End of The World (Azur Lane: Origins 3)

Chapter 4: Beginning of an End

I was on my way to the training grounds after eating lunch when the bases loudspeakers blared to life. 'A Siren force led by Enforcer III: Harvest has been spotted! Commence Operation: Fallen Angels immediately!' With a sigh, I rushed to the docks. This had to be the work of the curse and I'm not looking forward to dealing with it because I still doubt the commander's plan. I know I'm supposed to trust him but this plan is a bit... different.

I made it to the docks just in time to watch Kaga's aircraft disappear into the distance. Minutes later, we were riding Taihou's planes into the combat zone. I don't know why I agreed to this.

'You may be wondering why I called you girls here this morning.' I was not. It's most likely something to do with the Sirens. 'Brisbane and I have done some calculations and have concluded that the number of Sirens destroyed is not the widely believed 97%; it is actually around 41%.' Considering the total number of Arbiters known to exist, that does sound possible.

'Because of this and some predictions, we have created Operation: Fallen Angels.' Most of the other girls in the briefing room looked startled or mildly embarrassed. I, on the other hand, was completely fine. Why were they acting like that? There was nothing wrong with that name.

'This mission relies on my prediction that the Sirens would want to test us first before sending in a proper strike force. My prediction also extends to include their fleet composition, starting with one of the rogue Enforcers, Harvest: III or Exploration: IX.'

Adrenaline coursed through me as we approached the drop point. It had been several years since I had fought a Siren fleet this large and I've never fought an Enforcer. I clenched my sheathed katana as the plane I was riding flew closer to the Enforcer.

All my instincts told me to cling to the plane as tightly as I could. The situation below was optimal; the Sirens were in a state of confusion and space had been cleared around the Enforcer. Still, I had to force myself with all my willpower to roll off the plane. Instincts from my human body told me I had just killed myself.

The commander cleared his throat before continuing. 'Now for the plan. When the enemy fleet is spotted, Kaga will launch an airstrike, targeting the Sirens in the Enforcer's immediate vicinity. Then, under the guise of a second strike, all eight of you will fly in on Taihou's planes. Once over the Enforcer, you will jump off the planes- '

'What!' Kaga exclaimed as she jumped to her feet. 'There's no way we can do that!' I agree. That sounds like something you would read in a book.

'Let the Commander finish.' Brisbane gave Kaga, and me, a death glare. I could have sworn one of Brisbane's eyes started glowing.

'Thanks, Brisbane.' She nodded. 'From there, Kaga, Taihou, Izumo, Atago and Ayanami will establish a defensive perimeter around the Enforcer while Takao, Brisbane and Kawakaze keep her busy. The others will assist you three when available. Once the Enforcer has been destroyed, you will fan out and take care of the remaining Sirens.'

I splashed to the ocean surface with a grin on my now warm face. I rose to my full height and unsheathed my katana, chuckling. So that's why he named the operation 'Fallen Angels'. I understand why it flustered the others.

When the spray I had kicked up faded, I caught a glimpse of Brisbane before I charged the Enforcer. She had a metal pole entangled in wires poking out of her upper thigh. I'd have to ask about it later.

I dashed right up to the Enforcer and slashed my katana across her chest with all my strength. Nothing happened. I ducked and rolled away as a salvo, probably from Takao, hit the Siren right where I had attacked her. Still nothing. Brisbane fired multiple shots at the same spot. She only angered the Enforcer.

Launching a spread of torpedoes in the Enforcer's general direction, I sped around to her back and tried slashing the back of her legs. My katana did nothing and my torpedoes bounced harmlessly off the Siren. I tried slashing harder, at her back this time. I only succeeded in cutting the Enforcer's hair.

After jumping back a relatively safe distance, I realised something. What if the Enforcer's armour was like traditional armour? Seeking the answer to this question, I tried to stab at the back of the Siren's knees. This time, it worked, and my katana emerged from below and to the side of her kneecap. I slashed outward, cutting her whole lower leg off.

My attack seemed to catch the Enforcer off-guard, but she quickly regained her composure and began floating on her rigging. Now things were getting interesting – I had finally discovered her weakness.

I snuck up to the Enforcer from below as quietly and quickly as I could. Once I was close enough, I jumped up and stabbed down with my katana, this time piercing her elbow. Slashing upwards, her arm split in two just in time for Brisbane to hit it with a burst of High Explosive shells which cauterised the wound and prevented the Siren from healing.

Now enraged, the Enforcer started making mistakes. She left larger and larger openings as she attacked with full force and no regard to her safety. I just had to pretend to charge at her, plant my foot in front of me, hard, to kill my momentum, twist around and stab her other elbow. This time, I slashed downwards and Brisbane shot at the stump like she had earlier. This was easy now that the Enforcer was blinded by rage.

For the final time, I dashed at the Enforcer and swung my katana, aiming for her neck. She could no longer block any attempts to kill her, so her head flew clean off. I spun around and stabbed my katana into her chest with a crunch as Brisbane and Takao disintegrated the Siren's head. I only stopped twisting my katana in the Enforcer's chest when she began to sink beneath the waves.

Breathing somewhat heavily, I stood at my full height once again after wiping the Siren goo off my precious katana. Siren goo doesn't damage it but I'd rather it stays clean. I looked down to see that some of the goo had gotten on my clothes but that didn't matter too much; it usually doesn't stain.

It was only now that I noticed my injuries. There was small cuts and bruises all over my arms and legs with a larger gash on my cheek. My left wrist ached slightly when I moved it, but it should heal in a few days if I refrain from using it. Not too bad for my first encounter with an Enforcer.

With my primary objective complete and my most serious injuries being cuts and bruises, I set out to help the others with the remaining Sirens. They were hardly a challenge after defeating an Enforcer.

When the last Siren was cut down, we gathered in a rough circle as Brisbane radioed the commander. 'Mission complete, sir. Operation: Fallen Angels was a complete success. Only minor injuries were sustained. I will include more details in my report. End transmission.'

We finally arrived back at the base when the sun was setting. It was only now, as the commander was running up to us, that the physical and emotional exhaustion started hitting me. 'Good job, girls!' Atago gave him a high-five and a few of the others nodded in agreement. 'Atago, please can you make sure they treat their wounds properly and help them if they need it?' She nodded and we started following her to the infirmary.

I had barely taken a step when the commander grabbed my hand, making me stop to turn and look at him. 'Do you need something, Commander?' I didn't really want to be around anyone right now. I was starting to feel overwhelmed by the emotions from defeating a massive number of Sirens and the memories they reminded me of.

'I'll treat your injuries, Kawakaze. You werehurt the most.' I didn't have any fight left in me to argue so I let thecommander lead me to his quarters. I was just trying to hold everything inuntil I could be alone.