Cherreads

Chapter 7 - Their Darkest Hour

It was a quiet but chaotic morning inside a building overlooking a harbour. The news of the destruction of the infamous Battleship Scarlet Wrath of the Axis Dictatorship Collective at the hands of aircraft sent shocks waves that somehow spread far and wide. A single male individual with white clothing's representing his rank, which were Epaulettes decorated with 4 sliver stats with single anchors in the end of each Epaulette. He was reading through the reports gathered by radio intelligence and visual spotting. But everything suggests the sinking of the battleship occurred without the battleship even seeing their opposite in the distance.  

"This might be the first time that aircraft played a decisive role in sinking a capital ship without them seeing their launch platform. Not to mention the pride of Axis Dictatorship Collective Scarlet Wrath was sunk in mere minutes, whoever was commanding the ship that launched those aircraft should have a promotion afterwards." :(???) 

"Sir, we have been alerted that an abandoned dry dock we used to operate its AI have sent a warning about a sudden visitor. The AI operator stated that the vessel was around 300 meters long and 34-41 wide, while being 11 deep. It had no sails visible through its structure; it only had a single mast and large island with instruments. Its armament included 14 five inch single enclosed turret mounts with 7 per side with 14 barrels, somewhat closer to light ships in terms of size. It had 40 three inch barrels in twenty twin open mounts scattered around the ship, along with 28 smaller guns, I am highly positive that they were anti-aircraft guns. The vessel was able to accomplish speeds at 30 knots or more, the vessel alone is faster than any capital ship known to exist. Even our Cruisers are barely reaching that speed, we know one thing that it isn't a heavy capital ship due to lack of capital grade firepower, but its speed is concerning as it could outrun any capital ship. Our collusion only came around it's an Aircraft Carrier of some sort but what is known it carried aircraft which are way more advanced than our own or even the Axis Dictatorship Collective." :(???) 

"That was a lot of information to report on. We had a submarine in the area observing the ship closely without detection, for what I read through these reports all prints to single collusion what ever this ship is or its commanding officer it can't be taken lighty. But I am positive that the ship would run out of fuel in mere moments as to my predications indicating it would have no safe base to refuel. Even that dry dock it has taken over would have no fuel in storage." :(???) 

"You are correct sir we have taken everything from the dry dock including all fuel and equipment what puzzles me why did the dry dock suddenly operated without any attending personal which the AI reported on." :(???) 

"This world is filled with mysteries which are waiting to be discovered, I concluded that the ship which the AI and submarine saw is not from this world, its structure doesn't match any known architecture. Its size surpasses every Aircraft Carrier known to exist or on build ways. It might be a revolutionary way to wage this war without their opponent every seeing their eyes. Ever since the surprise attack on our naval base which wiped out every single heavy capital ship, we have only left our aircraft carriers the only means to fight back." :(???) 

"We recently received the report which, taken after the engagement, the ship in question suddenly lost all propulsion and power as it drifted for 55 days only as a squadron consisting of 10 destroyers and 4 cruisers suddenly encountered the ship..." :(???) 

"Oh, we managed to find the ship in such defenceless state did we towed it back here, or we refuelled that ship for it to sail all the way here." :(???) 

"The squadron commander towed it all the way to here at the naval base, 10 days but puzzled us that it was entirely unmanned, and it was filled with unknown metal birds which we have taken every aircraft and their ordnances for study back to the homeland. But we tried to take the armament, which was unsuccessful as they are either welded down or take a lot of labour and patience to remove them. But we only founded a single person onboard who immediately collapsed when seeing the squadron commander which taken the ship under tow, as well an AI housed on a console within a room filled with equipment. The vessel we recovered had damage below the waterline which would require repairs to the damage. What caused it remains undetermined as it not from any damage as it certainly not from elemental projectiles as someone with brute force exploded next to it." :(???) 

"Who is this person and the AI this something out of ordinary, normally every vessel doesn't have AI running the ship as they only reserved for operating facilities. This just got more interesting than it needs to be. Can you please bring that AI and person that the recovering squadron had founded and bring them here into my office as I want to talk to them and good explanation from them." :(???) 

"On it sir, but the person seems to collapse endlessly every time we move or talk to her, we had to resort to moving a power into her ship which caused to her stop collapsing completely. This also allowed the AI we captured to finally show themselves." :(???) 

"So it's girl intriguing and totally unexpected, are you saying this girl is an abomination of some sort which she is the personification of the ship in question. I thought that ships can't be people in any means or manner, but we founded something noteworthy, and it's first cause of this strange circumstance." :(???) 

*Meanwhile, with Helen, she was being escorted through endlessly hallways with chains around her neck, arms, and legs. It was painful for her as she could barely move but can't collapse. She was sweating bullets as she's gaining a lot of attention, which she does not want to have while she is treated like some prisoner. She felt she had lured herself into a trap when engaging the fleet of Axis Dictatorship Collective. When Helen looked up, she saw the office which the doors opened before her which she was led into the office by the escorts.* 

"Just kill me, I will not be used as toy for others." :(Helen said as her eyes were dangerously showing signs of aggression, almost like she was about to melt through the chains holding her in place) 

"You are quite a feisty one aren't you; I am guessing to no one surprise you are now being commandeered by the Republican Atlantean Navy as the situation you have caused had led you towards it. If you haven't act against the Axis Dictatorship Collective, you would be responsible for a lot of dead sailors and civilians from that fleet which your aircrafts had struck. Since you struck them without warning you had thwarted their attempts to seize a critical base for them to use it launch their aircrafts and repair, refuel and rearm their ships. As a bonus you had sunk the most feared warship afloat the Scarlet Wrath a battleship comparable to your ship size, but you struck it with such devasting force that it sinks in mere minutes. " :(???) 

"We should be graceful that you did that since you can see outside the harbour there still burning husks of what used to be a fleet. But times are so dire here which resorted me to use approaches that would threaten the Republican Atlantean Navy itself, I hope you enjoy your stay here in this harbour for it would be your new home as you would be officially part of Democratic Federation Navy. Since you're a rouge ship in all respects which means you would not be returned to your original state under any circumstances." :(???) 

"As for the AI which your companion had disabled, we managed to retrieve from the abandoned drydock number 54. He would be on shore on this base unlocking the enigma which is you and your ship once he finished his task he would be returned to your ship." :(???) 

"No harsh feelings for you as your aircrafts which would be transferred to mainland of Democratic Federation Navy which benefits you in long term as we would not be able supply you with those aircrafts unless we know their construction and technical details. This goes for your ordnances which would be studied and possibly replicas would be built. For now, you would be stuck with wooden biplane, if you wondering my name is which is Oliver Perry an Admiral of the Republic Atlantean Navy. I hope you get yourself suited and adapt well as you got long road ahead of you." :(??? stated and introduced himself as a four rank Admiral of Republic Atlantean Navy named Oliver Perry as he singled the guards to take the chains off Helen which they followed with precision and dedication) 

"A captain would be assigned to you and would be overseeing your actions. An air-group would be assigned to you encases your assistance is required. For now, you might want to explore the island and get yourself familiar with it, the captain assigned to you would be awaiting on your ship. Hope luck is on your side which you would require it as you are now a Atlantean Navy Vessel, I hope you would not bring shame to the already tarnished reputation of the Navy. You would be known to us as Spirit of Defiance AC-43." :(Oliver Perry stated which he sighed knowing their big road ahead and wrote down a new Aircraft Carrier down a naval register which was Helen) 

Helen nodded in first time as agreement, but she did not do it willingly but as desperate move as her ship can't move anyway and what she purposed to do in such situation. She walked out of the office knowing she had been defeated not by them but by her stupid actions she had done. She walked down the hallways and downstairs out the building and onto the pathway. What the Admiral said was right she could see countless of ships listing, burning and flooding. The harbour watery interior and entrance were littered with bodies and flaming hulks. She felt sorrow and bitter just witnessing the aftermath of the destruction on firsthand, Helen spotted her ship which is sitting a drydock being repaired below the underwater line. 

"On Yesterday December 7th fifteen thousand forty-one a date will live as catastrophe; the United Republics of Atlantia member of the Democratic Federation had been suddenly and deliberately attacked by the naval and air forces of the Axis Dictatorship Collective. It was obvious that the Axis Dictators have been planning this attack several months and weeks ago after they stalled hostility in 1518. The members of Axis Dictatorship Collective Governments had desperately sought and deceive the Democratic Federation by false statements, expressions of continued peace and lying to the whole world. Attack yesterday on the Norman Islands part of Atlantis Region, caused severe damage on Atlantean naval and militaries forces." :(??? Stated through wide radio station on the known as the Norman Islands) 

"I regret to tell everyone that many life's have been lost, additional that Atlantean ships being attacked on the blue ocean between Norman Islands and the Mainland. As commander chief of the army and navy I have directed all measures to be taken for our defence. Their attack Yesterday had sent 12 Battleships down to the bottom of the abyss, 20 cruisers heavily damage in various conditional and countless destroyers and smaller crafts. I received reports that various islands, processions and harbours were also attacked. No manner it may take us to overcome this sudden aggression the Atlantean people and their righteous might will win through absolute victory. May the Republic of Atlantia and her Allies will carry the struggle against an evil of civilisation." :(??? Stated through the radio station) 

"We shall fight on to the end, we shall fight on the blue ocean, we shall fight on the land and beaches. We will fight with the growing importance and strength in the air; we shall deliver hope and justice to those who wronged them growing under tyranny of the Axis Dictatorship Collective Governments. We will never give in or surrender. Let us embrace ourselves to our duties and bear the light of hope that if the Republica of Atlantia would last other thousand years, all men and women would say this is their darkest hour." :(??? Stated through the radio station before it was cut off) 

[At least I know which region I am in which is the Norman Islands but after hearing this radio message makes me wonder what evil they are describing the Axis Dictatorship Collective which already make me feel bitter. Not to mention they had already attacked me since I tried to dock my ship into a drydock.] :(Helen thought herself as she walked down the path towards the drydock that her ship is in) 

"How much day does this ship I am assigned to take to complete repairs?' :(???) 

"Three days as everything around the 9.5 meter hole in is in good condition but someone had attempted repairs on this hole before which resulted every single compartment around it to be sealed shut which takes a week into consideration." :(???) 

"Repair the ship in three days as this Aircraft Carrier is needed for the war effort, I can't allow this ship be stuck here for months while it's need desperately without delay. I have an important guest to meet as I am told directly by Admiral Perry." :(???) 

"Oh, you finally waken up huh I am Captain Allen Mills I am purposed to take command of someone and entire air group. As you could see your ship is in drydock for repairs which would take three days to repair if everything goes well, I haven't explored the ship as I was transferred off a damaged cruiser. I am merely a supervisor over you and the air group since it's your ship. I hope we don't cause lot of fuss or infighting over seniority." :(Captain Allen Mills introduced himself as he stared with his grey eyes into Helen's gold eyes)

To be continued...

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