When one lived in an area for 30 years, they learned the lay of the land. So when the trees started moving, Blue Ridge knew it wasn't a normal shaking. Her suspicions were only confirmed when she got reports of the waves. At over 40 years of age, the 7th fleet flagship understood her role. And as soon as the earthquake was over and the tsunamis retreating, she knew what she had to do. She was in Singapore when it happened and as soon as she was loaded with humanitarian supplies, she made for the nearest carrier strike group. Reagan was conducting exercises off the Philippines when she arrived. "Blue Ridge?" Reagan's tone was courteous but not respectful and Blue Ridge accepted that. She'd lost a lot of clout for her part in the Fat Leonard scandal. She cursed herself for being so gullible but there was nothing she could do about that now. "Reagan, I need you to direct flights over the Honshu. And help coordinate rescue operations down there." She said. "I picked up seismic tremors. How bad is it?" Reagan asked. "Bad. We're talking over 100 foot waves in some places. The quake itself is over a 9." Blue Ridge said. "Ancients help them." Reagan whispered. "I'll do what I can." She promised. Blue Ridge nodded. "I'll be sending amphibious forces into the south. Once they're there you can handle them." "I understand. Good luck." Reagan said and Blue Ridge hightailed it north.
On the way, she received a high frequency communication from Mikasa. "Just to let you know in case Kirishima panics, I'm still alive." The old dreadnought said. "Obviously." Blue Ridge couldn't help the quip. Mikasa was one of the few ships she could still be open with and who didn't hold her recent actions against her. Investigations were still ongoing but she was looking at potentially losing her posting as 7th fleet's flagship. Blue Ridge accepted her punishment whatever it may be. Her poor judgment cost the navy millions. And made 7th fleet the laughing stock of the nation. Mikasa chuckled into her radio, snapping Blue Ridge out of it. "Tokyo itself is fine so you needn't worry about that. The barriers held up perfectly." Blue Ridge sighed. "Thank you. I'll let her know." She said. On her own once more, Blue Ridge was left to strategize her way through the current crisis. This was not the first time she'd been called upon for humanitarian aid but it had been many years since she'd been needed in that role. But that had been a different time. The people involved were refugees of war, not victims of a natural disaster. Blue Ridge sighed. Once she would not have hesitated to act but now with her position so precarious… her radio crackled and she was surprised to hear her sister. "I know I'm calling at the 'perfect' time as usual." Whitney began. "Yes, your timing is impeccable as always." Blue Ridge snapped. "When will you realize that besides your mistakes, you still have something to give to this fleet?" Whitney asked. "Where are you going with this?" Blue Ridge sighed. Whitney could be philosophical at the best of times but right now she was not in the mood for a lecture. "Where I'm going is to tell you to pull your bow out of your stern. And do what you need to do, regardless of how it looks!" Whitney snapped. "But…" "Ah. You made a mistake Blue Ridge. A terrible, foolish intentional mistake and I am mad at you for it. But that does not change what is happening now. People are in trouble. Your people and you have to help them. End of story." "Eloquent as always." Blue Ridge sighed. "How else to reach you." Whitney smirked. "Be good over there." "No promises!" Blue Ridge purred.
With the pep talk from her sister, Blue Ridge gained enough confidence to begin issuing her orders. Kirishima who was on a patrol with Kongo intercepted her, forming an escort. "Before you ask, Mikasa is fine. The barriers took the brunt of the wave." Blue Ridge assured the JMSDF flagship. Kirishima sighed. "It's still precarious there. The surrounding areas were not so lucky and took much damage. Reports are still coming in but we're looking at hundreds dead if not thousands." "Has the reserve been called upon?" Blue Ridge asked. "Yes in all prefectures." Kirishima replied. "There is another issue." Kongo added. "Yes?" Blue Ridge turned to the younger ship. "The tsunami severely damaged Fukushima. Reports are still coming in but it appears its core has been compromised." "Can't you shut it down?" Blue Ridge asked. Lacking the plant herself, her knowledge of nuclear power was more limited than say Reagan or Oklahoma City's was (and what she wouldn't give for either of them to be in command now. At least they hadn't fallen for bribes). "The plant has a system in place where if the power generation gets too high and the core too hot the control rods will drop and stop the fission process but the damage has jammed them in the up position. Only two were able to drop." Kirishima said. "So the failsafe failed." Blue Ridge filled in and got a nod in reply. The 7th fleet flagship cursed. Not only did she have a humanitarian crisis to deal with. She had a potential nuclear meltdown as well. "Coordinate with the coast guard. Have them spray water over the core to keep it cool. It won't stop a meltdown but it should ease its effects." She ordered. "Aye." Kirishima nodded. "And have them wear dosimetry badges as well." Blue Ridge added. "Don't want ships dropping from radiation poisoning." "Understood."
It took Blue Ridge a week to reach Tokyo and by that time low levels of radiation were being consistently detected in the air. It wasn't enough to harm her or anyone really but the navy being the navy, demanded every ship scrub down. Reagan was understandably annoyed about it. "I have a reactor in me. Every hour my antibodies renew themselves in a cycle of diminishing return against it that will eventually kill me. And the brass is panicking over a level of radiation that I can pick my teeth with?!" She asked. "It needs to go away Reagan. And since you're a big girl I suggest you hit the showers first. Unlike you, I'm used to getting the cold water." Blue Ridge said. "And who you calling big?" Reagan sniffed but did as she was told. True to her word, Blue Ridge also hit the showers and while she did not enjoy the cold water she accepted it as it rinsed the contamination off her decks. Once through, she returned to her dock. There was a call she had to make. She hadn't been looking forward to it but the disaster made it impossible for her to avoid.
Missouri answered on the first ring. "Blue Ridge, report." She ordered. Blue Ridge quickly checked the time difference. It was currently evening in Japan. "Good afternoon, flagship." She greeted courteously. "I have CSG 5 handling operations with Fukushima. Each ship is undergoing appropriate decontamination procedures before entering port. DESRON 15 is working with the JMSDF in Sasebo. I've got Fitzgerald coordinating things to the south. I've also got Submarine Squadron 15 in on the action as well. Oklahoma City is in Kure and Christi left Guam this morning. She'll be helping out here before transferring to Hawaii." "Sounds like you have it well in hand, Blue Ridge." Missouri said. "Oh please. All I've had to do is delegate." Blue Ridge snorted. "Not always the easiest of task, I would know." Missouri replied. She sighed. "Look Blue Ridge." "Missouri," Blue Ridge interrupted. "I know what you're going to say. It was not a mistake I made. Mistakes are unintentional and usually unavoidable. But what I did, not once but for years- it was unbecoming." She said. "That's one word for it!" Missouri growled. "I don't need to tell you what the consequences of your actions were. You know well enough." "Aye, that I do." Blue Ridge sighed. She saw it every time she looked into her ship's eyes. That look of scorn, of anger. "I can't even begin to understand why you of all ships would do this?! Be honest with me Blue Ridge and tell me why." Missouri asked. "I-I can't. I-don't know why I just-" Blue Ridge sighed. There was nothing for it now. "I was tired Mo." "Tired, of what?" "Just, everything. You may understand better than most brass but you can't get it all. I can't keep doing this. We're being run ragged out here Mo and things are happening consistently that I can't control. The system is broken and you know it." "So you decided to teach us a lesson is that it?"Missouri asked. "Yes-no-I don't know. I don't, Missouri! I wish I did. Ancients I wish I did!" Blue Ridge exclaimed, at long last her stress and emotions pouring out of her. "I don't want to think of what compelled me to do what I did. But I remember it was dark." "Blue Ridge, if you needed time away all you had to do was ask."Missouri's tone was gentle. "I can't just-" "Do you think I haven't dealt with combat fatigue before? It's just as real in 'peacetime' as its ever been. You are not the first case, nor are you the last." She said. "That does not excuse-" Blue Ridge began. "No it does not excuse it but it's good you recognize that." Missouri replied. "But all you ever had to do, was ask. Ask me for time. I would have given it to you.""Missouri…" Blue Ridge couldn't say anything more. She was too choked with tears. "You will have your time Blue Ridge. As soon as this crisis has abated enough for you to get away from it. Then I want you right back where you are." "Mo?" "You heard me Blue Ridge. 7th fleet needs their flagship. As do I." Missouri purred. "Despite your recent conduct, you're too valuable for me to replace. There isn't anyone else who can hope to match your capabilities there." "Flagship, thank you." Blue Ridge rasped. "I just hope you've learned a little wisdom from this Blue Ridge." Missouri replied. "I have, flagship." "Ganbatte." Blue Ridge smiled at hearing what by this point after 30 years, was practically her own language. "Arigato flagship." She replied.