16 Preparation

At the end of spring, two years already passed since Kimura accepted at Yokosuka. But, Aoba and Kimura relation isn't moved like everyone hope because Kimura always chickens out in the process. Megumi, Akihiko, Viltus, and Haruto already lost their patience, but they couldn't do anything about it.

Meanwhile, in the past week, everyone at Yokosuka becomes really busy to prepare something big. Every Ship Girls are trains their mind and body to their heart content, while every Admiral is gathering to think the best strategy for their next operation. That's including Viltus Amarov, Kouga Haruto, and Okazaki Kimura.

The reason is simple, today is the day when the first big offensive operation for humanity to eradicate Abyssal from the sea. The operation that could open the road to other continent and make a pact with the American in fighting against Abyssal.

Right now, Kimura is inspecting his command ship as he looking around the data inside it with the mechanic. The mechanics tell him about several parts of the ship that really make them wonder about the workload of the system if they are under attack. Kimura can't think much about it and closes his eye for a while. Until someone pats his back and hears,

"Kimura, I hear that you are assigned to the offensive division. Am I right?" asks Haruto

"Ah... Haruto. About that, yes I am." answer Kimura after he sees Haruto behind him

"Hahahahahahaha... I can't believe someone like you become an integral part of the mission of the offensive division."

"Hahahahahaha... I wonder about that, too" jokes Kimura

"But, when I remember your feats while working at Yokosuka, no wonder you are chosen to enter that division, while most of your friend at the defensive division."

Kimura laughs a little bit and then he says,

"Well, I believe one day the three of us will be assigned to offensive division together."

"I want to hope that, but offensive isn't my forte," says Haruto

"Ahahahahaha... But, which division you are assigned for this large-scale mission?"

"I am at the defensive division with your friend, while Viltus at the reconnaissance division with a lot senior officer."

"Wait a minute... Is he at the reconnaissance division? Wow, that's amazing."

"Well, he used to do the reconnaissance mission at the small and medium scale operation. That's why they assigned him there."

Kimura nods after hearing the explanation from Haruto. Haruto then asks Kimura about something else,

"So, did you manage to repair your camera?"

"Ummm... Not yet," answer Kimura

"Alright then... I will not ask any further."

Kimura laughs together with Haruto until they hear the announcement,

'To all Admiral that will join the Large-Scale Operation, please gather at the main court. I repeat. To all Admiral that will join the Large-Scale Operation, please gather at the main court."

Haruto and Kimura look at each other and then Haruto says,

"The opening ceremony for today mission will start soon."

"Yes."

"Let's go there."

"Ah... Now I remember what I am going to ask."

"What is it?"

"Where is Viltus?"

Haruto only shakes his head and that makes Kimura a little bit worried. Both of them start to walk to the main court and sees a lot of Admiral already gathers there. The main court becomes white with a large number of Admiral that gathers there. When they walking around the court, they see Viltus stands there. But, his mind is wandering off somewhere. Kimura knows that and he knows how to gather his attention to him. So, he shouts,

"Kazuki!"

Viltus really surprised to hear that name and then looks around him. There he sees Kimura and Haruto that walking to him. He then says,

"Kimura, didn't I already says to refrain yourself to call me by that name?"

"Well, your body is here, but your mind is somewhere else. So, that's the only way to call you," answer Kimura

"Well... Yes..."

"What is it, Viltus? You look tired and worried about something."

"It seems my face show it, huh," says Viltus as he laughs weakly

But, when Viltus tried to tell them about it, the Grand Admiral at Yokosuka, Ichijo Mo already arrived at the podium. At his side stands the other two high ranking officer, Masamune Goroku and Viltus' father, Yanagi Tadahisa.

Tadahisa then orders every Admiral to stay quiet as Mo starts the ceremony. Mo closes his eyes for a while and looks in front of him. All Admiral already stands still and prepares themselves to hear any order from him. Mo smiles a little bit and then says,

"For many years, we as human are the one who dominates the sea in front of us. Nothing we fear at the sea as we conquer them together! But several years ago, we are expelled from the sea by them! By the power of unknown name Abyssal. No one knows why they suddenly show themselves. No one knows their origin. And in split second, every sea is under their control! Even with all humanity combined power, we can't fight against them. And with that, we can't go to the sea anymore."

Mo says that with an angry tone and that's make all Admiral quiet. All of them feels a burning flame in their heart as Mo continues,

"But now, we already create one weapon that is on par with them! They are Ship Girl, and they could beat the Abyssal without any problem! We already did a lot of small-scale and medium-scale operation, and every mission gives us a good result. With that in mind, we will commence our first large-scale operation in order to liberate the sea from them!"

Every Admiral, including Kimura, Viltus, and Haruto, looks at Mo and prepares themselves. Mo then stops for a while and then says,

"Every Command Ship will start to move at 1500 hours and moves together towards Miyake Island. The offensive division will send their Ship Girls at coordinate (34,140), while the defensive division will wait for any order and keep your position 100 KM from offensive division formation. Meanwhile, reconnaissance division will move at 1400 hours and move towards Hachijo Island. After finish your reconnaissance mission, your Ship Girl will meet with the offensive division at the designated location. Do you understand that?"

"We understand!" shout all Admiral

Mo nods and then ask Tadahisa to take his position. Tadahisa then moves to and says,

"As stated by Grand Admiral, we will move at 1500 hours. I already order the mechanic to prepare your Ship Girl equipment and your command ship. And I already ask them to fit some searchlight as most likely we will commence the mission at night."

Everyone looks at Tadahisa and eager to move now. Tadahisa smiles a little bit and then says,

"Besides that, I get the weather report regarding the area. There is a high possibility of the storm there, but it's not a big problem as the storm isn't that big. Let's retake the sea together! Don't fear the enemy!"

All Admiral shouts to their heart content and Tadahisa says that today ceremony officially finished and order them to meet with their unit. All of them start to move to their office, except Kimura that searching for Viltus. He sees Viltus and Haruto that talking about something, with Haruto that express his concern about Viltus that looks really tired. Kimura then pats Viltus' back and then ask,

"What happens, Viltus? Is there something that makes you worried?"

"Well... You know, recently in my dream, I met with a figure of a man standing in front of me. He looks like talking to me, but I can't hear anything. But from the smile shown by the man, I know he tried to say something bad will happen. I'm afraid that it is about today operation."

Kimura and Haruto look at each other and then hit his head together. Viltus really surprised with that and looks at both of them. Kimura and Haruto smile a little bit and then Kimura says,

"You don't need to worry about it, Viltus. I know that you always make that worried face every time we have an operation. But, we always come back alive, right?"

Viltus can't say anything and he only could sighs. He then says,

"If you say that, then I can't say anything else. It seems I am worried about nothing..."

"That's why you should think positive, Kazuki," says Kimura

"Could you stop call that name?" says Viltus quite annoyed

The three of them then laughs together and then they look at each other. Haruto then says,

"It is better if we meet with our unit now. After we finish give them the mission briefing let us meet at the dock."

"Alright," says Viltus

"Ok... We will meet there," says Kimura

"Then... When will you confess your feeling, Kimura? I believe she still waiting for you in the past one year." ask Haruto

"It's a secret," answer Kimura

Kimura then leaves two of his friend and start to walk to his office. He closes his eyes and then smiles to show that everything will be fine.