Sub-space flight from Japan to Hawaii, the only way to safely and quickly traverse the Pacific due to constant Abyssal threat, took its usual toll on Akagi. Half-conscious, she was sitting in a helicopter bound for Pearl Harbour with a blank stare, for once being happy about skipping the second breakfast. To her right, Vice Admiral Hara, Commander in Chief of the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force's Shipgirl Project, was going over the operation for some tenth time. To her left, her closest and most unexpected partner, Zuikaku was merrily chatting with her sister, Shoukaku. Due to much different times of their arrivals, the divisions of the old were scrapped and rebuilt. Vice Admiral was adamant in making Zuikaku and Akagi into the First Carrier Division, because of what he thought was a deadly mix of talent and experience. As weird as it sounded at first, it turned out splendidly, and the two carriers made probably the most lethal weapon against the Abyssal in the entire Pacific.
"Attention!", Hara shouted standing up and rolling down a large map of Marshal Islands. "Time to go through the operation's premise. Marshal Islands have been the center of recent Abyssal operations in the Pacific, as such we'll be poking at hornet nest."
"Isn't it what we're the best at, Admiral?", Zuikaku shouted enthusiastically, looking at her sister, obviously referring to the Battle of Santa Cruz.
"Hopefully, you are in fighting condition afterwards.", Hara cut the jokes. "For this reason, we'll be co-operating with the United States Navy during this mission. The main objective is retrieving a battleship-class shipgirl that's going to emerge at the Bikini Atoll soon."
Series of whispers and murmurs filled the helicopter after this last statement. Everybody knew it's going to be a rescue operation, but nobody's mentioned USN or a battleship-class shipgirl. Not only there was a lot of mistrust between American and Japanese girls, but a battleship rescue mission from the middle of Abyssal infested area meant that the resistance will be extremely tough.
"Due to expected heavy resistance, we'll be using three combined and one single fleet.", Hara took a short pause before continuing. "Choukai, you will take Maya, Yuudachi, Shigure, Sendai and Teruzuki, and dive deep into the enemy territory to pick up the aforementioned battleship-class. Do not engage unless necessary and withdraw the moment you've got her."
"Understood, admiral.", Choukai responded in a calm manner, saluting her superior. Most commanders would find this idea outrageous and plain stupid, but the veteran of the Guadalcanal campaign, had more than enough experience to handle this kind of mission.
"You will be provided air support by the First and Second Carrier Divisions. Zuikaku, your escort will consist of aviation cruisers Suzuya, and Kumano who will be joining us specifically for this operation."
"Kumanocchi's coming back? Yes!", Suzuya's interrupted, unable to withhold the happiness, but was put down by admiral's stare.
"Just for this operation, thank you for valuable input, Suzuya.", Hara sneered. "Anyway, additional protection will be provided by destroyers Akizuki, Hatsuzuki and Fubuki, heavy cruisers Ashigara and Nachi, led by light cruiser USS Atlanta. Your job will be to provide air support to Choukai's fleet. Secondary objective is to support the remaining task forces.", Hara explained. Zuikaku responded with enthusiastic salute, followed by her entire fleet, with exception of Akagi, who was still closer to dead than alive.
"Continuing. Kongou, Hiei, Kaga, Shoukaku. You will join the American task force bound for Eniwetok. Your main objective will be to stop anything from intercepting Choukai's fleet. This said, the atoll is filled with Abyssal installations, so prepare for shore bombardment if an opportunity arises."
"UNDERSTOOD, DESS!", Kongou shouted with enough enthusiasm to make half-conscious Akagi follow her suit.
"The eastern area will be covered by an American carrier task force, so you shouldn't need to worry about it. However, keep in mind that American reconnaissance and scouting protocols are far from perfect and if something manages to get under their radars, both Choukai's and Zuikaku's fleet will be in danger, so keep your eyes open. This concludes the premise. The details will come during today's operational meeting.", Hara saluted and sat down after all his subjects, save for Akagi, returned the gesture.
Soon afterwards, the helicopter has finally touched the ground, close to the piers on the Ford Island. With Akagi unable to fulfill her duty as the fleet flagship, Zuikaku joined Hara and Atlanta to see the Commander in Chief of the American shipgirl project. She hasn't been in Hawaii since 7 December 1941 and was secretly afraid that a shooting squad awaits her at the helipad, especially with all the stories about American commander circling around. Instead they were welcomed by a stern looking woman in her fifties, accompanied by a tall blonde in navy uniform and Kumano, basking in the morning sun. The cruiser has joined USN few months earlier, as a part of the shipgirl exchange project. Americans were interested in the use of aviation cruisers and battleships in shipgirl warfare. In return they've offered Atlanta and her equipment. Short on good anti-aircraft armament, the deal was struck immediately.
"Welcome to Pearl Harbour, Vice Admiral Hara. Always a pleasure to have you.", the older woman greeted Hara, pointing at her companion. "You've already met Enterprise during your last visit.". Zuikaku's heart pounded. Enterprise, the one prey she and Shoukaku could never finish off. A nightmare of all Imperial warships, and longtime personal rival.
"Thank you for coming out to see us, Vice Admiral Halsey. Always a pleasure to be back, it's kind of nostalgic for my girls too. Enterprise, similarly, it's always a pleasure to see you!", Hara responded, clearly uncovering some personal conflict between both C-i-C's. Halsey, however, seemed unfazed.
"Oh, I hope your visit brings some positive conclusions this time. I can't help but notice that your flagship seems a little different from what I remember, did something happen?"
"Right. Akagi is… temporarily disabled. Let me introduce, the pride of the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force, flagship of the First Carrier Division, Shoukaku-class armoured carrier Zuikaku.". Upon hearing this name, Enterprise's face expression turned into a frown. Their rivalry was well known in the USN. The one ship, she could never beat. The one enemy that always escaped her clutches after dealing severe blows, as if making fun of her.
"Well, with the legendary Enterprise on our side, the operation should be a breeze, just need to point her to where the enemies are.", Zuikaku broke the silence, hoping that her allusion wasn't too delicate and lost in translation, her English was far from good.
"You're overestimating me, Zuikaku. All I really excel at are turkey shots.", the Crane got more than she bargained for.
"Enough. Zuikaku, go and get Akagi back in shape for the strategy meeting in the afternoon. Kumano, could you show the fleet around, and organize some food for Akagi? Pretty sure it's all she needs. I'll be with Vice Admiral Halsey.", Hara quickly cut what would quickly turn into an all-out battle and walked away accompanied by Enterprise and American admiral.
"Whew, you two are already like an old couple, Zuikaku-chan.", Atlanta summed up what just happened, accenting the honorific, a well proven tactic for teasing the carrier. Considering Zuikaku's and Enterprise's history, she wasn't far off.