9 December 1941
Location: The Pacific Ocean, 180km southeast of Pearl Harbour
Time: 1535
[Cleveland to Monsoor. Requesting immediate reinforcement. Position: 5 kilometers from extraction point. U-Boats in wolfpack formation engaging. We are outnumbered. Laffey is down. Over.]
"I suppose that's our cue, Lady Monsoor. What are your orders? May I remind you of your classified nature?" HMS Newcastle, standing ready in her rigging, spoke with calm precision. Her maid uniform fluttered slightly in the sea breeze.
"I know, Newcastle. If I recall correctly, the German Reich should have developed the 'Kolibri' by now. So we'll go in using the Seahawk. When they see us, they'll assume Azur Lane has developed its own rotorcraft. It also has ASW capabilities, and I can easily track the enemy U-Boats with its sonobuoys. I'll share the sonar data with you once we're airborne," Mo responded, her voice steady and determined.
"Very well, Lady Monsoor," Newcastle said, a slight smile crossing her face. She was satisfied with the plan.
"Let's move," Mo said as the two approached the parked Seahawk, preparing for immediate takeoff.
__________________________________________
Location: The Pacific Ocean, 185km southeast of Pearl Harbour
Time: 1540
Beneath the calm surface of the Pacific, a little girl swam through the water.
[Great hit, U-47!] the voice crackled through the radio.
"Good job, everyone," U-47 replied in her usual flat tone. She had hit her target, although it hadn't been the one she aimed for. Still, one less enemy ship was something she didn't need to worry about anymore.
Assigned to the Pacific after extensive training in the warm waters of the Sakura Empire, U-47 was still adjusting to the change from the colder Atlantic. Nonetheless, her instincts had proven right, her delayed shot caught the enemy off-guard, making them think the initial salvo was over. Eugen's plan to divide and overwhelm their foes was working well.
She was beginning to feel the weight of fatigue. Perhaps, after this mission, she could finally sleep. Or so she thought, this was when the rapid sound of blades cutting through the air caught her attention. U-47 surfaced, her curiosity piqued by the strange noise. A large machine passed overhead.
"U-101, I just saw a large flying contraption with a huge propeller on top heading toward the enemy. Know anything about it?" she asked over the radio.
[Eh? A flying contraption with a propeller on top?] U-101 replied, sounding puzzled.
[Eh? Flying contraption with propeller on top? Never heard of it..,] U-101 replied from the other side with a questioning tone.
[Could it be a rotorcraft? I read about something like that back home,] U-73 chimed in.
"I guess.. But I'm not sure, it's bigger than a fighter, though," U-47 replied with her focus attached to the flying rotorcraft.
[Eh? The one back home was not that big!] U-73 exclaimed with shock.
[Be cautious. Unknown rotorcraft in the area. We need to stay alert,] U-101 ordered the pack.
"Come on, I just want to sleep already.." U-47 sighed defeatedly.
______________________________________________________________________
The Seahawk flew low over the ocean, its rotors slicing through the humid air as Mo scanned the battlefield. Her primary objectives were to reach Cleveland's position and assist in neutralizing the U-Boats.
"Approaching Javelin's location," Mo reported as she readied the Seahawk's systems for landing, "Hold tight, Newcastle. You'll be on deck soon."
"Understood," Newcastle replied, her gaze focused on the scene below. The ocean was a chaotic battlefield. Explosions rippled through the water as depth charges detonated, while distant ships engaged in battle.
The Seahawk made a low pass over the water, hovering above the churning waves. Mo's expert hands guided the Chopper into position, and with a precise maneuver, she lowered it above Javelin's ship. Below them, Javelin was struggling to keep Laffey stable, Cleveland nearby providing cover.
The Seahawk hovered above the waves as Mo expertly positioned it over Javelin's ship. Below, Javelin was struggling to keep Laffey stable, while Cleveland provided cover fire.
"Newcastle, you're up!" Mo called as she steadied the helicopter. Without hesitation, Newcastle leapt down, landing gracefully on Javelin's deck. She immediately moved to take command of the defense.
"I've got it from here," Newcastle announced. "Cleveland, prepare to receive sonar data from Monsoor. We're hunting those U-Boats."
Cleveland nodded, relief clear in her expression. "Thanks, Newcastle. We've already lost too much time."
Mo flew the Seahawk higher, readying the sonar systems. A series of sonobuoys dropped into the water, quickly relaying their pings back to the helicopter and allied ships. The signatures of four U-Boats appeared on the screen, dark shapes moving beneath the waves.
[I'm picking up four targets, moving in a wolfpack formation,] Mo said, her voice calm despite the tension, [Sharing sonar data now.]
Cleveland was startled when she received data that showed the positions of the U-boats with startling clarity.
"Got them," Cleveland said, a smirk forming on her lips.
[I'll handle two of them. Cleveland and Newcastle, you take care of the other two.]
"Roger that," Cleveland confirmed.
Cleveland nodded as she veered into position, her rigging preparing to fire. "Let's make this count," she muttered, as the targeting data streamed in.
______________________________________________________________________
Beneath the surface, U-47 continued to watch the Seahawk's movements. The rotorcraft had become an unusual and dangerous presence on the battlefield.
"This thing's sonar is everywhere," U-47 muttered, irritation creeping into her voice as the sonar pings intensified.
The Seahawk was methodically sweeping the area, locking onto her squadron's movements.
[We're getting pinged hard! How are they tracking us so accurately?] U-101's voice crackled over the radio, frustration clear in her tone.
[That contraption above is the culprit! It's feeding their fleet sonar data!] U-73 chimed in, her voice filled with panic.
"We can't stay here," U-47 decided, her mind racing, "Dive deeper for evasive maneuvers."
[But—], U-101 began to protest.
"No time to argue. Do it. Now!" U-47 ordered.
The U-Boats began to dive deeper, but it was already too late.
____________________________________________________________________
"Two of them are diving deeper," Mo reported, her voice cold and determined, "I'm locking onto the closest ones. Deploying torpedoes."
With precision, Mo launched the Mark 54 torpedoes. The projectiles sliced through the water, leaving a trail of white bubbles in their wake as they homed in on their targets. The first torpedo struck its mark with a thunderous explosion, sending U-73 into a violent spin beneath the surface. Seconds later, the second torpedo slammed into U-101, tearing through the hull and causing it to implode under the water's pressure.
"Two confirmed hits," Mo announced, her voice steady, "Newcastle, Cleveland, you're up."
"Already on it, Lady Monsoor," Newcastle replied, her sharp eyes studying the sonar data, "We've got a strong lock. Cleveland, you take care of the one in the south."
"Targeting coordinates confirmed. Depth charges ready," Newcastle's voice came through Cleveland's radio, "Direct hit. Target neutralized."
Cleveland wasted no time, her rigging deployed depth charges with pinpoint accuracy. The charges plummeted into the ocean, sinking quickly toward the remaining U-boats. A moment later, the ocean erupted in a series of explosions, and the sea was painted with glimmering oil coming beneath the waves.
"Direct hit!" Cleveland cheered. "We got them!"
With the U-boats neutralized, Mo's focus shifted to the next phase of the mission. As the Seahawk circled back towards Javelin's position, Mo opened the secure channel to Enterprise, Belfast, and Duke of York.
______________________________________________________________________
[Enterprise, Belfast, York, this is Monsoor,] Mo's voice crackled over the radio, steady but with a hint of relief. [Hornet's fleet has successfully evacuated. Mission accomplished on this end.]
"Good work, Monsoor," Enterprise replied, her voice stern yet softened by relief. "We're pulling out as well. It's time to wrap this up."
Belfast's composed tone followed over the channel, [Understood, Lady Monsoor. We've achieved what we came for.]
Duke of York added in her regal voice, [We'll regroup at the extraction point. Let's make haste.]
As the radio went silent, Enterprise tightened her grip on her bow. For several minutes, she had been locked in a relentless duel with Zuikaku. Both carriers were evenly matched, their rigging and aircraft battling furiously in the skies and waters around them.
Zuikaku had been relentless, her sword slicing through the air in a series of deadly arcs, pressing Enterprise to her limits. But Enterprise had one last trick up her sleeve.
Zuikaku lunged, her blade aimed squarely at Enterprise's chest. With a swift, practiced motion, Enterprise shifted her stance, letting Zuikaku's sword cut into her rigging instead. The metal screeched as it was sliced, and for a brief moment, Zuikaku thought she had her opening.
But it was a trap.
With Zuikaku's sword stuck in the rigging, Enterprise seized the moment. At point-blank range, she nocked an arrow and fired, the glowing projectile streaking through the air with lethal accuracy. The arrow struck Zuikaku in the torso, sending her reeling backward with a sharp cry of pain.
"Got you," Enterprise muttered, her eyes gleaming with determination.
Zuikaku staggered, clutching her wound, severely weakened but not defeated. Before Enterprise could finish her off, a familiar voice echoed across the battlefield.
"Zuikaku!" Shokaku, having disengaged from her own battle with Belfast, sprinted toward her wounded sister. In a desperate move, she launched her aircraft, sending a wave of fighters and bombers to cover their retreat.
Belfast, now free from her engagement, coolly assessed the situation. "It seems it's time," she said with her usual calm.
Enterprise nodded, her breath still coming in heavy gasps from the intense duel. "We'll let them retreat for now. A wounded animal bites and claws, after all. Our mission is done."
Taking advantage of the temporary reprieve, Enterprise and Belfast moved toward Duke of York's position. There was no point in risking further conflict, not when they had already secured Hornet's safety.
As they approached, they saw that Eugen's fleet had taken a defensive formation, blocking their route. The tension was palpable. Though Eugen's forces held the numerical advantage, they were facing down two capital ships: Enterprise and Duke of York. Even in their weakened state, the odds were not in Eugen's favor.
Enterprise could see the calculations in Eugen's eyes. The smart choice was clear. A direct engagement with two capital ships could end in disaster, even with superior numbers.
Slowly, Enterprise raised her bow, ready for one last confrontation if necessary. But instead of advancing, Eugen gave the signal to retreat, her fleet withdrawing tactically.
"The Crimson Axis has decided to let us go," Belfast observed, a hint of approval in her voice. "A wise decision."
Eugen's forces began to fade into the horizon, leaving the battlefield quiet as the smoke and tension dissipated. The mission was complete. Azur Lane had secured their objective and could now retreat safely.
______________________________________________________________________
The sea was eerily still in the aftermath, the air thick with the scent of smoke and salt. Mo expertly guided the Seahawk patrolling the area, where Cleveland, Javelin, and Newcastle awaited further instructions.
On the bridge of the Seahawk, Mo let out a long breath she hadn't realized she was holding. The battle was over. For now.
"Mission accomplished," she murmured to herself, a wave of satisfaction washing over her.