Jeff stepped past Wilhelm with a pair of wire cutters and proceeded to cut a hole in the fence surrounding the air field.
"Is everyone ready? Once you pass this fence. You will likely be killed on sight by the Sirens." Wilhelm spoke.
"Mr. Jager. These men and women all share my thoughts. We have been oppressed for far too long. First by the Germans. Then by the Japanese… now the Sirens. We would rather face death than to remain slaves to an invasive power." Stefan spoke as he locked the bolt on his rifle.
Wilhelm looked at Stefan with a masked face, but beneath, Wilhelm wore a look of pride. Before him stood a man, a leader.
"Bold words, Islander. I like you. When we complete this task… I'd like to hear your story. Perhaps maybe I can talk to the Kommandant and see about getting you a place in our Merry fleet." Wilhelm said.
"My story, I can tell. Give me some time to think on whether I can leave this island. This is my home after all." Stefan said.
"Forgive my selfishness, but I used to live in Germany. Most of the humans in our fleet have left their homes to be a part of this revolution. You have followers who share your pride, surely they can keep this island nation safe." Wilhelm spoke.
Stefan scratched his chin as he stepped through the hole in the fence.
"I will still need time to think. I have never traveled the seas before." Stefan whispered as the rest of Wilhelm's men and the rest of the rebels crossed through the fence.
"I understand. Let's cut the chatter. Lead the way, Islander. You know this airfield better than I. Bismarck, please use your rigging to shut down any bombers that return or try to take off. If we can reduce their bomber count, the Kommandant can push through and begin the landing." Wilhelm said.
"I can shut those bombers down, no problem." Bismarck said.
Stefan stuck to the rear of the buildings that lined the runway, keeping the group from being spotted by the patrolling Explorers and Wolfpack members.
"Fuel tanks are two hundred and fifty meters in front of us. You have explosives, I see?" Stefan asked as Wilhelm produced one of the bundles of shells given to him by U-47.
"Submarine deck gun rounds. These should be enough, no?" Wilhelm asked.
"Yes. But the fuse might be a bit problematic. I have some C2 charges that we managed to make with some stolen RDX that we… procured from the Japanese storehouses." Stefan said.
"So you're a rebel, a thief, and a bomb maker. Quite the handy skill set for a revolutionist." Wilhelm said as Stefan placed a small brick of C2 on the side of the shell bundles and taped them down.
"There. We have blast charges set to detonators, so once we place the explosives, we need to get to a safe distance, preferably behind a building." Stefan said.
Wilhelm nodded.
"Alright, then let's make the final push. I think I can hear engines spooling up." Wilhelm said as Bismarck snuck away from the group to get a clear look at the runway.
"Jager, There are bombers on the runway. They're being loaded up by human workers." Bismarck said.
Wilhelm thought for a moment.
"Stefan, you're with me. Jeff, take the men and make some noise. Bismarck, take down the lead aircraft so that we can stall any potential launch." Wilhelm said.
"Understood sir." Jeff said as he turned to the other members of the Black Death.
"Take my fighters too, sir. We may not have automatic weapons, but we have all hunted in the forests on these islands. Some have even fought in the initial invasion by Japan, trying to keep the Japanese from settling here. So they are all very good shots." Stefan said.
"I like our odds. But only send half. We still need a few just in case things get hairy." Wilhelm explained.
Stefan gave a silent nod to his fighters, who divided themselves quickly between the two groups.
"Meet back at the hole in the fence as soon as you can after the explosion. Kill everyone here. Those are our orders." Wilhelm said.
Stefan winced a bit, something Wilhelm noticed.
"Something wrong, Stefan?" Wilhelm asked, holding his hand up to keep everyone still.
"These are still people. Our people… they are… misguided." Stefan said.
Wilhelm realized the issue.
"Stefan… as disheartening as the mission is… we must do our duty." Wilhelm said.
"I know… but these people used to be Neighbors. Friends. Family… I will not force my people to undertake such a task if they do not feel comfortable doing so." Stefan spoke as he turned to his fighters.
"All who wish to leave may do so. Nobody here will be forced into killing our own countrymen. Make your choice now." Stefan said coldly.
Nobody moved a muscle.
One woman spoke up. Wilhelm looked at her and saw a woman with a tattered dress holstering a japanese pistol and an oddly shaped knife.
"These people have been oppressing us for months now. I will no longer sit around and bide my time while they continue to steal our food and resources. These wolves… have taken more from me than they could ever hope to repay. Therefore… my anger shall only be sated with their death… or mine." The woman spoke, earning her numerous nods from the remainder of Stefan's men.
"It looks like I was worried for nothing. We shall continue the mission." Stefan said, causing Wilhelm to sigh.
"Excellent. All of you know your tasks. Let's move!" Wilhelm said as Bismarck opened fire with her rigging, targeting the lead bomber on the runway. Not even five seconds after, the building that the group was hiding behind began taking small arms fire.
"Go! Go! Go!" Wilhelm yelled as he, Stefan and his fighters all bolted forward towards the fuel tanks. Wilhelm pulled his rifle forward as they advanced, cocking the bolt and disengaging the safety.
As if he was predicting it, one of the wolves ran out from between the buildings and was running towards an air raid alarm.
"He hits that, this place will be swarmed with Sirens and we're all dead." Stefan said as Wilhelm shouldered the rifle and fired, clocking the wolf in the head without skipping a beat.
"The Kommandant wasn't lying. There's nearly no recoil on this." Wilhelm spoke softly as he turned his rifle towards the alarm box and fired a burst, destroying the box and the alarm components held within.
"That should buy us more time. Fuel tanks are one hundred and twenty-five meters ahead." Stefan said as he looked out between the buildings and saw an intense gun battle taking place. Looks like we're… what are those?" Stefan asked, causing Wilhelm to look at what Stefan was pointing at.
"Miniature planes?" Wilhelm asked as a woman dressed in black and yellow stepped onto the tarmac.
"Jager. There's a Kansen here." Bismarck quickly reported.
"A Kansen?! How the? Who is she?" Wilhelm asked as he kept running with Stefan hot on his heels.
"I do not know. Shall I contact the fleet?" Bismarck asked.
"If there was ever a reason to break radio silence, this is it." Wilhelm replied as he tapped his helmet.
"Kommandant." Wilhelm spoke.
"Jager. How is the mission going?" Isaac's voice asked. The sound of AA guns pounding away in the background was prevalent.
"We have hit a small snag, Sir." Wilhelm spoke.
"That's not good. What happened?" Isaac asked.
"There's a kansen here." Wilhelm spoke.
"WHAT?!" Isaac yelled.
"It looks like a woman dressed in a black trench coat with yellow accents and a wide brim hat." Wilhelm said.
"Could you repeat that? I'll patch you into the general channel." Isaac said.
"Sure. There's a woman here fighting us. Bismarck believes her to be a Kansen. She is wearing black and yellow with a wide brimmed hat. There are also miniature aircraft flying around targeting my men. I believe this Kansen is an Aircraft carrier." Wilhelm spoke.
"Hor...net?" Enterprise asked softly.
"Enterprise?" Isaac asked.
"That description… It matches my sister… Hornet, CV-8." Enterprise spoke.
"What is an American carrier doing here?" Wilhelm asked, slightly annoyed as he and Stefan reached the fuel tanks and immediately set about setting the charges.
"She was sunk during the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands… One can only assume her cubes were taken as research material, since her hull managed to launch land based heavy bombers during the Doolittle raid. And if she is fighting you… that means… my sister...my poor sister…" Enterprise spoke, her usual stoic facade now shattered to pieces as she cried on the open channel.
"Jager. I am updating your orders. Destroy the airfield. Kill any and all members of the Wolfpack. Retrieve Hornet and deliver her to the fleet unharmed." Isaac barked.
"I understand sir… but how do I restrain an Aircraft carrier?" Wilhelm asked.
"I'm sending in backup. Someone more than able to go toe to toe with an American fleet carrier." Isaac said as he cut the line.
"Bismarck! Did you hear that?" Wilhelm asked.
"I did. Do not injure the carrier." Bismarck cried as she fired another salvo from her rigging, striking another bomber attempting to taxi around the smoldering wreckage of the first.
"We're getting backup, so hold out if you can, if not, retreat." Wilhelm said as he cut the line.
"What's going on?" Stefan asked.
"It's Hornet. An American Fleet Carrier." Wilhelm explained.
"That woman?!" Stefan asked.
"Yes. She is the embodiment of an American Aircraft Carrier." Wilhelm further explained.
"Why is she fighting for the enemy?!" Stefan asked.
"I don't know. But our orders are to restrain her and bring her before the Kommandant." Wilhelm said.
"Restrain?!" Stefan asked.
"Yes. Got a problem with those orders?" Wilhelm asked as a ME 155A flew overhead.
"A German aircraft?" Stefan asked.
"It's Graf Zeppelin's aircraft. I wonder if she is our backup." Wilhelm said as the hair inside his helmet stood up.
"Nein. Kommandant has sent me to bring Hornet in." A familiar voice spoke, her voice as sharp as a crack of thunder.
"Ah… Lady Odin." Wilhelm said without looking.
"Drop the Lady. I am the Vize Kommandant." Odin barked in an officer's tone.
"Understood, Vize Kommandant." Wilhelm spoke shortly.
"How can we help?" Stefan asked.
"Who is he?" Odin asked suspiciously.
"We can trust him. He's a rebel that has been fighting Tester's Wolfpack. He is assisting in the destruction of this airfield." Wilhelm explained.
"I shall judge that after I succeed in bringing down this carrier." Odin said as bolts of blue lightning arched over her body, jumping from buttons and other metal ornaments that adorned her attire.
"As you say. We will have the charges placed momentarily. Please exercise caution." Wilhelm said.
"An explosion this small won't hurt me. But I appreciate your concern." Odin said as she walked away from the two men and out onto the open tarmac.
"Done. Let's get back to a safe distance." Wilhelm said as several wolves came out of an alley in front of them. A brief moment of confusion on their part was immediately followed by them leveling their weapons and firing at Wilhelm and Stefan.
"Cover now!" Wilhelm said as he and Stefan ducked to either side, avoiding being hit by any of the flying bullets.
Wilhelm poked his head out and leveled his rifle to return fire as Stefan grabbed a piece of metal plating that was sitting beside him on the ground.
"What are you going to do with that?" Wilhelm asked.
"Cover." Stefan said as he drew a long bolo knife from its holster on his leg.
"You absolute madman…" Wilhelm said as he laid down suppressing fire, hitting several wolves before they managed to get to cover, only to then be rushed by Stefan who made short work of slitting their throats with the knife in his hand.
"We need to move. If those wires get damaged, we will have to spend time reconnecting them." Stefan said as he ran down the alley, feeding wire from a bag on his back as Wilhelm and the others followed closely.
Once they were far enough away, Stefan took out the detonator.
"Kaboom." Wilhelm said as Stefan pushed the plunger, detonating the C2 charges, ultimately setting off the shells and igniting the fuel tanks.
Several seconds later, a massive explosion engulfed the fueling area as well as the hanger next to it as the fuel tanks went up in a massive fireball.
"Let's report this and move to help the others." Wilhelm said.
Stefan nodded and took his men out to help Bismarck and the others in putting down the wolves.
"Kommandant." Wilhelm spoke.
"I heard an explosion. Is that our cue?" Isaac asked.
"The airfield has been crippled. Odin is on the Ground and is engaging Hornet. No more bombers will be launching." Wilhelm said.
"Excellent. We just mopped up the bombers on this end. Prepare for danger close air cover. I'm releasing the carriers. We're making our move." Isaac said.
"Understood. We're still here on the airstrip. We're going to try to evacuate while Odin takes care of Hornet." Wilhelm said.
"Good. See you when we land." Isaac said as he cut the line.
Isaac tapped his helmet.
"Taka. Lower the gates. Begin the invasion! Carriers, I want this beach to be the most secure beach on this side of the planet! Let's move it people!" Isaac ordered as countless planes took off from the flight decks of the carriers in the fleet.