Choukai tried to change course to protect Yuudachi, but the volume of enemy fire was too large for any non-evasive maneuvers.
"Sendai! Follow her and make sure she doesn't do anything as stupid as her sister! Protect Yuudachi!", Choukai's voice could sound as calm as ever, but was filled with anger. "Maya, report!"
"You won't like it. Two Ta-class battleships accompanied by a Water Demon-class. No way we can fight them. Fuck the radio silence, I'm calling for air support."
Choukai's mind went blank after receiving transmission from Zuikaku.
"First Carrier Division's flagship, Zuikaku. We're under attack by enemy carrier task force. Souryuu unable to conduct flight deck operations. Destroyers Fubuki, Akizuki and Hatsuzuki, moderate damage. We are unable to provide air support. I repeat, we are unable to provide air support.", Crane's voice reverberated in the radio.
"Maya, grab Shigure and force her to withdraw. Teruzuki, you take Yuudachi and provide smoke screen. We're withdrawing."
"What about you, sis?", Maya asked, suspecting what's going to happen. She had heard the stories of her sister's combat prowess but has never had a chance to actually witness the legendary flagship of the Eighth Fleet in her full glory.
"Well… I'm Choukai. I'll sink anything and everything that stands in my way.", Choukai's speech and expression changed as she punched her palm and turned towards the enemy.
"Just… Don't overdo it, ok?"
Choukai just smiled. She couldn't lead effective fire with damaged range finders. Instead she laid down an intrinsic and dangerous plan. She dropped speed and poured some oil into her boilers to make her funnel spout thick, black smoke, making it look like her engines were out. Enemy heavy cruisers couldn't let such an opportunity pass. Exactly as planned, Choukai engaged them in a running fight, going on as predictable course as possible. She expected the enemy fish to soon be in the water, and didn't miscalculate. Six torpedoes were spotted to port, very well aimed. The flagship counted down in her mind and increased her speed to maximum. Stupefied with her sudden recovery, enemy cruisers followed the suit… Right into friendly torpedoes. Three down, time for the carriers.
With eight torpedoes left, and no damage taken in the previous action, Choukai felt like going all out. Quick glance at the battlefield was enough to assess the situation and create yet another daredevil plan. Enemy destroyers were out of position and they've used up their torpedoes. If she engages them in close combat, some heavier ships will need to join the fray. She can pull them even further out of position and rush the carriers with torpedoes.
On the other side of the battlefield, Maya has just joined Sendai, who was doing her best to ignore paralyzing pain left by the HE shell, while trying to keep up with Shigure, peppering enemy battleships trying to close in for a point-blank torpedo run.
"Hey, night battle idiot! I'm rushing in, make sure I don't die. On my mark grab Shigure and scramble!", Takao-class cruiser ordered and rushed off to circle around the enemy. Sendai started maneuvering as if preparing for a torpedo run, to buy Maya some time.
The heavy cruiser circled in a wide flanking maneuver, ending up right in front of enemy battleships. All guns quickly trained at her and fired. Just as planned! Maya turned hard to starboard, dodging all enemy shells, her rigging hitting the waves, and launching eight remaining torpedoes. All according to the plan. All three battleships were hit. Both Ta-class heavily damaged, but the Water Demon brushed off her attack like a nasty mosquito. Maya knew it's time to get out, but to her terror, her wild maneuver resulted in jammed rudders. She was practically dead in the water, and not just figuratively.
"Heh, Choukai, I think I've done it… Was fun while it lasted, this simple life of mine…", she radioed her sister.
"Don't worry Maya, I miscalculated as well… Sorry…", Choukai who found herself surrounded and under heavy fire after daring and, worth noting, successful raid.
Both sisters looked at the rest of their fleet. Sendai finally managed to calm Shigure, who was now towing Yuudachi with Teruzuki.
"Sorry, newbie, I think we might have failed here. Shit, I really hoped to show you the other side of life too…", Maya shouted at the battleship-class shipgirl they were supposed to save. She looked calmer than expected. Or was simply paralyzed in shock. Well, it didn't matter anymore. Hopefully Suzuya and Kumano make it out, Maya thought, looking the Water Demon-class battleship right in the eyes and training whichever guns she could. The enemy seemed to enjoy the view of the disabled shipgirl, etching it into her eyes like some kind of masterpiece painting.
After what felt like eternity, a deafening explosion filled the air. The Abyssal battleship spew fire. So that's how battleship guns sound from up close, huh? Maya thought firing her guns and readying for the end. But the end didn't come. Not hers at least. The Water Demon stood on fire, screeching like a slaughtered pig. Maya's shock only passed after something flew right above her head. All she recognized was a white star and stripes. Hellcats!
"Flagship of the United States Navy's Shipgirl Project Enterprise. We're taking over for First and Second Carrier Divisions of Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force. Enterprise, Intrepid, Lexington and Essex full strike groups are coming your way. Follow up strike by light carriers, Independence and Saipan is ten minutes behind. Prepare to cease fire.", Big E's voice reverberated in the radio.
"Damn yanks, you're late!", Maya shouted in the radio, large grin on her face. She looked around and saw Avengers and Dauntlesses wreaking havoc among the Abyssal vessels, ridden of any air cover by Choukai's suicidal raid.
"I think we might have rushed our farewells a bit, Maya…", warm, teary voice said through the radio, just as Sendai reached Maya to take her in tow. They were joined by Teruzuki and Choukai, taking their target in tow, under Teruzuki's smokescreen. Just as their retreat began, the promised follow up strikes began, providing an ideal cover.
"Fleet! We're going home! Maya, contact Zuikaku's fleet and let them know that the mission was successful.", Choukai ordered, basked in the rays of the setting sun.