Black sunglasses shaded his eyes as he gazed out the chopper's window, jaw tight as they flew over the highly-classified military base below. Their descent gradually slowed until the pilot tilted the helicopter back slightly, slowing down as they neared the open patch of grass within the base itself.
Above the government agent the red light blinked green, signalling the door unlocked. The pilot shouted something inaudible over the thrum of the rotors before simply jerking a thumb at the door, prompting the fair-skinned agent to nod and heave it open.
Powerful gusts of wind whipped into his face even as the rotors began to slow down, prompting the man to grip his black suitcase tighter. Only once the powerful gusts calmed did he dare to step off the mechanical beast, grumbling lightly as he adjusted his sunglasses – the glare of the afternoon sun peeking past the rim into his eyes. Two guards waited for him at the entrance to the large rectangular building ahead of him, professional-looking and stoic.
''ID please, sir.'' The one on the right asked of him.
Agent Miller grunted back, tucking out his ID and flashing it to them. The two guards inspected it for only a minute before deeming it acceptable, the one on the right stepped aside while the one on the left politely opened the door for him.
''Thanks.'' The government agent muttered, stepping inside.
Cold grey walls greeted him; standard military-style as always. Only a few military officers walked the dismal halls, some giving him looks or raised brows, but none stopped him. Unsurprising; to get into this building at all, one needed an authority equal to a Colonel.
Two weeks had passed since the now-infamous 'Mist Incident'. An incident wherein a massive cloud of fog suddenly fell upon a Naval Base in the southernmost areas of the Eagle Union, 'Southport', and engulfed it; cutting off all communications in or out. The mist itself didn't obey normal physics; it had appeared out of nowhere and couldn't be blown away by any technology currently available. Naturally the initially-suspected culprits were the Sirens, given their tendencies towards using their Mirror Seas.
When military forces attempted to intrude upon the thick fog, however, they were instead assaulted by hordes upon hordes of monsters straight out of fantasy novellas. Humanoid lizards, hellish dogs, demonic red people with wings; the number was varied and frightening. While they often weren't the strongest of monsters they were so numerous that they could easily outnumber military forces ten-to-one – and the worst part was that the longer a fight went on, the stronger the type of monsters that came.
At first, it might be Goblins. By the end, it'd be Giants and Oni's; beasts capable of smashing tanks with ease.
'...and of course...' Agent Miller's expression darkened. None didn't know about the truly grim fate female soldiers suffered. Those that weren't simply killed outright were killed in a much slower, violating way.
It was a small mercy that the beasts never left the mist itself; they only attacked when anyone entered it, but never left. Those that escaped while being chased were let free; those that didn't escape, were never to be seen of again. That included all the Ship-Girls within the southernmost Naval Base.
All, except one.
Agent Miller's footsteps slowed as he neared another guarded door, this one with two guards also watching over it. They glanced at him and he showed them his ID, and after a short few seconds of examination they nodded and unlocked the door with their own keys, causing the door to click open. The government agent pushed it open slowly, the scent of saltwater quick to brush his nostrils as he entered the room.
It was a pool room. A modified one, granted, but one nonetheless. A cylindrical-styled ceiling with a reinforced glass roof hung overhead, bathing the room in natural afternoon sunlight. The room was as expansive as a small aircraft hanger, with the vast majority of it being a deep saltwater pool lined by a tiled pathway, a series of underwater tunnels connecting it to other rooms. And swimming languidly in the water, was the reason for his visit.
''USS Albacore.''
The agent's voice carried easily through the room, gaining an echoing quality to it due to the room's size. Because of that the scantily-clad blonde heard it easily; bubbles forming atop the gently-lapping pool – before Albacore erupted from under the surface with a reflexive gasp, sucking in lungfuls of air.
Albacore was the sole Ship-Girl to escape from the mist. She was found floating atop the water unconscious and obviously violated by some unseen beast, but no such creature could be found. By her own statements she remembered being carried away before passing out. Why such a thing happened nobody could explain, other than the creatures knew she wouldn't be safe within the mist, and sought to push her to safer waters.
A fact reinforced when she later gave birth to a monster. One that was currently swimming beneath Albacore – a small grey-skinned Dolphin with remarkable intelligence. At first it was planned to simply take the beast and study it, to find out how it worked and if they could use it against the monsters of the mist, but to the surprise of everyone involved, Albacore not only chose to keep her child, but also became fiercely protective of it. Any attempts to take the monster from Albacore put her in a borderline frenzy.
The torpedo blasts that erupted through the old military complex forewarned of what would happen if they ignored the Submarine's strange maternal instincts. And while one Submarine Ship-Girl was hardly the biggest threat in the world, the world governments had no need to make an enemy of her, not when they could just fork out some cash and build a facility for her and her monstrous offspring to live in, and be monitored.
Though the fact she called her child 'McSub' was arguably the most frustrating part of it all. Doubly so when you had to report to your superior, and keep a straight face while repeatedly saying 'McSub'.
''Mm... who're you?'' Albacore's lazy voice drew him from his thoughts.
''Agent Miller.'' He introduced himself with a slight nod. ''I believe Captain Morley should've told you I was coming?''
''Eh.'' Albacore lazily swam over to the poolside next to him, crossing her arms and resting her chin on her hands. ''I think I remember. Was too busy feeding McSub.''
Summoned by his name the small grey dolphin – barely longer than a torpedo – arose out of the water next to Albacore. The creature gazed up at the agent intently, neither malice nor curiosity in its unnaturally intelligent eyes; merely an analytical gleam. Analysing whether he was a threat to his mother.
He must've not been as after a moment the dolphin submerged once more, though notably remained close to Albacore. Mercifully only out of protective instinct, and not hormonal – the beast hadn't attempted to mate with its mother once despite their near-constant proximity. Silver linings.
''I see.'' The agent intoned. ''Then allow me to get to the point. There is to be a combined assault on the Southport Naval Base in twenty-four hours. I was sent to try and convince you to take part in it, considering your history with the base and knowledge of the undersea terrain.''
Silence. Albacore's expression changed from lazy to alarmed, then to afraid, then unease – and then finally uncertainty. She looked down, off to the side, then above. He didn't press her, simply giving her time to respond to what was understandably a big ask of her. While he had only read her case-file he didn't need to be a psychologist to know entering what was quite possibly her own hell was no easy task.
''...what for?'' Albacore finally found her voice.
Agent Miller responded tactfully. ''To investigate the potential cause of the Mist Incident, and to search and rescue any survivors. While unlikely, if they were to suffer a fate as you claimed... there may still be survivors.''
It was doubtful, but not impossible. And considering the threat the Sirens still faced alongside the potential of this mist being weaponised in more places, the high command was eager to get as many Ship-Girls back as possible. Dead or alive.
''The mist has shown signs of thinning over the past few days and the number of monsters has dropped somewhat. Because of this the operation will be conducted with Ship-Girls leading the charge, and human support troops around the edge of the mist to receive any... wounded.'' Agent Miller ended in a heavier voice, fully aware Albacore knew what it implied.
The Submarine grimaced, idly petting her dolphin-child as it swam around her legs. ''I see... guess I don't have much choice, do I?''
''...technically, yes.'' The agent replied. ''But your knowledge and experience will save lives, or cruel fates. I can't force you to join the operation, but I can ask.''
Albacore's hesitance was great – but her desire to protect others from the same fate that befell her, was greater.
''Fine... I'm in.''
X-x-X
Within a few hours all the leaders of the assault force had gathered within the classified military base.
The meeting room was modestly sized, a long table located in the centre of the room. Sitting at one end of the table was Queen Elizabeth of the Royal Navy, her hands folded under her chin as she leaned forwards on her elbows, a light smile on her face as she chatted away with her Sakura Empire counterpart – Nagato. Richelieu was sat next to the Royal Navy queen, her eyes gracefully shut as she internally contemplated the task laid before her.
Sitting a few chairs down was Akagi of the Sakura Empire and by her side, looking much smaller compared to the voluptuous carrier, was U-556 – standing in place of Bismarck, who was busy fighting Siren forces on the other side of the planet. And sitting next to the diminutive Submarine was Akashi, the only other Repair Ship besides Vestal and lead medic of the invasion force.
Albacore walked into the room with Agent Miller by her side, visibly uncomfortable with what she had to do but resolving herself to do it. The others ceased any conversations they had been having, the two noble Battleships perked up and schooling their previously-amicable expressions into firm ones befitting of people of their status.
''Now that everyone is gathered here...'' Agent Miller began in a heavy voice, striding to the front of the table with Albacore standing awkwardly by his side. ''We shall go over the plan.''
The agent nodded towards Akashi, prompting the green-hair girl to pull a remote out of her sleeve, pointing it at the table. The centre of the wooden construct slid apart, revealing a lens beneath that swiftly projected an image onto the ceiling – an aerial view of Southport Naval Base. Not batting an eye Akashi reached into her baggy sleeve and then withdrew a small metal pole, one that Agent Miller slowly extended out like a telescopic baton, using it as a pointing stick.
''Here.'' He tapped the western side of the base. ''The invasion force will be split into two groups; land and sea. The main bulk of our forces will be invading via land, using technology invented by Akashi to sneak past the majority of monsters and eliminate those that detect the invasion force. Inevitably we'll be noticed but we want to delay that for as long as possible.''
''The sea invasion will be conducted by several capital ships under an escort from a combined Submarine fleet.'' Agent Miller paused, giving Albacore a weighty look. ''USS Albacore will be leading that team, due to her experience with the terrain and the dangers therein. KMS U-101 and IJN I-168 will be assigned as lieutenants to the underwater fleet, in the event of the worst case scenario.''
Albacore really had to bite back a 'thanks jackass' at that.
''Akashi.'' Agent Miller stepped back just a tiny bit, dipping his head.
Akashi took that as her signal to stand up. As in, stand up in her chair, largely due to her short height. ''Nyaa... each member of the attacking fleet will be givnyen suppressors for their guns. These things ain't meant to last long, so don't go shooting willy-nilly, nya.''
''How long?'' Nagato's question was curt and to-the-point.
Akashi fiddled with her sleeve. ''I... ahm... can't be sure, nya. It differs too much. All of nyem will last at least twenty shots. Best I've gotten is eighty, but that was on a Destroyer. They don't work for anti-air guns, so don't use those, nya.''
The cat-girl coughed, shaking her head furiously as she tried to regain her momentum. ''Ah, and I've also managed to find out nyow they track our riggings, and nyullified it with a device I designed. Think of it as a jammer, nya. It'll hide everything in a radius around it; it'll be split among groups so everyone should be fine. They won't myatter when we go loud, but they'll help for the initial part of the operation, nya.''
Agent Miller nodded. ''Thank you, Akashi. As she stated, these devices will assist in getting the invasion force into the base itself, though be prepared to go loud at any moment. Stealth will only last for a short while, and the moment someone breaks it, all hell will break loose. We've only got the one shot at this, mind you – if the monsters figure out you can hide from them, they'll be much more on-guard in future. So make use of it will you can.''
Albacore had an immediate issue. ''And what's the point of us subs? Ain't nobody gonna be snoozing at the bottom of the ocean alive.''
The man nodded. ''Yes, that's because we've managed to detect an... anomaly, within a ravine below the sea. It's far too deep down for a regular Ship-Girl and it's heavily guarded by monsters, but we believe it to perhaps be the source of the mist entirely. The plan is to fight your way in once you're within range, deposit a powerful bomb within its core, and then get out.''
''However, we don't know what will happen when you do.'' Agent Miller continued. ''It may cause a massive explosion. It may simply cause an underwater explosion that, while still deadly to you, will have no effect outside. It could destroy the mist, or call for reinforcements. We simply have no way to know, but after much deliberation, it's our best shot.''
''I see...'' Albacore couldn't say she was enthused. ''And how will we find it? Unless you forgot, it's dark as a dang abyss down there.''
Agent Miller nodded. ''That is the point of the ships above the water. They will be equipped with high-intensity flares, and will fire them once stealth is no longer an option. They've been tested and have shown to illuminate several hundred feet below the water, though will only last for a few minutes. Once again, make every second count.''
Albacore was about to question further but zipped her mouth shut, internally realising it was just her nerves making her ask. She already had all the information she needed to know; any more and it was just stalling. And the last thing her shattered pride desired was for the others in the room to view her as a coward.
''Alright...'' Albacore looked over at U-556. ''Guess we'll be partners, eh?''
''Mm!'' U-556 nodded, trying to smile confidently but coming off just as nervous as Albacore felt. ''Lord Bismarck entrusted me to help lead the Submarines, so I'll do my best!''
Agent Miller waited a moment for conversation to die down, before continuing. ''If that is all, let us begin going over formations and other such details. Richelieu, you will lead the surface fleet on the oceans; Akashi will equip you with the necessary mechanisms to deploy the flares and...''
Albacore slowly tuned out the words being spoken, her thoughts coming to a single, definitive thought.
'Guess it's time to face my hell again, huh...'
[END]
A/N: Next: Sheffield.