Kantai Collection - KanColle - Auspicious Seas, Phoenix Skies:Volume1 Chapter 4: The Ah-Go Decisive Fleet Battle

Chapter 4: The Ah-Go Decisive Fleet Battle

Three days later——
I assembled everyone once more to the operations planning room after lunch and announced the commencement of Decisive Fleet Operation Ah-Go.
Only a few murmurs and whispers squeaked through the crowd.
After all, this was business the previous Admiral had been unable to finish; they were aware that the order would doubtlessly come down once more.
Nagato stepped forwards.
"I will be sortieing, of course?"
"Indeed...however, we will not sortie immediately. We will be spending time to prepare; the combat phase will begin one week from now."
"Oh? We won't sortie right away?"
"Based on our current resource stockpile, it would be difficult to mount multiple sorties. As such we will amass what preparations we can before launching an all-out offensive."
"Hmph...a clean, decisive campaign, huh? I don't dislike those either."
Mutsu spoke up airily.
"Ara, does that also mean that I will also be featured?"
It was only natural to think that my predecessor's sortie fleet would also be deploying this time. Ooyodo also stood at the front;
Atago and Ashigara also seemed resolved to make this operation a success.
The only one left was the black-haired girl with the short hair-cut——Haguro hid in the back, seemingly devoid of any fighting spirit. Based on Aoba's notes, Haguro was a shy and withdrawn person.
——As expected, I had chosen the right people.
Choosing the vanguard for the first time was an incredibly important task.
These would be the shipgirls I would be relying for my first assignment.
If I failed, it would also be my final assignment.
And so, with that, I recited the ships I had chosen over three days and three nights of deliberations.
"Flagship, Battleship Nagato."
"Mm, excellent!"
Nagato balled her fist.
"Next up, Battleship Mutsu!"
"It's my turn, huh. Alright, leave it to me!"
Mutsu stepped forwards. She put a hand on her waist in a flirtatious pose, as if to display her curvaceous body.
Even in such a serious setting, I could not stop myself from blushing.
I never thought that my inability to deal with women would have ever been an obstacle to my role as Admiral.
Coughing twice, I resumed my recitation:
"Heavy Cruisers, Atago, Ashigara."
"Pan paka-pan~ Admiral, I'll give it my all!"
"It's sortie time! The battle beckons me! Victory calls for me!"
Until now, everyone appeared to have seen these assignments as the natural result.
I looked towards Ooyodo, clearly anticipating the call to arms.
"Sorry...this time around, there will be some personnel changes."
"Eh?"
"I am fully aware of Ooyodo's determination and dedication. However, based on past records and my evaluation, I have decided to sortie other shipgirls."
Ooyodo bit her lip.
But even that was for a moment. A moment later she had resumed her normal smile, as if she had never done anything different.
"If the Admiral believes that this will increase our odds, then please do as you will. Do not mind me."
"Thank you. This was a decision that was reached after much contemplation and deliberation. I also wish to defeat the Abyssals stationed at Okinoshima, and avenge my predecessor's regrets. Yours, as well."
Until now, Ooyodo had been smiling; at this moment, they turned a little misty.
"...Yes...I believe you, Admiral."
The Shipgirls started to chatter among themselves. The only light cruiser, Ooyodo, had just been replaced. Would other Heavy Cruisers be called up? There was nobody else among the heavy cruisers as experienced as Ashigara and Atago. No matter how much more powerful they were than light cruisers, they wouldn't get far without the experience to match.
It wouldn't do to sortie Destroyers either.
So who would be called up?
These thoughts issued unceasing from the crowd.
So I spoke the name of the next ship to sortie.
"Standard Aircraft Carrier, Akagi."
"My deepest gratitude. Please leave it to me."
Akagi stepped forwards.
Nagato and company turned with shock.
"An Aircraft Carrier, of all things?"
Those doubts merited an explanation, after all.
"Yes. For a fleet, the Aircraft Carrier plays an incredibly important role."
"I understand the value of an aircraft carrier as well; the previous Admiral had also attempted to use them. But the enemy carrier was simply far too strong; with our Naval District's airfleet, isn't this an exercise in futility?"
"The training and experience of our carriers is not lacking; what has prevented them from reaching their full potential..."
...Is because the previous Admiral had deployed them incorrectly, I wanted to say.
Saying that out loud, however, would probably be a bad idea.
It is both undignified and impolite to disparage someone who isn't here. I'd have to put it another way.
"...The point being, I am trying to determine the best possible strategy."
"Mm...well, if that is how the Admiral feels, then so be it. No matter: I'll just devastate the Abyssals!"
With Nagato accepting this point, the assembled shipgirls' attentions turned to the next issue.
Who would be the last member of the fleet?
Most eyes were turned upon Secretary Ship Kaga.
This Naval District's strongest Standard Carrier, equipped with the most elite air groups.
But the ship I had in mind was different.
 
"The sixth member is...Light Aircraft Carrier, Zuihou.
 
"Ehhhh——?!"
The source of that screech was none other than Zuihou herself.
She clearly had not been expecting this; she stood at the edge of the group.
Next to her, Zuihou and Shouhou also expressed their shock.
The murmur of shock among the shipgirls was far greater than I imagined.
Nagato did not hold back when she finally spoke.
"Admiral, what do you mean by this? Zuihou? This girl's a light carrier!"
"...Ah...yes, she is..however, in terms of detection ability and evasion..."
"Her armor and durability are both subpar!"
"That is true...but this is the best combination of ships for defeating the Abyssals stationed at the target I could come up with."
"Don't joke with me! If you're going to choose an aircraft carrier, at least choose Kaga!"
"I have something I wish Kaga-san to do."
"Enough of that! What is a mere Light Carrier expected to contribute on those seas?!"
Nagato's shouts made her anger clear.
The sudden and unwitting target Zuihou looked around in confusion.
"Ah...um..."
But the other shipgirls also watched with doubt.
——Would she be able to do her part?
"Of course. Based on analysis of past records..."
"I lived and fought in those records, Admiral; I've been in nearly every battle and skirmish written in there! What we need in battle is firepower and armor!"
"I do not disagree, but a fleet must fulfill other purposes. Among the carriers of this Naval District, Zuihou is second only to Akagi in practical combat experience. I believe she will be able to adapt and succeed at Okinoshima."
This was an argument I had formed after significant thought. There was no better fleet composition.
I had not expected such resistance, and so I had not prepared enough material with which to convince them.
I would have to plead guilty to any accusations of naïveté leveled against me.
It's easy to explain a mathematics problem, just describe how you reached the answer. But whether the end result matches up is another story.
How should I explain my reasoning here?
Perhaps it was my consternation that deepened Nagato's doubts, for the words she said moments later were shocking.
 
"Could it be that the Admiral is biased towards Zuihou?"
 
"What did you just say?"
"I had heard that you had met each other before you came to the Naval District; apparently your relationship was quite good."
"Indeed; before I became the Admiral, I once saw Zuihou in battle. When I came to the Naval District, I also spoke with her. However, this has nothing to do with my selection for the sortie fleet."
"Really?"
"Do you believe I would be so biased? This is a matter that will determine the success or failure of the operation?"
"Do you have proof that there is no emotional conflict of interest in your decision"
"Hm? If you want proof..."
The room was in chaos.
Zuihou turned, shoulders trembling, and spoke.
"U-um!"
The room plunged into silence at her voice. All eyes turned to her.
But Zuihou did not continue.
With the unnerving gazes of everyone around her transfixed upon her, she could not open her mouth to speak.
Tears welled up in her eyes.
"...I, I...can't do it!"
She turned away and ran from the operations planning room.
I didn't expect this.
"Zuihou!"
——Should I follow?
Hold on. If I did that, I would not be able to answer to the other shipgirls. That WOULD be bias.
The unease among the shipgirls continued to crescendo.
A thousand different thoughts surfaced with no result.
At this rate, nevermind the Okinoshima Operation; this whole Naval District could be in a crisis!
 
Bam!
The Air cracked.
 
Instant silence.
That was Kaga clapping.
Her gaze swept over the assembled shipgirls, sharp enough to cut. Not a shipgirl dared breathe.
The tension was accompanied by silence.
Looking over each of them, Kaga spoke, her voice harsh:
"...Do you all have a problem with the Admiral's decision? Well then...go on, tell me. Do you have another way to take the Okinoshima Island Waters? Or do you want the same result as last time?"
The other shipgirls said nothing.
It looks like they didn't have much to say. Plus, nobody wanted to repeat what happened last time.
Nobody would want to experience that twice. The Abyssals undefeated, the transport operation destroyed, the Admiral relieved of duty due to a failure to complete the operation.
Nagato clearly could not accept this arrangement, but she, too, suggested no alternative.
Even with a focus on firepower and armor, the result would be the same as before. And of course, the consequences would be as before...
I straightened my cap.
"This is not bias, but a composition required for victory. I have no intention to go out of my way to prove this. If you will not believe me no matter what, then I cannot force you."
"Mm..."
Nagato had a ponderous expression.
I shrugged.
"Even so, even if you do not believe in me, I will still believe in you."
"Hm?"
"If it is Nagato, I believe that she will bring victory, regardless of the composition..."
"Hm?!"
Nagato's expression lit up.
Her eyes blazed.
I just figured I'd try——maybe she'd accept it? But isn't this a little to simple...well, whatever, I'll take it.
Nagato raised her fist.
 
"Of course! As long as I am here, it doesn't matter what composition we have! Leave the enemy battleships to me!"
 
Nagato is a good person too.
 
Zuihou's room——
According to Inazuma and Ikazuchi, this was where they had followed her to after they fled.
Although I tried to knock, I had gotten no response.
If I knocked too hard, it'd seem like I were threatening her.
But I can't just leave either. Zuihou is necessary for this operation.
I opened the door.
 
The first thing I saw as I entered——
Christ, that's a lot of planes.
Of course, they weren't real planes, just well-made plastic models. They were all placed on glass shelves that ran the length of one of the walls.
Speaking of which, Zuihou loves planes.
Piles of model boxes filled the room.
And, on a desk surrounded by boxes, Zuihou was putting together a model, her back to me.
She seemed fully focused. She didn't even seem to have noticed me coming in.
She seemed to be mumbling something as she worked.
Let me try to listen a bit——
"In the end, I still ended up running away...but, I'm just not strong like Nagato-san...sigh...even if you're not strong, your legs sure are cute...these legs..."
She was putting together a Type 99 Bomber as she spoke. The room was already full of Type 99 models.
Okay, I really shouldn't just stand here like this.
I coughed politely.
"Ahem."
Zuihou nearly jumped before turning.
"A-admiral?"
Those eyes looked at me like a child scared of an angry parent.
I sat down next to the door, so our positions would be a little more equal.
"Sorry, I came in on my own."
"Ahh, ahh....s-sorry!"
"Zuihou, regarding the composition this time...Nagato has agreed to it. The only thing left is how you feel about it."
She gaped in shock.
"Nagato? No, but, I lost in the exercise earlier too...does the Admiral really think that I can do my part on the battlefield?"
Looks like she doesn't have much self-confidence, so she thought that I was biased towards her.
This might take a while——saying that, I spread out my datasheets.
"These are records from previous battles."
"Yes...so...?"
"Look at these numbers. These are the conditions in which hits were scored..."
I slowly broke down how to read the information, and how I used information to derive other statistics on a shipgirl's abilities——information not written in the records.
To each question and doubt, I provided a detailed answer.
Like an instructor in the academy and a new student. I might not know how to make small talk with others, but Academia is my fucking jam.
As each of her concerns were swept aside, Zuihou's expression also began to change: as the hours passed, her unease slowly began to give way to acceptance.
"...So that's how that is."
"Of course, these are just theories, but I believe it's worth testing."
"The reason Admiral chose me...I think I understand a little now."
That's great.
It looks like the analytical explanation was pretty much done.
And yet her expression still looked a little downcast.
"Is there something else troubling you?"
With hesitation, she finally spoke with a quiet voice.
"...I...earlier, I ran away...when the Admiral called upon me, even though I'm a shipgirl...even though I always said light carriers would be able to do their part...can I really be trusted by the Admiral——"
"You can."
I put a hand on her shoulder.
She still isn't sufficiently confident in herself. That's why she tried harder than anyone to train, just like what she was doing on the day I came to the Naval District.
"Based on this data, I am confident you will be able to show your achievements. The same holds for your erstwhile efforts...please, believe me, who believes in you!"
"Admiral..."
Zuihou's eyes looked moist once more.
I took off my hat and lowered my head.
"Regarding the meeting earlier...it was wrong for me to publicly announce this without consulting you first. It was because there are no records of you ever running away from an abyssal ship. Unless we should go over the records again?"
"Eh? N-no need! I got it!"
Zuihou raised her hands.
"Well then can you do it?"
After a short moment of contemplation, she nodded.
"I understand. I shall believe in myself. Admiral, please believe in me as well; please believe that we light carriers, too, can achieve."
"Of course."
"No matter what time? No matter how dangerous it is, please believe in me until the end, okay?"
"I promise to you. No matter what time, what place, I shall always believe in Zuihou——in exchange, you must promise to return, alive, to the Naval District."
"Mm, I will definitely return. I promise."
"Thanks. In order to ensure that you destroy the Abyssals and return peacefully, I, too, will also do all I can."
"I'll be in your care, Admiral!"
Zuihou beamed before lowering her head——and then sighed deeply as she raised her head.
"Sigh..."
"Ah, sorry...I guess after suddenly springing all that on you, you're tired?"
"Ah? No...I just feel a little wistful...ahaha."
"Wistful?"
"Mm...A-although it's kind of rude to everyone else...but to be honest, when everyone thought you were biased towards me, I felt just a little happy. As if the Admiral might be seeing me as a girl...ahhhhhhh, it's too embarassing after all! All of that, pretend you didn't hear it!"
"I-is that so..."
Of course I couldn't see Zuihou just as a shipgirl...
Thinking about it, I suddenly felt a bit of shock.
——What the hell am I thinking about?
Zuihou is a shipgirl.
And I'm the Admiral.
From her point of view, I'm her superior.
From her place, her superior's orders are absolute. They could even be orders to die.
In this kind of relationship, I'm having feelings towards the shipgirls...not to mention, isn't this literally an emotional conflict of interest? An abuse of one's position?
But then Zuihou was wondering whether I was seeing her as a girl.
She wants to be treated like a normal girl.
Are all shipgirls like this? Or has only Zuihou changed in this fashion? I don't know. But, I'll need to pay attention to her feelings from here on out.
——After all, I can definitely feel Zuihou's appeal.
I have to be careful not to say anything coercive, and respond to her feelings with her emotions in mind.
This is going to be tough.
"...Zuihou has a lot of appeal too."
"You mean in terms of abilities? Thank you for your praise."
"No, that's...I was saying as a girl...when I first saw you, I thought you were beautiful...when I say that, are you happy?"
"Eh? Ehhhh?!"
"I don't know how to evaluate a girl's appeal, so I'm not sure how much value my words hold...but it would be impossible to say that yo uare devoid of a female's appeal——that is what I wanted to say."
"Ueeehhhhhhh..."
It's a roundabout way to say it. But this way I can validate and affirm her appeal without factoring in my personal feelings.
Zuihou's ears had turned a deep shade of beetroot.
"A-appeal?"
"Ah? Mm...yeah, that's how I would put it."
"C-cute?"
"Yes. When you smile, it's especially cute."
"Ehhehe....cuter than a Type 99's Feet?"
"Can we really compare those? Although I'm not too sure, but based on how humans evaluate others, I think that you have appeal."
"T-this is no good, Admiral...we're Admiral and Shipgirl, you and I."
"...Mm...I am very aware."
Of course it's forbidden. Shipgirls are humanity's hope, the only way to hold back the Abyssals.
I felt emotions I had never felt before at the bottom of my heart.
Zuihou murmured to herself.
"...Ahhhhhh....I'm not registered, is it okay to marry? Hold on, people and shipgirls, can they even conceive children?"
——Hm? Did I just hear marriage?
No way, how could that be.
It seems like I'm not nearly as steady as I thought I was, if I don't pay attention.
"Zuihou, regarding everything from here on out."
"Y-yes....here on out, we....eh! When were you thinking about this? From here on out....ah, no, there isn't anything!"
"Well, I figured we'd better make a few, so I wanted to know whether you'd help."
"Uohhh....t-this quickly...we're going to make...?"
Zuihou looked away.
Her reaction isn't quite what I thought it'd be.
"Are you alright? I know you'll be busy training before sortieing, but I was hoping you'd be make time every night to do it."
"H-hold on...still, my heart still isn't prepared..."
"Zuihou can do it."
"D-do it?!"
"Haven't you made a Tenzan before?"
"...Eh?"
"For this operation, we require more high-performance carrier planes. I'll be counting on you for that."
"...Ah...mmm..."
For whatever reason, she is completely red.
I did my best to consider her feelings. As expected, though, understanding the female psyche is too difficult. I still have a long way to go.
 
Ten days after High Command's order——
Today is the sortie day.
 
"And so, we shall hereby execute the Decisive Fleet Battle, Operation Ah-go!
 
Before the words were finished, the six shipgirls in front of me saluted and set off from their docks. The other shipgirls waved them along.
That was several hours ago.
It was now the appointed time for the attack.
I sat alone in the Commander's Office, watching their situation.
Secretary Ship Kaga had just gone off to attend to other business.
On the screen I could see Nagato, Mutsu, Atago, Ashigara, Akagi and Zuihou's silhouettes.
Crashing through the waves, they soared across the water surface.
 
Not long after breaking through into the Okinoshima Island Waters——
Having dispatched reconnaissance planes, Zuihou called;"Nagato-san, scouts have detected a small enemy fleet!"
"Very good! All ships, prepare for shelling!"
The shipgirls swiftly went to battle stations.
Detecting an enemy fleet is a matter of prediction accuracy, the skill of the scout plane, and...well, sheer luck. While I always believed that Zuihou had sufficient quantities of each, this was still an impressive start.
I nodded in front of the monitor.
Engage the enemy from an advantageous angle, and then brawl it up at close range.
In order to seize the initiative, Akagi and Zuihou launched their bomber groups.
From the movement of the enemy fleet, they still haven't detected us. Based on past information, this isn't exactly an unbeatable enemy either.
But the tension did not dissipate.
After all, these creatures could take naval guns at short range as they demolished humanity. I had personally witnessed that.
Just remembering that moment doused me in cold sweat.
——Can we really defeat the Abyssals?
The enemy fleet consisted of a Ri-class Heavy Cruiser, an elite Chi-class Torpedo Cruiser, a To-class Light Cruiser and two Ha-class destroyers.
No heavy ships; this was just a patrol fleet.
Akagi spoke up.
"It's just a picket fleet. This, at least, won't be some uphill fight."
As she said, our target is the fleet deep in the core of these waters.
Having seen the incoming bombers, the enemy vessels opened up with their anti-air guns.
But compared to Nagato and company's anti-air barrage at the exercise, this was nothing.
The bombers easily closed in and launched their torpedos.
Pillars of foam shot into the sky.
An inhuman, unearthly cry of anguish.
The previously soft and pliable, one of the abyssal's bodies ossified, as if transmuted into stone——and then fell apart.
——Sunk!
The first time I had sank one of the "enemy"
The Abyssal formation was breaking up.
Right as they entered the shipgirl's firing range.
Nagato called:
 
"All main guns, fire——!"
 
Ear-numbing blasts rippled across the surface.
I felt the resonance even across the screen.
The massive plume of Nagato's salvo obscured all around her, illuminating her surroundings a deep scarlet. The smoke that followed also covered the screen.
A mere moment later...
The enemy vessels were once more bracketed by massive plumes of water.
Followed by explosions.
Shot on target!
I was clapping with joy inside. This is too amazing. For a conventional warships, hitting in the same general area of the enemy is already impressive. A little further and it'd be considered unsatisfactory.
To score a direct hit on the first salvo——that is proof of many battles fought and learned from.
In terms of range, Battleships Nagato and Mutsu had the advantage.
Indeed, the enemy was not yet even able to return fire.
Mutsu fired a final salvo before the enemy could respond.
The enemy fleet sank, billowing black smoke.
The scout planes circling above them confirmed the situation.
"Uhh...enemy fleet's destruction is confirmed! No enemies in the vicinity," Zuihou reported.
"Very good!"
Nagato nodded.
In front of the monitor, I also clenched my fist.
——We won!
We destroyed an abyssal fleet!
Although the enemy was simply a small picket fleet, this was still my first time defeating the enemy. I trembled with joy. I wanted to shout.
Just to be sure, I'd better confirm the shipgirl's damage situation. Of course, since there was almost no counterattack, I could say that no damage was sustained. We simply expended some planes and ammunition.
From the speakers, Nagato's voice spoke out.
"Admiral, have you confirmed the situation? Save the praise for later, the battle has just started. Oh also, I should ask, should we 'Advance' or 'Retreat'?"
I smiled wryly.
 
If this system was capable of transmitting more information, I'd have praised them all over.
But all I can say now is a single phrase.
"Advance, of course."
Nagato nodded, her expression saying this was the obvious choice.
"Very good. All ships, follow closely!"
They continued to advanced towards the core of the Okinoshima island waters.
 
The image on the screen switched to a map.
I looked a little closer.
They were deviating from the intended path.
"Hm....we've deviated...?"
Kaga had told me about the route.
 
That was several days ago.
"Compass? Like the magnetic tool for determining location?"
"...Normally, yes."
"Is there something different about this one?
"When we go deep into Abyssal territory, normal compasses begin to malfunction."
"Is that so..."
Since these were enemies invulnerable to conventional weapons, there simply wasn't any reason to go deep into abyssal-controlled waters, so I had never heard of this variation in routes before.
On the high seas, it was practically impossible to sail consistently in the right direction without knowing one's own bearing and direction.
From her robes, Kaga took out a gold-rimmed compass, about the size of a pocketwatch.
"This is a compass designed for the shipgirls...without this, it'd be practically impossible to encounter the Abyssal core fleets."
"Is that so? That's amazing."
"...Unfortunately, it is not capable of altogether avoiding all interference. Whether it points the right way is often due purely on lucky...are you a lucky one?"
"Well, I don't like games of chance...I suppose we have no choice."
"...by the way, the way it's used is by spinning the compass."
"Spinning it?! Why do we have to spin it?!"
Kaga tipped her head to the side. It looks like she doesn't know either, but this apparently is the right way to use it.
 
The compass in Nagato's hand was spinning wildly.
The compass gradually slowed each revolution——
and pointed to the east.
And thus they deviated from the planned route.
And we had just managed to get so far without any damage.
——Well, either way, they're still heading towards the core.
After becoming an Admiral, I can still do nothing but pray to the heavens. I smiled bitterly to myself.
The Zui in Zuihou stands for good luck. I'm banking on that.
 
Having begun to suspect that they had gone off course, the shipgirls began to show their unease.
At this time, Zuihou called out
"Enemy fleet detected!"
"They're here, then! No matter how many, I won't show them any mercy!"
Nagato bellowed loudly.
As if to caution her not to get carried away, Akagi stepped forwards and spoke up.
"Enemy composition?"
"Yes, confirming."
Zuihou began to relay the scouts' report.
"The...enemy's composition is two Ri-class heavy cruisers, one elite To-class torpedo cruiser, two elite Ha-class destroyers...and flagship Ru-class Battleship!"
——Ru-class battleship?
Her words shook me.
Is it that bastard?!
The screen flipped to the enemy fleet.
That was the giant abyssal ship I had seen under that setting sun.
And yet, it looked a little different from the Ru of my memories. Although the body shape and build were largely alike, the size of the guns and the appearance of her head was different from THAT one.
"...it's some other one, huh."
That's right, there are a lot of Ru-class Battleships around. The destroyer I was on at the time was not sunk in the Okinoshima waters either.
So it was highly likely that this was another version.
But while this made sense in my head, I could not completely control my fervor.
Slap! I slapped myself across the face.
——Calm the fuck down!
On-screen, Akagi and Zuihou had already launched their attack squadrons. Escorting the primary bombers was an escort of Type 21 Zeroes.
The arrows they fired into the sky split in a blaze of light, transforming into planes shooting for the clouds.
The enemy did not have carriers, so they must be to secure air superiority.
Not long after, the first wave had already taken out a torpedo cruiser and a destroyer each.
——To deplete the enemy's strength before engaging in shelling. This is proving really effective!
Though it's a little early to make it doctrine, it does seem like including carriers is a good idea.
Moreover, planes can do more than scout and launch opening strikes.
The enemy fleet was drawing close.
"All guns, open fire!"
Under Nagato's orders, gunfire once more dyed the surface red as shells split the skies.
The enemy Ru-class also returned fire.
Neither side scored a hit, both sides' shots landing near hteir targets.
This is normal. If the first shot doesn't hit, one must make adjustments and then fire a second, third salvo, however many required to secure a hit. Whoever hits first wins.
At long distances, it is necessary to verify the deviance.
It's another story if there is a plane around; planes can accurately determine and gauge the deviance of each shot from the target from a different angle.
Zuihou called out:
"Deviation Reports have arrived!"
With that, she reported the deviations detected by the aircraft.
Nagato nodded.
"Very good. Correcting firing solution and firing!"
Corrected, the second salvo's shells homed in and then drilled their way into Battleship Ru-class' body.
——she detonated, in a massive picturesque explosion.
Someone had probably scored a direct hit on the enemy turret and set off the ammunition. The explosion lit up the entire sky.
Nagato raised her fist.
"Excellent!"
This level of accuracy——it's only possible to do it through careful artillery observation.
Perhaps the decisive factor between defeat and victory is firepower and armor.
But with planes present, it's possible to use them to their full potential.
Quantitatively, records indicate that spotter-assisted shelling is 150% more powerful than standard shelling.
Next up——
While the enemy scored a few light hits, this was still a decisive defeat of the enemy fleet, thanks to the timely and early destruction of the enemy flagship.
I signaled once more to advance.
The fleet engaged an elite torpedo squadron
and destroyed it.
The third battle was won with little damage incurred.
 
Crossing her arms, Nagato sighed.
"Mm....Last time most of the fleet was heavily damaged by the time we got this far, so we had to retreat. This time, we're all intact. This time, let's kill 'em all!"
"Ohoho...to have escaped engagement with the enemy carrier, our luck is good today."
Atago laughed with a voice like honey.
Akagi smiled as well.
"Indeed. But this is not simply luck. To be able to get this far safely, is it not because we carriers pulled our weight?"
As she said, the Carriers had a significant effect.
Nagato pouted.
"Mm...I admit that the planes were useful. Even so, the battlefield is still dependent on firepower and armor. This has not changed!"
What a stubborn fellow.
Listening to her, I began to laugh.
Onscrene, the other shipgirls also began to smile. Their expressions seemed to indicate that this plan was a success.
Flagship Nagato once more inquired over the communicator:
"It's about time we move on——Admiral, shall we advance? Or should we retreat?"
"We will advance, of course."
"Excellent! First Fleet, Advance!"
They advanced once more. The fleet in front of us must be the main fleet.
 
The golden compass pointed towards the Northeast.
 
The skies were dyed crimson.
The shipgirls advanced, the setting sun behind them as they advanced in the direction of the compass.
Moving tightly and unerringly in formation, they were like a flock of seabirds; for a few seconds, their beauty could make you forget that they were flying to a battlefield.
Zuihou let off a reconnaissance plane——the Saiun soared into the clouds, borne on its air-cooled twin-row 18-cylinder Homare engine.
Without a need for a coolant, the Homare Engine did not hide the tinny sound of machinery in movement. 。
Like tiny, rythmic explosions, and a low hum...
The Saiun detected an enemy from between the clouds.
 
"Enemy Fleet detected!"
 
Zuihou's eyes widened as she listened to the report.
"Eh? How could that be?!"
"What is it?"
In response to Akagi's concerned inquiry, Zuihou spoke, white-faced.
"Enemy Fleet detected. Composition is...One flagship-type Ru-class Battleship, Three Ru-class Elite type battleships; Two Ni-class elite destroyers...the enemy has four main line battleships!
"What did you say?"
Even Nagato's expression was drawn.
One Ru-class is already tough enough; now four of them appeared on the screen.
I gulped.
——Could we win? I never thought the enemy fleet would be so powerful.
Zuihou continued to report.
"Enemy fleet has altered its formation! We've been detected!"
"Hmph...the enemy's radars aren't bad either. Well then, this is the decisive battle! All ships! Prepare to enter shelling!"
Following Nagato's orders, the fleet scrambled into battle stations.
At the same time, those are FOUR Abyssal battleships.
From my memory, there are no records of any fleet engaging an enemy like this and surviving to report it. Of course, I am also very aware that shipgirls are not the same as conventional ships. Even so, I felt a deep unease.
Even so, they do not show a shred of fear.
Even though Atago and Zuihou's faces are tense and drawn...
In contrast, Ashigara seemed to be in a joyous frenzy at meeting an enemy this powerful.
"Heh, ahaha....this is the best! I can feel my blood boiling! A powerful enemy closing in! This is the battlefield!"
"Hmph, the decisive battle, huh. I can feel my chest getting a little hot."
Nagato clenched her fist.
As if to respond to her, Mutsu stood next to her.
"Ara, ara ara. Four Ru-classes? Ara ara, I guess we get to pick whichever we want, then."
She seems really reliable.
Akagi reached for her quiver and nocked her arrows.
"All squadrons, ready to go? First wave, launch!"
She let fly.
The Aircraft Carriers' battle began.
Zuihou, too, let fly.
"Let's decide this battle outside of shelling range!"
Each of the arrows split into carrier planes as they turned towards the enemy ships.
The scout Saiun and the Type 21 Zero air superiority fighters were loaded onto Zuihou.
Akagi, on the other hand, was filled to the brim with bombers.
For this battle, Zuihou had assembled over 70 Tenzans.
This was air power on a completely different level compared to what had been deployed in the exercise.
The enemy had no carrier.
Air Supremacy was a foregone conclusion.
Akagi and Zuihou's attack squadrons bolted towards the enemy fleet.
And the results——
Both destroyers sunk, and one Ru-class significantly damaged!
"Yes!"
I couldn't help speaking. This was an excellent opening strike.
The two fleets were closing in.
Led by Nagato, the shipgirl charged towards the enemy fleet.
Turning around, the enemy fleet turned in the same direction.
The two fleets were now lined up in two parallel lines.
This is a parallel engagement.
Nagato raised her fist.
The other side opened up without waiting.
"Mn?!"
Pillars of water loudly obscured vision.
Splashing around where they stood.
If there were one significant difference between shipgirls and warships, it was in displacement. They were merely-human sized; they lacked the thousand-ton displacements of warships.
And so, when under fire, they were battered around by waves.
The waves rocked so violently that I worried whether they would simply fall.
However, Nagato's salvo put both the waves and my worries to rest.
"Haaahh——!!"
The ear-rending salvo sent waterspouts around the enemy fleet.
This was a brawl.
The scout planes relayed their observation reports to Nagato.
"Ara, ara ara," Mutsu shouted, "it's really a shooting gallery...hahh!"
A direct hit!
But the enemy was also a solid ship-of-the line; certainly not a ship that would go down from one hit, at any rate.
Winking, Atago stretched out her hand.
"Main guns, fire——!"
Ashigara, on the other hand, waved her fists, as if she wanted to punch the enemy directly.
"Fire! Fire! Fire——!"
Truly cruel as a starving wolf.
The two Heavy Cruiser's gunfire raked the Ru-class already crippled from the air attack. With a giant explosion, she sank.
Ashigara struck a victory pose.
"Sweet! My ten main guns aren't for decoration!"
But the enemy fleet was not taking this lying down.
The Ru-class' 16-inch triple guns belched out gouts of flame, their shells finding Atago.
She let out a piercing wail.
Her rigging was damaged, and her uniform——no, her armor, was shattered.
"Really——! Wasn't that a little too much?!"
Atago broke into a pained expression.
The screen was filled with the color of her skin. My heart began to wander. Although this really isn't the time for this...
——I just didn't think being hit would be like that.
Thankfully, it doesn't look like she's particularly hurt. She won't sink at any rate.
Atago stuck out her tongue.
"Sorry about that, Admiral...I didn't think I'd get done in like that~"
The other shipgirls' damage was also mounting as well.
Mutsu took a direct hit.
One of her shoulder straps burst, and she pressed her hand there.
"Mm, hmhm...not too bad, huh? To damage my clothes."
Though her words suggested this wasn't much, her voice shook from suppressed pain.
I gazed at the screen
——How painful.
While the battle remained even, the accumulated fatigue from the battles leading up to the core fleet was beginning to make a difference.
Something had to be done to change the situation. Yet there was no way to transmit sound; I felt anxiety gnawing at me.
 
And it was in this moment that Zuihou stepped out onto the waves, in front of the fleet.
 
Nagato gaped.
"You, what are you doing?! A carrier at the front, aren't you just making yourself a target?!"
Zuihou responded, her expression serious.
"My aircraft complement has already completely launched, so I'm just going to be a shield from here on out!"
I gaped too in shock.
That's way too dangerous! Light Carriers aren't armored enough to act as shields!
Akagi, too, was also in shock.
"No! If you sink, where will your planes return to?"
"I'll leave the rest to you then, Akagi-san."
The plane losses had added up over time.
She had probably figured out already that once the battle was over, Akagi would be sufficient to retrieve the remaining aircraft.
So she had decided to do this.
Nagato was left speechless.
"That stubborn girl...don't let Zuihou be sunk! All ships, open fire!"
Another fusillade roared out.
Mutsu, Atago and Ashigara were all attacking with everything they had as well.
Gunfire roared without interruption, and the water pillars followed.
As expected, the Abyssals focused fire on Zuihou.
And, because of that, Nagato and company could focus fully on firing.
The sizzling bellow of the dual 41cm and that fatigue-erasing spirit gradually turned the tide.
Next——
Nagato raised a fist.
"Enemy ship, sunk!"
"Nicely done!"
Even though I knew they couldn't hear me, I still let out a sound.
Nagato had just finished one of the Ru-classes.
In this battle, the opening air strike had already taken down both destroyers, and Ashigara had sunk one of the battleships.
Now all that remained were the two Ru-classes.
——We can win this! Keep winnig!
But it was in this moment that a shell from one of the Ru-classes connected with Zuihou.
"Ahhhh——!"
SHe cried out in pain.
The blast sent her physically flying, onto the water surface. Her bow snapped, scattering pieces onto the water surface.
I searched frantically for where she fell.
I called out her name.
Slamming the desk, staring at the flickering monitor.
That white priestess' uniform——her armor had clearly been damaged, and she was clearly immobilized.
I couldn't believe my eyes.
"Oy...it can't be..."
But, lying on the water's surface——she finally began to twitch
before getting up once more.
"I-I got done in...but still...for Admiral, who believes in me...."
——Heavy damage.
Thankfully it wasn't a sinking. I let out a long-held breath of relief.
But if the battle were to continue, her odds of sinking would be high.
Akagi signaled me on the monitor.
"Admiral, shall we retreat?"
Retreat?
I gritted my teeth.
It was hard to make this call.
And there was nobody who I could discuss this with.
The only person in this office right now is me.
But to begin with, this is something that is up to me to decide.
——what should I do?
The previous Admiral jeopardized her duties in favor of her shipgirls. What should I do? Bear the risk and continue the assault? Wouldn't that be just sending subordinates to die to protect my job?
But, if I retreat, the operation will have failed.
Thousands, possibly tens of thousands, will die directly or indirectly because of this.
Nagato and Ashigara stood in front of Zuihou, shielding them. They and the enemy were closing in. It'd be a brawl soon enoguh.
Akagi reached out to support Zuihou.
"Are you alright? Keep holding on."
"Mm...Admiral...continue the operation...this time, we'll definitely beat them..."
 
——Should we pursue? Or should we retreat?
 
I don't want to lose Zuihou.
But, is it correct to put her safety first? It's not what she wants, at any rate.
But, isn't it a superior officer's job to prevent a subordinate from killing themselves for the sake of victory?
Is that really so? Aren't I just running away? Isn't it a Commander's role to restrain himself when his subordinate wagers her life?
Akagi shook her head.
"Zuihou, calm down...continuing this operation is incredibly dangerous."
"Uu....Akagi-san...I'm fine..."
"But!"
"Please believe in me..."
Those words suddenly brought me back...
 
"No matter what time? No matter how dangerous it is, please believe in us until the end, okay?"
"I promise to you. No matter what time, what place, I shall always believe in Zuihou——in exchange, you must promise to return, alive, to the Naval District."
"Mm, I will definitely return. I promise."
 
——That's right, Zuihou. And here I am hesitating...I'm sorry.
At the end of it, didn't we promise?
No matter what time, I will believe in you, and you will definitely return to the Naval District.
I won't hesitate anymore.
 
"All ships, pursue! Swear to claim victory by dawn!"
Zuihou nodded.
"...Acknowledged!"
Though there was pain there, what was most obvious on her face was happiness.
Nagato and Ashigara shouted, "leave it to me!"
——Zuihou, don't sink.
Or I'll never forgive myself for making this call.
I am an Admiral. She is a shipgirl. And, at this time, she is putting her body on the line for victory's sakes.
My back is soaked in cold sweat.
 
Nagato led the charge against the enemy fleet.
"UoooOoOHhHHHHHHH!!"
At this range, where hit rates are much higher, this kind of move is incredibly dangerous.
An enemy shell grazed across her face.
She raised her fist.
"With this strike, I'll finish you! All guns, fire——!"
On the sunset-tinged water surface, the gunfire blazed, illuminating all with its dazzling light.
Nagato's salvo sank one of the Ru-classes.
——Excellent!
But there was still one left.
And a blast from her gun dug into Nagato's side.
"Uu...."
Nagato's armor shattered.
But it looks like it was simply medium damage.
"Tch...a capable one...but Nagato's armor isn't just for show! And aiming for me was your greatest mistake!"
On the other side, Ashigara cocked the 20.3cm dual turrets on her wrist at the Ru-class, its guns trained Nagato.
"This is victory! With I, Ashigara here, it's a certainty!"
At point blank-range, multiple shells lacerated the Abyssal ship's chest.
And the last ship of the enemy core fleet was sunk!
 
I jumped up from my chair, pumping my fist into the air.
 
The operation was over.
Almost everyone had suffered medium or heavy damage, but all ships had survived and destroyed the Abyssal core fleet.
The MVP as Nagato, but Ashigara had also demonstrated exemplary conduct.
My expectation that the prematurely damaged Atago would be depressed were thankfully betrayed as she displayed her usual cheerfulness. It sure would be nice to have that kind of personality.
Akagi, too, sighed in relief.
"Whew...let's retrieve those carrier planes."
It was because she was such an experienced standard carrier that she understood how close that last battle had been.
Two tears ran down Zuihou's face.
Those were tears of joy, probably.
"Uuu....thank goodness...thank goodness..."
"Yep. But don't ever do anything crazy like that ever again....eh?"
Akagi's face twisted.
The returning Tenzan had a new report.
 
"We have | detected | an enemy vessel."
 
The gradually relaxing mood suddenly froze solid.
I immediately turned the monitor around; the enemy was already close.
It was too late.
A Saiun shot out to get a detailed report.
The enemy fleet consists of——three heavy cruisers, two destroyers. And, apart from that, there was a Ru-class battleship. But not just a normal ru-class battleship.
Akagi reported:
"Enemy flagship! Battleship Ru, Flagship Kai-type!"
The words flashed across the screen.
——That's?!
There were still scars on the left side of her face.
A cyan glow that blazed from her left eye.
Just her appearance was enough to fill one with hopelessness.
——I remember this bastard.
That's right, this was the Abyssal from that time!
My body felt like it was boiling in horror.
Iwahashira's killer.
I raised my voice:
"All ships——!"
Yet my voice trailed off.
Seeing them on the screen returned me to reality.
Zuihou was heavily damaged. Nagato, Mutsu, Atago were medium damaged. Ashigara and Akagi weren't unharmed either. This fleet was hurting."
"...No, I can't lose my composure."
I took a deep breath.
I checked the time on the wall——no problem, it'll be in time.
 
"All ships, retreat!"
 
Due to the limited window of communication, this was all that got across.
Zuihou felt a stab of unease.
"B-but...if we retreat now, won't we be pursued..."
Nagato clenched her fist.
"Being shot at from behind isn't my cup of tea...but if this is the Admiral's order, we must follow. ALl ships, retreat! hurry up! I shall serve as rear guard."
She turned.
Zuihou couldn't even get up to speed.
"Just leave me here, please!"
Nagato shook her head.
"No! The Admiral's order is that 'All ships are to retreat'! That includes you!"
"Yeah, how could we just leave you behind?"
Akagi grabbed Zuihou's hand. As dire as the situation was, though, there was simply no way she could accelerate. The enemy was closing in.
Finally, Battleship Ru-class had a firing solution.
Countless shells fell around them.
For the enemy, this was also fire at extreme range; their fire was unlikely to be particularly accurate.
But if they just kept on taking fire like this, something would hit, eventually.
Nagato bit her lip.
"Damn it...at this rate..."
Zuihou suddenly pulled out of Akagi's grasp.
"Sorry!"
"Eh?!"
Leaving behind the shocked Akagi, Zuihou broke way from the fleet and lagged behind in the distance.
And now the Abyssals were closing in.
Zuihou's eyes filled with tears.
"Admiral...for believing me....I'm really happy...but, sorry...I don't think I'll be able to come back."
The abyssal's turrets trained on Zuihou.
 
——The sound of propellers filled the air.
 
The girls on the sea turned to the skies with hope.
From the clouds, planes; many of them, almost blanketing the sky.
They weren't Akagi's planes, and they certainly weren't Zuihous.
From the communications system came a young woman's voice.
 
"...Leave the rest to me...it's nothing difficult, no need to worry."
It was Kaga's voice.
And not just her.
"Ah'm here too! Y'all can leave it to me!"
"Enemy fleet detected! Bombers, prepare to attack!"
Ryuujou and Shouhou were there as well
Their air groups fell upon the enemy unceasingly.
At the same time, a very fast Ooyodo moving at incredible high speed hurried to Zuihou's side.
"Please grab on to me. We're going to get you home, okay?"
"Ah...ahh...."
With that, she pulled up the disbelieving Zuihou.
Kaga, Ryuujou and Shouhou's bombers began their attack runs.
The opening phase sank the enemy's heavy cruiser and one destroyer. Even Battleship Ru Kai took a hit.
From Ru-class' open mouth issued a low, guttural noise. Whether it was simply the sound of whatever infernal machinery drove them, or it was the Abyssal's language, nobody knew.
But, to me, it sounded like a curse, full of rage and sorrow.
And so the Abyssals began to retreat.
"...Admiral, shall we pursue?"
Kaga's inquiry aroused in me a twitch of hope, a wrathful hope yearning for revenge.
But there could be other abyssal fleets in wait. If Kaga and company pursued and Zuihou's fleet were to be attacked, they wouldn't be able to hold on.
"...All ships, return to port."
They had won.
 
Nagato's first fleet and Kaga's support fleet signaled their responses simultaneously.
"Understood!"
The sun had already sunk entirely under the horizon; unused to night battle, the carrier planes had also returned.
Nagato smiled a smile that stretched from ear to ear.
"Mm, those planes are pretty strong after all! Really useful! I should start mounting some in the future too!"
The shipgirls had already started to laugh before the echoes died.
It was almost time to welcome them home.

Backward to Chapter 3: Doing One's Duty

Return to Kantai Collection - KanColle - Auspicious Seas, Phoenix Skies

Forward to Epilogue: Wind in the Night