>>1717960
>>fast battleships and carriers, for firepower on the move.

>>1717960
>>fast battleships and carriers, for firepower on the move.

This would be interesting, it could be a Taffy 3 but with Battleships and carriers.
Anyway we need that firepower if the main assault fails.

>>1717960
>cruisers. A more balanced formation.


Time for botes!

>>1717960
>>fast battleships and carriers, for firepower on the move.

>drawing Abyssal forces away from the strait while at the same time interdicting any reinforcements that may be sent from the Dark Zone.

Having fast and powerful units with us means more interdiction capability and survivability.

>>1717960
>>cruisers. A more balanced formation.
Enough firepower to be an effective diversion, while keeping the heavy hitters for the main assault.

>>1717960
>>cruisers. A more balanced formation.

CVs and FBBs are needed more for the main assault than the diversion.

>>1717960
>fast battleships and carriers, for firepower on the move.

Will Merc's Macross Quest be Macross: The Ride, or something else?

I'm seriously curious and interested in that one Macross spin-off manga where that one girl does her own Basara impression with a VF-171.

>idols, also is the pilot
>we will never have idol pilot team vs boyband pilot team
>Delta was a mistake

>>1718002
>we have to use a custom mech to accommodate our idol performance, otherwise we'd just be singing while piloting.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wy1b-6e615w

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>>1717960
You were running with a group of mixed fast battleships and carriers. You needed mobile firepower, after all.

However, due to the relative rarity of battleships and carriers, especially fast ones, compared to other classes, that meant your squadron was going to be mighty small.

There was also the question of who will be coming along with you.

>Focus on USN shipgirls.
>Focus on IJN shipgirls.
>Go for a mix.
>Other

>>1718047
>>Focus on USN shipgirls.

Better weapons, DamCon, radar, and armor.

>>1718047
>Focus on USN shipgirls.

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>>1718047
>>Go for a mix.

>>1718047
>>Focus on USN shipgirls.
Better detection and accuracy on the move. Also, U.S fast BBs and CV are generally faster anyways.

>>1718047
>Focus on USN shipgirls.

>>1718047
BOTETIME IS BEST TIME!

>Go for a mix.
Taffy 3, some JMSDF and NATO shipgirls

>>1718002
It has to be better than Delta in the same way Build Fighters Quest was better than Try.

>>1718085
Still hoping for Build Fighters 2 with Holly.

>>1718096
Ball Fighters 2: Charlotte's Counterattack

>>1718047
>>Go for a mix.

USN needed for the main assault

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>>1718047
This was going to mainly be a USN show. Iowa was leading the charge with North Carolina and Washington, both of whom had received engine upgrades to keep up with their successor.

On the carrier end, there was Enterprise and Saratoga, your two heaviest hitting carrier shipgirls in the USN.

Finally, the round things out, you had Hazelwood and Portland. Nobody else could be spared since the main assault needed all the guns and hulls it could get.

However, that still left the question of what to do with Paz. You knew that she really wanted to come with you, but she had a lot of firepower packed into that one hull of hers that she may be a better use in the main assault...

>Bring Paz with you.
>Have Paz go with the assault force.
>Other

>>1718134
>>Have Paz go with the assault force.

Surprise they use them for this.

>>1718134
>Have Paz go with the assault force.

>>1718134
>>Have Paz go with the assault force.

>>1718134
>>Have Paz go with the assault force.
Sorry Paz, but it's both safer and more efficient for you to be with the main force.

>>1718134
>>Have Paz go with the assault force.

We have more than enough firepower here.

>>1718134
>>Have Paz go with the assault force.

>>1718134
>>Have Paz go with the assault force.

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>>1718134
It was universally agreed that Paz would be better served on the frontline. They needed her heavy firepower to bust through the Abyssal defenses, after all.

The Osprey rumbles again. You were only a few minutes from your drop point. Given how far north you were, there was going to be no friendly support. What you had was what you were going to get.

Hazelwood seems to be playing something on her phone, though you could tell it was to ease her anxiety rather than the typical destroyer carefree attitude. Portland as always was almost religiously studying the mission briefing in case anything was missed.

Iowa meanwhile was looking totally relaxed, looking to be asleep of all things, while North Carolina and Washington just stared at her in slight confusion.

Enterprise and Saratoga meanwhile were serving as the anchors of the fleet, exude a calm, collected attitude.

And then there was Anna who was just a nervous wreck.

>Try to calm Anna and Hazelwood.
>Catch up on mission details with Portland.
>See how the BBs are faring.
>Get some sage advice from the carriers.
>Other

>>1718222
>>Try to calm Anna and Hazelwood.

>>1718222
>>Try to calm Anna and Hazelwood.
Let's take her mind off of things.

>>1718222
>>Try to calm Anna and Hazelwood.

File: __mutsu_and_nagato_kantai(...).png (1.9 MB, 1447x1023)

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>>1718222
>Try to calm Anna and Hazelwood.

>>1718227
> "we'll have two kids, a boy and a girl, a nice home by the sea,...."

>>1718222
>>See how the BBs are faring.

>>1718235
are you trying to get us killed? No running up death flags before a combat mission

>>1718222
>Try to calm Anna and Hazelwood.

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>>1718222
You take a seat next to Anna and Hazelwood, both engrossed in their phones as they try to ease their anxiety. You didn't even need a datalink to tell how Anna was feeling, her attention so focused on her screen.

"Hey, hey!" You plop your hand down on both of their heads to grab their attention. "You two okay?"

"O-of course!" Anna stammers, trying to hide her fear.

"I AM TOTALLY NOT OKAAAAAAY!" Hazelwood wails.

Yeah, you were sort of expecting this.

>You just gotta pump up their fighting spirit!
>You just gotta be a little understanding of their situations.
>Other

>>1718280
>>You just gotta be a little understanding of their situations.

>>1718280
>You just gotta pump up their fighting spirit!

>>1718280
>You just gotta pump up their fighting spirit!

>>1718280
>You just gotta be a little understanding of their situations.

>>1718280
>>You just gotta pump up their fighting spirit!
(Sorta looking over the fact that Anna isn't really a fighting ship unless she Directly Controls someone)

>>1718280
>You just gotta be a little understanding of their situations.

>>1718280
>>You just gotta be a little understanding of their situations.

>>1718280
>>You just gotta be a little understanding of their situations.

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>>1718280
"Hey now, I know you two are scared..." You start, thinking that it'd be best to try and calm them down.

>Roll 1d20

Rolled 19 (1d20)

>>1718313

Rolled 11 (1d20)

>>1718313

Rolled 10 (1d20)

>>1718313

>>1718316
"Believe in the Hoel who believes in you!!!"

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>>1718313
"But hey, this mission is just like any other, really." You try to assure them. "Hazel, just think of this as another escort mission! Just stick near Sara like ya always do and everything will be fine!"

"Okay!" Hazelwood nods, taking some amount of assurance. Being a sister ship helped big time, you figure.

"And Anna..." You grin. "Makes me real glad that you'll be out there watching my back."

"Y-you got that the other way around..." Anna blushes and looks away.

"Huh...?" Hazelwood tilts her head in confusion. "Is something wrong with Anna's boilers?"

"Heh, you'll find out when yer older." You laugh as you pat Hazelwood's head.

"All right, we're over the LZ!" Portland snaps you all back to the reality of the situation. "Let's go go go!"

And like that, your little diversionary force leaps out, touching down in the rough and frigid northern waters.

First things first, you need to pick a direction!

>Head for the Dark Zone. The assault is beginning soon so you'll need to intercept reinforcements.
>Head for the strait. Hit them from the north side to draw their attention first.
>Other

>>1718352
>Head for the strait. Hit them from the north side to draw their attention first.

>>1718352
>>Head for the strait. Hit them from the north side to draw their attention first.

>>1718352
>>Head for the strait. Hit them from the north side to draw their attention first.

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>>1718352
>>Head for the strait. Hit them from the north side to draw their attention first.
I can think of at least one Abyssal who would be paying attention.

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>>1718352
"Come on!" You say as you head for the strait. "We got a job to do!"

The rest of the squadron yells their affirmations as they follow suit. Naturally, you take the lead in the formation with Portland right behind. Right behind her were the three battleships, with Enterprise, Saratoga, and Anna at the rear. Finally, Hazelwood served as the rearguard in case anything managed to flank you.

"Hoel, would you like us to commence an air attack?" Enterprise asks, her rifle at the ready.

Well, opening up with an air attack would definitely cause some damage to the Abyssal positions in addition to letting them know of your presence. However, there was a possibility that you would need every plane you could get from your carriers.

If you just had Anna start throwing out signals, you'd similarly draw Abyssal attention to you without losing planes to early attrition.

>Have the carriers attack.
>Just have one carrier attack.
>Hold back the planes.
>Other

>>1718391
>>Just have one carrier attack.

>>1718391
>>Hold back the planes.

>>1718391
>Just have one carrier attack.

>>1718391
>Just have one carrier attack.

>>1718391
>>Just have one carrier attack.

>>1718391
>>Just have one carrier attack.

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Rolled 2, 7, 11 = 20 (3d20)

>>1718391
"Um, I think just one of you is enough." You shrug.

"Hmm, well, I suppose it's your turn then, Sara." Enterprise grins.

"How kind of you, E." Saratoga grins back as she loads a fresh magazine into her Tommy gun.

And with a rapid RATATATATAT, several squadrons of bomb-laden Avengers lift off in formation, accompanied by Hellcat escorts as they zoom south.

>Roll 1d20

Rolled 1 (1d20)

>>1718419

Rolled 14 (1d20)

>>1718419

>>1718419

>>1718419

>>1718421
FUUUU-

Rolled 4 (1d20)

>>1718419
Forgot to roll: >>1718424

Rolled 8 (1d20)

>>1718419

>>1718423
Dice not working for me.
>>1718424
Must have encountered Re's planes, which are probably Abyssal Tomcats or F-35s.

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>>1718421
Oh no! Looks like we've got a 1!

Would you like to use a FATE POINT to negate it? You currently only have 1 point!

>Y
>N

>>1718435
>>Y

Starting an attack that badly, particularly with our vital planes, is something we should probably try to avoid.

>>1718435
>Y

>>1718435
>>N
naw. As it's not a direct attack or survival/dodge roll, a critifail here won't hurt much. At worst we lose planes but no ships

>>1718435
>>Y

>>1718435
>N
We still have planes in reserve

>>1718435
>N
Save your points for survival rolls!

>>1718435
>Y

>>1718435
>Y

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>>1718435
>FATE POINT USED
>No points remain!

Over the horizon, you could see explosions and fires as Saratoga's bombers do their work, sending huge columns of ugly black smoke rising into the icy air. Your radar picks up Sara's planes on their return leg. While a few here and there were missing, you were a bit relieved to see that most of the formation was intact.

"Well, I believe that got their attention." Saratoga smiles as she begins recovering her planes. "My scout planes reported concentrated Abyssal movement. I'm sure Anna can confirm."

"L-lots of contacts!" Anna confirms. "Mostly just small fry like destroyers and cruisers, but they're closing in on us fast!"

"All right!" Iowa grins, cracking her knuckles. "Nothing like mowing down some small fry!"

"But our objective is just to distract them..." Portland reminds her.

"Yeah, well, we can distract 'em by blowing them all up!" Iowa counters.

"That doesn't even make any sense..." North Carolina groans.

>Stay here and bloody their noses for a bit.
>You got their attention, now it's time to move.
>Other

>>1718464
>>You got their attention, now it's time to move.
Don't get bogged down

>>1718464
>You got their attention, now it's time to move.

>>1718464
>>You got their attention, now it's time to move.

>>1718464
>>Stay here and bloody their noses for a bit.
We got the American AA right here. Kill planes, THEN move as they come closer.

>>1718464
>You got their attention, now it's time to move.

>>1718464
>>>Stay here and bloody their noses for a bit.

>>1718464
>Stay here and bloody their noses for a bit.

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Rolled 7, 2, 4 = 13 (3d20)

>>1718464
"All right everyone, let's get moving!" You bark. If you were going to be a distraction, it wouldn't do well for you to get caught by the forces you were trying to distract right off the bat, right?

>Roll 1d20

Rolled 20 (1d20)

>>1718483

Rolled 11 (1d20)

>>1718483
This roll will be a 1

Rolled 14 (1d20)

>>1718483

>>1718486
Two ones, so not that far off.

Rolled 5 (1d20)

>>1718483

>>1718485
BANK IT

>>1718491
>>You got their attention, now it's time to move.
Definitely

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>>1718485
WELL

It looks like you rolled a 20 there! Would you like to bank that for a FATE POINT?

You currently have no points!

>Y
>N

>>1718494
>Y

>>1718494
>>Y

>>1718494
>Y
Since this is just running, no need for crit when 20 will do.

>>1718494
>Y

>>1718494
>Y

>>1718494
>>Y

>>1718494
>>Y

>>1718494
>Y

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>>1718494
>FATE POINT gained!
>You currently have 1 point!

Thankfully, Saratoga's air raid seems to have left the Abyssals confused and reeling, and they get left behind in you and your squadron's wake. They're slow to catch up to you, giving you a rather large degree of freedom to maneuver.

"C-contacts in the north!" Anna warns, her antenna twitching wildly.

She didn't really need to tell you that. You were already tied in to her sensors via your datalink, and could see more and more Abyssals pouring out from the Dark Zone.

>Have the carriers deploy their planes and begin harassing them from the air.
>Keep the planes in reserve in case you need them.
>Other

>>1718511
>>Other

>Hit the Abyssal group lightly, then use the planes return flight to decoy them east a bit before bringing the planes back.

>>1718511
>>Have the carriers deploy their planes and begin harassing them from the air.

>>1718511
>Have the carriers deploy their planes and begin harassing them from the air.

>>1718511
>>Other
>Hit the Abyssal group lightly, then use the planes return flight to decoy them east a bit before bringing the planes back.

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>>1718511
"Sara! Big E!" You yell to your carriers.

They both already know what you're going to tell them, and they're already launching planes to send against the oncoming Abyssal forces.

In the meantime, you were keeping a close eye on Anna's readouts. Right now, your force was sandwiched between two large Abyssal groups. There was a force coming in from the north, having appeared from the Dark Zone. This force was fairly small, but judging from the speeds they were moving, this was a heavy Abyssal force packing lots of firepower. Hell, there might even be Princesses or that Re-class in the mix.

On the other hand, the Abyssals coming up from the south were massive in number, but were largely consisting of smaller Abyssals that posed less of an individual threat.

Enterprise and Saratoga were already splitting their strike waves to attack both forces, but what were you going to do with your surface assets?

>Engage the northern group.
>Engage the southern group.
>Continue to avoid direct contact.
>Other

>>1718531
>>Continue to avoid direct contact.

>>1718531
>Engage the southern group.

>>1718531
>Engage the southern group.

>>1718531
>>Engage the southern group.

>>1718531
>Engage the northern group.

>>1718531
>>Continue to avoid direct contact.

>>1718531
>>Engage the southern group.

>>1718531
>>Engage the southern group.

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>>1718531
You point yourself southwards in order to get ready to engage the Abyssal forces coming up from that direction. However,as you do so, a very familiar shape bursts out from them.

The DD Princess charges, her eyes looked closely to your own, burning with crimson fury.

Looks like you weren't getting off this one so easily...

>And that's it for tonight! Sorry about the late start today!
>As always, next thread is next week and don't forget Frontier Knight on Saturday!

>>1718571
See you next time, Merc!

>>1718571
Yeah, grudge match!

Thanks for running, Merc!