Kagerou, Batsubyoushimasu! Volume 2 Chapter 3 Part 1

Chapter 3 : Slow Ahead

Part 1

　The next day.
 
　The shipgirls departed early in the morning. Those who had time on their hands saw them off and waved their hats.^[1] Those were cheers from friends to those who would fight the Abyssal Fleet.

　The shipgirls carved that scene into their minds. For the time when they would return again. To be able to return again.

　It was the same for Kagerou and the others. But right now, they weren't there.

　They were upgrading their rigging.

　Just as Takao had said, Atago contacted Kagerou in the morning. She said, “I have a very good news for you. I’ll tell you if you call me ‘Big Sis’, you know,” but when Kagerou replied, “It’s the oxygen torpedoes, right?” Atago was visibly disappointed. That’s, well, let's just let her be disappointed.

　Equipment usually would be handed directly from the arsenal. However, torpedoes were different. They were stored in a different place because it’s dangerous.

　After getting permission from the logistic department, they received the oxygen torpedoes with the warhead removed.

“This is the Type 93 Oxygen Torpedo? There’s no difference from the Type 90, isn’t it?”

　Satsuki, who was looking at it, said calmly.

“The appearance of the torpedo doesn't change that much. There, let's do the maintenance and familiarization training.”

　Kagerou urged everyone and walked to the pier.

　The usual place was being used for the operation by the other shipgirls. That’s why they decided to hold the training at a remote location so as not to disturb them.

　They sat in a circle and started installing the torpedoes.

　First, they checked the interior of the torpedo tubes. Was it scratched or damaged? If they overlooked something here, the torpedo would explode upon firing and they would be dead before fighting the Abyssal Fleet.

　As expected, it’s brand new. It was shiny, and even after being inspected properly, there were no problems.
 
　Then, they installed it. This was where the Kagerou-class came in handy. By just putting it on the end of the arm^[2] and it’s finished. The oxygen supply system was also installed at the same time, and that was it.

　Arare was quick to do the same. All she had to do was fit it into the arm's mounting gear and check if it worked properly.

　The problem was with the Ushio and Akebono of the Ayanami-class, and Satsuki and Nagatsuki of the Mutsuki-class.

　Both ship classes were not originally designed to carry oxygen torpedoes. They had been modified to be able to carry the oxygen torpedo as much as possible because it was a powerful weapon, but there was a problem with them somehow.

　The girls were struggling.

“The metal fittings are in a weird position. The oxygen supply system is not connected either,” Nagatsuki grumbled. “I know I've been asking for equipment upgrades, but can't they do something about it?”

“Mine is kind of wobbly, too. ......”

　Ushio sighed. In her case, the clasp seemed to be loose and the torpedo launching tube was dangling. No matter what she did, the launching port would immediately point downward.

“Let’s force it to stay put. Arare, help me with this.”

　Kagerou used pliers and a hammer to forcibly fasten Ushio's torpedo tube. She also did the same to Akebono’s.

“Since the launching port is underneath, try to kneel or swing your legs up when you fire.”

“I understand,” Ushio said. There was no hesitation.

“Are you sure? You used to say you didn't want the inside of your skirt to be seen.”

“That’s true… However, since Akebono-chan doesn’t look embarrassed, I'll do it too.”

　Ushio clenched a small fist. Akebono said, “You don’t have to do it if it’s impossible for you," but she didn't seem to be mocking her.

　Meanwhile, Satsuki and Nagatsuki were still struggling.

“Ugh, I can't get it to fit at all!” Satsuki screamed. “I wonder if this is a mistreatment toward the Mutsuki-class?”

“It’s because Satsuki is so cute, the arsenal wants to be mean to her,” Kagerou squatted down in front of her.

　The Mutsuki-class has torpedoes attached to their ankles. If the torpedoes were to drop, it would instantly be submerged in the water, and even changing the direction would put it in contact with the sea surface, creating a drag.

“Should I move it up and tighten it more?”

“It'll stop my blood circulation, you know.”

“We'll have no choice but to fasten it at the ankle, but even if we fasten it here, it'll still stop your blood circulation, won't it?”

“You can adjust the clasp you know. If you move it to my calf, the thickness will change and it will be too tight.”

　She ended up forcing the clasp onto the ankle. She managed to do it, but it was going to be difficult to remove.

“I wonder if this is enough," Kagerou said.

　Satsuki seemed to be satisfied, but Nagatsuki was still concerned.

“I'm really worried about the launcher. I wanted to file a complaint to the arsenal.”

“I'll make a request for improvement later, okay? For now, let's go for familiarization training.”

　They all entered the sea from the pier.

　A small dot could be seen on the horizon in the distance. It was the shipgirls who had sortied.

　The dot soon disappeared from sight.

"That's Shiranui and the others, isn't it?

“No, I don't think so. They should have departed long ago,” Kagerou replied to Satsuki's words. “It's the main force. They're going to attack after receiving the results of the reconnaissance from Shiranui and the others.”

“All at once. That's a bold move, isn’t it.”

　Satsuki sounded impressed.

　Before the sortie, Kagerou and Shiranui exchanged words only once. They had bumped into each other in the hallway of the destroyer dormitory.

　Kagerou said, “You're leaving already?” Shiranui silently took off her gloves and touched Kagerou's ribbon tie.

“It's crooked.”

　That was the end of the conversation and Shiranui walked to the pier.

　It was too quick, so she couldn’t get sentimental about it. The time when she transferred from Kure to Yokosuka had been much more dramatic, so Kagerou had been disappointed.

　Maybe she was trying to be casual about it, she thought, so that it won’t be a final farewell.

　If that's the case, then the etiquette would be to train hard as usual.

　They conducted several torpedo firing drills against target ships. Each time they retrieved the training torpedoes, it took a while.

“It’s so-so, isn’t it.”

　Satsuki said, looking at the result sheet.

“Ours are hard to aim, but if we repeat the training, I think we'll certainly be able to hit.”

“As expected, the new model torpedoes are reassuring, aren’t they.” Nagatsuki responded, while casually raising her face.

“What's wrong?”

Kagerou didn't notice that she was being called at.

“Is there something wrong?”

“Mmm, no… My bad.”

　Kagerou apologized and looked at the horizon once more, and Nagatsuki did the same.

　There was the blue sea stretched over. There was nothing but the occasional flying fish, and nothing else.

“There’s nothing,” that was the reply.

　Nagatsuki asked once more, this time more specifically.

“Is this about Shiranui?”

“Well, yeah.”

“...... I’m sure it will be fine.”

　Nagatsuki put her hand on Kagerou's shoulder.

“Your partner is not going to die, that's why the commander has included her in the fleet. You just have to trust and wait for her.”

“I guess you’re right.”

　Kagerou shook her head slowly. Then she smiled.

“Thank you. These days, Nagatsuki is kind of cool, you know?”

“That’s because you're not a good judge of character.”

　The two girls giggled. The training continued.

Note :

 [1] : Hat Waving. As far as I know, only the Japanese did this everytime they send people into a battle in the military. Waving the hat in a circle motion like how the cowboy throw their lasso. But based on the Japanese articles I found, in the Royal Navy, the top of the hat is turned clockwise toward the person being seen off, while in the Imperial Japanese Navy, the top of the hat is not turned, but held in the right hand and turned above the head. In the Imperial Japanese Navy, it was turned three or more times in succession, and there were individual differences in the position and speed at which it was held. The source of this was from Imperial Japanese Navy documentary film called "Gōchin: Indian Ocean Submarine Operations Documentary" from 1944.
 [2] : The metal arms of Kagerou-class, it's on the side of their back riggings, the right one outfitted with 12.7cm Twin Mount, while the left one outfitted with the torpedo launchers, well, I guess only the first three ships in KanColle has those arms.