Our Bonds (A Kantai Collection Fanfic) (Remastered)

Chapter 45: Operation Pedestal

"Zuihou."

"What?" (Zuihou)

"Come back home safely."

Zuihou looked around, before putting her head on my chest. Oi oi. No one is watching, right?

"I will. See you later." (Zuihou)

She ran off to regroup with the rest.

"We will be back." (Shouhou)

All of them formed up at the launch pad,

"Force Z-A, weigh anchor! Setting off!" (Hiryuu)

"Setting off!" (Force Z-A)

"Force Z-B, weigh anchor. Standby!" (Prinz Eugen)

"Roger!" (Force Z-B)

Force Z-A took off first. As soon as they are no longer in sight, Force Z-B set off.

I made my way to the command room. It will take them a few hours before they enter the mission area. I just have to wait for their radio transmission.

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"This is Flagship Hiryuu of Force Z-A. Comms check." (Hiryuu)

"We hear you loud and clear, Hiryuu. Send traffic." (Ooyodo)

The monitor switched on, displaying the Strike Fleet as they entered the bloodred waters. They are finally in the mission area.

"Mission area is in a crimson state. Visibility is clear, safe for a couple of landforms. Skies are overcast but low altitude flight is possible." (Hiryuu)

"In short, everything is normal." (Kawakaze)

Every mission area and unliberated zone is always covered in a red hue. Dark clouds, red seas, glowing enemies, etc. These sorts of things are normal in this era.

"Understood. Begin Operation Pedestal!"

"All units, fourth battle speed!" (Hiryuu)

"Multiple enemy radio waves detected! It's unencrpyted. I believe it's from enemy submarines." (Kawakaze)

"Confirm. Enemy radio transmission detected." (Murasame)

"All units, Line Abreast formation. Prepare for ASW. Tama, Murasame, you're up. Carriers, evasive maneuvers. Kawakaze, provide machine gun and anti-torpedo support. Save your torpedoes for later."

"Understood!" (All)

"Be it anti-ship, anti-sub or anti-air, let's do this!" (Murasame)

"My remodelled camouflage isn't just for show, nya. Nya!" (Tama)

Three shadows came into view,

"Enemy ships spotted to starboard." (Murasame)

"Found you nya. Nya!" (Tama)

Tama and Murasame threw a couple of depth charges into the water. An explosion sent a tower of water up into the air, followed by a ghostly howl.

"One submarine down. Nice, nice!" (Murasame)

"Incoming torpedoes! Providing cover fire." (Kawakaze)

Kawakaze aimed and fired her guns at the approaching tube-like shadows. One was destroyed while the other two slipped past the girls.

Tama threw another batch of depth charges into the water. There was an explosion, but no scream.

"Grr..." (Tama)

"Should I provide support?" (Souryuu)

"Nope. Save your plane munitions. We can handle this." (Murasame)