The Pacific War : Descends Into Chaos
While continuing to monitor its surroundings, the Admiral Graf Spee returned to defensive mode with its barrier redeployed. Modern metalworking technology could not produce something as sturdy as Ama no Murakumo's outer armor as expected. But with Adolf’s magical knowledge and cheat-like power, the enemy attacks could not even reach the Admiral Graf Spee.
There wasn't even a single hole in the airship after being hit by a barrage of missile attacks. Several gun ports were with by missiles when the barrier was lifted, causing inner explosions that damaged the bases and the surrounding areas. However, the damage was only at the surface level while the internal frame of the airship was safe. Minor distortions and cracks could be repaired endlessly once the airship back in the dock. Therefore, they could afford to repeat this as many times as needed.
"No movements from the enemy airship."
"Our counterattack seems to have been effective. They are probably wary of us now. What about the movements of the Russian fleet?"
"Some of their ships have started rescuing the crew of the sunk ships, while the rest are keeping their distance from the airship to observe the situation.”
On the bridge of Ronald Reagan, Rear Admiral Osman was receiving a report from his subordinate. Neither side had made any moves after the third wave of attacks. Then, as he watched the airship in the distance, he suddenly felt a sting on the back of his neck.
"Ouch!"
He reflexively slapped the back of his neck and saw a trace of blood on his hand.
"Commander, what's wrong?"
"I think I got stung. Did some insect get in? But we're in the middle of the ocean."
"I wonder. I don't see any insects. I only see other countries' fleets that are just as annoying."
"The fleets that don't cooperate with the operation are indeed a nuisance. But right now, we have to focus on how to deal with the enemy airship."
Osman observed the positions of other countries' fleet. The Russian fleet and the US fleet were in the lead, with the Chinese fleet following them at a distance. Suddenly, fighter jets took off one after another from the Chinese aircraft carrier and passed the skies above the US fleet.
"The fourth wave of attacks? But we haven't heard anything from their side. What's with the timing?"
"My guess is they're going to eliminate the nuisance."
*boom*
The Chinese J-20s started attacking the Russian fleet and shot down the early warning aircraft flying around the Admiral Graf Spee.
"Vice Commander Kane, what the hell are you talking about?"
With a grin, Kane pulled a gun from his waistband. He tried to shoot Osman, but a nearby soldier immediately caught his arm. In the midst of his struggle, Kane managed to fire a few indiscriminate shots, injuring several soldiers.
"I'd heard reports that the Third Reich's SS member had infiltrated our side, but I never imagined they were this close. Throw him into the cell!"
"Yes, sir!"
After Kane was taken away, Osman ordered an inspection to see if any equipment had been damaged by his indiscriminate shooting. Fortunately, there was no fatal damage, but part of the communications system had become unusable. They successfully switched to the secondary line, but the situation had just started to take a turn for the worse.
*boom*
The missile frigate Jiang Kai II of the Chinese fleet opened fire from behind. The target was a destroyer of the US fleet, which exploded and caught fire with a single strike. The other Jiang Kai II targeted the Chinese fleet's destroyer Taizhou. Due to this unexpected attack, the ship was heavily damaged and on fire. Watching this situation, the nearby destroyers of the Chinese fleet then started attacking these two ships.
"Evasive maneuver!! Has the Chinese fleet defected to the enemy side!?"
"I don't think so, sir. The other ships of the Chinese fleet have begun firing on the Jiangkai IIs!"
"What the hell is going on here?"
"Sir, two destroyers from our fleet have left the ranks and begun moving at full speed toward the enemy airship!"
"Tell them to stop and stick to the plan!"
"Sir, they didn't pick up our communication."
One after another, ships from the US, Chinese, and Russian fleets left their ranks and headed towards the Admiral Graf Spee. Three destroyers from the US fleet. One missile cruiser and one submarine from the Russian fleet. Two missile frigates and one aircraft carrier from the Chinese fleet. All of these ships had been taken over by the SS members and soldiers under Needle's influence and joined the enemy side.
The Chinese fleet simultaneous bombardment successfully set one of the Jiangkai IIs on fire and rendered it unsailable. However, the other Jiangkai II continued heading straight toward the Admiral Graf Spee.
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Unbelievable....
Rear Admiral Sergey, commander of the Russian fleet, witnessed the tragedy unfolding before his eyes. Two of their Kirov-class missile cruisers were sunk by bombardment from the airship. While taking evasive maneuvers, they continued firing at the airship, but after some of their gun ports were destroyed by the fire from the US fleet, they took cover behind the barrier again. Furthermore, it seemed the airship had only suffered minor damage.
"Commander!! Admiral Grigorovich and Vladimir Monomakh, that were on standby at the rear, have left the ranks and started moving toward the airship!!"
"Stop them! There is no order to charge!!"
"Sir, they didn't pick up our communication!!"
"Don't tell me the enemy has infiltrated our fleet, too!?"
For some time now, incidents allegedly caused by the Third Reich followers had begun occurring all over Russia. However, he never imagined that they had infiltrated so deeply into their military. There was no way he could have predicted that a frigate and a submarine in active service would suddenly defect to the enemy side during this operation. But this didn't just happen to the Russian fleet. Dozens of ships from various countries had also left their fleets and headed towards the airships. One thing these ships had in common was that they were not from the latest generation, but one generation behind.
"The background of our latest generation ships' crew has been thoroughly verified. But when it comes to the previous generation ships, there must have been some gap somewhere.”
"Let's look at the positive side. Had they seized our latest generation ships, it would be a major blow to our military strength. It's a saving grace that we only suffered this level of loss."
"Have you not considered the possibility that they are holding the hostages? It's impossible for all the crew members to be traitors, after all."
"Then we can't attack them carelessly. The other countries must be thinking the same."
*boom*
Not long after Sergei said so, one of the Jiankai II, en route to the Admiral Graf Spee, was hit by the Chinese fleet's attack and exploded.
"I guess not.... I would expect no less from China. They delivered the iron hammer to traitors."
"They really show no mercy. Hasn't the defected Chinese aircraft carrier already deployed its fighter jets?"
"We can’t just watch. Deploy the Su-33 Flankers!"
“Sukhoi squadron, scramble! Our target is the hostile fighter jets from the defected Chinese aircraft carrier. Be careful extra with friendly fires,"
Immediately, Su-33s took off from the Russian aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov. In the sky, the US Super Hornets were already engaging in a dogfight with the Chinese J-20s. For military enthusiasts, a coveted aerial battle had begun. The fleets of various countries temporarily pulled back their front lines, with the US and Russian fleets acting as rearguard while repelling the J-20s.
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"The Needle's performance is unsatisfactory. I was expecting all enemy flagships to come to our side during this operation."
Adolf was gradually growing irritated by the situation below. Their trump card, the Needle, couldn't bring the result he wanted. But with the materials from two destroyer from the US fleet, one missile cruiser and one nuclear-powered ship from the Russian fleet, one aircraft carrier from the Chinese fleet, although it wouldn't have the same performance as Ama no Murakumo's Margia Ritters, it should be possible to create something reasonably capable of fighting. However, it was impossible to devote time to weapon development in the battlefield, so his top priority was the destruction of the enemy allied fleet. Even retreating was risky as the enemy’s forces were stronger, except for the Admiral Graf Spee, and there was a high possibility that they would lose the ships they had worked so hard to capture in the process.
“Your Excellency, we must strengthen the suggestions once again.”
"For that, we have to increase the dose.... Very well, send the SS members to the captured vessels. Inject the Needle into those not under its influence. For those weakly influenced, administer additional doses and transform them into perfect soldiers!”
"Yes, sir!"
Following Adolf’s orders, soldiers moved one after another to the captured ships. To prevent interference, the Admiral Graf Spee moved to a position where it could act as a shield against fire from the retreating enemy.
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"*beep*.... Situation update. Ships from various countries have left their fleet and joined the enemy side."
"*beep*.... The allied fleet seems to be retreating. What should we do?"
Ama no Murakumo would reach the battlefield in 30 minutes, but it appeared the allied fleet was in the process of retreating.
"Switch to slow advance and deploy Tsukoyomi. After that, contact the nearest fleet to get an overview of the situation."
"Understood. Intercepting the US Seventh Fleet's communication channel."
In the meantime, Tsukuyomi, carried by six Magia Ritters, was lowered onto the sea. No matter how much it was modified, it couldn’t keep up with Ama no Murakumo at full speed, so it was transported by six Magia Ritters. But since the battlefield has moved to the rear, we had to make some adjustments to the rescue operation.
“According to the report from the US fleet, the current situation is...."
Listening to the report made my head hurt. For some reason, part of the allied fleet seemed to have defected to the enemy side. First of all, since they couldn’t penetrate the barrier, they launched a counterattack at the timing of the airship’s attack, destroying the gun ports but leaving the hull intact. The allied fleet overwhelmingly outnumbered the enemy, so it was unclear whether all the crew of those ships had defected or if they were being controlled by some kind of unknown power. Therefore, they have stopped engaging in battle and decided to retreat to reassess the situation. That being said, the Chinese fleet apparently considered it desertion and destroyed their defected ships.
"Instead of causing damage to other countries and then having disputes later, they chose to destroy their own ships.... No, I think they chose to destroy their own ships to prevent their technology from falling into enemy hands."
Erase the barrier, then destroy the hull? This might be possible with Ama no Murakumo, but.... Damn, I just can’t make up my mind. Even if we attack the airship with ultra-long-range fire from this position, we have to deal with that barrier first somehow. However, there’s still not enough information. But if I keep hesitating, the damage will only increase.