Chapter 5: The First Sortie

Ellen and Houston were in the office, planning out the training schedule for the next month when Ellen received a call from the small airbase.

"Admiral, one of our patrol drones discovered an Abyssal fleet near Nikolski. Unfortunately, it was shot down and so is unable to track them. We're launching two more drones to try to find and track their position, and confirm their composition."

"Acknowledged." Ellen put the phone back into the receiver. Houston looked at her curiously. "Sighting of an Abyssal fleet near Nikolski. We're going to be launching a sortie to find and engage them." Houston nodded. Ellen walked over to the intercom.

"Unalaska Naval Base, this is Admiral Rhodes. An enemy fleet has been sighted to the west. Prepare to launch a sortie, standard composition." The base usually only launched a portion of its shipgirls, since it did not have the powerful airfields or land-based artillery that larger bases like Anchorage or the new 'Pearl' Harbor did, and was therefore more vulnerable to enemy attack. The 'garrison force' was rotated regularly, so that all ships were able to gain experience in battle. For this month, the garrison force consisted of CA Houston, since she was the secretary ship, CVL Princeton, CL Cincinnati and the Clemson sisters. The sortie would be led by BB Pennsylvania, and consist of CVL Belleau, CA Astoria, CL Boise, CL Memphis, DD O'Brien, DD Mahan, and the Fletcher sisters.

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The Admiral stayed on the base, and the Porter was not used to transport the shipgirls. The target area was only about 7 hours away at Penn's speed. The Porter was usually used for targets about 8-12 hours or more away from the base.

Boise sailed to the left of Pennsylvania. She could see the Fletcher sister Boyd further out, screening the fleet for submarines with her sonar. Belleau called out, "Scout planes have detected the enemy fleet, 81.5 miles at 34 degrees!"

Pennsylvania gave orders: "Fleet change course to 30 degrees. Make for interception."

Belleau followed up: "Enemy fleet composition confirmed as one heavy cruiser, two light carriers, two light cruisers and a destroyer."

"Fleet, reform and prepare for anti-aircraft defense. Belleau Wood, launch CAP (Close Air Patrol)." Boise sailed inward, and fell back slightly, moving closer to the light carrier to protect her.

"Rodger. I'll follow it up with a dive bomber attack."

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After about half an hour, Penn's air radar detected incoming aircraft. "Fleet, incoming aircraft detected. Prepare for anti-aircraft defense." Belleau's fighter cover was the first to engage the aircraft. The two aircraft groups began the engagement, but about one to two dozen bombers made it through the air patrol. The battleship was the first to begin firing, followed shortly after by the cruisers and destroyers. Pennsylvania's secondaries were powerful, sporting a large array of 5 and 3 inch anti-aircraft cannons in addition to machine guns. Boise did her best to direct her anti-aircraft fire wherever the battleship was too busy to fire at. Belleau was dodging as much as she could, the obvious primary target of the enemy aircraft. Boise had her own 5 inch anti-aircraft cannons, and along with the Astoria, the three of them had the most capable anti-aircraft defense.

After several minutes of intense anti-aircraft fire, the enemy was repulsed. They managed to land two bomb hits on Pennsylvania, and one on Astoria, but both ships were weathering the damage well. Both ships had participated in many battles, and were experienced with taking damage. What was important was that Belleau was undamaged, and free to continue air operations. And to Boise, it was also important that none of her little destroyers were hurt. Belleau was also able to report good news. "Message from attacking aircraft. Somewhat heavy aircraft losses, but confirmed takedown of one enemy light carrier, damage to second. Enemy fleet is attempting to withdraw. Pennsylvania, am I free to launch a second wave?"

"Launch a second wave."

Belleau smiled and began firing out more dive bombers.

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Night had fallen when they returned to Unalaska. When they stepped back onto land, Belleau's professionalism finally released. "Fuck yeah! I was awesome today!"

"You did well today," Pennsylvania said warmly, "You managed to finish off the second light carrier, and sink the light cruiser but you also took fairly significant aircraft casualties."

"You're the one who cleared the second attack!"

"Yes. We have a healthy stock of resources now, but in the future I expect you to be more conservative with your planes."

Belleau pouted, but relented to the battleship. Pennsylvania knew her stuff.

While the Admiral went with Princeton to talk to Belleau, Boise went over to her little destroyers. "None of you got hurt, right?" The cruiser gave them a warm smile.

Mahan seemed particularly excited. "You were so cool, Boise! You were going 'boom boom boom', and blew them apart with your cannons!"

Boise pulled the little destroyer into a hug. "I couldn't allow any of them to hit one of you."

O'Brien came up, seemingly hoping to get in on the hugging. "A couple of them went for me, but oi dodged them an' shot a bunch of them down!"

"Come here babe."

The rest of the destroyers came up too and made a group hug.

The Admiral could only look on in confusion. Was this how destroyers were sparkled?

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