The Prince Of Wales

Chapter 20: Method

The cold wind of the arctic circle swept across the deck of the fleet carrier. Her crew huddled in the few places in her decks where they could be shielded from the cold.

Is it always such a tough ask for these men to be out here in these conditions. It seems to me that they never learn. Even the experienced officers, they're never prepared enough. The woman standing out on the deck mused to herself. I swear if I hear them complain again about the draft on my storage deck, I'll throw one of them in the water and then see how they'll like it. She thought half angrily to herself as the wind nipped at her.

Her mind felt almost carried by the wind. She and the bow her ship were both facing westward, but something compelled her to shift her feet almost all the way around. As she turned, the wind teased at her and careened through her tails. She wasn't bothered by the wind though. At least, she wasn't bothered to the point that she would admit it. Akagi, I may love you sister. But sometimes, the weather makes different clothes more practical, she thought to herself as she shook her head.

However, her mind quickly moved on from thoughts of her sister as she looked into the storm clouds to the northeast of her. Something is going on in that direction, but I cannot be for sure. She pondered about the situation she found herself in. Yet, the Fleet Carrier couldn't help her mind from drifting back to the last major encounter that she had been apart of.

It had been less than one month ago that she was part of a battle not far from here. The carrier thought about that battle.

The seas washed over the deck of the ship of first carrier division. She barely managed to hold onto her planes, and so did her three colleagues. "Give up Hermes!" She announced loudly into the wind. "You are much to weak for all four of us at once."

Hermes didn't say anything as she drew a card from her duel disk. She placed it in its proper position and launched a sortie of aircraft from her burning deck. "My deck has no pathetic planes Kaga!" She cried out defiantly as her planes managed to land strikes on Hiryuu, Souryuu, Akagi, and Kaga.

Kaga, as much as she would have hated to admit it, was somewhat impressed. Still, her sister was not, "That was your death warrant," Akagi countered as her planes struck Hermes all over.

No audible response came back from Hermes. Only the desperate cries of her drowning and freezing sailors trying desperately to cling to life.

Kaga and her comrades departed. They had no time for this anyhow.

Kaga returned from her thoughts. If we ever meet again Hermes, perhaps we shall have a worthy duel. She thought to herself. Now, I have more important matters to attend to. "Captain," she ordered as she walked into her bridge. "We are proceeding south by southwest at half speed," she informed him and he gave an acknowledging stare. It was all she needed as a response.