The Final Voyage

Chapter 4: First One in, Last One Out

Chapter 4: First One in, Last One Out, September 1st, 1945

        The Shadow of Destruction steamed forward, a mile off the Japanese mainland coast. Mykell had his objective in sight. The Japanese behemoth of a ship, still in dry-dock, was to be destroyed. Unfortunately, what he also saw was disconcerting. Several Japanese cruisers and destroyers were stationed near the docks, in order to protect the ship. They certainly must have spotted his ship by now. Through his binoculars, he could see the Japanese crews frantically manning their stations as the Shadow approached. He could the their guns turning to face his ship, the barrels aimed straight at him, as if daring him to come closer. He pushed onwards, commanding his men to increase speed.

        The first of the enemy ships fired moments later, their shells ineffectively splashing into the water. The Shadow's guns fired, with a mighty BOOM. One shell hit their attacker. The others missed, creating massive waves in the otherwise calm waters. The Shadow turned, allowing the third turret to finally bear upon the enemy. Japanese Zeroes buzzed in the sky, closing in for a quick kill. 

        The Shadow fired once more, hitting 3 more of the Japanese ships, leaving only 1 cruiser to defend Mykell's objective. Just as Mykell was about to give the order to fire, a Zero strafed the bridge, shattering glass, putting holes into the walls and systems. He took cover behind the steering wheel. The ship rocked as the guns fired again. The sound of Anti-Aircraft guns intensified. Several of his bridge officers fell, clutching their torsos, arms, or legs. Vladimir, clearly angry, got up and ran to the window, his Tokarev pistol in hand.

        "Dirty bastards!" He screamed, firing his handgun at the Zero's general direction.

        "Get down, you fool!" Klashmyir yelled, "You will get yourself killed!"

        Vladimir did not listen. He shot at the next Zero that passed. Mykell heard another sound, as Vladimir shot. Another Zero, this one closing in. Klashmyir heard it too.

        "Get down!" Klashmyir ran towards Vladimir, throwing him back, but before Klashmyir himself could react, the closing Zero opened fire. 

        Klashmyir stumbled forward, clawing at his stomach and chest. The dark red color of blood soaked into his uniform. Several in the stomach. One in the chest, as if to have hit the heart.

        Klashmyir fell onto his knees, gasping. No one moved. There was nothing anyone can do. Vladimir watched in shock, heavily breathing. Klashmyir's movements became less and less frantic, more and more slow. Tears spilled from his eyes. He was only able to gasp out one last breath

        "No... Nonna... I'm sorry..."

        The ship was jolted again, the guns firing. In the distance, explosions. The sudden movement caused Klashmyir to fall, face down. He did not get back up. 

        Mykell blinked, several times. He listened. No more Zeroes. Only the frantic chatter of busy crewmen on the deck, as the guns were being re-aimed to fire. Then a new sound, a large sound. The ship shook violently, and leaned forward. A red light began blinking, a buzz being emitted. The ship was breached, and going down fast. Mykell tried to think, tried to get a plan made. He was much too shocked, much too confused. He got up, and walked towards the window. Their objective was not far.  They had a boarding craft.

        He turned around, pointing at Aleksander, Vladimir, and Sergei, the 3 least wounded members of the bridge, "All of you, with me"

        As they rushed down to the deck, fighting against the tilt of the ship, dodging deck crew, some who scrambled for high ground, some who were setting scuttling charges, just in case, Mykell explained his plan. They were to board the Japanese Prototype, set some explosives in key points of the ship, and destroy it.