Kantai Collection: Liberation Part Four
Beginning of Something Big
November 25th, 2023
Unnamed Naval Base, Admiral's Room, Okinawa Japan 0600hrs
'Huh, been a few days since I last updated this.'
I was currently scratching my head with my pen while sitting down at my desk. It was very early morning in the naval yard, the sun just breaking the horizon outside my window. I woke up a bit earlier today thanks to some stress. I was struggling to keep up with my damn journal.
'Maybe I should just keep it quick for now. Summarize?'
Putting pen to paper he started writing.
November 25th, 2023
After waking up from my coma I found out that the world was in a bad place. Those creatures that attacked that day have taken control of the oceans and we lost the war against them. Now humanity relies on young women that don battle suits and have the souls of ships from the past. (I know right? Totally nuts?) The real kicker is that I'm responsible for some of them! I've gone from captain of a single ship to Admiral of our last hope. Now if that doesn't show you how mush things have changed I don't know what has.
The truth is I'm sure as hell terrified, but that's good right? I always heard that if you're scared it means you're not stupid and you're actually putting thought into whatever it is you're doing.
Well, I'll find out today if I'm capable of making the right decisions and if it's really possible these girls can do the job. They're going out on their first sorties today to look for the enemy's base in the area. If everything goes alright then I'll have a bit more peace of mind.
I saved my entry and put my pad down before looking out my window to the beautiful sight of the rising sun over the harbour.
"This job's gonna make me smoke." I joked to myself. I don't know how I've been able to avoid it through the years. It's a common stereotype that people in military service smoke, a stereotype that is well placed at least.
I span in my chair to face my desk before pulling out some papers from my desk that contained the details of today's missions, fleet organization, and objectives. "Right, let's go over this one last time...or a couple of times."
Unnamed Naval Base, Okinawa Japan 0812hrs The Girls POV
During the night, I pushed a notice into each of the girl's rooms informing them they needed to check the notice board out-front of the HQ at 0800hrs. They would learn their fleet groupings for the day's missions.
At exactly around 0800 most of the girls have started to congregate around the notice board, eager to see who they would be teamed up with.
The three Fletcher class destroyers Johnston and her sisters Hoel and Heermann were running a little late.
"Why couldn't we wake you up?" Hoel and Heermann questioned their sister. They spent the last half hour trying to rouse the sleeping Johnston out of bed, only to be met with more snoring.
Johnston, still rubbing the sleep out of her eyes gave a reply.
"I was so~ excited about today that I uh...kinda kept myself up."
Both her sisters sighed.
"Seriously, you act like such a child sometimes. Wearing your outfits and…"
Hoel was halfway through her lecture before she was interrupted.
"Hey, what's going on?" Johnston asks her sister ships while pointing towards the crowd.
"I wasn't done talking!" Hoel huffed and puffed with anger.
Heermann adjusted her glasses. "Don't you remember?"
Johnston shook her head back and forth.
'They're just ignoring me!' Hoel felt as if she was pierced in the heart. 'They never listen!'
"You really need to pay attention more. That's where we'll find who were teamed up with today." Heermann explained.
It took a second for it to really hit her. "Wait. What~ Really!? The Admiral better have made me the flagship!" Johnston screamed as she started running towards the crowd, the sleep deprivation seemingly vanishing.
Her two sister's just sweat dropped at the sight of their overly excited sister.
"I hope for our sakes she isn't the flag." Hoel said with a hint of worry in her voice.
"Indeed, you know how she gets." Heermann replied adjusting her glasses once again as they slid down her face.
Hoel put her hands on her hips and gave her sister a look. "I keep telling you to get glasses that fit. Bigger lenses don't make you look smarter." She said with an emphasis on the "don't."
Over in the actual crowd the two Canadian destroyers were currently baking in the heat.
"Fuuuuu, it's so hot." Haida complained with a sigh while she fans her face.
"It's not that bad." Iroquois replied as she pulled on her jacket.
"Liar, you struggle just as much." Haida replied in monotone.
Iroquois didn't like being called a liar even though she would regularly say things that weren't true just to appease people. It was just her nature to be overly nice and humble.
"I-I am not." Iroquois fought back by stomping her foot on the ground. The action was more cute than menacing.
Behind Haida a certain little destroyer approached her two senior's nervously.
"Umm…"
"…Seriously, you need to be a little more assertive. Why don't you start with the Admiral and tell him how much you swo…"
"Ahhhhh!" Iroquois let out an uncharacteristic loud scream before shoving her hand over her sisters mouth. She was blushing furiously and felt like she was going to die of embarrassment. The two of them earned a few looks from the others as they looked around. That's when they noticed the now extremely nervous destroyer and her companion.
Iroquois quickly let go of her sister but not before shushing her from any further outbursts.
Haida brushes some hair out of her face before addressing the girl in front of her. "What is it?"
"Um...e-excuse me Haida-sempai, we'll b-be under your lead!" Inazuma said quickly while blushing. She was referring to herself and Samidare. The latter was standing behind Inzauma with a smile.
Haida knelt down to come face to face with Inazuma before she started to poke and grab parts of her body.
"Hawawawa…w-what are you doing nanodesu?" Inazuma tried to protest but was halted by Haida, and her eyes started to swirl.
"What are you doing!?" Iroquois yelled trying to get her sisters attention which apparently worked because Haida quickly let go of Inazuma.
Inazuma rubbed her red cheeks with a teardrop in the corner of her eyes.
"You're small."
Inzauma once again looked surprised. "Y-yes?"
"What class are you?"
"A-Akatsuki."
"Hmpf."
Haida finished her line of questioning before standing back up.
Iroquois stepped up and whispered into her sister's ear. "You're scaring her."
"What? She's fine, look." Haida said confused as she turned back to look at Inazuma. "Oh…"
The look on Inazuma's face was one of terror, tears forming in the corners of her eyes. Haida immediately lost her cool and calm demeanour and gained a panicked older sibling look that was trying really hard to stop their younger sister from crying.
"I-I'm sorry I was just trying to figure out who you were and...and" Haida wasn't able to finish because the flood gates burst open and Inazuma began bawling.
"Samidare-san~, Haida-sempai is scary!" Inazuma yelled as she ran and hid behind the blue haired girl.
"I-I" Haida tried to explain herself but was shot down by glares from everyone else, so she just slowly disappeared from view and stood behind her sister.
Iroquois sighed and stepped closer to Inazuma and put out her hand. Inazuma stopped crying and looked at her with puppy eyes.
"Please forgive my sister. She can be…strange sometimes, but she didn't mean anything by it. She can actually be really nice." Iroquois finished by looking back to Haida who just gave her the tongue.
"Hehe, see. You're Inazuma right? We meet before, remember?" Iroquois was mentioning their first meeting when Inazuma questioned her about her memorabilia .
Inazuma took Iroquois hand and stepped out from behind Samidare.
"I see you two will be fighting with us today, let's do our best hmm." Iroquois said with a big beautiful smile.
Over at our third group the atmosphere was growing more tense by the second.
"…to give me orders!?"
Murakumo was currently arguing with Laffey about who should be in charge.
"Simple, I'm your superior." Laffey stated bluntly.
"Ple-please stop fighting…" Sazanami tried in vain to suppress the two bickering destroyers.
"Fu..fu..fu." Murakumo laughed sarcastically , "You...superior to me? You dress in rags and call yourself my better? How about you dress the part first."
"Please , the master is coming." Sanzanami warned the two of them.
Laffey pokes one of Murakumo's floating antennae. "Oh really what the hell are these supposed to be then? Are you some radio receiver?"
Murakumo's antennae gained a deep red hue and she started to raise her arm while Laffey reacted and did the same. They were both surprised when a pair of hands grabbed their shoulders firmly and lifted them into the air.
"Stop this right now the both of you!" Admiral Quinn yelled in a very strong authoritative tone which surprised most of the girls.
"I don't care who you are or how you feel about each other but if I see one of you striking another on purpose there will be severe consequences!" The Admiral yelled putting extra attention on "severe consequences". The girls all stopped and stared because they have yet to see this side of their Admiral who was normally very cheerful and kind. Murakumo and Laffey on the other hand couldn't shrink into their shirts any faster.
Tyler looked at Laffey. "If you plan to lead a squadron you should act like someone who deserves to be in charge. Don't get into petty arguments over the simplest of things. I picked you because you're a veteran that has proven themselves against the Abyssals. Don't make me regret that decision."
Laffey looked at her Admiral and saw the seriousness in his eyes. She understood this as a time when not to antagonize the bastard.
"I understand." Were the only words that came out of her mouth but Tyler accepted it as an apology.
He then looked over at Murakumo. "If you want respect and leadership this isn't the way to do it. Laffey has proven herself in battle which is why she is in charge for now. If you want to change that, work hard and stay mature. But fighting with your fellow ship girls isn't going to help you, stupid."
"Wha- stupid? Who are you calli-"
Murakumo saw the seriousness in his eyes also and decided not to push her luck. The more he stared at her waiting for an answer the more she grew flustered until her face was turning different shades of pink and red.
"Y-y-yes C-c-commander, I'm sorry."
Tyler put both of them down after their apologies before straightening his jacket.
"You know, the two of you were surprisingly light. I thought you would weigh a lot more." The Admiral said reverting back to his usual self.
"Huh? What's that supposed to mean?" Laffey and Murakumo said at the same time in a cold tone
"Wh-wait I didn't mean it like tha-"
The Admiral wasn't able to finish his sentence before being attacked by two angry ship girls.
Unnamed Naval Base, School House, Okinawa Japan 0900hrs
After getting looked over by Ooyodo for wounds Tyler ordered all the girls into one of the classrooms where he would conduct the mission briefing. From outside the door him and Ooyodo could hear all the girls discussing what they think the mission's would be. Ooyodo entered the room first and lead the girls in a salute when Tyler followed.
"Alright, listen up. The goal of today's operation is to locate the Abyssal base in the region and disrupt attacks on our supply lines. Think back on what I said, the mission is to locate the base, not destroy it. Not yet at least, besides, we don't have the firepower I expect we'll need to do so."
He paused to let everything sink in and left time for questions.
"Okay, now the first squadron's objective will be to search for the base in the region. I suspect the location to be somewhere within these three sectors." Tyler said as he pointed out three large blocks on the map. "Tone, Chikuma your scout planes will be a great help in locating the base so you'll be joining them in the search."
"You got it!" Tone saluted enthusiastically and winked.
Chikuma bowed and politely said. "Yes, Admiral."
"Good, now second squadron will make a patrol on our sea lanes for those Abyssal subs that are operating from that base. I have you two on that mission because sub hunting is your specialty so to speak." Tyler said pointing to Haida and Iroquois. "I want you two to teach Inazuma and Samidare here some tricks and help them gain some experience in the role. Is there any questions?"
Samidare raised her hand. "Myself and Inazuma-chan don't have any anti-submarine equipment."
"I had Akashi craft some basic Type 93 Passive Sonarand Type 94 Depth Charge Launchers for you two. They'll be on your rigs when you equip 'em. Can't have you fighting subs without the proper equipment, can I?" Tyler said with a smile.
"No Admiral, thank you Admiral."
"Alright squadron three, you have a rather simple job. Patrol the waters around the base. We know Abyssal's have been sighted around here and the last thing we need them to do is find out where were operating from. I hope you two have resolved your differences for now. Any questions?"
He didn't get any responses from the three so it was time to finish the briefing.
"This briefing is over, head down to the launch pad and get ready to begin operations."
"Yes Admiral!" All the girls sounded off at the same time.
Unnamed Naval Base, Launch Pad, Okinawa Japan 0915hrs
All three squadrons were lined up and ready to depart. They were just waiting on the Admirals orders at this point. Over in the first squadron Fubuki was nervously fidgeting, warranting the attention of Johnston and her squad mates.
"Hey Fubuki, no worries over there alright. We'll find that Abyssal base and be home in time for ice cream! Maybe we'll even get to kill a couple!" Johnston yelled excitedly while whipping out her sword.
"What my sister is trying to say is that we'll watch your back so you don't have to worry. Plus she seems to forget that this is a RECON mission, we shouldn't have to kill anything if we do our mission right." Hoel says while giving her sister a look that is completely ignored.
"Yeah, this is our first mission too but we have our training to help us through it." Tone says referring to herself and Chikuma.
"You guys are right! I have nothing to worry about, I can do this!" Fubuki said energetically. Even if she didn't actually believe it.
"Look at that, they're having a great team moment" Murakumo states over in the third squadron.
"Yeah, good for them. Just remember to not get in my way and listen to orders and maybe you'll live to the end of this war." Laffey says in an arrogant tone.
"Tch, Ill ignore that because the Admiral said I was more mature than you." Murakumo said while tilting her chin upwards.
"Hmpf, bootlicker. He never said anything like that." Laffey teased.
"I-ignoring." Murakumo replied nonchalantly but her left eye was twitching.
"Ummm..." Sanzanami trailed off when she remembered they didn't listen to her.
"Wow you`re really taking his words seriously. Oh right...you have a crush on him, I forgot." Laffey teased once again. This time though Murakumo opened her eyes.
"W-w-where the hell d-d-did you get that idea. W-w-who would like someone like that moron! That is the stupidest thing I've ever heard." Murakumo tried desperately to play it off like she had no idea what Laffey was talking about.
"Uh-huh whatever you say."
"I'm serious!"
"Wow, looks like you got some competition." Haida over in Second fleet said to her sister Iroquois.
"Ahhhh! Why would you say that so loud!" Iroquois screamed and clapped her sisters mouth shut but it was too late at this point.
"Wow you like the Admiral Iroquois-chan, that's so sweet!" Samidare said with a smile.
"That's so cute~ nanodesu." Inazuma said gleefully.
Iroquois fell to her knees as tears welled up in her eyes. She was blushing red as a tomato and steam was coming out of the top of her head.
"You're so mean, why would you say that out loud, I'm so embarrassed." Iroquois said while simultaneously smacking her sister. They were just simple love taps, nothing to serious.
"You fell for him so quick though, it's actually pretty cute how much you try to hide it."
"W-well he's so nice and happy all the time. Plus I feel like I have a special bond with him for some reason." Iroquois spoke about everything she liked about the Admiral while staring off into space completely forgetting the people around her.
"So cute."
"Awwww."
The words of her friends broke her out of the trance she was in.
Iroquois only made a "fweh" sound as she realized what she had done and went back to moping.
Up in the control room Ooyodo had heard everything that was said through the intercom. She looked over at the Admiral to see if he did to. "Um...Admiral did you hear any of that?"
"Huh? Any of what? Sorry I was lost in my own world for a sec." Tyler replied with a smile, completely oblivious to what happened.
Ooyodo just deadpanned. "Nevermind then."
After another minute Tyler was ready to send the squadrons out. He had to think of a little speech quick though because he had nothing prepared.
He tapped the mic a few times to make sure it was working and took a deep breath. "Everyone, I'm sure you all know that this is the beginning of something big. Today marks the beginning of the end for the Abyssal's in the Pacific and each of you will be a part of that. Now I must admit when first heard about you girls, I thought my superiors went mad or that they were just pulling my leg. But now I realize how real each of you are, more real than those abominations that think they rule the waves! Today we'll show them humanity isn't finished, and you will lead humanity in that fight!"
A round of cheers came up from the girls.
"All squadrons, move out!" Tyler finished his speech with a flourish of his arm. None of the girls could see it but it felt like the right thing to do.
First squadron was the first to head down the elevator. Tyler looked out the window to watch the girls cast off. He hasn't seen how they do it yet after all. As the elevator descended alarms went off and orange lights started blinking. The cliff face slowly opened up to reveal the ocean beyond. An individual circle opened up for each of the girls to which they all stepped on. As they did mechanical arms sprouted from all angles and attached the rigs onto the girls bodies. Once that was finished the pad launched them down a narrow waterway where a final chain brought up the power source of their equipment. The miniaturized replica of the ships core superstructure. After that they speed out into the ocean beyond.
'So cool!' Tyler thought secretly. 'But that could go horribly wrong. Like back breaking horribly wrong.'
"So what do you think?" Ooyodo asked almost as if on cue.
"It was very impressive. Follow me back to the command room Ooyodo, I need you to handle the communications."
"Yes sir."
Unnamed Naval Base, Command Room, Okinawa Japan 0920hrs
Back in the command room the fairies were manning all sorts of instruments and ancient technologies. Ooyodo manned the radio and mores code station while I just did nothing.
"So I just sit here and wait?" I asked while looking around.
"It's all you can really do to be honest. That and give final say on decisions, oh and whether to proceed or fall back." Ooyodo replied as she adjusted some dials.
"Great, I'm much more used to being in command on the battlefield." I moaned.
"I'm afraid that is impossible now. Besides that the girls are asking permission to begin their sorties."
"Permission granted."
"All squadrons you are free to continue with your missions, good luck."
Pacific Ocean, First Squadron Lead by Johnston, 1112hrs
"Ahhhh, where are they! We've searched two whole sectors already! I'm a fighting ship, not some scout! I want to fight, fight ,fight!" Johnston screams annoyed at the lack of any Abyssal bases.
"Please Johnston-chan, we're on a scouting mission for a reason remember." Fubuki tries to reassure her flagship to no avail.
"We have one more sector to check and then we can go home, now stop complaining and lets go." Hoel cut in.
The three USN girls continued with the mission while Fubuki, Tone and Chikuma held back for a few seconds.
"Johnston-chan is always looking to fight. I don't get it! Isn't she afraid to get sunk? She's only a destroyer. What if she runs into a battleship?"
"Don't let her hear you say that?" Tone replied with a smile.
"Huh? Do you know why she's like that?"
"Of course! Johnston and her sisters fought off a surface fleet all by themselves. She isn't afraid of ships larger than her."
"I don't remember hearing of any battle like that against the Abyssal's."
"Fubuki-chan, that battle wasn't against Abyssal's. I was there and fought against her. A lot of us girls would have something to say to her. She was a brave little destroyer, but unfortunately you can't dodge every shell." Tone said with a rather sad voice that wasn't part of her nature.
Fubuki looked on, surprised there was such a past.
"C'mon, we should catch up to them."
Pacific Ocean, Second Squadron Lead by Haida, 1132hrs
Over at the second squadron Haida and Iroquois were showing the two IJN girls how to properly fight Abyssal subs when Haida stopped in the middle of her lesson.
"What is it?" Samidare questioned her teacher that was looking off to the horizon.
"Abyssal's." Haida said while focusing her gaze to the east.
"Wha- how do you know?"
Iroquois suddenly shoved Samidare. "Watch out!"
"Ahh, why did you do...that..." Samidare trailed off while rubbing her bum as the four girls watched a white streak speed through their group, right where Samidare used to be.
"Abyssal's! Spread out and move into line abreast formation. Sis, tell the Admiral we made contact on our position!"
The girls did as they were told and advanced on the enemy.
Unnamed Naval Base, Command Room, Okinawa Japan 1135hrs
Back in the command room I was spinning on my chair as I waited for reports to come in when I noticed Ooyodo getting a transmission.
"What is it?" I ask her.
"Second Squadron has made contact with a group of Abyssal subs at sector D5. They are engaging now sir."
I stood up and put a red pin into my map table on the coordinates. "Tell them to keep me updated and continue with their mission."
"Yes Admiral."
Pacific Ocean, Second Squadron Lead by Haida, 1137hrs
Back over at squadron two, the girls have formed line abreast and were advancing towards the direction the torpedo came from. Unfortunately the Abyssal's were a lot quicker and nimbler than your typical submarine so the girls had to close the gap and ensure direct hits with their depth charges aided by sonar.
"Don't stay moving in a straight line! They'll have a harder time hitting us now that we've seen them." Haida yelled her advice over the sounds the waves.
The girls were a lot harder to hit now that the ambush had failed because they could use their speed and small size to a great advantage. This was easily noticeable due to the multiple bubble trails left by torpedoes passing harmlessly by the four girls.
"We're almost there, just a little closer!" Haida yelled back to her comrades as her sonar was picking up the targets.
After a few more seconds the Abyssal submarines surfaced out of the depths.
"Die..."
"Sink to the Depths..."
"End...this..."
The three grey skinned, blue eyed Abyssal sub girls emerged their heads from the ocean, obviously frustrated towards their enemy. They fired off a few final torpedoes in the direction of their foe before disappearing back below the surface.
"Don't you even think about it!" Haida screamed as she speed forwards and launch a depth charge from her left wrist.
Pacific Ocean, Third Squadron Lead by Laffey, 1137hrs
Sazanami puffed a sigh as she listened to her two squad mates still bickering over a number of things. The good thing was that they seemed to have made it civil at this point. Maybe the Admirals words did have some affect on both of them.
"It's your fault we haven't found anything yet." Murakumo said as she spun around in a circle.
Laffey pointed at herself in confusion. "My fault? I don't control the Abyssals, if I did I would order them to all go scrap themselves."
"Humph, we finally agree to something. Ill report back to the Admiral that we haven't found anything and that we're returning to base."
"Heh, of course you'd be the one to report back to him."
Murakumo blushed. "Wha-what's that supposed to mean?"
Laffey shook her head. "It's nothing, just make your report."
Murakumo gave Laffey a look before contacting HQ.
"This is Murakumo from Second Squadron...yes...mission complete, we're heading back to base...roger that."
"Everything good?" Laffey asks Murakumo to which she just nods her head.
"Good, alright lets head back, I want to..." Laffey trailed off as she watches a white trail heading right for her without enough time to react. "Shit."
A large water spout goes up into the air as Laffey is hit by the torpedo, obscuring the vision of her two comrades as they shield their faces from the water.
"Laffey-chan, are you alright!" Sanzanami yells out for her comrade but gets not reply. The water clears for Murakumo and Sanzanami to see Laffey floating, but struggling.
"You bastards!" Murakumo yells enraged as she charges off towards the enemy fleet. "Sanzanami-chan, look after Laffey-chan!"
Unnamed Naval Base, Command Room, Okinawa Japan 1138hrs
"Admiral, third squadron made contact. Laffey has been hit!" Ooyodo informs her commander with some worry in her voice.
"What!? Where and how bad is it!?"
"In sector A5, it sounds bad sir...what?... Murakumo has given chase as well!?"
"What? She's gone after it alone?!"
"Yes sir."
'What is that stupid girl thinking!'
"Give me that radio!" I say as I reach out for the set.
"Yes sir."
I placed a pin where squadron three encountered the sub. It was dangerously close to our base.
Pacific Ocean, Third Squadron Lead by Laffey, Murakumo's Position, 1141hrs
Murakumo is still giving chase after the Abyssal sub girl when she gets a transmission.
"Murakumo, what the hell do you think you're doing!? Regroup with your squadron and return to base immediately!" The Admiral yells over the radio making Murakumo flinch.
"B-but sir, I've almost got her!"
"Yeah, and while you chase a lone sub out into Abyssal waters, Laffey and Sanzanami are sitting ducks!"
"I-I just wanted to do my part..." Murakumo trails off when she realizes what she is doing.
"I get that, everyone wants to do their part. But this war is far from over and you'll get your chance. Now regroup and return to base."
"Yes Admiral, I understand." Murakumo relents and turns around.
"Good, once you get back we-...som-..." The admirals voice is replaced by white noise as Murakumo loses connection.
"Admiral? Admiral!? What's wrong with this stupid thing?" Murakumo says to herself as she smacks her radio equipment.
Suddenly a huge water spout erupts beside her, followed by a few more all around her. After she's finished shielding her eyes Murakumo looks towards the horizon in horror.
"N-no way..."
Off in the distance is an entire Abyssal battle group.
Unnamed Naval Base, Command Room, Okinawa Japan 1142hrs
"I lost contact with Murakumo..." I says in disbelief.
Ooyodo looks at me in shock. "Lost connection? You don't think?"
"Faulty equipment maybe?" I say scratching my chin.
Ooyodo shakes her head. "That's not possible, our equipment never breaks down."
"Then what is it?"
"I'm..I'm not sure Admiral."
Pacific Ocean, First Squadron Lead by Johnston, 1145hrs
"Ahhh still nothing!" Johnston yells scratching her hair in frustration. In mid scratch Johnston stops and looks towards Tone with a grin. "Hey, Tone."
"Hmmm?" Tone looks over to Johnston and notices the smile on her face. "What is it?"
"Can I smack you around with my sword...you know...for old time's sake?"
Tone gives her a smile. "I'd like to see you try!" Tone says as she prepares a battle stance.
Before Johnston can even pull out her sword Fubuki spots a single aircraft flying East.
"Aircraft!" She yells as she points her weapon towards the sky.
All the other girls react immediately and point their AA armament into the sky. The Abyssal plane just continues on its present course without taking evasive action.
"Hold your fire!" Johnston yells.
"Huh? Why?" Fubuki questions curiously.
"It hasn't noticed us yet."
"How do you know?" Tone asks.
"It hasn't taken evasive action. All Abyssal fighters take evasive action as soon as they spot the enemy."
"So that means it's going somewhere..." Chikuma adds.
"Exactly, but there isn't anything in that direction but open ocean."
"Should we follow it?" Fubuki asks.
"It could lead us right to the base we've been looking for, or a trap." Heermann adds.
The Abyssal fighter is getting farther and farther at this point.
"Yeah, lets follow it. Good eye Fubuki." Johnston compliments Fubuki which brings a blush to her face.
"T-thank you."
Pacific Ocean, Second Squadron Lead by Haida, 1147hrs
"I think that's the last of them." Haida states as she looks around.
Samidare and Inazuma are exhausted by this point and are struggling for air.
"You're amazing Hiada-chan, you too Iroquois-chan." Samidare manages to compliment the two between huffs.
Haida rubs the back of her head in embarrassment from the praise. "You two got a few yourselves though."
"Yeah but you two did almost all of the work. But I have one question, why were you ahh...punching them?"
Haida jumps in surprise. "You saw that eh? W-well...you know...I really don't like subs...and."
"Scary."
"So scary." Samidare and Inazuma whisper to each other.
"Sister, we should return to base now, our mission is complete."
"We'll take a break first, then head back. Good job you two."
Unnamed Naval Base, Command Room, Okinawa Japan 1152hrs
"Admiral, second squadron reports they are returning to base with mission complete. They're reporting nine Abyssal's destroyed."
'Nine!? That's more than we sunk at that attack!'
"Tell them I said good work and that I look forward to their report."
"Yes sir."
"Oh, do we have any word from Murakumo?"
"No sir."
"Hmm, keep trying."
'She should have regrouped with Sanzanami and Laffey by now.'
Pacific Ocean, First Squadron Lead by Johnston, 1155hrs
"Found you." Johnston says aloud as she peers through her 18th century telescope.
After following the Abyssal fighter for ten minutes, first squadron has located the Abyssal base in the area. But it is immediately apparent something is wrong.
"Where are all the defenders?" Tone asks nobody in particular.
"Yeah, it's almost completely un guarded right now." Fubuki adds as she scans the base.
The Abyssal base itself is a rather large "manmade" island. It looks like it can operate an entire Abyssal fleet but its completely empty save for the few destroyers guarding it.
"Nee-san, I have a bad feeling about this." Chikuma says as she hold her hand up to her chest.
"Yeah, Johnston-chan we should contact the Admiral."
"You're right, I'll tell him something's up." Johnston says as she activates her radio.
The other girls watch as Johnston gets into contact with HQ, but from the quick change of expression it's obvious something is very wrong.
"Yes, we'll get back as soon as we can!" Johnston yells. "C'mon we have to get back, now!"
"Huh, what's wrong?" Fubuki asks.
"Murakumo found the missing Abyssal's. They're headed right for our base."
Pacific Ocean, Murakumo, 1205hrs
"Ahhh!" Murakumo screams as another shell lands right beside her. She's been dodging shells for the last fifteen plus minutes. An entire Abyssal battle fleet consisting of Carriers, Battleships, Cruisers and Destroyers are steaming right for her.
'Stupid, stupid, stupid. I should have know that it was a scout.'
"Murakumo are you alright!? Talk to me!? What is happening!?"
"Admiral! They're coming right for you! I don't know what to do!" Murkumo is scared. She may be a ship girl, created to fight Abyssal's, but she is still a young girl. A young teenage girl that is afraid for her life.
"Just keep moving! I have everyone else coming back to reinforce you so hold on!"
"No! They'll just get hurt too! I'm sorry but I'm going to lead them away from the base!"
"Murakumo if you do that, you will die." Tyler states.
Tears start to stream down her cheeks "I-I know...but it's all I can do."
"Murakumo, don't do this! You can make it! Just keep moving!"
A sound over her left shoulder gets Murakumo's attention. A group of dive bombers and fighters heading for her direction. As they get closer the fighters strafe Murakumo's body as the bombers drop their payload.
Once the smoke clears Murakumo is down on one knee, clothes tattered, rig all but destroyed.
Murakumo coughs up some blood. She's pushed her body to its limits just getting this far. She falls onto her back and stares into the sky.
"Murakumo! Murakumo what's happening!" Tyler screams over the radio with obvious distress in his voice.
"I won't forgive you!"
"What?" The Admiral says confused.
"That's right, I won't! If you don't win this war I'll haunt you for the rest of your life!" She says between sobs.
Out of the corner of her vision a figure approaches. It's a Ru-Class battleship.She bends down and caresses Murakumo's cheek.
"You will make a fine addition to the fleet little one." The demon speaks in her ghostly cold tone.
Murakumo spits blood into her face while the Ru-Class chuckles and wipes it off.
"Always defiant to the end." The Ru-Class goes to grab Murakumo but is interrupted by machine gun fire and explosions from unknown aircraft. The Ru-Class looks surprised as she looks around and sees her fleet being ripped to shreds.
"No!"As she tries to flee but screams as a few bombs hit her making her explode into a million little pieces.
Murakumo just stares in shock. In just a few seconds the sounds of battle have disappeared and the sound of aircraft engines have replaced it. A few are circling overhead so she focuses on one of the many dark blue hued planes and see's the words "U.S Navy" imprinted in white on the bottom of the wing.
"USN planes?" Murakumo says aloud in surprise.
She notices a figure approach from her right and looks over to see a beautiful ashen haired woman with a bow like device in one hand and a carrier flight deck strapped to her left arm.
The woman bends down to help sit Murakumo up and starts wiping the blood from her mouth.
"You poor thing."
Murakumo just looks at the beautiful stranger. "W-who are you?" Murakumo asks through terrible pain.
"Oh, please excuse me I forgot to introduce myself." The woman says all flustered at the realization.
"E-enterprise, my name is Enterprise.
T-t-t-t-that's all folks. Sorry for the hell of a long wait, I truly am. Life can be a bitch sometimes and well, it has. But I'm back in the saddle here with more Kancolle: Liberation. I hope you all enjoyed this chapter and will enjoy the others I release very soon. If you're ever wondering about updates please either PM me or check my profile page. Ill keep it updated on my progress as I go. Just know that I will never abandon my stories. If it takes me half a year to finish a chapter (hopefully it doesn't come to that) I will still get it done.
Now onto the chapter. Well, first off how'd you like it? Secondly, I'm introducing some major USN players a little early on but I find it works for the story. Don't worry you Royal Navy lovers out there, you'll get yours soon ;) I hope you buffs out there liked the history drops and hopefully the Kancolle players recognize Murakumo's sinking line. If some of you are wondering how Iroquois has developed feeling for Tyler so soon, I guess I can just point out Kongo's instant love for you in the game. Some girls are just like that while others take time. Plus there is the added "link" between the two. I think that's it for now. If you have anything to say please say it! So cheers to all my readers and have a good day.
P.S Please leave reviews if you'd like. I greatly appreciate them. Also if you want to discuss my story go right on ahead and PM me.
P.P.S Next up will be the second info dump detailing everything about my new OC's like Enterprise, so look forward to that.