"Cleveland!!!!!!!!!!!!"
Helena cried out, witnessing Cleveland take a direct hit to the head. The projectile exploded on impact, but thankfully, Cleveland was wearing her Kevlar helmet.
One of the Executor-Class Sirens survived the initial Tomahawk strike. The Explorer MK-1 was covered in blood and burn marks from the explosion.
Helena cradled Cleveland, her lap quickly becoming soaked with blood. She panicked. "Cleveland, noooo..."
Everyone heard Helena's scream and the subsequent explosion. Lucas's Aegis Combat System detected the lone surviving Humanoid Siren.
Identifying the threat, Lucas immediately ordered another Tomahawk strike. A missile launched from one of his VLS cells, heading straight for the Siren.
Cleveland's sisters – the Baltimore Sisters, Brooklyn Sisters, and the Quincies, who were nearby, unleashed a hail of gunfire at the isolated Humanoid Siren.
After they emptied their thirty-round magazines on the Siren, the Tomahawk missiles overhead finished the job.
As the smoke cleared, the girls rushed to Helena and Cleveland. They found Helena weeping, Cleveland lying in her lap, drenched in her own blood.
"Cleveland!"
Cleveland's sisters helped their eldest, providing first aid. Biloxi carefully removed the burned and melted Kevlar helmet from Cleveland's head.
Biloxi, their designated medic, wasn't afraid of blood, a crucial trait for the field.
With the helmet removed, Biloxi applied pressure to the wound to stop the bleeding. She then retrieved morphine from the medical kit and injected it into a visible vein on Cleveland's wrist.
"Is she going to be alright?" Helena asked, tears streaming down her face.
"I... I don't know..." Biloxi replied, her head hang low.
Everyone was saddened by what had happened, especially Cleveland's sisters. They were both heartbroken and furious.
"Cleveland..." Helena repeated her name, desperately urging her to open her eyes.
"What happened?" Lucas asked, finally arriving on the scene.
To his shock, he saw the sorrow etched on everyone's faces. They didn't speak, simply allowing him to see the grim reality.
His eyes widened in disbelief as he saw Cleveland, covered in blood, receiving first aid from Biloxi.
Biloxi spoke urgently. "Sir, we need to call for a MEDOVAC. Cleveland is losing blood, Sir."
Lucas stared blankly, the surrounding noise fading into silence. His mind raced. He had witnessed JS Maya in a critical state, and now... Cleveland was on the verge of death.
'I did it again... I let another one of my friends get hurt... Why? Why?!'
Lost in his thoughts, Montpelier struck his helmet with the buttstock of her M27 IAR, snapping him back to reality. An enraged Montpelier confronted him.
"Cleveland is dying here! Do something! Don't just stand there like a goddamn statue! Do something... please, save her." She pleaded, tears streaming down her face.
Hearing her words, everyone looked to him, awaiting his command. Lucas clenched his fists, regaining his composure.
"Get her to the sick bay," he ordered, then summoned his ship.
Following his order, the Cleveland Sisters carefully placed Cleveland on a stretcher and rushed her towards Lucas's ship.
~Time Skip~
Lucas stood on the right wing of his ship's bridge, lost in gloomy contemplation.
"Sir Lucas, it's not your fault. Mistakes happen, even when we least expect them," Wales said, observing his somber mood.
"I know... but officers are responsible for those under their command, even for the smallest oversight," Lucas replied.
Wales understood his feelings, having been an officer herself. "You can't blame yourself entirely. If you continue to do so, it will affect everyone. They look to you for guidance... you are their leader."
Lucas listened to her advice. After a few minutes, a Meowfficer approached them with a report.
"We're approaching the beach landing, ETA 10 minutes," the Meowfficer reported.
After receiving the report, Lucas dismissed the Meowfficer. Wales excused herself.
"I should take my leave, Sir Lucas. I need to prepare to rendezvous with the rest of the Royal Navy."
As soon as Wales left him alone, Lucas glanced at the aft of his ship, where a Seahawk was being prepared for MEDOVAC.
At The Helideck
Manjuus brought an MH-60 Seahawk out of the hangar. On the helideck, the four propellers on top and the tail unfolded.
After the Manjuus inspected the Seahawk, they gave a thumbs-up, indicating the craft was ready for takeoff.
"Helena, take care of her," Denver said, tapping her on the shoulder.
"Take care of Cleveland. We're counting on you," Columbia added.
"We're counting on you, Helena," Brooklyn said to her sister.
Helena was tasked with escorting Cleveland on the MEDOVAC. Due to her current state, it was decided that she should accompany Cleveland to the Azur Lane Main Fleet.
With renewed determination, Helena nodded as she was now back to her usual self. "I will."
Medical staff (Manjuu) carried a stretcher to where Cleveland lay. The helicopter crew helped position the stretcher for MEDOVAC.
"I'm taking my leave now," Helena said as she boarded the helicopter, sitting next to Cleveland and holding her hand.
The Cleveland Sisters and the other Cruisers at the helideck stepped back to allow the departing MH-60 Seahawk space to take off.
Denver, Montpelier, Columbia, Birmingham, and Biloxi watched the Seahawk fly towards the Main Fleet, where William was located at.
The Seahawk was not alone in the air as it was escorted by Chaser's Spitfire fighter escort.
...
Beach Landing
Battleships, Light Carriers, Escort Ships, and various LSTs (Landing Ship Tanks) were at the beach, unloading tanks, vehicles, and supplies.
The scene was akin to that of classic "WW2 beach landing", with all the Ships unloading supplies and heavy equipment at the beach.
Army trucks were being loaded with ammunition and troops, heading towards the Siren Base, now a battleground between Azur Lane ground forces and Siren minions and Humanoid Sirens on the ground.
Propeller planes took off from the decks of the Carriers to support the ground forces on their advance.
Cmdr. Elena stood on the bridge of the New Jersey Battleship, observing the controlled chaos of the beach landing.
"I never realized the scale of logistics in such an invasion was so exhausting," she commented.
New Jersey, beside her, replied, "Amateurs talk about strategy, and professionals talk about logistics."
Cmdr. Elena was intrigued. "That's a great saying."
New Jersey scratched the back of her head and made a cat-like face. "I heard it from Enterprise (80) when she was planning this amphibious assault not long ago."
Cmdr. Elena smiled. 'No wonder she often clashes with the Army Generals when it comes to the whole ordeal of amphibious warfare,' she thought.
'If she let those amateur Army Generals who wanted to spearhead everything, they'd forget about logistics itself.'
New Jersey noticed the silhouettes on the horizon – the boxy structures of the Royal Navy Ships and America's Aegis Destroyer, visible in the afternoon sun.
"Looks like our guests have arrived," she said, gesturing to Cmdr. Elena.
Cmdr. Elena squinted at the approaching ships. "Alright... let's greet them."
HMS Howe
Cmdr. Aldrin sighed in relief that the Royal Navy Shipgirls under his command hadn't sustained any significant damage.
"Thank God, Her Majesty. I really don't like submitting a report that's as thick as a book," he said in relieved.
"Commander?" Cmdr. Aldrin flinched at Howe's voice, laced with anger.
"You're glad you don't have to write a lengthy report, but not concerned about my sister's well-being... Commander...?" she said, her tone menacing.
Cmdr. Aldrin quickly tried to salvage the situation. "Of course, I'm worried about Wales' well-being. I just... don't want to write a report thick as a book."
Howe understood the Commander's aversion to paperwork and sighed.
"Speaking of Her Majesty, do you think she's alright?" Cmdr. Aldrin asked.
Howe glanced towards the Azur Lane Main Force, where she could see the faint outline of the Energy Dome protruding on the horizon.
"She's with Miss Belfast, Lady Hood, and Lady Warspite – not to mention Miss Enterprise is also there. I wouldn't worry about it," she said, hoping for the best.
Cmdr. Aldrin made a face of doubt, out of Howe's sight. 'I'm more worried about them than Her Majesty. Queen Elizabeth and her lack of patience concern me greatly.'
USS New Jersey
USS Jack H. Lucas lay anchored snugly beside USS New Jersey, a sturdy gangway bridging the gap between the two vessels.
On the deck of the Aegis Destroyer, Manjuus made repairs over the equipment and various antennas atop the mast. Lucas's earlier deployment of a Nuclear Tomahawk against Orochi had resulted in an EMP blast, causing significant damage to the ship's sensitive radio antennas.
At the deck, other Manjuus busily hauled thick ropes, connecting fuel hoses to the Destroyer's fuel pipes for a much-needed refueling. Aft of the rear smokestack, more Manjuus meticulously reloaded the RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile launchers with fresh ordnance.
The scene was that of typical US Navy replenishment operation, executed with the tireless efficiency of the Manjuu.
On the deck of the Battleship, Lucas and the Girls were attempting to snatch a moment of rest and recuperation, the exhaustion of the recent battle etched on their faces. The events that had transpired weighed heavily on everyone's minds.
The presence of Orochi, ominously anchored near the Siren Base, did little to ease their tension. Speculation ran rampant that the massive Siren ship was strategically positioned to prevent any Azur Lane ground troops from gaining a foothold at the Siren Base.
Furthermore, Reconnaissance Planes had captured a chilling photo of Orochi sheltering itself behind its formidable shield. No one could definitively ascertain the massive Siren ship's purpose.
'Is it afraid of an aerial attack?' Lucas pondered, his gaze fixed on the stark black and white photograph.
"What are your thoughts, Sir Lucas?" Perseus asked, her voice soft as she gestured to the photo in his hand.
Perseus and her Reconnaissance Plane were responsible for capturing the image of Orochi ensconced within its seemingly 'impenetrable' shield.
"Did your Recon Plane ever observe Orochi lowering its shield, even for a moment?" Lucas inquired.
Perseus shook her head. "No. Orochi hasn't lowered its shield at all until now."
Lucas lowered his head, resting his arms on the Battleship's railing. A heavy sigh escaped his lips. "The bastard is afraid of aerial attacks after all, after all those Orochis got blasted by the power of the sun," he muttered under his breath.
Perseus frowned, confused by the unusual phrase. "Umm... pardon me? What did you mean by 'power of the sun'?"
Lucas grunted dismissively. "Forget about it. We just need to figure out why this thing is there." He paused. "Are there any clearer photos of Orochi from your vantage point?" he asked.
"Yes, there's one," she replied, carefully extracting an envelope she held. "Here," she said, offering the clearer image.
Lucas took the photograph and examined it intently through a magnifying glass. Perseus watched him with curiosity, wondering why he required such a detailed view of Orochi's deck.
Suddenly, a smile broke across Lucas's face, puzzling her. "So that's why," he murmured to himself.
"That's why? What is it, Sir Lucas?" she asked, her confusion deepening.
"I've been wondering why this entire area hasn't been bombarded by Ballistic Missiles or any Long-Range Attacks," he exclaimed, his tone a mixture of surprise and realization, like a child uncovering a fascinating secret.
Perseus was utterly bewildered by his statement. "Ballistic... missiles?"
"This particular Orochi lacks the capability to launch any Missiles," he explained, pointing to a specific area in the photo. "There is no Missile Launcher."
The Sirens, in their haste to produce more Orochi-Class Ships, had apparently left this one lacking essential components or weaponry, including anything that could ensure its long-term survival.
The Beaver Squad, with their daring use of C-4 charges and some crucial kill assists from carrier-based aircraft, had already managed to sink one Orochi.
The Carrier version of Orochi and the Plasma Cannon-equipped Orochi both lacked shield generators, making them relatively easy targets for nuclear strikes.
(Note: The Carrier Orochi version has not yet been nuked in this chapter.)
Perseus finally grasped the implications of Lucas's explanation. "So, how are we going to deal with this threat, then?" she asked.
Lucas, of course, wouldn't even consider ordering a nuclear strike on a vessel situated just miles away from the Siren Base, where their own ground troops were actively engaged.
Lost in deep contemplation about his approach to the Massive Siren Ship, Perseus's name was called by another voice, to give a new report.
"Perseus, Perseus!"
Perseus turned to see a young girl with a Yo-Gi-Oh Duel Disk strapped to her arm. "Yes, Hermes? What's the report?"
Hermes, slightly out of breath from running and climbing the ship's gangway, announced, "Orochi is making a move."
The sudden and urgent news jolted both of them.
"Are you certain?" Perseus asked, seeking confirmation.
Hermes nodded emphatically. "Yes. My Reconnaissance Plane just reported that the Ship is now moving in this direction."
Lucas immediately contacted his Ship's Radar Operator, inquiring about Orochi's movement. The Radar Operator swiftly confirmed Orochi's change in status and its new heading.
"We need to stop that massive Siren ship before it even gets close to the beach landing," Lucas declared, his voice firm.
"That would be impossible," Wales interjected, having rejoined the group after her earlier conversation with Lucas.
"Wales? How long have you been standing there?" Lucas asked, slightly surprised.
"Just a moment ago. You both seemed so engrossed in the topic of Orochi that you failed to notice my return."
"I... I see..." Lucas replied, a touch of embarrassment in his tone.
"Is everything alright?" Cmdr. Elena asked, arriving at the center of the sudden commotion. "I heard Orochi is on the move. Is it true?"
Lucas nodded grimly. "Yes. Its current trajectory is directly towards... the beach landing."
"So, how are we going to stop it in its tracks?" New Jersey asked, a dangerous glint forming in her eyes.
"Do we have enough firepower to contend with Orochi?" Lucas questioned, his gaze sweeping over the assembled shipgirls.
Both Cmdr. Elena and Wales shook their heads in unison. "No. While we may outnumber Orochi in terms of gun barrels per Battleship, we lack the raw destructive power to match it," Wales stated flatly.
"Wales is correct. Even if we vastly outnumbered Orochi, its shield wouldn't simply break, even under a full broadside salvo," Cmdr. Elena added, her voice grave.
But their words seemed to fall on deaf ears. A plan, audacious and potentially reckless, was already forming in Lucas's mind.
Wales and the other girls exchanged uneasy glances as a wide grin spread across Lucas's face. A collective shiver ran down their spines; they knew that expression all too well.
"Wales, I need you and the rest of the battleships to be ready."
Wales flinched at his words, her earlier warnings seemingly ignored. "Have you even heard what the Commander and I just said? We can't possibly match Oroch—"
Before she could finish her argument, Lucas raised a finger, silencing her. "Call them on deck. Now," he commanded, his tone leaving no room for debate.
"Ye-Yes, right away," Wales stammered, already turning to relay the order to Renown and Repulse.
Lucas then shifted his attention back to the female Commander. "Umm... is there anything you require?" Cmdr. Elena asked, a knot of apprehension tightening in her stomach as she met Lucas's intense gaze.
Without warning, Lucas rested his right arm casually across the Commander's left shoulder, causing her to yelp in surprise. A mischievous smirk played on his lips, a look that made Cmdr. Elena deeply uneasy.
The other girls also shifted uncomfortably, a shared sense of foreboding settling over them. They recognized that particular glint in Lucas's eyes; it usually preceded some wildly unconventional and potentially disastrous plan.
"I need to borrow your boat."
Lucas's words hung in the air, eliciting a simultaneous and incredulous "Eh!!!!!!!!!!" from both New Jersey and Cmdr. Elena.
Que: ( "I need to borrow your boat" (AC/DC's Thunderstruck Scene) | Battleship | CLIP )
The gangplank and gangways were swiftly retracted. On the battleship's main deck, Manjuus bustled about, clearing away any loose equipment or flammable materials.
Lucas strode along the port side of the main deck, the two bewildered commanders flanking him as they headed towards the battleship's bridge.
"How's our fuel situation?" Lucas inquired, his voice brisk.
New Jersey, recovering quickly from her initial shock, replied with a confident grin. "My fuel tanks are topped off and ready for this ride."
"And ordnance?"
"Just got a fresh resupply, Sir! We've got more than enough ammo to throw around," she declared enthusiastically, though her Commander remained visibly apprehensive about the prospect of facing Orochi head-on.
"Alright then, we've got work to do."
At the Battleship's Aft
Wales, Chaser, South Dakota, Alabama, and Massachusetts stood in stunned silence, their faces reflecting a mixture of disbelief and apprehension after hearing the order to directly confront Orochi.
Columbia, shaking her head slightly, finally breaking their daze. "What are you all staring at? Get into your riggings!"
"Ye-Yes," they mumbled in unison, their voices still tinged with disbelief.
Nearby, Denver, Montpelier, Birmingham, Biloxi, Baltimore, Bremerton, Brooklyn, Phoenix, St. Louis, Honolulu, Quincy, and Astoria efficiently reloaded their Rifles with fresh magazines and ammunition, their movements swift and practiced despite the underlying tension.
"Umm... Sis, are we really going to face Orochi?" Repulse asked, her voice laced with worry about their impending destination.
"Sure like it." Renown replied, attempting to project an air of nonchalance while secretly battling her own resurfacing fears of confronting the massive Siren ship.
"Holy shit,"
At the Battleship's Bridge, Lucas stood at the forward windows of the bridge, his gaze fixed on the horizon as the sharp bow of the Iowa-Class Battleship cleaved through the waves. The sturdy hull sliced through the water with unwavering purpose, sending plumes of spray against its steel sides as Battleship New Jersey surged forward, rapidly approaching a speed of over 30+ knots to intercept the incoming threat.
New Jersey herself seemed unfazed by the prospect of facing the massive Siren ship. Instead, a thrill of anticipation coursed through her; she appeared almost gleeful at the challenge of confronting such a formidable foe.
"Somebody's gonna kiss a donkey," she muttered with a wide, almost manic grin, betraying no hint of fear.
Rounding a coastal cliff, the dreaded behemoth finally came into full view – Orochi, its multitude of guns and the shimmering outline of its energy shield dominating the seascape.
Cmdr. Elena, peering through her binoculars, felt her heart plummet at the sight of the monstrous vessel. "My God...! Are you kidding me!" she exclaimed, her voice a mixture of shock and disbelief.
"Is that...?" Wales began, her eyes wide with apprehension as she recognized the distinctive silhouette of the Siren ship.
"Yes. That was Orochi," Renown confirmed grimly, her voice barely a whisper.
The Massive Plasma Cannons of Orochi's main battery slowly tracked the lone battleship heading directly towards it, like a predator fixing its gaze on an approaching challenger in a deadly showdown.
Lucas's voice cut through the tense atmosphere on the bridge. "Status of Turret 1, 2, and 3."
New Jersey responded promptly, her voice brimming with anticipation. "Turret 1, 2, and 3 are fully loaded and ready. Awaiting target designation, Sir."
"Excellent. Now, train all turrets to bearing 2-1-0."
"Aye aye, Sir. All main battery turrets are traversing to bearing 2-1-0."
The massive gun turrets of the Battleship New Jersey swung smoothly, their barrels pointing towards the starboard side of the ship. Everyone on the bridge watched in bewilderment as the powerful weapons turned away from the approaching enemy.
"What is he doing? The enemy isn't that way," Wales muttered to herself, her brow furrowed in confusion.
"Has he gone mad again?" Repulse whispered, echoing the unspoken fears of many.
"Maybe," the Cleveland Sisters murmured in unison, their expressions mirroring the growing unease on the bridge.
A wave of panic washed over everyone. They couldn't fathom Lucas's intentions. The only ones who held a glimmer of understanding of the chaotic brilliance brewing in his mind were the Cleveland Sisters, veterans of his unorthodox tactics.
"Hard right rudder!" Lucas commanded, his voice sharp and decisive.
"Hard right rudder, Sir," New Jersey echoed, her hands firmly on the helm as the massive battleship began to respond, turning sharply to starboard.
The 60,000-ton, 300+ meter Battleship tilted heavily to its port side as it executed the tight turn, the deck tilting precariously beneath their feet.
Orochi's main guns and advanced Fire Control System relentlessly tracked the maneuvering battleship. The massive Siren ship began to pivot, preparing to unleash a devastating full broadside.
From the bridge, Lucas could see the enemy guns following their every move. To counter the impending barrage, he activated his Electronic Countermeasures (ECM) suite, hoping to disrupt Orochi's targeting systems and give New Jersey a chance of survival. Simultaneously, he prepared to launch a salvo of decoys – chaff and Mk 53 Nulka active missile decoys – to further confuse and divert the incoming attack.
As the two warships rapidly closed the distance, Lucas issued an order that sent a fresh wave of shock through the bridge. "Drop port anchor!"
"Aye aye, Sir, drop port anchor— Wait, what???" New Jersey exclaimed, her voice a mixture of obedience and utter bewilderment. Cmdr. Elena mirrored her reaction, her face a mask of utter confusion.
"Drop it, now!" Lucas yelled, his voice leaving no room for questioning.
"Right away, Sir!" New Jersey responded instinctively, her hands flying to the anchor release controls.
The port anchor plunged into the depths, the heavy chain rattling violently as Lucas and the rest of the bridge crew braced themselves, their eyes fixed with a mixture of terror and anticipation on Orochi's massive main guns that were now directly trained on their position.
"We're all going to die," Cmdr. Elena screamed as she held her head, her voice high-pitched with fear as she stared at the imposing plasma cannons.
"We are all going to die... You're going to die, I'm going to die... we're all going to die..."
In a blinding instant, concentrated laser beams lanced out from Orochi, piercing through the shimmering energy shield that enveloped the massive Siren ship.
"Just not today," Lucas muttered, a grim determination hardening his features.
Immediately after speaking, he triggered the launch sequence for the countermeasures. Multiple clouds of chaff erupted into the air, shimmering metallic particles designed to confuse radar. Simultaneously, the sophisticated Mk 53 Nulka decoys deployed, emitting electronic signals to lure away any incoming missiles. Everyone on the bridge and deck held on for dear life as the concentrated fire from Orochi's main guns rapidly approached their position.
The heavy anchor snagged on a large, submerged rock, providing a sudden and violent braking force on the speeding Battleship. The abrupt deceleration threw everyone on board forward with considerable force.
Cmdr. Elena was sent sprawling, narrowly avoiding a painful collision with the hard steel deck, saved only by New Jersey's quick reflexes.
"Gotcha," New Jersey said with a reassuring wink, her strong arms catching the falling Commander.
The concentrated energy blasts from Orochi streaked past the bow of the abruptly halting Battleship. The deployed Mk 53 Nulka decoys successfully diverted several of the energy beams away from New Jersey's vulnerable hull.
Lucas timed and unleashed a barrage of Tomahawk missiles, targeting the point where Orochi's energy shield had momentarily flickered and weakened. The ensuing explosions rippled across the shield's surface, causing it to shimmer and distort further.
And now, for the moment all the Iowa-class fans had been waiting for, New Jersey, pivoting around her deployed anchor, began to "Anchors-Drift" sideways, her port side sliding parallel to Orochi's vulnerable flank. With a grinding screech of metal on metal, the entire starboard side of the battleship slammed into the weakened force field.
The energy shield shattered like brittle glass, its protective barrier collapsing completely. With no defenses left to guard its vulnerable underbelly, all nine sixteen-inch guns of Battleship New Jersey were now aligned perfectly with Orochi's exposed hull.
"Let's drop some lead on this mother—"
"Fire!" Lucas roared, cutting off New Jersey's colorful exclamation.
...
All nine massive guns of Battleship New Jersey erupted in a deafening roar, unleashing a devastating broadside into the exposed belly of the Siren behemoth, delivering a weight of metal equivalent to an entire car dealership. The girls on deck heard the unmistakable signal loud and clear and joined the assault, their own weapons adding to the cacophony. 5-inch, 6-inch, and 8-inch cannons barked in furious succession, followed by the sharp cracks of their rifles.
Wales and the remaining Battleships on deck swiftly followed suit, their heavier naval guns joining the chorus of destruction. 14-inch, 15-inch, and 16-inch Mk-6 Naval guns roared their defiance, spitting out tons of high-explosive shells.
Lucas, not wanting to be left out of the destructive fun, began launching a rapid-fire barrage of his remaining Tomahawk missiles at Orochi's massive main gun turrets, aiming to disable them.
The port anchor dropped as New Jersey's four powerful propellers spun rapidly, attempting to match Orochi's initial forward momentum and maintain the devastating broadside.
Orochi's superstructure began to erupt in flames, ignited by the relentless hail of five-inch shells from the agile shipgirls. The Siren ship's massive main guns were unable to depress low enough to effectively target the closer Battleship, a critical blind spot that Lucas had ruthlessly exploited.
New Jersey and the rest of the shipgirls continued to pummel Orochi's vulnerable belly with a relentless barrage of shells of varying calibers, the combined damage finally beginning to take its toll on the colossal vessel.
Water began to flood Orochi's engine room and various internal compartments. The massive Siren ship's speed rapidly decreased until it finally shuddered to a complete stop, dead in the water.
Even with the behemoth immobilized, the girls continued their relentless assault, sending volley after volley of heavy shells crashing into the Siren ship's hull.
On Orochi's starboard-side trimaran hull, one of the surviving Executor-Class Sirens, Breaker MK-III, stood defiantly, pointing all of its main guns directly at the third aft turret of Battleship New Jersey.
Baltimore spotted the lone Siren and swiftly yelled a warning to everyone on deck. "Incoming!"
The projectile slammed into the roof of the third aft turret with a deafening impact. The entire turret structure blew apart in a shower of metal fragments and fire. Fortunately, the thick armor below deck protected the stored ammunition within the barbette, preventing a catastrophic magazine explosion.
Everyone on deck was thrown violently by the force of the blast, ragdolled across the steel plating. Baltimore, though shaken, quickly regained her footing. She looked up and saw the same Executor-Class Siren preparing another attack.
Digging her heels into the deck for stability, she leveled all of her guns and cannons at the Siren. With a fierce battle cry, she unleashed every round in her magazines, along with a full salvo from her 8-inch Main Guns.
Her sisters, along with the Eagle Union Cruisers, saw her determined attack and swiftly followed suit, unleashing their own furious hail of lead and explosions at the exposed Siren.
"You alright?" Lucas yelled over the din of battle.
"They ain't gonna sink my Battleship, no way!" New Jersey retorted defiantly, her voice ringing with fierce determination.
"Good! Return fire!" Lucas commanded.
Battleship New Jersey unleashed another thunderous broadside of 16-inch Shells into Orochi's ravaged belly. Simultaneously, Lucas fired his last remaining Tomahawk missile at one of Orochi's massive main gun turrets, hoping to disable it completely.
"Shit! I'm out of Tomahawks!" he cursed under his breath.
He then keyed his radio, broadcasting to everyone on deck. "Status report?"
Columbia and Denver responded almost simultaneously. "New Jersey's aft turret is completely destroyed. Wales, Renown, and Repulse were knocked unconscious by the explosion. Everyone else on deck was thrown around and sustained minor injuries."
"The others?" Lucas pressed, his voice tight with concern.
"South Dakota and her sisters are unharmed and are continuing to pour fire into Orochi," Denver reported.
"How much damage can this damn ship take?!" South Dakota's frustrated shout crackled over the comms.
South Dakota and her sisters were firing their main guns relentlessly at Orochi's hull, the barrels glowing red-hot as they unleashed explosion after explosion.
Lucas heard her outrage through the comms. "Just keep firing... soon enough, Orochi is going to fall," he muttered, a grim certainty in his voice.
He glanced at the full view of Orochi's starboard side. The midships section was riddled with gaping holes of varying sizes, testament to the relentless bombardment of 5-inch, 6-inch, 8-inch, 14-inch, 15-inch, and 16-inch shells.
The continuous bombardment of Orochi's belly had lasted for a grueling half-hour, but the sheer thickness of the Siren ship's armor had prevented them from completely stopping the behemoth in its tracks.
Just as Lucas was about to request air support, his onboard Aegis Combat System detected an incoming flight formation of Barracuda torpedo bombers, making a determined torpedo run on Orochi.
Over the comms, Perseus's voice, tinged with apology, reached him. "My apologies for the delay, my rearmament took longer than anticipated."
Lucas responded quickly, relief evident in his tone. "No need for apologies, Perseus. You've arrived just in time to send this monster to the bottom of the ocean."
"I appreciate your kind words, Sir Lucas," she replied.
Lucas watched as dozens of Torpedoes slammed into Orochi's hull, adding more gaping holes and accelerating the massive Siren ship's rapid listing.
Everyone on deck witnessed Orochi tilting further and taking on massive amounts of water through the breaches in its hull. A cheer erupted from the weary shipgirls as the colossal vessel finally began its descent.
In the next, unprecedented moment, the massive ship exploded violently amidships, followed by a cataclysmic internal detonation that sent a shockwave blasting across the deck of the Battleship.
Cmdr. Elena clutched her ringing ears, crouching low on the deck. The other Shipgirls were also thrown violently, some colliding hard with the steel railings, leaving deep dents in the metal.
Lucas, his head reeling from the force of the blast, slowly regained his senses. He glanced around frantically, locating Cmdr. Elena and New Jersey huddled on the deck, both clearly in pain.
He then turned his attention back to Orochi. The massive Siren ship had broken in half, the destruction mirroring the Titanic, but in reverse. The aft section sank first, followed quickly by the bow.
He struggled to comprehend what had just occurred, the reason for Orochi's sudden internal explosion in its engine room. His eyes scanned the wreckage, searching for an answer.
His questions were answered by his Aegis Radar. Above the sinking Siren Ship, a distinct contact appeared. It was a woman in a pristine white dress, with long pinkish-white hair and distinctive bunny ears, wielding a menacing M134 Minigun nonchalantly.
Up above, she stared down at the rapidly disappearing Orochi. Disappointment and displeasure were clearly etched on her face as she watched her massive target slowly succumb to the depths of Davy Jones's Locker.
As soon as she finished observing the "waste of EXP" disappear beneath the waves, she slowly turned her attention towards him.
A cold dread washed over Lucas. He knew that putting Laffey-200 in a bad mood was akin to signing his own death warrant. He swallowed hard, his terror palpable.
"La-Laffey- let me explain," he stammered, utterly terrified by her menacing glare.
"You took my prey," she said, her voice a low, dangerous growl, her menacing eyes fixed intently on him.