Torpedo Division X arrived to Hong Kong to replenish supplies lost from the previous battle. From there, Princess Warspite, the Governor of the territory greeted Kitakami again. This time, Kitakami had the will to speak up and present herself in a friendlier manner compared to a while back. The torpedo cruiser also noticed a large gathering of ships nearby from several nations. This included the navies of Britain, Japan, China, Korea and even Indonesia. Together, they formed a large international coalition to fight against the Pan Asian Union. While they were being loaded with the necessary equipment, Tan Yang began to brief them on their next task over the radio.
I'll transmit the data we've received from the "Joint Forces in Asia." According to this, the islands are protected by an intensive anti ship defense network. To deal with this, the Joint Forces will draw away coastal defense fire to itself at sea. Meanwhile Torpedo Division X will join the Joint Force's Spratly Island strike team and approach the target through a heavily defended minefield. That's the only way we have a chance at succeeding. If you destroy the V-25 launch control facility, you should be able to stop the drones from being activated. The V-25s will probably be equipped with nuclear torpedoes. The destruction from a single V-25 will most likely dwarf the damage inflicted by that tactical nuclear attack before. All the Joint Forces will be mobilized for this full scale operation. It seems this war doesn't want to come to an end. We must stop the V-25 launches! Hurry! Operation Zero Hour will now commence.
After the refueling was done by an American tanker, Torpedo Division X observed who they will be fighting alongside in their strike team. The team was mostly comprised of British ships which featured the destroyers Tenacious, Tumult, Tuscan, Ulysses, Wizard and the cruiser Belfast (who would later join the PMC group Kitakami is in sometime after this conflict). Japan had sent in the two cruisers Takao and Atago while the Republic of China was represented by Heng Yang and of course the mercenaries Kitakami and Shiratsuyu. Korea had the Daejeon (Gearing class) and Indonesia sent in the cruiser Irian. Combined, the strike team consisted of 13 ships all together.
"We've got a pretty diverse team. It's a shame I won't be participating but I know you can do it." Warspite said.
"I assume you are here to protect Hong Kong?" Kitakami asked.
"Indeed. We have the Pacific Fleet with us so we have already contributed a lot. Your mission should begin now, so please be on your way as I wish you good luck."
"Yeah, thank you for the kind words. We'll make sure this place is safe from the Pan Asian Union. You can count on us."
Kitakami parted ways with the royal battleship and followed behind the international strike team. As they all approached the Spratly Islands, the team faced off against some stiff resistance. The Pan Asian Union was prepared to defend their base to the death and laid out an extensive minefield protected by shore guns, E-boats and other small vessels. There were also some larger ships like destroyers in their ranks.
"Looks like we have some heavy resistance. All ships, move through the minefield clearing we pathed out on your maps. Put your trust in it and pray there were no mistakes made." Belfast ordered everyone. Shells from the batteries fired upon them as the team moved up, trying to break through.
"Everyone try to stay in formation. Stray off course and you'll be in a world of hurt." Irian ordered.
"That's a lot of things to dodge." Kitakami noted.
"Torpedo Division X, Stay within the projected route on your approach to the main base. You'll sink if you stray too far from the path." Tan Yang reminded over the radio. "Get to the enemy fortress. Once you're close, move into those pens and sink all the V-25s."
"This is Shiratsuyu. If I'm with you, I know I can do it. I'll follow your lead." The destroyer trailed behind Kitakami.
"It's Torpedo Division X! We've been waiting for you! Follow us, we'll escort you to the Spratly base!" Wizard provided help.
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The Kitakami Chronicles
FanfictionA Japanese torpedo cruiser learns that her family is in trouble and that they would be killed off if they didn't pay up. It is up to Kitakami, and her sister Ooi, to step up as being mercenaries in a civil war in China in order to help pay off these...
