>>970199
>Stick with the picket force.

>>970199
>Stick with the AA force
Quack quack

>>970199
>a trio of Japanese AA destroyers.
Duckies!

>>970199
>Other
Hold back, watch and reinforce

>>970199
>Stick with the picket force

>>970219
This.

>>970199
>>Stick with the picket force.
We got VLS upgrade, so we're good to go for surface and underwater threats.

>>970199
>Stick with the picket force.

I wonder how Woel is doing.

File: IMG_8183.jpg (271 KB, 1157x1637)

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>>970199
>>Stick with the picket force.
TIME FOR BOATS!
Also happy holidays to all the shiplovers!

>>970199
>Stick with the picket force.

>>970246
Creating her own nation of disenfranchised shipgirls.

File: revolver ocelot.jpg (47 KB, 640x360)

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>>970257
Or planning to betray them all someday while holding multiple questionable loyalties

>>970263
"You're pretty good, Kirov."
"Pretty... good..."

File: Ice Cream.jpg (295 KB, 700x819)

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>>970257
>>970263
>recruiting "Bismarck" with promices of ice cream, and going home after she got caught by Russians while chasing after a Reppu.

>>970272
Anyone who's heard of Petropavlovsk will understand why the Russian shipgirls don't want to be found.

File: 47416937_p0.jpg (481 KB, 1280x880)

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>>970199
"All right, go go go!" The crew chief yells as the helicopter dips down to the water's surface.

You and your sisters all hop out of the side. All around you in the distance, you could see other helicopters, both USN and JMSDF, disgorging their passengers. The destroyers and cruisers deploy, planting their feet firmly on the water while the subs straight up just dive right out of the helicopter and into the water, disappearing into the depths below.

Meanwhile, larger helicopters like CH-53s and Chinooks begin dropping off EOD specialists in light boats as they prepared for their mine clearing. You notice that even STRIKE-1 is present, manning a boat loaded down with heavy weapons.

"We're trusting you to keep an eye on us!" Red calls out, apparently in high spirits.

"It's what we do!" Johnston coos.

"Yo, so it looks like yer all gonna be joining up with us, right?" Tenryuu grins as she glides over. "That gives us enough to run three squads! Ain't that right, Jintsuu?"

You see the light cruiser, Sendai and Naka's sister, apparently, nod silently, a serious look on her face.

"Cool, Cool." Tenryuu laughs. "Well, you're the odd destroyers out, so I was wondering which group ya wanted to roll with!"

>Kidd and Hazelwood
>DesDiv 6
>Yuudachi, Mutsuki, and Fubuki
>Other

>>970293
>Kidd and Hazelwood

We need to keep a rein on Kidd, she's a bit of a loose cannon.

>>970293
>>Yuudachi, Mutsuki, and Fubuki

>>970293
>Kidd and Hazelwood

>>970293
>>Kidd and Hazelwood

>>970307
Well changing my vote to >>970304
Kidd is good but she's too enthusiastic, while I'm sure Hazelwood is competent since she supported Sara.

>>970293
>>Kidd and Hazelwood
The Duckies and the Main Characters are girls we know to be professional. They'll do their jobs right. We need to keep an eye on Kidd, in particular. Plus, their squad is undersized compared to the others.

>>970293
>>Yuudachi, Mutsuki, and Fubuki

>>970293
>>Kidd and Hazelwood
the smallest could use our numbers.

>>970293
Are there any conventional assets just out of the operating area Hoel can share targeting data with and have weapons she can use, e.g a few dozen Tomahawks

>>970293
>Kidd and Hazelwood

>>970293
>Kidd and Hazelwood
They've got the least, give them a hand.

>>970293
>>Kidd and Hazelwood

File: Kidd.png (98 KB, 713x1324)

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>>970293
"We'll roll with Kidd and Hazelwood." You say. "I think you two got a better handle on the others."

"Well, can't say yer wrong!" Tenryuu nods with a grin and then wraps and arm around Jintsuu's shoulders. "Come on, Jintsy!"

"W-wait, Tenryuu!" Jintsuu protests at the sudden contact right before she's dragged away by the fellow cruiser.

"Avast! We be maruading with Hoel and the gang!" Kidd whoops as she skips forward.

"I-It's nice to meet ya!" Hazewood nods rapidly, the anxiousness obvious in her voice, though you're guessing that it's more from meeting you than the actual missing. "I hope I wont' disappoint you!"

"Awww, she's so cute!" Johnston giggles as she pucks up Hazelwood in a full on hug.

"Johnston, focus. We're on a mission here!" Heerman groans.

"Doesn't meant we can't have a little fun!" Johnston sticks her tongue out playfully.

"Yeah! It's fun!" Hazelwood joins in, her smile revealing her signature missing tooth.

"Yar, we should go about raiding rather than squabbling!" Kidd protests.

Hm, well, you could range out to the outer edges of the operational area. You'd detect threats way before they could become an issue for the rest of the fleet while Tenryuu and Jintsuu could handle close protection. However, you'd all be dangerously exposed out there.

On the other hand, you could stick close to the fleet for concentrated firepower, but it would reduce your ability to quickly respond to threats.

>Range out as an advance party.
>Stick close to the fleet.
>Other

>>970426
>>Range out as an advance party.

>>970426
>>Range out as an advance party.

>>970426
>>Range out as an advance party.

>>970426
>Range out as an advance party.

>>970426
>>Range out as an advance party.

>>970426
>Range out as an advance party.

With the speed of the Fletcher's, and Joel's comms+radar, ranging out isn't a bad idea.

>>970478
*Hoel, damn auto-correct

>>970426
>>Range out as an advance party.
But don't get TOO far out ahead; we don't want to run headlong into anything that's too much for us to handle without being able to fall back on the rest of the fleet.

>>970426
>Range out as an advance party.

File: Hoel.png (223 KB, 1118x2111)

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>>970426
"C'mon, let's head out!" You motion for the others to follow you. "Everybody keep an ear on your sonars! Don't want ya running into any mines!"

"Haha, we always be alert!" Kidd boasts.

"Roger!" Hazelwood salutes.

Your sisters just nod and follow.

Meanwhile, you have your new radar turned up to full, scanning the horizon for any possible contacts. Fortunately, this being a strait, there was only really one way the Abyssals could come from. However, on the other hand, the close proximity to land meant that the Abyssals could mask themselves against the coasts to confuse your radar. You'd have to be pretty vigilant for that.

And that wasn't even beginning to mention to the mines underneath your feet. You were running your sonar at the same time, and already you could pick up dozens of squirming balls of flesh and steel lurking beneath. You had no idea what those things actually looked like, nor did you care to.

However, you were aware of a flight of F-35s in a holding pattern above you. According to what the Captain had told you, they had extremely advanced sensors, even better than what you were carrying. Maybe if you could datalink with them, but you hadn't had the chance to seriously test it yet...

>Try out the datalink.
>Don't use it just yet.
>Other

>>970523
>>Try out the datalink.
DO EET!!!

>>970523
>>Don't use it just yet.

>>970523
>>Try out the datalink.
NEWTYPE SPACE TIME

>>970523
>>Try out the datalink.

>>970523
>Try out the datalink

Probably best to test out the data-link before we have to use it in combat.

>>970523
>Try out the datalink.

>>970542
>inb4 Newtype sex

>>970523
>>Try out the datalink.

>>970523
>Try out the datalink.

File: 1446259875376.jpg (161 KB, 337x600)

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>>970523
Well, you suppose there was no better time than to use it now. You close your eyes, as using the datalink needed a bit more focus than just using the radar. Your awareness starts to zoom out... and out... and OUT.

You could sense four little stars gleaming in the sky as they orbited the operational area, gigantic bubbles surrounding them indicating their sensor ranges. You could even feel several conventional warships miles away, their own bubbles of awareness ranging out.

And the data just kept flowing in...

>Roll 1d20

Rolled 9 (1d20)

>>970608

Rolled 1 (1d20)

>>970608
Power overwhelming

Rolled 4 (1d20)

>>970608

>>970616
Probably too much data....

>>970616
>>970622
Uh...Blue Screen of Death? Do we need to reboot or does it work better with shipgirls??

File: database.gif (752 KB, 480x270)

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>>970616
Too much data.

File: Admiral Loki.jpg (23 KB, 263x226)

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>>970616
RUH ROH

So, you still got 3 FATE POINTS. You want to use one to cancel the 1?

Or you can spend 2 to completely reroll the result! Your choice!

>Negate the 1 (1 point)
>Reroll (2 points)
>No action (0 points)

>>970649
>>Negate the 1 (1 point)
Hoel's still getting that Alaya-Vijnana system nosebleed.

>>970649
>>Reroll (2 points)

>>970649
>Negate the 1 (1 point)

>>970649
>>Negate the 1 (1 point)

>>970649
>Negate the 1 (1 point)

>>970649
>Negate the 1 (1 point)
Not too important of a roll, and a 9 isn't the end of the world

>>970649
>>Reroll (2 points)

>>970649
>Negate the 1 (1 point)

>>970649
>>Negate the 1 (1 point)

>>970702
...is that real? Oh god, he might have been among us for months and we never knew it. No wonder he wants to reactivate the Iowa's.

File: damagedhoeltt.jpg (335 KB, 552x1000)

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>>970649
>FATE POINT SPENT
>2 points remain

Unfortunately the sheer NOISE, the amount of data the F-35s alone were emitting just completely overwhelmed your ears like a shrill siren, which wasn't even getting into the deafening booms emanating from the ships like standing right next to a massive speaker system. The flow of data was so great that you had no choice but to cut the connection.

"Hoel, are you all right?" Heerman asks, a concerned look on her face. "You don't look well."

"S-sorry, I was just trying out something new." You pant, your ears still ringing. Was this what Anna had to deal with every day?

"Well, heads up, it looks like we got something." Heerman points to the air. Your optics focus and you could see a swarm of black orbs in the distance. Abyssal aircraft heading right towards the fleet. "Should we engage?"

>Intercept the fighters.
>Just give a heads up to the others.
>Other

File: Abyssal Nose Art.jpg (69 KB, 850x601)

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>>970760
>>Intercept the fighters.

>>970760
>>Intercept the fighters.
Time to see what the SM-2s are capable of!

>no nat 1 pls

>>970760
Btw did Johnston and Heerman get missiles too, or did they stick with guns?

File: Johnston.png (72 KB, 764x1956)

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>>970785
Their upgrades aren't ready just yet!

>>970760
>Just give a heads up to the others.

>>970760

>Intercept the fighters.

>>970760
>>Intercept the fighters.

>>970760
>Intercept the fighters.

File: 1458003707041.jpg (272 KB, 1280x960)

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>>970760
"C'mon! Let's get them!" You grin, happy that you now had something to distract you from your little datalinking failure.

"Haha! We be pursuing our prey now!" Kidd cackles.

"Yeah! More target practice!" Hazelwood chirps.

As you move to head off the fighters, careful not to set off any of the mines below you, you wonder if you should also test out your new missile system. Right now, you were running a "mixed load". You were carrying 4 SM-6 multipurpose missiles, two quad packs of Evolved Sea Sparrow anti-air missiles, and two Anti Submarine Rockets. More than enough to put a dent in that Abyssal fighter formation from a range not even your guns could manage...

>Engage with your missiles.
>Engage with your guns.
>Other

>>970822
>Engage with your guns.

Save the missiles for bigger targets.

>>970822
>>Engage with your guns.

>>970822
>>Engage with your missiles.
Use the ESSMs

>>970822
>Engage with your guns.
Don't let the Abyssals know we've got upgrades until they commit their more expensive and critical planes in something more than a probing attack.

>>970822
>>Engage with your guns.

What the hell's up with Capcha? It asked me to choose pics that "Feel romantic"

>>970822
>>Engage with your guns.

>>970822
>Engage with your missiles.

>>970822
>>Engage with your guns.
Save the missiles for more high-value targets. Like bombers.

>>970822
>>Engage with your guns.

>>970822
>Engage with your missiles.
>>970702
>IS PLANEFAG RUNNING KCQ AGAIN?
I kek

File: 1450051686021.png (1.45 MB, 1891x851)

1.45 MB PNG

Rolled 3, 19, 19, 14 = 55 (4d20)

>>970822
You decide to save up on your missiles and use your good old fashioned guns, instead. Your five inch guns swivel in place, eager to throw some high explosive death at your enemies.

The Abyssal fighters apparently spot you as well, and knowing that the jig was up, turn sharply to engage your squadron instead. Your radar is quick to pick out the actual threats, the bombers, from the relatively nonthreatening fighter planes.

"Fire at will!" You cackle.

>Roll 1d20

Rolled 17 (1d20)

>>970886
Aw shit, did they get upgrades?

Rolled 2 (1d20)

>>970886

Rolled 3 (1d20)

>>970886
>2 19s

Rolled 20 (1d20)

>>970886
Well this looks like it'll be a shit show.

>>970907
Or not...

>>970907
>IS PLANEFAG RUNNING KCQ AGAIN?
Oh CMON!!!!!

>>970907
>The snow never came

>>970928
I blame climate change

File: 1446883716365.jpg (106 KB, 700x328)

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>>970886
True to your original designs, you and the rest of your Fletcher brethren light up the sky with clouds of flak. Your dual purpose guns fire off ceaselessly, knocking planes out of sky by the dozens.

"Just like a turkey shoot!" Hazelwood whoops.

"A bit too easy." Heerman observes as a bomber goes down in flames. "A diversion?"

"Maybe." You agree as you give your radar another pulse.

And that's when you catch it. You may have missed it before when you weren't paying attention, but you manage to catch some movement near the shore, using the rocks and smaller islands as cover. You didn't have a solid bead, but Shen had told you that your SM-6 missiles could practically fly themselves. All you had to do was fire them in the general direction of the enemy.

Maybe it was time to try them?

>Flush the enemy out with missiles.
>Engage the enemy.
>Call up reinforcements.
>Other

>>970955
>>Flush the enemy out with missiles.

>>970955
>>Flush the enemy out with missiles.

>>970955
>Flush the enemy out with missiles.

>>970955
>>Flush the enemy out with missiles.

>>970955
>>Flush the enemy out with missiles.

>>970955
>Other
Use our radar to get firing solutions on the beach, and direct the rest of our squadron to fire on them.

File: AA Fire Intensifies.jpg (324 KB, 800x600)

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>>970955
>>Flush the enemy out with missiles.

>>970955
>Flush the enemy out with missiles.

>>970955
>Call up reinforcements.

Too soon to waste the missiles, save them for an ace card.

File: VLS.jpg (149 KB, 800x535)

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>>970955
You fire off your four SM-6 missiles and watch them streak off into the air. It felt pretty awesome being able to fire these things now, letting you hit places you couldn't even physically see! Your radar tracks the four projectiles as they towards the shore. And that's when they nose down, their own built in radars apparently having spotted the targets. There's four distant bangs as they touch down.

By this point, most of the Abyssal planes had been mopped up or scattered. Kidd and Hazelwood oooh and aaah at your display of modern firepower. Johnston and Heerman were a bit more ambivalent, but impressed nonetheless.

And that's when you see it. Abyssal light cruisers, destroyers, and one Ru-class battleship break cover to engage. However, from your observation, you noted that the Ru was now sporting some damage, two her of main turrets not quite tracking as fast as they should. One of the light cruisers also looks as if one of its arms had been blown clean off.

However, despite their damage, you counted at least four cruisers, eight destroyers, and light air cover from an as of yet unseen carrier. In addition to the slightly damaged Ru.

"Abyssals spotted!" You announce.

"All right! We're on the way!" Tenryuu whoops. "Just hold on till we get there!"

>Close in and tie up the Abyssals until backup arrives.
>Link up with Tenryuu before assaulting the Abyssals.
>Other

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>>971029
>>Close in and tie up the Abyssals until backup arrives.

So when do you think we'll see Vahlen's pet project in action?

>>971029
>Close in and tie up the Abyssals until backup arrives.

>>971029
>Close in and tie up the Abyssals until backup arrives.

>>971029
>>Close in and tie up the Abyssals until backup arrives.

>>971029
>Close in and tie up the Abyssals until backup arrives.

>>971029
>>Close in and tie up the Abyssals until backup arrives.

>>971029
>>Close in and tie up the Abyssals until backup arrives.

File: 54968534_p0.jpg (3.05 MB, 5315x2835)

3.05 MB JPG

Rolled 11 (1d20)

>>971029
"Move in!" You bark as you power up your engines. All five you charge in a tiny destroyer battleline, your five inch guns blazing away at the approaching Abyssals, who respond in kind with their own gunfire.

>Roll 1d20

Rolled 10 (1d20)

>>971061
Rolling

Rolled 1 (1d20)

>>971061

Rolled 14 (1d20)

>>971061

File: nagato facepalm.png (187 KB, 395x426)

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>>971068
Hoel is not lucky today

File: Admiral Loki 5.jpg (21 KB, 628x500)

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>>971068
Oh no! Would you like to negate that 1 with a FATE POINT? You have 2 left!

>Y
>N

>>971072
At least the new artificial Shipgirl can swoop in to show off how COOL and standoff-ish she is.

>>971073
>Y

>>971073
>>Y

>>971073
>Y

Rolled 1 (1d20)

>>971073
Y

>>971073
Y

>>971082
thankfully this is a negation rather than a reroll.

Rolled 4, 10, 8 = 22 (3d20)

>>971082
Getting the dice out of the way now

>>971073
>Y

File: 1447479329426.jpg (1.63 MB, 1751x1405)

1.63 MB JPG

>>971073
>FATE POINT used!
>1 point remains

The Abyssals respond in kind, but thankfully for you, the mine density was thinner in this area, allowing you more room to maneuver and dodge the enemy shelling. The five inch shells from you and your fellow Fletchers however find their marks. While the more experienced Heerman and Johnston concentrate on nailing the smaller and harder to hit destroyers, Kidd and Hazelwood focus their fire on the cruisers and and the lone Ru, preventing them from being able to fire accurately under a hail of fire and repeated impacts from five inch shells.

And then you hear a loud, high pitched war cry as DesDiv 6 charges in, their twin barreled guns blazing away.

And of course, leading the charge was Tenryuu, waving a honest to god fucking katana in the air like a Japanese officer as she eggs them on.

"Haha! They're on the run! CHAAAARGE!" She bellows.

"Haha! Go go go!" Hazelwood cheers.

"Arrr, how about we help those scallwags out a bit?" Kidd tugs at your sleeve with one hand, the other clutching the handle of her sheathed cutlass.

Thankfully, the Abyssals were already out of formation and disordered due to the disruption of their ambush, so Tenryuu's bold move could be enough to break them for good. Then again, they were still charging through a literal minefield, which complicated matters...

>Continue giving them supporting fire.
>Charge in with them.
>Tell them to hold back.
>Other

>>971103
>>Continue giving them supporting fire.

>>971103
>>Tell them to hold back.

>>971103
>>Continue giving them supporting fire.

>>971103
>>Tell them to hold back.

>>971103
>Tell them to hold back.

>>971103
>Continue giving them supporting fire.

>>971103
>>Continue giving them supporting fire.

>>971103
>Continue giving them supporting fire.

File: 53027018_p0.jpg (735 KB, 1273x900)

735 KB JPG

Rolled 19, 18, 17, 3 = 57 (4d20)

>>971103
...

>>971126
I hope those rolls are for DD6
> except for that 3

>>971127
Oh Tenryuu
Need another bed rest and the girls make you ANOTHER sword made from their outfits

DD DAD 6? WHEN

Rolled 15 (1d20)

>>971126

File: 57294582_p0.jpg (1.53 MB, 2587x2406)

1.53 MB JPG

Rolled 18 (1d20)

>>971126
Whoops forgot one more roll!

>>971130
When KCQ starts running consistently again.

...so probably never.

File: IMG_8185.jpg (281 KB, 802x1000)

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>>971130
When lewd training cruiser shows up.

File: poe reads closer.jpg (22 KB, 500x285)

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>>971134
What are those epaulettes attached to?

>>971137
Her collar I guess

File: 1423018473132.png (2.16 MB, 1463x2148)

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>>971132
"All right, girls, give them some covering fire!" You yell as your reload your five inchers.

The rest of your Fletcher squadron affirm your order and continue your rain of fire, being careful now to arc your shells over the charging Japanese shipgirls, continuing to keep the Abyssals disorganized. However, despite the hail of fire, the cruisers manage to interpose themselves between the Ru and the charging Japanese shipgirls.

Tenryuu quickly demonstrates that her katana is NOT just for show, as she brings it swinging down, slicing a diagonal cut against the closest cruiser and shearing its top half off, spraying black oilblood everywhere.

Meanwhile, her little destroyer charges make a good showing, too. Ikazuchi smashes the skull of another cruiser in with her anchor, which like Sam she had appropriated as a makeshift hand weapon. Akatsuki uses her searchlight to flash a bright burst of light into her opponent, briefly blinding it right as she unloads her torpedoes into it, annihilating it in a column of oil and water. Hibiki uses the least frills in eliminating her cruiser target, merely knocking it out with pinpoint gunfire at its weakpoints and sending it down in flames.

However, one of their number, Inazuma, looked to be struggling to keep up. The Ru manages to pick her out as a target and its guns begin to swivel to target her. The destroyer instinctively breaks to the right, separating herself from her pack.

Which proves to be a critical mistake.

The water around Inazuma explodes as three black orbs launch out from the water. They seem to hang in the air for several seconds before exploding, or more accurately, hatching. The other carapace shells shatter like glass, revealing a mass of black and slimy tentacles that wrap themselves around the hapless destroyer, attempting to pull her under the waves.

"H-help!" Inazuma gasps as a tentacle wraps itself around her throat. She struggles and fights, but it's a futile gesture under the weight of three Abyssal sea mines.

"Fuck!" Tenryuu tries to turn to help, but the Ru suddenly dives in, swinging her massive armored gauntlets at the light cruiser and forcing her away. "We'll get ya, Inazuma! Hold on!"

Shit, this wasn't good. Nobody was in a position to help the isolated Inazuma. Tenryuu and the rest of DesDiv 6 were tied down by the Ru and what was left of her screen. You and your squadron were too far to help, and firing your weapons was too much of a risk or you might hit Inazuma instead.

There had to be something you could do...!

>PEDAL TO THE METAL (Full speed rescue)
>TRUST YOUR FEELINGS (Precision gunfire)
>CALL DOWN THE THUNDER (Attempt datalink.)
>Other

>>971145
>>CALL DOWN THE THUNDER (Attempt datalink.)

>>971145
>CALL DOWN THE THUNDER (Attempt datalink.)

>>971145
>>CALL DOWN THE THUNDER (Attempt datalink.)

>>971145
>>CALL DOWN THE THUNDER (Attempt datalink.)

>>971145
>CALL DOWN THE THUNDER (Attempt datalink.)

>>971145
>CALL DOWN THE THUNDER (Attempt datalink.)

>>971145
>>CALL DOWN THE THUNDER (Attempt datalink.)

>>971145
>CALL DOWN THE THUNDER (Attempt datalink.)

>>971145
>>CALL DOWN THE THUNDER (Attempt datalink.)
Call those F-35s in

>>971145
How ridiculous would it be to datalink with Inazuma to find a firing solution for our guns that wouldn't hit her?

>>971145
>PEDAL TO THE METAL (Full speed rescue)

>Akatsuki uses her searchlight to flash a bright burst of light into her opponent
Akatsuki WHY?! Did you learn nothing from your engagement with Atlanta?!

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>>971145
>>CALL DOWN THE THUNDER (Attempt datalink.)

>>971158
Akatsuki probably watched that episode of Gundam where the Dom tried that trick.

Also no one ever said she was smart

>>971159
Who could make Woel a happy bride?

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>>971162
Hoel

>>971164
>More new editions of Love x Radar
>Japanese shipgirls love it to bits
>German translations exist on the interwebs
>KM shipgirls enjoy it too
>Who is responsible for this???

File: Hoel 3.jpg (209 KB, 707x1000)

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>>971145
Agh, goddamnit, what was the callsign of the squadron of F-35s above you again!?

"Wild Card, Wild Card! This is Hoel! Requesting emergency fire mission!" You yell in the radio. "Are you there?!"

"Hoel, we're reading you loud and clear." A female voice responds. "Just call out the targets."

"I need a precision airstrike, super fucking danger close!" You yell. "Providing target data now!"

"Roger that. Magnet, you up to it?"

"Of fucking course!"

Okay, no room for fuckups up here. You know what to expect now, and you fire up your datalink, trying to focus just on the connection between you and the F-35's...

>Roll 1d20+2

File: ho ho snowtime.jpg (28 KB, 370x366)

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Rolled 1 + 2 (1d20 + 2)

>>971170

>>971170
>Roll 1d20+2

File: Wo-Momma.png (158 KB, 725x841)

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Rolled 18 + 2 (1d20 + 2)

>>971162
>>971164
>Not Anna

>>971170

Here comes the Wo!

Rolled 17 + 2 (1d20 + 2)

>>971170

>>971171
Goddammit.

>>971171
FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF

Rolled 5 (1d20)

>>971170
Whoops, hit the wrong button.

>>971171
Lets just not touch the datalink again till we get Anna's help...

>>971171
That's it, Snow is now BANNED from this quest!

Still, is Christmas the day of fail for Hoel or something?

File: sad inazuma.jpg (15 KB, 480x270)

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>>971171
You have to be fucking kidding me

File: Admiral Loki 8.jpg (217 KB, 1020x1445)

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>>971171
Woooooow, it just doesn't seem to be your day today!

You've got one FATE POINT left! Do you want to use it?

>Y
>N

>>971179
Annapolis needs to teach Hoel how Newtype magic works

>>971171
why>~!!!>!>!>!@>!

>>971182
>>Y

>>971182
>Y

>>971180
We still get a 19, probably
>>971182
N

>>971182
>>Y
Must save destroyer!

>>971182
Y

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>>971182
>>Y

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>>971181
>her hope and optimism gone
On this day we are all kuso TTKs

>>971182
>Y

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>>971182
>FATE POINT used!
>No points remain!

You pulse the mass of tentacles and flesh with your radar, trying to find something, anything you can get a positive lock on. And thankfully, you find it. The Abyssal mines still had mechanical parts in their central bodies, making it easier to pick them out from the mass of flesh, so thick you couldn't even differentiate Inazuma from it anymore. You immediately mentally tag the three "cores" and pipe the data straight to the F-35s above. You manage to keep from overloading by focusing just on the line connecting you with the one F-35 diving down to bombing altitude.

You can follow the line of code as it shoots up into the air, beaming right into the F-35's receivers. The plane hums a little electronic tune as your data is cycled through its computers for processing before being fed directly into the Small Diameter Bombs stored in its weapons bays.

The SDBs were the perfect weapon for this situation. They had no explosive component at all, relying solely on the kinetic energy of a massive spike of metal falling at terminal velocity. Lines of code are drawn in the air, marking, the predicted flight paths of each individual bomb.

"Weapons away! Splash in three... two... one!"

And almost simultaneously, you watch as three needles flash by, almost to fast to see with your bare optics. They pop the three mines like balloons with brutal precision, spraying oilbood in all directions. The tentacles protruding from them writhe and twitch as commands from their main bodies cease before falling limp.

You meanwhile are speeding to the area as fast as your engines can carry you, looking for movement, any kind of movement. You see the tentacles wriggle again as Inazuma thankfully manage to dig her way out of the pile of flesh, covered in oilblood and coughing as she breathes in much needed air.

"Inazuma! You okay?" You ask as you rush over.

"N-n-not r-really, n-nano-" Inazuma's lip quivers, on the verge of tears.

>There's no time to cry now, there's still a battle going on!
>You need to get Inazuma out of here.
>Other

>>971199
>There's no time to cry now, there's still a battle going on!

>>971199
>You need to get Inazuma out of here.

>>971199
>>There's no time to cry now, there's still a battle going on!

>>971199
>>There's no time to cry now, there's still a battle going on!
Time for big girl pants.

>>971199
>There's no time to cry now, there's still a battle going on!

>>971199
>>There's no time to cry now, there's still a battle going on!

>>971199
>>There's no time to cry now, there's still a battle going on!
move move MOVE! We're still in a fight!

>>971199
>>There's no time to cry now, there's still a battle going on!
Fight now, cry later. Your sisters are still counting on you!

>>971199
>>There's no time to cry now, there's still a battle going on!

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>>971199
"Hey, HEY! Inazuma!" You grab the destroyer by the shoulders and stare her straight in the eyes. "There's no time cry now! We've still got a battle to win!"

"B-but-"

"Fight now, cry later!" You cut her off. "Your sisters, no, all of us are counting on ya to do your part! Ya got that?!"

Inazuma quickly wipes the tears and oilblood out of her eyes with her sleeve and nods.

"I-I'll try, nanodesu."

"Okay, that's good." You grin and pat her on the shoulder right as a pair of F-35's swoop down from above, dropping more bombs into Abyssal formation. "C'mon, let's go."

>Let Inazuma link back up with her sisters.
>Have Inazuma stick close to you for now.
>Other

>>971217
>Let Inazuma link back up with her sisters.

>>971217
>>Let Inazuma link back up with her sisters.

>>971217
>>Let Inazuma link back up with her sisters.

>>971217
>>Let Inazuma link back up with her sisters.

>>971217
>Have Inazuma stick close to you for now.

>>971217
>Have Inazuma stick close to you for now.
Apprentice get!

>>971217
>Let Inazuma link back up with her sisters.

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>>971225
I prefer to think of it as
>what Inazuma wants
>what Hoel says

>>971229
The legend of being the "First Among The Best" continues...

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>>971217
You take Inazuma's hand and tow her along gently as a precaution. She was still a bit frazzled from her experience and may not yet be in a condition to keep a vigilant eye out for more mines. Fortunately for you, it seemed like Inazuma's plight had lit a fire in her sisters' and Tenryuu's, and they had quickly mopped up what was left of the Abyssal ambush force. Your radar picked up the Ru retreating under air cover from that unseen carrier, while your sisters drove away the odd Abyssal plane that tried to venture too close.

"INAZUMA!" The rest of DesDiv 6 wail as they all dogpile onto Inazuma, in a scene eerily reminiscent of the mines coming down on her.

"I'm s-sorry for worrying you all, nanaodesu!" Inazuma wails.

"Well, we bloodied 'em up pretty good." Tenryuu sighs as she wipes a thick coat of oilblood off her katana before sheathing it. "But me and my girls ain't in any condition to chase 'em. Maybe you and your girls can?"

You take a look at the retreating Ru again. Taking out an Abyssal battleship was always a good prospect, especially since this one would probably be repaired and sent back in no time. And it's not like the Ru had any significant screen left. All it had left were a few squadrons of fighters flying top cover, all of the surface combatants having been eliminated by Tenryuu and her girls.

Then again, the Ru was retreating towards Singapore. If you ventured too close, you could provoke a pretty harsh response from the defenders.

>Pursue the Ru. You should finish it off.
>Fall back. You've done your job.
>Other

>>971233
>>Fall back. You've done your job.
Time for the heavy hitters and maybe our newer girl.

>>971233
>Pursue the Ru. You should finish it off.
I wish we had an SM-2 or SM-3 left for the Ru.

>>971233
>>Pursue the Ru. You should finish it off.
See if there's anything with Tomahawks or Harpoons we can datalink with.

>>971233
>>Pursue the Ru. You should finish it off.

>>971233
>Pursue the Ru. You should finish it off.

>>971233
>>Pursue the Ru. You should finish it off.

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NO PRISONERS!

>>971233
>Fall back. You've done your job.

Stop being glory hounds, our job is escort for the EODs and minesweepers.

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Rolled 14, 19 = 33 (2d20)

>>971233
"Yeah, I think we can handle it." You grin. "Just leave it to us!"

"Great!" Tenryuu grins back. "We'll give ya as much cover as we can. But don't press if things get too hot!"

"Of course." You nod with a grin as you turn to your squadron. "C'mon! It's battleship season!"

"Yeah!" They all cheer.

>Roll 1d20

Rolled 2 (1d20)

>>971250
Witness me!

Rolled 18 (1d20)

>>971250

Rolled 9 (1d20)

>>971250

Rolled 2 (1d20)

>>971250

>>971250
>>971252
Thanks...
>that second roll though, who just entered the fight?

>>971250
Well fuck, we have no luck tonight it seems.

>>971263
Something something three times faster than the ordinary Abyssal destroyer

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>>971250
So all five of you begin your pursuit of the damaged Ru. You all rain down five inch shells, which continues to slowly eat away at the Ru's dented and ruptured armor. Each individual shot wasn't doing much damage, but it was building up from the incessant hail.

Unfortunately, you're all stopped dead in your tracks by a cloud of aircraft scrambled from Singapore. You could see the swarms rising from the ruined city like angry bees, and even the heightened AA power of you and your fellow Fletchers wouldn't be enough to take it all on.

"Ummmm, I think this would be a good time to call off the chase." Heerman bites her lip.

"Awww, it doesn't look so bad!" Johnston insists.

"Aye! Graf wouldn't be scared of something like that!" Kidd boasts, waving her cutlass in the air.

"And neither are we!" Hazelwood joins in.

"Hoel, recall your squadron." The Captain's voice buzzes in your radio. "Operation is complete. We're pulling out."

Sure enough, you ping your radar and could see the helicopters taking part in this operation were starting to bug out, with only a few remaining to pick up the scattered shipgirls. You couldn't afford to pursue without risking getting left behind.

"All right, it's time to call it, girls." You sigh. "Let's turn back."

"AAWWWWW." Kidd and Hazelwood whine.

"No buts! On me!" You grunt.

---

By the time you got back to base, even with a dip in the repair pool, you still felt absolutely exhausted and your head was throbbing like it was about to explode. Maybe it was because of that datalink. It was not what you were expecting at all. You decided to turn in a bit earlier than usual and returned to your quarters. You're just about ready to snuggle into bed when you hear a soft knock on your door.

Wondering who it could possibly be, you grumble as you shuffle back to the door and open it a crack, only to see Inazuma standing there in her pajamas.

"I... couldn't sleep, nanodesu." Inazuma whimpers. "Can... can I stay here with you?"

You pause to consider it.

"Yeah, sure, come on in." You sigh, too tired to protest or think on it any more than you have.

At least Inazuma's smile made your headache feel somewhat better.

>And that's it for tonight! Next thread is next week. We'll try running Infinite Stars on Saturday but I might call it early if Christmas plans get in the way or cause a significant drop in activity.
>I'll also try running a little CIMQ Christmas special on Sunday, so stay tuned for that!

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>>971267
Thanks for running, Merc! Merry Christmas!

>>971267
Thanks for running today considering the Eve. Merry Christmas Merc!

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>>971267
OBJECTIVE COMPLETED: SMILE PROTECTED
Thanks for running Merc, hope you enjoy the holidays.

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>miss the entire session
>THREE nat 1s
>no FPs left

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>>971267
Well, that was a bit of a ride.

>I'll also try running a little CIMQ Christmas special on Sunday, so stay tuned for that!
IT TRULY IS A CHRISTMAS MIRACLE!