USS Johnston (DDG-175) "Fog of War"

Chapter 18

My alarm blares through me room, startling me out of my sleep. I groan and shut off the alarm. I then get off my bed, brush my teeth, shower and present myself as always. Im my naval uniform. I then hear a knock on the steel door, I close my eyes and see that it is Ardent.

Me: its open

Ardent silently opens the door and bows.

Ardent: Good morning miss Johnston. It is a big day today. I have brought lady knight Whales to get acquainted with your equipment.

Me: (confused) I mean good for her, but she could just tell me. (shrug)

Ardent rolls her eyes as Whales come into my room.

Whales: Good morning, Johnston. Today is the big day.

Me: Yep.

Whales: Is everything ready?

Me: Just need to cast off.

Whales: Perfect, the fleet is moving out, we have to get going to meetup before the area.

I nod and head out of the room and onto the bridge. I look out to the entrance of the bay, seeing dozens of ships heading out, one by one. First were the merchants, then Team 1. After a bit, it was our team's turn. Tugboats waddle around the harbor, pulling and pushing all of the ships towards the entrance, disconnecting, then getting another.

I look to the side to see Ayanami, waiting for her turn. Javelin, Laffey and Unicorn come over to her and talk. I frown at this exchange, which Whales noticed.

Whales: Looks like they are having fun.

Me: Yep.

Whales: Want to meet with them?

Me: (stares at Ayanami) Not ready. What's with Ayanami's story?

Whales: (stares longingly to Ayanami) She was an outcast by her peers. She had admitted to us that she doesn't want to fight us, questioning on why we are using/working with siren technology. She was kicked out, because she was worried. Those three helped her when no one else could, almost like you.

Me: (whispers) almost...

Whales tilts her head to the side, confused. I ignore her and go over to the bridge wing to see the tugs going over to the destroyers and take them off of the pier. I notice there are yellow birds operating the many systems on the tugs.

I came to the conclusion that this is how this world's work and await as the four head out next to each other. It was my turn as the two tugs tie up. I go onto the deck and help out the process, getting multiple feather's up for helping them. It took a bit of time as we leave the pier.

Once away, I fired up my propulsion and felt the ship shudder from the sudden force of the propellers digging into the current, water churning from my stern. In a minute, I am underway, once again helping the manjuus (as I later find out) cast off and going over to the remaining ships stationed.

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Its a few hours since the departure, The ships are in an AA defense position around the two carreirs as we make our way to the combat exercise zone. Me and Whales head down below to the CIC. I open the door and allowed Whales to look at the space and computer screens showing the different systems they are responsible for.

I go to where my station is and quietly began running some diagnostics.

Me: Aegis?

Aegis: Here.

Me: What is the status on the missiles?

Aegis: 57% If we have more time we could have a full AAW suite ready before the deployment.