"Despair and hope... Like two sides of a coin... Hehe... hahaha.. haha... Is that what you mean...? How amusing..amusing..amusing!! Congratulations! But this is the end!... What lies beyond this... is nothingness!" (Abyssal Mediterranean Princess)
The red hue wrapping around the Princess shined brighter and even more ominous than before. It's Abyssal constructs let out a beastly roar. Despite it's injuries, it's still standing strong. Figures, we couldn't take it down during the day. It still has some escorts protecting it as well. The sun has already set and we will need to drag the battle into the night if we want to finish it off.
Just as planned!
"All units, prepare to pursue!"
"We need to pursue them!" (Zuihou)
"Kihihi~ Alright, it's time to charge into night battle! Ready the torpedoes!" (Kawakaze)
"Alright! I have been waiting for this! (Hiryuu)
"It's payback time now!" (Souryuu)
"Will they be all right? Don't venture too far off." (Shouhou)
"Night attack corps,"
The four carriers drew their bows,
"Launch!" (Hiryuu, Souryuu, Shouhou, Zuihou)
All four of them launched a squadron of Night Torpedo Bombers. The same ones that were just delivered last night. This is the perfect time to test their prowess.
Sacrificing some space to equip these new Night Bombers and to install a NOAP, their attack power during the day was significantly decreased due to the decreased number of planes they can launch during the day. As much as I would like to finish that oversized abnormal merfolk during the day, luck has been on its side most of the time. Even with a SCAMP, which supposedly increases the planes performance, it still doesn't die.
So, we need to make our own luck.
Shipgirls, especially battleships, Cruisers and Destroyers, become stronger at night. This has been the trend throughout this war. For reasons unknown, their attack prowess increases when night falls. If Carriers rule during the day, the other ship types rule the night. But what if Carriers can obtain the same power up during the night? These Night Bombers were created for this purpose. Their effectiveness was well-known throughout the organization and finally, Maizuru has obtained this power.
The squadrons of Tenzan Model 12A Kai, each aircraft outfitted with a Type 6 Airborne Radar Kai, skilfully maneuverer past the Abyssals AA defences in the barely illuminated night sky. The closest one fired of signal flares, illuminated the enemy's current position. As if the red glow isn't that obvious already. Dropping their payload into the water, the the first wave torpedoes made a beeline towards their target. Multiple balls of fire appeared as the remaining escorts were wiped out. Some torpedoes made contact with the Princess but it wasn't enough to take her down. It did take a lot more damage than I expected.
"Alright, let's keep the pressure on them!" (Kawakaze)
"Nice, nice!" (Murasame)
Kawakaze and Murasame fired at the Princess, creating some holes on the oversized merfolk and its swim ring, but it shrugged it off like nothing.
"How nice... That's fine... Foolish girls... Just what do you expect beyond that!?" (Abyssal Mediterranean Princess)
Flames spewed between the Abyssal construct's teeth, before they open up and fired a barrage of shells.
"Full battle speed! Evade!" (Hiryuu)
The fleet sped up and dodged the first salvo of attacks.
"Whistling! It fired another one!" (Kawakaze)
"Hehe... hahaha.. haha..." (Abyssal Mediterranean Princess)
The first one was a feint?! They won't be able to dodge the second one!
"Brace for impact!"
The girls took a defensive posture. Shells bombarded the area they are in as screams and smoke erupted all over the place.
"Gh!" (Hiryuu)
"Ow!" (Souryuu)
"Kyaa!" (Zuihou)
Zuihou's icon on the monitor suddenly turned red as she flew and tumbled across the water. She is badly injured again!
"Zuihou!" (Shouhou)
Her clothes were ripped and blood soaked into her dark green shorts.
"They... got me. Took out my rudder... Ah... But this won't go like Cape Engano." (Zuihou)
"Murasame, cover her."
"I can still fight!" (Zuihou)
Zuihou pulled off her hachimaki and tied it around her wounded leg. She looked at her bow,
"All right. Murasame, pick me up!" (Zuihou)
Oi!
"You... Don't be ridiculous! Just stay back."
"No! My bow is fine. I can still launch another squadron! Murasame! Support me!" (Zuihou)
"Don't you dare!"
"Now it's not the time for this!" (Murasame)
"Admiral! I can still fight! Let me finish this!" (Zuihou)
Why is she so headstrong when it comes to missions?! Arrghhh!
"You are going to get it from me later, you hear?!"
"Murasame!" (Zuihou)
"Yes, yes! I refuse to get in trouble for this, alright?" (Murasame)
Zuihou got onto Murasame's back. The infuriatingly stubborn Light Carrier held her bow horizontally and took aim. The arrow she let fly transformed into a squadron of Tenzan Model 12A Kai. The squadron flew towards the Princess and dropped their torpedoes. An even bigger fireball engulfed the princess, forcing her to let out a vengeful scream.
The Princess fell onto the water as its mount detached it's headless body off her and sank to the depths.
"Haha....It hurts... hurts so much... How nice..nice..nice... Beyond this... exists no ending... No ending for you! Eh? This hand is..."(Abyssal Mediterranean Princess)
It reached out its hand towards the sky, as if trying to grab or touch something it can only see,
"Ah... It's warm. What? It's familiar... Is that... the sun..? It's bright...So wonderful. That's right, I am... The world is wonderful! Yes. If it is now!" (Abyssal Mediterranean Princess)
It's hand fell onto the word as it's body started to crumble. It's voice changed from a vengeful spirits to that from a young lady midway through her dying words. As usual, this princess is just a husk of it's original self. Even though it's night, it thinks the sun is in the sky...
"Congratulations! Phase 1 was a success!" (Ooyodo)
Cheers erupted across both channels as Z-A and Z-B celebrated the victory,
"You took that thing down. That was a brilliant shot, Zuihou!" (Hiryuu)
"Zuihou's air corps played a part? Awesome! Even light aircraft carriers can excel if they do their best!"
"All stations, return to base. Good work. Head to the docks and get yourselves repaired. You all deserved a well-earned rest till the fourth phase."
"Finally we defeated that thing!" (Kawakaze)
"This took way longer than expected." (Hiryuu)
"Thank you, Murasame." (Zuihou)
Shouhou took Zuihou off the Destroyer's shoulders.
"Your welcome. Besides, you are the one in trouble." (Murasame)
"Once you are out of the docks, I want to see you in my office. That's an order."
"Uurgh! Can I take a bit of a longer bath?" (Zuihou)
"Only long enough for your injuries to heal."
"Come on. Cut her some slack, Admiral. She did dealt the finishing blow to the enemy after all." (Hiryuu)
"That's right." (Shouhou)
"True. But she placed both Murasame and herself at risk due to her reckless decision to have the former carry her."
"Actually, why couldn't you just fired while sitting down? You didn't need Mursame to carry you." (Pola)
"Pola! We learned this before!" (Zara)
"We did?" (Pola)
"There isn't enough clearance for the planes to gain enough speed and altitude. That's why we aim towards the sky when we shoot." (Souryuu)
"I'm sleepy poi~" (Yuudachi)
"Let's go back and sleep." (Shigure)
"I want to take a bath first poi!" (Yuudachi)
"Once again, good job everyone. I glad everyone is able to come home."
"Thanks for all your hard work!" (Prinz Eugen)
"Kihihi. Of course! We are the best!" (Kawakaze)
I closed the channel and switched off the monitor.
"Should I send the telegram to Yokosuka?" (Ooyodo)
"That part is simple so I can do it. You are dismissed. Go to sleep."
"You need to write the battle report, right? I can send the telegram informing Yokosuka to proceed with the second phase." (Ooyodo)
"Hmm... All right. Just a simple message will do. No need to tell Akiyama too much. Once done, head to bed."
"Roger." (Ooyodo)
Once Yokosuka and Brunei complete their part of the mission, it's our Submarine fleet's turn to shine. Until then, looks like I need to make more preparations.
But first, what kind of punishment should I give her?