"Anything else?" Akagi asked with unnatural calm as Myoukou remained on her knees before the two of them.
"No, your highness. I have told you everything. It was my responsibility in not foreseeing the Union's movements and technology. I accept full responsibility for this failure." The heavy cruiser trembled internally and hung her head, waiting for the inevitable. She could feel the heat and hear the sounds of spirit fire above her. I'm sorry, Ashigara. Though Myoukou shut her eyes tight, the final blow never came. When she eventually marshalled her bravery and looked up she saw blue and red flames dancing and clashing as Akagi and Kaga stared each other down.
"She has shamed this fleet and the Creator, you know the cost!" Akagi growled. Kaga waved her aside.
"And if you take to executing every ship that loses a battle we will be left with nothing. We are at war, sister. The Creator has seen fit to grace us with power, but we are not invincible. This anger will not endear us to it."
"She surrendered and fled the battlefield! She dishonored us all!"
"Yes, she has," Kaga admitted, causing Myoukou to lower her head again. "But her...tactical decision to retreat has given us decisive information. The Union has begun to unlock the potential of their weapons that have languished for a decade. There is potentially another group we need to concern ourselves with if the location of this battle is no coincidence. That information will not restore her honor, but perhaps it's worth her life." Kaga's suggestion, though technically mercy, was utterly merciless in tone.
"Then what would you suggest, oh sister of mine?" Akagi sneered, allowing her rigging to fade away as the scene finally calmed within the otherwise empty temple.
"She will be stripped of command and redouble her training in the hopes that she becomes worthy of the Creator's gifts. And we will not tolerate failure again," Kaga declared. "Now leave us."
Myoukou didn't need to be told twice, rising to her feet, bowing deeply, and turning to walk from the temple as fast as her legs would carry her without breaking into a run. As soon as the doors closed the kitsune were at each other's throats.
"You dare undermine my authority in such a manner?!" Akagi screeched. Kaga was unamused.
"You think yourself Amagi's worthy successor, but you have none of her patience or strategy. You only have power, and power can be conquered."
"You dare use her memory against me?" Akagi raged, sending a volley of spirit zeroes at Kaga who deflected them with her own rigging, the blue ribbon cum runway proving an adequate shield for the snowy maiden.
"And you dare disgrace her legacy? I swore to Amagi to protect you and the Sakura. Do not make this more difficult than it already is."
"I do not need your protection, sister!" Akagi fumed, storming from the room. "We will discuss the Union later, when I don't feel like ripping your throat out!"
Kaga simply watched as her sister retreated to her private chambers. "Amagi...please lend me your patience. Oh and you can stop hiding now, Kirishima," Kaga called, watching as the battlecruiser girl with purple eyes, onyx horns, and her skintight, black top and mask stepped out from behind one of the rows of colossal red pillars that supported either side of the Sanctuary temple. Her red kimono fluttered in a soft breeze.
"You are getting better, my liege," Kirishima said, kneeling before Kaga. "What would you have me do?"
"Nothing for now, Kirishima. Unless you'd care to spend your time observing my sister."
"You do not wish me to sortie?" The kunoichi asked with surprise. Kaga shook her head.
"We know too little. The Union is not supposed to understand the cubes. Even the Grey Ghost still fights with physical planes. Something is not right."
"Then surely I should be gathering information for you?"
"It is too risky. Akatsuki's modifications are still in progress. I need you here for now, Kirishima. We can know everything about our enemy but we will still fall if there is discontent within," Kaga replied sagely. Kirishima nodded.
"Those two."
"Indeed. The Creator has given us the tools to help them see the error of their ways. When their changes are complete we will send a force to investigate that island, a competent force. Now go, Kirishima, I sense a presence most foul in this sanctuary of ours."
"The Creator certainly chose difficult allies for us," Kirishima agreed distastefully. "As you command, lady Kaga."
"Thank you, Kirishima." Kaga watched as the spy disappeared with a flourish of her kimono. "Now then, I suppose breaking those two will put a smile on Akagi's face. Dissent cannot be tolerated after all." The carrier activated her rigging and conjured a Nakijima spirit aircraft. "Find Fusou. Tell her that she and her sister are needed in the hall of sculptures for immediate retrofit."
Akagi's brooding was interrupted by a most unwelcome visitor, a girl with yellow eyes, silver hair, and rigging out of a dark future fantasy. Akagi's response was immediate, sending multiple Kamikaze zeroes at the siren. "I'm busy."
"Oh but you're going to want to hear what I have to say I think!" The tester replied with annoying levity, unperturbed by the assault. "Eleven ships leave, four ships return, but no souls are given to the Creator. Such a curious development too!"
"What the hell do you mean? Spit it out, siren," Akagi demanded.
"I already told you, there are no souls!"
Akagi sent another wave of fire at the siren, managing to singe her hair. "Ow, ow! You crazy foxes are no fun! There were strange readings from three of the shards before they were destroyed."
"You mean before the ships were sunk?" Akagi demanded.
"No no, silly foxy. The shards of three girls were destroyed! They still live somewhere!"
Akagi narrowed her eyes at the tester. "How is that possible?"
"There appears to be a Knight on the board, commanding a handful of discarded pawns."
"You underestimate our power," Akagi threatened.
"We are all pawns to the Creator. No need to be so spiky, foxy. Even that slutty cruiser Nachi's soul didn't return here, and she definitely died screaming. Her tortured soul should have been a delectable feast. Such strange things indeed!"
"You're saying only Nachi perished in a battle where seven ships were lost?" Akagi demanded, her patience fraying.
"Yep! The rest are missing! Maybe they're pawns of that Knight now? Who knows. The trackers are gone and Nachi's cube has been laid to rest."
"You came here to tell me this nonsense?"
"I came here to tell you that your sister is getting ready to break those shrine maidens! Seems like something you wouldn't want to miss!"
"I don't believe a word you say."
"That sounds like a personal problem!" Tester replied without a care. Akagi turned from her and looked out a circular window down at the water and islands below.
"Regardless, she is right," the carrier admitted. "The last vestiges of the old ways must be destroyed...or forced to submit."
"This is good stuff, Thorson!" Captain Stevens exclaimed as he took another spoonful of 'naval curry' into his mouth. The two men were sitting at a corner table in the mess hall a few days after the battle. "And thank you for allowing my crew to have a true hot meal," he added, nodding as the sailors of the merchant marine fleet were served lunch by Yuugure and Hatsuharu. Shiratsuyu, having prepared the original batch of curry, was now maneuvering between tables with a cart full of plates provided by Akashi and her machine. Thorson had now idea how she'd done it, but Akashi had managed to tweak her machine to ensure a setting for edible human output. The late nights had cost her sleep and stalled work on the dormitories, but she was very proud of her creation, waving from behind the serving counter at sailors that took the time to approach. Shiratsuyu tripped and stumbled on occasion as she served the plates, but there was always a helping hand there to catch her. Thorson thought that had plenty to do with what the girl was wearing.
"Did you have to dress her up like that though?" Stevens whispered, giving Thorson a most unprofessional look. Brooklyn rolled her eyes as Thorson cradled his forehead in his hand.
"Do you really want to know?" The Commander asked. "Alright, fine. Remember Akashi, that short cat girl with the green hair? She's over in the kitchens right now."
"How could I forget?" Stevens boomed, his jovial voice matching his barrel chested figure. "I'd barely weighed anchor out there when she came skating up and demanded to trade again. She drives a hard bargain."
"That's the one," Thorson agreed with a smile before taking a sip of coffee, the din of sailors all around them. "The way she explained it is that a shipgirl's outfit is an extension of her personality, similar to her rigging. They can't really change it at will though. In this case, it seems that when Shiratsuyu comes into the kitchen she desires to step a bit further into that role, hence the French maid outfit. Don't ask me where she got it in her head that cafeteria ladies should dress like that because I damn well don't know."
"That explains the sentries," Stevens agreed, looking over to where Pennsylvania and Tennessee were overseeing the ruckus, guarding the door with their rigging active and ensuring no one decided to 'explore' the base or the wait staff. "And may I say it's a pleasure to see you as well, lady Brooklyn."
"Flattery will get you nowhere captain, but thank you. I daresay you may be seeing a lot more of me," she replied with a poignant look at Thorson.
"I have a proposition for you, Captain."
"I'm all ears, Commander."
"I would like to assign two of my ships to your convoy as additional protection," Thorson explained.
"Sounds too good to be true. What's the catch?" Stevens replied.
"You continue to stop here and resupply my base."
"Can my men continue to use the mess hall?"
"We can probably arrange that," Thorson said with a thin smile. "Ah, here they are. Downes, Cassin, this is Captain Stevens. Captain Stevens, this is Cassin and Downes, two of the Mahan class sisters."
"A pleasure," Stevens said, shaking their hands. "I heard about your last sortie. Sounds like quite the show."
"I'd rather not repeat it," Cassin replied tiredly.
"Which is why you're here," Thorson confirmed. "Cassin, I'd like you to go with Brooklyn and provide escort for Captain Stevens and his ships."
"So that's why you got your ship and rigging? Congrats!" Downes complimented Brooklyn. The light cruiser smiled confidently.
"Will your sister be alright?"
"That's why I asked you both to come here," Thorson explained to the destroyers. "Downes, Cassin, I want to know how you feel about fighting separately from one another.
"My sister is better for the front lines," Cassin replied. "I'd rather do nothing but...escort doesn't sound too bad."
"But what if they target you?" Downes asked worriedly.
"The Union or the Sakura?" Thorson asked.
"Both!"
The two men at the table looked at one another. "Things are heating up, Thorson. No one's gonna look at them the wrong way when it means more guns on our side. Pennsylvania maybe. She knocked some heads from what I hear, but Brooklyn is quite the charmer. They'll be fine in Union territory. You have my word."
"And in enemy territory?"
"We fight together and sink together."
"I guess that's as good as i can ask for. Brooklyn, Cassin, can the two of you do this?" Thorson queried.
"Yes sir," both replied, though Brooklyn seemed much more excited.
"I'll not forget your orders, sir. I've already released your promise to the wind."
"Then I think we're all settled here. I'll do what I can to take some heat off of you. Thank you all for your time," Thorson concluded the conversation, rising from the table and heading to the kitchen to help Akashi and the others with cleaning or packing away of food. It earned him some funny looks from the sailors, but it seemed to mollify the Sakura ships greatly. When the meal was concluded, Thorson walked with Stevens as the Captain's crew returned to their ships and cast off from the docks.
"Thanks for being a friendly port in a storm," Stevens spoke as evening fell over the bay. "We'd best be off before this next one catches up to us."
"You think it'll be as bad?"
"Probably not, hopefully just a bit of lightning, but you never know. I'll be happy for spring when it comes."
"Take good care of them, Captain," Thorson said suddenly with a hard look on his face. "Those girls have been through hell. Cassin lost half her limbs in Hawaii. Fight for them and they'll fight for you. Treat them as you would your wife or daughter and they'll fight with the fury of a full crew."
"You took on a fleet twice your size, took no casualties, secured yourself kitchen staff, and made it home in one piece, Thorson. If that's how you say you did it, I believe you. We'll speak again soon."
"Godspeed, Captain Stevens. Azur Lane will await your return."
"And to you, Commander Thorson. Glad you're still on our side." With that, Stevens boarded his flagship, leaving Thorson to say goodbye to two of his own. Downes and Cassin were sharing a moment together while Brooklyn waited patiently for him to conclude his chat.
"Thank you for trusting me with this," Brooklyn said, activating her rigging and hugging Thorson tightly. He could feel her smooth skin and body heat on his legs, and her chest against his.
"You may be the most important ship in my fleet if your message reaches the right ears. I'm counting on you," Thorson whispered back, returning the hug as multiple sailors whistled and catcalled from the decks of Stevens' ships.
"They're jealous of you, Commander," Brooklyn teased, sighing contentedly as Thorson's hand brushed gently over her new rigging mark, a pen crossed with a sword.
"They'll be all over a woman like you," he replied with a smile, pulling apart from her. Sure returned it confidently.
"Only the ones I like will even get close," she said, showing off the guns of her rigging. "Do you have any further orders, Commander?"
"Just the one, Brooklyn. Survive."
"I'll do my best, sir," she replied seriously, saluting Thorson before turning and stepping daintily into the water, skating out to where the freshly minted USS Brooklyn awaited her in the bay.
"And they all lived happily ever after. The end," Thorson concluded, looking around to find that the three children had drifted off during his tale. "Sleep well kiddos, thanks for being well behaved today," he whispered, standing and padding out of their room as a heavy rain pounded against the tiled roof. The lightning and thunder had necessitated a bedtime story for Kisaragi and company. With that duty done, Thorson visited his other three prisoners, knocking softly before opening the wood and rice paper door to their room for four. Yuugure and Hatsuharu took one bunk, with Shiratsuyu taking the other. They were all back in their standard attire.
"Shikikan?" Yuugure questioned as he took a step inside.
"Just checking on you three. Today was pretty out of the blue and I wanted to thank you all for your hard work."
"You didn't tell us we'd be feeding Union sailors," Shiratsuyu added quietly. Thorson sighed.
"It's part of warfare, I'm afraid. I'm still a part of the Eagle Union."
"It's still better than having guns pointed at us," Yuugure cut in, remembering being at the receiving end of Tennesse's barrels and frowning face for two days. "Besides, you'll spare the others, right?"
Thorson frowned as thunder rolled across the island, as if a herald of battles to come. "If I can, I will."
"S-shikikan?" Hatsuharu squeaked.
"Yes, Hatsuharu?"
"Is it wrong that I'm happy I don't have to fight anymore?" The shy destroyer asked, playing with her kimono. Thorson shook his head, figuring he should have expected such a question from the timid girl.
"No. I don't think so. Not everyone is born a warrior." An awkward silence reigned as Thorson tried to figure out how to proceed with three girls that were still wary, but tentatively accepting of his authority. The three of them jumped as the base sirens sounded in the night. Thorson's blood ran cold. "I want the three of you to go to Mutsuki, Kisaragi, and Mikazuki. Comfort them, and if it comes to it, protect them." Without another word Thorson bolted for the entrance, joined by Downes, Cleveland, and Indianapolis. "Portland, grab Laffey and meet us at the command tower!"
"You got it, sir!" The busty cruiser confirmed, turning easily on her sock-clad feet and sprinting for the room where Laffey and Downes bunked together. Thorson could hear Kisaragi crying as he ran out into the rain, smashing the command center door open to find his battleships locked and loaded.
"Multiple contacts on radar and getting closer sir. Storm is screwing with it and we've been unable to make radio contact," Tennessee reported, the blonde battleship all business with a potential fight on the line. Thorson nodded in acknowledgement before turning and stepping back into the rain, peering into the darkness with his binoculars.
"What the hell is going on," he murmured, focusing on faint lights in the distance. A lancing spike of lightning lit the skies and he just barely made out two gigantic towers atop battleship hulls. Main and secondary battery fire leapt from the ships toward the north, from which a great many more shells were flying back at them. "Shiranui, Akashi!" He yelled as his two most trusted Sakura ships joined them at the top of the stairs.
"What is happening, Shikikan?" Shiranui asked, her spirit fire glowing brightly in the night.
"Your battleships, which ones have the pagoda-like bridges?"
"Fusou-class, nyaa!" Akashi cut in. "You see them, Shikikan?"
"What would you advise me to do if I told you that two Fusou-class ships are out there without escorts and are under attack by a larger force?" Thorson demanded, barely feeling the chill of the rain as adrenaline surged through his veins. Even without the binoculars he could still see distant flashes of warship guns.
"If the larger force is the Union that decision is best left to you, Shikikan. However…" Shiranui trailed off.
"However?!" Thorson yelled.
"If the larger force is the Sakura, I would do everything within my power to save those two battleships, Shikikan," Shiranui finished with complete sincerity. Thorson turned to face his fleet. All of them were soaked, their hair clinging to their faces, bodies, and rigging. But they all looked ready for a scrap.
"Who's ready for war?" Thorson's question was met by a chorus of affirmatives and Laffey sleepily raising her hand. With that they tore off for the docks, leaving Shiranui and Akashi alone atop the base.
"Since that idiot Shikikan is off to be a hero, you should go wake the bulins and have them make ready for emergency repairs," Shiranui told Akashi. The repair ship nodded in agreement and scampered away to the labs just behind the main crew while Shiranui took a moment to watch as the fleet came alive, the wet, grey hulls shining in the light of the docks. Shimmering pulses covered the Union ships as they activated, their lights flickering on as gun barrels turned and made ready to fire. "I must admit, it's quite an impressive sight," Shiranui replied as she turned for the radio. "Time to do my part."
Fusou cried out in pain as another volley struck her amidships, courtesy of her former allies. A large group of destroyers, cruisers, and dummy ships had been assembled to catch them, and they'd succeeded. She could see lights in the distance, holding herself up on her ship's steering gear. Whether they were friend or foe was an open question, but one she couldn't afford to ask. "Yamashiro, hang in there!"
"It hurts, Fusou nee-sama. I can't…"
"You can! We're almost there! Gods curse you, heathens!" The elder sister raged, firing her aft gun batteries blindly behind her. She focused on reloading through the pain and damage as her radio came to life.
"This is a message to the Sakura battleships approaching our base. Identify yourselves immediately or we will fire on you."
"That voice…Shiranui?! How are you-"
"So it is you, Fusou? Yamashiro is with you?"
"Yes. Please help us! Akagi and Kaga have gone insane!"
"I tried to warn you. Switch to the following radio frequency now. It's time you met the Shikikan of this base. He is the one you should entreat for aid."
Aboard the bridge of the Cleveland, Thorson surveyed what he could of the battlefield. They were approaching the battleships, though one of them had fallen almost completely silent. The other was firing desperately behind it as they approached Thorson's fleet at full speed. They hadn't yet fired on him or his ships. Shiranui contacted him over the radio.
"My suspicions were right, Shikikan. If I could trouble you to save some of the former spiritual leaders of the Sakura fleets that would be great. Bye."
"That ship…" Thorson and Cleveland shared a knowing grin before a desperate voice hailed them over the radio.
"Hello? It's this the Shikikan of the fleet we're approaching? We surrender. Please help me save my sister! She's dying!"
"Who is this?!" Thorson demanded of the panicked voice, his heart pounding in his chest as the fear in her words sent shivers down his spine.
"Fusou, shrine maiden and battleship of the Sakura empire. We've defected and fled from the Sanctuary. Please assist!"
"Commander?" Cleveland asked eagerly. They'd all seen the friendly fire going on. None of them were afraid of two crippled battleships. Thorson steeled himself and grabbed his weapon.
"Get me on one of those ships, Cleveland. This is Commander Thorson of Azur Lane to the two Fusou class battleships approaching our fleet. Kill your engines and silence your guns and we will grant you shelter. You have thirty seconds to comply. Laffey, Downes, flank wide and send a wave of torpedoes past those battleships toward the lead element. Pennsylvania, Tennessee, move up with Portland and Indy. Maintain your spacing and focus fire. Focus your shields front. Weapons free! Sink those bastards!"
Thorson could feel the elation through his link with Cleveland as his ships took aim and fired into the night. The volley of shells scored a couple lucky hits, more than enough to ensure the pursuit fleet knew they were now in a real fight.
"Torpedoes are in the water, running silent!" Downes reported. Thorson watched as the destroyer on the left side of his formation killed her lights and vanished into the night.
"Mmm, Laffey likes Downes. She always has fun ways to make Sakura ships sink," the bunny destroyer commented before doing the same. Thorson understood.
"The rest of you, keep pouring it on! Hold their attention!" Thorson ordered as he watched Indy's shield flare but hold, a bright blue aegis protecting his ships like a giant tortoise shell. Cleveland was approaching one of the stricken battleships as her Union sisters carried on past them. The enemy had complied with his orders. "I'm going. Pennsylvania, you have command!"
A sudden lance of fear and pride stuck Penny as she fired her forward batteries. With each volley from the enemy that impacted Indy's shields she was able to score hits by targeting the muzzle flares. But they were still outnumbered. "Indianapolis, how much more do you have left in you?!"
"One volley, maybe two," the tanned cruiser panted over the radio.
"Indy! Get behind me when you can't anymore!" Portland cried.
"Tenn, full barrage while we have cover, all guns, make sure you hit!" Pennsylvania ordered. Tennessee snapped back.
"About damn time. Ready when you are."
"Now!" With immense strain on their hulls, Penny and Tennessee turned hard, using the cover of Indy's shield to show broadside to the enemy. "FIRE!"
"DIE YOU SAKURA BITCHES!" Tennessee roared, channeling all of her anger, malice, and helplessness into her shells. "You'll never defeat us in open combat!"
A thunderous roar, heard even over the storm, reached Thorson's ears as his capital ships unleashed on the attackers. Pennsylvania seemed to have found a way to repeat the sky clearing attack from Pearl Harbor, only this time she directed it at the enemy ships. The forward line was raked with secondary battery fire and at least one ship was simply destroyed by her main guns. Astoundingly, Thorson watched as she repeated the feat twice more in rapid succession, a true barrage of shells that left him wondering how much energy she'd consumed. Tennessee was no less impressive, her shells arcing high above the enemy before exploding and raining down explosive munitions on the fleet below. It wouldn't sink a ship, buy Thorson could only imagine the potential damage to the enemy's superstructures.
"Just try attacking us after that," Tennessee gasped confidently, most satisfied as close to half of the enemy shells ceased, their operators forced to engage in damage control.
"Damn that was something else, girls," Cleveland nodded approvingly. "Let's just hope the Commander is alright."
Thorson leveled his rifle as he kicked open the door to the bridge of the Fusou, he was breathing heavily as the ship swayed beneath him in the storm. "On your knees, now!" The Sakura before him complied but shouted at him immediately, her hands raised.
"Not me! My sister!" She cried as the dangling radio mouthpiece crackled and stuttered.
"Nee...san, can't control it...run!" Thorson watched in horror as Fusou let out a keening wail and the other ship fired one shot from its main battery at his base. He watched for the impact, grabbing the radio.
"Shiranui! Damage report!"
She replied calmly. "Nothing, Shikikan. Some trees off to the left might have been lost, nothing more." Thorson's relief did not extend to Tennessee, who had turned her bow towards Yamashiro.
"You think you can trick us, you fucking bitch!? You can die too!"
"Penny, stop her!" Thorson roared, watching as Tennessee riddled the Yamashiro with fire from point blank range.
"Onee-chan! We surrender, we surrender!" Fusou pleaded desperately as her sister's ship caught fire, a blazing pyre in the night. "Please save Yamashiro!"
Thorson watched as Pennsylvania sailed her ship between Tennessee and the Yamashiro on his orders, only imagining what was happening on their own radio channel. Far behind them the enemy fleet was forced into a retreat as wave after wave of torpedoes struck at them from the darkness, Downes and Laffey ruthlessly exploiting their home field advantage. Making his decision he gave final orders using Fusou's radio. "Laffey, Downes, get back here and get ready to sprint for the base. Akashi, if you can hear me get the conductive matrix up and running. Portland, make sure Indy is alright. Penny and Tennessee, if the other ship fires again you're weapons free. Just try not to kill me."
With that, Thorson left his fleet in a state of utter panic as he tore down to the deck of the Fusou and sprinted back to the Cleveland. "To the other ship. Now!" Thorson ordered.
"Commander, you can't seriously be thinking of going on there. Those fires are spreading below deck!"
"Cleveland, I've never seen a shipgirl so desperate to save her sister. Something is very wrong here and we need to find out what."
"A real Knight of the Sea, aren't you. Very well, sir. I'll even sacrifice my paint job for you!" Cleveland promised as she turned and slid right up against the hull of the Yamashiro, wincing as metal creaked against metal. Thorson ruffled her hair quickly and departed, searching for an acceptable location and clambering onto the stricken Sakura battleship. His legs burned as he again ran up the towering bridge of a Fusou-class battleship and shouldered his way onto the bridge.
"By God, what did they do to you?" Thorson demanded, forcing the door open and pushing aside sinister black tendrils that tried to deny him entry. The bridge was full of them, like ichor veins that ran to a single point and connected at the base of the shipgirl's neck. Her innocent face was contorted in pain. She barely noticed him from where she was crumpled on the floor, her deep red eyes unable to focus on much of anything. It immediately reminded him of the veins he'd seen on Shiratsuyu and the others, only mutated and allowed to spread. "Well I'm definitely not just pulling this one out," he said aloud, trying to calm himself as he took in the alien horror before him. It didn't work well, his stomach tying itself in knots as he reached out for her. A single touch of the bundle of veins had his hand riddled with pain and Yamashiro twitching on the floor.
"I don't have time for your siren bullshit!" Thorson roared as tremors rocked the ship below them. Racing against whatever fire was closest to the ship's munitions stores, Thorson drew his sidearm and fired repeatedly at the veins tethering the girl to the ship. As soon as they severed she slumped over, motionless. He had no idea if she was alive or dead. Thorson snatched up the radio.
"Laffey, Downes, you two there?!"
"Commander you gotta get out of there, the fires are everywhere!" Downes warned.
"Do not leave Laffey alone, Commander!"
Without any options and increasingly surrounded by thick, black smoke from the burning ship below, Thorson did the only thing he could, smashing the broad panes of glass on the bridge with his rifle butt. "I've definitely gone insane," he muttered as wind and rain whipped at his face. He looked at the steel black ocean below. The Downes and Laffey were circling the ship like sharks, waiting for any sign from their Commander to spring into action.
"I hope you make it," Thorson whispered, grabbing the unconscious girl and throwing her from the bridge with every ounce of his strength. She managed to clear her ship thanks to the relatively narrow hull before crashing into the ocean below. Thorson leapt right after her. Even Tennessee and Pennsylvania ceased their tense standoff as they watched in horror, realizing what was going on as the rear turret of the Yamashiro exploded, the fireball highlighting the two tiny figures tumbling from her bridge.
"COMMANDER!"