Chapter 7: An Unwelcome Change
Over the past few months Houston and Princeton had become close friends. The two ships tried to be mature role models for the other girls, but without others around they felt comfortable being more open with each other.
"I grabbed a superior officer and fucking pushed her off of her feet! I'm lucky to not be in trouble right now."
Princeton took another sip of her wine glass. "Look. She seemed to brush it off, right?"
"Yeah."
"You're fine. If something happens, it happens, but I really doubt she'll be mad at you about it."
"You're probably right, but I can't help but freak out for a minute."
"I am right." Princeton smiled at the cruiser. "And were you actually looking at the book for the boy?"
Houston blushed. "No! It's just that I like the author and read everything she writes."
Princeton looked at her for a moment, then chuckled. "Alright. I believe you. By the way," the carrier paused for a moment, "do you still feel alright with the new Admiral?"
"Yes. I've got no problems with her."
"It's not really her I mean. She just looks like…" the carrier's voice dropped in volume, "…like Northampton."
"You don't need to worry about me, Princeton. I should be the one worrying about you. With those two light carriers showing up, you must be worried about Belleau. I will talk to the Admiral about putting you both on the Sortie fleet. The base has the airfield, and with this last encounter, I am worried."
Princeton put down her cup. "I'd still be worried about a surprise attack on the base … but I'm not going to lie. I'm very concerned about the Abyssals bringing more carriers against us out there. You're right. We should talk with the Admiral."
XXX
At that moment, the Admiral was by the docks, observing anti-aircraft training. Boise's anti-aircraft competition had finished, and the Fletcher class destroyer Boyd won. Most of the destroyers followed her back to the dorms, hoping to get some bites of the ice-cream as well. Ellen looked back at Boise, sitting a little further back, with Kane sitting nearby and Mahan sleeping on her lap. Ellen looked back at the inlet. Penn and Belleau had just finished their anti-aircraft exercises and were coming back to shore. The carrier looked exhausted. The anti-aircraft exercises were endurance exercises for the carriers as well. Good. They would need it. She went over to meet Pennsylvania as the battleship returned to shore.
"Good work there, Penn."
"Thank you Admiral."
Ellen made sure to pull Penn over to the side, out of hearing range of the other girls. "I don't want to bring back uncomfortable memories, but I want you to tell me everything you know, from firsthand experience, about heavier Abyssal ships. Especially Abyssal fleet carriers."
Penn's eyes locked onto the Admiral. She could tell that danger was afoot.
XXX
"Rear Admiral Rhodes! I trust you're gotten acquainted with the base and your personnel by now?"
"Yes, sir. It's a well run and well staffed base."
"Well, I've got some good news and some bad news. The good news is that the Canadians are sending the Tribal class destroyer Huron to bolster the defenses at your base. Unfortunately we have no available carriers to send your way. We're still short on carriers on both the Hawaii and the Lesser Antillies fronts, both of which are rapidly heating up. After the tragic loss at Midway, we can't even spare you any of our light carriers, as they are needed to fill gaps in our frontline fleet carriers." Ellen wasn't completely up to speed on the fateful outcome of the 4th Battle of Midway, but with even Enterprise returning to California for 'mental recovery', it had to be terrifying. The admiral paused for a moment. "Unfortunately, that's not the real bad news. Recent intelligence expeditions have uncovered a large Abyssal fleet beginning to set up a base of operations in Atka. Operatives have identified at least three battleships, three fleet carriers, four light carriers, six heavy cruisers, and a large number of lighter vessels. These are independent of the light carrier fleet you recently engaged. It appears that they are searching for something, and that something is probably your base."
Ellen felt crushed. Even together, her fleet was no match for a heavy Abyssal fleet like that. "Um, sir. I don't have the forces to take that fleet on."
"I am aware of that, but our forces are stretched thin. We're outnumbered everywhere. I don't expect you to be able to sink them in battle, especially if there are more ships we don't know about. Your mission will be to hold the line and harass the Abyssals' forces for a long as possible. Your primary objective will also be to keep your ships alive. If your base falls, then Alaska will need your ships to be able to keep them off of American soil. Alaska's resources are vital to the war effort, and we cannot afford to lose them in such dire times. Your base is on the front-line now, Admiral Rhodes. May God have mercy on you and your people."
Ellen returned the phone to its place. She was alone in the Admiral's office, and the atmosphere felt heavy. Pennsylvania had experience fighting heavy Abyssal fleets firsthand. She had to learn more about what she was up against.