Azure Lane Task Force
June 14, 1942
11:00 AM
Lucas gave a brief motivational speech. "Okay, ladies, today we face our adversaries in their own backyard and kick their asses like there's no fuckin' tomorrow. Do you understand me, ladies?!"
"Yes, Sir...." A forceful, yet bored, response came from the Cleveland Sisters.
"Yes, that doesn't mean you have to yell every time you speak," Montpelier retorted.
"Well, at least it's a good speech," Columbia spoke.
"Okay. That's enough, girls...." Cleveland tried to stop Montpelier from getting into trouble, because her sister and Lucas were like cats and dogs, always butting heads.
"Could you please help me here? I'm having trouble with my Kevlar Vest." Cleveland was having trouble putting on her Kevlar Vest. Her sisters quickly rushed to her aid.
Lucas held his brows and sighed, a sound of disappointment reverberating from his voice. "Does any of you remember the basic training, that last day?"
The Cleveland Sisters were silent as they remembered the hellish training and berating insults from Lucas. Lucas went full Gunnery Sergeant Hartman on the Clevelands at their basic training.
~Flashback~
Cleveland and her Sisters stood in line, the tension thick. The sound of boots echoed in the room, filled with beds, lockers, windows, and one door.
They knew they were in boot camp, but this one was tenser than the Navy Boot Camp. Stories about Marine Corps Boot Camp were filled with exaggerated tales of chaos.
The door swung open, and Gunnery Sergeant Lucas, along with Manjuu Drill Sergeants, entered, ready to discipline any recruit.
Lucas's voice boomed. "I am Gunnery Sergeant Lucas, your Senior Drill Instructor... from now on, you only speak when spoken to. And the last and first words out of your mouths will be 'Sir.' Do you maggots understand?!"
The Cleveland Sisters responded, "Sir, yes Sir!"
Gunnery Sergeant Lucas gazed over the whole room as their response echoed, but one trainee's voice differed.
"Oh, oh. Sir. Sir. I need to go to the Bathroom. Cause I need to pee...." Among the line of Trainees, Javelin asked, her right hand waving like she was calling a friend.
Javelin shouldn't have joined, but her curiosity about getting the FGM-148 Javelin got the best of her. And she was also persuaded by Denver-856 and Essex-12 to join to get a hold of the FGM-148 Javelin.
This would be her greatest mistake as she joined the worst branch of the Military. She didn't have any background knowledge about this specific branch; she joined the United States Marine Corps Boot Camp.
Gunnery Sgt. Lucas shifted his gaze at her, like a Guided Munition his gaze darted at her like prey. With a disoriented face, he sprinted so quickly toward Javelin at the blink of an eye.
He then prepared his Knife-hand as he dashed to her position and pointed it at the innocent face of Javelin. He then started berating her like a barking dog in the face of an innocent child.
"I don't give a shit about you pissing your own underwear! I only give permission to speak and not to pee. You stood there till I'm done speaking, till there's no word of insult left at my mouth?!"
"Uhhmm...." Javelin couldn't answer properly; her face turned red from the sexual insult and curses coming out from him.
The Cleveland Sisters turned red after hearing that, Columbia was holding herself back from bursting into laughter.
"Uhhmm.... Uhhmm... What?!" Gunnery Sgt. Lucas yelled at her face as he pointed his Knife-hand.
"Umm... Yes, Sir!" Javelin just responded instinctively from the pure pressure.
Gunnery Sgt. Lucas broke his gaze from her as he meticulously judged the faces of every trainee that had the gut, or even the face, to be in this Camp and the entirety of the Marine Corps.
"What's with that grin on your face!?" He stopped in front of a smug cat with the attitude of a smart ass.
Sims maintained her usual curved lip with protruding feline fangs. "Thought you might be impressed, sir."
Gunnery Sergeant Lucas eyed her. "Do I look impressed at your damn fucking face?!"
"Sure do."
"Give me 20!" Gunnery Sergeant Lucas shouted, asking for 20 push-ups.
"I only have 5 grant," Sims responded, maintaining her smug exterior.
"On the floor, NOW!"
Sims got onto the floor and started counting her push-ups. She started counting, but as time progressed, her momentum slowed down, beads of sweat dripping from her forehead.
After Sims hit the floor, Gunny Sergeant Lucas turned his attention to the ripped tomato of a cat trying to maintain some semblance of control over her laughter and laughing mouth.
"What's say you, fur-ball?" His attention landed on Hamman, holding her laughter as her face was as red as a tomato.
"NOTHING SIR!!!"
The shouting escalated between the two.
"WHY ARE YOU SHOUTING!!!"
"I'M NOT SHOUTING!!!"
"DO I LOOK FUNNY? DO YOU FIND ME CUTE!!!"
"NO SIR!!!"
"LET ME SEE YOUR WAR-FACE! AHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
"AHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!"
"YOUR NOT SCARING ME!!!"
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Hamman screamed at the top of her lungs.
"Practice your war-face!"
"Sir, yes, sir!" Hamman's voice boomed.
As he removed his attention from the cat, he saw someone not in the line. His head swiveled left and right, up and down, ceiling and corner. His eyes landed on one of the bunk beds, someone comfortably not minding his authority.
"Holy Jesus. What is that?! What the fuck is that! Are you fucking kidding me?! Why the fuck are you sleeping early in the morning, on the first day of Boot Camp?!"
"The bed is comfy...." Laffey-459 replied as she hugged the pillow and proceeded to sleep even further.
Lucas's vein popped up in his forehead as his blood boiled. He then flipped the whole bunk bed while Laffey-459 was thrown off onto the floor.
"Wake up! You dum-dum! I got your name, I got your ass. You will learn by the numbers I will teach you. Now wake up! GET UP ON YOUR FEET! You got a Basic Training to finish."
Laffey-459 just yawned and softly rubbed her face. Javelin couldn't help her friend; she just stood there watching her friend getting berated. If she moved or talked, she would be berated too by Gunnery Sgt. Lucas.
She was also holding her own pee from leaking, just standing there motionless as a statue while Gunnery Sgt. Lucas continued his shark attack on the trainee.
The Clevelands thought, 'No wonder why few of the Destroyers were exempted from this Boot Camp?'
Sims was sweating beads, tired from the push-ups. Hamman was holding her laughter, gas leaking from her lips. If she made a noise: she died. If she breathed: she died.
The Cleveland Sisters joined the Boot Camp to better understand the Modern Weaponry of Modern Warfare. Adm. Nimitz approved this Boot Camp as an experimental regiment if the Shipgirls improved their performance in battle.
This Boot Camp would be regimental for all Shipgirls in Azur Lane to improve their skill in shooting and understand Modern Warfare Tactics.
Javelin joined to learn how to use the FGM-148 Javelin to fight the Sirens, even though she knew she could just read the manual. But the thrill of adventure got her.
Laffey-459 joined to help her friend Javelin and also for the comfy Bunk Bed in the Boot Camp. But the one who threw her into this Boot Camp was Laffey-200; she literally threw her into Lucas's arms and held him responsible for her improvement.
And improve her, he did.
Obstacle Course
Cleveland's battle buddy was Columbia, Denver's battle buddy was Montpelier, Sims' battle buddy was Hamman, and Javelin's battle buddy was Laffey-459.
"1,2,3,4. I love the United States Marine Corps.!"
The Clevelands were at the front of the march; this kind of physical fitness was like a walk in the park for them.
Hamman and Sims, Javelin and Laffey-459 were somewhat falling behind. They were all almost being left behind on the track. Hamman tripped over on the track, face flat on the mud. And then there's Javelin carrying the sleeping Laffey-459 throughout the Obstacle course.
"Come on, Laffey. We're almost there at the finish line. Hang on tight!" Javelin remarked as she carried the sleeping bunny.
"Too sleepy..." Laffey-459 said in a drowsy state.
"No Shipgirls left behind! Ladies!" Gunnery Sgt. Lucas yelled as he marched to the pace of the trainees.
"Yes, Sir!"
Gunny Sgt. Lucas noticed the two were being left behind and quickly ran towards them, blasting them with an excessive amount of yelling and shouting.
"The fucking war will be over before we get there! Get your asses together!" He yelled at the two.
"Yes Sir--- ahh!" Javelin dove over into the mud as she didn't notice the mud in the obstacle track. Both she and Laffey-459 were covered in mud.
Gunnery Sgt. Lucas held his brows in disappointment at the two.
Push-Up
The next course for the Trainees was push-ups. Most of them performed well until their arms collapsed in total tiredness.
Hamman screamed as her elbow joints and arms were about to separate. With each push, her bones screamed in surrender.
"My bones are giving up!" she wailed at the sound of her quivering hands.
Gunnery Sgt. Lucas's attention was on the sleeping Laffey-459; she didn't even try to push-up, just laying there in the grass while the other trainees broke their bones doing push-ups.
"The fuck you doing dumbass! Did I tell you to sleep!" He yelled at the top of his lungs in total disappointment.
Laffey-459 just snored in the hot blazing sun as she was screamed and yelled at multiple times by her Gunny.
Confidence Climb
The Cleveland Sisters managed to finish the Confidence Climb Obstacle Course. The Two Felines managed to climb the obstacle course, courtesy of their feline abilities.
Javelin and Laffey-459 were the only ones left (Javelin was the only one climbing, as Laffey-459 fell asleep). These were the only ones left above the obstacle course.
Gunny Sgt. Lucas yelled in anger as the two were stuck above the obstacle, hindering the whole Boot Camp for another 30 minutes. "You two fuckers get down here, now!"
"Bu-But, Sir," Javelin said in a shaky voice.
"Get your asses down Here! Or I will drag you two asses down here!" Gunny Sgt. Lucas yelled at the top of his lungs at these two trainees.
Cargo Net
Gunny Sgt. Lucas just gave up on these two, especially Laffey. He held his brows in frustration and groaned.
Laffey-459 was just dangling upside down, her left leg stuck in the Cargo Net. Javelin was now afraid, as her Battle-Buddy was dangling upside down, and the Drill Sgt. was having frustration of a greater magnitude.
Hamman, like a cat on a rope, got herself entangled in the Cargo Rope Nets, her feline ability failed her completely, leaving her dangling upside-down.
"Help?!!!" she screamed, her hands wagging.
Shooting Range
"Hey, guys, look. Pew, pew, pew." Montpelier was playing with her unloaded rifle as she pointed it at her sisters.
"Whoa! Don't point that at me," Denver exclaimed as she moved the barrel of the rifle out of her face.
Lucas saw this and sprinted across the shooting range, delivering a Head-chop to Montpelier. He then proceeded to chew her ass for playing with her Rifle like a kid.
"Do you have any idea what you have just done?!" Gunnery Sgt. Lucas yelled in her face.
"N-No Sir?" Montpelier responded, somewhat confused as she felt her forehead.
"You're Flagging your sisters with your Rifle!
Rule 1. Treat every loaded gun with care, even if it's unloaded, treat it carefully.
Rule 2. Don't point it at someone you are not willing to destroy or kill.
Rule 3 Always point the end of the barrel down to the ground.
Rule 4. Keep your finger off the trigger if you are not ready to fire. Do you understand me?!"
"Yes, Sir!" Montpelier replied, somewhat pouting as her cheeks were pinkish red.
"Continue your training, Ladies!"
"Sir, Yes Sir."
Javelin reloaded her Rifle with the magazine backward. She had been tapping her Rifle carefully not to attract the attention of Gunnery Sgt. Lucas. But it was too late; the awareness of every Drill Instructor could sense a dumb ass trainee from miles away.
"The Fuck are you doing with your rifle?!" Gunnery Sgt. Lucas shouted in her left ear, a big grin plastered on his face.
Javelin yelled and jumped in surprise, almost throwing her Rifle on the ground.
"Umm.... Umm.... The rifle won't fire. Sir." Gunnery Sgt. Lucas grabbed her rifle and inspected it. Gunnery Sgt. Lucas's face expression was similar to every Drill Sergeant having a stroke because of their trainees.
"You put your Rifle's Magazine upside down. Dumbass!" Gunnery Sgt. Lucas gave the rifle back to Javelin with excessive force, almost pushing her back slightly.
"Yes, Sir!"
*BANG! BANG! BANG!*
Laffey-459 shot every target in the Shooting range with a bullseye. She had a blank expression every time she fired her rifle.
"Outstanding... we finally found what you are suitable for," Gunnery Sgt. Lucas said as he praised Laffey-459 for her excellent marksmanship.
'Yes... Sir..."
Every trainee had a confused look on their faces as they saw every target hit in the center, without any misses. Laffey-459 failed at the obstacle course as she was dragged by Javelin, but in the shooting range, she hit every mark.
For Laffey-459's excellence at the shooting range, Gunny Sgt. Lucas would gift her a very specific weapon.
*BANG*
Hamman was thrown back by the recoil of the Rifle on full auto. Trying to gain attention, she didn't fail to gain one. Gunnery Sergeant Lucas, with all his energy of disrupted peace and the full fury of a sermon, was about to befall her.
Hamman looked up, a shadow covering her. Gunnery Sergeant Lucas, with gritted teeth and an aura of ass-chewing, was about to commence.
"The hell you doing, fur-ball!" his teeth gritted in pure rage.
"Looks like you're about to get ass chewing," Sims said in a low yet audible tone.
~Flashback Ends~
The Cleveland Sisters just stared into the void as they remembered the horrors of Boot Camp, their faces deadpan. Lucas flicked his finger to get the sisters' attention from their deep thoughts and bring them back to reality.
"Are you with me?" Lucas asked, with a slight concern in his voice.
"Y-Yes, Sir," Cleveland said, somewhat hesitant.
Lucas nodded. "Get in formation, Charlie."
Cleveland furrowed her brows as the name was mentioned again. "Could you please stop calling me 'Charlie'?"
-Cleveland's nickname was Charlie Love Five Five for her CL 55 Hull number designation-
"Whatever, Charlie." Lucas just shrugged it off. Cleveland just sighed in defeat; her call sign name was Charlie now.
The Cleveland Sisters finished gearing up for the upcoming Battle. The Clevelands were wearing their typical clothing and Kevlar Vests, along with their M27 IARs, complete with helmets and knee and elbow pads.
Rules of warfare one-on-one:
Rule 1: Bring a Gun.
Rule 2: Bring Bros with guns.
Rule 3: Proceeds to spread freedom and democracy with the funding of Uncle Sam and the Military Industrial Complex.
The Americans were here to liberate the oppressed, but nobody calculated and discussed the amount of destruction that would be needed to liberate the oppressed. This whole operation would be like TEAM AMERICA all over again.
Lucas looked behind. "Are you ready, Ladies?" He asked them to confirm their situation. The Cleveland Sisters gave a thumbs up.
"Okay, let's go!" He said.
Above them, a squadron of F/A-18 Super Hornets, armed to the teeth with AIM-260 JATMs, Peregrine Missiles, and GBU-39 Small Diameter Bombs, thundered towards the Sakura Empire with a wake of white trails trailing behind.
The second wave of Air-Strike commenced, targeting the remaining valuable Supply Lines and Factories or any infrastructure that survived the initial strike from the air, aiming to hinder the Sakura Empire's war effort and retaliation.
Following the trails of the soaring aircraft, striking in the far distance with all the might America Projected. Several Kilometers away, a culmination of War Machines from two eras with striking power.
Enterprise Task Force
At the middle of the battle fleet of WW2 Ship Designs ranging from Battleships, Carriers, Cruisers, and Destroyers, one Naval Vessel stood tall. A Ford Class Carrier stood in the middle of the WW2 Warships with all the guns raised up.
At the angled deck of the Super Carrier, guiding the Strike Force, F/A-18 Super Hornets and MQ-25 Ghost Bats, the attached Drone Wingmen. The two odd-looking aircraft, full of mystery and danger, roared their engines as the Catapults on deck tossed them into the air with their payload.
CVN-80 USS Enterprise led the Task Force of Battleships, Carriers, Cruisers, and Destroyers from the eras of Naval Air-Power rising, and the age of the Jet-Era and Electronics rocketing at a faster pace than the real world counterpart.
Battleships surrounded the towering Carrier with their raised guns like spears piercing any attacker coming from the surface and below. Like an Armored Guard ready to pounce, their mighty hulls cut through the waves like undeterred titans of the seas.
Battleships: South Dakota, Alabama, Massachusetts, Indiana, Nelson, Rodney, Colorado, Maryland, and West Virginia. Like guards on plank, their guns raised and ready.
Sailing beside the towering Behemoth of Steel were the two Queen Elizabeth Class Battleships: Queen Elizabeth and Warspite.
The Queen and Corgi were both inside the Carrier CIC, providing crucial information and suggestions for the current operation. Langley provided Siren and Sakuran Intel for the crucial task of identifying the target.
Along the defensive lines of Battleships, Fleet Carriers launched planes to supplement the attacking Hornets and their Drone Wingmen. Some SBDs received an upgrade (or package, to whoever might have thought of it) – at the wing of the Propeller Aircraft was a Laser Guided Pod made to guide Laser Paveway Bombs accurately to their target. Each target and attack mattered as their numbers were low compared to what the Sakura Imperial Defense could mobilize.
At the deck of USS Bunker Hill, an Essex-Class Fleet Carrier, a modified SBD Dauntless Dive Bomber flew off the deck carrying a 1,000-Lbs Paveway Bomb on its underbelly and Laser PODS on its left wing.
Airborne, it joined its squadron of SBDs, following the trails of the Modern Aircraft that were leading the attack.
At the ring of defenses, Cruisers and Destroyers littered the whole Task Force. Amidst the Big Guns of the Battleships and the conquerors of the sky – the carriers and their planes – lay the Cruisers with their defensive armaments ranging from their main guns to secondaries and the littered AA-Guns on deck.
CGN-76 USS Bunker Hill, a Nuclear Cruiser, led the Task Force Air-Defense. Its onboard AEGIS Combat System swept through the surface and horizon for potential threats and abnormalities like popping Siren Portals out of nowhere.
Surprise attacks and ambushes were expected as the whole Task Force was on high alert, Guns Loaded and Planes loitered above, from Propeller Aircraft to Advance 6th Generation Modern Fighters.
Like Phantoms in the skies, a Squadron of F/A-25 Hellcats loitered not far from the Task Force, ready to jump into action if needed. Inside the Phantom Beasts were the AIM 260 JATM Advanced Air-to-Air Missiles, poise to strike like sharp piercing arrows.
Outside the ring of defense, Frigate Belfast, accompanied by her Royal Navy Cruisers – masters at hunting down lurking threats – acted as the leading flagship of her ASW Division.
Like a servant in uniform, their Maid Uniforms fluttered in the wind, a testament to their readiness. The slightest miscalculation could disrupt the ongoing operation.
Underneath where the light of the sun didn't touch any living being, a cylindrical predator-of-the-sea lurked, its black metal and rubber skin kept it from getting detected.
SSN-856 USS Denver, an American Next Generation Attack Submarine, watched underneath for any assassins hiding beneath. Its silence kept its position unknown to friendlies and foes, surface and below.
The slightest miscalculation could disrupt the ongoing operation.
Leading the Advance Striking Force, comprised of Battleships, Carriers, Cruisers, and Destroyers, were the Modern Warships.
Lafayette's ASW Division consisted of Javelin, Laffey-459, Hamman, Sims, Eldridge, Bache, Unicorn, and the Beaver Squad.
Lafayette, the perceived Flagship of this small yet vocal division, would provide the detection, direction, and location of any subsurface threats.
Javelin, Hamman, Sims, Bache and Eldridge would act as submarine chasers, ready to deploy depth charges. Laffey-459 would stand guard for the Flagship against any subsurface or surface threats that might appear – normally a bodyguard wouldn't be necessary, but the situation warranted it.
Unicorn, their healer and ever-reliable Aircraft Carrier within this small ASW division, possessed a small squadron of planes sufficient for their group's needs.
The Beaver Squad, led by Charles Ausburne, Foote, Aulick, Spence, and Thatcher, served as an attached surface group in case the Division encountered surface threats. The Beavers, with their small and nimble hulls and sheer audacity, could potentially breach armor.
Like a bunch of toddlers playing Call of Duty with oversized gear strapped to their bodies, their weapons varied according to personal preference, as no standard issue was enforced. Their mission was to prevent any Sakuran Shipgirls from launching Type 93 Torpedoes or Long Lance torpedoes and hitting any Azur Lane Shipgirls.
Laffey-459 wielded her M82A1 Barret, her marksmanship proving superior to Gunnery Sgt. Lucas's expectations.
Javelin carried her long-awaited FGM-148 Javelin Anti-Armor Missile, a reward for her perseverance and shared misfortune with her battle-buddy during training, which often resulted in being shouted at.
Lafayette donned his Kevlar Vest and Carl-Gustav Recoilless Rifle. His sleek Guided Frigate Rigging form was distinct from the others, whose Riggings were minimal, featuring one or two 5-inch Gun mounts, one or two Torpedo Launchers, and a single smokestack and mast at the rear.
The Battleship Division, a formation of armored behemoths, would be the heavy hitters of the front lines. Their armor and expert gunnery would prove crucial as the advance striking force.
The Battleships of the Division consisted of Battleship Wales, Texas, Nevada, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Arizona, Tennessee, and California.
Armor against armor, firepower against firepower, these Battleships would clash against the Sakura Empire's heavy hitters of steel.
The Cruisers, along with the Cleveland Sisters, would confront the Sakuran Cruisers with steel and lead. Their battle capability on the field was a direct result of Gunnery Sgt. Lucas's hellish training. Their hard work was about to be tested.
Their primary mission: Prevent any Cruisers from breaking the first line of defense and heading straight for the Task Force.
USS Essex LHA-12 would serve as the flagship of the striking force, her onboard electronics and radar making her ideally suited for the role. Along with other flat-tops, she would provide Air-Cover and wider connection throughout the Advance Force via her F-35B Aircraft.
Saratoga, Centaur, Perseus, Wasp, Bogue, and Long Island were also present, providing Air-Cover and Air-Support.
Enterprise-6, Hornet, and Lexington had their own mission: Intercept the sneaking Sakuran Carrier sailing under the cover of the island chain.
Dispatched alongside the three was an E-2D Hawkeye AWACS Aircraft, codenamed: Magic, providing enhanced awareness for the dispatched Carriers, giving them a crucial edge against the Sakurans.
The Hunting Division separated into two.
The First Hunting Division consisted of Lucas, JS Maya, Illustrious, Hood, Renown, and Repulse. Their First Task; Locate Orochi and its fleet of Mass-Produced Siren Ships.
Their Second Task: Arrest Akagi and Kaga on sight. Their confirmed connection with an Elite-Siren, evidenced by 4k Photos with Observer α, served as immediate grounds for their arrest.
Lucas donned his MARPAT and Marine Corps. Gear, along with his Boxy Rigging that housed the VLS Cells and AEGIS SPY-6 Radar and mast.
JS Maya, in her Uniform and Vest, was equipped with her two Katanas and a Boxy Rigging similar to Lucas's, with slight alterations and configurations.
The Royal Navy Shipgirls accompanying them wore their signature attire and striking, distinct Riggings that housed 15-inch Gun Turrets.
The Second Hunting Division embarked on her hunt solo. Laffey-200, clad in her battle gear, dashed across the surface. Her SPY-6 Radar swept the waters for her prey, her eyes glowing like red rubies. Her senses were heightened, and a euphoric sense of battle surged through her.
Laffey-200's Mission: Intercept and deter any Iron Blood Shipgirls who might interfere. Their neutrality should have kept them out of the fight, but if they joined the Sakura Empire in the water, Laffey-200 would not hesitate.
Secondary Mission: Capture one Iron Blood Shipgirl for information gathering, to ascertain the extent of Iron Blood's technological advancements.
Laffey-200 wielded a "Washing Machine" capable of firing between 2,000 to 6,000 bullets per minute. Axis Shipgirls might be fast, but they couldn't outrun bullets traveling at a hundred rounds per second. The ensuing proceedings promised a rain of freedom and democracy from above, courtesy of Uncle Sam.
On her hunt, a small smirk formed on her lips, mirroring that of Arnold Schwarzenegger as she held the Mini-gun with an intent to democratize.
As everyone readied themselves for the incoming confrontation, a brief motivational speech was delivered to inspire them for the upcoming battle that would determine the history of Azur Lane, the Sakura Empire, and the Crimson Axis – and potentially the Sirens if they chose to join.
The Royal Navy Radio Comms crackled with static as Queen Elizabeth prepared to address her subjects and the Azur Lane Shipgirls.
"Proud Shipgirls of the Royal Navy, and Azur Lane. Today... Today is the day we will end this nonsensical conflict between the Sakura Empire and the Azur Lane Alliance. And also a message to the Crimson Axis and Sirens: we will triumph."
She paused, catching her breath. "This conflict has claimed too many lives and resources needed to combat the true threat to mankind, the Sirens. Blood has been shed, tears have flowed, time, days, months, years have passed, with no news of decisive victory, only skirmishes and injuries. Today marks the end of that. We will resolve these conflicts with our supposed brothers and sisters in arms; we will wield this blade forged by our resolve to cut down this Siren Menace once and for all! My loyal Subjects, make the Royal Navy and your Queen proud."
"Yes, Your Majesty," the Royal Navy Shipgirls cheered.
"To the shipgirls of every faction that believes in Azur Lane, make your sisters' nations proud."
Though her words couldn't be heard through the speakers, she knew everyone was cheering for that day to arrive.
CVN-80 USS Enterprise, CIC
Warspite applauded Queen Elizabeth's address to the Royal Navy Shipgirls and Azur Lane. "That was a good speech, Your Majesty."
"Thank you, Warspite. It was a small feat for a Queen like me," Queen Elizabeth remarked with a smug look.
Langley regarded her with a bland expression, knowing the Queen had awaited this moment. She had even witnessed her rewriting notes to perfectly suit the situation.
'Could she be hiding another batch of speeches for later?' Langley wondered.
'Did she prepare that entire speech for this once-in-a-lifetime event?' Enterprise-80 mused, never having known Queen Elizabeth capable of such oratory.
"That's quite a big ego," she commented, shifting her attention to the Table Screen displaying the battlefield map.
"You'll get used to it," Langley remarked, having experienced the Queen's speeches before.
"Yeah..." Enterprise-80 then pressed a button connecting to USS Bunker Hill. "Bunker Hill, is the Conventional Prompt Strike Missile ready?"
"Yes, Ma'am. We just need to synchronize our attack time to breach Orochi's Force Field," Bunker Hill responded over the comms.
"Good. Put it on stand-by for now... we just need to confirm the Target's location first from one of my AWACS Aircraft and Lucas."
Putting aside her self-congratulatory thoughts, Queen Elizabeth focused on the matter at hand. "My apologies... I was lost in self-appreciation."
"No need, we're used to it," Enterprise-80 respectfully replied.
"About Orochi? Any news of its whereabouts?" she inquired, her attention fully engaged.
"Still nothing. Orochi awakened too early and left the Dock before the second strike reached the shores of the Sakura Empire. The Empire's coastline is vast, and numerous islands hinder the search with low-frequency radar."
"So where are they hiding Orochi then?" Warspite asked, her gaze fixed on the Table Screen.
"No ideas. Orochi's ECM proves to be potent at disrupting radar waves of our passive radars, so we have to rely on active radar to find it. And that's the job of my AWACS plane and Lucas."
"Where do you think they are hiding it?" Queen Elizabeth asked.
"I have two theories. Theory one: They sailed it out into the open Ocean to avoid detection in the harbor and positioned it near an island formation for concealment. Theory two: They hid it within a massive cave near the shore."
"The first theory is plausible, but the second theory is totally impossible," Warspite remarked.
"Yes. Hiding a 400-meter ship in a cave is utterly ridiculous," Queen Elizabeth added.
"Your Majesty, the Sakura Empire is similar to Japan... but there are still unknown corners that we are yet to explore. And that greatly concerns me, especially regarding the potential for a massive surprise attack utilizing their geographic landscape to their advantage. We are at a disadvantage here; this is their territory. We need to be more cautious, Your Majesty."
"You're right. My apologies for being rude," Queen Elizabeth conceded. Enterprise-80 gave a curt nod.
Enterprise-80 then shifted her gaze to the Table Screen, displaying the positions of the Azur Lane Shipgirls and Modern Kansens as blue dots, Allied aircraft as green dots, Sakuran Shipgirls as red dots, and Sakuran aircraft as orange dots.
"What is your next move.... Sakura Empire?" she murmured, her eyes fixed on the table screen.
Imperial Palace
Emperor Hirohito paced back and forth, awaiting news of the current events. Imperial Guards watched the Emperor, standing still and awaiting any orders.
"Is there any report from any of the Military Bases around the Capital?" Hirohito asked anxiously.
Shendo answered. "There is no response from the Bases near the Capital. All of our communication lines have been sabotaged or taken down. Reports from nearby citizens indicate that Military Bases are burning, Bridges are destroyed, and Military railways are derailed."
"When did all this happen?"
"Just a few minutes after the Azur Lane announcement ended, Your Imperial Majesty."
"How did they locate our Military Bases then?" Emperor Hirohito asked, cold sweat beading on his forehead.
"According to Eugen, Azur Lane used a high-altitude reconnaissance plane to locate our Military Bases."
"How did they manage to avoid detection by our newly commissioned radar?"
"Your Imperial Majesty, our Ground Radar could not detect them. Many Radar Operators reported unusual behavior from our new Ground Radar. Additionally, the plane flew at a higher altitude than our current fighters could reach, making interception unlikely even if it had been detected."
"What now?" Hirohito asked, somewhat panicking at the unfolding events threatening his Empire.
Their communication lines were severed, Military Bases around the Capital were now in ruins. The pride of the Imperial Army-Air Corp Aircraft was incapable of protecting the sky over the Capital and the entire Empire. Troop mobilization was hindered as railway lines were derailed and bridges destroyed.
And now, half of his Shipgirls were unable to fight due to necessary maintenance, but a glimmer of hope was the only reason he hadn't succumbed to despair. Orochi had awakened and escaped the first strike.
"Do not lose hope, Your Imperial Majesty. My son will repel the attack... for now, let us get you to a safer location." Shendo motioned to his Kempeitai Agents as he pulled a lever to reveal a secret pathway within the Imperial Palace.
Sakura Temple, Sakura Empire
Musashi knelt before an altar, surrounded by monks chanting for her victory. The Sakuran Kansens prayed within the temple, beseeching good fortune.
Shinano led the prayers in the Temple, her position that of Head Priestess. Other Shinto Priests assisted her in the ritual as they lit incense.
Musashi prayed in a low voice. "God and Goddess of the Sakura Empire, bless us with fortune. Save our Empire from destruction and grant us the power and courage to fight our enemies."
She then looked up at one figure in the temple. "Oh... Goddess of the Sun, Amaterasu, show your children the light in this darkness that has befallen this sacred land. Guide us toward a bright future for this Empire, your light that shines upon the Empire and gives us life. Please grant us hope that we may live to see the bright future of the Empire."
She prayed to the Gods that her Nightmare and Vision would not come to pass and would remain only within her mind.