23 Chapter 21: First Joint Op (AL Commander POV)

Apart from the mass of explosions and dark objects squirming about, the surrounding area looks calm. I can see why this place was initially chosen to obtain resources. Today is the first joint operation between IJN and Azur Lane. It is also the first time Eagle Union and Sakura Empire are joining forces. The Northern Rat Transport route which the IJN uses to obtain resources has been plagued by an ongoing skirmish between the Abyssals and the Sirens. We tried to eliminate the Sirens and let the Abyssals pass through the area but for some reason, the more Sirens we destroyed, the more they spawn. This main objective of the joint operation is to eliminate both type of enemies simultaneously.

"Carrier fleet 1, in position and standing by." (IJN Akagi)

"Carrier fleet 2, we are in position." (IJN Souryuu)

So those two are this world's Akagi and Souryuu. To think that there is a version of Akagi that is a crazy kitsune obsessed with love. Souryuu... looks fluffy.

According to the file shared with me, the fleet from Yokosuka consists of Akagi, Kaga, Amagi, Yamato, Iowa and Kiso. The fleet from Maizuru consists of Yamashiro, Souryuu, Hiryuu, Zuihou, Yahagi and Agano. Only now I'm figuring out who they are through the monitor. There are small individual icons at the side which light up whenever someone is speaking. I have already identified Akagi, Hiryuu, Souryuu, and Yamato earlier.

"We are ready on our end as well." (Enterprise)

"Zara here. In position and ready to provide support." (IJN Zara)

"<I neva tout there would be a da we wouldo be fytingu togada.>" [I never thought there would be a day we would be fighting together.] (Nagato)

"<That your piss poor attempt at English? Save your bullshit. I'm sorry but even if Commander trusts you guys, I don't. You already betrayed us once. What's stopping you from doing it again?>" (Colorado)

"You insolent-!" (Kawakaze)

"Kawakaze, stand down!" (Nagato)

Oi oi. We barely started and they are falling out already?

"<Colorado, that's enough out of you!>" (Enterprise)

"<What? I'm just stating the obvious!>" (Colorado)

"<So noisy...>" (Laffey)

"Please stop fighting!" (Shiratsuyu)

"<All of you, shut it down now! You are embarrassing yourselves.> Sakura Empire, you too. Cease this at once!"

Geez. This is not a good start. On top of a language barrier, things are still pretty sour between them. Nagato, Unicorn and Enterprise are putting in the effort to set aside their differences and learn each other's language but the others... The state of Azur Lane is extremely fragile right now.

It's also a bit awkward for me to alternate between languages... I can speak six but English is my native language. Japanese is my second best. Chinese is my worst.

"I will go through the plan again. The Carriers from Maizuru and Yokosuka will begin an aerial bombardment to take out as many Abyssals and Sirens as we can." (Admiral Akiyama)

"Enterprise and Unicorn will also take part in the bombing run. After that, the others will mop up the rest."

"Zara and Pola will remain at the sidelines unless necessary. They are only here to provide support and secure your escape route in case things go south." (Admiral Zain)

"I should have brought my bottle here." (IJN Pola)

"Pola!" (IJN Zara)

"Zuihou, how are things over there?" (Admiral Tokomaki)

There was only silence...

"Zuihou?" (Admiral Tokomaki)

"Ye-yes! Erm... Right now, they are still fighting. There is a Battleship Princess at the rear. Accompanying it are Tsu-classes, Wo-class, Nu_class and a couple of Re-class." (IJN Zuihou)

A small girl with brown hair in green miko uniform spoke. So that's Zuihou, the one Enterpirse and the others kidnapped while trying to figure out where they were.

"What about Siren numbers?" (Admiral Tokomaki)

"All mass-produced vessels. I don't see any humanoid Sirens." (IJN Zuihou)

"So it's a war of attrition. The Sirens are probably trying to overwhelm the Abyssals by continuously spawning. Preliminary investigations suggest a gate somewhere in their midst."

"I'm sorry. A what?" (Admiral Tokomaki)

"Put it simply, a portal for the Sirens forces to go through. But that would mean an Elite has to be nearby as well." (Enterprise)

"Either that, or they have some kind of construct that can do just that. The situation has changed drastically."

"With Nagato out of the picture, I'm sure Akagi can finally unleash all of her plans in full force." (Enterprise)

"There were blueprints to build a large battleship with such capabilities. But Nagato-sama did not approve of its construction. She also personally tore and destroyed it before leaving." (Kawakaze)

"<Hello? Can we get some subtitles here please? I can't for the love of god understand what you people are saying."(Colorado)

Enterprise massaged her forehead,

"<Colorado, please.> (Enterprise)

"<Alright alright. Enough talk. Let's do this.> Akiyama, on your signal." (Admiral Tokomaki)

"On my mark." (Admiral Akiyama)

"<Standby.>"

Enterprise readied her planes. Nagato and Colorado aimed their guns while Laffey, Shiratsuyu and Kawakaze prepped their torpedoes.

"Now. Begin the operation!" (Admiral Akiyama)

"<Wipe them out!> Fire!"

Enterprise launched her planes in quick succession. The Helldiver and Devastator squadron, accompanied by their Hellcat fighter escort flew over the horde of Sirens and Abyssals. There were explosions in the air and on the water as the opposing air fleet tried to regain air superiority. Balls of fire filled the battlefield and black metal debris flew sky high as the Siren ships were blown to bits by Enterprise's attacks. The aircraft sent out to intercept her planes couldn't a stand a chance and were simply shot down and exploded mid-air.

There is heavy breathing from the other side of the radio.

"Akagi, Kaga, you two alright?" (Admiral Akiyama)

"Zuihou, Hiryuu, Souryuu, fall back behind Yahagi and Agano. Yamashiro, take point." (Admiral Tokomaki)

A disgruntled girl in white Japanese ceremonial outfit went in front of the three carriers. She was sporting four 41cm guns and a flight deck,

"Using me as the meat shield, I see." (IJN Yamashio)

"Oh, please. You know very well I don't see you like that." (Admiral (Tokomaki)

The Akagi on the other side clutched her chest as she struggled to breath. A girl with black hair tied in a ponytail on her right side was trying to maintain her composure as her face turned pale. I'm guessing that's Kaga of this world. Hiryuu and Souryuu are sweating profusely while the small one has already made herself even smaller.

"Ha~ah. Ha~ah. I'm fine." (IJN Akagi)

"Me too... This is just... a moment of weakness. I will be fine." (IJN Kaga)

"Both of you, get behind me! We can take things from here." (IJN Yamato)

The large battleship went in front of the two carriers. A blonde girl with in grey corset, with the number 61 embedded on the left side, and large breasts joined her. She wore a grey mini skirt and had mismatched stockings. The right side is red and white while the left is dark blue with a white streak. Something about her screams America.

"<Yamato is right.> Let us have some fun!" (IJN Battleship)

I'm guessing that's Battleship Iowa.

"I'm fine, Yamato, Iowa-san. Just need to regain my composure." (IJN Akagi)

"Please don't be stubborn. Just fall back for now." (IJN Carrier in green skimpy outfit with red flower in hair)

"Amagi is right. Fall back. You can still launch your planes if you want but please don't push yourselves." (Admiral Akiyama)

"Azur Lane Commander-san, those planes... won't attack us, right?" (IJN Hiryuu)

"They won't. You have my word."

"Thank goodness. We are trusting you, alright?" (IJN Souryuu)

From our first meeting last month, I learnt that this world was several decades ahead of my original one. They too had a war and the shipgirls here, 'Kanmusu' as they are called, are the souls of their namesake ship. They possessed the abilities and memories of their namesake vessel, their achievements, strengths, and even their trauma. I read the War Records sent to me from Marshal Admiral Mikoto. The girls participating in this operation, namely Akagi, Kaga, Souryuu, Hiryuu, and Zuihou will have history with Eagle Union Carriers. Based on the record, there is one specific Carrier which is largely responsible, most likely, for their initial destruction. That Aircraft Carrier shared the same name as the strongest Carrier in Azur Lane, and my beloved wife, Enterprise.

"Call back your planes! That's enough! The rest of you, mop up the survivors!" (Admiral Tokomaki)

"<Enterprise, order your planes to return. Colorado, Laffey, you're up.> Nagato, Kawakaze, Shiratsuyu, go get them."

"Roger!" (Sakura Empire girls)

"<It's time to show you the true power of the BIG SEVEN!>" (Colorado)

"<Deactivating self-imposed limiter...>" (Laffey)

Shells flew high up into the sky, before descending down like a comet onto the remaining Siren forces. The water was filled with white streaks as torpedoes pierced through and made a beeline towards the enemy. Once again the battlefield was engulfed with large fireballs. Thick black smoke covered the entire battlefield.

"<Cease fire.> That's enough!"

Everyone stopped firing. We waited in anticipation for the smoke to clear, readying to continue the onslaught if there were any survivors or anymore Sirens spawned. The smoke finally cleared and the sea was calm.

"Did we do it?" (Shiratsuyu)

"Amagi, eyes in the sky." (Admiral Akiyama)

The carrier Amagi launched a fighter plane into the sky.

"<Enterprise, check if they are any boogies left.>"

A single Hellcat materialized on her flight deck and took flight. We waited for both parties to finish scouting the place.

"No enemies detected." (IJN Amagi)

"<All clear.> I don't see anymore Sirens or Abyssals." (Enterprise)

"<What about a gate? Can you find one?>"

"<Nada. I think we are done.>" (Enterprise)

"Akiyama, I think we are done. Please confirm." (Admiral Tokomaki)

"Mission accomplished. The operation was a success! The Northern Rat Transport route has been retaken!" (Admiral Akiyama)

I can hear some cheering on the other side of the radio. My girls look happy as well.

"<Wi dito itto, Co-ro-ra-do-san!>" [We did it, Colorado-san!] (Nagato)

Nagato approached Colorado and raised a hand. I think she wants to high five her fellow Big 7 battleship. Colorado just gave a snort of disgust and moved away. The smaller Japanese battleship lowered her hand. A pained expression formed on her face.

"Don't mind it too much." (Enterprise)

Enterprise pat Nagato's head,

"We will be friends eventually. Some of us just need a bit more time." (Enterprise)

"I hope... to be able to welcome the day when we can all beat our swords into plowshares..." (Nagato)

"We will." (Enterprise)

Enterprise wrapped an arm around the Battleship's shoulder and pulled her close,

"We definitely will." (Enterprise)

"Commander Suwanto, we will send you a report and the recording from our end later. Let's see if we can find anything abnormal." (Admiral Tokomaki)

"Thank you. I shall wait for your report."

"Tokomaki out." (Admiral Tokomaki)

"I'm leaving the channel, Akiyama out." (Admiral Akiyama)

Our allies' icons disappeared from the monitor, leaving only the seven of us.

"Good job, everyone. <Come on home.>"

The air is still a tad sour. But like Enterprise said, eventually, we will all be working together on friendly terms. I need work harder.

First, I need to find the rest of Azur Lane.