Sakura Wars: The 21st Century
By Steve Edward
The Return
Chapter 28
Friday, February 19th, 2010 – USS Wisconsin BB-64 – 1300 hours –
The ship dead in the water, the gentle swells of the Pacific passed under the Wisconsin. Even with the degaussing system operating and either deflecting or absorbing the Sea Wraiths energy attacks, the side effects of taking that much electrical energy was proving to be problematic.
The ninth fire alarm had sounded for the day, sending damage control teams racing to put out another fire. The electrical system of the Wisconsin could only handle so much and power surges to various sections of the ship were making lives miserable. The simple act of even turning on an overhead light fixture could result in an electrical fire starting.
In the distance Task Group 77, doing a circular patrol pattern around the crippled Battleship had sent offers of assistance, but Captain Hollister wanting to keep the number of personnel from outside ships to a minimum had only accepted the Rescue and Assistance Detail teams from the USS Shiloh. Commander Mike Sherman ordering the teams deployed by helicopter could now only offer his sympathies and best wishes.
The Wisconsin's magnetic field was so distorted that it had sent the magnetic compass on the bridge of the USS Shiloh spinning madly when the ship closed to within 500 yards of the Wisconsin, now standing off at 1,000 yards the USS Shiloh could only wait.
Admiral Long standing on the Flag Bridge was reading the messages relayed by signal light from the USS Shiloh wondered how long the effects would last. The saving grace of being steam powered was that the steam driven fuel pumps feeding the boilers were unaffected, but Commander Matt Healey had his hands full in Main Control having to take manual control of the boilers control systems. Kohran's words were coming back to haunt him, "The degaussing systems can only take so much up to a point."
Standing with him was Sakura Shinguji and Admiral Long having decided it would be a worthwhile option had called her to the Flag Bridge, "Sakura, I am going to send you to the USS Shiloh. Once onboard, Commander Sherman will maneuver the Shiloh ahead of the Wisconsin. Once in position, you are to initiate a Spiritual attack utilizing the Arataka against the Wisconsin." Hearing those orders being issued Commander Kaede Fujieda interrupted, "Admiral that is an extraordinarily powerful attack. It could severely damage this ship."
Turning and walking onto the bridge wing, "Yes Kaede it is. However we need to conduct a proverbial exorcism. The negative energy of the Sea Wraith attack was even greater than I had anticipated. Sakura's powers that lie within her are positive. The Wisconsin will handle Sakura's attack in a positive way." Kaede pausing a moment, "Admiral then should not the crew be evacuated, and sent to the Regan or another ship?" Turning and shaking his head no, "The crew was on this ship when we took the hits from the Sea Wraith. They will be onboard when Sakura uses the Arataka and so will I. That is all. Carry out your orders Sakura, Dismissed."
Friday, February 19th, 2010 – USS Shiloh CG-67 – 1405 hours –
At first dubious of Admiral Long's decision, Commander Sherman had argued against having the Arataka being used against the Wisconsin and her crew. But John had stated that the Wisconsin did not have the time to wait for the dissipation of the effects, which seemed to be getting progressively worse.
When Rear Admiral Drew Shoemaker had heard of the plan and deciding that it would be best for Admiral Long to come to his flagship, the senior admiral turned down the offer stating that he was going to stay with his ship and his crew, Drew was sorely tempted to send a retrieval party but wisely did not.
Sakura Shinguji standing on the fantail of the USS Shiloh mentally prepared herself. "My friends, the ones I love and care for are on that ship that is their home as well as mine. John trusts my abilities as do the others, for that I must do it." Without being aware of it, Sakura nodding her head signaled that she was ready. Standing to the rear, Commander Sherman having guided the Shiloh to a distance of 100 yards from the bow of the Wisconsin keyed his headset and speaking softly gave the go-ahead.
On the Flag Bridge of the USS Ronald Regan, Rear Admiral Drew Shoemaker held his breath as Sakura unleashed the power with the Arataka Spirit Sword. The ball of energy bluish in color, sparkling as it rolled just above the surface of the Pacific the crackling of its pent up energy audible from nearly three miles slammed head on into the bow of the Wisconsin.
In Main Control, Commander Healey watched the degaussing system its magnetic field readings shift from the negative to the positive and back again. The remaining emergency lighting brightening then dimming and finally failing, as the bluish and highly visible wave of spiritual energy passed through Main Control.
Passing through to the stern and fantail back into the Pacific the ball of energy, crackled once again and thunderously detonated. Around the Wisconsin, power began returning. In Main Control the degaussing system in full automatic control, showed the ships magnetic field normal. The static electrical charges no longer present.
From the Ronal Regan, it appeared as though the Wisconsin had phased out; the crackling ball of energy having impacted seemed to suddenly expand obliterating any direct view of the Battleship, then just as suddenly it had collapsed. The ball of energy exiting the Battleship from its stern, then detonating the thunderclap heard by watchers on the flight deck of the Ronald Regan as the concussion wave closely followed moments later.
Friday, February 19th, 2010 – USS Wisconsin BB-64 – 2000 hours –
The view of Admiral Alex Guthrie on the monitor was of the man just having finished chewing out another, "John if I had my way your ass would be on its way back to Pearl Harbor. Just what the hell were you thinking when you pulled that stunt?" as Admiral John Long the focus of Admiral Guthrie's ire sat at his desk.
"Taking a risk that had to be taken Alex. I was just as surprised as everyone else at the violence of the seaquake. Testing the tonal attraction system to draw the Sea Wraith worked only too well." As Admiral Guthrie glanced at the damage reports from the Wisconsin, he held up some message flimsies; "I've read the theory of the tonal frequency attraction, but why did the Sea Wraith which basically vented their anger at the Wisconsin did not try to go after the Regan?"
Sitting back in his chair, "Because the Wisconsin masked the Regan electronically from the Sea Wraith, as we had the tonal generator hooked into the ships main transmitter. It is likely due to sensory overload that they focused their attack on us." Admiral Long looking up at Kohran Ri and Commander Kaede Fujieda continued, "Several of my staff did express concern over conducting such a test but it succeeded. I had hoped to do it on a smaller scale but the size of the seismic event precluded that."
Admiral Guthrie, his anger abetted, "John next time please give a heads up on what you are planning in the future. Frankly, you scared the hell out of Drew when you pulled that stunt, as well as your sister. Which by the way reminds me; I received a request from the Tokyo Seismology Institute to have a new seismic detection unit to be delivered out to Iwo Jima. Since the Regan is still nearby it will be delivered by COD to the carrier, as will be your sister, Cynthia."
Admiral Long visibly surprised, "Alex, it is unnecessary that Dr. Long come out here, I am sure that they can send someone else to handle replacement." Admiral Guthrie with a cryptic smile, "Cynthia insisted that she be involved and she has been requested by Doctor Sotheby on the Oceanic Plain to consult with on the latest event. Enjoy the company, Pearl Harbor out." Before Admiral Long could get another word edgewise, Admiral Guthrie had cut the connection.
Perturbed that his sister was coming to the Wisconsin the only thing Admiral Long could do was to wait for his hot headed sister to put in an appearance. Turning to Staff Sergeant Teresa Bloomberg, "Teresa advise the Supply Officer that we will be having a guest coming onboard and to prepare a guest cabin." Captain Frank Orkney having just entered the Flag Cabin with message traffic, "Well John, Alex already announced it to you," as he handed the messages to the Admiral he replied glumly; "Yes he did. Cynthia will be here in the morning," his Chief of Staff replied, "Well I will be sure not to be in here when she starts throwing things at you," as he looked around the cabin for anything breakable.
Saturday, February 20th, 2010 – USS Wisconsin BB-64 – 1100 hours
The helo from the USS Ronald Regan after having delivered Doctor Cynthia Long to the USS Wisconsin had flown off to the Oceanic Plain to deliver the replacement seismic equipment that would be put into place by the Seeker.
Admiral Long unable to do his usual morning run because of the damage to the teak decking which was being replaced had walked instead. Accompanying him, Captain Hollister and Commander Healey; who added narration along the way adding details of the damage to the Wisconsin.
Commander Healey pausing on the forecastle, "John this was the area of the first hit," the view of temporary life lines rigged as replacement hammered home the results, "We were lucky. The armor of this ship handled it, but as you can surmise the electrical charge that we absorbed also contained one hell of a lot of heat. The nickel-copper composition of the life-lines could not stand up to that and they melted, hence the fire here and the two smaller Class A fires we initially had aft."
Looking at his clip board, "Kohran's assessment that the degaussing systems could absorb or even deflect such an attack up to a certain level was also proven. If you had not had Sakura utilize the Arataka Spirit Sword, we might still be dead in the water.
I still have electricians replacing fuses and circuit breakers that either blew or in some cases fused at the energy surge. Task Force 77 gave us everything that they could spare and it is going to be enough to get everything back on-line but if we try that stunt again, we will not have enough spare parts."
Admiral Long listening to Commander Healey's report looked in the distance at the Oceanic Plain as it prepared to launch the Seeker. Dr. Cynthia Long had used the excuse of consulting with Dr. Sotheby to get onboard the Wisconsin was doing his best to avoid the reunion with his sister that was sure to be lively. Thanking Commander Healey and Captain Hollister he turned to Sammy, "Sammy are you sure you don't want to be there?" as the Admiral already having run out of excuses spotted his sister with Commander Fujieda coming towards him.
Captain Hollister recognizing the look in the trade mark blue eyes of the Long family, "Absolutely. Cynthia is going to have her talk with you alone. It is the least that I can do." With that Captain Hollister and Commander Healey turned and departed, and as Sammy passed Cynthia she held out her hand which Cynthia tagged on her way by. Admiral Long realized that it was going to be worse than a routine sibling argument.
Dr. Cynthia Long stood before her brother, a good three inches taller than John, Cynthia folded her arms, "Just what were you thinking when you had Iris do the Rose Barrier Shield? From what I have been told it is no easy task." John motioning for Cynthia to walk with him, "Cynthia, it had to be done. The Sea Wraiths that appeared were the largest outbreak number seen. I was not going to risk 18,000 men and women in Task Force 77."
Finally arriving at the admiral's Flag Cabin, they entered. The slamming of the door as Cynthia closed it behind her; made John wince. Turning around and seeing the barely controlled anger reminded him of his mother, Martha. "Cynthia you need to calm down, what's done is done." Cynthia eyeing the cabin, "So you hid everything that I could conceivably lay my hands on to throw at you," as John sat at his desk; "Of course Cynthia, I know better."
Not smiling, Cynthia spied the admiral's battered coffee cup and in one motion picked it up and launched it. Ducking as it sailed by his head and crashing into the bulkhead, the cup which had been made from a 5 inch powder casing rolled back across the deck to a stop next to John's desk, Cynthia frowning that she had missed; "You missed one."
Iris Chateaubriand who had come to the Flag Cabin with Tsubaki Takamura to bring some files to the admiral heard the noise of the cup slamming into the bulkhead and the beginning of Cynthia launching into her tirade. Opening the door unnoticed and walking into the cabin, "All of you stop fighting!" as she emitted an energy burst. The resulting release blew every overhead light fixture out, and knocked Tsubaki to the deck in the passageway. On the Bridge and in Damage Control Central, fire alarms sounded.
Saturday, February 20th, 2010 – USS Wisconsin BB-64 – 1400 hours
In the wardroom, Captain Hollister eyed Admiral Long and Dr. Long, "Well are you both finally happy? Cynthia, I know you are concerned over Iris but she handled the deployment of the Rose Defense Barrier very well. But getting her upset is something that we all try to avoid, which you experienced the end result." Dr. Long sporting a butterfly bandage on her forehead, "It was my fault, I was angry at John for putting Iris into such a position then having Sakura utilize the Arataka against the ship."
Captain Hollister shaking her head at that comment, "The Rose Combat Division know the risks. Having Sakura use the Arataka on the Wisconsin likely prevented us from having to be towed into port and put thru a degaussing operation with would have taken days."
Looking at Cynthia, "You will need to regain the trust of Iris. Considering what happened in Hawaii, she looks at John not only as her commanding officer but as a step-father as well. You will be assuming legal custody of her when this ship gets to Japan and you will have your own bonding to do. I suggest that you start now."
Shuffling folders, Captain Hollister opened and reviewed the contents, "Cynthia, why did the sudden quake happen? According to the previous readings taken during the last 48 hours the area of the 9.9 quake had no signature tremblers." Standing up, Cynthia walked to the sea floor chart, "Myself and Professor Kereru don't know why. There should have been some but these only occurred within minutes of the event. I am hoping that the Seeker can provide some answers. There was also no Tsunami either." Pointing to a small ridge line that had been the site of the seaquake; "The ridge line rising from the sea floor to about 3,000 feet would not be a candidate for an event of this magnitude which leads me to believe that the volcanic out gassing is another twist that we have to add to the forecast models. Monitoring those will be no easy task."
Admiral Long turned to look at the chart, "Cynthia with the vents that are monitored can you get enough data to give a better window?" Cynthia pausing to look at a folder, "The vents we currently have monitored are limited. We would need to double the equipment as well as add seismic monitor systems. We are of course running into a funding issue."
Admiral Long smiled, "How much do you need?" as he reviewed the existing number of monitoring systems, Cynthia sat back down and opening another folder slid it across the table to John who began reading.
Sitting back in his chair, "Ok Cynthia you will get the funding and since we already have a ship here to put the monitors in place, get with Captain Frank Orkney to have the items airlifted to Iwo Jima. The USS Ronald Regan can no longer stay in the area and has to head south. We are loosing the USS Shiloh by the way so we are the only ship in this area for right now with combat capabilities." Cynthia slightly shocked, "Loosing the Shiloh, then who the heck is going to escort this ship?" John replied; some friends from Japan.
Monday, February 22nd, 2010 – USS Wisconsin BB-64 –1400 hours –
The Wisconsin's new escorts had arrived before dawn. The Japanese Defense Ships Kongo DDG-173, Takanami DD-110, and Asakaze DDG-169 had settled in with a Towada class replenishment ship. Commanding the escort fleet Commodore Kagawa Kiyoto who was embarked on the JDS Kongo.
Walking along side Admiral Long as they made their way up the starboard side of the Battleship he took in the damage that was being repaired. Speaking in flawless English, "Admiral, the Wisconsin took the attacks from the Sea Wraith very well. But I am curious why did you expose your ship to such an attack in the first place?" as Admiral Long paused to let a carpentry crew go by, "Good question Kagawa. The large number of Sea Wraith precluded engaging them in a normal fashion. If the Rose Defensive Barrier had failed, we would still have bought the Regan time to launch strike fighters."
Entering the forecastle, the Commodore and the Admiral walked to the side of Turret 'A' and stopped. Looking at the Commodore, "Kagawa, you have tangled with the Sea Wraith more than anyone else what has been your experience with them?" The Commodore who watched Kanna Kirishima stroll past with a huge stack of teak planks on both shoulders, "It has not been easy. As you have know the Sea Wraith seem to plague this region. When Captain Hollister had to engage a Sea Wraith off of Suzaki, Japan when she commanded the USS Vincennes CG-49; the sea battle that I witnessed was furious. The Sea Wraith though possessing some intelligence has little regard for anything living."
Commodore Kiyoto turned to the Admiral, "Sea Wraith when I have battled them has shown nothing but single minded focus on their objective of interest. When Captain Hollister destroyed the Sea Wraith it had already made landfall and was moving inland. It seemed preoccupied with something. It was approaching a high school." Admiral Long nodding at the comment, "Kagawa, we conducted some experiments and it appears that the Sea Wraith is attracted to certain tonal frequencies emitted by electronic devices. I suspect that since it was a school that the Japanese school children would have numerous electronic devices sending out signals. In all likelihood that was what was attracting the Sea Wraith."
Continuing their walk from the forecastle, the Commodore and the Admiral headed down the port side, "Kagawa I want to thank you for assisting with the escort of the Wisconsin. It is deeply appreciated." Smiling the Commodore replied, "It is a high honor to do so, being that the former Imperial Flower Division and Dream Division are onboard this ship. My government had learned that your Task Group was in need of escorts so they offered to provide the needed ships. As it stands the choice of utilizing Tokyo as the Wisconsin's new homeport will benefit both our countries."
Approaching the fantail, the Japanese Maritime Defense Force Seahawk which sat on the landing deck its polished surfaces reflecting the afternoon sun came into view.
Coming to a stop next to it, "Kagawa, once the installation of the monitoring devices are completed; we will set course for Okinawa. Doctor Long wants to extend the monitoring web that is already in place to give us better coverage. It is likely we will need the coverage considering what has already happened." Commodore Kiyoto acknowledging the order; "Let us hope that this will improve the forecasts that the Tokyo Seismology Institute has already been providing. The information that they have been sending out has proved to be beneficial already." Requesting permission to depart, Commodore Kiyoto prepared to board his helicopter, took one last look around; "John please take care of the Rose and Dream Divisions for us. My countrymen are looking forward to welcome them all home."
Saturday, February 27th, 2010 – USS Wisconsin BB-64 –0500 hours –
On his morning run about the deck of the Wisconsin, Admiral Long with Commanders Oogami and Fujieda had taken in the distant lights of Okinawa. The Oceanic Plain engaged in both surveying and installing additional sensors was a distant light on the horizon. With the JDS Takanami as her escort the ships following a prescribed pattern had just completed one part of the route and were coming about together.
The Rose Combat Division had conducted flight training and touch and go landings on the JDS ships, their crews giving a merry welcome to each Koubu and Eisenkleid pilot as they landed. A purported sighting of a Sea Wraith a day earlier had proved to be false. The Rose Combat Division having been scrambled only found a pod of whales, swimming unconcernedly as they broached the surface for air. Much further to the south, Task Force 77 encountered two Sea Wraiths northeast of the Philippine Islands. After airdropping a small buoy which contained a tonal transmitter, the USS Ronald Regan launched strike aircraft and successfully destroyed both.
Admiral Long wondered how much longer the tonal devices would be effective, as there was evidence suggesting that the Sea Wraith were proving themselves to be intelligent and that there may be more than one species of the Sea Wraith. Though still inconclusive, DNA testing on the remains recovered in Hawaii show differences that could not be easily explained and had opened more questions than giving answers.
Saturday, February 27th, 2010 – USS Wisconsin BB-64 –0900 hours–
The staff meeting having started at 0800 hours began with intelligence reports of Sea Wraith activity. Commander Kayama having reported the Task Force 77 encounter estimated that the two Sea Wraiths had been spawned from a 7.0 seaquake. A secondary 5.9 which occurred later in the South China Sea had spawned only one, which was destroyed by a Chinese Naval Unit.
Doctor Long presenting her report brought up an odd finding, "The massive 9.9 seaquake north of Iwo Jima had pulverized a small mountain range. The seismic monitoring unit located there of course was destroyed. However the Seeker from the Oceanic Plain found its remains along with what appeared to be several pieces of granite that were not native to that region. The seismic monitoring device as well as the rock samples was flown to Tokyo for extensive studies."
Tapping a key on the laptop, "The seismic monitoring unit was not destroyed by the seaquake, but was damaged by intense heat. The rock samples taken from the site also are foreign and not native also showed damage from intense exposure to heat."
The photos of the device and the rock samples displayed on the screen enforced the report. Admiral Long taking a closer look at the rock samples displayed on the screen; "Cynthia, if they are not native then how did they get there?
Tapping another key on the laptop, "The stone fragments were from an object much larger which likely had been put into place there by man, sometime in the last four to five thousand years. It looked something like this," as Cynthia tapped another key which brought up a photo of an egg shaped granite rock, with Japanese writing.
Admiral Long seeing it looked at Commander Kayama; "Is that a demonic seal?" as the Commander looking shocked nodded. Onboard the Oceanic Plain, Dr. Sotheby interrupted, "John, you should know we have located a similar shaped outcropping in this area, only a few pieces of the writing are visible. In short it is likely a demonic seal as well."
Commander Kayama stood up and walked to the display screen, "Admiral if this is a demonic seal, and then that would mean the gateways that were originally sealed thousands of years ago are systematically being destroyed. We had similar markers placed in Tokyo and its surrounding environs to ensure that Tokyo would be protected. It is likely because those demonic seals are intact that the focuses of the attacks are against the demonic doorway seals located in an underwater environment.
Saturday, February 27th, 2010 – Okinawa –1500 hours–
Seahawk Charlie One landed at the Okinawa Naval Airstation; onboard the aircraft were Admiral John Long, Lieutenant Commander Kanna Kirishima, Doctor Cynthia Long, Commander Yuichi Kayama and Staff Sergeant Teresa Bloomberg.
Greeting the party was US Navy Commander Rich Grossman, who had made arraignments for ground transportation. The Admiral's destination was a shrine located near Higashi on the island of Okinawa.
For Kanna it was a different Okinawa than the one she had left 85 years earlier, when she had been recruited by then Deputy Commander Ayame Fujieda, who was the elder sister to Commander Kaede Fujieda the Executive Officer of the Rose Combat Division onboard the USS Wisconsin. It had been 1924 when Ayame visited Kanna and she agreed with Ayame to go to Tokyo. Briefly returning in 1925 to avenge her father's death, Kanna had not been back since. The clan responsible for the death of Kanna's father had sworn revenge against Kanna as well.
Admiral Long interested in the shrine at the moment, was unaware of a death threat received at his future headquarters in Tokyo. Arriving at the shrine, it was Doctor Cynthia Long who noted the odd arraignment of what appeared to initially be plain boulders, "John, the lay out suggests concentric rings within a star pattern," as she finished taking measurements.
Observing the plot displayed on the laptop, Admiral Long visualized it from an aerial perspective, and "The shrine is estimated to be 2,000 years old. The boulders are not native rock and were brought here from elsewhere. The artisans who worked the boulders into their final configurations were masters in their trade; even natural weathering could not have produced such a fine finish."
Kanna stood before the center piece of the shrine, the mammoth granite boulder egg shaped in appearance though shielded by the temple itself, was warm to the touch; just as it was 85 years ago when she had brought an offering to help guide her fathers spirit to the next world. In the woodlands surrounding the shrine, the trees stood mute as silent witnesses to what had occurred here. It was Staff Sergeant Bloomberg yelling for everyone to get down that interrupted the silence.
"We got hostile incoming take cover!" as Teresa scrambled across the grounds trying to get to Admiral who had just been showered by flying plastic from the laptops screen as it exploded from being hit by a heavy caliber bullet, pieces of which embedded in Admiral Long's hand. Knocking Cynthia to the ground, he shoved her in the direction of one of the granite boulders, hostile rounds still slamming into the wrecked laptop the sniper trying to compensate
John wincing in pain from the bullet that had gouged a path on his right side took in the terrain. Cynthia regaining her composure took in the wound on the right side of her brother. The gouge which was shallow was bleeding, soaking his torn uniform shirt.
Saturday, February 27th, 2010 – Okinawa –1615 hours–
Staff Sergeant Bloomberg cursed under her breath, the unprovoked attack still continued from the tree line well out of range of small arms that the party carried. Reaching for the radio she carried she called the Wisconsin, "Alfa One to Wisconsin how do you copy over?" as she triggered 4 rounds in succession trying to keep the snipers head down the sounds of the gunfire coming over the speakers within the Wisconsin's CIC.
Commander Chris Tyler replied, "Alfa One this is Wisconsin what is your situation?" as he punched the 21MC button for the Bridge, "Wisconsin we are taking sniper fire from west tree line. The Admiral is down and has been hit. I do not know how badly as I am pinned down. We are requesting assistance over."
Captain Hollister listening to the conversation turned to the Boatswainmate of the Watch, "Boson, sound flight quarters. Rose Combat Division to battle stations for immediate launch."
Commander Fujieda racing to CIC, expecting that the Rose Combat Division was to be engaging Sea Wraith found out instead that they were launching to provide assistance to the landing party. Putting on her head set and keying the transmitter she spoke, "The Admiral's party has come under sniper fire at the shrine. Who and why they are doing it is unknown. The gunfire is coming from the west tree line. The Admiral has been wounded and his immediate condition is unknown. Minimize damage to the shrine and the surrounding area. Military ground units are enroute to provide assistance but are still 15 minutes from arriving. Locate the sniper and capture alive if at all possible."
Kanna meanwhile was scurrying towards the tree line. Commander Kayama to her left followed. The open ground to the tree line would be a problem. It would not matter how fast Kanna ran, as she would likely be picked off. Giving a nod to Kanna, Yuichi began firing in rapid succession as Kanna broke cover.
Admiral Long making himself as small as possible broke cover as well, shocking Cynthia and Teresa both. Unaware of what he had seen both yelled for him to come back.
The elderly 95 year old monk who had been assisting the admiral had been hit whether deliberately or accidentally it did not matter to John. Scooping the monk up and running towards another of the boulders, two more bullets splattered gravel on both sides of him.
Resting the monk upright against the boulder, John examined the wound. A clean through and through shot in the shoulder, the Admiral unaware he had done more damage to his wound by tearing it open even more was bleeding profusely. Trying to stand Admiral Long is knocked to the ground by Staff Sergeant Bloomberg. Admiral Long wincing from the impact; John tried to roll over but was firmly held to the ground. Annoyed the Admiral locked eyes with Teresa, "Sergeant let me up!" as the roar of an Eisenkleid and Koubu shook the surroundings.
Above them Commander Oogami took in the wounded Admiral as Commander Tachibana, settled her Koubu for a landing, shielding the group from sniper fire. Iris's Koubu settled for a landing in front of Doctor Long, its mass hiding Cynthia movements as she scurried to her brother, Iris spoke out to her, "Cynthia please take care of John. We will find person who shot him!"
Lieutenant Altair circling above spots a small jeep like vehicle and lands on it the weight of her Eisenkleid flattening the small Suzuki into the ground. Kanna who was now in the tree line spotted the sniper about the same time as sniper saw her. Having out flanked the sniper, Kanna leaping from a higher position landed on the gunman. Delivering one hit, Kanna managed to hold herself back as the hood that the sniper had been wearing was knocked away, which exposed the face of a young woman.
Commander Kayama and Lieutenant Altair coming from opposite directions grab Kanna who rage is coming back, is visibly beginning to crush the woman's windpipe.
Yuichi taking custody of the unconscious woman takes her back to the shrine, followed by Lachette who awkwardly back peddles as she places herself between Yuichi and Kanna.
Charlie Two thundering in from the sea, passes overhead banking hard the Seahawk with the Wisconsin Marine Security detachment and corpsman makes a hot zone landing, its chain guns manned by Marines looking for hostile targets. Charlie One with Lieutenant Hess at the controls swoops along the tree line in an effort to draw any additional fire.
The Okinawa Prefecture Police arrive and scramble to secure the immediate area. Another Marine Security detachment from the Okinawa Naval Airstation streams into the woods to scourer the area but no others are found. Admiral Long who still tried to get up is now unconscious, knocked out cold by his own sister who slugged him.
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