"Here they come!..."
"... can't let them get away with what they've done…"
"... Stay strong! We have them now!..."
"Watch out from above…!"
"I-INCOMING!"
"...!"
"Don't… Please don't…"
"... I won't accept this!"
Enterprise snapped awake. For a brief second she was disoriented, staring at emptiness until her sensations caught up with her. A bed sheet on her side, the blanket wrapped loosely around her, the barren wall in her sights. Her skin felt damp, cold. She remembered where she was: far from home, under the care of the Silver Star Federation.
She slowly rolled over, releasing the tension wound tight in her body. Her breathing came deep and rhythmic. Her heart raced even from a long rest.
Enterprise lay there, the sound of her own breaths filling her ears. The silence calmed her but the damage was done: her mind was too clouded.
The carrier promptly slid out of her bed and assessed her room. In the dim light that preceded the dawn, what slipped through the blinds showed her an austere accommodation. A compact suite, serving only the bare minimum of creature comforts with a single table, chair, and dresser. Against the walls of plaster white hung her coat and hat, lurking in the dark like phantoms of her dreams.
A sigh quietly escaped her lips as she carefully made her way across the room, taking care so as to not disturb her feathered friend roosting on his perch, still asleep by her side. A quick spying glance confirmed it as such to Enterprise, part of her wishing she could have an undisturbed snooze.
'Lucky you.'
She made her way to the washroom. The light flickered on in spite of her discreetness, the brightness stabbing into her eyes. Enterprise frowned from the glare but her chagrin was only brief as she reached for the sink. She placed her hands on the porcelain furniture, aware of the weight she placed upon it as she leaned against it. Enterprise sighed, her thoughts heavy in her head.
'It's that dream again. Why of all times am I remembering?'
'... Kestrel. They've been coming back ever since I saw her. Those visions…'
The faucet quietly squeaked awake as it detected the carrier's intent. The water streamed over her hands and around her fingers, cool and soothing to the touch. Enterprise brought the water to her face, wiping away the sweat, the water caressing her visage.
But as she glanced up, the face that greeted her in the mirror looked no better. Long silver hair, sharp purple eyes, Enterprise felt that nothing had changed. As much as she could wipe her worries from her appearance, she did not feel at all refreshed. Her head stayed heavy and abuzz with thoughts.
Despite the rest, she remained weary. Memories of the last great battle echoed in her mind; the sounds of war was faint in her ears, the sight of fire seared into her eyes. The fire that plagued the oceans, the fire that came from the enemy, the same fire that nearly consumed her had Kestrel not…
Enterprise's grimace grew as her mind drifted back. Their encounter played over and over in her head, the battle playing out like a video on repeat. The way the Sakura carriers tried to corner her, the way her allies fought back against unfamiliar foes, the way Akagi taunted her and Kestrel…
Her grip tightened as she remembered.
"She is not my…"
Wrenching herself from the mirror, Enterprise stormed out, grabbing her black coat.
Outside in the halls, Belfast walked. Overhead light bathed the corridor, lighting the marble-like floor and her newly-mended apron with a bright healthy glow. Without any windows, she could not behold the pleasant early morning view even though she felt it in her heart. She eagerly looked forward to returning to the day's sunshine, to bask in the tranquil breeze and natural air.
Now if only she can find Miss Enterprise to share those experiences with.
The Royal maid looked ahead, surprised to see another person roaming the halls as she was. "Miss Vestal?"
The nurse turned around. "Oh, Belfast. Good morning."
"Good morning to you too," Belfast replied with a curtsy. "What brings you here on a bright and lovely day?"
"Looking to find Enterprise," answered Vestal. "I wanted to drop by and give her a check-up," she said with a tired smile.
The maid gave her a sly smirk. She was no stranger to how busy the nurse was handling remedial matters and managing the well-being of everyone part of the international coalition. It was a rare sight to see the nun-like caretaker venture outside her domain, let alone look forward to stepping out from it. She was also no stranger to how much Vestal adored Enterprise as her "favorite patient".
"Well, I do say that makes two of us."
Vestal gave a nervous smile as she joined the maid in their walk. "I see. Thank you for looking out for her. I don't believe I have had much opportunity to express my gratitude."
"No need to thank me. All in a day's work for a Royal Navy maid." As the pair progressed, a more relevant topic graced Belfast's mind. "So how is she?"
"Oh the usual," came the casual reply. "The last battle was quite intense from what I heard. Javelin and Brooklyn were serious but nothing I couldn't mend, and all the others were nothing major. Even Enterprise wasn't without scrapes but it could've been worse."
"She did encounter the Sakura carriers," Belfast remembered. Though too far to participate in the fight of the carriers, she had caught a glimpse of them. Even without seeing them in person, their presence left tell-tale traces of embers and sakura fragrance, nevermind the accounts from the Federation carriers who clashed with them.
A worried look was cast on Vestal's expression. "Then that explains why she looked so serious…"
"Perhaps." Belfast too could recall the severe visage of the Eagle carrier when the battle concluded. A humorless face was the norm for an experienced war hero such as her, but even what she saw was unusual. And with that uncharacteristic outburst towards Kestrel, Belfast felt she had something to be concerned about.
The two soon slowed as their attention became fixed towards a certain room chosen by the Eagle carrier for their stay. With the Azur Lane task force having performed a commendable job in the defense of the Federation's Sand Island base, they had been granted a deserved reprieve away from the frontlines. But such reward did not dispel the reality that they remained trapped in the brewing conflict.
Vestal knocked on the door. "Enterprise? Are you in there?" She waited, her ears straining and hopes fluttering for a sign of life inside, any activity within the room. But she heard only a hollow void. The stark door stood unmoving to greet her.
She knocked again. "Enterprise?" But Belfast had already made her mind as she grabbed the knob and swung the door open. She stepped in, her sights already trained on the bed.
"Miss Enterprise, are you-" The maid froze when she realized the bed was vacant, the sheets deflated and alone. She turned to the window, now realizing the light that beamed through that bathed the interior in bright morning light. The perch where Enterprise's pet eagle would rest lay bare.
The whole suite was bare. The two had been deprived of their expectations.
Vestal blinked as she looked around, the emptiness still a surprise. "Oh Enterprise, only she would be so savvy as to anticipate our arrival. And to ignore my medical advice yet again…"
The Royal Navy maid sighed. "Miss Enterprise… To think you'd be so discourteous as to depart so suddenly. Where could you have gone…?"
"And of course, you must not have seen her in the dining hall," remarked the nurse. "Not the first time she's skipped breakfast."
"And that just won't do." Belfast promptly turned to leave the room, her annoyance seeping subtly into her pace. "I will not allow her to disregard an important time of day so callously. A proper breakfast is to have a proper diet and health."
"Hopefully she hasn't strayed too far," Vestal hoped. "Although knowing her, who knows where she's gone to. She wouldn't leave so early and so suddenly without a reason."
As Belfast marched back out into the hall, she ruminated on the nun's words. As much as she knew Enterprise, she also knew little about what went on in that head of hers. To disappear so early, so soon after a decisive battle was ludicrous. Sure Enterprise was no stranger to these antics - she had at times insisted on sortieing when she should have been resting, pushing herself to breaking points to go above and beyond the sense of duty.
But this was unusual - no, worrisome. To be up so early, presumably out somewhere. But where? For what reason? Was she taking this war seriously? Was that what was plaguing her mind enough to wake up before dawn?
It was almost like…
Belfast's mind screeched to a stop when she nearly bumped into Warspite, astounded by her sudden appearance. "M-miss Warspite? What're you doing here? I thought you were in the dining hall."
"Aye, I was. From the looks of things, you haven't found Enterprise."
Vestal shook her head. "No. No we haven't. Her room was already empty when we checked."
Warspite groaned. "Great. That's another one missing…"
Belfast and Vestal were stumped. "What do you mean 'missing'?"
The old dreadnought rubbed the back of her head as she took a breath. "Do either of you know where everyone else went?"
Location: somewhere in the Ceres Ocean, within Federation waters
Skimming over the sea, the water was pristine like any other. In the bright early morning the waves glittered and glowed. Were circumstances different, she would be enjoying the view, a sight intimately familiar to one born to sail the oceans.
But as good as it was to be racing over the blue waves, Cleveland was not in the proper mood to appreciate the sensation.
*Grrr…*
"Oh man, why did we have to be out here so early…?" San Diego whined as her stomach growled.
Nearby, Javelin yawned. "Barely had time to fix up my hair, let alone even think about having breakfast."
"The sudden occasion is rather unusual," Brooklyn agreed, barely hiding her own weariness. "I certainly hope she has a good reason for bringing us out here this early today…"
The ships all shot a furtive glance ahead. Leading the group was Enterprise, her elegant hair and coat flowing at her back and with Grim Reaper by her side. She advanced to a destination unknown with intent and drive, oblivious to the group that tried to keep up as they conspired behind her. To where or what the Gray Ghost had in mind, none could say.
But whatever it was, Cleveland hoped it was for a damn good reason.
"Enterprise, did you really have to drag us out of bed so freaking early?" she called out. "You could've at least give us time to grab a bite before sending us out to nowhere."
"You're more than welcome to have a ration bar for breakfast," the carrier replied curtly. "And this isn't nowhere. There's a reason I wanted us out here today."
"Okay, so what's the reason?"
Before Enterprise could reply, a jet fighter suddenly shot by, darting past her and everyone like an artillery shell. The sharp roar of the engines and the gale it brought with it snapped everyone awake and alert as the aircraft pitched up, revealing itself as an F/A-18 Hornet.
"Good morning, everyone. Hope you're all rested from Sand Island."
The four glanced up in surprise. "Buzzard? What's this about?"
"I invited her here today," Enterprise explained, devoid of the bewilderment that dotted their faces. "I wanted her help for a little training exercise."
"That's right," added Buzzard who stood awaiting them in the distance ahead. "Enterprise had a certain session in mind and I was obliged to pitch in.
"Now then. Look alive, everyone! Let's get started!"
The serene mood of the morning sea suddenly erupted into chaos just as suddenly as tracers and flak fire punctured and littered the sky. Fire filled the air, leaving clouds of smoke like omens.
San Diego beamed at her handiwork, only to find her achievement marred by the emergence of one sleek metal bird flying from the smog. "Awww… That should've been a clean sweep!"
Beside her, Cleveland chuckled. "Hey, still not bad Sandy. Best two out of three!" Bending down to reach into a box by her feet, she pulled out a pair of identical sleek slender objects. "If it makes you feel any better, even I'm not perfect at nailing 'em. Those jet planes are really fast." Priming the objects in her hands, sharp wings popped out. Resembling like missiles in her hands, their mimicry of the target drones was complete. All that remained was for them to take flight.
"Alright, here comes another pair." Heaving with a grunt, Cleveland threw the drones as miniature boosters flared up, wings catching flight as they quickly ascended. Through methods not understood to the young knight, the drones steered themselves into formation before joining the lone survivor in the skies where they circled the air like migratory birds.
Though a participant in these exercises, Cleveland couldn't help but stand and wonder at the drones. Unthinking automatons weren't a new thing to her, having associated them with menial roles and as cannon-fodder for the Sirens but their function never ceased to capture her curiosity. Something about the way they flew without human guidance but with an unseen will. Was this what it was like to be an aircraft carrier?
'... Except they don't use flying trashcans.'
Her focus returned to the present to the sounds of anti-air firing like drumbeats. The idol cruiser filled the skies with lead as she attempted to swat down the drones that proved slippery with their astonishing alacrity and reactivity: perfect practice for the foes they were expected to meet.
Cleveland tried to make out through puffs of flak and tracer but was satisfied but what she saw. A wreck fell from the air, marked by a trail of belching smoke. "Nice work Sandy! Keep it up!"
"Account for extra lead and anticipate their paths all while putting max saturation! Now you're really helping me take center stage, Cleve~!"
The blonde cruiser couldn't help but smirk. Turning her gaze to the side, Cleveland spotted Brooklyn and Javelin doing their own training. Where she and San Diego had their attention skyward to practice anti-air, the diplomat and the young destroyer had their focus on each other, their concentration strung across a small distance they stood from each other.
"Okay Brooklyn! Are you ready?"
"Ready!"
Hefting the object in her throwing hand, Javelin primed her arm for an overhead throw. But where she would be hurling her signature weapon, her hand instead clutched a oblong ball bearing fins and wings on its side. She sent it hurtling with a grunt, whereupon the curious ball swiftly took flight, gliding through the air with astonishing speed and even with a mind of its own. Noxious smoke emanating from its tail marked a conspicuous trail. It flew in a swirl towards Brooklyn who awaited it with anticipating eyes and guns.
Taking a breath, she snapped to action. Her rigging jolted into position, firing a shot an instant later. Smoke enveloped the air in front of her, obscuring her view of Javelin and the incoming ball. Only embers touched her, and when the smoke settled and she saw only Javelin on the other side, Brooklyn relaxed.
"There you go!" cheered the lilac-haired ship. "That wasn't hard now was it?"
"No, it wasn't," Brooklyn breathed with relief. "But that may have been too easy. Enemy missiles won't be flying straight at me alone."
Javelin knelt down to the container by her side, filled with training equipment. The curious ball was but one of many provided for today's training of countering missiles, projectiles that imitated their behavior and appearance. Having to throw such devices was a peculiar choice but Javelin suspected it was for a good reason. "Maybe we can work on dodging? I heard that's where you're having trouble with." As she stood back up, she appeared with an arm full of identical balls, one already in her hand and a bright smile on her face in eager readiness.
Brooklyn faltered at the daunting sight. "Um, hang on wait-"
"Too late! 'Ere we go!" Chucking the ball in her hand, it was immediately replenished by more from her arms, the process going by in a blur. Spirited laughter accompanied the mad rush, forming a melody for the horde of dummy missiles that swarmed Brooklyn's way.
The diplomat, though aware that this was an exercise and that the fake missiles were harmless (as she had been assured by Buzzard) felt fear grip her heart. Between repeating her previous success and running, Brooklyn chose flight. The decision was timely as the projectiles closed in all around her. Brooklyn skittered and hopped as the missiles buzzed, zipped, and bolted towards her. Each near-miss elicited a yelp, each dodge was a close shave. The diplomat ship ducked and weaved in a strange dance as the same balls looped back around, aware that they had not struck their quarry.
Javelin giggled at the comical sight, making sure to throw in the occasional encouragement. "You're doing great, Brooklyn! Just stay on your toes, keep your knees bent, and stay moving!"
"This - is - not - something - I do - often!" Brooklyn called back, trapped in the dizzying cloud of guided projectiles. Occasionally, one of the guided balls would slither past her dodging, bapping her where they burst into spray of distinct paint to form obnoxious marks on where Brooklyn had been hit.
As the Royal destroyer chuckled, so too did Cleveland. She quietly wished her fellow Eagle cruiser good luck before her ears picked up a faint sound. Peering towards it, Cleveland recognized the tell-tale echoes of a swift breeze cut apart, the droning of certain birds that dominated the skies.
Far away, she made out specks in the sky. Cluster of faint objects, all swirling and dancing in the sky as they maneuvered, circled, and chased. Two breeds of warbirds partaking with a sense of play.
An illusion of course, like all forms of battle training.
Enterprise observed as her Dauntlesses took flight, their broad wings slicing air in faint contrails. A small detachment was in the skies to engage with an equally small force of the gray-hulled Hornets, the skies filled with those wispy white trails. The two swirled among each other, formations dissolving like solute as both Dauntlesses and Hornets accelerated and raced, spun and rolled.
But amid the confusing furball of two aircrafts, there was a keen sense of understanding that Enterprise readily interpreted. The frantic dance between her bird and the others was the exercise she sought. As much as she was intimately familiar with her warbirds, Enterprise wished to put them to the test. Through the exotic sense of competition, she was already seeing strengths, weaknesses, and possible adaptations to consider.
A Dauntless swooped by, followed shortly by a Hornet hot on its tail. The jet fighter was eager in its pursuit, gaining to the propeller plane in spite of its determined retreat until it suddenly cut speed, swerving to the side at the same time. The airframe groaned and the wings shuddered as but the gambit paid off as the Hornet roared past, unable to acquire a bead on target that abruptly killed its speed. It attempted to slow down but it zoomed past the Dauntless as it regained flight, shaken but relieved to be alive.
Beside Enterprise, a hum was heard. "Impressive. Employing the prop aircraft's low stall speeds to outturn its pursuer. Under the right circumstances, they can be deceptively nimble."
"A surprising advantage," Enterprise replied, her expression appreciative of the compliment yet it remained critical. "But only in certain conditions. I can't except to rely on that technique to win all air battles. Not when missiles become a factor."
Buzzard gave a nod, acknowledging the Gray Ghost's analysis and the shortcomings of their mock dogfights. With missiles and other weapons barred from training, a "guns-only" simulation could only go so far. "Certainly. That Dauntless lost nearly all energy in that stunt. Had its assailant possessed air-to-air missiles, your plane's survival rate drops sharply… Perhaps it can be employed to evade those attacks instead?"
"Perhaps," came the answer as Enterprise considered it. Reliable or not, it was something worth keeping in mind. With the technological gap prevalent now more than ever, she needed to refine her skills to mitigate this disadvantage.
As she thought, her eyes drifted to the side, whereupon a curious sight gave her pause. Standing beside her as she always had, Buzzard quietly munched away at a ration stick. As she carefully observed the practice training between their respective aircraft, her otherwise dignified and studious air was juxtaposed by the seeming way in which Buzzard ate her "breakfast" with nonchalance.
The peculiar stare was soon noticed by Buzzard. "What is it?"
"N-nothing." As Enterprise averted her eyes, it occurred to her that it was the very same SSF-produced ration that she herself had subsisted on earlier in lieu of a proper meal.
Something moved in the edge of her vision and Enterprise was surprised to see it was a spare ration stick being offered. "Would you like one?" Buzzard asked, carefully making sure she swallowed before inquiring.
"No thanks. I already ate." Enterprise paused. "... Do you normally keep them under your coat?"
"Among other things," Buzzard answered. "I invite you to guess what else I happen to bring with me."
Enterprise gave it some thought. "Maps?"
"Three copies, yes. Plus GPS and celestial charts."
"Signal light?"
"Two sets, with spare batteries. Along with a mirror. And road flares."
"... First aid kit?"
"An entire set, complete with suture kit." Buzzard peered towards the Eagle carrier with a sense of enlightenment in her eyes. "... Based on your guesses, I suspect you do the same."
Enterprise hesitated before giving her answer. "... Let's just say that this longcoat has its perks."
The Federation carrier indulged in a slight smile. "Ah. Likewise. And that would explain where some of our base's rations went. Turns out I was not the only one."
This time the Gray Ghost was glad she had already averted her gaze, pretending to study the mock dogfights. And thankfully, so too did Buzzard once the humorous moment wore off its novelty. Never did Enterprise expect someone who shared such common ground when it came to being prepared. Perhaps strange minds think alike more than she realized.
The Ceres Ocean.
A great body that dwarfed any continent, coloring the horizons in endless blue. The hot burning rays of the sun was cooled by gentle breeze. The strong but sweet smell of ocean life filled all noses. A world of deep serene blue that filled the eyes. Out here, it was as if no other color could exist on earth.
Gumrak wished she had more time to enjoy the morning sea.
Behind her, Dub grunted. "Nothing so far. Scope's clean."
"Looks like we really are all alone out here," added Chuda.
As Gumrak hummed in acknowledgement, Pitomnik chimed in as she threw in a quick salute. "Comrade Gumrak, area is clear of enemies and of mines! We can resume our mission."
As Chuda and Dub looked at her with incredulous expressions, Gumrak chuckled in friendly humor. "Don't sweat it man. Already heard it from the other two."
The young greenhorn flustered at the embarrassing blunder. "E-er sorry! I wasn't paying close attention and I-"
"I said don't sweat it!" Gumrak assured, patting Pitomnik on the shoulder. "We're all out on recon so we all gotta do our part and keep our eyes peeled. I did ask ya to keep me informed of anything after all, and I ain't gonna back out on it. Oh and you're doing a fine job right now, man. Keep it up."
Despite the encouragement, Pitomnik felt even more flustered by the words. Chuda however felt elated by them. "Ahh~ even if it wasn't meant for us Gumrak's words just makes me feel at ease. Wish I could hear them more often!"
Dub rolled her eyes. "Dream on, weirdo. Not like you're already not doing it in your sleep…"
Gumrak turned to face her compatriots. "Alright fellas. Recon's not gonna do itself. Let's stay moving and let's stay alert."
As she turned to resume their mission, Gumrak stopped halfway. She had nearly overlook their other companion.
"Hey, you comin' Ayanami?"
Presiding from the Entente destroyers, their lone Sakura counterpart stood in quiet watch. Hearing Gumrak call out to her, Ayanami shifted her gaze towards her, her expression characteristically flat as it was when she kept watch of the seas.
Her reply came as a bored murmur. "Yes, I'm coming."
Satisfied, Gumrak nodded. "Alright, let's go!"
The team set off, the blazing-haired ship taking the lead while Dub and Chuda took her sides. Eyes scanned left, right, and center for signs of enemy activity, though a certain impressionable ship had her mind diverted elsewhere.
"Hey Ayanami!"
Bringing up the rear, the Sakura ship glanced at Chuda with bored eyes. "Yes?"
"'Demon of Solomon'... is that true?" she asked, barely restraining a grin. "You really fought back against an entire fleet single-handedly? Even dueled a carrier, or two or three?"
"Um…"
Chuda's eyes sparkled with child-like delight. "Woah, that's gotta be awesome! You must be a pretty fearsome ship! I'll be glad to be by your side today!"
Dub wordlessly shook her head at the antic while faint chuckling was heard from Gumrak. Ayanami wasn't sure what to make of the young destroyer's naivety, let alone how to describe the origins of her title. A name to inspire and to incite fear, yet as Ayanami accepted being called "demon" she felt neither emotion. To her, it was just a name, one earned but not something she felt proud of…
As she sailed, it took Ayanami a second to realize another presence beside her. Turning her head, she saw it was Pitomnik, gliding over the waves matching her speed, her heading, and as she noticed, nearly matching her position as the rookie drifted awfully close.
"... Would you mind?"
"O-oh, sorry!" Pitomnik apologized as she hastily scooted aside, giving each other more room. "I, um, thought I could pair up with you, i-if you didn't mind…"
Ayanami answered the nervous talk with an odd look but quickly gave Pitomnik her permission. "Sure."
The young Verusan Entente destroyer sighed in relief. Put at ease, Pitomnik could relax as she eyed her radar and surroundings. She also kept a small eye on her partner, spying Ayanami's stoic gazing. Pitomnik found their country's new ally interesting and their host of ships intrigued her the most. Even after the ground-shaking news that an entirely new world had opened up to theirs, a world full of personified ships like them, Pitomnik still couldn't believe how astonishing it was to be alongside those of another era. It made her wonder about all the differences between them, how one lineage of ships diverged and evolved so exotically.
As Pitomnik examined her, she noticed how attentive Ayanami was. Her head swung, her eyes though part of a blank expression were sharp as she scanned every direction. Even with clear visibility and hardly a cloud in the sky, she seemed vigilant and tense.
"Is something the matter, comrade Ayanami?"
"... They're out there." Glancing to another direction, her eyes narrowed in suspicion of the sky. "I've heard much about what those aircraft can do."
Pitomnik nervously glanced around but was assuaged when her eyes and radar came clean. No conniving interloper, no stalker behind the veil of stealth. She trusted her other senses.
"We'll be alright, comrade Ayanami. Our radar is as good as theirs, and right now we're safe."
The stoic girl seemed not yet convinced. "Don't know for how long… Shouldn't underestimate them."
"W-we certainly won't," Pitomnik conceded as she looked down. But a strange realization crept to her looking at their Sakura ally. A "Demon" who was a veteran of far more battles than she has, yet the nature of this world had her on a disquieting edge. Ayanami must be familiar with fighting but the Federation's carriers and their powers were unfamiliar to her.
In a strange sense, knowing that even an experienced kansen could exhibit fear put a rookie like Pitomnik at ease.
A new idea popped in her head. "I-if you'd like, Ayanami, we can stick together. I-I'll watch your back and help you out, you know?"
Ayanami promptly looked at the Verusan destroyer. This time her eyes betrayed a sense of surprise at the proposal. Her typical reticence flickered. "I… Sure. We can be friends."
Now it was the young recruit's turn to be taken aback. Friends. She would have settled with merely being partners for a mission but she blushed at the idea of being… something more than just temporary acquaintances.
But she supposed it made sense in the end: friends looked out for each other and that was exactly what she had suggested.
Meeting Ayanami's gaze, Pitomnik nodded. "Of course. Friends."
As she smiled, so too did Ayanami. She reckoned that making a new friend wouldn't be a bad thing.
After all, she already had a few on both sides.
"Smoked. That'll be another dead bandit."
Enterprise exhaled as her Dauntless disentangled from the pursuing Hornet. Another mock skirmish done, another result to form a collective consensus. So far in pure air-to-air engagements the score was fairly even though it was leaning in slight disfavor to Enterprise, her dive bombers once made to contend with the quick and vicious Zeroes now against aerial foes even more quick and vicious. Even with their newfound low-speed maneuverability trick, her Dauntlesses were at the mercy of hunters that were generations ahead of them.
Buzzard mulled over the results, stroking her chin as she did. "Eleven skirmishes total, six ending with the piston fighter being shot down."
Enterprise frowned. "If those results are indicative of my combat performance, then this doesn't bode well…"
"Something on your mind lately?"
"Hm?"
"A fair result isn't anything out of the ordinary between the two of us," Buzzard explained. "In fact, I'd say you're being too harsh on yourself with these exercises. But there's something else I saw. Your aircraft seemed a bit stiff at times; your maneuvers felt a little rigid. Is something the matter?"
Enterprise bit her tongue. "I…" She quick scrambled for an excuse. "... I'm just a little tense still. I asked for this quick training regime so I can better prepare for our next battles, to make sure I can hold my own and win." She threw in a sigh. "Maybe I am being hard on myself."
"Ah. I understand," Buzzard replied. "Practice makes perfect, and there's only so much we can get to perfection. But to reiterate what I said, I think you're being too cynical with your performance. Even when outmatched with aircraft not wholly suitable for air superiority, you still held your own. That's more than anyone would ask for."
But the Gray Ghost remained doubtful. "Skill and luck saw to my share of victories in all my years. If I am to become stronger, then it is paramount that I find a way."
"And you will," Buzzard encouraged. "We all know how excellent you are in battle, so until the day comes we can fully incorporate our technology and equipment with yours I know you'll find a way to overcome. Remember: in battle, it's never always about the equipment - it's about the one using it. You're not the famed Gray Ghost for nothing."
The holder of that very title found herself smiling at the assurance. She had borne witness to many battles and many victories, but they would not be possible without seeing her fair share of defeats. But they were to be learned from. Nobody got to where she was without learning from their errors, to turn disappointment into strength. She accepted that her rigging and powers will be antiquated, but until the day comes when she will finally be vanquished by a worthy foe, she will forever be Enterprise, proud aircraft carrier of Eagle Union, Azur Lane, and the Gray Ghost.
Buzzard shared her counterpart's smile. "I will say that your Dauntlesses' interception tactics were excellent. No doubt practice from all the clashes with Sakura fighters."
"A practiced and well-taught method in Eagle Union aviation warfare, derived from the Thatch Weave," Enterprise explained, receiving the comment warmly. "And that move your Hornets did when it was being chased, what was it?"
"The cobra maneuver. Only feasible for certain fighters, primarily the more advanced ones that accommodate updated avionics and maneuverability. Useful in a pinch but can be rather predictable if timed poorly."
The Eagle carrier nodded, reminiscing of how impressed she was when, even for the briefest of moments, the gray birds appeared to defy gravity to turn a chase on its head. The ploy was unlike any Enterprise had seen before, and she recalled how it stunned her so that her Dauntlesses had mindlessly zoomed past. She wouldn't make that mistake twice from now on.
Buzzard adjusted her glasses. "Alright, Enterprise. Another round?"
The Gray Ghost thought for a second. "Actually, while I have the chance, may I ask something?"
Buzzard blinked. "Um, certainly."
"I…" Enterprise needed to consider her words carefully. Ever since today, she couldn't dispel the thought from her head. She needed an answer… or something close to it.
"... What do you think of your sister Kestrel?"
"Well, she is my younger sister for starters," began the bespectacled carrier as she pondered. Rarely had she ever been asked a rather personal and loaded question. "We've been together since the Temptation War, when we were born to turn the tide. Even though she was born to fight and knows how to hold her own, she's very compassionate. She cares deeply - perhaps more than what's healthy, I'll admit. For our world, for her home, for me, for Vulture… she loves everyone and would want nothing more than to protect them."
"But that is an immense burden," Enterprise noted quietly.
Buzzard looked down. "Yes. Kestrel tends to put others above her own. Her altruism makes her kind and gentle but as her sister, I worry. Worry that she may never return from a sortie. To tell you the truth, part of me wishes that she wasn't so selfless…
"But at the same time, that is who she is. She may not always be the most rational or pragmatic, but she knows what's the best for all of us. She is my sister, my family, and nothing can change that. Her compassion makes her the Kestrel that I cherish.
"In turn… that is what I wish to protect."
Buzzard closed her eyes as the declaration slipped out. She felt a little embarrassed to pour her heart out in such a way, but simultaneously felt enriched in saying it.
But enough of the sappy moment. Clearing her throat, Buzzard recomposed herself. Disclosure of such personal information should be best kept under lock, key, password, captcha, two-stage authentication, and secure encryption.
She turned to glance at her peer with a question of her own. "So what brought this on all of a sudden?"
Enterprise averted her gaze. Now it was her turn to unveil her secrets. Or was it? "I… I'm sorry for my outburst at the end of our last deployment. Towards your sister."
The Federation carrier murmured with a nod, remembering the incident. She accepted the explanation. "It was a strenuous battle after all, and you pulled quite the weight there. And… as good as it was that Kestrel took the hit for you it was admittedly reckless. I accept your apology on the grounds that you were stressed and concerned."
"Thank you," Enterprise nodded. Her forgiveness was welcomed, even if it was a mere formality. But it was better that a past grievance be behind when it can - Buzzard was an ally and there was a war to fight.
Yet as much as a pardon it was, there remained a lingering darkness gnawing within her.
"... Hm."
Enterprise looked back up to see Buzzard in thought. "What is it?"
"My planes picked up something on their radar," the carrier answered. "I don't have visual yet. Stand-by."
A serious expression appeared on the Eagle carrier's face. "Location and heading?"
"South, bearing 098… I count five contacts, it's… it's the enemy! We're under attack!"
"...!"
As Gumrak snapped her head towards the sky, Dub and Chuda did the same. The look of alarm needed no words to be understood.
"Oh heck. Enemy birds in the air!"
Dub sighed. "Okay, who jinxed us?"
Ayanami followed their gazes. Where her own radar could not find them, her eyes did. Spotting specks in the skies, her own senses tensed. Aircraft in the air always meant trouble - jet aircraft, more so.
Pitomnik looked with worry, but she clung to the slimmest of hope. "Did- did they see us…?"
The Sakura's Demon of Solomon was quick to answer, her reply born from experience. "Always."
Ayanami gripped the sword in her hand but Gumrak had other plans. "Okay gang, chart westward! We're gonna make ourselves scarce before they make us comfy with 'em."
Chuda spun baffled at the order. "What? We're running?"
"Can't take too many risks, man. It would only be a matter of time before they call in reinforcements." Giving her orders, Gumrak in particular made sure to address the rookie and their foreign ally. "You two go first. We'll cover the rear! Just head straight to the west, same way we came from!"
Pitomnik gave an eager nod. "Understood! Ayanami!"
"Alright." Lowering her blade, the Sakura destroyer acquiesced and joined her ally in taking flight. Seeing them speed away, Gumrak and the others followed in their wake, fanning wide in a protective shield toward the distant dots in the sky.
As she ran, Ayanami maintained a furtive watch of the oncoming birds. Though she partook in the retreat, she kept one hand firm on her gun turret, ready to raise at a moment's notice. The silent hounds of the skies were on their tail and even from afar, she could see that their silhouettes were not growing fainter. She had heard of these aircrafts' exceptional speed and range and right now, those fears were becoming true before her very eyes.
The same revelation was tacitly shared with Gumrak. "Task Force Nieba to fleet, come in. Requesting immediate air support at our location!"
As she made the call, Dub squinted her eyes. "I see them now. F/A-18 Hornets."
"They could be anyone's," remarked Chuda. "Was kinda hoping they'd be something else. So much nicer to see a carrier use something special…"
Ayanami could make them out now. Angular and slender arrow-tips, let loose in a long journey that had an inevitable destination. As slowly as they caught up to the group, Ayanami knew that their fabled missiles would be faster. They continued to stray outside her range and she grimaced at the hope that they were too. The grip on her gun tightened as she waited for them to come.
Buzzard frowned at the sight of five distant figures in the ocean, their retreat captured in full daylight through her birds' eyes. Five figures, matching five dots that had been captured on the radar of her Hornets. A chance discovery that the enemy would encroach their position during their impromptu training. But such unintended finds were the necessary fruits of having each and every aircraft be outfitted with their own radar arrays, the eyes of every carrier expanding further than ever before.
"Do you see them?"
"Confirmed visual," Buzzard replied. "Five destroyers, all making a run for it due west." She scowled. "How could they have penetrated so far into our waters? What is our coastal defense force doing?"
"No need to sweat it, Buzzard!" Javelin called as she zipped alongside the carriers. "At least it's fortunate that we were around to catch them."
"That's if we catch them," Buzzard reminded as she adjusted her glasses. She brought her focus back to her Hornets. They remained in hot pursuit of the enemy destroyers; as light-footed and fast as they were she knew her planes were catching up. A quick math concluded that she would be able to let loose the first attacks upon them in a moment - cut them off in another.
Her Hornets approached, close enough now that their targets were now caught in her HUD: two in the lead, three as rearguard. A hefty amount for a recon mission, likely to probe their lines and assess their response.
'They got a response now.' As her aircraft crept closer, Buzzard now sensed the eyes of the destroyers and their own weapons. Warnings of radar locks buzzed into her ears.
As it would for them. But she would be quicker on the trigger as she took aim and…
Nothing happened. Buzzard's concentration flickered and blinked and her attention had to be diverted upon seeing puffs of smoke from the sea below. Her Hornets turned away from streaks of enemy missiles. They quickly circled back, realigning their noses on the prey below in between bouts of fire. Buzzard tried again to attack, frustrated that she lost the initiative, but the annoyance doubled when her missiles remained silent. It was until she checked her HUD that she diagnosed the issue, slapping herself in the forehead at the ailment.
Cleveland noticed with startlement. "Buzzard? What's wrong?"
"Argh! Of course, I completely forgot!"
"Forgot what?" demanded the Gray Ghost, her own warbirds in the air and already en route to catch their quarry.
"My missiles… I can't fire them!" Buzzard growled in vexation. "My FCS is locked!"
Javelin's eyes went wide with shock and confusion. "W-wot do you mean?! How can your missiles be locked?"
"My fire-control system is the culmination of onboard radar and sensors. My missiles works closely with them to ensure they work. If my FCS is locked, that critical part is taken away! Without it, my missiles won't work properly!"
Cleveland looked aghast. "So you won't be able to attack? Since when?!"
"Since I was deployed to participate in your spontaneous practice," Buzzard replied, letting slip a sarcastic tone. "I had informed the others that I would be taking part in non-lethal drills so my weapons were shut off as part of a safety measure. As far as headquarters is concerned, I'm still in training!"
"I dunno about you but that sounds like an idiotic thing to make," San Diego carelessly murmured.
"Isn't there a way to unlock it?" urgently asked Brooklyn.
With a weary sigh, Buzzard thought about it. She already had a solution to the problem - but at the same time, it worried her.
"Give me a moment…"
The air was fraught with excitement and danger as smoke exhaust and roar of wind covered the idyllic sky. The threat had reached them in spite of their efforts and in their continued withdraw the destroyers replied with fire of their own towards the sky to quell it.
But once the initial rush of combat faded, it became clear that something was amiss.
"... Why aren't they shooting back?"
Ayanami's question was on everyones' minds as they watched the flock of Hornets flutter over their heads. They loitered the air like their namesake, their howling engines a harsh reminder of their presence. Yet the lack of attacks proved to be a conspicuous silence that drew everyone's suspicions. So intrigued by this that the retreat came to a halt, all focus on the birds whose aura of danger was undone by the absence of claws.
Pitomnik stared with a gaping jaw. "Um, what is going on?"
"We're not being attacked," obviously stated Dub.
"Weird. I'm not even getting a radar lock," noted Chuda.
Ayanami held her tongue, withholding any further contribution to the confusion with her lack of knowledge. She watched the enemy aircraft's behavior baffled as they were; even one as unfamiliar with technology understood why their pacifism was a mystifying sight. She did not know why the enemy jet fighters were not shooting, only that they weren't.
'I don't get it.'
A light scoff was heard. Everyone turned to the source, the fiery-haired comrade who stayed silent. Silent in her confusion, it was assumed, until she turned. As she did, Gumrak showed the others a certain smile.
Dub privately groaned to herself. "... Oh boy. Gumrak, what're you thinking?"
The Sakura kansen tilted her head quizzically. "What is she doing?"
"H-how should I know?" Pitomnik sputtered.
Chuda snuck them a sly wink before Gumrak began to talk. "Alright guys, change of plans. Follow me!" She dashed off but it was quickly apparent that their course had changed. No longer were they retreating west back home. She was now guiding them in a completely different direction.
Looks from Ayanami and Pitomnik begged for an answer from Chuda and Dub, but their surprise amplified when they followed after Gumrak, the former without hesitation, the latter after relenting with a shrug. The two exchanged looks before they too made haste to follow after Gumrak, the droning of jet engines still loud and angry over their heads.
Speeding after their leader, Pitomnik hollered to her. "Comrade Gumrak, what are we doing?"
"Taking advantage!" she called back, a grin on her lips. "They can't shoot at us, so we're in no immediate danger. And look what just happened to be nearby…!"
All eyes followed her finger, pointed directly ahead to a destination somewhere creeping into the horizon. Where sea met sky there was a crack that slowly grew into a shoreline. The rift widened further to reveal the teeth of distant buildings and gantry cranes. So far on the other side of the ocean that separated one superpower from another, it became clear what it was.
A bead of sweat trickled down Pitomnik's brow. "Umm, I thought this was a recon mission…?"
"It still is - we look for the enemy, we found the enemy! Having a little fun with egging their defenseless outpost is a bonus!"
"W-we should at least make haste reporting back to the Commissary!"
A jovial laugh. "C'mon man! A little detour, in 'n out in about a minute! What's the worst that can happen?"
"Maybe Umely would approve of our initiative," Chuda chirped optimistically.
"Or write us up a new one for even thinking about it," muttered Dub. "Maybe both."
Ayanami held her silence, unsure of which side to pick. But she chose not to protest the choice given to her as she sped after the others towards the Federation base, the shores asleep and the docks vacant. The enemy that had been careless enough for them to slip by now had their domain oblivious to the interlopers descending upon it.
An irresistible target, no matter what world she was in.
It only took a second or two for the connection to establish. But even then Buzzard found it a second or two too long for her patience. She was practically fuming by the time the other side picked up.
"Hm? What is-"
"Buzzard here. Requesting clearance to engage the enemy, over." She wasted no time speaking, even if it meant interrupting a superior officer on the other end. Thankfully, it wasn't Barbet.
"What's going on?"
"Warbler, the enemy has been sighted!" the carrier spat out. "I need weapons unlocked to engage!"
"The enemy… Wait, I thought you were-"
"In a training exercise? Yes, yes I was! But we've spotted an enemy incursion at grid Lima-Foxtrot Four-Niner. I need to engage before they… Damn! Enterprise!"
The Eagle carrier looked up in alarm - more bad news. "What is it?"
"The enemy has changed course. They're about to attack our port facility! Do you have a visual on the enemy?"
"Not yet," grunted the Gray Ghost. "We need to catch them now!"
Buzzard shifted back to the radio. "Warbler, do you-"
"Relax, I heard you the first time," griped the officer-ship. "I'd do what I can, but…"
"But what?" the carrier hissed impatiently.
"Warbler, what're you doing?"
Buzzard's blood chilled upon recognizing Barbet's voice. She quietly groaned in defeat - not good.
"Er, nothing," she heard Warbler hastily lie on the other end. "Just a routine sitrep from our forward units. They report-"
Suddenly the unmistakable thumps of thunder echoed over the radio, coinciding with the faint but audible rhythm that could be heard with their own ears even from afar. Immediately everyone tensed.
"What was that? Just what is going on out outside?!"
"Um, Captain Barbet, if you can please-" A small sigh escaped as a hiss from Warbler. "... Buzzard?" she quietly pleaded.
The carrier sighed as well. But there was little recourse for Buzzard. "I'll see what I can do. Out."
A sigh. "... This day just can't get any worse, can it?"
"Buzzard." Turning to the side, she saw Enterprise. A look of determination decorated her expression. "We can take them on. Our weapons still function!"
"We're the only ones who can do something right now!" Cleveland enthusiastically agreed.
"Yeah! We don't use some dumb locks for our guns!" added San Diego. "Only an idiot would have something like that!" ("Did you really have to say that out loud…?" Javelin rhetorically asked.)
Buzzard ruminated (but not before shooting a quick look at the idol ship). The idea was tempting to be sure. But no matter what concerns she had, it would be a futile argument to deny them this opportunity. "Alright. Proceed," she decisively declared. "Engage the enemy and drive them back! I'll stay behind and provide what support I can. Even without my weaponry there's something I can do."
Enterprise nodded before she shot off without a word. The rest - Javelin, Brooklyn, San Diego, and Cleveland - eagerly shot past the lone Federation ship in pursuit of the Gray Ghost and their enemy.
The sounds boomed and echoed again, each louder than the next as the sight of land and smoke columns crept into view. Enterprise surveyed the Federation harbor with a frown. 'Damage not extensive judging by the lack of smoke. A lot of noise for four destroyers.' She readily scanned the waters in search of their prey. Above her head her Dauntlesses and Grim Reaper joined her as did the pack of Hornets that still lingered in the skies. She followed after them, their flying an important clue to the enemies' whereabouts.
With a shot of her hand, her aircraft were sent forth. After a period of training mock dogfights, she looked forward to returning to familiar territory as were her planes, their underbellies now ladened with bombs.
It did not take long for her to spot them. The five vandals skimming along the docks, an occasional missile hurling from three of them. They sailed unafraid, no doubt aware of the Hornets' inability to attack as they lobbed a missile every so often with nonchalance.
'So this is what it is,' Enterprise thought with disdain.
Her birds from up high banked into a dive. But just as they did, one of the destroyers looked up. Instantly Enterprise recognized her. The realization was mutual as the witness alerted the other four destroyers who stopped to catch the danger about to pounce them. The Dauntlesses released their bombs but it was too late - they fell where the ships once were, scattering in a timely evasion. Enterprise's eyes never left that one destroyer.
"Ayanami."
Gumrak sighed in relief as the blue and white-bellied birds swerved overhead. Although she knew that they would return, the danger had been fortuitously avoided. "Nice ears, Ayanami!"
She accepted the compliment with a nod. She too did not expect the arrival of propeller aircraft to come after them in recognition of their trespass, slipping in amidst the ruckus on the ground and in the air. But where the unexpected would have gotten the best of the Verusan ships still unused to the anachronistic fighters, Ayanami would never forget the distinct sounds of Eagle Union fighter aircraft.
Much less be those of the birds from whom she recognized as the bane of the Sakura Empire.
A similar revelation dawned on Pitomnik's face. "Those aircraft… I've seen them before! Are they-?"
"Her's? Yes." Ayanami sharpened her brow at the implications. "She's here."
Pitomnik began to sweat. "The one who faced against our air force and bested our Unyielding Bastion. She's a madwoman!"
Despite the obvious threat conveyed before her eyes, Chuda was all smiles. "Woah, her? That's the one? Oh boy, hope I get a good look at her!"
"If you don't get yourself brained in the process," mocked Dub who kept her eyes to the skies. "They're coming back around!"
True to her words, the warbirds of Eagle Union were upon them. The four destroyers leapt away before the strike came. The whistling of bombs were now joined by the chattering of machine-gun fire as hot pellets raked the waters. Gumrak jumped into action, sending a flurry of missiles as her answer. Ayanami was quick on the draw with her own anti-air fire, sending streams of tracers skyward.
Dub scowled at the Dauntlesses' debut. "Guess our fun's over now that they found aircraft that can actually shoot at us."
By contrast, Gumrak's smile only stretched wider. "Nah, the fun's only started!"
A golden bolt slammed into her side, catching everyone off guard to the imminent arrival of a carrier in white, wrath in her eyes and the winds of a storm in her wake.
Once again, Chuda found it in herself to smirk. "You were saying?" she teased Dub.
As the Verusan ships braced for Enterprise's arrival, the sight of Ayanami stepping forward with her sword gave them pause. "I'll take her. Go."
In an instant Ayanami flashed out of sight, vanishing behind a gleam of light and the spray of the sea. Her trail was marked by a blossoming wake, the sea carved apart by her sword as Ayanami - Sakura's Demon of Solomon - honed her sights on Enterprise.
Recognizing the destroyer's charge, the carrier accepted the challenge. She held course with her aim now on Ayanami as she bounded side to side in franatic swerves, the carvings of a war demon inscrutable on the water until it would be too late for their intended victim. Enterprise's aim pursued Ayanami's image as she darted until the destroyer veered hard causing a spray of water to burst forth as concealment. The ploy lasted only a briefest of seconds, but by then she had vanished. But Enterprise was no fool to fall for such simple illusions - in the destroyer's place, a flurry of torpedoes slithered beneath the waves.
Enterprise braced, her instincts lurching her into an evasive dive over the undersea missiles. She rolled with a grunt, looking up expecting the glint of a blade. But instead Ayanami held her distance, zipping away from melee. Following her bearing, Enterprise realized she was headed towards the docks of the Federation harbor. It was an invitation.
With a grim look, Enterprise accepted. She gave chase after the speedy destroyer as she entered the mouth of the port, slipping in between concrete docks. An arrow caught up to her in a flash but accomplished only in confirming Ayanami's suspicions. A pair of Dauntlesses roared by with guns in an attempt to cut her off with similar results.
A bomb landed nearby, showering Ayanami in a puff of cinderblock fragments. But as Enterprise followed her down the docks, another set of torpedoes slunk from the dust. Caught in the narrow confines, the carrier leapt to the side, her feet landing hard onto concrete. On solid ground, she was deprived of speed that her rigging's propulsion would have granted. But better to run on your own two legs than to play along with your enemy's strengths.
As if coming to the same conclusion, Ayanami emerged into view, sprinting across the open drydock. Their gazes met and the chase resumed. A golden bolt whistled by Ayanami's hair; bombs from aircraft rained around her. But the only casualty from this fight was becoming the facility itself.
"What the BLAZES is going on out there?!" a familiar and surly voice demanded over the radio. In the middle of battle, Barbet's voice was readily tuned out.
Enterprise ran through the flames and wreckage, the fires she wrought singeing her skin. She barreled through the smoke, her eyes fighting the stinging smog in search of her foe, only to feel a sudden forceful blow against her bow. In a lapse of preparation, Enterprise teetered to the side, her foot unexpectedly falling through empty air. She tumbled off of the harbor, coming back down to the natural domain of the sea. But that was no solace to the advantage she just lost.
A shadow flickered over her. Through the sun's glare, Enterprise briefly caught Ayanami high above her, her blade primed to deliver the critical blow. All that required was gravity.
"Bear witness… to a demon's strength!"
"Wait!"
A figure collided midair into Ayanami. The Sakura ship was sent rolling over the waves, stunned by the unforeseen intervention. But what surprised her more was when she glanced up to see just who it was.
Likewise, neither could Javelin as she clambered back up.
"Ayanami!"
The Sakura destroyer's face softened. "Javelin…?" But then out of the corner of her eye she foresaw a golden arrow. As she recovered from the dodge, the expression had already evaporated.
Only determined grimace donned Enterprise's visage as she renewed the battle, sending bolt after another at the enemy destroyer. Catching up, Javelin gaped with astounding horror. "E-Enterprise…!"
The carrier spared no words as she went on the offensive. With a running leap, she took off after Ayanami. Seeing the phantom in pursuit, the young demon of the sea led the chase. But the Gray Ghost was not alone, for in the corner of her eye Ayanami made out the blur that was Javelin. She zipped across the waters but so did her Royal Navy counterpart. The two ships glided over the waves, aware of their mutual strengths and the conflict their shared nature would bring.
Aware that, though she still retained ties with a friend from the other side, war demanded that Ayanami consider Javelin an enemy combatant. Her friend would have no choice but to do the same.
"Be advised: hostiles returning to engage!"
Javelin nearly jumped at Buzzard's voice in her ear, but that jolt of surprise awoke her to the missiles that howled past her. She shot out of the smoke to catch the sight of four destroyers speeding towards her.
Taking the lead at the center, Gumrak launched another salvo, an act mimicked by Chuda and Dub as they lanced out from her flanks. Javelin circled away from the coming danger, dodging and swerving from the missiles as the enemy reinforcements gave chase. Javelin kept a watchful eye on her pursuers, unable to ignore the strong suspicion that this was not the first time she had meant this crew before.
Enterprise ran past the destroyer, bow already raised. Her arrival presented a formidable obstacle and the Entente destroyers wavered aside in recognition of a more daunting quarry. Missiles were sent to bring down their new opponent but a flurry of arrows and airstrikes made Enterprise no mere prey. The skies darkened with steel-winged birds. Even on a clear morning, it rained.
Grimacing from the torrent, Ayanami turned towards Gumrak who slid to her side. Her sharp gaze demanded an explanation. "You didn't run?"
"Not when you're not." In spite of the heavy fire they came under, a brash smirk continued to shine on Gumrak.
The smile only grew wider when her ear buzzed with good news. "Task Force Nieba, air support has arrived! Heard you were in a pinch, comrade?"
Gumrak raised her head. "Alright everyone, cavalry's here! Let's make a break for it!"
Enterprise watched as the enemy raiding fleet suddenly turned to run. Breathless as they finally caught up, Cleveland, San Diego, and Brooklyn looked on as the enemy destroyers finally took their cue to leave. But another one of Buzzard's warnings revealed that this was far from over. "Incoming! Bandits from the west!"
All eyes turned to catch the western sky become filled with jagged shadows creeping over the horizon. Though still learning the identifications of Strangereal jet fighters, the Azur Lane kansens found their silhouettes unmistakably malevolent.
"Here comes Verusan air support! Flankers - 27s, 35s - along with Fullbacks!" Buzzard exclaimed.
The enemy birds descended upon the ships, first colliding with birds already in the air. F/A-18 Hornets reeled from the Flankers as they screeched after them, their missiles a painful reminder of what the Federation air support lacked.
Worse, as the Azur Lane ships staggered from the aerial assault, it became startlingly clear that their battleground remained close to an SSF base. Missiles that fell for them were also destined for the facility.
"Ugh! My Hornets can't do anything in this situation (besides being targets)! We need to repel the air attack before they do too much damage!"
Enterprise glared at the Entente aircraft terrorizing the skies, but as she shot a quick glance to the side she made out the enemy destroyers fleeing the scene with all haste. Their role - and deed - had been accomplished. Their fortunes had rewarded them with a successful mission and an embarrassing raid on the Federation.
As she turned back to the skies, Enterprise could feel the predicament laid out. And she already knew what the task would be asked of her and her allies.
She exhaled, clarity calming her mind. "Everyone, shoot down the enemy jets! Protect the harbor!"
Realizing the mission set out before them, Cleveland exchanged nods with Brooklyn, San Diego, and Javelin. The four spread out, their guns raised and eyes trained. Overhead, the bombing continued unabated, unconcerned for the kansens below. Worse, the host of Flankers and Fullbacks intensified their attacks, buoyed by the remarkable lack of resistance and the enticing target of opportunity.
'Not if we have anything to do about it.' In the symphony of an air raid, a new instrument of anti-air fire undercut the melody. All of a sudden, it was as if their roost had been disturbed. Planes which took an easy raid for granted now had to acknowledge the threats below. Some turned, their noses now pointed at the light cruisers.
"Missiles! Here they come!"
The ships jumped into motion. From the periphery of her vision, Brooklyn could make out plumes of smoke, wispy trails that swirled and curved - after her!
She ran but the missile was faster. It flew straight for her, and in that moment Brooklyn's mind found inspiration. Thinking quickly, she spun around. Guns now pointed behind, she gave them a quick second to acquire target before firing. The shots came in the nick of time as smoke enveloped the diplomat, the flash nearly blinding her. But she felt no missile, no explosion slamming into her. As the dust settled, Brooklyn found herself unscathed. She had done it! Just like how she had practiced!
With the threat dealt with the diplomat breathed easy. But the reprieve got caught in her throat when she turned around to see more missiles snaking towards her. Her heart raced at the amount but she had no time to think.
So she let instinct take over.
The missiles converged upon Brooklyn and her whole body moved on reflex. Her feet teetered and step on their own, her body and rigging following suit as missiles swarmed around her. Her limbs and armatures swung and angled as if with minds of their own. Memories of those training missiles resurfaced as Brooklyn reacted without thought, only muscle-memory.
She coughed and gagged in the lingering exhaust before she lost balance and fell over. She fell with a grunt, but felt no other injury. As she glanced around, she realized she was completely unharmed. Though she lay on the water in disbelief, her spirits were lifted sky-high.
Javelin marveled at the feat as she swooped by her side. "Nice work, Brooklyn! Knew you had it in you!"
Elsewhere, the air war remained hot as fire plunged and streaked both directions. With the only air asset available to defend the Federation, Enterprise devote all of her planes to clear the skies. The same type of enemy birds from Sand Island returned, now joined by identical (or very similar) brethren in metal-blue. There were minute differences that her eyes caught, but to her they all looked the same: targets.
Through the skies fraught with tracers and flak, a detachment of enemy birds held course over the harbor. Enterprise saw slender bombs released from their wings. Explosions rocked the port, new columns of smoke feeding the ruined sky.
Her radio buzzed again. "What the hell are you doing?! Are you trying to get me killed?!"
"Captain Barbet, maintain silence please."
Enterprise filtered the comm chatter out as she directed her Dauntlesses to pursue the fighter-bombers with vengeance. Missiles streaked from all directions as other Flankers took the chance to pounce their opposition. Hunter chased hunter before the Flankers became caught in a web of tracers. Some were immediately shot down, an act that instantly roused them from their hunt.
San Diego beamed at her handiwork. "Gotcha~!"
"Leave 'em to us, Enterprise! Get those bombers!"
The carrier gave her silent thanks to Cleveland before returning to the chase. Her planes raced after the duck-billed Fullbacks. Now aware they were being pursued, they broke off. The pursuit was cast in all directions, the Dauntlesses still in doggedly following the Fullbacks' tails. Enterprise grit her teeth at seeing the jet fighter-bombers readily outpace her birds.
But successful pursuits were about anticipating your opponent's moves.
As the Fullbacks fled, they suddenly found themselves running headlong into a web of bullets. As they staggered from the surprise, another set of Dauntlesses appeared ahead as if to block their path. The jets quickly wavered and turned as though contemplating where to go, enabling their pursuers to reach them. Talons outstretched, the Eagle Union dive bombers readied to draw blood on the invaders.
… Until the Fullbacks, slowing to a crawl seemed to stall. Enterprise barely withheld a gasp as she realized: she had seen this trick before. Swiftly her Dauntlesses decelerated, killing their dive. They fluttered about as momentum brought them close to the still forms of Fullbacks. Both planes were leaves adrift in the wind.
Then the Fullbacks leveled out, unable to be left floating inert in the air. And that was when Enterprise struck.
Bullets cut like claws, sinking into alloyed skin. Like a bird of prey, the blow came swift, decisive, and visceral.
Flaming streaks marked the occasion of successful kills as slain birds sunk to earth. The victorious raptors circled the air above new pyres.
Enterprise turned, still hungry for more but found that the enemy flock were beat. Amidst the beats of anti-air, the enemy air support swirled back into formation, now headed west - the direction of retreat.
Soon the firing stopped and everyone gathered around. Even Buzzard caught up in time to watch the enemy aircraft depart in silence.
The enemy soon disappeared and turning around, they had been left with murky waters and a burning sky. The foe was gone but not their troubles.
And trouble only multiplied when a squad of SSF ships slipped through the smoke, a figure stomping from the mist that was the soot-covered and frazzle-haired Barbet.
Buzzard groaned aloud. She really was not looking forward to this.
Gulps were heard from Cleveland, San Diego, and Javelin. Enterprise swiftly stepped forward as did Buzzard. As Barbet approached, so did the heat from the temper that was barely concealed within her, her eyes the only windows of what she was truly feeling.
If either of them had time to say their prayers, it was too late.
Buzzard spoke up, eager to try to diffuse the ticking timebomb that was her commanding officer. "Captain Barbet, ma'am. I apologize-"
A snapping finger silenced the carrier before Barbet set her eyes back on the Azur Lane ships. Only then did she speak. "Did I ever give you permission to engage the enemy?!"
Enterprise crossed her arms. "We had no choice. They-"
"Silence! I've had just enough out of you bastards running around causing trouble! So how about you think about your actions in the brig!"
Jaws were dropped and gaping looks gave way to outrage. "Now hold it just one second!-"
"Take them away!" Barbet commanded. The SSF kansens accompanying her complied, arresting hands falling upon the shoulders of the Azur Lane like restraints.
"H-hey!"
"This is ridiculous!"
"Barbet, what is the meaning of this?" demanded Enterprise. "We have done nothing wrong-"
"'Wrong'? What you and your lackeys have done wrong was your recklessness!" Barbet accused venomously. "Just look at the harbor. Look at all this mess! It'll take us a week to get it back up and running! And a week is how long your asses will be detained for causing this!"
Buzzard tried to cut in between the two parties. "Ma'am, permission to speak freely."
"Denied," the Federation leader curtly rejected. "Report to Andromeda for weapons clearance, then I want you back at sea. Dismissed."
And with that, the Azur Lane were dragged away. Any resistance invited jostling to quell them as they were escorted under Barbet's critical watch and Buzzard's look of resignation.
But above the conflicted mood, a subtle sound made its way into the scene.
*Grrrr…*
Odd looks were shared before Cleveland chuckled nervously.
"W-we'll have something to eat, right?"
OMAKE:
Earlier…
"Ayanami, my dear. The time has come for you to sortie."
Akagi rapped her knuckles on the door, but the lack of response disappointed her. Her hand snatched the knob.
"Ayanami, are you-"
"Haaaai~... I'm up…"
Akagi had taken only a single step and already she screeched to a halt. In what was Ayanami's living quarters the once beige walls had become festooned with posters and embroidery, forming a garish wallpaper. The bed, previously spartan with a skeleton frame and white mattress, transformed with a garden of plushies. A wall found itself home to a small widescreen display and a game console, the loose wires all spelling out a hasty set-up. And more damning, the floor was littered with empty bottles, cans, and cushions.
And that was all without taking into consideration the room's occupant, the feared Demon of Solomon standing before in sleepy stupor her with a massive pillow in hand and a coarse "Yayanami" decorated over her oversized white shirt.
Ayanami rubbed her eyes. "What is it?"
Akagi wished she could rub her eyes, for the farce sapped her patience. Of all the times…
Their famed demon, a powerful and capable destroyer in her own right; Ayanami was welcomed for her earnestness in her duties. Why must then that same level of commitment extend to her off periods?
She heaved a sigh. "... You have been chosen for a long-range expedition. Get dressed already."
"Yes…" the destroyer yawned before she dragged herself to the washroom.
Akagi sighed again before marching away. 'For crying out loud, Ayanami…'
AUTHOR'S NOTES:
HistoricHippos:
A bit slow-going as the juicy parts are still yet to come, but I felt like it would be best to address ramifications of the previous story chapter as part of an ongoing theme when all will be revealed later. But I also felt that it would be a little empty if there were no action, so here we are.
This chapter was inspired in part by the mission "444" from Ace Combat 7, especially the part of the aircraft's FCS being locked. While Buzzard wasn't able to get it unlocked in time to repel the enemy, her allies pulled through in time with new lessons and experience that should come in handy for their next battles.
The mock dogfights between Buzzard's Hornets and Enterprise's aircraft was also inspired by the "guns-only" training scene from Top Gun: Maverick, though the resemblance is only superficial here. Tried to make the mock exercises more like in the movie but continually found it clumsy and awkward to write them that way. Even intended for Buzzard to partially confront Enterprise over what happened in Pt 4 with their conflict represented through their dogfight (complete with a Hornet doing a cobra like what Maverick did in TGM).
A minor thing such as prop aircraft being able to maneuver at lower stall speeds than jets was based on how "piston fighters" performed in certain Ace Combat games as a way of making them balanced (even if they're still way outmatched).