Day 70
I awoke to a constant pinging in my head. The incessant noise drove away the last vestiges of sleep. What time was it?
"Fräulein!"
The sudden call startled me. I lurched sideways, nearly tumbling off the bed. My heart raced as I regained my balance.
"Gneisenau, what is it?" I growled over the command link, irritation seeping into my voice. "I was asleep."
"We made contact."
Those three words jolted me awake faster than any caffeine rush. I sprang from the bed, my bare feet hitting the cold floor. Stumbling to the nearby table, I snatched up a mug of oil. I needed every ounce of alertness for what was to come.
The command link flickered to life, immersing me in a sea of information. Multiple viewpoints flooded my senses, offering an unparalleled perspective of the unfolding situation. It was as if my spirit stood among my fleet, witnessing events firsthand.
Ten kilometers off Japan's coastal beach, our fleet had come to an abrupt halt. The sea around us, usually a vast expanse of tranquil blue, was now dominated by the formidable presence of hundreds of warships, their sleek, imposing silhouettes cutting through the water with an air of unyielding authority.
The horizon was a steel-grey wall of naval might, each vessel a testament to human tenacity and technological prowess. The ships bristled with weaponry, their gun turrets and missile launchers pointed skyward like the spines of a fearsome beast ready to strike. The air was thick with the scent of salt and diesel exhaust, mingling with the distant hum of engines and the occasional creak of metal.
Between us and the Yokosuka Naval Base stood this colossal barrier, an unbroken line of defense that seemed to stretch endlessly in both directions. The sheer scale of the military presence was awe-inspiring, a display of power that eclipsed the combined naval forces of nearly every other nation on earth, save for the behemoths of China and the United States.
The tension in the air was palpable, each moment heavy with the potential for conflict. The ocean, usually so vast and free, felt confined and claustrophobic under the watchful eyes of these leviathans of war. Every wave that lapped against our hull seemed to whisper of the immense strength arrayed against us, a silent reminder of the peril we faced. Behind them all loomed the Yokosuka Naval Base with even more firepower being readied to use against us.
I shivered despite not actually being there, because it felt so real.
As we drifted in the shadow of this maritime fortress, the enormity of the situation weighed heavily on our minds. The sight of such concentrated might was both humbling and terrifying, a stark illustration of the delicate balance of power that defined our world.
At the forefront of the enemy forces, was an imposing presence, tall and statuesque, her lightly tanned skin glowing with a subtle radiance. Her eyes, a deep and expressive brown, seemed to pierce through the very soul, carrying an intensity that commanded respect and attention.
Her long, dark brown hair cascaded down her back in a thick, lustrous ponytail, adorned with delicate cherry blossoms that contrasted beautifully against the dark strands, adding a touch of elegance to her formidable appearance. In one hand, she held an oriental umbrella, its shaft a unique homage to the battleship's distinctive mast, a symbol of her strength and heritage.
Her attire was striking and unconventional. She wore a single black thigh-high stocking with a white stripe at the top on one leg, while the other was covered by a black knee-high sock, a distinctive choice that drew the eye. Her feet were clad in grey shoes with striking red rudder heels, a subtle nod to her naval legacy.
This woman exuded a blend of grace and power, her presence both commanding and serene. As an enemy, she was formidable, yet there was an undeniable elegance to her that made her all the more captivating and worthy of respect. Flanking her, a dark-haired girl and a woman wearing a miko uniform moved in perfect synchronization, their rigging already deployed.
Behind the kanmusu vanguard loomed the silhouettes of actual warships. Their presence cast long shadows across the water, a menacing reminder of the firepower at their disposal.
Gneisenau's face twisted into a scowl as she observed the approaching kanmusu. Despite her evident displeasure, she held back from initiating hostilities. This was, after all, meant to be a diplomatic mission.
Mana's voice crackled over the comm, tinged with anticipation. "Admiral, they've entered firing range. Shall we commence the attack?" A sly grin played at the corners of her mouth.
"Nein," the traitor Kanmusu replied, her lips curling into a twisted smile. "We're here to conduct diplomacy, after all."
"I see," Mana replied, her tone neutral.
I observed as Gneisenau switched to an open frequency on the radio. Her voice rang out, clear and commanding. "Attention, all kanmusu! I am Gneisenau, Admiral of Princess Cyriel. I come in peace to establish diplomatic relations. Please inform your Admiral that we wish only to talk."
The enemy kanmusu halted. An eerie silence descended as minutes crawled by. Tension mounted as everyone awaited a response, but only stillness prevailed. In the distance, Yamato's figure gesticulated wildly, her silent screams lost to the vast expanse between us.
A knot formed in my stomach. This doesn't bode well.
The crackling of a public frequency broke the silence. A strained feminine voice filtered through. "This is JS Yamato, and these are my captains, Akatsuki and Kongou. We have received your offer of peace, Traitor. I wish things had turned out differently, I really do."
Gneisenau's lips curled into a knowing smirk. "I take that to mean our generous offer for peace is being rejected."
"The Admiral has refused your offer of peace." Yamato's voice quivered with emotion. "Please turn back. You may have betrayed humanity, but you are still one of us."
Gneisenau's eyes glinted with malice. "That is where you are wrong, Fräulein Yamato. I was never on your side in the first place!"
Before the Japanese ships could process the betrayal, the sky erupted. Dozens of V2 missiles arced through the air, raining devastation upon the kanmusu ranks. Hulls buckled under the onslaught, decks collapsed like paper, and seawater rushed in, claiming over two dozen kanmusu lives in its murky embrace.
"Fall back, fall back!" Yamato's panicked voice echoed across the public frequency, her desperation palpable.
Seizing the moment of chaos, our forces surged forward. Three hundred destroyers, six cruisers, and three battleships advanced relentlessly. The air trembled as they unleashed a salvo of destruction upon the reeling enemy.
The JS ships, positioned behind the battered kanmusu, retaliated with terrifying force. Modern missiles, their payloads dwarfing anything in our arsenal, streaked towards our abyssal lines. As they detonated, the sea itself seemed to shudder under their apocalyptic power.
Seven destroyers disintegrated, their fragments cascading from the sky like deadly rain. My forces dispersed, desperately maneuvering to avoid the lethal barrage of bullets and missiles. Though the automated targeting systems struggled to lock onto my units, human operators compensated with deadly precision.
The missiles zigzagged erratically, hunting for a lock, until a human hand guided them towards the corrupted silhouettes on their screens. In mere moments, scores of my forces perished.
I floated over the battlefield, brow furrowed, as chaos engulfed the battlefield. The kanmusu forces, reeling from our devastating initial strike, scrambled to regroup. More than half their number had fallen before they managed to retreat beyond our guns' reach.
On the enemy's side, the modern navy provided valiant cover, maintaining a safe distance from our artillery. Our cruisers unleashed volley after volley of V2 missiles, their fiery trails arcing through the sky with a furious intensity. Each missile cut through the air with a sharp hiss, leaving behind a streak of smoke that quickly dissipated into the atmosphere.
Hope ignited within me that my girls would prevail over the human machine. Yet my hopes were soon doused with a cold bucket of reality as the missiles seemed to vanish into thin air, intercepted with eerie precision by the enemy destroyers. Their advanced defense systems activated with cold efficiency, sending out countermeasures that obliterated our projectiles in bursts of blinding light and echoing booms.
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As the battle raged on, the sea churned with a maelstrom of fire and steel. The air crackled with the sharp reports of gunfire and the thunderous booms of explosions. Through the chaos, Gneisenau's voice cut across the command link, her tone steely and resolute.
"Mana, take your Wild Hunt and flank their right. Ruby, keep the Kamikaze group in reserve. We'll need them soon enough."
Mana's lips curled into a predatory grin as she acknowledged the order. Her green hair whipped in the wind as she signaled to her companions. "Morrigan, Nephthys, Corone - with me. It's time to earn our keep."
The dark-haired triplets fell in behind Mana, their movements fluid and synchronized. Eight dozen destroyers followed them closely. They sliced through the waves, leaving white foamy trails in their wake as they maneuvered towards the enemy's exposed flank.
Scout drones, cleverly disguised as unassuming rocks, slipped silently into the waters around the enemy ranks. With stealthy precision, they positioned themselves to gather intelligence, their advanced sensors keenly attuned to every whisper and movement.
As I monitored the surveillance feed, my heart raced with anticipation. Each crackling transmission brought the enemy's clandestine conversations to my ears, revealing snippets of their plans and strategies. I felt like a phantom in their midst, unseen yet omnipresent, absorbing every detail with bated breath.
All of it was being relayed to Gneisenau in real time.
On the Japanese side, Yamato's face was a mask of anguish as she surveyed the carnage. Her voice trembled as she issued orders over their comm system. "Akatsuki, Kongou, pull back and regroup with the main force. We can't let them break through!"
As the battle lines shifted, Ruby's auburn hair gleamed in the sunlight. Her emerald eyes scanned the horizon, searching for an opening. "Aime, Hisui, Mae," she called to her companions. "Be ready. We might need to plug a gap at any moment."
The trio of Asian descent nodded in unison, their movements synchronized with an almost eerie precision. Their striking purple hair and eyes stood out vividly against the backdrop of the clear blue sky, creating an ethereal contrast that caught the eye.
Aime shifted from foot to foot, her nervous energy palpable. She glanced around with wide eyes, her fingers twitching and playing with the hem of her shirt, unable to stay still. The anxious rhythm of her movements betrayed her inner turmoil at facing true battle for the first time.
In stark contrast, Hisui stood motionless, her expression an unyielding mask of calm. Her posture was rigid, almost statuesque, as she gazed steadily ahead, the weight of the moment reflected in her composed demeanor. She exuded a quiet strength, her presence a grounding force for her sisters amid the tension.
Beside them, Mae's eyes sparkled with fierce determination. Her jaw was set, and her hands were tightly clenched at her sides, the knuckles white with the intensity of her grip. Every muscle in her body seemed coiled and ready for the fight ahead. The fire in her gaze burned brightly, a burning pillar of faith in her companions and Princess.
Suddenly, a barrage of missiles from the JS ships arced overhead, their contrails etching white lines across the sky. Gneisenau's eyes widened as she realized their target. "Mana, evasive maneuvers!"
But the warning came too late. The missiles found their mark, engulfing Mana's group in a series of devastating explosions. When the smoke cleared, Mana and her companions were battered but alive. However, a dozen destroyers around them had been reduced to floating debris.
Sensing weakness, a squadron of kanmusu broke formation and raced towards the weakened Wild Hunt. The open ocean, separated from all supporting ships, was not a good place to be. The overeager kanmusu were swiftly reduced to smithereens as fifty abyssal destroyers and two members of Battlegroup Kamikaze opened fire on the idiots.
Gneisenau gritted her teeth, her blue eyes flashing with anger. "Ruby, now's your chance. Take the Kamikaze group and exploit that gap!"
Ruby nodded, her usual bubbly demeanor like a shining light in the darkness of the battlefield. "You heard the Admiral," she called to her team. "Let's show them what we're made of!"
As Ruby led her group into the fray, the battle's tide began to shift. The Japanese forces, still reeling from the initial ambush, struggled to maintain their defensive line. Yamato's voice, tinged with desperation, crackled over the airwaves once more.
"All ships, fall back to the secondary defense line! We can't hold them here!"
The retreating kanmusu left a trail of oil and debris in their wake, a grim testament to the battle's ferocity. But as they pulled back, the human-crewed ships of the JMSDF moved forward, their modern weaponry presenting a formidable new challenge.
Gneisenau's lips curled into a snarl as she assessed the situation.
I watched her from above them all, my heart beating like a wardrum in rhythm to the flow of the battle. The easy victory my trusted-friend had anticipated was slipping away, replaced by the prospect of a prolonged and costly engagement. But as I watched Ruby's group press the attack, a glimmer of hope remained in Gneisenau's eyes.
The battle for Japan was far from over.
The thunderous roar of artillery filled the air as Ruby's Kamikaze group surged forward. Their advance was a ballet of destruction, weaving through the chaos with practiced precision. Ruby's auburn hair whipped wildly in the wind, her emerald eyes scanning the battlefield for opportunities.
"Aime, cover my left flank! Hisui, cover our rear!" Ruby's commands cut through the din of battle. "Mae, you're with me. We're punching straight through their center!"
The purple-haired trio responded instantly. Aime, usually shy, wore a mask of determination as she led a contingent of destroyers to the left. Hisui, silently acknowledged the order, and positioned herself to guard against any potential sneaky counterattacks. Mae's eagerness shone through as she fell in line beside Ruby, ready to strike at the heart of the enemy formation.
As they closed in on the Japanese lines, a hail of gunfire erupted from the JMSDF ships. Shells whistled past, some finding their mark among the advancing abyssal forces. Destroyers crumpled under the barrage, their twisted metal frames sinking beneath the waves.
Ruby gritted her teeth, pushing forward despite the losses. "Keep moving! We can't let up now!"
Across the battlefield, Mana's forces had regrouped after the last barrage of missiles ended. Her segmented dark armor, reminiscent of Edo period dramas, was scorched and dented, but her always present foxy smirk remained intact. "Morrigan, Nephthys, Corone," she called to the triplets. "Let's show these humans what real naval warfare looks like!"
The sickly green-eyed sisters nodded in unison with bared teeth, their sharp white pearls gleaming in the sunlight. They spread out, each leading a contingent of destroyers in a wide arc to flank the enemy.
Yamato, her face etched with worry, barked orders to her retreating forces. "Akatsuki, reinforce the JS Haguro, port side! Kongou, I need you to hold the starboard flank at all costs!"
The Japanese shipgirls scrambled to obey, their movements hampered by fatigue and damage. Akatsuki, her rigging smoking from multiple hits, limped towards the designated position. Kongou, her usual bravado subdued, steeled herself for the onslaught she knew was coming.
Little did they know that their every word and action was being captured by an unassuming floating 'rock' below their feet.
Gneisenau observed the unfolding battle from her command position, her blonde hair whipping in the sea breeze. Her blue eyes narrowed as she analyzed the shifting tides of combat. "Ruby, press your advantage! Mana, be ready to strike when their line buckles!"
As Ruby's forces clashed with the Japanese center, the sea erupted in a maelstrom of fire and steel. Explosions bloomed across the water's surface, sending plumes of spray high into the air. The acrid smell of gunpowder and burning oil hung heavy over the battlefield.
Aime, discovering an unexpected well of courage, led her destroyers in a daring charge against a group of Japanese Kanmusu. Her purple eyes blazed with determination as she called out, "For the Princess! For victory!"
The two forces collided in a cacophony of screeching metal and thunderous explosions. Ships on both sides fell to the relentless exchange of fire, their broken hulls disappearing beneath the churning waves.
Meanwhile, Hisui maintained her vigilant guard of the Kamikaze group's rear, her stoic demeanor unbroken even as stray shells whistled past. Her keen eyes spotted a mixed group of Japanese kanmusu cruisers and destroyers attempting to flank their position. Without a word, she redirected a squadron of destroyers to intercept, their timely intervention thwarting the enemy's plan.
In the heart of the melee, Ruby and Mae fought side by side. Ruby's green eyes flashed as she deftly maneuvered through the chaos, her guns blazing like the fires fueling her heart. Mae's enthusiasm translated into a whirlwind of action, her eager assistance proving invaluable in the heat of battle.
"Mae, watch your three o'clock!" Ruby called out, spotting an incoming torpedo spread.
Mae reacted instantly, narrowly avoiding the deadly cigar-shaped projectiles with a somersault. "Thanks, Ruby! I owe you one!"
As the battle raged on, the Japanese frontlines began to waver under the relentless assault. Yamato, her voice strained with desperation, called out over the comm, "All ships, fall back to the tertiary defense line! We need to regroup!"
Gneisenau's lips curled into a predatory smile as she sensed the shift in momentum. "Now, Mana! Strike while they're in disarray!"
Mana's Wild Hunt group, having maneuvered into position during the chaos, unleashed a devastating broadside on the retreating Japanese forces. The triplets - Morrigan, Nephthys, and Corone - coordinated their attack with eerie synchronicity, their volleys of V2 rockets finding gaps in the enemy's defenses.
The sea erupted in a series of explosions as Mana's attack found its mark. Japanese shipgirls cried out in pain and surprise, their formation further disrupted by the unexpected assault. A real destroyer that had gotten too close to the frontlines erupted in a massive explosion after four V2 missiles ruptured something important.
Kongou, her rigging sparking and smoking, shouted over the din, "Hold the line! We can't let them break through!"
But the combined pressure from Ruby's frontal assault and Mana's flanking maneuver proved too much. The Japanese center began to crumble, creating a gap in their defensive line.
Gneisenau's voice crackled over the comm, filled with triumphant excitement, "All forces, converge on that breach! This is our chance to shatter their backs!"
As the abyssal forces surged forward, the human-crewed ships of the JMSDF moved to intercept. Modern warships, bristling with advanced weaponry, unleashed a barrage of missiles and gunfire that lit up the sky.
The destroyers at the forefront of the abyssal charge bore the brunt of this assault. Dozens of them disappeared in brilliant flashes of light.
Gneisenau, leading the charge, shouted a war cry. "Victory or death, Hurra!"