Sakura Wars: The 21st Century
By Steve Edward
The Return
Chapter 27
Saturday, February 13th, 2010 – USS Wisconsin BB-64 – 0600 hours
Admiral Long as he orbited the Wisconsin on his morning run accompanied by Lieutenant Commander Maria Tachibana and Commander Kaede Fujieda, he mentally reviewed the history and facts of Iwo Jima. The largest of the three islands in the Volcano Island chain in the Western Pacific, it was just a mere 6 miles in length and 2 miles in width. Its largest feature, the long dormant volcano Mount Suribachi at 528 feet in height rose from the southern tip of the island.
Annexed by Japan in the 1800's it would later become the site of an Imperial Japanese Air Force Base, during World War II. In February and March of 1945 one of the most brutal and bloodiest battles of World War II were played out on the sands of the island in an effort to capture the airfield so that battle damaged B-29 bombers could land. Among the 6,800 US Marines who died capturing it, was former Rose Division (1927) Captain Kotone Seiryuin who was serving as a combat translator for the United States Marines. Laid to rest with his fellows, Seiryuin died for his adopted country hoping to guarantee freedom for those that were to come after him.
Returned to Japan in 1968 after being administered by the United States Navy since 1951, the island of Iwo Jima now administered by the Tokyo prefectural government, the only industries on the island is sugar caning and sulfur mines, and a lot of black volcanic sand.
The Admiral making his last revolution of the Wisconsin deck looked towards the horizon where a United States Military Sealift Command Tanker sailing towards Task Group Rose would refuel the USS Wisconsin and the USS Shiloh simultaneously later in the morning. The Wisconsin's bunkers depleted by the high speed runs of the day before needed to be refilled.
Saturday, February 13th, 2010 – USS Ronald Regan CVN-76 – 1600 hours
The USS Ronald Regan CVN-76, a Nimitz class aircraft carrier was part of Task Force 77 on patrol in the Western Pacific. Their patrol area had included the Sea of Japan, the Philippine Sea and showing the flag in the East China and South China Seas.
Having exited the South China Sea and heading east into the Philippine Sea, Rear Admiral Drew Shoemaker, on the Flag Bridge of the Regan had read the after action report received from the USS Wisconsin. Drew had no doubt that Admiral Long was doing the same thing.
Task Force 77 having dealt with several Sea Wraith appearances during the course of their deployment, the most recent north of the Spratly Island chain in the South China Sea; he had ordered an air strike against a Sea Wraith with two F-35 Strike Fighters. Successfully taking it out, both fighters had returned unharmed. The Sea Wraith when it was engaged had been trailing a Vietnamese flagged coastal freighter, which it seemed to be playing with. The odd behavior had been reported to the Pentagon and of course Task Group Rose. The announcement to Rear Admiral Shoemaker that Admiral Long wanted to chat with him had him enroute to the Regan's Combat Information Center.
Admiral John Long sitting in his Flag Cabin with Commander Kayama and Commander Fujieda had read the report from Task Force 77. The odd statement that the Sea Wraith had been playing around with the Vietnamese freighter had caught his attention. Seeing that Rear Admiral Drew Shoemaker had appeared on the video screen, he turned and greeted him, "Drew, good to see you. I read the report of your Sea Wraith encounter. Just what did the pilots mean by playing around with that freighter?" as he held up the message.
Drew smiled, "Just what it says. The pilots observed the Sea Wraith trailing the freighter which had sent out a distress signal in old style Morse code. It was not rushing in to attack but had emitted a couple of the energy bursts. Low grade strength types of stuff nothing that would bother anything or cause any damage. The pilots decided that it would eventually become a threat so they took it out inside Vietnamese territorial waters."
Raising an eyebrow over that comment John replied, "I hope the Vietnamese government is not too angry with the bombing?" Drew shaking his head, "Not in the least bit, Task Group 77 received a thank you message through the State Department. By the way John, where is the USS Shiloh?" Almost shrugging his shoulders John replied, "Still with me. We are headed to Iwo Jima, and I would like to keep Sherman with me for a while longer."
Drew turned away and looked at the nearby navigational chart table, "Tell you what, since we are back in the Philippine Sea we can meet you in the area. Say five days from now around the 18th?" John knowing that the Shiloh was needed for the carrier battle group escort, "Ok the 18th of February it is, but by then I will be holding off the coast of Iwo Jima. We have a civilian research ship in company with us, the Oceanic Plain. We may have come up with something from the Sea Wraith attack at the Marshall Islands and while the Oceanic Plain is doing a survey operation, I would like to keep Shiloh around till that research operation is done; if that is ok with you?" Agreeing at the request Rear Admiral Shoemaker signed off.
Sunday, February 14th, 2010 – USS Wisconsin BB-64 – 0900 hours
Deciding that it would be wise to inform the Japanese government of his intentions, Admiral Long had Captain Frank Orkney draft a message stating the reason for the survey in the waters around Iwo Jima. Adding to the message that Task Group 77 would be in the area, he felt he owed some explanation to what was going on.
Curious about the behavior of the Sea Wraith encounter in the South China Sea he directed that information on the freighter's cargo and more importantly its radio communication system be obtained. His mental picture of a Sea Wraith playing with a ship did not exactly add up. John's personal experience with the Sea Wraith off of New York while on the USS Doyle was not a fond one; the creature obviously bent on destroying anything and everything that had come across its path.
Dismissing his Staff from the morning briefing, Admiral Long recalling the tone emitted by the IPOD while standing next to Kohran's Koubu perplexed him. Was it the frequency or sound? Turning and picking up the phone, he called the Bridge. Asking that a page be sent through the 1MC requesting that all personnel with IPODS please report to the hanger bay work shop with their equipment, he got up and headed aft.
Sunday, February 14th, 2010 – USS Wisconsin BB-64 – 1300 hours
Captain Orkney stood back and watched perplexed, the sight of Admiral Long sitting inside the spare Koubu was too much even for him, "John, Staff Sergeant Bloomberg told me you were in there. Just what do you think you are doing?" as John annoyed at being disturbed; "Research. Leave me alone."
Without warning, the Admiral obviously even more annoyed than usual slammed his fist down on the hatch closure button and sealed him self inside the Koubu. Looking around at the Rose Combat Division who all had come to the hanger bay to see what had been going on Frank turned to Commander Fujieda, "Well Kaede can you do something? John has been at it since 0930 this morning." Kaede turned to Kohran; "Trip the emergency release and open the hatch."
Kohran tried to do so only to find it would not work. Turning to Kaede, "The Admiral has somehow managed to override the external release, I can not open it."
Frank looked at Kohran, "Please tell me that the Koubu he is in has been fully serviced?" Nodding that it had, "It is fully operational as per his orders," as the signal lights on the storage bay shifted indicating it was powering up and it was now going to internal power.
Stuffed inside the Koubu with the Admiral was a tone generator, a small oscilloscope and several IPODS. John not interested in the music selection of the IPODS was focused on the spurious emissions of the devices. Even though the communications systems of the Koubus and Eisenkleids had been upgraded, they still carried low frequency radio gear. Perfectly suitable for intercommunications between the Division when in flight or on the ground the electronic relays within the radios emitted chirps that were unnoticeable to the pilot but could be heard by someone with a receiver or scanner.
Recalling the survivors stating that they had watched the Sea Wraith as it reacted to the approach of the Rose Combat Division, and not to the P3-C Orion; John fiddled with the oscilloscope and interconnecting it with the tone generator and the low frequency radio transceiver, he turned on the IPOD.
Outside in the hanger bay, Captain Sammy Hollister had come from the Bridge where Captain Orkney had called her and advised her of the activity. She had seen from the monitor on the Bridge, when Admiral Long had slammed the hatch shut. Listening to Captain Orkney describe the attempts to open the Koubu; Sammy began to seriously consider using a blow torch.
Turning and walking to the Koubu Sammy knocked on the hatch, "Ok, Admiral the fun is over with now get out of the Koubu now or I'll have Commander Healey cut you out of that thing!" John, taking another IPOD and hooking it up had heard Sammy's request, "No Captain, not right now. I am busy. As for the blow torch, Matt knows better and he will not do it." The chirping sounds coming through the external speaker which were heard by Kohran caused her to turn to Captain Hollister, "Of course now I know what he is doing. He is looking for tones!" Sammy puzzled, "Tones? What kind of tones?" Without providing an immediate answer, Kohran turned and ran to her Koubu and boarded it then closed the hatch. It too shifted to internal power.
Admiral Long moved the Koubu observation camera to the left and it looked directly at Sammy, "We've been going around this all wrong, get in the Eisenkleid Sammy. Lachette show her how to close and open the hatch and how to switch to internal power, and then activate the low band intercommunication radio. The rest of you board your equipment and do the same." Sammy not at first comfortable with the idea was assured that Commander Fujieda could get her out, boarded the spare Eisenkleid.
For the benefit of Captain Orkney, Commander Fujieda and Staff Sergeant Bloomberg, Admiral Long left his external speaker on and then went into the explanation of why he had been utilizing the Koubu while transmitting the same explanation to the Rose Division on the intercommunication radio. It was 1330 hours when the hatches opened again, including the Admiral's borrowed Koubu.
Exiting the Koubu, Admiral Long walked to the Eisenkleid which Captain Hollister had occupied. Looking up at her still inside, "I had thought that it was radio frequencies that were the primary source of attracting a Sea Wraith, but a radio carrier wave is what provides path. The tones are in a way like music to the Sea Wraith only we can't hear the tones ourselves."
Captain Hollister who eyed the distance to the deck, "Well that is fine and good, but would you mind helping me out of this thing?" as Sammy looking for a way down finally jumped and was caught by Admiral Long before she landed. Admiral Long turned to Captain Orkney, "Frank put another request in to have the Vietnamese government locate and detain the freighter. It is utilizing old style Morse code communication equipment which generates tones when transmitting. Explain to them, that I do not care if it was smuggling or not. I would like measurements taken of the transmitter tones and know the specific frequency of each tone."
Captain Orkney who jotted the order down turned to leave, "Also send messages to the Pentagon, Pearl Harbor and Tokyo. Carbon copy to Shiloh and the Oceanic Plain and Task Force 77, the findings about the tones; Admiral Shoemaker was correct Frank the Sea Wraith was playing with that freighter because it was hearing the tones from that ships transmitter and it was wonderful music to what ever passes for its ears."
Thursday, February 18th, 2010 – USS Wisconsin BB-64 – 0500 hours -
Making an orbit of the Wisconsin's main deck, Admiral Long accompanied by Iris, Sakura and Leni with her dog took in the vista of Iwo Jima in the distance. Mount Suribachi rising from the island its dark facing, withered and ominous. John could picture the young men and boys who would soon become men as they saw the same sight themselves some 65 years ago. The USS Wisconsin then two years out of the builder's yard, her 16 inch guns is pounding the island, those same men and young boys hoping that she would make the job easier. For 6,800 young boys and men of the United States Marines that wish would not come true, of the young boys and men defending Iwo Jima from the invading force over 21,000 Japanese would perish.
Thanking both Sakura and Leni for joining him, Admiral Long returned to his Flag Cabin. Staff Sergeant Teresa Bloomberg waiting within holding the morning message traffic for his review filled his battered coffee cup then handed it to him, "Admiral are you sure you want to do this?" as he sat at his desk. Looking up John replied, "It is something that I need to do as does the Rose Division. Captain Orkney has already made the preparations." Acknowledging that she understood, she departed the cabin.
Thursday, February 18th, 2010 – Iwo Jima – 0900 hours –
In the distance on the tarmac of the airfield sat both Seahawks from the Wisconsin Charlie One and Charlie Two. The administrator of Iwo Jima had bowed deeply after greeting the Admiral's party and wished them all a pleasant visit. Navy Journalist First Class Marla Simmons of the USS Wisconsin her assignment to cover grave side visit had been instructed to take still cameras only. She stood back as the Admiral accepted the welcome from the low ranking public administrator, snapping photographs of the scene. The administrator bowed to each Rose Division member giving his condolences to each one.
Officially on Japanese soil for the first time in 83 years since leaving Tokyo, the members of the Rose Division rode in silence taking in the sights that passed. Approaching the circular drive, the bus turned in and then stopped at the gate. A solitary man stood at the entrance and waited. Bowing to the visitors, he led them to where they wanted to go. Petty Officer Simmons following at a respectful distance captured a somber shot. The USS Wisconsin at sea in the distance, her grey hull contrasting with the surroundings, the white crosses fusing with its image as the figures of the Rose Division followed the caretaker.
Their guide stopped ahead and knowing that they would want to be alone gave the directions to where the grave site was. Leaving the guide behind the party continued until they came to what they were looking for.
The marker had been changed, the true identity of the graves occupant now known. Former Rose Division Captain Kotone Seiryuin had volunteered to become a combat translator as had former Rose Division Sergeant Yokihiko Ota. Assigned to different companies on the day of the landings at Iwo Jima they had gone their separate ways wishing each other luck. Wounded on the second day, Ota refused to be evacuated and continued with his platoon till wounded again three days later he was evacuated from Iwo Jima. Seiryuin with his platoon had come under heavy fire from a pill box. Making three trips to drag his wounded comrades out from the line of fire, it was the fourth trip where he was killed.
The outline of the Silver Star was on the cross; the hand of a young woman passing over it, the photograph had captured the tenderness of the touch. Eye witnesses stated that Seiryuin had been wounded on the fourth trip to retrieve a wounded comrade. Refusing aid, he took four grenades and ran back in the direction of the pillbox. Making his way around the base, he lobbed all four grenades into the gun emplacement while shouting in Japanese for them to surrender. None of the occupants fled and perished in the explosions.
Preparing to return to his comrades, Seiryuin looking into the eyes of a Marine from Texas named Simms as he headed towards him; the sound of a single shot was heard. Simms who desperately crawled across the sand to drag Seiryuin to safety got to the fallen Marine to hear his last words. Seiryuin knowing that death was coming blinked his eyes, "I did what had to be done for the ladies; they will help us all." Simms not able to fathom what Seiryuin had said dragged him back with him. Seiryuin died moments later clutched in the arms of a man named Simms from Texas on February 22nd, 1945.
Kneeling and placing a single rose, the Admiral said a silent prayer. Standing and walking to the nearby path, he watched as each of the former Imperial Flower Combat Division did the same. Standing next to Staff Sergeant Bloomberg in silence, Admiral Long waited till all had done the same. Noting Kaede, Maria and Kanna the tears flowing down their cheeks, Staff Sergeant Teresa Bloomberg came to understand why the Admiral had come. With one final look the Admiral's party returned to the bus. Behind them at the base of the cross, twelve red roses their petals brushed gently by the wind remained. The final photograph was of the twelve roses laying in the black sandy soil of Iwo Jima beneath the stark white cross.
Thursday, February 18th, 2010 – Oceanic Plain – 1900 hours –
The Seeker was skimming above the ocean floor, occasionally coming across the detritus of a war long ago. The debris none of which interested Dr. Sotheby was a hindrance. A sunken US Navy Destroyer, its identity unknown had been discovered by the Seeker. The wrecked ship laying on its side less than 25 yards from a volcanic vent, a target of interest for the doctor; her skilled operator successfully maneuvered the Seeker among the wreckage and obtained a gas sample.
Continuing the survey, Dr. Sotheby noted the location of the sunken destroyer on her chart and notified Captain DuPont as well. The information on the location of sunken ship would be forwarded to Task Group Rose for further study. Video of the Seekers brief visit would be analyzed to determine the ships name. The wreck lying in 7,500 feet of water would not be disturbed again.
Thursday, February 18th, 2010 – USS Wisconsin BB-64 – 2000 hours –
Admiral Long in his Flag Cabin, smiled as he read the message. The USS John S McCain DDG-56 commanded by Commander Timothy Welter had been notified by a Vietnamese gun boat that the ship of interest wanted by Admiral John Long had been located and the diminutive gun boat had led the McCain to the freighter located inside the Gulf of Tonkin. Anchored off of Da Nang and surrounded by Vietnamese Navy vessels the small freighter was being held for inspection.
Sending a boarding party which included an electronics specialist and his Executive Officer, Timothy's inspection team struck pay dirt. The radio room according to the Executive Officer of the McCain looked like something out of a Frankenstein movie. Cobbled together from surplus equipment, it even contained a Spark Gap transmitter.
After measurements were taken and the tonal generation frequencies were recorded, the US Navy boarding crew with the help of a Vietnamese Naval Officer interviewed the 8 crew members. The ship had sailed from Hong Cong loaded with electronic equipment and clothing knockoffs destined for markets in Vietnam. They had encountered the Sea Wraith as they were sailing through the Parcel Islands and for two days it had followed them.
The master of the freighter fearful of the creature had instructed that an SOS be sent. The radioman banging away on his code key would watch fearfully as the Sea Wraith seemed to emit strange balls of energy at their vessel at random intervals, yet it would not come close. The crew was finally relieved when the US Navy bombers destroyed it. Not wanting to attract any further attention the master had changed course and hid along the coast line till he thought things had cooled down.
Sent to the Admiral by Email, photographs of the ship, it radio room and the small scorched area on the stern where the Sea Wraith had sent its energy attacks or in John's view its affection for the ship. Shaking his head at the wonder of it all, he decided to head aft to speak with Kohran. It was time to turn Kohran loose and let her work some of her quirky inventiveness magic, though John hoped she would keep the malfunctions to a minimum. Having called around the ship, Admiral Long located her in Engine Room Number 3. Having to pass through the mess decks he came upon a crowed that had gathered.
A Chief Petty Officer had seen him coming and prepared to announce his presence, but the Admiral had shook his head no, and took a position to observe the events. Though officially Navy Officers by rank the Rose Combat Division; did not let that stop them from engaging in activities with the crew of the Wisconsin.
Commander Fujieda seeing that Admiral Long was present left her vantage point and came to a stop beside him. A head to head chess match was in progress between Iris and an enlisted man from the Radio Room, another match between Orihime Soletta and an Engineman, also in full swing. The Radioman moving his chess pieces by hand waited for Iris then watched as a Rook levitated and settled into a new position. Unconcerned the Radioman pondered his next move.
Admiral Long motioning for Commander Fujieda to follow walked to a passageway that was nearby, "Commander, I am going to have Kohran build the tone transmitter," as Kaede raising an eye brow, "John are you sure that is a wise thing to do?" as they watched Iris levitate a Knight.
Admiral Long turning back to Kaede, "It is a course of action that I am going to take. If it works, so be it. If not then we can try something else." The Admiral turning to head aft bid Kaede a pleasant evening. Commander Fujieda returning the pleasantries as well suddenly felt uncomfortable about the decision but dismissed it as the Admiral entering the access trunk to Engine Room Three disappeared from sight.
Friday, February 19th, 2010 – Tokyo – 0330 hours –
The intern on duty entering the data from the Oceanic Plain's laboratory analysis of samples taken from several of the volcanic vents double checked his entries. Certain gases when exposed to seawater would become corrosive. Several of the vents had marked increases in the deadly mixtures. Asking another intern to verify the results and compare the historical records to the current readings that both nearly missed beginning of seismic activity being reported from a remote station north of Iwo Jima.
Silencing the alarm the intern, watched as the recording needle jumped from its neutral position to a 2.0 then climbing a 4.5 then back to 3.0. The next time the needle moved, it jumped to 9.9. Other remote seismic monitors began recording event, not as strong nevertheless the seaquake effects had been transmitted to other distant stations.
Picking up the phone and alerting both Professor Kereru and Dr. Long, he received his instructions. Send out a Sea Wraith alert and Tsunami warning and the intern was advised both were coming in.
Friday, February 19th, 2010 – Task Force 77 – 0340 hours –
Escorts of the USS Ronald Regan CVN-76 ironically picked up the massive quake. The sound waves transmitted underwater the effects clearly heard were not hard to miss, the seaquake having occurred less than 85 miles from the Task Group. Onboard the USS Wisconsin, the Tactical Officer in CIC already aware of the standing orders tripped the General Quarters alarm and directed that course be set to the north.
Friday, February 19th, 2010 – USS Wisconsin BB-64 – 0430 hours –
Admiral Long in CIC studied the tactical board noting the position of Task Group 77 which was 35 miles ahead. The Oceanic Plain in the process of retrieving the Seeker had also picked up the underwater sound waves from the seaquake and plotted the possible origin. Using reports from Task Force 77 the Admiral had a rough idea where it had occurred. Captain DuPont assuring the USS Shiloh that the Oceanic Plain would be fine, had the Shiloh depart, the USS Wisconsin steaming at 50 knots raced northward was leaving her behind.
The message from Tokyo was a shocker, the readings of 9.9 taken from the remote station which was now mute and presumed destroyed was nearly on top of the seaquake. Commander Fujieda in communications with the hanger bay turned to the Admiral, "Sir, Rose Combat Division is ready for launch shall they be brought to the main deck?" as the Admiral glanced at a clock, he nodded, "Lock and Load Commander, but do not start flight engines."
Friday, February 19th, 2010 – S-3 Baker-Five-Lima – 0515 hours –
Baker-Five-Lima, a Navy S-3 had been launched from the USS Ronald Regan for an over flight of the seaquake area. The sun rising to the west scattered its light across the nearly calm sea; the light chop visible seemed peaceful. At first thinking it was a school of porpoises, the co-pilot took another look.
Hurriedly radioing the observations, the S-3 climbed for altitude. The loss of the Navy P3-C days earlier still fresh in their minds they did not want to have the same fate. By the co-pilot's count there were two waves of them, numbering a dozen in each. Their general course seemed to be West South West, which would take them into direct conflict with Task Force 77.
Friday, February 19th, 2010 – USS Wisconsin BB-64 – 0530 hours –
Hearing the contact report Admiral Long turned to Commander Fujieda, "Launch the Rose Combat Division," picking up the secure voice hand set, "Wisconsin, Regan. I am launching the Rose Combat Division. My intention is to close with your formation. Prepare for formation change execution. Our ETA is 40 minutes to your position, Wisconsin out."
Turning to Captain Hollister, "Sammy lets hope like hell this works. Get your tactical formation plan in order and send it to Task Force 77. I don't think we will be able to be the center focal point. Direct Iris to make for the Regan, she's the only hope that they have. Launch a UAV. We will use it to take out any that may survive by utilizing our 16 inch guns with laser targeting. Prepare secondary 5 inch batteries." The Admiral turning and looking at the current formation position of Task Force 77 "Put the Wisconsin here, forward and to starboard of the Regan at 4,000 yards and lets slide the tin can there over to our port bow at 4,000. Let's see what our new Rose Spiritual Defense Formation can really do." Turning to Commander Fujieda, "Kaede have the radio room activate the transmitter," as Captain Hollister hearing that order looked at the Admiral who only shrugged his shoulders.
Friday, February 19th, 2010 – USS Ronald Regan CVN-76 – 0610 hours –
Admiral Drew Shoemaker within the Regan's CIC had asked the Wisconsin to repeat what he had just heard. Captain Hollister confirming the orders, then began issuing formation change orders as the Wisconsin charged through the Task Group 77 formation.
It was the bright yellow Koubu coming in for an unorthodox landing that startled the flight deck crew of the Regan. Not needing the arresting cables, Iris almost daintily skipped over them, throwing up a shower of sparks in the process, coming to a stop even with the superstructure of the massive carrier. The Flight Boss not initially understanding what was about to happen, screaming for her to clear the deck.
Lieutenant Commander Oogami making a pass over the massed Sea Wraith, dodges an energy blast emitted by one the creatures. Crackling skyward, the energy blast is visually seen from Regan and the Wisconsin. Commander Chris Tyler watching it informs CIC. CIC in turn has Commander Matt Healey man the degaussing control station.
Below deck in the Wisconsin, the Dream Division already in place begin their spiritual and paranormal operations, Kasumi Fujii monitoring the spiritual output climb reports all is ready.
Sometimes surprising the crews of the ships that they land on, the Rose Combat Division sets down on the designated ships. In the center of the formation, the USS Ronald Regan, her crew informed who are informed at what about is to transpire clears the flight deck and takes cover.
The Sea Wraith seemingly focused on just one ship, cut loose combining their energy into one crackling ball of fire. Commander Chris Tyler, calmly reports that the Wisconsin has incoming. Admiral Long picks up a sound powered phone and presses the talk button, "Now Matt, engage."
Emitted at 9,000 yards, the rolling ball of energy impacts starboard side forward of Turret 'A', rocking and shaking the Wisconsin. Several monitors blink as the power supply shifts to backup systems, the crack of the thunderous impact echoing among the ships of Task Force 77.
Admiral Long, picking up a nearby Petty Officer thrown from her consol station nods to Commander Fujieda, "Now Commander, release the Rose Barrier." Acknowledging the command, Kaede keys her com set, "Engage the Rose Barrier."
Ignoring for now the fire on the forecastle, Commander Tyler from within the armored conning tower watches as a surreal glow begins to expand outward from the flight deck of the Regan. The Sea Wraith sensing what about is to come turn about as one, but they will not all escape.
The USS Shiloh astern of the Task Force 77 at 8 miles, Commander Mike Sherman watches in awe, as the huge light continues to grow from the center of the formation. Without warning and with a bright flash he witnesses the wave of energy released as it races across the ocean. Out of range of the full effects, Commander Sherman feels a slight tingle as the dissipating wave of energy passes over, through and under his ship.
On the Regan, Iris the center focal point of the release relaxes her job done for now, she watches the Wisconsin the fire on her forecastle still burning as all three of her 16 inch gun turrets begin firing salvo's at the retreating Sea Wraith, the secondary 5 inch guns adding their voices to the noise, the shells falling and bracketing the Sea Wraith.
Friday, February 19th, 2010 – USS Wisconsin BB-64 – 0645 hours –
Only three out of the two dozen Sea Wraiths survived the effects of the Rose Barrier and that was likely that they had been shielded from the Barrier by their fellows. The first salvo out of the forward turret had blown out the fire on the teak decking. Several sections would have to be replaced as would some lifelines melted by the energy ball impact.
Directed by Commander Fujieda the Rose Combat Division joined Iris on the USS Ronald Regan. Observing conventional landing procedures the remaining Koubu and Eisenkleids landed and Lieutenant Commander Oogami was personally greeted by Rear Admiral Drew Shoemaker.
Joining the crew of the Ronald Regan at the edge of her flight deck, the Rose Division watched as the Wisconsin having broken formation begins the pursuit of the remaining Sea Wraiths.
Placing herself in the line of fire between the Sea Wraiths and the USS Ronald Regan, the USS Wisconsin absorbed five more thunderous hits. In the distance, the USS Shiloh joining in on the shelling killed the remaining Sea Wraith with five well placed 5 inch rounds.
Having ensured that the Sea Wraith were all dead, the USS Wisconsin came about and steamed back to Task Force 77. Passing down the starboard side of the Regan, Rear Admiral Drew Shoemaker took in the damage to the Battleship. The Wisconsin's hull and a part of her upper works were blackened from the impacts, but otherwise she appeared unharmed. The danger having passed, members of the Dream Division were manning hoses spraying the smoking teak wood decking putting out the last of the hot spots.
The Fly Boss of the Regan, announcing Flight Quarters ordered the Rose Combat Division to prepare for launching. Admiral Drew Shoemaker kneeling thanked Iris for her help and watched as she happily jumped back into her Koubu. Lieutenant Kanna Kirishima accepting a hand shake from Admiral Shoemaker nearly over did it, Drew wincing bid them all farewell.
Returning safely to the Wisconsin, the Rose Combat Division after landing joined the crew of the Wisconsin to help with cleanup. Out of CIC and back on the Flag Bridge Admiral John Long dictated to Staff Sergeant Bloomberg message traffic that had to be sent out. Stepping out onto the bridge wing, he turned to Captain Orkney; "Well Frank it was worth the risk but the Rose Combat Division Rose Barricade Formation worked."
Frank eyeing the burned deck of the forecastle, "Yes it did John, but how close did we come to screwing it up?" as John too looked at the damage; "Not even close to measure in my book. We have a viable defense plan for large scale encounters with Sea Wraiths and we got a whole lot of people who are going to be changing their tunes." Walking back inside the Admiral paused, "And another thing, we just got the respect of nearly 18,000 men and women out here, you can not ask for any more than that."