11 Chapter 10: Saving CVL Zuihou

It's already 8am, an hour since the Rescue mission started. I watched on the monitor as the Combined Carrier Task Force advanced to the fourth island in Alfonsino, where our girl is being held captive. Radar indicates that there is an Abyssal fleet nearby but that's no cause for concern.

"Admiral. My Saiun has spotted an Abyssals Destroyer I-class in our starboard direction. 400 metres away. Shall we engage it?" (Shouhou)

"It hasn't spotted you, right? Ignore it."

"Let's go kill it poi!" (Yuudachi)

"Yuudachi, your Admiral said to ignore it. Save your strength." (Zuikaku)

Since we are up against three Aircraft Carriers and that we have three Aircraft Carriers joining us, I decided it was appropriate to send a Carrier Task Force to deal with them. Zuikaku, Taihou, Shouhou, Chitose, Fusou and Yamashiro will lead the main vanguard fleet whilst Ooyodo, Suzuya, Mikuma, Yuudachi, Murasame and Ryuujou will be the escorts. For the detached fleet which will go on land to search and extract our target, Hamakaze will lead Mutsuki, Shioi and Imuya. While the CTF engages the group, be it with violence or with words, depending on how the other party reacts, Hamakaze's group will go in and pull our girl out.

The trip so far has been conveniently quiet, with little to none Abyssal sightings. The same as before. Which is good. I would like the girls to be at full strength while engaging them.

"Admiral, we have a problem! Keiun has spotted an Battleship Princess and it's escorts are en route to our target location!" (Taihou)

Huh?! What?!

"You don't think...? Is that why it's so quiet?" (Chitose)

"Then, Zuihou is...!" (Shouhou)

"Double time it! Launch your bombers to deal with them! Hamakaze, station yourselves somewhere near the island."

"Got it. Things are looking pretty hot over there." (Hamakaze)

As the fleet approached closer to the island, smoke and fire can be seen all over the place.

"Report! Currently there is a fleet with 2 Battleship Princesses and an South Pacific Aircraft Carrier Princess attacking the island." (Taihou)

"Escorting them are PT Imps Torpedo Cruiser Chi-Class and Wo-class! It's a Combined fleet! There are multiple Destroyer I-classes and Light Carrier Nu-classes as well!" (Chitose)

"Looks like we are seeing some action after all." (Zuikaku)

"We need to hurry. Zuihou could be in danger!" (Shouhou)

"Relax, sis. paninking ain't gettin' ya anywhere." (Ryuujou)

The small CVL cosplaying as a Macdonalds employee brought out her scroll. A blue flame with the kanji for 'fighter' appeared on her fingertips. She slid her finger across the scroll and 5 Reppu fighters emerged at the end of it, taking off. She did the same thing two more times, one with 'Dive' and the other with 'Torpedo'. The other carriers launched their own set of planes as well.

"Don't get me wrong. I only want to save Zuihou. Saving my historical enemy is just a side effect." (Zuikaku)

"I didn't say anything. But thank you."

The horde of Abyssals was soon visible on the monitor. There are a couple of strange things going on. Most notably, a girl in white is riding on a flying horse. Planes seem to launch from her sides. There is another one riding atop of a Fighter as she fired arrow after arrow. The arrows transmute into various things in yellow. I can see bombs, AA fire and one the split into multiple smaller projectiles. What the hell are we up against?

"Ugh... This feeling..." (Ryuujou)

"The black stars..." (Shouhou)

"Are you alright?"

"So this is how ya felt. Heh. I almost peed myself." (Ryuujou)

"Let's do this!" (Zuikaku)

The planes on our side flew over the Abyssals, bombing the small frys, setting the Nu-classes on fire, and shooting the Abyssals planes out of the sky. Yuudachi and Murasame beginning firing at the PT Imps while the others focused on the Princesses.

"Hamakaze, how's things at your end?"

"All quiet. We are good to go." (Hamakaze)

"Got it. I'm counting on you four."

"We will bring Zuihou back." (Shioi)

Looks like they managed to infiltrate the island safely.

"Signal intercepted. We are in." (Ooyodo)

"<What's going on? Whose planes are these?>" (???)

Are they seriously talking on unencrypted channels?

"<I don't know. But at least they're helping us.>" (???)

"You better be ready after we clean this up!" (Zuikaku)

"<Japanese? The Sakura Empire?>" (???)

"<No. I recognize some of them from the fleet yesterday."> (???)

"Shit! That means there are here for the girl!" (???)

"<Less talking, more fighting.>"

"<What the? How did they->" (???)

"<This is an unencrypted channel. What did you expect? My girls will provide backup for now. What happens next is up to you people.>"

"You better be ready, Grey Ghost!" (Zuikaku)

"<That nickname... How did you->" (???

"<Looks like you have a fan.>"

I watched as the maid, Belfast if I remember correctly, blocked a shell from the Battleship Princess and returned fire. The archer, whom I'm assuming is Enterprise, leapt from plane to plane while skillfully firing at the Hammerhead Shark belonging to the South Pacific Aircraft Carrier Princess.

"You makes me laugh, damn flies…!" (South Pacific Aircraft Carrier Princess)

"<Damn it. This thing is tough! Argh?!>" (Enterprise)

Enterprise clutched her head. An Abyssal Cat Fighter shot Enterprise off her plane, causing her to fall from the sky.

"<Sister Enterprise!>" (Girl on the flying horse)

"<Hey! Argh!>"(Battleship Girl)

The girl who looks like a Submarine Yo-class took a hit from the Battleship Princess. The guns and rigging on her left shattered.

"<Colorado!>" (Girl with Spear)

"Zuikaku!"

"Can't believe I'm doing this!" (Zuikaku)

Zuikaku picked up speed, rushing to where the falling Enterprise would land. She managed to catch her, moments before Enterprise landed head first into the water.

"Oi! You alright?" (Zuikaku)

"<Ugh... What... was that? Those images...>" (Enterprise)

"If you are sick, stay out of battle. What the hell are you thinking?" (Zuikaku)

"Uryah!" (Suzuya)

Suzuya fired a salvo at one of the Battleship Princesses, sinking it. Taihou and Shouhou sunk the other one using their Bombers. The final one was sunk after getting electrocuted and bombarded with bombs from the American fleet. Only the South Pacific Aircraft Carrier Princess and some goons remained.

"Admiral, we found her! Imuya is with her now. Requesting to join the battle." (Hamakaze)

"What's her condition?"

"Damaged and a little frightened. But doing well." (Hamakaze)

Thank god. What a relief...

"Alright! Hear tha' sista'? Told ya our flatty will be fine." (Ryuujou)

"Oh thank heavens. Thank you..." (Shouhou)

"Please. There are a few more left."

"Roger." (Hamakaze)

"The Seiran-sans are my friends after all." (Shioi)

Three Seirans flew out from the island and attacked the Chi-class and the Princess. Hamakaze and Mutsuki jumped onto the water, launching torpedoes at the same time. The torpedoes made contact with the remaining 2 Chi-class, sending both back to the abyss. Now only the boss is left.

"A little damage like this… It won't defeat me!" (South Pacific Aircraft Carrier Princess)

"<It's over!>" (Enterprise)

Enterprise's planes dropped their bombs onto the Princess, causing it to shriek in pain,

"It hurts… But…such attack doesn't sink me… I would get towed out…Please tow me out… Somebody, tow me… Please…" (South Pacific Aircraft Carrier Princess)

"<Wait... No... It can't be... Horn->" (Enterprise)

"How's this~!?" (Yuudachi)

"I have both guns and torpedoes!" (Murasame)

"<No! Stop!>" (Enterprise)

Torpedoes from Yuudachi and Murasame striked the Princess, finally sending it back to its watery grave.

"<NOOOO!!!>" (Enterprise)

The fu-

"<What the hell has gotten into you?!>" (Colorado)

"That was... That was... No... Hornet..." (Enterprise)

Huh? What is she... Could it be? Oh, so that's what this is all about,

"<That's not your sister. That was just an empty shell. An enemy of the past. It spoke Japanese. How can you understand it anyway?>"

"<NO! That was Hornet! I can feel it! She was crying. That was my sister!>" (Enterprise)

"<Hornet is in Brunei Anchorage. That thing we killed was how she looked like two years ago. But now she is living happily in South East Asia.>"

"<Are you... Is that the truth?>" (Enterprise)

"<What's in for me if I lied to you? Have you calmed down?>"

"<Just... a moment...>" (Enterprise)

"<All of you head back to the beach. We need to talk.>

All 20 girls went back to the island. Imuya and Zuihou emerged from some hole in the ground.

"Zuihou!" (Shouhou)

"Shouhou!" (Zuihou)

The two sisters rushed to hug one another,

"Thank god. You are alive." (Shouhou)

"Shouhou~ I was so scared..." (Zuihou)

"Everyone is here now. It's alright." (Shouhou)

This is touching... Alright, focus. We are not done yet.

"<I am the Japanese Admiral in charged of these girls. You can address me as Admiral Keita. I want you lot to introduce yourselves in order and explain to me the reason of attacking and kidnapping my girls.>"

Apart from the ones I know, the big-breasted one, look at the size of those planets, damn, is HMS Illustrious, the smaller girl that rode the flying horse is HMS Unicorn, the purple haired girl with the spear is HMS Javelin, and the sleepyhead is USS Laffey. Belfast told their story. It was honestly, unbelievable. It almost has the same plot as a light novel with the Isekai troupe. To sum everything, they claim to have come from a different world. In their world, there is a war. The allies, consisting of Eagle Union and Royal Navy, make up the allied group called Azur Lane. The enemy group is called the Red Axis, consisting of the Sakura Empire and Ironblood. Sounds familiar? It's the same as our Great War over 60 years ago. The British and Americans vs the Germans and Japanese. We only need the Italians and Russians to join, then it would be a recreation of that horrifying battle years ago. Some kind of entity called the Sirens supposedly teleported everyone from their original world to ours. When Zuikaku questioned if Enterprise remembered what happened at Midway, the American ship claims she could not personally remember fighting, but she saw scenes of the battle flashing through her head. I don't know what's going on with her, but she is on her own for that. Their Commander is missing and they have no idea where they are. The reason for the attack the other was simply a case of mistaken identity and the need to obtain information.

But if what they said were true, that they are from another world, then that might explain the black ship the other day. Great. Looks like we are dragged into another war. As if the Abyssals weren't enough.

"Unfortunately, I can't help you with finding your Commander. We have our won problems to deal with."

"We understand. This is our problem to solve. Once again, on behalf of my friends, I'm sorry for attacking and kidnapping your subordinate." (Belfast)

Belfast bowed deeply.

"You are pretty fluent in Japanese."

I suppose I should help them a little.

"Ooyodo, send them the coordinates for Brunei Anchorage."

"Admiral, are you sure? We still don't know if what they said are true or not." (Ooyodo)

"It will be fine. If they betray us, then we just need to kill them."

Ooyodo let out an exasperated sigh,

"Roger. Sending them the coordinates." (Ooyodo)

"<What is this?>" (Colorado)

"<These numbers... What do they mean?>" (Enterprise)

"<Coordinates for Brunei Anchorage. It's one of our main bases in South East Asia. I will get them to help shelter you for the time being.>"

"<Is this the place->" (Enterprise)

"<Yes. It's the place where Hornet is. But I have to warn you, she might not be the sister you know and love. If you are from a different world, then you should expect things to be different here.>"

"<I understand. But if there is a chance...>" (Enterprise)

"<The rest is up to you to decide. We got what we came for.>"

Zuihou was hiding behind Shouhou, shaking like a leaf. We better bring her home.

"<All the best. Let's hope things will be different the next time we meet.>"

"Say, Belfast-san, tell her she better be in tiptop shape next time I see her. I don't want to win against her in this condition." (Zuikaku)

"Erm... I understand." (Belfast)

Shouhou carried her sister on her back as the fleet went back to the ocean.

"<Zuihou! Will we... meet again?" (Unicorn)

Unicorn ran up to my girls. Zuihou turned around and looked at the other girl,

"Hopefully..." (Zuihou)

"<Huh? Belfast, what did she say?>" (Unicorn)

Belfast translated Zuihou's words for her. Unicorn beamed,

"<Let's meet again some time! I will learn Japanese. I promise!>" (Unicorn)

Zuihou, on Shouhou's back, looked behind and waved. Looks like the escort carrier like Zuihou.

The girls made their way back to Maizuru. On their way back home.

"Mission accomplished. Good job everyone. And thank you for bring Zuihou back."

I closed the monitor. Now, as I promised, I dialed the number for Brunei Anchorage,

"<Hello, Vice-Admiral Aimi speaking.>" (Aimi)

"Aimi-san? Admiral Keita here. From Maizuru."

"Ah. Admiral Keita, what can I do for you? Admiral Zain is tending to some matters at the moment. I can help you take a message if you want." (Aimi)

Vice-Admiral Tange Aimi, half-Japanese and half-Bruneian, and Admiral Rahman Zain, a local, are in charge of Brunei Anchorage. This small IJN Naval District in South East Asia is home to a number of foreign shipgirls like Saratoga, Gambier Bay, Samuel B. Roberts, Colorado, Roma, and many others. The Colorado I know is very different from the Colorado I just met.

"That's what I plan to ask of you. I have about 7 shipgirls, British and American, that I want you to assist. They are not part of our register but they need help. I will give you more details via report. Hornet would probably recognize one of them, if that how things work."

"Which Hornet?" (Aimi)

"What do you mean which Hornet? There is only one Hornet at your base, right?"

"You are not going to believe this. Earlier this afternoon, a skimpily-clad blond twintail shipgirl arrived at our base carrying an unconscious guy. She begged us to save him so Admiral Zain brought him to the infirmary. The shipgirl that carried that man is also called Hornet. She claims she is from another world." (Aimi)

Huh. What are the odds...

"Tell the both of them then. Tell them Enterprise is coming to visit."

"Enterprise? You mean that Enterprise? The one that fought and survived the entirety of the war? The Big E, Grey Ghost? That Enterprise?!" (Aimi)

Aimi is what we locals call a 'Warship Otaku'. This is also one of the reasons she joined IJN. She loves warships.

"Yes. That Enterprise. I bet the Hornet that came earlier will understand immediately. I will submit a condensed report to you guys within the next few days."

"Oh my gosh. I get to meet the Big E." (Aimi)

"Yeah yeah. Make sure you pass my message to Zain and send the girls my regards."

I placed the phone down. Any later and Aimi will talk my ear off with her 'warship facts'. Now that Zuihou is coming back, I feel so relief that all the fatigue is starting to hit me all at once.

"Admiral, are you okay?" (Ooyodo)

"Just a little tired. It's okay. I will take a rest afterwards. I want to welcome Zuihou home."

"There is still some time before they reach Maizuru. How about you take a short nap?" (Ooyodo)

"I'm afraid I won't wake up in time. So, no. Can you brew me some green tea? It should help me better than coffee."

"Got it. I will be right back." (Ooyodo)

I slumped back into the chair.

I'm so glad Zuihou is coming home.