"Isaac. Platypus and Gangut will be returning to the main fleet. Jager has been severely wounded and will require immediate medical attention upon arrival. We have come upon, and rescued a Japanese destroyer by the name of Shimakaze. She will be remaining here until someone from the main fleet can properly escort her to the main fleet. In light of Jager's injury, we need backup orders in order to proceed with the plan to rescue the Emperor. Please advise at your earliest convenience."
Norfolk read the message a few times to fully understand the gravity of what was being said. She then made her way over to Isaac who was preparing to disembark on one of the assault craft that had pulled up next to the Norfolk.
"Isaac. Wait up." Norfolk spoke, loud enough for Isaac to hear.
"Hmm?" Isaac asked as he turned to see Norfolk coming towards him.
"What's the matter? We already agreed that with Musashi and Elizabeth up on the front, I would be safe to go ashore." Isaac assumed.
"This has nothing to do with that, Isaac. Jager has been seriously injured in what I can only assume is a fight with a destroyer known as Shimakaze. Patty and Gangut are escorting him here at flank speed. It seems his injuries will require immediate surgical intervention upon his arrival." Norfolk said.
Isaac was slightly taken aback.
"Jager is? If that's the case… we need someone else to take over the rescue of the Emperor. Are Michael and Amagi still on station?" Isaac asked.
"Yes. Amagi was the one to relay the message. The remaining members of the Black Death are also still on station as well." Norfolk reported.
Isaac sighed as he put a hand on his helmet.
"Michael is going to have to take on the operation then. The Black Death trained for operations without Jager, right?" Isaac asked.
"From Jager's various reports, they have done several mock operations without him in command. They seem to work well as a collective, but their decision making leaves more to be desired. The best I could offer as a solution is to have Michael provide them overwatch and use the data they give him to issue commands from afar. If they have someone else to make the decisions, they should be able to operate at or near the same physical peak that they do with Jager in direct command." Norfolk offered.
Isaac thought for a moment as the sounds of small arms fire began to echo from the docks of Kure.
"Then that's what we're going to have to do. Message them back and relay the orders as you see fit. I'll be switching my frequency to the emergency channel if you or anyone needs to contact me." Isaac said as Norfolk nodded.
"The message also said that Shimakaze has been detained until we can send someone to give an armed escort back here to Kure." Norfolk added.
"Send Taihou and Yamato. Those two are familiar faces if my recollection of Japanese forces during the war is correct." Isaac said.
"We're sending Yamato?" Norfolk asked.
"I'm not risking anyone with thinner armor against a destroyer with the real estate of a small cruiser. She has fifteen torpedo tubes, Norfolk. Send Taihou and Yamato." Isaac reiterated.
"Of course. Right away." Norfolk said as she returned to her bridge to relay Isaac's orders.
Isaac, meanwhile, made his way down the net into the assault craft that had pulled up beside the Norfolk.
"Good day for an invasion, huh Shikikan?" Taka asked as he handed Isaac a rifle.
"Always a good day to do some good work, Taka. Let's link up with Musashi and Elizabeth before we head ashore. The wives are being a bit more forceful when it comes to my protection." Isaac said with a shrug.
"Works for me, Shikikan. Better chance for us to make it onto the docks before taking enemy fire." Taka joked.
"They should be too busy trying to put out the napalm to be worried about us. Speaking of, where is our Bulin?" Isaac asked.
"Right here, Admiral." A voice spoke from the back of the assault craft.
"Where?" Isaac asked. A few seconds later, a wrench was seen poking out of the small group of armed militiamen.
"Oh. There you are. You should be up front, we need you to help douse the napalm. Don't feel like melting my feet, little lady." Isaac said.
The bulin slowly worked her way up to the front of the boat.
"Sarge? I didn't realize you were our fireman today." Isaac said as he ruffled the small girl's hair.
"Lucky pick of assault craft, Admiral. Don't worry, I have plenty of material. You just focus on doing what you do best. I'll focus on the fires!" Sarge said with a snappy salute.
Isaac chuckled as he ruffled her hair again.
"Just make sure not to burn yourself." Isaac said as he nodded to Taka, who pulled the craft away from the Norfolk and headed for the front line, where Musashi and Elizabeth were already waiting for Isaac.
"Michael, this is Norfolk. Isaac has ordered you to take point on the rescue mission. I know you're no expert at close quarters, so the idea is for you to take up a position outside the palace and provide overwatch to the black death. Meanwhile, they will be looking to you to make decisions based on what information they feed you. As for the situation with Shimakaze; Stephan, Taihou, and Yamato will be making their way up to Tokyo Bay to collect her for an armed escort back to Kure." Norfolk's message read.
Michael reread the message before crumpling the paper and tossing it into the bin next to his desk.
"What did the message say, Dear?" Amagi asked.
"You were right on the money. Looks like I'm taking over the mission to rescue Emperor Hirohito. The admiral wants me to provide overwatch and lead from the outside while the black death does their thing." Michael said as he rubbed the back of his head.
"Anything else?" Amagi asked.
"Yamato and Taihou are coming up to take Shimakaze off our hands. Thankfully Patty had a few Bulins with her to prepare U-110 for her journey, so they have been busy making sure to get Chicago seaworthy again. We might be able to send her down to get medical attention as well. The leaner we can be, the better." Michael said.
"I shall go and make sure that the bulins prioritize the jobs that will make it possible for Chicago to make the journey down to Kure. Did the message say anything else?" Amagi asked.
"No., we're on our own from here on." Michael said.
"Well, then you should get ready to get the boys ashore, the faster we can rescue the Emperor, the faster we can have access to Japan's materials." Amagi said with a twirl of her parasol.
Michael nodded as he took up his rifle.
"Wish me luck." Michael said as Amagi kissed his cheek.
"Don't make me mount a rescue, Dear. You'll never live it down." Amagi said with a soft smile as Michael went down to the main deck to inform the Black Death of their departure.