Part 3
After completing training, the 14th Destroyer Division departed from Yokosuka for a tanker escort mission.
Interestingly, the rigging was powered by oil. Naturally, it wasn’t crude oil, but the rigging stopped working until it was filled with fuel. It was just like an actual ship, and was one of the reasons why it was said that the rigging was the ship itself.
So escorting oil tankers was also a very important mission. Destroyers were exclusively assigned to do this on a rotational basis.
“Still, I wonder if it’s necessary to have six ships for the escort?”
“The admiral is probably just being more cautious.” Akebono's voice was transmitted over Kagerou's radio, who was in the lead.
“I guess it’s probably because the fleet was attacked the other day, so the escort is increased,” Kagerou replied.
“It will be too late to regret not adding more if the ship has already sunk.”
“Using up all the fuel in the rigging to do that will defeat the purpose, though.”
“Isn’t that why they sent us out? Because we don't use much fuel.”
Destroyer's rigging consumed less fuel than battleship's and aircraft carrier's. The same could be said for ammunition.
The weather was fine again today. The sea was also calm.
Kagerou checked at the time. It was almost time to rendezvous with the tanker.
As expected, she was still nervous. No matter how safe the area was, there’s no guarantee that the Abyssal Fleet wouldn’t appear. She had experienced it firsthand.
Soon, a dark object appeared on the horizon.
“Oh. It’s here,” Satsuki raised her voice. The object gradually took the shape of a ship and approached them.
Kagerou was relieved.
“Let’s join them.”
They picked up speed and headed for the tanker.
They exchanged conversation with the captain of the tanker. The captain said that the journey was peaceful and he had not seen any Abyssal Fleet.
“I've heard from other captains that the Abyssal Fleet raids are decreasing not just around here, but in other places as well. I guess they're all gathering somewhere.”
It was not impossible, since the swarms appeared in southern waters.
There’s too many unknown things about the ecology of the Abyssal Fleet. They were said to be highly intelligent and could easily fight fleet battles. If humans were to conduct a large-scale operation, it was conceivable that they would take countermeasures.
Kagerou ordered Arare while escorting the tanker.
“Hey, do a radio interception for me.”
“To the 3rd communication system…?”
“Yeah. I think I want to listen to the exchange between Shiranui and Yokosuka.”
Arare agreed.
She carefully adjusted the direction and frequency of the radio antenna for a while. Perhaps she’s having trouble listening, since she continued to remain silent. Though in Arare case, she usually only spoke a few words.
"The attack…seems to be going well…”
“That’s good.”
Kagerou patted her chest after listening to Arare's words.
“Well, with Shiranui, it's only natural.”
“The fleet with Fusou-san and Yamashiro-san in the center…sank the enemy battleships…including the Ru-class…”
“Eh? Wait a minute, Fusou-san?” She interrupted herself. Shiranui’s fleet shouldn't have had battleships.
Arare replied, “It's certain. That's what it said.......”
“What about the vanguard, Takao-san and the others?”
“No one said anything about them…”
An ominous feeling rose in Kagerou's chest. The same feeling she felt in the auditorium. That feeling.
She wanted to let it go, but the feeling gradually grew. It was so big that she couldn't put it away.
She signaled everyone in the 14th Destroyer Division.
“… Both engines forward, full cruising speed.”
‘Eh?’ voices could be heard.
“Full cruising speed was it?” Nagatsuki asked in surprise. All this time, they had been slowing down to match the tanker speed.
“I'll explain to the tanker myself. We’ll try to return to Yokosuka sooner, okay?”
Without waiting for everyone's reply, she took the initiative and increased her speed.
She had a bad feeling about it.
After completing training, the 14th Destroyer Division departed from Yokosuka for a tanker escort mission.
Interestingly, the rigging was powered by oil. Naturally, it wasn’t crude oil, but the rigging stopped working until it was filled with fuel. It was just like an actual ship, and was one of the reasons why it was said that the rigging was the ship itself.
So escorting oil tankers was also a very important mission. Destroyers were exclusively assigned to do this on a rotational basis.
“Still, I wonder if it’s necessary to have six ships for the escort?”
“The admiral is probably just being more cautious.” Akebono's voice was transmitted over Kagerou's radio, who was in the lead.
“I guess it’s probably because the fleet was attacked the other day, so the escort is increased,” Kagerou replied.
“It will be too late to regret not adding more if the ship has already sunk.”
“Using up all the fuel in the rigging to do that will defeat the purpose, though.”
“Isn’t that why they sent us out? Because we don't use much fuel.”
Destroyer's rigging consumed less fuel than battleship's and aircraft carrier's. The same could be said for ammunition.
The weather was fine again today. The sea was also calm.
Kagerou checked at the time. It was almost time to rendezvous with the tanker.
As expected, she was still nervous. No matter how safe the area was, there’s no guarantee that the Abyssal Fleet wouldn’t appear. She had experienced it firsthand.
Soon, a dark object appeared on the horizon.
“Oh. It’s here,” Satsuki raised her voice. The object gradually took the shape of a ship and approached them.
Kagerou was relieved.
“Let’s join them.”
They picked up speed and headed for the tanker.
They exchanged conversation with the captain of the tanker. The captain said that the journey was peaceful and he had not seen any Abyssal Fleet.
“I've heard from other captains that the Abyssal Fleet raids are decreasing not just around here, but in other places as well. I guess they're all gathering somewhere.”
It was not impossible, since the swarms appeared in southern waters.
There’s too many unknown things about the ecology of the Abyssal Fleet. They were said to be highly intelligent and could easily fight fleet battles. If humans were to conduct a large-scale operation, it was conceivable that they would take countermeasures.
Kagerou ordered Arare while escorting the tanker.
“Hey, do a radio interception for me.”
“To the 3rd communication system…?”
“Yeah. I think I want to listen to the exchange between Shiranui and Yokosuka.”
Arare agreed.
She carefully adjusted the direction and frequency of the radio antenna for a while. Perhaps she’s having trouble listening, since she continued to remain silent. Though in Arare case, she usually only spoke a few words.
"The attack…seems to be going well…”
“That’s good.”
Kagerou patted her chest after listening to Arare's words.
“Well, with Shiranui, it's only natural.”
“The fleet with Fusou-san and Yamashiro-san in the center…sank the enemy battleships…including the Ru-class…”
“Eh? Wait a minute, Fusou-san?” She interrupted herself. Shiranui’s fleet shouldn't have had battleships.
Arare replied, “It's certain. That's what it said.......”
“What about the vanguard, Takao-san and the others?”
“No one said anything about them…”
An ominous feeling rose in Kagerou's chest. The same feeling she felt in the auditorium. That feeling.
She wanted to let it go, but the feeling gradually grew. It was so big that she couldn't put it away.
She signaled everyone in the 14th Destroyer Division.
“… Both engines forward, full cruising speed.”
‘Eh?’ voices could be heard.
“Full cruising speed was it?” Nagatsuki asked in surprise. All this time, they had been slowing down to match the tanker speed.
“I'll explain to the tanker myself. We’ll try to return to Yokosuka sooner, okay?”
Without waiting for everyone's reply, she took the initiative and increased her speed.
She had a bad feeling about it.
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