"You're quite a lot of work, I must say,” I muttered to myself, looking at my the 15th Color Class Destroyer, Magenta. It is my fifth ship to roll out from Port Primo’s established mining and refining industry. The steady stream of 300k credits per day from this operation is proving to be quite rewarding. With some well-guarded supply routes, my cargo ships are also delivering high-value cargo worth 50k without issue, it's definitely a great start.
As I walked down the platform, a broken champagne bottle in hand, I turned around to watch Magenta gracefully slide down the slipway. The splash of water is a satisfying sight.
Just then, my control mask started beeping. It is he first time it had done so in a while, and the sound is unmistakably urgent. I couldn’t help but think they’d likely found another island—perhaps even a substantial one this time. Curious and a bit excited, I knew it is time to check it out.
My heart sank as I read the alert:
[Notice: Unidentified Ships Detected by Radar - Scharnhorst]
There is no mistaking it—that isn't something good. I dropped everything I am doing and sprinted toward the Fleet Control Room, panic fueling my haste. Every step felt like an eternity as I reached the control room and rushed to the bridge of Scharnhorst.
“Quite goddamn handy but also quite goddamn stressful,” I muttered, as i calm my breathing after making a huge sprint, while keeping my eyes glanced at the control mask.
After that, I took a moment to scan the bridge, trying to get a grip on the situation. Everything around me seemed calm, but the radar is another story. On the Scharnhorst’s radar, I could see my own ships clearly displayed, but something unfamiliar loomed on the horizon. The distance made it hard to discern through my vision what it is exactly, but the presence of these unknown things is terrifying.
“You know what, let’s test you ladies,” I said, clearing my throat to steady my voice.
“Scharnhorst, Gneisenau, open fire on the unidentified ships,” I ordered firmly.
I watched intently as the machinery of the triple 9-inch guns on the Scharnhorst whirred into action. The massive guns swung into position, their barrels aligning with the enemy ships off to the starboard side. The tension is almost tangible as the ships prepared for combat, bracing myself for my first naval battle.
The first salvo roared from the guns, sending a plume of smoke into the air as the shells tore through the distance. I kept my eyes on the radar.
I felt a sense of frustration as I realized the limitations of relying solely on radar. I should’ve added floatplanes for better reconnaissance, but I’d gotten sidetracked by the radar’s capabilities. It is becoming clear that radar alone couldn’t give me the full picture.
As the Scharnhorst and Gneisenau unleashed another volley of shells, their turrets continued to adjust, angling further out toward the starboard side. The powerful shockwaves of the cannons filled the air.
“Alright, all ships, move to 11 o’clock,” I ordered, trying to control the situation. With impressive precision, my vessels adjusted their course. The heavy cruisers, undeterred, kept up their relentless barrage as we maneuvered. I kept my eyes fixed on the horizon, desperate for any sign of clarity amid the unfolding chaos.
The uncertainty gnawed at me. Could they even hit their target from this distance? I'm not sure. After a few tense minutes, with the ships moving at 25 knots, I grabbed the telescopic sights from the bridge. Peering through them, I finally spotted the silhouettes of the unidentified just beyond the horizon.
"They're ships?" i muttered and gulped.
“Alright, let’s see if we can get a hit,” I muttered to myself, feeling a mix of anxiety and determination.
The Scharnhorst and Gneisenau fired again, their guns roaring as they aimed at the target area. Each shot is a hopeful attempt to pierce the veil of uncertainty.
My heavy cruisers unleashed another broadsiding volley from their 9-inch cannons, the booming explosions reverberating through the ship. I watched with a mix of tension and hope as the shells arced through the air. But soon, the incoming shells began landing dangerously close to my formation.
“This isn’t good,” I muttered, my heart racing as I realized the enemy had finally locked onto us.
“All ships, perform skirmish formation!” I ordered, trying to keep my voice steady.
I watched as the ships executed the maneuver with practiced precision. They spread out, increasing the distance between them in an effort to minimize the risk of taking multiple hits. It is my personal formation, designed to maximize space and reduce the chance of any single shell landing a damaging blow.
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As the ships moved into their new positions, I kept a close eye on the horizon, hoping this new formation would provide the protection we needed while we continued to engage the enemy.
Suddenly, the radar flashed with a new alert:
[Notice: Enemy Aircraft Spotted by Radar - Gneisenau]
My heart skipped a beat as I realized the threat had escalated. "Goddamn, all ships, perform anti-aircraft fire at the enemy aircraft!" I commanded, trying to mask the urgency in my voice.
My destroyers quickly swung their 4-inch cannons into action including the 5inch cannons of my heavy cruisers, the barrels angling skyward. The sky erupted with a barrage of gunfire as the ships opened up with a furious fire of heavy anti-aircraft rounds mingling with the distant thunder of the heavy cruisers' main cannons.
Through the bridge's windows, I could see plumes of smoke and bursts of flak rising against the horizon. The enemy aircraft, now visible above the sea, are darting through the flak-filled sky, making for a chaotic aerial battleground.
Each burst of cannon and anti-aircraft fire is a desperate attempt to bring down the incoming threat. My hands firmly clenching myself watching the incoming enemy through the bridge’s windows, hoping that the combined firepower would turn the tide and keep my fleet safe.
My control mask screen lit up again, this time with a chilling announcement
[Notice: 20 Unidentified Vessels Detected by Radar - Scharnhorst]
My heart sank as the realization hit me—this situation is rapidly escalating. “Call it quits! We’re pulling back!” I ordered, hoping to salvage what I could. I immediately sent my logistics vessel ahead, its engines roaring as it sped towards safety.
But the threat isn't over. I heard the unmistakable roar of 40mm cannons firing, the rapid bursts echoing through the ship as they attempted to fend off the approaching enemy aircraft. I left the bridge, stepping out onto the deck, and looked up at the sky.
Above, I saw ten enemy aircraft in formation closing in, their silhouettes cutting through the smoky haze of the ongoing anti-aircraft barrage. One of the aircraft burst into a massive fireball, its wing tearing off as it plummeted towards the sea. The sight is a brief but welcome relief amidst the chaos.
Then came the worst part. The remaining enemy planes began their descent, diving towards our fleet with deadly precision.
“All ships, perform evasive maneuvers!” I shouted into the control mask, racing back to the bridge. The urgency in my voice is palpable, as I tried to think through the battle. The presence of dive bombers in this open ocean suggests that the enemy have an aircraft carrier somewhere in the vicinity—a not so great revelation.
On the bridge, I watched as my ships began weaving and maneuvering to avoid the incoming attacks. The waves crashed against the hulls as they zigzagged through the sea, a desperate maneuvers of survival against the encroaching threat.
As I stood on the bridge, the sound of aircraft propellers grew louder, cutting through the noise of gunfire and explosions. I saw a gray aircraft streak across the sky. A second later, it exploded into a fireball, shredded by a well-placed burst from one of my ships 40mm guns or 20mm guns i dont know.
As the sky is filled with bursts of flak. Nearby, explosions lit up the sea, sending up geysers of water. Miraculously, none of my ships are hit directly, and we had a brief moment of respite.
“Full speed ahead!” I shouted after completing a successful turn away, trying to make sure we put as much distance between us and the enemy as possible. The ships moved into full speed, surging forward through the choppy waves, their engines straining as we fled the scene.
As the enemy presence finally disappeared from the radar, a heavy silence settled over the fleet. I knew this isn't the end. The enemy would likely regroup and come back, more determined than ever. We had to be ready for the next assault.
And the next assault came as i expected. Being on the receiving end of aircraft carriers is nothing short of a nightmare. The heavy AA guns on my ships roared to life, the 4 and 5-inch cannons barking out their defiance, but it is soon a chaotic mess of 40mm and 20mm flak as the enemy aircraft closed in. The ships swerved and turned, trying to dodge the onslaught of bombs and torpedoes.
Just when I thought we might hold the line, a chilling alert flashed across the control mask.
[Notice: Gneisenau received a torpedo dud - Gneisenau]
Every milimeters of my adrenaline surged, and I dashed out of the bridge. The scene outside is a hellish spectacle of aircraft streaking through the sky, their weapons primed for another attack. Multiple squadrons are converging on us, and I am quite grateful for the heavy anti-aircraft defenses i had installed. Without them, this fleet would have been obliterated.
[Notice: Violet, Color Class Destroyer, Struck by a Torpedo in the Midship, Heavy Flooding! - Violet]
The news hit hard. My heart sank as I saw Violet, one of my destroyers, take a torpedo hit. I watched in horror as the ship began to list and water started pouring in. There is no time to waste; i had to keep moving and dodgign to avoid the other incoming torpedoes and bombs.
My ships continued to weave and dodge, trying to avoid the onslaught of torpedo bombers and dive bombers. Damn i couldn’t even poke my head out to identify the enemy aircraft it is a full-blown war zone out here.
[Notice: Violet Flooding Controlled - Violet]
I saw a flicker of relief. The flooding on Violet is now under control. But the battle isn't over. Enemy aircraft continued to swarm, and the relentless barrage of anti-aircraft fire had become a desperate struggle.
*
However, after a few minutes the rapid 40mm and 20mm AA guns went silent followed by the heavy AA guns also going silent. I took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the situation pressing down on me. The enemy aircraft began to pull away, their formations grouped up as they retreated.
With the immediate threat subsiding, I quickly changed course, steering the fleet away from the combat zone and making sure i am out of range of potential scouts. The intensity of the battle had left me exhausted, but we had survived. For now.