Aug 17, 1942
Air Field, Azur Lane Base
8:00 AM
Enterprise-80 was currently inspecting a boxy contraption that vaguely resembled a generator used to power equipment at US Military barracks. However, the similarity ended there, with several boxy openings that hinted at science fiction technology.
"So this is the Shield Generator?" she asked, a touch of disappointment in her voice as reality fell short of her imaginative expectations.
"Yeah, I know... I know. It's not as fancy as your typical Sci-Fi Shield Generator. But I prioritize functionality over aesthetics," William said, gently tapping the metal casing of the device.
"As long as it works, its appearance is irrelevant," Bunker Hill-76 stated bluntly.
"Enough with the small talk. Let's see this thing in action," Enterprise-80 said, a hint of anticipation in her voice.
"Put on your safety goggles; we're about to witness some magic," William announced, donning his own protective eyewear. The others in the vicinity followed suit.
"Hit it, boys!"
William shouted as Manjuus in lab coats began manipulating computers at a control station. Other Manjuus, wearing hard hats and safety vests, connected various cables and pulled levers linked to the generators.
The Prototype Shield Generator hummed to life and began to glow with shifting colors like an RGB PC, slowly powering up. A glass-like object gradually materialized and formed around the Generator, emitting a steady light.
The translucent barrier slowly coalesced into a hexagonal pattern as the Manjuus at the computer meticulously adjusted the output power of the prototype.
"Power output... 20%... 30%.... 40%...." an artificial voice announced over the speaker, indicating the increasing power levels of the Prototype Shield Generator.
Admiral Nimitz and Admiral Philips, accompanied by their secretaries, observed the entire field test of the prototype being conducted in the open area.
"Dr. William? If this prototype reaches full operational capacity, how many Shipgirls do you anticipate will receive this Shield Generator?" Admiral Philips asked, contemplating its potential deployment.
"It depends."
Admiral Philips and everyone else at the testing site turned to him, their expressions questioning. "What do you mean, 'it depends'?" he asked.
William elaborated, "It depends on the Shipgirls' electrical capacity and tonnage. Powering this machine consumes a significant amount of electricity. If we equip it on a Shipgirl with weak electrical reserves, the other onboard electronics will be starved of power. Radar, Sonar, and Navigation Instruments are crucial for warships. Compromising any of those would render them ineffective in their primary roles."
"I see... what about the tonnage?"
"Shipgirls below 10,000 and 8,000 tons will likely experience instability issues due to the sheer weight of the Shield Generator itself."
"So, Cruisers and Capital Ships are the only ones suitable for this upgrade," Admiral Nimitz concluded, mentally picturing the Shipgirls he intended to equip with this marvel.
"Don't forget the electrical capacity of the ship," William reminded them.
"Would that mean we could potentially equip the entire Base with a Force Field to protect it from any attack?" Cmdr. Thomas inquired.
"Yes, we could... but."
"But, what?"
"The resources required to construct a massive Force-Field around the Base would be detrimental. Imagine the power consumption and the sheer maintenance involved in such a project," William explained.
Every High-Ranking Navy Officer nodded in agreement, recognizing the immense complexity of such an undertaking.
"Oh, I see," Cmdr. Thomas said, his initial enthusiasm waning.
William glanced towards Enterprise-80, who was intently observing the Manjuus controlling the power output of the prototype.
"You see, back in our world, we have an obsession with 'Go Big or Go Home'."
They all looked at William, waiting with bated breath for his elaboration.
"The creation of our massive Aircraft Carrier Fleet created its own set of problems. Smaller or medium-sized Carriers with half the aircraft capacity of a Super Carrier, operating with a smaller fleet, could be more strategically flexible. Or, you could go bigger – twice the displacement and twice the air-wing capacity of a Super Carrier."
"So, if your ego goes big, the Ford Class Supercarriers might end up as big as Orochi," Admiral Nimitz quipped.
"Yes. And you already know what happened to Orochi."
"Indeed, it only took a few of your weapons to bring it down," Admiral Nimitz conceded.
"That's the same vulnerability we face with our larger ships. If they are hit by a single, relatively inexpensive weapon and taken out of the fight, or worse, sunk..."
A heavy silence fell over the Naval Officers as they contemplated the cost and consequences of losing such valuable assets.
"90%... 100%.... Testing complete... Power output: Stable..."
An artificial voice broke the silence, announcing the successful completion of the Prototype Shield Generator's initial testing phase, thankfully without any Oppenheimer-esque implications.
Everyone stared at the glowing, humming, round dome-shaped Force-Field generated by the prototype in front of them. The size of the Force-Field was roughly equivalent to the length of a World War II Destroyer.
William observed it for a moment before grabbing an M72 LAW (Light Anti-Armor Weapon) that he had placed on a nearby table before the test began.
He then shouldered the M72 LAW and aimed it directly at the Force-Field. The Naval Officers beside him were taken completely by surprise by this unprecedented action, without any prior warning.
"Back-Blast clear... fire!" William announced and discharged the anti-armor weapon.
The Naval Officers and their Secretaries instinctively ducked down after hearing the words, "Back blast clear... fire!"
The munition exploded upon impact with the Force-Field. The Force-Field itself remained undamaged, continuing to hum and glow steadily. William had half-expected it to flicker like Orochi's Force-Field upon contact with explosives.
If the Force-Field had failed to block the projectile, the resulting explosion would have engulfed the Prototype Shield Generator and potentially killed everyone at the testing site.
"Looks like everything is normal," he said nonchalantly. Before anyone could fully process what had just occurred, Vestal, clipboard in hand, emerged from behind and delivered a resounding smack to the back of his head.
"You could have killed us all with your stupid tricks!" she exclaimed angrily.
The Naval Officers and their secretaries watched as Vestal continued to berate William with her clipboard. William, however, seemed to be secretly enjoying the annoyed and angry expression plastered across Vestal's face.
Enterprise-80 finally spoke, breaking the tension. "That's enough... we now know that it can withstand an Anti-Armor munition without any compromise in power output."
"What do you mean by that?" Cmdr. Thomas asked, his voice still slightly shaky.
William, eager to deflect Vestal's wrath, responded, "It means it won't have the same power distribution issues as Orochi's shield when it comes into contact with powerful attacks."
"What???"
"In simple terms..." William explained as best he could. "The larger the protected area, the greater the power distribution needed to cover the entire thing with a Force-Field. The smaller the protected area, the less impact on power distribution. This means the Shipgirls can effectively utilize the Force-Field only in their Kansen Form. In short, the smaller your profile, the smaller the force field coverage and the less power required to sustain it."
"Further testing will commence this noon," Bunker Hill-76 stated, holding a tablet displaying the data collected from the live test.
"What about the other upgrades for the Shipgirls?" Admiral Nimitz inquired.
"Ohh, New Jersey's Tomahawk Missile integration is complete and requires further testing with the new electronics onboard," William said, holding up a tablet handed to him by his assistant.
New Jersey's Tomahawk upgrade was similar to the 1990s configuration, featuring Tomahawk Box Launchers but lacking the four CIWS mounts of that era. The other onboard electronics were a combination of bulky analog and digital computers.
"The Submarines have also received AIP (Air Independent Propulsion), although only a select few have undergone this upgrade. The remaining Submarines have received an enhanced sonar package and deck-mounted rocket launchers for offshore bombardment."
"The recalibration of the Cruisers' Anti-Air systems has been successful. The integration of an advanced Anti-Air Targeting System to supplement the current targeting system is also a success."
CIWS was not integrated into the Cruisers. CIWS lacked any IFF (Identification Friend or Foe) capabilities, meaning any aircraft flying above the fleet could potentially be shredded.
They had also planned to install computers and advanced radars to address existing shortcomings. However, the added weight of the electronics and radar systems would likely destabilize the ships without significant structural modifications.
The recoil from the main guns would also likely damage any radar or sensitive electronics mounted above the superstructure without substantial reinforcement.
Author's note: I'm planning to upgrade the Clevelands into Missile Cruisers in the next Arc. Also I want all the cruisers to retain their forward main guns while the rear is modified to accommodate twin missile launchers, similar to the Boston-class Missile Cruiser configuration.
...
~Later that day~
.
DRY DOCK
In the bustling Harbor where Azur Lane ships were moored, an angular and strikingly modern warship stood out amongst the others with its unique superstructure.
USS Jack H Lucas DDG-125 sat moored near the pier alongside other vessels. Port cranes were lifting compartmentalized crates of some sort onto the Aegis Destroyer's deck, appearing as an addition to the already formidable array of weapons.
However, these boxy objects were no ordinary compartments or crates; they were the mass-produced Shield Generators themselves, being carefully positioned. Manjuus in hard hats and vests scurried around, connecting cables and securing them in place, some conducting pre-operation checks with tablets in hand.
Lucas watched the activity on his deck with a bewildered expression. He observed the boxy contraption being slowly lowered between his smokestacks by the giant dock cranes, attended to by the diligent Manjuus.
William, standing beside him, explained, "What you're looking at is the 'mass' produced Shield
Generator. You'll be testing it today to gather operational data before its widespread integration into the Fleet."
"Great... so I'll be your 'Guinea-Pig' for a while..." Lucas muttered, a hint of disappointment in his voice.
He then glanced to his side and saw Vestal intently swiping through data on a tablet screen, seemingly focused on everything related to the Shield Generator.
"Why is she here? Does the Base infirmary need her?" Lucas asked, his curiosity piqued.
"Nah... we don't have any stupid Commanding Officers trying to fuck around and find out today," William waved his hand dismissively. "Besides, Laffey is out on ocean sortie. Vestal is here to monitor your vitals as we conduct the test," he clarified.
Lucas eyed William skeptically, doubt clearly written across his face.
"Trust me. It won't explode this time," William said, attempting to reassure him. However, the tone of his voice did little to inspire confidence.
"I certainly hope you're right, because I'm going to hold you personally accountable if I end up exploding like some fireworks," Lucas retorted.
"Don't worry if it does. Cute nurses at the Base Infirmary will tend to your injuries," William joked, his attempt at humor failing to alleviate Lucas's apprehension.
Lucas sighed in defeat, knowing William would resort to such morbid humor if he were even remotely sure of the safety. "Right... I'm counting on you for that one."
William grinned. "Yeah, let's hope a cute nurse will be the one tending to your wounds."
"Ahem." Vestal's sharp voice cut through their banter. "Shall we focus our curiosity on the proceeding test, rather than such mundane matters?"
She stood with her arms crossed, her brows furrowed in disapproval at the two men.
Lucas pointed a finger at William, attempting to deflect her simmering annoyance. "He started it."
William accepted the blame with a sigh, knowing better than to argue. "Don't be mad... again."
Vestal let out a long-suffering sigh, her patience with their antics clearly wearing thin. "Just proceed with the testing phase of the Prototype Shield Generators... Miss Enterprise would not be pleased if we were found to be goofing off when we should be obtaining results."
"Guess we have to do it now," Lucas grumbled under his breath.
"Just get in the Ship, Lucas. Vestal here has only two... no, one of her ten patience remaining," William amended quickly, glancing nervously at Vestal.
"That's zero now," Vestal corrected icily.
Hawaiian waters
The testing phase of the Shield Generator commenced. The Technician Manjuus had successfully integrated the Force-Field Generator with the shipboard Aegis Combat System of the USS Jack H Lucas DDG-125.
The Manjuus onboard confirmed that there were no further problems. Power distribution was stable, and no critical systems were experiencing any drain or lack of electricity. The power plant and propulsion system were all operating within normal parameters, even under a simulated high-stress environment where all systems demanded power simultaneously.
Following this confirmation via comms, William instructed, "Alright... now test your Kansen form. Let's see if the Force-Field can withstand a salvo."
Lucas, on the bridge watching the Meowfficers finalize diagnostics, radioed back, "Roger that."
At a distance on Langley's ship, "AR-4 USS Vestal," Lucas's Ship could be seen dematerializing into a cluster of dozen glowing wisdom cubes as bluish hue enveloped the area with a bright light.
Moments later, Lucas materialized in his Kansen Rigging – a boxy, Modern Aegis Destroyer. He swiftly accelerated towards the designated testing area, where the strength of the supposed (Prototype) Shield Generator would be put to the ultimate test against a barrage of live cannon fire. Nothing could replicate the real-world performance of a weapon system quite like aiming it at its intended target other than a seating piece of steel sheet.
3klm out from Lucas's designated position, the Cleveland Sisters were in formation, poised for a full broadside bombardment.
On their Rigging, their cannons were raised, their barrels aligned on Lucas's location, ready to unleash a volley to assess the strength and resilience of the Prototype Shield Generator.
"This is Cleveland. All of our main guns are ready." Cleveland announces through the comms.
"Good... for now let's start with only one salvo." William's voice crackled through the comms.
"Right." Right then, one of the Clevelands, Columbia, aimed her turrets directly at Lucas' location.
"I'm armed and ready," Columbia declared, her main guns raised in anticipation.
"We're ready to fire, just give us the signal," Cleveland radioed in confirmation.
William, on Vestal's ship deck with binoculars in hand, overseeing the test, radioed, "Lucas?"
Lucas, after confirming all his systems were online – the Aegis Radar and the Prototype Shield Generator functioning flawlessly – responded, "This is Lucas, all green. Bring the rain."
"Alright.... Columbia, fire at will," William radioed his confirmation.
Columbia precisely aimed her sights at Lucas's location, her advanced targeting radar and ballistic calculators feeding her the precise angle and predicted impact point of the shells.
At Cleveland's command, her guns roared like thunder. Twelve of her six-inch guns, mounted in four triple turrets, spat fire and fury, the water's surface shuddering with the concussive force.
Three kilometers out, Lucas braced himself for the incoming salvo, a knot of hope and doubt tightening in his gut regarding the Prototype Shield Generator. This was the very first time a real shell would test its strength. Beads of sweat trickled down his forehead as his Aegis Combat System tracked the incoming shells speeding towards him. His instincts screamed against his forced courage. This test felt akin to standing with an apple on his head during target practice.
That terrifying scenario played out in his mind: if the Prototype Shield Generator failed, he would be the apple, and the shell the bullet.
*Impact... in T-minus... 5... 4... 3... 2... 1* the onboard AI Aegis counted down the agonizing seconds, each number amplifying Lucas's unease.
He squeezed his eyes shut as the shells impacted with a deafening boom. The force of the explosions and the resulting shockwave rattled him and his rigging. Yet, as the smoke began to dissipate, the Force-Field remained, its translucent form shimmering as if untouched.
The onboard AI then calmly announced after its rapid analysis, *Power distribution: Normal. Force-Field output: Normal. Aegis Combat System status: Normal*
Lucas slowly opened his eyes, his breath coming in ragged gasps. He frantically scanned his rigging for any signs of damage, finding none. The Force-Field stood around him, a proud and unwavering oversized bubble wall.
Then, his comms crackled to life, William's voice cutting through the static. "Lucas, are you there? Was everything alright?"
"Everything is green...."
"Great.... And..."
"And I almost crapped myself," Lucas added, injecting a nervous humor to ease his frayed nerves.
"Figures.... Now, phase two commenced," William's voice sounded stern and businesslike.
All of the Clevelands raised their guns once more, now preparing to unleash a full barrage upon Lucas's Force-Field, the test designed to find the absolute limits of the Prototype Shield Generator.
"All Clevelands, FIRE!"
As the order was given, a torrential rain of six-inch shells from the Cleveland-class cruisers descended upon Lucas's location. His Aegis Combat System swiftly detected the incoming projectiles, and this time, he instinctively raised the power output of the Prototype Shield Generator with a newfound confidence.
All seventy-two six-inch shells from the combined broadsides of the Clevelands exploded harmlessly upon contact with the shimmering Force-Field. The energy barrier didn't even flicker under the sustained assault, steadfastly absorbing the massive kinetic energy.
His protective bubble wall remained intact, neither shattering nor even trembling like glass under the intense bombardment. It didn't shimmer or waver, merely glinting in the Hawaiian sunlight.
The AI once again calmly announced the system status after the brutal test: *Power distribution: Normal. Force-Field output: Normal. Aegis Combat System status: Normal*
"Everything is normal, no problem with my systems," Lucas radioed back, his voice now steadier.
"Good... everything is normal," William muttered to himself, his eyes glued to the data streaming across the screen of his laptop.
Beside him, Vestal's smaller frame peered intently at the laptop screen. He glanced at her and remarked, "He didn't explode, nor did he soil his pants."
"I am aware of that," Vestal replied, her tone clipped and annoyed. "I'm simply reviewing the telemetry."
"Relax, Vestal," William interjected with a dismissive wave. "That bastard can probably kick Siren butt wearing nothing but his skivvies. Nothing to worry about here."
"That may be so," she countered, her irritation growing, "but that doesn't make him immune to injury."
Lucas, hearing their entire exchange over the comms with a completely deadpan expression, couldn't help but interject. "Guys... you do realize I can hear everything you're saying, right? And so can everyone else."
Over the comms, a chorus of stifled giggles could be heard from the Cleveland Sisters, clearly amused by the banter between the two lovebirds.
William, finally realizing the unintended audience, cut the chatter short and moved on to the next phase. "Alright... enough of the pleasantries. Cleveland, you and your Sisters can head back to port now."
"Yes, Sir!" the Cleveland Sisters replied cheerfully, their earlier anticipation now tinged with relief.
The Cleveland Sisters then began their retreat towards the Harbor for the afternoon, their participation in the live-fire testing concluded for the day. However, a few lingered at the harbor entrance, binoculars glued to their eyes, eager to witness the outcome of the next, more explosive test.
Like teenagers anticipating a juicy drama, they watched with snacks in hand, silently praying for Lucas's continued survival through this third, missile-centric phase of the trial.
Back on Vestal's ship, William and Vestal were engrossed in calculations and adjustments to their equipment. Vestal, however, kept a vigilant eye on Lucas's vital signs displayed on her tablet, ensuring he was still in one piece before proceeding to the next stage involving live Missiles.
The Manjuu Technician, after meticulously reviewing his calculations and evaluations, gave a thumbs-up. William, acknowledging the confirmation, contacted Lucas over the comms.
"Lucas... let's move on to the Tomahawk Phase."
"Wait... what?!" Lucas exclaimed, genuinely surprised by the sudden escalation of the testing. He wanted to make sure he had heard correctly. "Wait a minute, I thought that was scheduled for tomorrow!"
"Yes, well, we're on a bit of a tight schedule now," William explained with a sense of urgency. "Miss Enterprise wants preliminary results ASAP and aims to have these shield systems operational on all combat-ready ships before the end of next week."
Lucas sighed, the sound heavy with the release of pent-up stress. "Guess we're rushing things now," he muttered to himself.
'I was under the impression that missile testing would follow some initial combat simulations tomorrow. Guess we're skipping a few steps and jumping straight into the deep end,' he thought, a fresh wave of apprehension washing over him.
"Alright... five Tomahawks at the ready," Lucas announced over the comms, his voice betraying a hint of nervousness.
"Good. Tomahawk testing phase will commence in... 5... 4... 3... 2... 1... launch."
The five hinged doors of Lucas's Vertical Launch System (VLS) cells snapped open. A plume of smoke erupted from the exhaust vents as five Tomahawk Cruise Missiles roared skyward, initially without a designated target.
Moments later, the data link between the Destroyer and the launched Tomahawks established target coordination. The five Missiles executed a sharp U-turn, their noses now pointed directly back at the ship that had just launched them.
The target was himself. The Tomahawks skimmed low over the ocean surface, their powerful jet engines whining. Lucas braced himself for the worst, the chilling thought of the Force-Field failing to intercept the incoming missiles a cold dread in his heart.
Sweat beaded on his forehead in anticipation of the impending impact, but to his immense relief, the Force-Field held. It withstood the simultaneous barrage of five Tomahawk Missiles without any noticeable strain on the ship's power distribution.
Lucas was violently thrown back by the subsequent shockwaves of the detonations as the missiles impacted the invisible barrier. As the smoke cleared, the Force-Field flickered momentarily, then stabilized, its translucent form returning to normal.
Lucas instinctively braced himself as if facing a nuclear blast with only a thin shield for protection. Thankfully, his unconventional defense held firm, and he survived the explosive encounter unscathed.
Then, his onboard AI's calm voice broke the tense silence after running a rapid series of system assessments. *Power distribution: Normal. Force-Field output: Normal. Aegis Combat System status: Normal*
Lucas radioed back the results of the harrowing test, his voice now heavy and slightly stuttering. "Everything is... normal... no problem with my systems. There was only a... slight flicker... in the Force-Field... for a moment there."
"Looks like we're starting to find the limits of that Prototype Shield Generator," William muttered to Vestal, his eyes narrowed in thought. "Next... underwater explosion."
The following test was a simulated underwater shock trial. An MH-60 Seahawk helicopter flew above the testing range, slowly hovering to lower a substantial explosive charge – a staggering 10,000 pounds of high explosives – into the water.
Lucas cautiously maneuvered closer to the designated detonation point, several meters away from the submerged charge. "Another Shock Trial... but this time with the Force-Field engaged," he stated over the comms, a hint of grim anticipation in his voice.
"I'm ready. Start the countdown," Lucas radioed, steeling his nerves.
"Hold your horses there, Marine. We're still recalibrating the sensors," William replied, a touch of his usual levity returning.
His Manjuu assistant gave a thumbs-up after the recalibration was complete. "Alright... countdown will commence. 5... 4... 3... 2... 1... fire."
The 10,000-pound explosive charge, positioned a short distance from the Destroyer's hull, detonated with the earth-shattering force typical of such shock trials. A colossal plume of water erupted skyward, followed by a powerful underwater shockwave capable of fracturing the hull of any poorly constructed vessel.
With the underwater explosion test conducted, the Force-Field absorbed the full brunt of the explosion, once again without any noticeable compromise to the Prototype Shield Generator's power output.
After the lengthy and thoroughly American-style testing of the Force-Field with increasingly large explosions, Lucas was physically and emotionally exhausted, often teetering on the edge of terror at being the direct recipient of America's formidable weaponry. A nagging doubt had never fully left his mind – the fear that the Prototype Shield Generator would fail, and he would not emerge from the ordeal with mere injuries, but with potentially crippling damage.
As the live-fire testing concluded, Lucas's ship, the USS Jack H Lucas, slowly cruised towards the Pearl Harbor entry, making its way along the shoreline and into the enclosed harbor.
Lucas stood on the deck, sweating profusely, acutely aware of the extended time he had spent as a human (or rather, Kansen) Guinea-Pig. He glanced up at the familiar chopping sound and saw an MH-60 Seahawk Helicopter descending towards his helipad. It had flown directly from the AR-4 USS Vestal to his ship.
As the helicopter landed, William disembarked alongside Vestal, both eager to check on Lucas and the performance of the Prototype Shield Generator. William, surprisingly, had no cigarette in his mouth, undoubtedly due to Vestal's stern presence.
"So," Lucas asked, a weary smile on his face, "how was my... performance?"
William responded with a characteristic smirk, "Well... congratulations. You didn't explode like a firework."
Lucas sighed, rubbing his temples. "Damn you and your boomer humor," he said, utterly unimpressed.
Vestal, cutting through their childish banter, interjected sharply, "Enough, you two." Her voice brooked no argument.
"Yes, Ma'am," Lucas and William replied in unison, offering her a lazy salute at her cranky remark.
Vestal's brows twitched, her gaze fixed on the two men before her. She then proceeded to deliver a firm knuckle-sandwich to each of their foreheads.
"I am not playing games with either of you," she stated, a palpable aura of suppressed fury emanating from her, her knuckles still smoking.
"Guess I should go check on the Prototype Shield Generator then..." William mumbled, wisely retreating towards the designated equipment.
William knew when to cease his usual teasing, especially when faced with a genuinely angered Vestal. He often pushed her buttons, but he also knew the precise limits to avoid incurring her full wrath.
Vestal then turned her attention to Lucas, who could practically feel her ominous aura radiating towards him. "I need to check your vitals first." Her words were direct and authoritative, sounding like a Drill Sergeant addressing a recruit.
"Yes, Ma'am!" he responded quickly, the peer pressure surprisingly effective.
...
~Night~
T-AKE 12 USNS William, Machine Shop
William stood amidst various tools and equipment, intently reading the detailed report outlining the successful integration of the Shield Generator with the onboard Aegis Combat System, as well as the impressive performance of the ship during the rigorous testing.
"That's the entirety of the report, Ma'am," William stated as he finished the last line.
"Good," Enterprise-80 replied, her hands clasped thoughtfully. "When can we expect the Shield Generator to be integrated throughout the entire Fleet?"
"Well..." William scratched the back of his head, a thoughtful expression on his face. "I'm currently pushing the production of the Shield Generators as fast as I can. However, the 3D Metal Printer will still require some time to fabricate all the necessary components for mass production. I'd estimate about one week to equip the entire Carrier Strike Group with the Shield Generator."
Enterprise-80 considered this, her chin resting on her hand. "One week... that coincides with the operation's commencement... Is there any way to expedite the production to align with our schedule?"
Frigate Belfast chimed in, her voice practical. "Why not enlist the manufacturing capabilities of the Eagle Union's Industrial Giants to produce the required parts?"
William raised both hands, a gesture of mild frustration. "That's precisely the issue. The intricate components within the Shield Generator demand highly precise manufacturing equipment – Laser Cutters, Advance CNC Machines, and advanced 3D Metal Printers for the smaller elements. The technology I have access to onboard my ship is decades ahead of what the Eagle Union currently possesses. So, unfortunately, that's not a viable option."
Bunker Hill-76, her fingers flying across her laptop keyboard, added, "According to Naval Intelligence in Washington, the major manufacturing plants are encountering significant challenges in producing the delicate, small-scale parts for the Shield Generator. Many of the required components, such as digital processors and specialized chips, simply don't exist within their current technological framework."
William elaborated, "The Eagle Union's Industrial Base is primarily focused on constructing and supplying the existing fleet of Shipgirls. This isn't the wartime America of the 1940s, where they could simply mass-produce anything and everything. Hell... even back then, America prioritized resource allocation and manufacturing towards essential wartime needs, not experimental 'wonder weapons.' Our current armaments, and even we ourselves, would be considered technological marvels by today's standards."
Enterprise-80 closed her eyes, lost in deep contemplation. This was a critical decision, one that could potentially pave the way to victory in the upcoming battle or lead to their most devastating defeat.
After a prolonged moment of deliberation, her resolve hardened. She let out a decisive sigh and looked directly at William, who was patiently awaiting her final instruction.
"Prioritize the integration of the Shield Generator on Lucas, Maya, Belfast, Laffey, and Lafayette. The rest of the fleet will receive the Shield Generator upgrades after the operation."
Frigate Belfast immediately objected to her seemingly hasty decision, her voice laced with concern. "No, you can't simply leave yourself without any form of defense!"
"Belfast," Enterprise-80 said gently, placing a reassuring hand on Frigate Belfast's left shoulder. "You will be at the forefront of the battle. I will remain in the backlines, providing crucial air support. Besides," she added with a hint of conviction, "I have a strong feeling that I won't be their primary target."
"What do you mean by that? You are the Flagship! Of course, you will be a prime target!" Frigate Belfast exclaimed, her concern escalating.
Enterprise-80 shook her head firmly. "No... I don't believe the Sirens are foolish enough to directly assault the Flagship without a more elaborate strategy. They are well aware of the consequences of such a direct, ill-conceived attack."
Bunker Hill-76 voiced her own apprehension. "Ma'am? Are you certain about this? I mean, the fleet under your command for this operation is twice the size of the previous one, but I still can't guarantee that we won't encounter unforeseen challenges or moments of vulnerability."
"I understand your concerns, Bunker Hill. That's precisely why I have this feeling that I'm not their primary objective in the first place," Enterprise-80 reiterated, a knowing look in her eyes. She seemed to possess a deeper understanding of the Sirens' potential strategies.
Frigate Belfast and Bunker Hill-76 exchanged worried glances, their faces reflecting a mixture of anticipation and unease. William, however, seemed to anticipate Enterprise's next question and displayed a subtle hint of apprehension alongside his usual stoicism.
"William," Enterprise-80 continued, her gaze unwavering and the tense atmosphere in the machine shop still palpable, "what is the status of the Special Weapons for our surface combatants?"
William responded with a confident smile. "Everything is on schedule, Ma'am." He then gestured for them to follow him towards a heavily guarded cargo compartment within the Fleet Auxiliary Ship where the core members of their command had gathered. Enterprise-80, Bunker Hill-76, and Frigate Belfast found themselves looking at a Tomahawk Cruise Missile, partially removed from its canister, bearing a symbol that could instill dread in anyone at first glance.
William then proceeded to introduce the new arsenal of democracy that he believed would be instrumental in cleansing the world of the Siren threat.
"Ladies... behold... 'The Weapon of Righteousness.' A weapon we once possessed, and now it makes its return," he announced with a grimly satisfied grin.
Enterprise-80 spoke the words that hung heavy in the air. "Nuclear-Armed Tomahawk Cruise Missile."
Under the direct supervision of her, William had been tasked with creating this "Weapon of Righteousness" to effectively counter the evolving and increasingly dangerous Siren threat.
In the interest of expediency and what the military world termed "modularity," William had opted for a straightforward approach. He had simply swapped the conventional warhead of existing Tomahawk Missiles in storage and replaced it with a B61-12 Nuclear Warhead, a similar modification to what he had previously done with the MK-48 Torpedoes.
This weapon was shrouded in the utmost secrecy, its existence known to only a select few of the Modern Kansens.
It was intended as a contingency weapon, to be deployed only if the situation deteriorated beyond recovery – a last-ditch effort to decisively shift the balance of power when facing the Sirens' new and formidable tactics.
Enterprise-80 was determined to have the necessary tools within her grasp, including nuclear capabilities, for the upcoming operation. This time, she intended to ensure that the Siren threat would be decisively diminished, utilizing the very weapons humanity had once conceived for its own destruction, now repurposed against the vermin that had infested their world.
A "weapon of righteousness," as President Truman had once called such a devastating instrument to end a global conflict. The BGM-109N Tomahawk Nuclear Cruise Missile was now roused from its dormant state, ready to fulfill a new, terrifying purpose.