Our Bonds

"Stick to the pre-planned route. We have no idea what will show up, so stay on your toes."

"Roger!" (All)

The following day after we finished our final Transport Load-off mission and everyone has rested up and got repaired, I remade the fleet into a Carrier Task Force. In the main fleet, we have Zuihou, Suzuya, the dragon sisters and the Fusou sisters. In the escort fleet, we have Tama, Murasame, Yuudachi, Shigure, Kumano and Mogami. The escort fleet didn't change much.

Still, to sortie them almost immediately after they just returned, I'm worried that I might have unknowingly forced them to push themselves, especially the members of the escort fleet and Zuihou. They have been participating in all three phases. I could give the order to retreat for now but that will just drain our resources needlessly. And the girls will definitely protest my decision. It's best to advance for now. So far they encountered a small Submarine fleet and an air raid. According to the intel map, there should be-

"Enemy fleet spotted!' (Zuihou)

An Abyssal fleet coming up nest. Yep, there it is.

"Forward Cruising Formation. Destroy our enemies!"

"Okay, let's go! Attack wing, launch!" (Zuihou)

"Found you, nya! Nyan!" (Tama)

Since the Abyssal fleet was a normal one, if only three slightly higher-ranked Light Cruisers and three Destroyer Ha-class Late Models, the fight was relatively short since we have air superiority.

"Proceed with caution. Beyond this is unknown territory."

"Roger!" (All)

Of a sudden, the air raid alarm rang. A group of Abyssal aircraft have been detected near the base. They are most likely aiming for the Land-based Aircraft Hangers. I expected this much.

"Are the fighters on standy?"

"They are already in the air." (Rei)

"Alright. Intercept them."

The distinct sound of gunfire and explosions echoed nearby as the Reppus I had kept in the hanger came out to do their duty. While most of the Abyssal aircrafts got destroyed midair, there was one which managed to break through the air group and launched its bombing run on our hangers. They do realise it's only effective if they actually hit our hangers, right? The bomb landed way off its mark. Anyway, it as just a single Abyssal Dive Bomber. Even if it does hit our hangers, the damage is insignificant. Unless it's a Cat Fighter Bomber. Then we might be in trouble. Those things hit hard.

"I'm still not used to all those noise. It's so loud." (Rei)

Rei removed her hands from her eyes. I remember the first time I witness and heard the a dogfight above me. I made the stupid mistake of going outside and couldn't hear properly for the next day.

"You will get use to it. Just don't go out when they are fighting."

"?" (Rei)

We watched as the Carrier Task Force eliminate the Abyssals along the one, until they finally encounter a problematic one.

A fleet with a Battleship Summer Princess III and a Battleship Re-class Elite. This may not go well. The other four escorts are easy, these two are not. The first one is extremely tough and hits hard while the other is sort of muti-talented. In additional to having the same capabilties as a high-ranking Abyssal Battleship, it can launch torpedos and aircrafts as it sees fit. It's like an Armoured Carrier Princess, but with bigger and deadlier weapons.

"This is bad. Battle Cruising Formation. We will go all out from the get-go."

"Even with reduced numbers, we're the best!" (Zuihou)

Zuihou led the opening airstrike against the Abyssal fleet, taking out both Destroyer Ha-class Late Models and damaging the Light Carrier Nu-class Flagship IV. Yuudachi took out all the Abyssal Aircraft which was launched at them, so air superiority is secured. Shigure's OASW took out the Submarine Yo-class Elite. As expected of our 'Submarine Hunter'. Now we just need to watch how this fight plays out.

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"Ooowwiee~" (Suzuya)

"That didn't go well." (Shiigure)

"Sorry, if I didn't get hit by that torpedo..." (Mogami)

"I'm at fault too. I didn't evade that shell in time." (Fusou)

We had to retreat because Mogami and Fusou got heavily damaged mid-fight. We didn't managed to take out the Battleship Summer Princess either. The fleet returned rather dejected. To top it off, Zuihou fainted upon reaching the base. I will go see in the infirmary after I check on the rest.

Mogami and Fusou were heavily damaged. Murasame and Hiryuu suffered from moderate damage. Suzuya and Tama were lightly damaged. The others only had scratches or light burn marks. And one unconscious girl in the infirmary. This time, we were unlucky, I guess.

"I don't think I need to say it at this point, but go to the docks and get yourselves patched up. These that are unhurt, take this time to rest. All of you did pretty good today. Don't worry about the Battleship princess, we were unl- unprepared for such a situation."

"You were about to say 'unlucky', weren't you?" (Fusou)

"What are you talking about?"

"You were definitely about to say it." (Yamashiro)

The word 'unlucky' is a taboo word for the Fusou sisters.

"Anyway, go get some rest. I will let you know when we are sortieing again. Dismissed."

I hurriedly made my way to the infirmary. Either Akashi or Rei should be there, so I can ask about her condition.

When I entered the infirmary, Akashi was there, holding a clipboard. Beside her laid my girlfriend, eyes closed and unmoving.

"What happened?"

"No signs of injury or anything serious. She is just overworked. Some rest should do the trick." (Akashi)

"I see."

"Geez. No need to make that face. She will be fine." (Akashi)

Akashi tapped my head lightly with the clipboard. What kind of face was I making?

"I'll be in the factory if you need me. I have a bunch of equipment to repair." (Akashi)

"Thank you."

I worried such a thing would happen. Zuihou has been working non-stop since the start of the mission. Even after returning to base, she will help me with my paperwork for the day. I should have noticed she was getting exhausted...

"I'm sorry. Have a good rest."

I held onto her hand as she slept.

Not long after, Rei came rushing into the infirmary,

"Admiral!" (Rei)

"Quiet. She is still asleep."

"Ah, sorry. Wait, that's not it. Ooyodo's fleet just returned. And this is bad." (Rei)

Both of us rushed to the port. She was right, it is bad. All six of them have been severely damaged and we're sat on the pier. They look extremely exhausted and in pain. Next to them was an Azur Lane fleet. They are not in good shape either. Was the situation in Cape Engano that bad? I haven't received an official report or any news about the subjugation.

"What happened?"

"Admiral, is Zuihou alright? She is still here, right?" (Shouhou)

There is a look of panic and fear on Shouhou's face. What happened back there?

"She is fine. She is sleeping in the infirmary right now."

"Thank goodness! That's great!" (Shouhou)

A sense of relief seems to sweep over her as she began to relax. Why did Shouhou suddenly ask about Zuihou?

I need to know what happened but first, we need to get them to the docks.

"Admiral, I got a report..." (Ooyodo)

"You can tell me after you get better. Let's get all of you to docks."

After I got some girls to help escort them to the docks, I turned to Enterprise, who was there the whole time. Behind her was Hornet, Yorktown, Intrepid, Zuikaku and Ill.u.s.trious. A full carrier fleet.

"I don't know what happened, but thank you for helping them."

"I'm sorry. We could have done better by reaching them earlier." (Enterprise)

"They managed to come home to me. That's more than enough. What happened there? Is the fight is ongoing?"

"That's-" (Enterprise)

"It's over. For now." (Zuikaku)

I turned to Zuikaku, who wore a serious expression on her face.

"There is a high chance that she is coming here." (Zuikaku)

"Zuikaku!" (Enterprise)

I raised my hand, gesturing Enterprise to stop.

"Explain it. Who is coming and why?"