Shinano and Kashino provided cover for Isaac as the three of them made their way towards the forward turret of the Yamato. Behind them the bow of the Yamato was stained red with the blood of the wolfpack members that had come to hinder their progress, many of them cut down by Shinano and Kashino.
"There's almost no end to them." Kashino said as she took a deep breath, using a cloth to wipe the blade of her katana in the few seconds of calm that they had.
"Agreed…" Isaac was about to say more as the world was rocked by the Yamato's guns turning forward.
"They're turning the guns." Isaac said as he turned around to see what they could be aiming at. Zooming in with his visor, he saw their target.
"Who is it, my love?" Shinano asked as she too took the time to wipe the blood from her blades.
"It's Iowa. She's finally here." Isaac said as he tapped his helmet.
"Iowa, come in." Isaac asked.
"Admiral. It's good to hear your voice again." Iowa's unmistakable voice spoke.
"As much as I'd like to catch up, I need you to keep the Yamato's crew busy. We're currently onboard and are making our way to the bridge as we speak." Isaac said.
"I understand. So you want me to act as bait?" Iowa asked.
"I guess that's what it boils down to. Just keep the enemy commander focused on you, fire a couple of shells in this direction if you have to, just remember that there are friendlies on this boat as well." Isaac said.
"I understand. Good luck, Admiral." Iowa said as she cut the line several seconds before Isaac saw her turn hard to port and position her guns to fire on the Yamato.
The world once again shook as the Yamato's guns aimed and fired at the Iowa, the shells landing short by one hundred meters.
"Those are some really big shells, my love. Are you certain you can handle them?" Perkins asked from the bridge as he saw the shells splash down into the water.
"I'll be fine, honey. Just let me stretch my legs a bit." Iowa said as her guns elevated slightly before firing a full broadside.
The shells stayed tightly grouped as they sailed through the air. A smile crossed Iowa's face when one of her shells managed to strike the deck of the Yamato, nearly fifty feet behind Isaac and Shinano, while the rest shattered harmlessly on the Yamato's bow.
Isaac was protected from the shockwave and shrapnel by his armor. He turned around to see a massive hole in the deck of the Yamato caused by an inert shell from the Iowa.
"Iowa, This is Isaac. Danger close! We're still on the bow area of the ship, just shy of the forward turret!" Isaac reported hastily.
"Oops! Sorry Admiral. I had thought you were already inside. I deprimed the explosive filler for my shells, however, since I know you wish to add this vessel to your arsenal." Iowa stated.
"While I appreciate the sentiment, please try not to kill us." Isaac said as he cut the line.
"We need to move, Iowa's getting antsy." Isaac said as Shinano looked at him.
"She best not hurt my older sister, Dear Husband." Shinano said.
"She won't. I can't say the same for your sister's vessel if we don't wrap this up. The enemy commander has no limitations on what he must do. We do. So the sooner we give the all clear, the less damage this vessel will take.
"Then let us move, before my sister loses her vessel." Shinano said as she strode ahead into the firing line of another group of Wolfpack members, utilizing her shields to deflect the enemy fire as she continued forward. Isaac followed behind her, poking out from behind her shield to take pot shots at the enemy before ducking away to avoid enemy fire.
Kashino stayed behind for a moment to look up at the massive guns of the Yamato.
"To think that I was instrumental for these guns getting here… only for them to be used like this." Kashino whispered to herself as she shook her head and followed quickly behind Isaac and Shinano who had engaged the next group of wolfpack members.
Musashi ducked to the side, hiding behind the rear turret with Wilhelm's men as an insane volley of fire came from the midships of the Yamato.
"How the hell did they get the guns to turn on the deck like that?!" Michael asked as multiple 25mm anti air guns were fired in their direction.
"They must have broken the bolts restricting barrel movement. Everywhere I look, my sister's ship takes more and more damage." Musashi growled as a small wisp of blue appeared in her eyes.
"When I step out, open fire on as many of these monsters as you can, do you understand?" Musashi asked as the blue light grew in her eyes.
Wilhelm, Michael and Ben all nodded as the rest of the squad reloaded their weapons.
"Cover your face if you can, it's going to get hot." Musashi said as the blue light became blinding.
Behind her rigging, a small yellow sun appeared. Stepping out, the sun grew larger and larger until it was the size of a jeep. Suddenly, the shots from the enemy AA guns focused solely on her as she moved forward, using her own guns to soften up the lightly armored AA emplacements.
"Go now!" Musashi yelled as everyone else ducked out from behind the rear turret and began picking off the wolfpack members with severe prejudice.
The squad advanced behind Musashi as the warmth from the miniature sun permeated all of them.
"Michael… anything you have on this?" Wilhelm asked as he reloaded his rifle before laying down another lane of accurate fire.
"Not a clue. I know the ships… never met the girls." Michael said as he looked at the empty chamber in his gun.
"Ben wasn't lying. This thing really does chew through ammunition." Michael said as he put the machine gun on a sling and slung it over his shoulder. He drew his handgun from it's holster and patted his waist to feel the knife he'd been given by Ben sitting aptly on his hip.
"Not close enough yet." Michael said as he watched Ben chew through his second to last chain of .30 cal.
Ben ducked behind an unused AA gun and used the blast shield as cover to reload his weapon.
"Hey Imp! How far until we reach the bridge?" Ben yelled over the sounds of constant gun fire.
"Don't call me that, you American pig!" Michael yelled back.
"Enough arguing or I kill you both! How far to the fucking bridge, Michael?" Wilhelm yelled.
Michael scoffed angrily.
"We need to advance another sixty meters before we can enter the superstructure and make our way to the bridge." Michael said as he took aim at one of the wolfpack members sitting in a higher AA emplacement and fired, dropping the man from the emplacement more than twenty feet to the deck where an audible snap from his neck ended what life he had left.
"Thank you, was that so damn difficult?" Wilhelm asked as he tapped his helmet.
"Kommandant, come in." Wilhelm spoke.
"Jager, What's wrong?" Isaac asked as Wilhelm heard gunfire in the background.
"We are sixty meters from the superstructure on the rear. The enemy has modified the AA in order to attack the deck. Be advised." Wilhelm said.
"AA isn't an issue up here, Shinano is slicing through anything that's in her way. Most of them are having a hard time getting to the AA guns before Shinano gets her hands on them." Isaac said.
"And would you like to explain the rocking we felt earlier?" Wilhelm asked.
"Iowa has arrived and is keeping the main guns of the Yamato focused on her… by firing at the Yamato. Just get inside the superstructure so we can end this." Isaac said.
"I understand. We're going to make a push right now." Wilhelm said as he cut the line.
Wilhelm stood, testing the willingness of the enemy to fire at him. When no shots came, he made his choice.
"Musashi, keep them distracted, we're going to make a push for the superstructure." Wilhelm said as he signaled to his men.
"None shall escape." Musashi said as Wilhelm and his men made a break for the superstructure.
"Keep firing at the Iowa We can't really do anything about the men on board without relying on the crew to fight them off, but since none of the other vessels are currently firing at us, we should be okay to solely engage the Iowa with the main guns." The 'Commander' said.
The radar man stifled his groans to give the order, clutching his bleeding leg.
Ahead of them, the Yamato's guns aimed up and fired again, targeting the Iowa.
Once again, the rounds fell short, falling nearly seventy-five feet from the Iowa's hull.
"We're getting closer, aim higher, idiots!" The 'Commander' yelled angrily.
"These secondary guns are getting a bit annoying…" Texas said as her own secondaries opened up on the Yamato, keeping a close eye on Wilhelm's forces so she wouldn't hit them.
"Tirpitz, have you launched your torpedoes yet?" Texas asked.
"No. with the way things are going, I don't want to risk hitting anyone. I'll take out the propulsion the old fashioned way." Tirpitz said as her main guns began to turn.
"Well, if that's the case, let me help. Watching them have all the fun is boring." Texas said as her own guns began to aim towards the back end of the Yamato.
A single blast from both battleships was enough to tear into the Yamato's propeller complex and steering gear, rendering her dead in the water.
"That was simple…" Texas said as she returned her focus to engaging the dwindling number of active secondary guns on the port side of the Yamato.
"Have you heard anything from the Kommandant?" Tirpitz asked curiously.
"No, I'm assuming that with the Iowa raining down fire and them all dealing with the crew, they don't necessarily have the time to talk." Texas surmised.
"You have a point… but what do we do now? The starboard secondary guns can't reach us and the port ones are nearly all destroyed thanks in part to your annoyance." Tirpitz said.
Texas thought for a moment before opening up a radio channel.
"Commander?" Texas asked.
"Texas, is something the matter?" Isaac asked. Texas could hear the sounds of a firefight in the background.
"Nothing sir. I've dispatched the active secondary guns on the port side of the Yamato. Tirpitz and I are here awaiting orders." Texas said.
"I felt the ship lurch a few moments ago, what was that?" Isaac asked.
"Tirpitz and I took the liberty of destroying the propulsion systems on the Yamato to halt her advance towards our forces further to the south." Texas said.
"I see. Well, if you are looking for orders, Texas, you stay put and keep watch on the port side of the Yamato. Transmit everything you see to the Iowa. Tell Tirpitz to swing around behind the Yamato and engage the secondary guns on the starboard side. Both of you will spot friendly forces onboard the Yamato to help keep us safe from the Iowa's guns. I've given her the green light to fire on this vessel to keep the enemy busy. So us being hit by a friendly shell is a real possibility." Isaac said.
"I understand, we'll get on it." Texas said as she relayed Isaac's orders.
"Well?" Shinano asked as her blade dropped, cleaving in half the last remaining Wolfpack member that had bunched up around the number 1 turret of the Yamato.
"Tirpitz is moving to engage the starboard side of the ship. Wilhelm and his men have made a push towards the superstructure. And based on the muffled sounds of gunfire, they're working over anyone they find inside." Isaac explained.
"Then we too shall hurry. Kashino… of you would." Shinano said, earning a look from Isaac.
"Right away, Lady Shinano." Kashino said as she sheathed her sword.
Kashino took a deep breath and ran ahead of Isaac and Shinano, barreling towards the forwardmost portion of the superstructure, smashing through an unseen line of wolfpack members that had been poised to ambush Isaac and Shinano. Isaac ran with Shinano, seeing this line of men that had been taken completely by surprise by Kashino's sudden advance. Kashino quickly turned and drew her sword to engage, only for Isaac to yell.
"Get inside the superstructure! We can handle them." Isaac said as Kashino looked at him.
"But…"
"No buts! Go save Yamato!" Isaac yelled as he opened fire on the wolfpack members that had taken aim at Kashino. Shinano ran forward, dodging Isaac's rounds as she slashed through the remaining members in front of them as Kashino entered the superstructure.
The 'Commander' stood on the bridge, holding Yamato's limp body with a knife to her neck. The sounds of bodies hitting the floor and gunfire had drawn impossibly close. So close, that the fact that the room hadn't been perforated by gunfire was nothing short of a miracle.
Suddenly, the noises stopped. All sound had ceased to exist. The "Commander' looked around to see the room devoid of any change. The windows still showed Iowa firing on the Yamato, shells impacting the deck, the precise fire guided by Texas and Tirpitz's intel. The doors remained bolted shut. The injured Radar man had succumbed to his injuries and laid dead upon his work station, his final act being one of defiance, cutting the wires on the only operational radio on the bridge. The 'Commander' was stuck.
Another look around sent a chill down the 'Commander's' spine. Each window now held a dark silhouette of a human, suspended from a singular rope, weapons pointed inward aimed directly at his head. A sudden noise drew the 'Commander's' attention to the door. At the same time, a loud pounding sound came from the door on the opposite end of the bridge, dividing the 'Commander's' attention further.
An instant later, A small explosion came from the door in front of him as the sound of glass breaking filled the air around him. Behind him, the door was broken down, several large dents left in it by the woman who had broken it down.
"Stop!" The 'Commander' yelled as he pushed the knife tight against Yamato's throat as he pushed his back to the wall, using Yamato to cover his body.
"Does anyone have a shot." Wilhelm spoke.
"No sir. He has her covering every inch of him. We can't risk it." One of Wilhelm's men said.
"Michael?" Wilhelm asked.
"No shot here. Too close to the wall, if the shot ricochets, then someone in here besides him is going to get hit." Michael said as his anger grew, seeing a beautiful woman being held hostage in such a state.
"Lady Yamato!" Kashino cried from the other end as she took a step closer. Her forward progress was stopped as the 'Commander' pierced Yamato's skin, drawing a thin line of blood that ran down the blade.
"Take another step and the bitch dies!" The 'Commander' yelled.
"Who are you calling a bitch?!" Kashino yelled angrily.
"This slut of a woman, but I guess you would match the title too, bitch." The 'Commander' snapped as Kashino stomped her foot.
"Release lady Yamato this instant!" Kashino yelled angrily.
"Not a chance. This bitch is gonna cover me so I can get out of here and regroup with Lord Tester." The 'Commander' said before laying eyes on Ben who had forced his way past Wilhelm and Michael.
"Release the girl, or die." Ben ground out as he pointed his rifle at the 'Commander'.
"If you shoot me, you'll hit her. Are you stupid?" The 'Commander' goaded.
"No… but you sure are." Ben said as he tossed his gun. The 'Commander's' eyes followed as the weapon sailed across the room to Kashino.
The man looked back to Ben to see the massive man barreling towards him.
"Ben ducked and grabbed Yamato by the waist and used his strength and body weight to pull the unconscious battleship from the 'Commander's' grasp, exposing him to the numerous barrels pointed in his direction.
"Fire!" Ben yelled as he used his body to cover Yamato as the bridge turned into a shooting gallery. Michael, Wilhelm, and his men all opened fire with whatever ammunition remained in their weapons. And in the small space provided on the bridge, there was little chance to miss.
A few seconds later, the only sound filling the air was the audible clicks of emptied weapons. That, and the labored breathing of the 'Commander' who had somehow clung to the last vestige of life, which he was using to attempt to move towards Yamato. Michael growled angrily as he walked over, tossing his handgun aside and drawing the knife Ben had given him. Michael jumped on the 'Commander's' back, not bothered by the growing pool of blood, and drove his knife repeatedly into the back of the man's skull, breaking through the bone with each strike, earning him several pained grunts right before the final blow.
"Stirb, du gottverdammter Wichser. Wenn du in die Hölle kommst, sende dem Teufel meine Grüße." Michael spoke, his tone one of rage after watching Ben begin triaging the injured battleship. With her clothes pushed aside, Ben had uncovered bruises, cuts, bite marks, and other injuries.
"Is she okay?" Michael asked as he stood, his uniform now thoroughly coated in blood.
"No. No she is not. She needs medical attention immediately if she is to be saved. I can't tell for sure, but with several parts of her stomach being firm, in addition to the bullet hole in her leg… there is a lot of bleeding going on, both inside and out." Ben said as he scooped Yamato up off the ground.
Michael turned back to face the dead 'Commander' who was still bleeding out on the floor.
"Hell is far too lenient for you, monster." Michael said as he launched his foot into the 'Commander's head, causing an audible crack as the vertebrae in his neck were broken. Michael wound up to kick him again when he was pulled away by Kashino.
"We need to help Lady Yamato. He has paid the price for harming her. Please, let us not waste any more time." Kashino said as Michael took a breath.
"Fine. Let's get Yamato off this vessel. We can tow it in with the Iowa." Michael said as Kashino walked past him and looked down at the 'Commander'
"You hurt my senpai." Kashino spoke softly as she pulled her leg up and stomped down, crushing the man's head, causing several men in Wilhelm's group to turn their heads in an attempt to not see the aftermath.
"Admiral, come in." Ben spoke.
"Ben. Did you get to Yamato?" Isaac asked, the sounds of more fighting were heard.
"I did. She isn't looking well." Ben said.
"I understand. Evacuate the ship and get her back to the fleet. We need to make sure she pulls through. Have Wilhelm come down to the lower decks to help Shinano and I mop up the remaining enemy forces that are hiding below deck." Isaac ordered.
"Understood." Ben said as he relayed the orders to Wilhelm.
"So our job is not yet done. Good. I prefer it this way." Wilhelm said as he snapped his fingers, gathering his men before making his way off the bridge and down into the bowels of the Yamato.
Ben looked at Michael.
"We need to move if she is to have any chance. The fact that she is not awake yet is concerning in and of itself." Ben said as he led the way, following Wilhelm's men before splitting at the main deck.
The moment Ben stepped onto the main deck, he was almost tackled by Musashi who had rushed over to check on her sister.
"How is she?" Musashi asked softly.
"It ain't good. We need to get her back to the fleet quickly if she is to have any chance at survival." Ben spoke.
"I understand. We'll take my vessel. Come, quickly." Musashi said as she led the way over to the port side of the Yamato.