Chapter 12 - 11

Given the damage they suffered, it took a longer time for both fleets to return back home. Once they got back, I sent them to the docks. Meanwhile, while they are recovering, I had to write up a report on the current situation, list Zuihou as M.I.A and request for a search-and-rescue mission. As much as I want to run out there and find her myself, us normal humans lack the ability and equipment to do such thing. Furthermore, I have to follow military protocol.

Ooyodo helped me assemble an Search-and-rescue fleet which can be deployed anytime once we receive the go-ahead. The fleet consist of Yuubari, Agano, Mutsuki, Kisaragi, Akashi and Shouhou. Being Zuihou's sister ship, she was extremely worried and literally begged me to put her in the search party.

It has been two days since then.

"What do you mean they are not going to do anything?!"

"Exactly what they mean. They reached a conclusion that it was too expensive to conduct a full scale search. They won't do anything unless they know where is she being held captive. To them, money is more important. Unlike us, these are the ones who don't give a damn about the shipgirls, and they make up most of the Council. Only viewing them as weapons."

Right now, I'm on the phone with one of my friends stationed in HQ. Though we went enlisted around the same time, he managed to work his way up to the higher ranks and is part of the Naval Council. As he said, the higher-ups are more concerned about money than the safety of the girls fighting and risking their lives for us.

"So they just denied my request?"

"Yeah. The reasoning behind was, of course, money."

"You know I can't just abandon my shipgirls! I'm not letting them sink again!"

"Calm down. I have a idea. The others denied you because you requested a mission. To them, that's the same as asking them to deploy they fleet for the sake of one shipgirl."

"I just wanted permission to conduct one."

"That's it."

"?"

"By my rank, I, Grand Admiral Takamori Rondo, order you to conduct a Search-and-rescue mission for Zuihou. You are to report to me after its done."

My eyes widened in surprise. Cheeky prick. To think that he could use his rank for something like this."

"You really are a genius. How can I thank you?"

"Just treat me to a drink the next time we are on break. This is all I can do for now."

"That's more than enough. Thank you!"

"I wish you good luck."

I hung up. With the first problem cleared, I can move on to the next.

"Ooyodo, gather the rescue fleet. We are making our move."

"Finally." (Ooyodo)

Once the fleet gathered, I briefed them on the situation. Since the enemy fleet appeared near the Alfonsinos, their base is probably somewhere there. They are to contact me once they discovered clues or the base. Like with the investigation, I will be taking direct command of the mission.

At 1100 hours, the fleet set off at full speed. It will took 3 hours to reach the area. Once they reach, I'll play by ear.

"I'm counting on you all. Please, find Zuihou."

---------------------------------

It's been two days since I was brought to this island. I can't get a signal, let alone contact the Admiral. Other than the questions asked by the girl named 'Berufasu', nothing much happened. From what I understand, my captors belong to something called 'Yigaru Yunion' and 'Royaru Navi'. They seem to be fighting against the Sakura Empire, which consists of Shipgirls with the same name as us.

The Abyssal-looking warship didn't really come over much. I heard she was busy keeping a lookout. Well, I don't want to see her either. In fact, I don't want to see her and the archer lady. Both of them scare me somehow. Whenever they are around, memories of what happened in Egano fill my head. Right now, I think I'm this girl's playmate, the unicorn girl. In fact, her name is 'Yunicon' and the doll she has is called U-chan. She belongs to the 'Royaru Navi'.

Since we can't understand each other, we can only guess through our actions. At least she is nice and not as large as the rest. Ahh~ I want to go home.

<Unicorn, we need to go now.>

It's the white one.

<Hmm? Why?> (Unicorn)

<Colorado said she spotted some black objects moving around near the island. She wants us to use our planes to check it out.> (Ill.u.s.trious)

<Okay.> (Unicorn)

Yunicon stood up and gestured me to wait before following the other one. I think they spotted something near the area. Is it them? Am I going to be saved? Only one way to find out.

I waited a while before following the both of them. The direction they are heading to is the beach. So they really did see something.

<What's the situation?> (Ill.u.s.trious)

<My radar picked up six signals. Probably a Siren fleet or the other one.> (Colorado)

<Oh. The ones that look like you.> (Ill.u.s.trious)

<How do they look like me?> (Colorado)

<Probably your hairstyle. That girl pointed at you when Belfast asked who was her enemy.> (Ill.u.s.trious)

<She is scared of you and Enterprise.> (Unicorn)

<That girl is a Japanese ship, but she is not part of the Sakura Empire. She doesn't even want to tell us what group she belongs to.> (Colorado)

What are they saying? I could sort of hear them from here, but I can't understand.

I watched as Yunicon and the white lady launched some planes. So those two are aircraft carriers. But why does Yunicon's equipment include a crane?

Just then, I heard the sound of propellers roaring through the sky. I looked up and swhat I saw was a glimmer of hope. A Saiun!

The three of them seem to have spotted the satin as well. Only the battleship reacted by aiming her main guns. No, I can't let them take away my hope!

"No!!"

I rushed out of my hiding place and grabbed the battleship.

<What the-?> (Colorado)

<Zuihou?> (Unicorn)

"I'm not letting you fire! I'm going home!"