World At War!!!!!

[Easthaven I]

SEA FIRE

BOOM!

BOOM!

The Control Center was in shambles. Captain Jones crawled out from under the rubble, he was bleeding all over. A piece of shrapnel was jammed into his thigh. He looked onwards and saw the Hiro firing their cannons. Direct hits were landing everywhere. Explosions erupted constantly throughout the USS Chicago. Men were jumping over board while others ran frantically about not knowing what to do. Some brave sailors picked up some small arms and began firing at the Hiro but it was in vain.

Captain Jones looked over to his right and spotted General Burnside laying legless and dead. The Captain was in shock, he had nothing else to do...it was over.

The ship begun to roll over on its right side. Sailors began racing to the left side of the ship, grabbing hold of the railing in preparation of the inevitable. The sound was deafening, the combination of rushing water and screeching metal.

The Hiro had stopped firing, it stood afloat some two hundred yards away, watching the devestation like it was a movie.

"Captain! Hurry!" A sailor grabbed the Captain and dragged him to the left side of the ship. Captain Jones knew it was useless but he let the young man take him anyways. He grabbed securely to the railing and waited as his ship began to tip over. Objects began sliding down into the ocean, dead bodies began rolling down as well as the left side of the ship rose higher and higher and the right side plummeted lower and lower, below the ocean surface.

Captain Jones just kept staring at the Hiro in a trance, somewhat angry and somewhat just emotionless. Maybe it was the loss of blood that made him feel this way but either way he felt it.

Then a splash erupted nearby the Hiro. Then another. At first these unorthodox splashes did not trigger anything in Captain Jones' brain but the third splash snapped him out of his trance. A fourth splash erupted, then a fifth and sixth. The Hiro began moving again, turning around...trying to avoid these unusually reoccurring splashes.

Then he realized what it was! Two words came to his mind.......

.......USS Illinois.

[ChrisiusMaximus]

Great stuff !

[Easthaven I]

No complaints at all?

[unscratchedfoot]

C'mon, lets see the Hiro finish off the Chicago in an inferno of savagery! It's too bad the Burnside dude got cooked. I was getting to like the poor fellow. Maybe the Hiro can take on both of the american ships. Dude, if you want to use authentic japanese names, its Musashi not Missushi. But if the name's your own invention then that's okay (a kind of sushi?).

BTW, here's for calling me a psycho

[Easthaven I]

Lol, sorry about the names I just made them up at the top of my head. Well, as for the Missushi well its dead now so who cares. If the Hiro is fine, then I'll leave it. Tell me sooner if I create unrealistic names.

[Easthaven I]

SEA FIRE


USS Chicago


The left side of the USS Chicago was at its climax. Captain Jones dangled there with his left arm wrapped around the rail. He saw the Hiro speed away trying to manuever into position to strike back. The USS Chicago began to sink lower and lower, faster and faster. Captain Jones was getting dizzy and weaker by the second because of his loss of blood. His grip began to weaken little by little, until finally his grip unconsciously slipped...he plummeted downward, he could see the ocean getting nearer and nearer until finally a strutting cannon barrel broke his fall right at the Captain's midsection. The pain he felt could not be described, he laid ontop of the cannon barrel just staring down at the sea, not able to move anything but his fingers. He felt pain inside his body knowing he probably broke all his ribs and probably punctured a lung and was now slowly bleeding internally and soon the end would be near. The ocean got nearer and nearer...the ocean once his enemy must now be his salvation. His body slid off the barrel and once again he plummeted towards the floor of water. His back was downwards and he faced the sky, he was somewhat glad his last sight would be the sky and hoped he would die a quick death by hitting the water or at least knock him unconscious. As he looked up into the sky waiting for the inevitable he was abruplty halted by the sea, water flooded his sight and now all he could see was water in every direction, a feint light from above that could be recognized as light from the sun. He would not get his quick death but finally he found peace as he silently drowned to death.


============


USS Illinois


"20 degress left rudder" Captain Malarkey ordered

"Aye, 20 degrees left rudder." Came the confirmation.

"Get a few tomahawks in the air, fellas, it's time we avenge the deaths of those brave sailors." He said calmly.



Another see battle ensues...the Hiro vs. USS Illinois...who shall be the victor?.............

[ChrisiusMaximus]

Well I know scratch will probably disagree but I would like to see the Yanks win the day, but after a long hard struggle.

[ChrisiusMaximus]

Come on easthaven Ive gone out and bought this new larger chair but you still keep us waiting.

For gods sake man Im gonna end up on the floor again!

[Easthaven I]

LoL, good thing you bought a larger chair...

I'll try to get something up tonight, I just get stuck at times and lose inspiration. You know how it is, you can't write when you force yourself too. Ya gotta get in the mood. And I want to make it good so I don't write something to just get by the part. A little research on sea warfare needed, but I will try to put something up tonight, probably late since I'm a procrastinator.

EDIT: Holy moly, I'm a prince now. Congratulations to me...

[ChrisiusMaximus]

Arise Sir Easthaven

[Easthaven I]

SEA FIREII

USS Illinois


BOOM!

"Sir, he's turning, trying to outflank us."

"Well turn with him, damnitt!" replied Captain Malarkey.

The USS Illinois took a few hits and was damaged pretty badly, but amazingly still functioned. But just one more japanese shell could be the last straw to break the camel's back. Captain Malarkey knew it, the crew knew it... Yamamato knew it.

As for the Hiro, it too recieved hits from two tomahawks and several cannon shells. But was only moderately damaged and could afford even more hits, while the USS Illinois could not. Thus, it became a game of cat and mouse, each being both cat and mouse. Both trying to outmanuever the other, trying to get the other to make the first mistake.

"Sir, he's turning back to the right."

"Right, 30 degrees." Malarkey responded.

"Aye aye."

Captain Malarkey was drenched in sweat, he felt very panicky but hid it from his men. He was annoyed at the hiro, at the ones who sunk his friends, at the damn flashing red lights in the CP. Everything angered him, he was frustrated as hell.

"Whats the status on the fires."

"They aren't spreading sir, but they ain't exactly going away either." came the reply.

"How many tomahawks we have left?"Captain Malarkey asked.

"...Two, sir."

"Lock and launch."

After a few short moments, two tomahawks were up and away. Both sailed through the sky above the ocean, one trailed the other. They sped forward getting closer and closer to their target. Then the target began firing on the oncoming tomahawks. The leading missile was hit and exploded in the sky. The second tomahawk rocketed through the debri of its sister as it sailed onward...to complete the purpose of its existence...

-------

Battleship Hiro


BOOM!

Direct hit. Half the japanese command tower was blown to shards, a ball of flame rose above the destruction. Luckily for the japanese, Yamamato was unharmed, and part of the Command post was still operational. Everything seemed to be still in working order. So Yamamato ordered a major barrage on the american ship.

BOOM!
BOOM!....

------


USS Illinois


One shell after another hit the dieing American vessel, sailors were mutilated and fires erupted. The Communications tower collapsed much like what happened to its sister ship, it fell and killed even more sailors.

"Sir, weapons systems are offline..."

"Captain, a breach in the hull, 4th and 5th deck."

"We're sinking sir, we're sinking..."

Everybody started talking at once, informing the Captain of one disaster after another.

"OK! I get the point, we're taking a beating. Can we lock up the bottom decks?"Captain Malarkey interrupted the panicky commotion.

"They're trying, Captain, I'm sure they will be able to get it done." Came the response.

"Ok, what about the weapons system, can you bring them back online." He asked another.

"It's unlikely sir, but I'll try my best."

It was over, he knew it. What was he going to do now? He stood, arms crossed, face hard. Thinking of his next course of action, thinking of what he could have done before to have prevented this. Thinking of how many men are now going to die...

"Sir, maybe we should retreat as far as we can, then get our sailors off onto lifeboats then..."Rambled his XO, Major Mike.

"Then what, Mike? We are the only ship out here in the middle of the goddamned ocean! The Hiro will only chase us down, and finish us off." He continued his train of thought...

He stood there silently, staring at the blip on the radar screen that was the representation of the Hiro. He stood, as his XO continued to ramble...

-------


Battleship Hiro


"Sir! weapons system is offline! And our power keeps turning on and off, we're sitting ducks, Admiral."

"What? Fix it Lieutenant!" He said, realizing that these are probably the late effects of that last tomahawk strike.

"But, I don't th..."

Yamamato interrupted.

"I don't want to hear excuses! We are now a heap of floating metal, I want us back to being terminators who walk on water! Now do your job! Give me a time estimate."

The young man truely did not think he could fix it, but to tell the Admiral that...well...it was just suicidal...

"Umm...20 or so minutes sir, as fast as I can do it." He turned back to his console.

"Good." Yamamato replied, somewhat afraid what might happen if this kid couldn't fix it. What was he going to do? Sit here at sea, hoping for rescue? At least the American ship was not a threat anymore, at least the weapons systems were functional long enough to give the final blows to disable the enemy...and ultimately send it to its grave.

--------


USS Illinois


His mind was empty, until his brain suddenly and abruptly snapped into activity. As he stared at the blip he noticed something. He noticed it not moving one inch...then the next second he noticed the sounds around him did not include explosions that reverberated throughout his ship.

Then he interrupted all the ramblings and commotion taking place with a stern voice, not exactly loud but loud enough to be heard.

"Ram it."

The entire room fell silent. The XO heard, and turned towards Malarkey.

"What do you mean, Captain?"

"I mean what I said, Mike. Ram the sonofab**ch." He turned toward his questionner, and looked him in the eye.

"Do you know what you're saying, Malarkey? It's plain suicide."

"Mike! We are sinking by the second, we are alone in the ocean with a stack of floating Japanese metal to accompany us. We ain't going to survive! And even if we do retreat, and successfully abandon ship, all of us will be stranded at sea in a bunch of lifeboats with no chance of rescue, with the most deadly battleship still alive and well. A battleship that can kill even more men with its artillery, a battleship that will gain superiority of the seas, and no hope for help or rescue for those boys in indian country! We have our duties, Mike." He looked earnestly to his friend. Time was of the essence.

Major Mike was hesitant. But he saw Malarkey's reasoning, and it was true. Everything he said was true.

"You all heard him..." He gave Malarkey a small smile, he was with him to the end.

Captain Malarkey smiled back. He turned and grabbed the microphone as he placed it to broadcast throughout the ship.

"Fellow sailors, fellow americans...my brothers. As you probably know, our beloved USS Illinois is going down, in a few hours it will be no more...we will be no more. We could abandon ship, but we will be stranded at sea...with no chance of a rescue, unless we are taken prisoner by the japanese. For the Hiro is still afloat...its weapons seems to be out of action, and it doesn't seem to be moving...but it is still afloat, and we will soon not be. So I am about to give the order to ram the Hiro, the USS Illinois is going down, but we are going down with honor as we take those bastards down with us. I refuse to die without experiencing justice and vengeance for our lost comrades. And I refuse to let the japanese be the sole victors of the sea! We will give a chance to our army bretheren who are fighting in Japan, they will have a chance for rescue and reinforcements. But they will only have that chance if we sacrifice. It's been an honor serving with each and every one of you. God Bless."

He hung up the microphone. He felt total sadness and guilt for giving an order that would surely kill every man on the ship. He sat down in his bridge chair and adjusted his cap.

"Ok, aim this sucker at the Hiro. Full Throttle! Every damn bit of energy we can muster you give it all to the engines. Full speed, fellas."

There was complete silence as everyone stood in anticipation. A few minutes eroded away.

"Its at full speed sir."

"Ok, brace yourselves men."

Another period of silence, as the huge ship sped forward crashing through the waves.

Then someone in the CP began humming...America, the Beautiful. Captain Malarkey smiled at the cornyness of it, but he was still forced to hold back his tears. Soon the melancholic gloom of the room disappeared as everybody began singing the words out loud.

Major Mike leaned toward Captain Malarkey.

"...God shed his grace on thee..."

"It's been an honor serving with you, sir." He said over the singing as he held out his hand.

Capatin Malarkey accepted his hand and shook it. He then turned and switched the microphone on. Soon every room and corridor the song, America the Beautiful, could be heard. Sailors sang along as others remained silent as they prayed quietly waiting for the thunderous clash...

"...from sea to shining sea..."

======

OOC: what do ya think? too many " "? feedback welcomed...

[ChrisiusMaximus]

Do you really need to ask ?

Fandabulous! I cant even get my words out right! that was the best part yet! although its taken you a while to post this its well worth the wait!

Since you restarted this story I have followed it, and I can tell you that it has got better and better. Your writing skills have definitely improved and Im convinced that you have researched this subject matter. It certainly shows through in the story and enhances the readers experience of this tale.

Great work Easthaven 1 keep it up

[unscratchedfoot]

I wish I could have been on one of those ships and enjoyed the battle. I felt seasick after reading this I was so immersed in it. Good job!

Easthavendude, did you consider the possibility of manually fired guns? Usually when a battleship's fire control system is knocked out, the commander orders the gun turrets to fire on their own. The chances of scoring a hit are very low of course, depending on the level of crew training. I know some of the British gun crews in WW2, particularly on the older ships, could still hit ships without the fire control system on because they practiced a lot before the war started. The Japanese crews on the Yamato, however, couldn't hit the broadside of a barn if it were falling on them.

[Easthaven I]

Cool. Thanks for the feedback! Much appreciated! I'm very glad you're enjoying it!

Scratch, thanks for the info. I did consider manually firing guns but just left it out, thinking no one will notice... But since ya brought it up...well...the battle ain't over yet....

[Easthaven I]

SEA FIRE!!!!

Battleship Hiro


The USS Illinois was gaining speed and closing the gap very quickly, and the Hiro could do nothing to avoid the collision. They noticed the intentions of the American ship just a few minutes after it began moving.

"Lieutenant, status..." Yamamato said.

"Umm...uh..I don't know, sir," said the young man reluctantly, "I'm still trying, I just can't get anywhere..."

Yamamato figured this when the 20 minute marker passed. He did not get angry, just realized he couldn't count on a weapons system.

"Very well, keep working on it. We can not wait any longer, though. Major-Colonel, begin firing the guns at the oncoming ship, you'll have to do it manually until we are able to get weapon systems back online." Yamamato sat down in his bridge chair.

"Yes sir."

=======

USS Illinois

"...amber waves of grain..."

They were still singing the song, continueing it again everytime it ended. It was their only morale boost they could muster.

Then a young petty officer called the Captain.

"Sir, they've begun firing their guns. But it seems they're doing it manually sir, their accuracy is horrible."

"Just ignore it, Petty Officer. Keep the ship steady, its all we can do now..."

"...For purple mountains majesty..."

==========

The space between the two metallic monsters was eroding away by the second. The japanese sailors fired their guns constantly but it was futile, they scored a few hits and killed a few men but they could not stop the momentus giant. Men of both ships stood in anticipation as the two ships became closer and closer in distance. The USS Illinois was driving at an unrelenting speed. A person observing from afar would clench their teeth and grab hold of something because of the pictures that would enter their minds of the oncoming catastrophe about to unfold.

80 yards....

"...America, america..."

50 yards...

"...God shed his grace on thee..."

30 yards...

"...And crown thy good with brotherhood..."

15 yards...

"...from sea to shini...................

-----------------------------------------------------------

The initial clash was magnificent. Men were hurled 30 feet towards Japan. Men fell overboard. Men drowned. Metal ripping upon metal. The screeching sound of the metallic bonds being broken apart by the monumental forces of inertia. The sound was deafening, men screamed just from the painful sound. Many men died just from that collision. The two titanic ships became enmeshed into one deformed body of steel. After the initial shock, sailors grabbed their small arms and ran to the railing ignoring all the fires and dieing men. They began firing at the enemy. The ships began to sink slowly. Both ships would go down in a fury of violence, all the way to the end. Some men were even able to climb onto the Japanese vessel and fight hand to hand. The Japanese did likewise. The collision was suppose to be the end, instead the fight continued, man's instincts of war did not stop until they breathed no more.

Captain Malarkey woke up on the deck of his battleship after the collision. Bones were broken, and he couldn't feel a thing. He just stared aimlessly into the sky...then an angry japanese face came clearly into view. A Japanese sailor found him, and ended him with a swift stroke of his knife across Malarkey's neck.

His last thought...was his 1 year old child...

THe fighting died down as secondary explosions erupted from unseen chambers.

Soon, the deformed bloodbath of what was once two magnificent beasts of cycloptic scale, were nothing but rust at the bottom of the sea...

Not one survivor...

END OF SEA FIRE

======

OOC: End of the sea battles, now back to Sutsuma!!! So what did ya guys think? I'm not sure about the last part of SEA FIRE, I think I was not up to par, feedback wanted....