The 6 submarine girls remained still underwater, waiting for the Abyssal planes to pass by. Once they were in the clear, I can hear them breath a sigh of relief through the radio.
"Phew. That was scary." (Ro)
"We better keep moving dechi?" (Goya)
"Yep. Head to T2. A Light fleet is there so expect AS resistance."
"Which one should we go first? T1, T3 or T4?" (Shioi)
"T1 first. Intel states there are Transport Ship Wa-classes there. If we are lucky, we might find the New Mediterranean Dreadnought Water Princess there."
"As fun as that sounds, we are no match for that." (Imuya)
"You will do fine. No matter how tough they are, torpedoes are will always find a way to penetrate their armour. "
"That's right nano. Just leave it to the sniper of the ocean nano!" (Iku)
With phase 2 cleared, Souryuu's fleet cleared out an Abyssal Installation and a Light fleet in the area to secure us a forward base. Once the entirety of Force Z and 10th Submarine Fleet has established the base, Phase 2.5B is in full swing. This objective of this phase is to draw out the New Abyssal Mediterranean Princess by eliminating the Abyssal forces in the area. Ryuujou has cleared her part of her mission, so now it's up to the submarines to deal the share before we can pass it to Zain for the remaining area.
The 6 submarines swam their way to T2.
"There they are." (Shioi)
"Alright. Line Ahead formation. Shioi, Goya."
"Alright~! The I-400-class' magnificent battle is beginning!" (Shioi)
"My seaplanes are all good-dechi!" (Goya
Shioi and Goya surfaced. Taking out a Zuiun (631 Air Group) and waiting for it's engines to rev up, Imuya tossed it into the air like a paper plane. Shioi took out her catapult. A Seiran (631 Air Group) emerged from the hanger and unfolded itself. Shioi angled her catapult upwards and launched her Seiran.
""Enemy fleet spotted. I'll get you!" (Shioi)
The Seiran and Zuiun commenced bombardment. Though it's just two seaplane bombers, they were still powerful enough to take out He-class and Tsu-class. Now it's just the four Destroyer Ro-class left.
"Good job! Everyone, mop up the rest."
"Understood!" (All)
The 4 Abyssal Destroyers, alerted to my girl's presence, charged towards them. Only one of them has ASW capabilities. The one with a obnoxious red glow around it.
"Load tubes 1 through 4. Now, let's go increase our accomplishments!" (Imuya)
"I'm not like Bismarck nee-san or Eugen-san but... I'll do my best!" (Ro)
"Feuer!" (Hachi)
"Launching 6 oxygen torpedoes!" (Iku)
The four submarines launched their torpedoes at the enemy. A couple of them were blown up midway by the enemy's mostly ineffective machine gun fire, but still enough to trigger a detonation, whilst the rest made contact with the Destroyers. The 3 regular Destroyers blew up and the red one was severely damaged. With the lower part of its body shattered and in flames, the Destroyer Ro-class Late Model Elite can only float on the spot and stick out it's tongue.
"The Seiran-sans are my friends after all." (Shioi)
Shioi surfaced and launched another Seiran. The damaged Destroyer Ro-class can only remain as the perfect target. The Seiran dropped it's payload on the wretched thing, putting it out of it's misery.
"T2 cleared! Alright♪" (Shioi)
"Nice! One more push and you rest for the day."
"We can clear T3 and T4 today too." (Imuya)
"Nah. Don't push yourselves. The last thing I want is the six injured girls. Advance to T1."
The fleet moved towards T1, keeping an eye out for any enemies in the area.
"So you've come deep into the Mediterranean." (???)
Huh?
"Admiral, I'm picking up some weird audio." (Ooyodo)
"Yeah. I heard that too. Girls, did you hear- I guess you did."
The six girls stopped in their tracks, looking around in confusion.
"Where did that come from?" (Hachi)
"Radar isn't picking anything up. Should I launch a Seiran to scout?" (Shioi)
"Go ahead. Everyone, hold your position. Wait for the Shioi's intel."
Shioi peeked out of the water and looked around. Once she is sure the coast is clear, she surfaced completely to assemble and launch a Seiran. The seaplane flew high in the sky, surveying the area within it's range.
"There is an Abyssal fleet south of our current position. 2 Heavy Cruiser Ri-class Flagships, 1 light Cruiser Ho-class Flagship, 1 Light Cruiser-Tsu class and 2 Destroyer Ro-class Late Models." (Shioi)
"Isn't that the the fleet composition for the Abyssal fleet in T3?" (Ooyodo)
I flipped through the intel file,
"Yeah. What are they doing in the area?"
With that weird audio we heard, this is slightly worrying.
"Keep moving to T1. Ooyodo, sortie Souryuu's fleet to provide support and cut an escape path in case shit hits the fan."
"Roger." (Ooyodo)
"10th Submarine Fleet, keep moving but keep it slow and steady. Shioi, call back your Seiran and switch back to radars. The new radars have a larger detection radius than our old ones. You can still get the jump on them before they detect you."
The submarines advanced slowly, keeping a constant speed and constant eye out for any danger.
"Shadow! High up!" (Ro)
"Halt!"
The 6 of them held their positions and their breath. A shadow passed over their location.
"Hachi, did you see what that was?"
"Looks like a seagull." (Hachi)
"A seagull? This far out? Nah. It's most likely an Abyssal aircraft."
"A new type? That's not a good sign." (SHioi)
"Souryuu's fleet is en route. ETA 45 minutes." (Ooyodo)
"Let's hope their deployment is unnecessary. Keep pushing forward."
The shadow flew over their heads again.
"I can see you. You still came despite the heat. I'll be your opponent! Don't underestimate me!" (???)
"What was that?!" (Ro)
"Radar is picking something up! It's a big one dechi." (Goya)
"Eyes on it. Now!"
The girls surfaced to get a visual on what their radar picked up. The shadow that just flew past them can be seen approaching some large figure in the distance. The large figure soon came into view. It was a girl with black ram horns, clad in black dress and sitting in the middle of 2 white Abyssal constructs. 3 gun barrels stuck out from behind the girl. The 2 constructs opened up, revealing a gaping maw with numerous sharp teeth and 5 gun barrels, 2 on top and 3 at the bottom. This could be the new Mediterranean Princess that we are looking for. A kind we have never seen before
More importantly, why is it showing up now? It's supposed to appear after we clear out every single Target-Of-Interest.
Escorting the new princess is a Abyssal Mediterranean Princess, the same type Force Z-A sunk a while back, and other relatively dangerous Abyssal types. It's a combined Abyssal fleet.
"All units, retreat! Ooyodo, relay a direct order to Souryuu's fleet. Get there on the double!"
"This sea... is ours!" (Abyssal Princess?)
"Crash dive!" (Shioi)
The 6 of them dived deep enough to avoid the incoming shells. Thankfully, none of them were hurt by the initial strike.
"Get out of there!"
"Admiral! The fleet from before is approaching our position!" (Shioi)
"This is bad." (Hachi)
"We are going to get surrounded dechi." (Goya)
"Goya, Ro! Cut a path through the one blocking the path! Throw everything you have at them. The rest of you, cover the rear. Shioi, Hachi, get all of your Seirans and Zuiuns up in the air and try to stall for time. We are getting out of here alive!"
"Roger!" (All)
"This is Souryuu. We are 30 minutes out. Planes have been launch and should reach your location in 15." (Souryuu)
Goya, Hachi, Shioi surfaced and launched their seaplanes. Goya's Zuiun flew towards the approching fleet while Shioi's and Hachi's planes went for the Abyssal princess. Explosions covered both sides as the seaplanes got to work. At the same time, Iku and Ro emptied their torpedoes onto the fleet that is about to box them in, sinking a number of them. The seaplanes assigned to stall for time attacked the Abyssal Princess, dropping their payload in an attempt to deal some damage.
"This much... is nothing." (Abyssal Princess)
As expected, the Seirans and Zuiun barely scratched it, but they still managed to do a number on the weaker escorts.
"We cut opened a path! Let's go!" (Imuya)
The 6 submarines swam past the third partying Abyssal Fleet. The surviving memebers of the Abyssal fleet gave chase, taking potshots and launching torpedoes at the retreating girls.
"Don't stop. Keep swimming."
Torpedoes and shells whizzed past them dangerously.
"I see them. Initiating air support." (Souryuu)
"About time." (Goya)
Suiseis flew past the girls and unloaded onto the 2 Heavy Cruiser Ri-class Flagships and light Cruiser Ho-class Flagship. The Ho-class immediately sank while the Ri-class scattered. The Abyssal Heavy Cruisers fired at the Suiseis, who expertly dodged the incoming AA fire and retreated. That brief moment was enough to distract them and allow my girls to retreat and meet up with Souryuu. Once we are certain their pursuers have given up, all of us heaved a sigh of relief.
"Holy crap. Anyone hurt?"
"We are all okay." (Shioi)
"Woohoo! That was thrilling nano!" (Iku)
"What a ride dechi." (Goya)
"My heart is still beating so fast~" (Ro)
"Glad to see you three are having fun." (Imuya)
"I didn't see the New one. What was it like?" (Souryuu)
"A sheep-girl? It has two balls full of teeth." (Hachi)
"Head back to the forward base. I will report and figure out what the hell is going on. Until then, just relax and wait for my orders."
"Roger!" (All)
"Keita out."
I switched off the console and slumped back into my chair.
"Ooyodo, did we managed to get all that on camera?"
"Let me check... Yes. It's all on recording." (Ooyodo)
"Alright. I will write up a report. Send it along with the last bit of footage showing the New Abyssal to HQ. They might want to see this."
Looks like I'm not sleeping tonight. Goddammit.