JS Maya was breathing heavily, sweat beading on her forehead. Her kimono was torn and slightly singed, revealing bruised skin beneath. Her under fabric were also partially exposed.
She gripped her two Katanas, locked in a solo combat against Arbiter: Lover VI. The Arbiter's clothes were also tattered from their fierce battle, but this seemed to bother her little, given her already revealing attire.
"My~... I really like to touch that soft skin of yours. I feel sorry for that man, because I'm about to claim it," Arbiter: Lover VI purred, a malicious smirk playing on her lips.
JS Maya pointed with the Katana in her left hand, her voice ringing with defiance. "My body doesn't belong to anyone!"
"Oh... are you sure? ..." Arbiter: Lover VI crossed her legs, resting her chin on her right hand. "Your eyes are telling a different story."
"What do you mean by that?" JS Maya asked, a flicker of confusion in her gaze.
Arbiter: Lover VI grinned. "Have you noticed my name? I am Arbiter: Lover VI. I can sense love in the air that surrounds me, and your eyes reflect that someone has already captured your heart." Her smile was mischievous, bordering on cruel.
JS Maya knew exactly who the Siren was referring to, but she wouldn't allow those feelings to distract her from her mission: to eliminate the Arbiter of Death standing before her.
"Oh, that glare you're giving me... It's like an ecstasy, hahahahah," Arbiter: Lover VI mocked, reveling in JS Maya's intense stare.
Her laughter was abruptly cut short by a massive explosion that suddenly lit up the entire area, bathing everything in an almost unbearable light. The clouds above were vaporized by the sheer heat emanating from the epicenter of the blast.
"What???...." was the only word she could muster, her eyes wide as she stared at the "portable sun" that had appeared out of nowhere.
Then, her comms crackled to life. "This is *static* Tracker III *static* two of our *static* Orochi is gone."
Arbiter: Lover VI's eyes widened in disbelief at the garbled report. "Don't tell me... that explosion is the one that ended— "
JS Maya, seeing the bewildered expression on the Siren's face, seized the opportunity to speak. "Looks like the Americans were all trigger-happy about their super weapon."
Arbiter: Lover VI snapped her attention back to JS Maya. "What do you mean?"
"You Sirens should have already known that you're not fighting Azur Lane, you're fighting America. And America never considers the word 'overkill' in their response to any threat, terrestrial or extraterrestrial."
With those words, she launched a barrage of NSMs (Naval Strike Missiles) at her opponent. Arbiter: Lover VI quickly activated her force field to shield herself from the incoming Anti-Ship Missiles.
Arbiter: Lover VI returned fire with her own plasma cannons and missiles. JS Maya nimbly dodged the energy blasts and activated her own force field to block the concentrated missile barrage that was impossible to evade.
The CIWS (Close-In Weapon System) and CLaWS (Close-In Laser Weapon System) on JS Maya's Rigging sprang to life, showering the incoming Siren Missiles with a hail of bullets and laser fire.
Arbiter: Lover VI's brow twitched in irritation every time she saw their own technology being used against them, the Sirens. Force Fields and laser weapons in human hands... the thought sickened her to her core.
Using their technology against them was bad enough, but the unknown weapon that could summon the power of the sun terrified her even more.
How? How can these humans create a weapon superior to the Sirens? What kind of world do these Kansens come from, and how do they make such devastating weapons?
The Sirens had severely underestimated humanity's capacity to face annihilation. Humans were irrational creatures; when cornered, they would resort to any means of destruction, regardless of the consequences.
Perhaps that was why the inhabitants of neighboring planets hadn't paid Earth a visit. They knew how humans would greet them.
JS Maya recoiled from the shockwave of a plasma cannon blast fired by Arbiter: Lover VI.
She crouched low, preparing for a dash attack. With her dual-wielding katana skills, she had a chance of matching the Arbiter's combat prowess.
Arbiter: Lover VI noticed the two blades aimed at her neck, quickly activating her force field and retreating.
That was close, she thought, a shiver running down her spine. She had a gut feeling that JS Maya was specifically targeting her neck.
Lost in thought, she failed to notice two Tomahawk Missiles skimming undetected above the ocean's surface. The impact of the missiles against her force field shook her violently, causing the energy shield to collapse.
In a flash, JS Maya was upon her, Katana raised, ready to decapitate her in a single, swift stroke. Arbiter: Lover VI's eyes widened in horror. Without her force field, she was completely vulnerable.
Reacting instinctively, she used one of her plasma cannons as a makeshift shield against the descending blade.
JS Maya's right-hand Katana sliced through the plasma cannon like a hot knife through butter. Having narrowly saved her neck, Arbiter: Lover VI recoiled, assuming a defensive stance.
They exchanged a tense glance, then resumed their duel with renewed ferocity. Plasma Cannons fired, swords clashed, and missiles whizzed through the air.
Locked in close-quarters combat, JS Maya made a critical error. Her left-hand Katana shattered in the middle as she forcefully slashed at the Arbiter's energy defense.
Arbiter: Lover VI saw this mistake and seized the opportunity, firing her plasma cannon at JS Maya's right side torso.
JS Maya cried out as she fell to the surface of the ocean, coughing up blood. She clutched at her right side, blood gushing from the wound.
Using her remaining Katana for support, she struggled to keep herself from collapsing. She looked down at the wound, her kimono now soaked and stained with her own blood.
"Shit," she cursed, blood dripping from her lips.
Arbiter: Lover VI gazed down at her, a cruel smile on her face. Her eyes judged JS Maya's failed attempt to kill her.
"Well, I'm satisfied enough with your fighting capability, but it saddens me to see your body's potential end here..." Arbiter: Lover VI said with a sickening glee.
"Because I'm merciful, I'm giving you a chance to live if you accept to be my plaything. Or... be stubborn and meet your end."
"Never," JS Maya spat, refusing the Siren's repulsive offer of mercy.
"What a shame..." Arbiter: Lover VI aimed her remaining plasma cannon at the injured Kansen. "I really would have liked to play with your body and explore it further, but... you refuse my merciful offer, so..."
JS Maya closed her eyes, bracing for the inevitable. Tears slowly streamed down her cheeks. She could accept that this was her end. Just as she lost all hope, her comms crackled to life, and a familiar voice spoke.
"Need help?"
Lucas's voice reached her at the last possible moment, a lifeline in the face of despair.
She opened her eyes, seeing Arbiter: Lover VI suddenly cry out in pain, as if struck from behind by an unseen force.
...
~Minutes Earlier~
In the aftermath of the devastating fireball he had unleashed on Orochi, Lucas contacted the Bro's to assess their condition. The comms were filled with a cacophony of screams and excited yells, sounding like a group of teenagers on their first rollercoaster ride.
"Is everything alright there?" he asked, needing confirmation of their status.
"We-We're alright... we just got shaken up by that shockwave," Cleveland replied, her voice still slightly shaky.
"Good.... I will rendezvous with you ladies at the Main Force."
"Yes, sir. Over and out." The transmission ended.
Lucas then checked his Aegis Combat System for any remaining threats in the area. His AN/SPY-6 Radar swept the entire surface and airspace. Just as he was about to relax, his radar detected JS Maya's Division in disarray.
He quickly scanned the surroundings for her specific radar signature. After a tense few seconds, he located her, alone with an unknown contact.
He accessed his data files to identify the bogey, a knot of unease tightening in his gut as he noted her stationary position. Something was definitely wrong.
His suspicions were confirmed the instant the unknown contact's identity flashed across his screen: Arbiter. According to his intel, this could only mean trouble.
Without wasting a single precious second that could cost JS Maya her life, he launched three SM-6 Missiles in their anti-ship configuration.
(The SM-6 missile's primary role is Surface-to-Air and Anti-Ballistic Missile defense, but its secondary capability is as an Anti-Ship Missile. Focused on aerial threats, it carries a smaller warhead, relying on its immense kinetic energy at supersonic speeds of Mach 3.5 for its anti-ship role.)
The three SM-6 Missiles streaked through the air, executing a high-trajectory flight before diving steeply towards their designated target, which had foolishly presented its vulnerable rear.
Arbiter: Lover VI, completely focused on JS Maya's suffering, remained oblivious to the three fast-approaching threats targeting her unprotected back. The SM-6 Missiles impacted with tremendous kinetic
force, the blows akin to a multi-story building collapsing on her.
Arbiter: Lover VI cried out in agonizing pain, her back exploding in a shower of sparks and mangled metal. Her body shook as shock coursed through her system.
"My... back..." was the only coherent sound she could manage.
"Need help?" Lucas's voice crackled over JS Maya's comms.
"Arigato," she murmured to herself, but Lucas clearly heard the faint word. "Glad to help."
Bolstered by this unexpected assistance, JS Maya's resolve hardened. Taking a deep breath, she dashed forward, Katana glowing with renewed energy, intent on ending the fight.
Arbiter: Lover VI, reeling from the sudden, excruciating pain that sent shivers down her spine, scrambled backwards as soon as she saw JS Maya sprinting towards her, blade crackling with power.
JS Maya's Katana blazed a bright blue, like a beam saber ready to cleave through its target. She moved with swift, deadly precision, aiming for a single, decisive blow.
...
The scene between the two was reminiscent of the climactic battle between Tanjiro and Rui in Demon Slayer episode 19, with JS Maya single-mindedly targeting Arbiter: Lover VI's neck.
But unlike Tanjiro's moment of hesitation, JS Maya showed no mercy or pity. She was a force of pure, unadulterated lethal intent, dashing forward to eliminate her enemy without a shred of remorse.
The razor-sharp edge of JS Maya's katana grazed the very skin of Arbiter: Lover VI's neck, sending sparks of metal flying.
Arbiter: Lover VI's eyes welled up with tears as the horrifying realization of her impending demise crashed down upon her. She felt the cold steel begin to bite into her flesh.
"No!!!!!!!!! I don't want to perish!!!!!!!" she cried out in terror.
Ignoring the Siren's desperate plea, JS Maya remained resolute. With every last ounce of strength she could muster, she pressed the blade of her Katana deep into Arbiter: Lover VI's neck and cleanly severed it.
A circular ripple of energy formed around JS Maya as she decapitated the Arbiter's neck. Their eyes locked for a final, fleeting moment, conveying unspoken messages in their gazes.
"I won," JS Maya proclaimed, her voice hoarse but firm, as Arbiter: Lover VI's vision blurred, her head now separated from her body.
No dramatic backstory, no melancholic music, just a clean, decisive kill. The powerful Arbiter had been ruthlessly decapitated.
With the last of her energy spent, JS Maya could no longer stand. Her legs buckled, and she fell to her knees, the wound on her right torso still bleeding profusely. A wave of dizziness washed over her, and her vision began to fade.
She faintly heard the rhythmic chopping sound of rotor blades spinning above and felt a strong gust of wind whip through her hair. Looking up, she saw Lucas leaping from a Seahawk helicopter, his form a dark silhouette against the fading light. That was the last image she registered before succumbing to utter exhaustion and unconsciousness.
Having jumped from the helicopter, Lucas moved with lightning speed to catch the collapsing Kansen. He dashed towards her, his focus solely on her precarious situation, completely ignoring the headless Siren corpse nearby.
JS Maya's Division
The Doggos and the remaining Sakura Empire Shipgirls were desperately dodging Plasma Cannon fire, the most terrifying being the concentrated blasts from the heavily armed Orochi's main guns.
A chaotic symphony of cannon fire and energy slashes echoed across the battlefield as the two sides exchanged blows.
"Scatter!" Unzen yelled, her voice cutting through the din.
Those who heard her command immediately moved to evade another concentrated blast from Orochi's main guns. Water vapor billowed upwards like steam where the energy beam had passed.
"Shit!"
This particular Orochi they were facing was unlike the other four they had encountered. Its flight deck had been removed and replaced with an even greater number of guns and missile launchers.
This Orochi embodied the spirit of a Space Ork, bristling with an absurd amount of firepower. Whoever had conceived its design clearly believed that more Plasma Cannons were always the answer.
[Siren Technician: How many plasma cannons do you want to mount on Orochi?]
[Strategist Mk-III: Yes.]
Plasma cannons fired in every direction, resembling a chaotic laser light show at a disco. The sheer volume of firepower unleashed by the behemoth made even the heavily armed Tillman-class battleship blush with the sheer number of explosions.
Orochi plowed its massive hull through the Sakuran lines, crushing their formation like an unstoppable force mowing down a line of ants. Owari and the other Sakuran Shipgirls who had survived the previous battle against Azur Lane unscathed found themselves desperately trying to avoid its path.
The Sakuran Shipgirls broke formation as the massive Siren warship remained unfazed by the combined fire of their weapons.
Jintsu launched a full spread of torpedoes at Orochi's side, but they detonated harmlessly against the thick armor plating.
"How many torpedoes can this thing take?!" she exclaimed in frustration.
"Well, according to Orochi's primary design, it was supposed to withstand any attack Azur Lane could muster," Takao explained grimly.
"Then how are we supposed to sink it?" Unzen asked, her voice laced with desperation.
"I-I don't know... Orochi was designed to be invulnerable to conventional attacks."
...
"Leave it to me!!!!!!!!!!!" a fiercely determined voice declared.
All eyes turned towards the speaker. Hakuryuu, with a renewed fire in her spirit, leaped towards Orochi like a woman of strength, her Katana raised high. She then proceeded to cleanly slice through one of Orochi's forward main gun barrels.
"Is that all you got, you piece of metal!" Hakuryuu shouted triumphantly, the severed barrel clattering onto the deck.
Hakuryuu's confidence and motivation had been fully restored, along with her Beloved Katana. The dedicated swordsmith had not only repaired the blade but had also imbued it with a remarkable flexibility without compromising its razor-sharp edge, capable of cutting through even the most hardened metals and alloys.
That swordsmith, a clear ancestor of Wakana Gojo in his dedication, had devoted months to re-forging the Katana in time for Hakuryuu to rejoin the fight.
He was the only swordsmith in the region who still adhered to the traditional methods of forging, while others relied on heavy machinery for mass production.
Hakuryuu had remained at the swordsmith's shop, patiently waiting for her cherished Katana to be completed, constantly observing the painstaking process. She had even shed tears when the swordsmith had broken the original blade to begin the re-forging process.
Hakuryuu, misunderstanding the necessity of this step, had shaken the poor man violently, nearly tearing his clothes in her distress. The bewildered swordsmith had then had to explain the intricacies of re-forging while being vigorously jostled.
The commotion emanating from the blacksmith's shop had drawn a crowd of curious onlookers, who pieced together the scene from the sounds of a crying woman, a pleading man's voice, and the clatter of dropped tools. The fact that Hakuryuu was a daily fixture at the shop only fueled their speculation.
~Back to the fighting~
Orochi's remaining main guns swiveled to target Hakuryuu, but she leaped into the air, preparing to slash another barrel.
"Take this!" she cried, effortlessly slicing through the thick metal.
"When did she regain her confidence?" Cruiser Maya asked in surprise.
"I think she got it back when her Katana was fully repaired by that swordsmith," Takao replied.
Choukai chimed in, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "I heard that swordsmith is quite smitten with someone... the locals are talking."
"Hai~ I heard it too," Atago agreed, her imagination already running wild with romantic possibilities.
Cruiser Maya's innocent mind took a sudden, lewd turn as she listened to her sisters' suggestive comments.
Takao simply shook her head and sighed at her sisters' ridiculous fantasies, though she herself wasn't entirely immune to such thoughts.
Their intrusive thoughts were abruptly cut off by static on their comms. "Retreat!"
"NANI!!!!!!!" the Sakuran Shipgirls exclaimed in disbelief at the sudden order.
"You can't just order that! I'm not finished dealing with this piece of metal scrap!" Hakuryuu yelled into her comms.
Lucas's voice boomed back. "Listen here, small brain, Big Titsie Wotsie. The whole area will be engulfed in a firestorm! I'm ordering you to retreat to avoid collateral damage! Do you understand?"
An uncomfortable silence fell over the Sakuran comms.
"Did you just call me... Big Titsie Wotsie?" Hakuryuu asked, now visibly angry at the insulting nickname.
"What about JS Maya?" Takao asked, her voice filled with worry.
"She's alright. She's currently at my ship's infirmary, being treated."
"Is she going to be alright? Tell me!" Takao pressed, her urgency clear.
"Yes, she only fainted from total exhaustion and a wound on her right side torso. The Medic (Manjuu) is doing their best to treat her wounds."
"Thank god.... Thanks for the information."
Takao then switched her comms to the entire Sakuran fleet. "Everyone, fall back. This is a strategic retreat. The whole area is to be evacuated. Everyone retreat to a distance far away from the affected area."
"Several kilometers away? That's quite far for a bombing run," Unzen mused, puzzled by the distance.
"That's the distance we were given. We need to follow the order," Takao said firmly, and no one dared to argue with her.
With their minds in agreement, the Sakuran fleet began to withdraw, moving several kilometers away from the potential fallout zone.
Once Lucas confirmed their retreat, he turned to the Weapons Operator and gave the signal to fire the million-dollar flying pipe bomb with a portable sun inside.
"Aye, aye, Sir. Nuclear-armed Tomahawk missile, ready to fire. Three... two... one... fire."
Lucas watched as the Tomahawk missile launched, the screen and radar guidance system tracking its trajectory. He stood beside the Weapons Operator, monitoring its progress.
"Thirty seconds before impact... twenty seconds before impact... ten seconds before impact... ten... nine... eight... seven... six... five... four... three... two... one. Impact," the Weapons Operator announced.
The Sakuran Shipgirls witnessed the terrifying power of the sun being unleashed upon humanity's enemy in broad daylight.
Their eyes were fixated on the rapidly rising mushroom cloud that dwarfed the clouds above. The shockwave hit them like a sudden earthquake, their knees shaking from the initial impact and the primal fear of the devastating weapon they had just witnessed.
Takao's mouth hung open, trembling with the sheer horror of the destruction that had befallen the Siren fleet. The others stood frozen, their minds struggling to comprehend the scale of the devastation.
"Wha-What was that?!" Jintsu stammered, her voice trembling with terror.
Hakuryuu was drenched in sweat, her body rigid with shock. She was experiencing a mental breakdown, haunted by the thought of her decision to remain engaged with Orochi. Had she stayed any longer, she might have been erased from existence along with the massive Siren warship.
Just as they were beginning to process the horrifying spectacle, they nearly jumped out of their skins as Lucas's voice crackled over their comms. "Everyone alright? Did anyone get hurt?"
Takao managed to find her voice, though it still trembled slightly. "We-We're alright. No one was hurt by the explosion."
"Alright... I'll be rendezvousing at your location. ETA ten minutes."
"Copy that." Before Takao could end the transmission, Lucas's voice came through again. "Oh, I almost forgot to inform you... do not get within several kilometers of the explosion area. I repeat, do not get near the explosion area. Copy?"
Takao paused for a moment before replying. "Affirmative."
~Ten Minutes Time Skip~
Two Aegis Destroyers sailed side-by-side, Manjuu crew members on deck armed and ready, many manning Mk-37 machine gun systems or makeshift weapons. JS Maya's destroyer showed visible signs of damage, its superstructure charred and burned.
Lucas stood on the bridge of his ship, gazing at the Japanese destroyer sailing alongside. Onboard the other destroyer, Manjuus and Meowfficers diligently performed their duties, while JS Maya lay unconscious in his ship's infirmary, receiving medical attention.
His attention shifted as a Meowfficer wearing a sailor cap, likely a lower-ranking officer, approached with a report. "Aegis Combat System is now one hundred percent operational after the EMP blast that jeopardized most of the Combat Systems."
The Meowfficer paused, sensing Lucas's anticipation for more news. "JS Maya's condition is stable. She's currently asleep and slowly regaining her strength. The medical staff reported that to expedite her recovery, we need to transfer her to William."
Lucas closed his eyes and sighed. "I see..." He then glanced at the navigator and issued an order. "Set our next course to rendezvous with the main fleet after we link up with the Sakurans."
"Aye-aye, Sir."
Lucas then left the bridge and looked through his binoculars from the ship's left wing. In the distance, he saw the Sakuran ships, and the figures on their decks waving.
~Minutes Later~
Atago waved her hand, signaling that they had spotted the two Aegis Destroyers on the horizon.
"Let's sail closer to them," Atago said to her sisters.
The Sakuran ships sailed closer to the two Aegis Equipped Destroyers. Once they were alongside, the Sakuran Shipgirls hopped aboard Lucas's ship.
Lucas stood on the deck, waiting for them. Takao walked up to him immediately and asked, "How is she doing?"
Lucas simply said, "Asleep." He then gestured for her to follow. Takao and Atago followed him inside his ship, and he led them to the ship's infirmary.
JS Maya lay on one of the medical beds, unconscious, with various medical equipment and cables attached to her.
"She really took a beating from that Arbiter," Lucas said, his voice low.
"Is she going to be alright?" Takao asked, her worry evident.
"The medical staff said it will take less than a week before she regains consciousness."
"What's your plan now?"
"We're currently heading to the main fleet to get her the necessary medical care at William's ship, which has all the equipment to handle even severe wounds," Lucas said, a hint of melancholy in his voice.
He felt a pang of guilt, blaming himself for not reaching her sooner, as she suffered such severe injuries. The fact that she had faced an Arbiter alone weighed heavily on him.
Takao noticed the depressed look on Lucas's face and spoke with concern. "Keep an eye on her. You should get some rest; you look exhausted."
Lucas simply sighed and nodded. "I leave her in your care then," he said, and they left the infirmary, heading towards the ship's bridge.
The medical staff continued to monitor JS Maya's condition, checking for any slight signs of improvement. Takao and her sisters sat on the folding chairs that the Manjuu crew had set-up.
Azur Lane Main Fleet
T-AKE 12 USNS William McLean
William moved with practiced efficiency, attending to the injured Shipgirls. The younger ones, especially the Destroyers, were the most vocal in their distress. The heavily armored Shipgirls, like Battleships and Heavy and Light Cruisers, mostly sustained minor bruises and scratches.
He was now, by necessity, a de facto doctor, with Vestal still missing within the energy dome. In the midst of his hectic schedule, a Nurse Manjuu rushed towards him, tugging frantically at his lab coat.
William looked at the frantic Nurse Manjuu, who was pointing urgently at the phone in hand. He took the phone and answered.
"This is William."
"William, this is an emergency," two voices, frantic with urgency, came through the phone. They were Lucas and Arizona, both sounding as if a crisis had unfolded.
William winced at the shouting in his ear. "Easy now, easy. I'm sending it."
He put the phone down, his breath tinged with frustration. The Infirmary was already overflowing with injured Shipgirls, and now he had two more, both heavily wounded and unconscious. With a sigh, he turned to face the Manjuus.
"Ready the Medical Staff! Both Maya and Sheffield have sustained substantial injuries! We will perform an emergency MEDOVAC as soon as the skies above are clear of Siren Planes."
The Medical Staff hurried towards the helideck, where two Seahawk helicopters, adorned with red crosses on their tails and airframes, waited. The helicopters lifted off and headed towards the separate locations from which the calls had originated.
"Thanks, you're a lifesaver," both Lucas and Arizona said in unison.
"Do not worry, my medical staff will do their best to treat them," William replied, his voice reassuring.
He ended the call and returned his attention to the infirmary, which was filled with crying children and the adults trying to comfort them.
"I wish Vestal was here," he muttered to himself. "She knows what to do in this chaotic situation."
...
Takao and Atago sat by JS Maya's bedside, watching her sleep. The medical staff meticulously monitored her condition, noting any subtle signs of improvement.
Back on Lucas's ship, he stood on the bridge, his gaze fixed on the Japanese destroyer sailing beside them. He felt a heavy responsibility for JS Maya's injuries. He had arrived just in time to save her, but the image of her wounded and unconscious haunted him.
He knew that William's ship, with its advanced medical facilities, offered her the best chance of recovery. He had to get her there as quickly and safely as possible. The battle was far from over, but for now, his focus was on ensuring the survival of the woman who had fought so bravely.