Howdy everyone. I have returned. Sorry for the break. Problem with being a chef means that you sometimes cut things you're not supposed to. Anyway, figured y'all'd like an explanation on my absence, so there it is. Anyway, enough about me, back to the action!
"Alright girls, stick to the port side of the Yamato. Musashi is coming in quick to help cover us so we can get behind the Yamato's guns. Keep your shields active because those 18 inch monsters can still swing around during the move. Texas, now would be a good time to activate your ability." Isaac said as he turned to Michael.
"You need to get inside the Amagi with Ben. Take Jager's squad with you." Isaac said as he then turned to Jager.
"Jager, you can stay or go if you like. Neither you nor Michael have seen what happens when Texas activates her ability, but it is not safe for those without a layer of protection like your armor." Isaac said.
"I shall stay. I desire to see what makes this fleet unlike any other." Wilhelm said.
"Then brace." Isaac said as the door to Amagi's superstructure closed, indicating that Michael and Ben had ducked inside.
"Texas, now!" Isaac said as he watched the 18 inch guns of the Yamato target the Amagi.
Texas chuckled as she looked towards the Yamato.
"That's a big boat. Let's see who's the bigger woman." Texas said with a smirk as she slammed her foot onto the deck of her ship, sending a powerful pulse throughout the small task force, rocking the ships with the force of a large wave. Blue specs of dust began to drift through the air as Wilhelm noted the visibility of the Amagi's shields.
"What is this ability, Kommandant?" Wilhelm asked.
"This ability is something Texas has dubbed the Will of the Lone Star, a play on the Texas flag. Apparently, this ability of hers adds durability to the shields of any kansen in range of the Texas. She describes it as using her own will to defend the fleet… so right now… I can only imagine that she is, in her own mind, pitting her will against the guns of the Yamato." Isaac said as the Yamato's forward guns fired on the Amagi.
"Brace! Brace! Brace!" Isaac yelled as he and Jager grabbed the railing as Amagi focused on her own shields.
Much to Isaac's surprise, the shells from the Yamato splashed around them, save for two that hit the shield dead on. Even more surprising was, in contrast to Musashi's warning, Texas's will had managed to stop the shells in their tracks, forcing the now useless shells to fall away from the shield and into the ocean.
Isaac chuckled as he heard a yell coming from the Texas.
"Thirty years old, and still going strong!" Texas yelled.
"What the hell was that?" The 'Commander' asked.
"Well… it seems our shells were ineffective." The new radar man spoke as he moved the corpse of the first man out of the way.
"No shit. How did they fail like that though?" The 'Commander' asked.
"We can only surmise that since Kansen's can project a shield over their vessels, that one of them might have used an ability to increase the durability, making our shells useless against their shields." The radar man said.
The 'Commander' turned to the still comatose Yamato.
"Dumb bitch. Your guns aren't even good enough to do your job. You couldn't even take down a single battleship." The 'Commander' said as he drove his boot repeatedly into Yamato's stomach.
"Orders, sir?" The radar man asked.
"Reload and fire again. Keep firing the guns until the barrels melt for all I care. We are meant to kill the man commanding these ships, not clean up their security force. Kill the ones here and then we will move to Cebu where we can engage the rest of his forces." The 'Commander' said.
"Aye, sir." The radar man said as he relayed the orders to the crew.
Musashi shook her head as she watched Yamato's guns hurl shells at Isaac's task force.
"Admiral, are you there?" Musashi asked.
"I am. What's going on?" Isaac asked.
"Are you alright? My sister's ship is firing again, are you progressing forward alright?" Musashi asked.
"We are. Texas has managed to shield the fleet from the opening salvo, and I think she's got enough bravado to tank a few more." Isaac said with a chuckle.
"To think you could laugh at a time like this… you are certainly a strange man." Musashi said as she looked ahead of the Yamato and finally caught sight of Isaac's task force.
"I can see you, Admiral." Musashi said.
"We have you on radar. We have yet to get a visual." Isaac said.
"I will meet you halfway to give you cover. Please instruct your ships and my sister not to fire or launch any form of attack." Musashi said.
"Can I ask why?" Isaac asked.
"You may. I assume that since you command a powerful navy, you have knowledge of Kansens and our special abilities." Musashi said as she watched several shells impact the Amagi's shield from afar.
"I do… and unfortunately, I have overestimated Texas's ability. She is powerful… but an 18 inch gun is no joke. Amagi is feeling the strain on her own shields now." Isaac said, his tone changing from jovial to worried.
"Well. I have a few of my own. But a certain condition must be met." Musashi said.
"And that would be?" Isaac asked as Yamato's guns fired again.
"Will you allow me to accompany you, with both of my sisters?" Musashi asked.
"Yes. That was the plan all along. We were going to come for you once Shinano informed me of your revival." Isaac said as glass shattering could be heard in the background.
"What was that?" Musashi asked.
"They're focusing the Amagi. Her shields have failed. The next salvo will hit." Isaac spoke quickly.
"I understand. The conditions have been met, my Admiral. Please stand by." Musashi said as she clasped her hands together.
"I raise this prayer to the gods. Bring silence to these desolate seas. Silence the guns of my enemies and force their planes from the sky. I beseech thee to bring me peace, if only for the moment." Musashi prayed as sakura petals exploded forth from her vessel, encompassing her ship and the surrounding area, even enveloping the Yamato and Isaac's task force.
"Musashi, what is going on?" Isaac asked as his tone bled with confusion.
"This is one of my so-called abilities, my Admiral. Please move quickly. You will be safe from my sister's guns for a short period." Musashi said as she unclasped her hands.
"What the hell is going on?" The 'Commander' asked.
"The gunners have reported a catastrophic jam in all six of the main guns. We cannot fire the guns until we rectify this." The radar man spoke.
"Fucking shit!" The 'Commander' said as he kicked Yamato again.
"Sir. The enemy forces have begun pushing up the port side. The Musashi has come into view from the stern. It is confirmed that her guns were the ones responsible for disabling the rear turret. Reports from the remaining gunners on our secondaries are reporting minor delays in getting the guns ready to fire." The radar man spoke as a new blip popped into existence.
"We have a new contact!" The radar man spoke quickly as he worked to identify the newest addition to the radar screen.
"Well?" The 'Commander' asked.
The radar man swallowed.
"Radar signature matches the Iowa class battleship of the United States." The radar man spoke.
The 'Commander's' face twisted in anger.
"Get those fucking guns back online! Target everyone!" The 'Commander' said as the fear began to creep in.
"I'm sorry I couldn't stop them all." Texas spoke on the radio.
"Texas. It's alright. You did what you could and saved our skin. Amagi isn't reporting any real damage, just a lack of strength due to her shields being depleted. Everyone, get your vessels behind the Yamato before boarding to join us. Jager, ready your men. Kashino, Shinano, with us. As soon as I get the lifeboat in the water, we're going to make our approach while their guns are silenced." Isaac said.
A wave of confirmations flooded his ear, save for one.
"What of me, my Admiral?" Musashi asked.
Isaac was taken by surprise.
"Can you fight?" Isaac asked.
"That's a silly question, my Admiral. I am a Yamato, just like my sisters. Will I be joining you in this endeavor?" Musashi asked.
"Of course. If you're confident in yourself and your ability to deal with the enemy, I see no reason to deny you the chance to help your sister." Isaac said.
"A wise choice, my Admiral. I shall see you soon." Musashi said as she cut the line.
Isaac shook his head.
"Right… job to do. Let's move." Isaac said as he ran towards the life boats while the others readied themselves for the slaughter ahead of them.