Chapter 38 of 100

Chapter 38

17 min read4,247 words

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37. The Imagination Fleet, Departure! (Two-in-One)

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"Isn't this cockpit a bit too small for me?"

"A little, a bit big."

"I can't reach anything at all..."

Although it is said to be one of the standard equipment for shipgirls, it's not easy to stuff a person into a torpedo, even after modifications.

After all, this thing is not a dedicated diving facility. Although it is large in volume, a significant portion is used for propulsion equipment. Another part is the combat compartment for explosives. Even if the combat compartment is removed, the strange shape would never allow a person to fit inside. Naturally, it requires her to make modifications.

For safety reasons, No. 001 made the internal assimilation chamber a standard size. However, due to the significant height differences among the shipgirls, various complaints immediately caused the veins on No. 001's forehead to bulge.

"If you don't like it, get out! If you're not satisfied, keep stuffing yourself in, and lie down quietly. Why so many complaints?"

"Besides, do you think I didn't put in a lot of effort to modify these things? Was the torpedo originally designed to carry people? I've done so much to accommodate your feelings, don't be ungrateful. If you're not satisfied, keep doing your stuff, there are hundreds of torpedoes in the warehouse, moldy and unused. Who wants to go?"

Seeing No. 001's angry expression, the shipgirls who had already experienced the discomfort of the torpedo immediately shook their heads, shrank their necks, and crawled into the open compartment of the steam-powered soldier. They placed their palms on the steel plate and closed their eyes slightly.

Thin black mosaic squares began to spread from the point of contact, diffusing to the surrounding material, enveloping the steam-powered creation in a black mist.

Compared to the electromagnetic cannon, which was directly sealed, this time the action was much gentler. The black mosaic squares did not simply and crudely lock the entire object into subspace but assimilated it gradually, spreading around the steam-powered soldier Poseidon, as if polishing it, adding a touch of eerie color to the steampunk weapon.

"From now on, change to combat readiness posture."

No. 001, looking at the shipgirls who had entered the torpedo compartments, pushed up her glasses. The stern light refracted a dark red shadow.

"All members of the Imagination Fleet, begin weapon assimilation. The estimated time is about four minutes and thirty seconds. Since we don't need complete assimilation, the speed of partial assimilation will be much faster. Current time is 0850, within the planned range. What are your next orders, Admiral?"

"Conduct a check at the launch ports from one to six, confirm that the internal pressure is normal, and there are no leaks. Roughly check the situation outside the harbor, then report to me."

"Yes, self-check at launch ports from one to six—"

Hearing the man's orders, No. 001 saluted the Admiral, turned, and operated a control panel. A hollow sound, like something breathing, echoed from a distance and gradually subsided.

"Check at launch ports from one to six complete. All normal. No pressure changes, no leaks inside or outside. Initial check complete. No abnormalities found."

"No abnormal targets in the outer sea. The nearest humanoid object is on a reef 7.3 nautical miles to the south, initially identified as from the north—"

"Leave it alone, report the next one."

The Admiral suddenly spoke.

No. 001 was taken aback, then pushed up her glasses.

"—Yes. The nearest humanoid object is now 26 nautical miles away, identified as the Deep Sea Fleet 'Red Demon' type. No obstacles on the sea surface, sonar exploration normal, no high-energy reactions, and no targets found in the initial underwater search. Your orders, Admiral?"

"Report the largest natural phenomena in the surrounding area, and describe their residual effects. Mark them with relative coordinates."

"Yes, please wait."

No. 001 saluted the Admiral, operated the control panel, and a highly technological display screen dropped from the ceiling. It showed a simple and clear map indicating the Admiral's current position and the surrounding weather conditions.

"Without satellite positioning, I can only use the astronomical inspection buoys deployed in various places for surveying. The initial results are as shown in the map."

On the display, a layer of black clouds gradually moved southward around Guam.

However, the cloud of the Deep Sea Fleet did not completely leave the area around Guam but left behind very troublesome fleets in various places. It was as if the area had been refreshed, leaving behind more powerful Deep Sea forces.

What they need to do now is to severely wound these Deep Sea fleets, gradually weakening the local forces of the Deep Sea to prepare for the upcoming war.

"Set the coordinates here."

The Admiral pondered for a moment and pointed to a black cloud near the west.

"The first battle is not suitable for a high-intensity combat area. This place is more appropriate. And if possible, we might get some other clues or connections. If I remember correctly, this is the closest to our front line, right?"

"That's correct. This position is less than 300 kilometers from the human Admiral's joint front line. If possible, we might encounter human fleets."

"That's good. We can also learn from their advanced experience."

"…Are you joking, Admiral?"

"Huh? Why would I joke?"

Seeing No. 001's absurd expression, the Admiral raised an eyebrow in surprise. But before he could say anything, the mist covering the torpedo on Enterprise had already dissipated. The blonde girl with twin tails glared at No. 001 with a look of displeasure.

"Yes, the Admiral never jokes. The Admiral's orders are absolute, and everything else is left to the shipgirls. Right, No. 001?"

"I don't mind, if you insist."

Seeing Enterprise's fierce expression, No. 001 shrugged indifferently. Facing the Admiral's slightly puzzled expression, the technician pushed up her glasses again and began to input a series of numbers on the control panel.

The contamination on the steam-powered soldiers began to shine, as if accepting the set coordinates. After just a few seconds, it returned to calm.

Not long after, the other shipgirls also completed their assimilation tasks and waved to the Admiral.

"Before you leave, I have a few words to say to the warriors of the Imagination Fleet."

Looking at the large torpedoes that had completed assimilation, now blackish-purple, the Admiral sighed, stood in front of the six ready-to-launch weapons, adjusted his grayish-white Admiral's cap, and put on a serious expression.

"This mission does not seek success or failure, but only the maximum damage to the enemy's active forces. The simplest and most effective way is to reduce the enemy's activity."

"In other words, cut off their ability to move and destroy their ability to attack. This is a difficult requirement for you, so I don't expect perfection. Just do your best, and if you can't, you can directly eliminate them. I have no strict requirements in this regard."

"I only have one requirement. That is, you must return alive. No matter what, you must return alive. You can bring more people back to the port, but I absolutely cannot allow any losses. Even if injured, no losses. Understand?"

"Yes."

Seeing the Admiral's weary and gaunt face, the shipgirls responded.

"I didn't hear it! Louder! Do you eat less than me?"

"Yes!"

The high-pitched voices immediately formed a sharp echo in the small room.

"Good, that's better."

The Admiral nodded in satisfaction at the powerful response and looked at No. 001 behind the control panel. The girl understood and gave the Admiral a thumbs up.

"First pressurization begins, torpedo propulsion preparation! All shipgirls enter the compartments, descent begins in fifteen seconds. All enter the launch tubes!" No. 001 pushed up her glasses and shouted on the command platform. A bright red countdown appeared on the mechanical structure behind the bronze pillars.

Seeing the numbers gradually decrease, the Admiral raised an eyebrow and sighed imperceptibly. He turned and saluted the shipgirls who were closing the hatches.

"Then, I won't say more. May you all have good luck in battle!"

"May the Admiral have good luck in battle!"

The shipgirls in the compartments saluted the Admiral in unison. Then, the black mosaic squares gradually covered the surface of the compartments, merging with the bronze outer shell into a single entity, indistinguishable from each other.

"Torpedo loading begins."

No. 001, standing on the command platform, said expressionlessly. Her fingers moved quickly on the control panel, inputting a series of complex commands.

The machinery above released a large amount of white steam. A piston-like object slowly pushed the bronze torpedo down the sloping tube, correcting its direction and position as it moved through the narrow passage. Finally, it was gently moved to the launch port position by the gears.

"Seawater pressure test begins."

No. 001 said expressionlessly, pulling down a lever.

The watertight gate sealed behind the torpedo to prevent seawater from flooding the base. Other machinery began to act as the watertight gate sealed.

Feeling a tremor under his feet, the Admiral watched the readings on the screen in front of him with a calm face. Seeing the stable vital signs of the six shipgirls, his hand subconsciously clenched. Sweat gradually seeped from his cracked palms.

If possible, who would send these girls to war? But there is no choice. The Admiral can only do his best to protect these children from harm. The war with the Deep Sea is a life-or-death struggle. If the Deep Sea wins, there will be no place for humans or shipgirls. Even if it is painful, he must act.

However, he can choose to win in a more stable and peaceful way, without the death of anyone. Even if he is called naive, he does not want to see any shipgirl die.

"Air pump extraction complete, torpedo launch countdown begins."

The girl operated the platform expressionlessly, confirmed that all parameters were correct, and calmly pressed the red button. On the screen in front of the Admiral, the pressure index instantly matched the external index.

"High-temperature gas pressurization ready. All procedures are ready. Torpedo launch countdown can begin. Admiral, what are your next orders?"

The girl turned to look at her Admiral.

"…"

The exhausted man took off his hat and quietly watched the screen.

His dull and dim eyes quietly observed the torpedoes from one to six, confirming that each was calm and stable. He then slowly nodded to No. 001.

"Prepare to launch."

"Yes. Launch countdown, begin."

No. 001 expressionlessly pressed the red button. A white countdown appeared on the large screen. In the underground room, only the Admiral's slightly heavy breathing and the faint hum of the machinery were heard.

'5'

'4'

'3'

'2'

'1'

'Imagination Fleet, departure.'

As the countdown reached zero, a dull thud was heard, and the Admiral's feet trembled slightly.

On the screen, six lines of white bubbles disappeared in an instant, heading westward. In the dark and silent sea, they drew six white trails.

"…Launch successful."

The little girl sighed, looking at the lines on the screen, and took off her glasses.

"Thank you, No. 001."

"No, Admiral, it's nothing."

No. 001 jumped down from the control platform, smiled at the Admiral, and shook her head. Her expression gradually became serious as she saluted the white foam spreading on the screen.

"Although it's a bit late, may you all have good luck in battle."

"Please bring victory to the Admiral again."

"…No, you're wrong. It's not 'bring victory to the Admiral,' but 'bring victory to us.' Without you, I am not an Admiral."

Just an ordinary human.

The Admiral shook his head, put his hat back on, and patted the confused No. 001. He turned and left the underground room, leaving the girl with a white naval uniform back.

"You and I together are the Imagination Fleet. With you, I am the Admiral."

"So, please bring victory for us."

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End of Chapter

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