Author notes:
Next chapter is up! And I guess with it, we mark the official end of the Hunt for Bismarck (This is slated to be Part 13 on Pa-treon)! Nonetheless, we will still be delving onto its aftermath and then tying up a few loose ends to effectively engrave the Reichsmarine's rise to glory.
Until then, hope you all enjoy the chapter and the new pictures. Ciao and have a nice day!
Yuki at sea series (Two pictures, may be censored by Webnovel so please head over to Scribblehub if you can't see them)
P.S: This chapter is somewhat based on real facts so...
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"Temper, temper." Said Captain Lindemann, putting down his binoculars after gazing at the signal lamp from Prinz Eugen. His inferring of the coded signal from the heavy cruiser prompts a giggle from Admiral Tallulah.
"Heh, we did just obliterate two of the most powerful contemporary capital ships of the era in the span of minutes." Tallulah said with a smirk. "Gone are the mighty Royal Navy of the Seven Seas. It's us that hold the helms now."
As the bridge crew is basking in the afterglow of their astounding victory over their arch nemesis which is the Royal Navy, the XO communicates from the CIC to the bridge, saying. "Ma'am, sir, we are being hailed by the Inquisition Navy."
Tallulah raises an eyebrow at the sudden comms request but ultimately says. "Patch it to the bridge."
"Aye, ma'am." Said the XO while Tallulah moves to the bridge's comms station, picking up a microphone in the process.
A few seconds later, the gruff voice can be heard speaking in accented Belkan.
"This is Captain Giraud of the Inquisition Cruiser Reina Regente. Fellow skippers of the Reichsmarine, I saw that you scored great success over your long-time nemesis. I offer both my congratulation to you and to render any aid if you do need it, my friends."
"This is Admiral Tallulah aboard the RMS Bismarck, it's good to hear a friendly voice after a firefight, Captain Giraud. Our recent run-in with the Royal Navy was a great victory indeed. However, we didn't receive any substantial damage and are operating at 100% combat effectiveness." Tallulah responded in a positive tone.
"Hahaha, that's good to hear! Your warships are true masterpieces, I see, and I have no doubt that the men and women serving aboard your vessels are of wonderful skill. Though are you sure you're not gonna need any help from us? From what we can see, you're about to run into another major combat soon. At least, let us repay you for escorting the convoy carrying our much-needed supplies to safety."
Tallulah smiles, hearing the sincerity of the Spanish Captain. "Then who am I to keep saying no to your goodwill? If you're fine with it, can you help us recover the Erusean survivors like last time? As you would've known by now, we're very secretive about the capabilities of our warships. Having to watch over the prisoners in the heat of a chaotic battle is not an advisable act. And we would like to get a move on to intercept the last of the Erusean Home Fleet."
Captain Giraud chuckles. "That won't be much trouble at all! In fact, our governing body would like to have a chat with them. After all, messing with you Belkans, the biggest supporter of our cause, is a no-no. We will be in the area in an hour or so to recover the survivors. You can confidently brave your next battle without anyone pulling your leg, Admiral."
"That will be much appreciated, Captain. We will be deploying inflatable life rafts for the survivors and relaying the information about your arrival. A beacon will be deployed to mark their precise location, which my XO will be coordinating with you for search and rescue. Hopefully, that will keep the Eruseans in one place for easy retrieval." Tallulah informed.
"Such a thing will be extremely helpful, thank you, Admiral."
"No, we should be the one thanking you, Captain Giraud."
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After Bismarck and Prinz Eugen finish deploying additional life rafts and medical supplies for the Erusean sailors. The two Reichsmarine warships steam Northward, ready to face another wave of enemy. Before that though, accurate statistics of the two vessels after the recent battle are put on Admiral Tallulah's desk. And with that, Tallulah makes the call to Berlin.
"So let me get this straight," Tallulah flinches when she sees the Reich Marshal massaging the bridge of her nose in exasperation. "You intentionally dragged on the battle, even though the prerequisite objective of luring them in had already been achieved, and allowing your secondary guns and the Prinz Eugen to use them as target practices. This lengthened the engagement time and allowed the Prince of Wales to get a lucky shot at you, injuring a few sailors with an airburst?"
"... That is exactly what happened, ma'am. I had been overconfident and also underestimated the resourcefulness of my enemy. I take full responsibility for the consequences of my action and I give you my word that it won't happen again." Tallulah stood upright whilst saying that in all seriousness. It's not just the Wales that was lucky, but also her too. Had the shell wasn't intercepted midair, the damage would have been way more intensive.
Yuki sighs on the other end of the video call. "My order was to put up a false front, thus entrapping the enemy into a close engagement with your battleship. Once they're in the net, you would have used your superior firepower and accuracy to completely demolish them as fast as you can and not allow them neither a chance to retreat or react. Yet, you intentionally extended the conflict and leading to unnecessary damage and allowing a vessel to escape, giving them a chance to report back to their High Command about the danger you possess. Had it not been for your electronic warfare capability, that heavy cruiser would have been able to radio in with the Royal Navy Admiralty by now."
Leaning backward into her maroon cushioned chair, Yuki interlocks her fingers, saying in an even tone. "The arrogance, of not just you but also the rest of your crew, and by extension, the entire Reichsmarine is an institutional problem. For the past few years, you have been trained in the newest technologies and hammered with the best tactics. So much so that a sense of superiority is ingrained deep into your veins, clouding your judgment when it matters most, allowing you the gal to bend the instruction of your superiors. Granted, this matter should have been worded more comprehensively by both Karl Donitz and me. Yet, you, as a full-fledged Admiral, can't expect us to hold your hand like a damn child, right? What's the point of your training and our investment in you then?"
The heavy wording from Yuki makes Tallulah's heart sink. Despite the fact that Yuki is much younger than her, Tallulah still feels like a little girl being scolded for her misdeed by her teacher.
Yuki goes on to reprimand. "You're allowed the ability to act on your own volition in the field, as long your action benefits the Reich and is true to your heart. But tell me this, would taking such unnecessary risks benefit either of us in any way aside from Bismarck almost making the headline for being blown up with a singular shell from a battleship that's outdated by a decade? This ruse is to make sure you raise the spirit and unity of the Belkan people, a show of force for the entire world. It's not for you or any of your subordinates to turn this into your personal playground, leaving us to deal with the mess should you fall into a grave of your own making."
The more Yuki speaks, the more Tallulah wishes there was a watery grave she could jump in now to save her the embarrassment. Tallulah wilts under the judgemental gaze of Yuki, and the Reich Marshal knows that well. Nonetheless, Yuki knows that Tallulah is a good seed that was recommended by Karl Donitz himself as a replacement for the Grand Admiral position when he eventually retired. It won't be good for Yuki and the Reich if she tears the mermaid Admiral down to nothing, thus ruining the confidence of the woman. Hence Yuki decides to give the Admiral an out while also giving her a lesson that will improve her mentality as an officer of the future.
"Admiral Tallulah, you best consider yourself extremely lucky that the Gepards intercepted the shells in time, otherwise, the penalty won't end at just cutting your wage. Henceforth, you will be docked six months of salary, the money of which will be used as remuneration for the injuries your subordinates sustained due to your own doing. Once your sortie in the Atlantic is over and Bismarck is sent home for her refit, you and your crew will also be sent back to the Academy for a revamp of your training and mentality. Your names will be used as a wake-up call and a lesson for the Reichsmarine. I will not allow confidence without proper precautions to be the Achilles of the military under my command! Have I made myself clear?"
Having been given the chance, Tallulah knows that she is allowed to keep her job, for now. Feeling both thankful and relieved, fully knowing that it's a light punishment considering the potential for a catastrophic end that it could have been, Tallulah snaps into a perfect salute. "Crystal clear, Marshal! I won't let you down for a second time, ma'am!" Though she dreads that her co-workers will make fun of her about her retraining punishment, it's a thing she will have to get used to in the end. At the very least, she can use the chance to work out a regiment for her own betterment. But perhaps most important of all, she can network with the next generation of sailors, thus finding a way to break the mentality that plunged her into deep trouble with the Reich Marshal.
It may be uncalled for by the Marshal herself, but she would like to redeem herself by helping the young Marshal with whatever she can.
Yuki maintains an inquisitive gaze on the Admiral for a few moments without saying anything. She then lets out a subtle smile, having figured out the thought process of Tallulah. Rather than commenting on that, Yuki says. "I will hold you on that, Admiral Tallulah. Now, I want you to prepare yourself for the upcoming major battle. I will not understate anything, this one will determine who has the most sway in the Seven Seas. As such, I want you to stick to the overall plan, and be prepared to unleash everything you have, pull no punch, you hear me?"
"Loud and clear, Marshal." Tallulah nodded. "What about the Norfolk, we can easily chase her down right now, ma'am."
Yuki shakes her head in dismissal. "That won't be necessary. An air wing from the Yggdrasil will deal with her. You're to focus on ensuring peak performance."
"I understand, Marshal."
"On a lighter note," Yuki then continues. "The Fur Spaniard convoy is once again met with a welcoming reception, as you would have learned from your conversation with one Captain Giraud. The Spanish have been keen on making their displeasure well-known, and when combined with the fact that they had been fighting with the Royal Navy a few years back, bad blood has resurfaced and you can expect Erusean vessels are not to be welcomed unless it's a necessity."
Tallulah allows herself to nod, adding to the discussion. "Both sides have had regular skirmishes over Gibraltar for a long while before the Spanish war. It's not surprising for the Spanish Inquisition to take up the chance and bite them on an international scale."
Yuki smirks. "They are Hellbent on slapping the face of the Royal Navy with this matter. After all, Fur Spaniard is a convoy to fuel their defensive war effort. By interfering with us, the Royal Navy has made a very bad move and is now risking global condemnation. And we're about to plunge them 10000 feet below the sea."
Tallulah lets out a smile of her own, with Yuki then goes on to say. "Speaking of that matter, news of your victory over Hood and Prince of Wales is receiving preliminary coverage on all news stations of the Reich. Very soon, it will be broadcasted globally via various forms of media. Of course, we would have to cut out the... troubling decision of yours but expected to be welcomed as war heroes back home, Admiral."
Seeing that the Marshal is smiling in a teasing manner, obviously deciding to be easy on Tallulah for now, the Admiral allows herself to show a sheepish smile while scratching her cheek. "I will never live this down, won't I?"
Yuki giggles sonorously. "I'm afraid you won't. Be happy that your tale is only told in a closed circle."
Tallulah slumps her shoulders, accepting her fate for real this time. "At the very least, the Eruseans are dragged down with me."
"Just imagine the faces of their Admiralty when it's our new stations that report the sinking of the Hood and not their intelligence gathering branch. That should give you some confidence in dealing with the teasing of your peers." Yuki advised with a cheeky smirk, prompting Tallulah to do the same.
"I will take that advice to heart, Marshal. I am sure that their faces will be ones of stupid disbelief." Tallulah said before they proceed to move onto small talks, having done with the official reports earlier.
Once the video call ended with Yuki offering her blessing and a reminder of air support if need be, Tallulah can't stop herself from crashing down into her office chair. Tallulah lets her officer cap falls onto the floor while she stares up at the white ceiling of her quarter.
"Dear Yggdra that was so nerve-wracking..." Tallulah commented to no one in particular before drifting into a short power sleep to refresh her state of mind.
It's not until an hour later that the door to her quarter is knocked on by Lindemann, prompting her to get up and prepare herself for a tactical meeting. Making sure she is presentable, Tallulah answers the door, saying to Lindemann to go ahead without her. Before she gets out of the room though, Tallulah grabs her vacuum flask containing rich coffee inside. She has a feeling she will be needing it a lot.
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50 km away from the Bismarck and her escort is the still limping HMS Norfolk. Despite being lucky enough to avoid being hunted down by the monstrous Belkan battleship, the vessel still hasn't been able to contact any of her allied vessels. Rumors aboard the cruiser have it that the entire Home Fleet is wiped out by Bismarck and her cohorts, plunging the already crestfallen crew into a pit of despair. Making it so that the Captain of the Norfolk finds himself unable to salvage it, not when they just received an ass-whooping from two, whole Belkan warships, and not being able to hail any Erusean vessel. The crippled morale and ship have made it so that Norfolk is now setting a course to the nearest Erusean port instead of trying to rejoin Home Fleet. Even if they wanted to do the latter, they don't even know where the Home Fleet is anyway.
And as the devastated cruiser is sailing home, she has done so unknowing of the predators circling above her head.
"This is Rigel 1, we have the Norfolk on radar." Scanning his instrument aboard his Phantom, Captain Milosz Sulejmani says. "Any of you want to do the honor? On my part, sinking a half-dead vessel is not interesting enough."
"Nah ah, not me." Rigell 2 said, flying leveled to Rigel's 1 left. The rest of his flight also rescind their participation in killing the damaged cruiser, leaving the task on the other, less experienced flight trailing behind them.
It's a good chance for them to score a kill on their record so Sulejmani allows them the opportunity. "Alright Antares Squadron, you're up. Take this chance to earn yourself a mark. Sooner or later, you would become a frontline squadron so get yourself in the grove."
"This is Antares 1, on behalf of the rest of Antares Squadron, thank you, Captain Sulejmani." A young voice in his twenties responded. "We will be handing off the chance to our youngest, Gamer Spiele, Antares 4."
"Not sure how much enjoyment you will get from that, but happy hunting nonetheless." Sulejmani said before cutting off the comms link for now. He then watches as Antares Squadron, all flying Fw 152 Skyraiders geared for anti-ship duty, escort the youngest member of their squad up ahead. The Skyraiders are either equipped with Barracuda homing torpedoes or Exoscar anti-ship cruise missiles. The latter, in particular, is set for IR-seeker and active-radar homing as the Skyraider doesn't have a built-in radar system, only a radar warning receiver. As such, when, Antares 4 launches his pair of underbelly-mounted Exoscars, the missiles start tracking the Norfolk using their own sensors at a range of over 150 km. "Missiles away and are boosting toward its target." The young Antares 4, Gamer Spiele, announced.
The air group then tracks the missiles as they fly at Mach 0.8, closing the gap in seconds at sea-skimming altitude. The missiles apparently go unnoticed by the crew aboard the Norfolk as they make no effort in shooting them down or even perform evasive maneuvers. Unimpeded, the pair of Exoscars slam into the broadside of the Norfolk, almost causing the heavy cruiser to roll over due to the simultaneous impact before it starts listing heavily to the port side. Now fitted with two giant holes, Norfolk takes in seawater at an astounding rate, flooding the engine room and secondary generators in less than 30 seconds, thus cutting off any attempt of pumping the water out. The explosions also killed off a lot of Norfolk's crew, leaving damage control to be too slow to respond to the onset of the heavy flooding. Knowing that Norfolk is a lost cause, the Captain hastily orders an abandoned ship. Less than five minutes later, HMS Norfolk disappears beneath the waves and her signature is now gone on radar.
Over half of the Norfolk's crew made it out alive, bundling up with whatever debris and lifeboats they managed to cobble together before the cruiser sank beneath the wave. Sulejmani makes note of that when he performs a flyby over the area. If they're lucky, the sailors will be rescued by Captain Giraud and his cruiser by the end of the day.
"Congratulation on earning your first blood, Antares 4. Good effect and a good kill on a cruiser at that." Antares 1 complemented the recipient of the kill.
Antares 4 humbly replies. "It's nothing though. The cruiser is already half-dead due to the effort of Bismarck. I'm just allowed an easy score that you guys gave me."
"But it's a start. Hopefully, from here on out, you will be earning proper victories and become a certified veteran like the rest of us."
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The weather of the Atlantic worsen half a day later as an incessant shower is peppering both sides of the sudden naval conflict. Over on the Royal Navy side of things, the disappearance of HMS Hood and HMS Prince of Wales has garnered worries from the Erusean Admiralty. As such, HMS Ark Royal and HMS Hermes have deployed search parties in the form of their air wings, alongside all available aerial spotters of the Home Fleet. They hope to regain contact with Vice Admiral Holland's squadron, still in the dark about its destruction in the morning. Their secondary objective is to track the RMS Bismarck and RMS Prinz Eugen down and if given the chance, to stop them from breaking past the Home Fleet by any means necessary. The Royal Navy is now needing not just intelligence, but also a victory when they learned from Holland that the Bismarck is escorted by only a single ship.
As such, despite being battered by cold wind and rain, planes of the 810th Naval Air Squadron belonging to HMS Ark Royal brave forth, keeping their eyes peeled for any target near the last known position of HMS Hood. After patrolling the airspace for an hour and losing daylight quickly due to the rain clouds above, the Squadron Leader of the 810th is just about to call off the search when his squadron member inform them that they spotted funnel smoke to the East, North-East.
Deciding to give the call-out a shot, he directed the squadron to the location where the smoke was spotted. Very soon, despite the fuzzy visual thanks to the rain, they indeed see two vessels, one large and one small sailing in a formation. With their proximity to Vice Admiral Holland's last known location, and the fact that the formation size matched what was described by Holland himself, the Squadron Leader of the 810th identifies these are Belkan vessel Bismarck and Prinz Eugen.
The order is clear for all of them. If they spot these two warships and are armed with torpedoes, they are to attack and cripple the Belkans until Home Fleet arrives. Hence, the Squadron Leader signals the 810th Squadron to form in for a torpedo attack. All ten Swordfishes, each armed with a torpedo, then dive in for the leading, and also the larger, vessel. They consider it to be a powerful battleship, hence the Squadron Leader decides to go all-in.
Unsurprisingly, they receive immediate anti-aircraft fire from the two warships the moment they get to the approximate distance of less than 6 km. Given that these vessels are armed with Belkan weaponry, the flaks are much more intense than the 810th expected nonetheless. The sheer amount of tracers firing at them unnerves even the Squadron Leader himself, and it takes them everything ounce of willpower they have to not veer off course.
As a standard response to a torpedo attack, the warships relentlessly fill the sky with anti-air fire while performing evasive maneuvers. By filling up the sky with incessant flaks, the evading vessels managed to shoot down a Swordfish while damaging another and making it abandon its attack. That said, the rest of the Swordfishes manage to drop their payloads and the fishes are now swimming in the water.
Now flying above and passing the warships that are still maneuvering and trying to light the planes on fire, the Squadron Leader leans himself over to take a look at the lead vessel. He is shocked when he sees the warship is not flying the Belkan color, however. Instead, the broadsides of the two vessels are painted with the Spanish Navy flags, signifying their allegiance to the Spanish Inquisition.
And in his haste, thinking it's a good opportunity to accomplish his order, the Squadron Leader has ordered an attack on the wrong faction altogether. A matter of which that will no doubt trigger the Spanish into a forceful retaliation, no doubt. After all, both sides have been at each other's throats a few years back.
Nevertheless, it's too late to change things now. The torpedoes are in the water and the Erusean pilot can only hope these Spanish can dodge out of the way perfectly. With bated breath, he ignores the anti-air flaks and circles around despite his rear gunner questioning his sanity. A regretful look appears on his face when the lead vessel dodges everything but one singular torpedo that struck her aft. The ensuing explosion forces her to abandon her maneuver, now going in a slow clockwise circle. Her rudder and propulsion seem to be damaged by that strike.
Despite the fact that the Spanish shot down one of his squadron members earlier, the Leader of the 810th feels compelled to signal the now identify Spanish Cruiser with this line.
"Sorry for the kipper, Captain. We mistook you for Belkan warships."