27 February 1942,
Location: Java Sea
Time: 1900
The battle to defend Java was not limited to just the sea, but also to the sky. Along with their surface vessels and troop transports, the Sakuran also deployed their air force to ensure the success of Java landing.
Air raids sirens were blaring from Soerabaja when waves of land-based Ki-48 light bombers and A5N fighter escorts flew from Borneo and Celebes after the weather cleared and the full moon could be seen. Their plan was simple, to provide air cover on the battlefield and to soften the landing ground on Soerabaja.
Although it sounded simple, it did not mean it would be simply done.
After three days of relentless repelling aerial attacks, Indomitable had honed her interception skills, her aircraft and systems becoming much more effective at intercepting the waves of air raids even at night. Now, under her steady command, the skies were defended against enemy bombers targeting both the allied shipgirls and Soerabaja's shores. Each enemy squadron that attempted to breach the perimeter was met with well-coordinated resistance, Indomitable's planes countering the barrage with skill.
"Another wave," Indomitable called out, her eyes narrowing as her radar downlink from Mo detected more enemy craft approaching. Memphis, staying beside her, nodded in affirmation. "They won't get through this time, just as before."
"They'd better not," Indomitable replied, her voice laced with fatigue, but her, being notorious for her laziness, became the most hardworking in the face of the urgent situation. "Let's keep them away from our girls and the landing zone."
While Indomitable provided air cover, Mo continued her assault on the enemy transports' escorts. Even in the darkness of night, Mo's radar targeting system made pinpoint accuracy possible. Each railgun shot was as precise as the last, streaking through the air and striking the enemy warships below the waterline, leading to flooding or outright destruction.
From the shadows of her rigging, Mo's railgun crackled with its familiar blue energy, and another shot was fired. With that, a destroyer escorting the transports was torn apart by the Mach-7 round.
"There's still quite a bit left," Mo muttered quietly as her railgun recharged.
As Mo continued her strikes, Java stirred, her eyes fluttering open. The pain from her earlier wound was evident. Seeing De Ruyter beside her, Java weakly reached out, "De Ruyter? I'm glad you're fine.."
De Ruyter could only smile, but her hesitation was apparent, glancing between her fallen comrade and the ongoing battle. But Jervis, the combat medic destroyer from Mo's detachment, arrived at that moment, quickly taking over.
"I've got this," Jervis said softly, already tending to Java's wounds. "She'll be safe with me."
Relieved, De Ruyter and Houston exchanged a look of understanding. It was time to return to the fight.
"Stay strong, Java," De Ruyter said with a firm nod before she and Houston moved back toward the frontlines.
Rejoining the battle, De Ruyter and Houston found Newcastle, who had been holding her position at the frontline as bait for enemy's heavy cruisers.
"You two ready?" Newcastle asked, her voice calm despite the frenetic energy around them.
"Always," De Ruyter replied. "We'll help keep those heavy cruisers busy. The Lightning Lady seems to have her hands full with the escorts."
The trio moved as one, engaging Nachi and Haguro with coordinated precision, keeping the two heavy cruisers preoccupied. While Mo's railgun pounded the enemy escorts, De Ruyter, Houston, and Newcastle danced between the heavy cruisers' salvos, their combined efforts keeping the larger enemy vessels at bay.
One by one, the Sakuran invasion forces fell. Between Mo's precise railgun strikes and the friendly destroyers systematically engaging the transport ships, the tide had turned decisively in favor of the Azur Lane forces. The invasion was now impossible, the enemy fleet had been shattered.
Mo fired her last railgun round, sinking another escort as she surveyed the battlefield. Her targets were gone, and the Sakuran transports had been dealt with.
"That's it…" Mo whispered, feeling the fatigue wash over her. The energy that had driven her all this time now drained away, and her ammunition reserves were fully depleted.
After witnessing the devastation and knowing the battle was lost, the Sakuran made a quick decision. One of the heavy cruisers, Nachi, signaled retreat.
"We're retreating! What's left of the fleet, fall back!" Her shout was loud enough to be heard by De Ruyter, Newcastle, and Houston. From the sound of it, the voice barely hid the frustration and disbelief at the turn of events.
As the enemy began to withdraw, Newcastle turned to Mo. "We can't let them escape, Lady Monsoor. If they return, your secrets may be exposed."
Mo, her breathing labored, shook her head. "No… we've done enough. Besides, I'm out of railgun ammo."
She paused, glancing at the missile systems on her rigging. "I could still use my missiles, but that would reveal even more of my technology."
"Understood," Newcastle responded, though her eyes flickered with concern. "We'll have to hope this is enough."
With the Sakuran fleet retreating, the battle was finally over. Java had been defended, and the invasion was thwarted. De Ruyter, now standing beside Mo, looked at her with gratitude. "You and your team… you saved us. I can't thank you enough."
Mo, exhausted but composed, nodded slightly. "We're allies. That's what we're here for."
De Ruyter smiled, though her weariness was evident. "We'll head back to Soerabaja to recover. You should join us."
As the team began their journey back to port, Indomitable's planes still patrolled the skies, ensuring no more surprises from the retreating enemy. The battle was won, but the scars of it would take time to heal.
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The retreat toward Soerabaja was slow and heavy with sorrow. De Ruyter walked ahead, cradling the shattered remains of Electra and Kortenaer in her arms. The remnants of the once-vibrant destroyers felt impossibly fragile now, and each step seemed to echo with the weight of lives lost.
"I'm sorry about your fleetmates," Mo said softly, walking beside De Ruyter, unsure how to comfort someone whose grief ran as deep as hers.
De Ruyter shook her head, her expression distant.
"They fought well," she replied, her voice tight but steady. "We'll give them a proper rest when we reach Soerabaja. They deserve that much at least."
"They'll be remembered," Houston added, walking alongside the pair, her face shadowed with the same grim resolve. "We'll make sure of that."
Mo glanced at Newcastle, who was walking quietly by her side. "It doesn't get any easier, does it?"
Newcastle, ever the graceful one, smiled gently. "No, but we carry on for their sake. That's what it means to be here. To fight on." Her voice had a comforting warmth to it, like a guiding light through the darkness.
As they continued, the rest of their forces began to regroup. Exeter was among them, her pace hurried as she approached Mo's group, gratitude shining in her eyes.
"Your detachment… I can't thank you enough for everything you've done," she said, her gaze flickering between Mo and Jervis, who had tended to the wounded Java. "Especially you, Jervis. Without your quick action, we might have lost her."
Jervis shrugged it off professionally, "Just doing my job," she mumbled, though there was a hint of pride in her voice.
"You saved more than one life today, thanks for your aid during my retreat" Exeter said earnestly, giving Jervis a firm nod. "Once again, thank you."
The mood briefly lightened when a familiar laugh rang out. Amazon, always the loud and boisterous one, made her way toward them, flanked by Jupiter and Encounter.
"Well, well! Look at this sorry lot! Still alive and kicking, eh?" Amazon clapped Jupiter on the back, pulling both destroyers into a tight, almost crushing embrace.
Jupiter groaned, half-laughing. "You've still got that vice grip, Amazon. Take it easy."
"Not a chance!" Amazon declared, grinning ear to ear. But her expression faltered when her gaze fell upon the debris in De Ruyter's arms. "Is that… Electra?"
De Ruyter's eyes softened with sadness as she nodded. "She gave everything she had. She fell protecting us all."
Amazon's boisterousness faded instantly, and she looked to Encounter, whose face had gone pale. "Encounter… I'm sorry," Amazon said quietly, her voice uncharacteristically tender. "Losing a sister… it's not something you can just shake off."
Encounter swallowed hard, blinking rapidly as she tried to hold back tears. "I just… I just wish I could've done something," she whispered.
De Ruyter stepped forward, her tone firm but kind. "She fought with everything she had. You did, too. We all did. That's all anyone can ask for." She looked Amazon in the eyes. "We'll make sure Electra and the others are honored properly. I promise."
To turn the atmosphere around a bit, Mo introduced herself to De Ruyter's fleet. "I'm USS Michael Monsoor, DDG-1001. Officially classified as a Research Ship," she said, with a friendly smile. De Ruyter and Houston exchanged glances.
"A Research Ship?" De Ruyter's curiosity was piqued. "That's… not what I expected given your performance. Most research ships are green in combat."
"Well, Miss Monsoor is no ordinary Research Ship, I suppose," Houston added, raising an eyebrow. Though no one knew Mo's true origin, her prowess in battle had clearly defied expectations.
Newcastle followed Mo's introduction with grace. "I am HMS Newcastle, part of the Royal Navy Maid Corps and Lady Monsoor's maid" she said, the title causing some murmurs. De Ruyter's eyes widened.
"A maid? That means…" De Ruyter's mind raced. The Maid Corps was legendary, known for their loyalty and skill, but a personal maid? That was rare.
Houston gave a low whistle. "Only the most important kansen get personal maids. Miss Monsoor must be someone of great significance."
Newcastle simply smiled. "I'm here to ensure Lady Monsoor doesn't push herself too far."
Amazon, with her usual energy, introduced herself next. "I'm Amazon. Friends with Jupiter, Encounter, and the late Elektra." She paused, her tone softening as she mentioned Elektra's name.
Jervis spoke up flatly "By the way, Jupiter's my sister. If she's the bossy one, I'm the responsible one."
Jupiter grinned, her earlier sorrow momentarily fading. "She likes to think so."
The road to Soerabaja stretched out before them, but it wasn't long before more familiar faces joined the formation. Indomitable and Memphis, having just completed their duties, moved gracefully beside the group.
"Looks like we're a bit late for the introductions," Indomitable said, barely masking the fatigue in her voice.
"We wouldn't leave without you," Mo said with a small smile, glad to see them safe. She turned to the others. "Everyone, this is Indomitable and Memphis. They've been covering the skies while we've been down here."
"Nice to meet you all," Memphis said, offering a polite nod.
As the group continued their journey, the other side also began to introduce themselves and exchange stories, their voices soft but steady in the night air. Though the grief lingered, they found comfort in each other's presence, drawing strength from the bonds they had forged in the heat of battle.
The stars above them seemed brighter now, guiding them forward, even as the weight of loss tugged at their hearts. Together, they made their way toward Soerabaja, carrying the fallen with them in both body and spirit.