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“Another air group attacking from the west!” came the call over the radio from the crow’s nest.
“Copy! Shift AA batteries one and two to counter, I’m getting more fighters in the air!” Hornet promised, closing her eyes and making sure she remembered each component of a Hellcat’s engine as her ship and crew threw flak and machine gun fire skyward.
“Maru, we can’t launch in these conditions!”
“You can’t, but I can; so give me some cover will you?!” she demanded of her deck crews.
“Ma’am, guns five, seven and twelve are almost out of ammunition!”
“Understood, quartermaster. I’ve already got more produced in the depots; get it where it needs to go. And don’t call me ma’am again, I’m not old!” she insisted with a laugh.
“Incoming bombers twelve high!” The radios crackled again as more than fifteen hundred men and one kansen got their first real test as a fighting unit.
“I have them, keep the fire up! Gunners, I have a visual on Ark Royal through her smokescreen. Load up. I’m adjusting the firing solution now!”
“We can do that ourselves, Hornet. Just give us the coordinates and focus on your Hellcats!”
“Aww, you guys are so sweet. Here you go! Let’s show Lexington and Saratoga that they aren’t the only carriers who can use 203mm batteries! I made them just for you!”
“Hard copy, boss. We’ve got her dialed in. Oh shit, strafing run! Incoming sharks!”
“Hold position and open fire! I have you!” Hornet promised, taking a knee and placing a fist against the floor of her bridge. A massive shield encompassed her hull that was more than up to the task of deflecting machine gun fire from Ark Royal’s P-40s. A salvo of heavy rounds thundered from her deck batteries, newly arranged in the same manner as those of the Lexington class carriers.
“Maru, direct hit! Now’s the time!” one of her gunnery sergeants reported, noting the strikes against Ark’s shield that threw up smoke and debris that would temporarily distract attention from their bombers.
“Hold tight boys! I’m going to send it!” Hornet shouted happily as two squads of B-25s initiated a bombing run from on high, screened by lower flying Hellcats. Her deck batteries continued to fire as well, and several seconds later the call of surrender came over the radio. After five grueling days and nights learning how to operate their new ship, they’d defeated Ark Royal in single ship combat. Commander Thorson, Fleet Admiral Nimitz, Enterprise, and the other most important actors in the Union Pacific fleet were waiting for her back on the docks.
“Took you long enough,” Enterprise said quietly as the sisters embraced briefly. The ribbing was all in good fun.
“Yeah I know, had to whip a lot of those lads into shape but we did it,” Hornet replied proudly. Enterprise had, perhaps unsurprisingly, dismantled Ark Royal with absolute precision the second day after she’d been granted her rigging. She had done so with help from a handful of her most experienced pilots and mechanics, but was otherwise unassisted. Hornet had insisted on bringing at least half of her entire crew along for the ride, but eventually arrived at the same point. “So what happens now, Commander?”
“Captain Stevens’ convoy just radioed; they’re about an hour away. We resupply and then we get ready to leave. Akashi finished the retrofit of your kitchens?”
“Yes sir! And I made sure they know not to go tinkering with anything if they don’t want to get bonked by one of my planes. Thanks again for accommodating us.”
“Consider it a little experiment,” Thorson replied with a smile. “Fleet Admiral?”
Nimitz nodded curtly and began informing them all of the next steps that would be taken by each fleet and the Union as a whole in the Pacific. “The vast majority of Enterprise’s crew will be transferred to the old Hornet which will continue to be commanded by Captain Mitscher. Hornet, we are still short crew. How many can you spare?”
“I can have a list ready in a couple of hours, sir. I hate to lose any of them but I understand,” she replied, a hit of sadness in her voice.
“Very good. Enterprise, the few individuals you wish to accompany you will also be assigned to the new Hornet. I am in agreement with Commander Thorson that a true comparison between you and your sister, crewed and uncrewed, is needed.”
“Yes sir. I’m confident in my ability to operate my vessel alone. My pilots and mechanics have been of great help in getting me to the point where I can launch aircraft on my own, but I suppose I don’t need them if push comes to shove,” the silver-haired carrier explained.
“I understand. This should prove a decent compromise. Commander Thorson, I understand that your fleet composition is unorthodox and I wish I had more escorts to spare, but I do not. Northampton is the best we can do.”
“She already approached me about acquiring rigging and learning to fight like Houston, sir. We would be happy to have her,” Thorson replied thankfully.
“And we will be happy to have more experienced hands for other ships,” Nimitz replied. “I don’t think we need to stand on ceremony any longer. Commander, your orders are simple. Track Akagi and Kaga down and neutralize them. If the other carriers interfere, take them out as well. The quicker we finish them, the quicker we can transfer much needed firepower to the Atlantic. The news out of London seems to worsen by the day.”
“I understand, sir. We’ll get it done,” Thorson promised, fashioning a sharp salute that Hornet and Enterprise quickly copied. They were his ships, after all.
“Very good. And one last thing, Commander.”
“Sir?”
Nimitz looked around the bustling base with a slight smile, thinking that victory was perhaps on the horizon. “Following this evening’s meal please instruct your staff to arrange the space for a formal event. Assuming the manifest was not lost in transit, the women of your fleet have earned themselves a bit of hardware.”
-----
“Hammu-chan, Hammu-chan, over here!” Shigure called, summoning the Union destroyer to the Sakura table that night at dinner. She’d received her own ship and rigging in the week following Midway thanks to ample supplies of wisdom cubes and a dire need for escort ships in Thorson’s unbalanced fleet, but remained withdrawn and dour following the loss of Sims and then Yorktown. A seat for her was quickly cleared between Yamashiro and Yukikaze, the former enveloping her in a fluffy, warm hug when she sat down.
“S-stop with this! I don’t need you treating me like a child!” she protested. Yamashiro only giggled, her tail snaking happily behind her as she rubbed Hammann’s ears and pushed the little destroyer deeper into her cleavage.
“Shhh, it’s ok little cat. Yama-mama will take care of you as long as you need.”
Thorson couldn’t recall ever seeing a kansen blush redder or pout harder than Hammann, but she ate with the Sakura at every meal and never lashed out at them beyond her words, even after she acquired her rigging. He allowed it to play out without intervening, as the Union kansen seemed willing to as well. He could not replace a lost sister or mentor.
That evening was a mixture of fond reunions and farewells. Brooklyn had gotten to spend some time with Captain Stevens that afternoon, and Thorson had decided to leave her in charge of the base in his absence during the operation. Yuugure, Hatsuharu, and Michishio would be staying behind to man the kitchens, along with Naka, Cassin, and Ooshio who would be in charge of maintaining the facilities of the base and caring for the kiddies, along with Shiranui. Almost everyone else had been assigned to the attacking fleet, meaning that along with many sailors saying their goodbyes that night, Downes was also in that position. The Union destroyer was making the most of it, dining with her friends around her and Ooshio in her lap. California, Cleveland, Portland, and the other bubbly Union kansen found the arrangement utterly adorable, and the black-furred neko shrine maiden found herself veritably showered with attention and petting throughout the night. Only Downes was allowed to leave the occasional kiss on her cheek, however.
As the meal concluded, Akashi and her bulins promptly arranged for Admiral Nimitz’s request, occasionally removing a sailor from his seat bodily as they cleared tables and redid the hall for a large briefing. Other than the Sakura, all rose and saluted the Fleet Admiral and the rest of Union brass as they filed in, accompanied by several aides. Nimitz got down to brass tacks immediately. “As many of you are already aware, a follow-on operation to the defensive action at Midway will be commencing imminently, with Commander Thorson’s fleet as the spearhead. The Enterprise, Hornet designation CV-12, and the Northampton are officially transferred to his command. All crew assigned to the Enterprise and Northampton are to remain after this meeting to receive your new assignments. Those hulls are to be crewed solo going forward. The crew of the Hornet will also remain, as a minority of you will be needed elsewhere. And since I’m sure you’re all wondering why the Fleet Admiral is dealing with such mundane affairs, we’ll get to the meat and potatoes of this evening. Though I must say I’ve rarely had meat or potatoes as well prepared as I have recently. I’ll miss your cooking,” Nimitz stated, tipping his cap at Shiratsuyu and the other kitchen staff who were caught positively flat footed as dozens of sailors whistled and hooted their own approval. The Fleet Admiral held up his hands for quiet and continued.
“Upon consultation, I’ve been informed that there are no military honors that can be given for exemplary conduct in the kitchen, so maybe that’s something we can address when we find ourselves at peace again,” he chuckled quietly before adopting the tone for which he was known throughout the Union navy. “But we are at war, and were it not for the actions of a handful of individuals we would not be enjoying this relative luxury in the middle of the Pacific today. The shipgirl initiative, which I am designating the kansen initiative effective immediately, has been considered something between a curiosity and side project for more than a decade. We are here to correct that perception.”
Hushed conversation rippled through the many hundreds of sailors in attendance as Thorson’s kansen glanced at one another, suspicion and curiosity mixed together in their expressions. One of the Fleet Admiral’s aides stepped forward bearing a nondescript case which, when opened, revealed a couple dozen of identical yellow citation ribbons with a thin blue bar at the top and a red bar at the bottom. Thorson wasn’t sure he’d ever seen that particular award before, but knew that Brooklyn likely had something to do with it. He stood and saluted as Nimitz addressed him personally. “Yes sir.”
“Commander Thorson, after reviewing your after action reports and similar testimonies from Task Forces 16 and 17, I put in a call to Washington. I doubt many people have managed to surprise a man like the Commander in Chief, but I’d wager the tale I spun for him managed. You and your fleet have been awarded a Presidential Unit Citation, and I’ll be damned if I send you off to strike at the enemy’s heart without the distinction you’ve richly earned.”
“Thank you, sir,” Thorson said stiffly, whipped into shape by the sudden gravity of the moment. Setting an example for his kansen, most of whom had no idea what to do in such a situation, the Commander approached Nimitz to receive the ribbon. When he returned, he tapped Penny on the shoulder and nodded towards the Admiral. “You earned it. Go take what’s yours.”
The battleship held his gaze for a few seconds as she furiously debated with herself. No number of tokens would change the past, but she had served and bled for Thorson, for her sister, and for herself. That alone seemed enough to swallow her pride and be recognized. With confident steps she walked up to Nimitz and saluted, remaining silently at attention as the decoration was pinned to her uniform. Yuudachi, by contrast, refused to be silent and cheered loudly for her Penny-san, eliciting the faintest of confident smiles from the kansen as she turned to face the room and walk back to her seat. That expression turned to pride as her younger sister went next, and approval as Nimitz motioned politely for Arizona to remain standing after receiving her unit citation. Thorson and the rest of his fleet watched closely as a second aide to the Fleet Admiral presented a second case, this one much smaller, which when opened revealed three purple heart medals. The Admiral took one up and pinned it respectfully to Arizona’s uniform himself before extending his hand to her, speaking over Yukikaze’s rapid, questioning ‘nanodas’. “You look right as rain now, but I read the reports of your injury at Pearl Harbor. Let’s hope the next medal is a different color, shall we?”
“Thank you, sir,” Arizona whispered before hustling back to rejoin her sister as quickly as she could without running, flush with both happiness and embarrassment. Thorson met her eyes and nodded approvingly as the rest of his fleet was recognized. Cassin was also awarded a purple heart given the damage she’d suffered at Midway. Tennessee earned a Navy Cross for ‘gallantry in combat’ in addition to her unit citation. The tanned, almost perpetually grumpy battleship scoffed at the notion, but allowed the gleaming cross to be placed on her uniform where Thorson was absolutely sure it would remain for many years. Arizona was called back to receive a second Navy Cross, which Thorson considered richly deserved given that her abilities saw them through to the end of the Midway engagement. The award caused a bit of a skirmish between Yuudachi and Yukikaze over whose adopted onee-san was better, but it was quickly squashed by Choukai, who reminded them of the gravity of the situation with the hilt of her blade.
As the ceremony continued, Thorson clapped politely for each of his ships, especially when Brooklyn was recognized with a new citation dubbed the Navy and Marine Corps Medal, which Nimitz explained was meant to recognize her exemplary contributions to the kansen initiative both on and off the battlefield. South Dakota also received additional merits, though the Union staff in question didn’t have any idea where to pin her Navy Distinguished Service Medal without committing a misdemeanor. There wasn’t much material to work with. In the end, she accepted it in her hands, bowed silently, and then affixed the medal to one of her thick braids of hair. The humor of that situation was followed by true celebration as Ark Royal, despite not being an official member of Thorson’s fleet or even the Union navy, was awarded a Distinguished Flying Cross, a motion that had several of his kansen whistling and clapping. Unlike South Dakota, Ark Royal’s uniform was practically made to display honors and awards, and the little ones all gathered around to examine her new hardware the moment she sat down. The ceremony concluded with the latest addition to Thorson’s fleet, Hornet, being awarded the final Purple Heart that Nimitz had requested. And while she did not receive a unit citation, she was recognized for something more.
“I call upon Captain Marc Mitscher to present this final honor in the absence of Commander in Chief of the Union armed forces, Franklin Delano Roosevelt,” Nimitz said, projecting so that even those in the far back could hear him over the ceiling fans. The aging but still spry veteran stepped forward, doing his best to keep from breaking out into a broad smile as the Fleet Admiral continued. Even Thorson’s fleet remained utterly silent as the gravity of Nimitz’s introduction settled over them while Hornet herself stood there with a nervous look on her face and silently wishing she could borrow her sister’s uniform. “For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at great risk to her life far above and beyond the call of duty, for sacrificing her own life to save those of her ship and her crew, and for having the gall to return from the dead in spite of God himself; in the name of the United States Congress I officially bestow upon Hornet the Congressional Medal of Honor.”
Decorum, though called for given the situation, was immediately dispensed with as Hornet’s crew, who formed the vast majority of the humans in attendance and who’d just been told they were about to participate in the largest Union offensive of the war up to that point, went absolutely bananas. Their kansen ate it up of course, accepting the honor graciously from her captain before pinning it to her left breast on the hem of her bikini top. Whistles, cat calls, and hoots galore greeted her and she blew them all a kiss with a wink before whipping out her rigging and threatening them with miniaturized aircraft if they didn’t let Nimitz finish. Message received, they returned to their seats and the Fleet Admiral spoke again. “Thank you, Hornet. Commander Thorson, the floor is yours if you have any announcements for your fleet?”
“Nothing major, sir. Just a reminder for anyone involved in the ongoing security around the Sakura prisoners; ensure that everyone has a chance to visit the Sakura dormitory this evening. You all deserve it. We will hold our strategy briefing there as well. Any kansen on sortie should consider their attendance mandatory. I’ll see you all then. For now, enjoy your hardware. It was well earned.”
“What do you think?” Downes demanded of Indianapolis. “That sounded to me like the Commander just said party in the onsen.”
“Kansen only,” Tennessee agreed. “Let’s go, short stuff. Bring your girlfriend.”
“Hey, keep your mitts off her,” Downes shot back playfully as Tennessee stood and adjusted her cap, taking a moment to appreciate the Navy Cross that hung from her uniform. Ares was enjoying it as well, chirping happily from her shoulder. Tennessee resolved to earn more kill tattoos and another medal by the time the Pacific campaign was ended.
“No need to get your panties in a bunch, Downes. Just saying I approve is all.”
-----
“Coolant?” Akashi offered, having found herself a bright red kimono with fluffy white trim to use while serving drinks at the onsen. Thorson’s fleet was all gathered on the wooden patio that overlooked the main pool where Yukikaze’s sisters were splashing about under Shiranui’s watchful eye. A few of the girls were still in their uniforms, having only arrived for the meeting, but many wore swimwear or towels alone, lounging or sitting comfortably as Thorson entered the fenced off area himself. West Virginia laughed and Maryland put her fingers between her lips to whistle at him, as he was wearing only a towel around his waist and his Commander’s cap. That laughter quickly spread through the entire fleet, including Hornet and Choukai, who still didn’t have a bead on the base’s various antics. Enterprise frowned at the display but held her tongue. Her new fleet might as well have been foreign territory. He stood before them importantly before bending over himself and chortling, unable to keep a straight face.
“Everyone good?” he asked casually, earning nods and assents from the assembled kansen. Akashi had already provided a map of the Pacific for him on the back wall of the pavilion, so the Commander began immediately. “Choukai, I know you don’t know many of us well yet, but I’d encourage you to do so over the coming days. The rest of you should know that Choukai has given us the exact location of the enemy’s stronghold, the Sanctuary, where the main Sakura fleets have almost certainly retreated to. This intel confirms older reports from Fusou and Shiranui, which seems to indicate that despite the involvement of the Sirens the base is still that, a fixed position.” Thorson paused to allow the implications to sink in. His veterans were looking at one another knowingly, recalling the triumphant early days of their Java campaign. “Fixed positions can be bombarded. With the Colorado sisters, Hornet, and Enterprise recently added to our ranks, our ability to do so is unprecedented. So as I said, please get to know Choukai. There’s a good chance she’ll be escorting at least one of you into position when the times comes. I’d also like to unofficially welcome Northampton to the fleet. Northampton, it’s a pleasure to have you. I assume there will be no issues if I assign you and your sister to Hornet’s battlegroup?”
“No sir!” the dark-skinned cruiser replied happily, learning she’d be at her sister’s side going forward while Hornet seemed both taken aback and excited.
“I get a battle group?” she wondered.
“Indeed. The fleet will be rearranged to an extent for this operation. For starters, we have three carriers this time around instead of just the one. Additionally, one of those carriers will need to be defended with consideration given to her human crew. Indianapolis, I want you with Hornet as well.”
“Sure thing,” the pint sized cruiser agreed.
“And before you get upset with me, Portland, the battlegroups won’t be operating separately, at least not outside of visual range if I can help it. I want you and Cleveland with Enterprise. That leaves Choukai and Minneapolis. Both of you will be with Ark Royal. Minnie, you have my full confidence. Choukai, you will be escorting a Royal carrier, not a Union one,” Thorson emphasized. The Sakura placed her coolant on the nearest kotatsu and bowed her head low to the floor.
“I understand. She will have my sword. All I ask is for mercy for my sisters,” the cruiser replied. Thorson crossed his hands over his chest, frowning as he did so.
“I was hoping to keep this discussion light but yes, Choukai, the same mercy shown to you will be shown to any who surrender or are captured after being eliminated as a threat. That’s all I can promise.”
“I understand. I apologize for clouding what is clearly meant to be a more upbeat occasion,” she replied. Thorson wanted to explain to her that not only was her disposition understandable, but that seeing her body in naught but a white towel was plenty upbeat. He held his tongue both on account of his other ships and the fact that he was getting far too comfortable in his own ‘domain’. Instead he tilted his head her way to acknowledge her before moving on.
“Pennsylvania, Arizona, Tennessee, and California will make up the rest of Hornet’s group along with Downes, Yukikaze, Yuudachi, and Hammann. I assume there are no complaints there?” Thorson said, earning smirks and smiles from the battleships and happy cheers from the destroyer duo who were pleased to be assigned side by side again, though Shigure looked a tad put out.
“I’d say your assumption is correct, sir. The small ones seem quite chipper. Looking forward to it,” Hornet said hopefully. Her capital escorts were tough and seasoned, but they seemed willing to give her a chance.
“Who are you calling small?” Yuudachi demanded, puffing out her chest momentarily before Pennsylvania reached over and began rubbing her quite forcefully between the ears.
“She was talking about your height, not your chest you one track dog.”
“But Penny-san!” Yuudachi protested meekly as Shigure and Yukikaze enjoyed a laugh at their friend’s expense.
“No buts. The Commander isn’t finished. Sorry about my dog, Andrew.”
Thorson threw his head back and laughed, hardly one to stand on ceremony given the setting and his own state of dress. “Alright I get it. Let’s wrap up then so everyone can enjoy their final night here before we sortie. Ark, you’re with the Colorado sisters. That means Laffey, Javelin, and Zed are coming along too. That leaves Fusou, Yamashiro, and South Dakota for Enterprise. Shigure will be with you as well, along with Asashio, Arashio, and Kasumi. I look forward to seeing what you three sisters can do when working closely together.”
“Thank you for the vote of confidence Shikikan,” Asashio replied for her sisters. “We will work hard to end this conflict with minimal bloodshed so we can return to our shrine.”
“Yes, I think that’s a worthy goal for all of us, and something to think on in the baths. Anyone have questions?” Thorson asked, opening the floor. When no one spoke up he nodded and gestured to the steaming pools of water behind them. “Then you’re all dismissed. We depart at sunrise. Be ready.”
At his word the crowd dispersed quickly, with many of his kansen disrobing and heading for the baths. Some like Yamashiro did it obviously for his enjoyment, whereas others like Colorado did so because they were proud of their bodies and didn’t particularly care what Thorson thought of them. Out back, on the far side of the pools beyond the dividing waterfall was where those who wished for a bit more privacy retreated, including Ooshio and Downes. The Union destroyer carried her girlfriend most of the way, using the water to aid her before submerging herself up to her shoulders and settling the Sakura maiden in her lap. “Sorry if I’ve been too possessive. It feels like we only just got back and now I have to leave you again.”
Instead of saying anything, Ooshio undid her towel and laid it over the lip of the stone wall that separated them from the forests below. They were not truly alone, but nudity wasn’t uncommon in the onsen, not to mention that other than flushes of the cheek which could be attributed to the warm water, neither of them had to worry about outward displays of arousal as Downes sunk her fingers gently into the pliant flesh of Ooshio’s hips and behind. “Easy luv, but I’m happy ye’ve been the way ye have. I’m too shy, but I missed ye somethin’ fierce when you were gone. All yer friends are so strong too.”
“It’s ok Ooshio, if Belle likes you then it’s safe to say they all do or will,” Downes assured her before leaving a wet kiss on her collarbone and shrugging off her own towel. “Here, this seems unfair.”
“Oh dear,” Ooshio whispered as Downes’ milky skin and scars were exposed to her, lit faintly by the moon. “Now I really don’t want ye to be goin’.”
“I know, but I have to. You know that,” Downes explained affectionately. Ooshio rested against her more fully, squishing her ample chest against Downes’ flatter one as they kissed.
“And that’s why I’m afraid,” Ooshio whispered.
“We beat them at Midway and we’ll beat them again,” Downes insisted as Ooshio ran an exploratory finger over her piercings. Given their location, they could only have been done for her benefit, or perhaps the Commander’s himself. Downes looked up at her hesitantly. “You like them?”
“Are all the Union gals this naughty?” Ooshio squeaked, shifting Downes’ demeanor to predatory in an instant.
“Yours is.”
“Aah Downes not- not now. I wanna say goodbye proper,” she insisted. Downes relented from kissing along the tops of her breasts and looked her in the eye.
“I’m coming back,” she insisted.
Ooshio closed her eyes and rested her forehead against her woman’s. “I’ll pray every day for ye and the rest, but it’s dangerous Downes, real dangerous.”
“So am I.”
“Downes!”
“Sweetie, if you know something we don’t you need to tell Commander Thorson,” the Union destroyer insisted. Ooshio shook her head.
“Fusou-san, Choukai-san, and Yamashiro-san will all know far more than a gal like me. I’m sure he knows what yer sailin’ towards. That doesn’t mean I like it.”
Downes listened to the pleasant droning of the waterfalls and the distant conversation of the majority of the fleet back in the main pools. “We’ve got more reason to come back than any navy I can think of, me most of all. That’ll have to be good enough. All your sisters are here, right?”
“Yeah, we’re all here,” Ooshio confirmed.
“Good, then I won’t hold anything back out there.”
“Ye could be fightin’ Sirens!” the plush shrine maiden gasped, tears forming in her eyes. Downes reached up and kissed them away, laughing as Ooshio’s eyelashes fluttered against her lips.
“Then I’ll come home with a Siren trophy for you. I’m just sorry you’ll be sitting here worried the whole time. But I’m glad you won’t be there,” Downes insisted, resting a hand on her upper thigh. Ooshio placed hers atop it and laced their fingers together. “We’ll be sailing a long time, and for the first couple days we’ll be in Union seas. I can afford a late night tonight, so let’s make the most of it.” Downes reached up with her other hand and undid Ooshio’s braids, nodding approvingly as the long, silken, black hair fanned out past her shoulders like a veil.
“Sometimes I wish the cubes could make us inta men,” Ooshio remarked wistfully. “Yer so sweet an’ so strong an’ so beautiful.”
“Geez, Ooshio. You’re going to go and make me blush for real!” Downes chuckled quietly. Ooshio took her head in her hands.
“I mean it, Downes. I wish… I wish we could have what some o’ the others have with Shikikan. I sometimes wish we could be havin’ babies, like the little things Ark is always carin’ for. They’re so sweet, ain’t they?”
“I… yeah, they are,” Downes replied quietly, struck dumb at the suggestion but recovering quickly as she remembered it was just that, a dream. For two lovers about to be separated by war again, it wasn’t such a bad dream either. “I guess that would be kinda nice, knowing even if the worst happens I’d leave you something of mine, ours? Damn, here I am thinking I’m the one talking smooth and you’re the one getting me all hot and bothered.”
“I’m plenty hot an’ plenty bothered, Downes.”
Several yards away, Houston tapped Fredrick and Northampton on the shoulder, pointed, and led them back around towards the rest of the fleet. “They were here first. I think they deserve a bit of privacy. So cute!”
“That’s… certainly one way of putting it,” Northampton replied, casting one last glance behind her and catching an eyeful of Ooshio’s ample backside. “I can give you two some space if-”
“That won’t be necessary, Miss Northampton,” Fredrick insisted quickly. Houston nodded in agreement, her green eyes sparkling.
“Indeed! When we’re ready to spend some time together we’ll just head back to my room!”
“Houston!”
“What? Did you think I called him my boyfriend just for show?”
-----
“Commander, if you wanted to have sex with me we didn’t have to wait. I could have just come to your room!” Arizona whispered as he sat next to her in the finally empty onsen. When he stared back at her like a virgin, she blushed furiously and buried her face in her hands. “I’m so sorry, that was meant to be a joke! I guess I’m not really that kind of woman, am I?”
“No, and I’m truly thankful for that. Can you imagine if Yukikaze or Yuudachi decided they wanted to add sex to their list of troublemaking activities?” He asked, taking her hand as they smiled at one another, comfortable despite a lack of clothing or any other coverings over their bodies.
“Commander, you know I don’t demand much of anything but I’m going to have to put my foot down just this once. Don’t have sex with my cat!” Arizona insisted. Thorson’s smile grew and he massaged his forehead and temple with his free hand.
“Tell you what, I’ll turn Yukikaze down if she ever gets that notion into her head if you agree to be the flagship for this operation,” he proposed. The sweeter, shyer of the Pennsylvania class sisters lowered her head and looked bashfully at him.
“You… you really want me to-”
“I really want you,” Thorson corrected with a bit of a smirk, far too charmed by her innocence and far too aware that he might not come home to forgo as much lovemaking as he could squeeze in without compromising his fleet’s operations. Unbidden, Arizona reached across him and pulled her body over his, resting against his chest, bracing herself against his shoulders, and lowering her hips until they were intertwined. Thorson reached up and caressed her cheek, doing his best not to take her like an animal. “You feel incredible, but I did actually have my reasons!” he murmured.
“I’ll hear them now,” she whispered back, laying her head against his shoulder so that he could speak directly against the shell of her ear. His hands guided her hips in a slow roll as he did his best to keep his thoughts ordered. “So other than my body?” she breathed.
“And you,” he corrected, nipping at her ear. “You’re in Hornet’s escort group and I want to be close to her. A human crew is a novelty and we’re going up against the enemy on home turf. At a minimum I would be failing in my direct orders if I didn’t oversee and report on that experiment.”
“Ah, that’s the spot,” Arizona gasped lightly, pressing into his shoulders with her fingertips. “Sorry, keep going?”
“Mmm, love you. Second, Penny, Fusou, and Yamashiro have all been flagship. I trust the four of you implicitly, and I don’t think it would be right to leave you out, especially on this kind of mission” Thorson said. He found her next question unsurprising.
“And Tennessee?”
“It’s complicated.”
“Oh? Complicated or complicated?” she wondered. When Thorson didn’t reply for several seconds she hummed in understanding. “I see, so even she’s got a heart in there somewhere? That’s nice to know, really. Anything else?”
“Yeah… revenge,” he admitted. Arizona stilled for a moment before resuming the gentle rocking of her hips, sending ripples shimmering across the water as her long hair pooled around the small of her back.
“Andrew, it’s alright. You and Penny found me, brought me back. Many others never even got that chance.”
“But I didn’t watch them die, not in my arms!” he hissed, holding her tightly around the waist. “This is different. I watched the life leave your eyes, Ari.”
“I…” she tried, unable to adequately reply. Her voice fled as he leaned back so he could capture her lips with his.
“Underneath the fleet and the Commander’s insignia I’m just a man. You and your sister know that better than most, I’d wager. I want the ones responsible for Pearl Harbor destroyed. And I want you at my side when we do it,” Thorson declared firmly. “So yeah, I have a few reasons.”
“Then I’d be happy to serve you as your flagship, Andrew. For now though, can we leave the war aside?” she pleaded, earning his hands on her hips and derriere in agreement. For a few hours they were able to do just that.
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We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.
Article. I.
Section. 1.
All legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives.
Section. 2.
The House of Representatives shall be composed of Members chosen every second Year by the People of the several States, and the Electors in each State shall have the Qualifications requisite for Electors of the most numerous Branch of the State Legislature.
No Person shall be a Representative who shall not have attained to the Age of twenty five Years, and been seven Years a Citizen of the United States, and who shall not, when elected, be an Inhabitant of that State in which he shall be chosen.
Representatives and direct Taxes shall be apportioned among the several States which may be included within this Union, according to their respective Numbers, which shall be determined by adding to the whole Number of free Persons, including those bound to Service for a Term of Years, and excluding Indians not taxed, three fifths of all other Persons. The actual Enumeration shall be made within three Years after the first Meeting of the Congress of the United States, and within every subsequent Term of ten Years, in such Manner as they shall by Law direct. The Number of Representatives shall not exceed one for every thirty Thousand, but each State shall have at Least one Representative; and until such enumeration shall be made, the State of New Hampshire shall be entitled to chuse three, Massachusetts eight, Rhode-Island and Providence Plantations one, Connecticut five, New-York six, New Jersey four, Pennsylvania eight, Delaware one, Maryland six, Virginia ten, North Carolina five, South Carolina five, and Georgia three.
When vacancies happen in the Representation from any State, the Executive Authority thereof shall issue Writs of Election to fill such Vacancies.
The House of Representatives shall chuse their Speaker and other Officers; and shall have the sole Power of Impeachment.
Section. 3.
The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each State, chosen by the Legislature thereof, for six Years; and each Senator shall have one Vote.
Immediately after they shall be assembled in Consequence of the first Election, they shall be divided as equally as may be into three Classes. The Seats of the Senators of the first Class shall be vacated at the Expiration of the second Year, of the second Class at the Expiration of the fourth Year, and of the third Class at the Expiration of the sixth Year, so that one third may be chosen every second Year; and if Vacancies happen by Resignation, or otherwise, during the Recess of the Legislature of any State, the Executive thereof may make temporary Appointments until the next Meeting of the Legislature, which shall then fill such Vacancies.
No Person shall be a Senator who shall not have attained to the Age of thirty Years, and been nine Years a Citizen of the United States, and who shall not, when elected, be an Inhabitant of that State for which he shall be chosen.
The Vice President of the United States shall be President of the Senate, but shall have no Vote, unless they be equally divided.
The Senate shall chuse their other Officers, and also a President pro tempore, in the Absence of the Vice President, or when he shall exercise the Office of President of the United States.
The Senate shall have the sole Power to try all Impeachments. When sitting for that Purpose, they shall be on Oath or Affirmation. When the President of the United States is tried, the Chief Justice shall preside: And no Person shall be convicted without the Concurrence of two thirds of the Members present.
Judgment in Cases of Impeachment shall not extend further than to removal from Office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any Office of honor, Trust or Profit under the United States: but the Party convicted shall nevertheless be liable and subject to Indictment, Trial, Judgment and Punishment, according to Law.
Section. 4.
The Times, Places and Manner of holding Elections for Senators and Representatives, shall be prescribed in each State by the Legislature thereof; but the Congress may at any time by Law make or alter such Regulations, except as to the Places of chusing Senators.
The Congress shall assemble at least once in every Year, and such Meeting shall be on the first Monday in December, unless they shall by Law appoint a different Day.
Section. 5.
Each House shall be the Judge of the Elections, Returns and Qualifications of its own Members, and a Majority of each shall constitute a Quorum to do Business; but a smaller Number may adjourn from day to day, and may be authorized to compel the Attendance of absent Members, in such Manner, and under such Penalties as each House may provide.
Each House may determine the Rules of its Proceedings, punish its Members for disorderly Behaviour, and, with the Concurrence of two thirds, expel a Member.
Each House shall keep a Journal of its Proceedings, and from time to time publish the same, excepting such Parts as may in their Judgment require Secrecy; and the Yeas and Nays of the Members of either House on any question shall, at the Desire of one fifth of those Present, be entered on the Journal.
Neither House, during the Session of Congress, shall, without the Consent of the other, adjourn for more than three days, nor to any other Place than that in which the two Houses shall be sitting.
Section. 6.
The Senators and Representatives shall receive a Compensation for their Services, to be ascertained by Law, and paid out of the Treasury of the United States. They shall in all Cases, except Treason, Felony and Breach of the Peace, be privileged from Arrest during their Attendance at the Session of their respective Houses, and in going to and returning from the same; and for any Speech or Debate in either House, they shall not be questioned in any other Place.
No Senator or Representative shall, during the Time for which he was elected, be appointed to any civil Office under the Authority of the United States, which shall have been created, or the Emoluments whereof shall have been encreased during such time; and no Person holding any Office under the United States, shall be a Member of either House during his Continuance in Office.
Section. 7.
All Bills for raising Revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives; but the Senate may propose or concur with Amendments as on other Bills.
Every Bill which shall have passed the House of Representatives and the Senate, shall, before it become a Law, be presented to the President of the United States If he approve; he shall sign it, but if not he shall return it, with his Objections to that House in which it shall have originated, who shall enter the Objections at large on their Journal, and proceed to reconsider it. If after such Reconsideration two thirds of that House shall agree to pass the Bill, it shall be sent, together with the Objections, to the other House, by which it shall likewise be reconsidered, and if approved by two thirds of that House, it shall become a Law. But in all such Cases the Votes of both Houses shall be determined by yeas and Nays, and the Names of the Persons voting for and against the Bill shall be entered on the Journal of each House respectively. If any Bill shall not be returned by the President within ten Days (Sundays excepted) after it shall have been presented to him, the Same shall be a Law, in like Manner as if he had signed it, unless the Congress by their Adjournment prevent its Return, in which Case it shall not be a Law.
Every Order, Resolution, or Vote to which the Concurrence of the Senate and House of Representatives may be necessary (except on a question of Adjournment) shall be presented to the President of the United States; and before the Same shall take Effect, shall be approved by him, or being disapproved by him, shall be repassed by two thirds of the Senate and House of Representatives, according to the Rules and Limitations prescribed in the Case of a Bill.
Section. 8.
The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States; but all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform throughout the United States;
To borrow Money on the credit of the United States;
To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian Tribes;
To establish an uniform Rule of Naturalization, and uniform Laws on the subject of Bankruptcies throughout the United States;
To coin Money, regulate the Value thereof, and of foreign Coin, and fix the Standard of Weights and Measures;
To provide for the Punishment of counterfeiting the Securities and current Coin of the United States;
To establish Post Offices and post Roads;
To promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by securing for limited Times to Authors and Inventors the exclusive Right to their respective Writings and Discoveries;
To constitute Tribunals inferior to the supreme Court;
To define and punish Piracies and Felonies committed on the high Seas, and Offences against the Law of Nations;
To declare War, grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal, and make Rules concerning Captures on Land and Water;
To raise and support Armies, but no Appropriation of Money to that Use shall be for a longer Term than two Years;
To provide and maintain a Navy;
To make Rules for the Government and Regulation of the land and naval Forces;
To provide for calling forth the Militia to execute the Laws of the Union, suppress Insurrections and repel Invasions;
To provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining, the Militia, and for governing such Part of them as may be employed in the Service of the United States, reserving to the States respectively, the Appointment of the Officers, and the Authority of training the Militia according to the discipline prescribed by Congress;
To exercise exclusive Legislation in all Cases whatsoever, over such District (not exceeding ten Miles square) as may, by Cession of particular States, and the Acceptance of Congress, become the Seat of the Government of the United States, and to exercise like Authority over all Places purchased by the Consent of the Legislature of the State in which the Same shall be, for the Erection of Forts, Magazines, Arsenals, dock-Yards, and other needful Buildings;—And
To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any Department or Officer thereof.
Section. 9.
The Migration or Importation of such Persons as any of the States now existing shall think proper to admit, shall not be prohibited by the Congress prior to the Year one thousand eight hundred and eight, but a Tax or duty may be imposed on such Importation, not exceeding ten dollars for each Person.
The Privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in Cases of Rebellion or Invasion the public Safety may require it.
No Bill of Attainder or ex post facto Law shall be passed.
No Capitation, or other direct, Tax shall be laid, unless in Proportion to the Census or enumeration herein before directed to be taken.
No Tax or Duty shall be laid on Articles exported from any State.
No Preference shall be given by any Regulation of Commerce or Revenue to the Ports of one State over those of another: nor shall Vessels bound to, or from, one State, be obliged to enter, clear, or pay Duties in another.
No Money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but in Consequence of Appropriations made by Law; and a regular Statement and Account of the Receipts and Expenditures of all public Money shall be published from time to time.
No Title of Nobility shall be granted by the United States: And no Person holding any Office of Profit or Trust under them, shall, without the Consent of the Congress, accept of any present, Emolument, Office, or Title, of any kind whatever, from any King, Prince, or foreign State.
Section. 10.
No State shall enter into any Treaty, Alliance, or Confederation; grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal; coin Money; emit Bills of Credit; make any Thing but gold and silver Coin a Tender in Payment of Debts; pass any Bill of Attainder, ex post facto Law, or Law impairing the Obligation of Contracts, or grant any Title of Nobility.
No State shall, without the Consent of the Congress, lay any Imposts or Duties on Imports or Exports, except what may be absolutely necessary for executing it's inspection Laws: and the net Produce of all Duties and Imposts, laid by any State on Imports or Exports, shall be for the Use of the Treasury of the United States; and all such Laws shall be subject to the Revision and Controul of the Congress.
No State shall, without the Consent of Congress, lay any Duty of Tonnage, keep Troops, or Ships of War in time of Peace, enter into any Agreement or Compact with another State, or with a foreign Power, or engage in War, unless actually invaded, or in such imminent Danger as will not admit of delay.
Article. II.
Section. 1.
The executive Power shall be vested in a President of the United States of America. He shall hold his Office during the Term of four Years, and, together with the Vice President, chosen for the same Term, be elected, as follows
Each State shall appoint, in such Manner as the Legislature thereof may direct, a Number of Electors, equal to the whole Number of Senators and Representatives to which the State may be entitled in the Congress: but no Senator or Representative, or Person holding an Office of Trust or Profit under the United States, shall be appointed an Elector.
The Electors shall meet in their respective States, and vote by Ballot for two Persons, of whom one at least shall not be an Inhabitant of the same State with themselves. And they shall make a List of all the Persons voted for, and of the Number of Votes for each; which List they shall sign and certify, and transmit sealed to the Seat of the Government of the United States, directed to the President of the Senate. The President of the Senate shall, in the Presence of the Senate and House of Representatives, open all the Certificates, and the Votes shall then be counted. The Person having the greatest Number of Votes shall be the President, if such Number be a Majority of the whole Number of Electors appointed; and if there be more than one who have such Majority, and have an equal Number of Votes, then the House of Representatives shall immediately chuse by Ballot one of them for President; and if no Person have a Majority, then from the five highest on the List the said House shall in like Manner chuse the President. But in chusing the President, the Votes shall be taken by States, the Representation from each State having one Vote; A quorum for this Purpose shall consist of a Member or Members from two thirds of the States, and a Majority of all the States shall be necessary to a Choice. In every Case, after the Choice of the President, the Person having the greatest Number of Votes of the Electors shall be the Vice President. But if there should remain two or more who have equal Votes, the Senate shall chuse from them by Ballot the Vice President.
The Congress may determine the Time of chusing the Electors, and the Day on which they shall give their Votes; which Day shall be the same throughout the United States.
No Person except a natural born Citizen, or a Citizen of the United States, at the time of the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the Office of President; neither shall any Person be eligible to that Office who shall not have attained to the Age of thirty five Years, and been fourteen Years a Resident within the United States.
In Case of the Removal of the President from Office, or of his Death, Resignation, or Inability to discharge the Powers and Duties of the said Office, the Same shall devolve on the Vice President, and the Congress may by Law provide for the Case of Removal, Death, Resignation or Inability, both of the President and Vice President, declaring what Officer shall then act as President, and such Officer shall act accordingly, until the Disability be removed, or a President shall be elected.
The President shall, at stated Times, receive for his Services, a Compensation, which shall neither be encreased nor diminished during the Period for which he shall have been elected, and he shall not receive within that Period any other Emolument from the United States, or any of them.
Before he enter on the Execution of his Office, he shall take the following Oath or Affirmation:—"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."
Section. 2.
The President shall be Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States, and of the Militia of the several States, when called into the actual Service of the United States; he may require the Opinion, in writing, of the principal Officer in each of the executive Departments, upon any Subject relating to the Duties of their respective Offices, and he shall have Power to grant Reprieves and Pardons for Offences against the United States, except in Cases of Impeachment.
He shall have Power, by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, to make Treaties, provided two thirds of the Senators present concur; and he shall nominate, and by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, shall appoint Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, Judges of the supreme Court, and all other Officers of the United States, whose Appointments are not herein otherwise provided for, and which shall be established by Law: but the Congress may by Law vest the Appointment of such inferior Officers, as they think proper, in the President alone, in the Courts of Law, or in the Heads of Departments.
The President shall have Power to fill up all Vacancies that may happen during the Recess of the Senate, by granting Commissions which shall expire at the End of their next Session.
Section. 3.
He shall from time to time give to the Congress Information of the State of the Union, and recommend to their Consideration such Measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient; he may, on extraordinary Occasions, convene both Houses, or either of them, and in Case of Disagreement between them, with Respect to the Time of Adjournment, he may adjourn them to such Time as he shall think proper; he shall receive Ambassadors and other public Ministers; he shall take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed, and shall Commission all the Officers of the United States.
Section. 4.
The President, Vice President and all civil Officers of the United States, shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors.
Article III.
Section. 1.
The judicial Power of the United States, shall be vested in one supreme Court, and in such inferior Courts as the Congress may from time to time ordain and establish. The Judges, both of the supreme and inferior Courts, shall hold their Offices during good Behaviour, and shall, at stated Times, receive for their Services, a Compensation, which shall not be diminished during their Continuance in Office.
Section. 2.
The judicial Power shall extend to all Cases, in Law and Equity, arising under this Constitution, the Laws of the United States, and Treaties made, or which shall be made, under their Authority;—to all Cases affecting Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls;—to all Cases of admiralty and maritime Jurisdiction;—to Controversies to which the United States shall be a Party;—to Controversies between two or more States;— between a State and Citizens of another State,—between Citizens of different States,—between Citizens of the same State claiming Lands under Grants of different States, and between a State, or the Citizens thereof, and foreign States, Citizens or Subjects.
In all Cases affecting Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, and those in which a State shall be Party, the supreme Court shall have original Jurisdiction. In all the other Cases before mentioned, the supreme Court shall have appellate Jurisdiction, both as to Law and Fact, with such Exceptions, and under such Regulations as the Congress shall make.
The Trial of all Crimes, except in Cases of Impeachment, shall be by Jury; and such Trial shall be held in the State where the said Crimes shall have been committed; but when not committed within any State, the Trial shall be at such Place or Places as the Congress may by Law have directed.
Section. 3.
Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying War against them, or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort. No Person shall be convicted of Treason unless on the Testimony of two Witnesses to the same overt Act, or on Confession in open Court.
The Congress shall have Power to declare the Punishment of Treason, but no Attainder of Treason shall work Corruption of Blood, or Forfeiture except during the Life of the Person attainted.
Article. IV.
Section. 1.
Full Faith and Credit shall be given in each State to the public Acts, Records, and judicial Proceedings of every other State. And the Congress may by general Laws prescribe the Manner in which such Acts, Records and Proceedings shall be proved, and the Effect thereof.
Section. 2.
The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the several States.
A Person charged in any State with Treason, Felony, or other Crime, who shall flee from Justice, and be found in another State, shall on Demand of the executive Authority of the State from which he fled, be delivered up, to be removed to the State having Jurisdiction of the Crime.
No Person held to Service or Labour in one State, under the Laws thereof, escaping into another, shall, in Consequence of any Law or Regulation therein, be discharged from such Service or Labour, but shall be delivered up on Claim of the Party to whom such Service or Labour may be due.
Section. 3.
New States may be admitted by the Congress into this Union; but no new State shall be formed or erected within the Jurisdiction of any other State; nor any State be formed by the Junction of two or more States, or Parts of States, without the Consent of the Legislatures of the States concerned as well as of the Congress.
The Congress shall have Power to dispose of and make all needful Rules and Regulations respecting the Territory or other Property belonging to the United States; and nothing in this Constitution shall be so construed as to Prejudice any Claims of the United States, or of any particular State.
Section. 4.
The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a Republican Form of Government, and shall protect each of them against Invasion; and on Application of the Legislature, or of the Executive (when the Legislature cannot be convened), against domestic Violence.
Article. V.
The Congress, whenever two thirds of both Houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose Amendments to this Constitution, or, on the Application of the Legislatures of two thirds of the several States, shall call a Convention for proposing Amendments, which, in either Case, shall be valid to all Intents and Purposes, as Part of this Constitution, when ratified by the Legislatures of three fourths of the several States, or by Conventions in three fourths thereof, as the one or the other Mode of Ratification may be proposed by the Congress; Provided that no Amendment which may be made prior to the Year One thousand eight hundred and eight shall in any Manner affect the first and fourth Clauses in the Ninth Section of the first Article; and that no State, without its Consent, shall be deprived of its equal Suffrage in the Senate.
Article. VI.
All Debts contracted and Engagements entered into, before the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be as valid against the United States under this Constitution, as under the Confederation.
This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in Pursuance thereof; and all Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the Authority of the United States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land; and the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby, any Thing in the Constitution or Laws of any State to the Contrary notwithstanding.
The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the Members of the several State Legislatures, and all executive and judicial Officers, both of the United States and of the several States, shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States.
Article. VII.
The Ratification of the Conventions of nine States, shall be sufficient for the Establishment of this Constitution between the States so ratifying the Same.
The Word, "the," being interlined between the seventh and eighth Lines of the first Page, The Word "Thirty" being partly written on an Erazure in the fifteenth Line of the first Page, The Words "is tried" being interlined between the thirty second and thirty third Lines of the first Page and the Word "the" being interlined between the forty third and forty fourth Lines of the second Page.
Attest William Jackson Secretary
done in Convention by the Unanimous Consent of the States present the Seventeenth Day of September in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and Eighty seven and of the Independance of the United States of America the Twelfth In witness whereof We have hereunto subscribed our Names,
G°. Washington Presidt and deputy from Virginia
Delaware Geo: Read Gunning Bedford jun John Dickinson Richard Bassett Jaco: Broom
Maryland James McHenry Dan of St Thos. Jenifer Danl. Carroll
Virginia John Blair James Madison Jr.
North Carolina Wm. Blount Richd. Dobbs Spaight Hu Williamson
South Carolina J. Rutledge Charles Cotesworth Pinckney Charles Pinckney Pierce Butler
Georgia William Few Abr Baldwin
New Hampshire John Langdon Nicholas Gilman
Massachusetts Nathaniel Gorham Rufus King
Connecticut Wm. Saml. Johnson Roger Sherman
New York Alexander Hamilton
New Jersey Wil: Livingston David Brearley Wm. Paterson Jona: Dayton
Pennsylvania B Franklin Thomas Mifflin Robt. Morris Geo. Clymer Thos. FitzSimons Jared Ingersoll James Wilson Gouv Morris

Evangeline
I had never been in a fight before.
I remember the training in Penthesil alongside my sister Zepherina. Sparring, and dodging her attacks. I remember taking defense and offense stances, capitalizing on strikes of opportunity.
I even recall the battle preparations I had heard my Momma and Dimitria speak of. Such as troop positioning and battle formations.
But that was only in practice. When you’re fighting for your life, and you’re fighting for the lives of your loved ones, everything devolves into chaos.
I stood alongside Zithero, at first, hoping to help bolster his defenses against his brother Rasper.
Rasper, I had been told, had a potent ability to use fire magic. I also knew he was born a Spartan and one of the adopted children of Alexander the Great. Such a legendary heritage meant he was physically stronger than Zithero.
While I aided Zithero, however, I couldn’t ignore the fact that Demond was fighting against Xyphiel alone.
Xyphiel was sadly my father.
Demond had roared in pain as I watched Xyphiel dig his dragon-like claws into Demond’s forearms.
Being part Seraphim myself, I knew what the Seraphim form was capable of. While Demond was holding his own for now, I was doubtful that he could handle fighting against Xyphiel for much longer.
Without thinking, I rushed to Demond’s side.
I may not equal my sister Zepherina in strength, but I had inherited another ability that made up for that shortcoming. It even aided Timothy and me in our communications to God. My telepathy.
“Father!” I shouted in an attempt to draw his attention to me, “I know the dark deeds you’ve done and I will put an end to you!” I took a deep breath and steeled myself. I had to focus every ounce of my mental strength on this telepathic attack against my Father.
When I opened my mind’s eye, I saw my father standing before me alone, with everyone else standing perfectly still. Their bodies were translucent, but Xyphiel’s form was pulsing with dark energy.
Xyphiel was already an imposing figure in his Seraphim form, but now his wings were black, so different from what they appeared in the waking world. Terror filled me as I witnessed the darkness surround him. While I could still see his red scales, it was as if a great heat was rising off of his scales like steam.
Xyphiel's abyssal mind was now shown to me in full. Not just how he saw himself, but the tainted raw power he wielded. It was such an intensely dark power that his form sucked in all the light surrounding him.
While the others appeared to be standing still, Xyphiel was the only person who was moving. I knew this was because thoughts moved far faster than actions, but this was unlike anything I had ever seen before.
Regardless, I pushed forward with my plan, as there was no backing down at this point. I took a step back and brought forth an army of copies of myself, all armed to the teeth with blades to cut him down.
“You must be stopped, father!” I shouted from my mind to his as I and my soldier-selves charged at Xyphiel.
My soldier-selves flew into the air and charged towards him from all around, cutting off his escape as best they could.
“Girl,” Xyphiel’s voice caused my soldier-selves to freeze in place. His voice alone shook the air around us and shattered my mental concentration with a single word.
Despite my best efforts, I could not move any of my soldier-selves a single millimeter, though I was fighting with all of the mental strength I had at my disposal.
“You cannot fathom the weight of the shadow of the mind you’re standing against,” Xyphiel spread his wings, a mighty wind hurled my soldier-selves back.
I gasped, as I fell to my knees, but did my best to get back to my feet. I pulled my soldier clones back, drawing them into myself as I regrouped my thoughts. I imagined myself as a mighty and powerful warrior, like Zepherina, and quickly grew in size.
Now I towered over my father, who looked up at me with an amused gaze of what looked like indifference.
I moved to crush him with my foot, attempting to smash him like an insect.
Below me, my foot struck a powerful barrier of some kind.
Xyphiel shook his head, his voice now a whisper, “Foolish girl, you don’t even know how to tap into your subconscious and control it, do you?”
I gritted my teeth and moved my foot. I clenched my fist and swung it down to smash hard against the dark crimson barrier that surrounded Xyphiel. I watched as my fist collided with the translucent surface, waves of darker crimson light washing over the dome-like barrier that separated me from Xyphiel.
As much effort as I exerted on the barrier, it would not budge! Even more troubling, however, was that Xyphiel showed no signs of physical or mental stress.
“Allow me to show you what happens when you reach inside and conquer your ID-Beast,” Xyphiel hissed as I felt the ground shake.
Before I could react, springing up from the darkness behind him was a massive wall of writhing tendrils of dark energy. At the center of this amalgamation was a dragon’s head.
Its scales were black, thick, and appeared like sharpened obsidian. Its fearsome head loomed over me, mighty jaws opening wide.
An ear-piercing roar forced me back, and before I could react, a burst of shadows ripped forth from its menacing maw and crashed into me.
I crossed my forearms over my face, but the dark and heavy shadows knocked me back still. They surrounded me and even as I gasped it felt as if the air itself was nothing but a thick and inky fluid filling my lungs!
I felt myself shrink and an immense pressure throbbed inside my head. It felt as if something was forcing itself into my head, ready to rip it apart from the inside. I remember screaming out in pain and it felt as if a spike had been driven through my skull.
I thought I heard screams. Likely coming from Zithero and Lady Tasha. Zithero’s voice grew louder before I felt myself dropping through the floor and I began to fall. As I fell through the physical world, I felt my mind fall into darkness even faster.
I fell for what felt like days and moments all at the same time. When the falling came to an end, I felt my spirit come to an abrupt, but gentle halt.
As I opened my eyes, I found myself gently floating along the surface of a lake or stream.
I got to my feet, looking around a strange and surreal landscape. Waist deep in warm and gently flowing water.
This new location was an entirely strange and almost alien landscape. While there were lush plants and grasses, they were all brown, blues, and darker purples. The sky had no real horizon as if there was no true sunlight. I saw little to no greens, yellows, or reds.
Instead, what appeared to be the sky radiated with a soft dark luminescence which kept things visible but it was not as if the light was that of the sun. It was almost as if the light was the same that would occur in the twilight hours of the day.
A time between night and day.
I moved my feet slowly, gently navigating my way through the waist-deep water. I carefully made my way out of the water and to the shoreline.
I saw strange trees with blue leaves, black bark, and distant, shadowy, snow-capped mountains.
Odd animals of varying sizes looked to me, scurrying away into the brown bushes and trees. Some animals glowed white, others had darker auras.
I was unsure of where I was or what I was seeing. In the distance, I saw a dock with people standing near it.
The dock’s wood was light brown, but soft lamps were lit on its moorings, a soft blue light radiating on a line of people walking along the dock’s wooden planks. The dock reached out over the shore of a mighty river, and I looked to see a large boat waiting at the end.
The boat appeared crafted from older wood, dark, and yet the water had not waterlogged nor discolored the wood which touched the waterline. The ship was designed as if it were an old Viking longboat. Mighty sails of dark blue canvas rose high over the ship, though I saw no masts to hold them aloft. The mighty bow of the ship had a skeleton dressed in gossamer robes.
Standing between the dock and the ship was a hooded figure, towering over those before him. He held a staff aloft, on the end of it hung a lantern which glowed a similar soft blue hue. He would hold out his skeletal hand and those waiting on the dock would pay him in a pair of coins. Only then would he allow them onboard the eerie boat.
“You don’t want to go on Charon’s Boat,” I heard Elon’s voice whisper from behind me.
I spun around, smiling at Elon as he approached me. He had a large scythe with him, though he didn’t look pleased to see me.
“Elon!” I smiled, hugging him.
Elon hugged me with one hand, though as I hugged him I saw he was wearing black robes and there was some kind of wound on his chest.
“You shouldn’t be here, Eva,” Elon explained with a somber expression and a hushed voice.
“Elon, what happened to you?” I asked as I placed my hand on his wound.
Elon’s hand gently moved my hand away, while his other hand moved to his lips to motion for me to quiet down, “Alexis and Syria got me.”
My hand clasped to my mouth as I gasped in shock, tears filling my eyes, “What?!”
Elon gave me a half-smile, “yeah, I know. I finally died for real.”
“Oh, no!” I cried out, hugging him tightly and sobbing into his shoulder.
“Don’t cry,” Elon said, his free hand stroking my hair, “it’s okay. I’m with Gabriel now and I’m doing what I can to help you all from this side."
“From this side?” I gasped, pulling back from him, “Oh no! Did I fail as well?!”
Elon laughed, “No, you didn’t fail, Eva,” he smiled at me reassuringly, “and don’t worry, you’re not dead.”
I heaved a sob-filled sigh, “But you? You are dead!”
Elon nodded, “Yes. But, as I said,” he pulled his hand to his lips, “We have to be quiet, we don’t want to attract attention! You shouldn’t be here, Eva!”
An ominous woman’s voice soon washed over us “And what gives you the right to make that decision, Little Reaper?”
Elon and I whirled around to see a magnificent sight.
Clad in silver robes with brilliant golden bracers and boots was a captivating and massive female angel. She was terrifyingly beautiful, her hair and wings were brilliant and pure white. Her eyes shimmered violet and as she landed before us, she towered over Elon and me.
Upon her long alabaster hair was a crown with three mighty spikes of thin black obsidian, in her right hand was a long and black bident which carried two long, thin, and simple tines at the top.
I had seen the crown and bident before, on the statues that were brought out for the Festival of Thesmophoria that we celebrated every spring in Penthesil.
“I’m sorry, Mighty Queen,” Elon said, kneeling before her, “I didn't mean to speak out of turn, but this woman is not dead and-”
“I am not dead either, Little Reaper, would you dare try to remove me from My Realm without my knowledge?” the powerful queen challenged.
Elon shook his head, “No your Grace, but I must take her back to the realm of the living! She’s needed!”
As I saw that Elon was on his knees, I knelt as well, unsure if I should or shouldn’t. Elon didn’t seem to be kneeling out of terror, but more out of respect. It was clear, however, that he was wary not to insult the benevolent queen. It was far more a respectful gesture than one taken out of fear.
Either way, I was rather certain as to who we were addressing. If this was the realm of the dead, where the boatman Charon lived, a realm Elon could travel to freely and I was here in error despite being alive? Then I knew where I was.
This was the Underworld, Hades, Sheol, or Limbo, it’s the same place in every religion. The realm between the living and the dead.
This means that I knew exactly who the Queen of the Underworld who stood before us was.
“Queen Persephone,” I began, looking up to the powerful angel, “I’m sorry to trespass, it wasn’t intentional, I swear! I was fighting against my father, Xyphiel, and-”
“Silence,” Persephone said simply and I was stunned into absolute silence.
I could tell that she was angered. The ground shook as she spoke and the lights around us grew darker. The very sky itself tinged orange as if the clouds had been set ablaze!
“This realm is impossible to trespass. It is where all must pass at some point, be they, pauper or king!” Persephone’s gaze moved over Elon and me, her stoney violet eyes lingering on me, “Even angel, it would seem… or at least,” Persephone’s lips turned into a sly smile, “half of one.”
“Yes, Queen Persephone,” Elon nodded, “Because she is an angel, I must take her back with-”
“You must?” Persephone’s smile vanished as her gaze was fixed upon Elon, “No, Little Reaper, I think I’ll keep her.”
Elon got to his feet, his scythe at the ready, “I’ll fight for her if I have to!”
Persephone’s eyes narrowed on Elon, “Insolent child!” her eyes glowed violet and the ground beneath us shuddered as the sky darkened further, her voice echoed through the very trees and hills as the air grew heavy with the pressure of her earth-shaking voice. “I held the ancient Angel of Thrones, Samael, within the Underworld for millennia, do you truly believe your little instrument could harm me?” Thunder and lightning cracked through the sky and the animals that had roamed around us vanished into their trees and bushes for shelter.
I turned to see the river Styx’s waters grow turbulent and many upon the docks looked out in fear, though Charon himself seemed unphased, as was his boat.
Elon pulled his scythe back, “Please, Queen Persephone, you need to understand-”
“I need to understand?!” Persephone snapped, her voice causing us to fall to the ground completely as if the air around us had grown immeasurably heavier.
Elon groaned, “This isn’t going well,” he whispered to me.
“I’ll make a little arrangement with you, young Reaper,” Persephone said, her voice now back to normal as she knelt by me and picked me up. “I’ll keep her, for as long as I like.”
“You can’t!” Elon protested, staggering to his feet.
“I can and will,” Persephone glared to Elon, “unless…”
“Unless?” Elon asked, wary of her request and sudden change in her attitude.
“You bring me, my daughter,” Persephone stated, her gaze softening slightly.
Elon nodded, “Fine, I’ll find your daughter and bring her to you, what is her name? Where is she?” Elon asked.
“You’re a clever child,” Persephone said with a wide smile, “figure it out yourself.”
Elon frowned and turned to me, “I’ll be back for you Eva, I promise. I’ll talk to Timothy and find Persephone’s daughter. We’ll get you back before you know it!”
With that Elon jumped into the air and faded into nothing.
“Elon?!” I shouted, dismayed to see him vanish before me.
Persephone’s hand rested on my shoulder, “Oh, he’s fine dear, he’s a Reaper. That’s just how they traverse the realms of the undead, living and spiritual.”
I turned to Persephone, gazing up to her, taken back by her stunning stature and beauty.
Her white wings and hair were the most striking thing to me, though her violet eyes seemed very familiar.
Persephone smiled warmly to me, her demeanor shifting completely, “Now that he’s gone, you and I can chat.”
“Chat?” I frowned.
“Yes, chat! Because I want to know more about you, of course!” Persephone said as she laughed and escorted me upstream along the mighty river we were standing near. As she laughed I watched the sky change and shift to a light blue. The river we walked along calmed and the trees even brightened and their leaves and flowers bloomed with her luminous laughter.
Though I should not say ‘brightened’ as in changed color or hue. No, they began to glow luminescent colors of blues, violets, and greens. The tree's leaves seemed to pulse with a power that flowed through their veins, and between their bark, I could see light glowing softly.
“What would you like to chat about, if I may ask?” I questioned with deference.
“Well, I do wish to know about you, it’s rare I get an angel in my realm,” Persephone explained to me with a hint of excitement as we walked. “It’s been some time since I found myself in the company of another angel.”
“I’m technically only half an angel,” I admitted.
“Yes, in the line of Enoch, no less,” Persephone gave me a knowing wink.
I blushed, looking away, “I didn’t realize you knew of Enoch.”
“I know of many things,” Persephone explained as we came upon a massive palace.
The material of the colossal and elegant palace glittered in the twilight around us. Black ferns and other small trees led up marble steps which featured a number of statues of familiar Gods and Goddesses. The steps were not built on anything, but rather levitated off the ground, a soft white light surrounding their sides, seemingly keeping them suspended in the air.
“Welcome to my humble home,” Persephone said with a jovial smile as we walked up the levitating steps. Inside a massive throne room greeted us and an even larger throne stood at the far end.
There Persephone sat, placing her bident beside her throne and looking down at me, “So, little angel, what’s your story?”
I wasn’t sure where she wanted me to begin and before I could ask, a small chair rose up from the marble under me. It reminded me of the way Sofia could manipulate the Guardian Temple.
I sat down, looking up to Persephone, “Well, I was raised in a city of all women and-”
“I’m well aware, my dear,” Persephone smiled down to me, “you’re one of the few who know my story and celebrate my ascent to Queen properly.”
I gave her a nod, wondering if she was speaking of her marriage to Hades. I glanced around, unsure, for a few moments, as to where he was. “May I ask, where is your husband?”
Persephone sighed, leaning back in her throne and resting her head on her hand, “In prison.”
“Why?” I asked.
“He was a naughty little boy. Tried to rebel against his Father,” Persephone rolled her eyes, “as much as I love the man, he bit off a bit more than he could chew,” Persephone soon snapped her fingers.
A small little fairy appeared from a small room. The creature was almost pinkish, with small horns, gossamer wings, and wore a little black and silver servant’s dress.
“Ipszwella, bring our guest something to drink,” Persephone commanded.
“Of course my Queen!” The little fairy chirped happily as she turned and scurried off, her pink wings fluttering, in the same way, I’d expect a large dragon fly’s wings would sound.
I frowned, “That looked like a fairy.”
“She is a fairy,” Persephone smiled, “Ipszwella is actually an old friend I’ve known for a long time. I knew her when she was an imp.”
“Aren’t imps… demons?” I asked, confused.
Persephone laughed, “Oh no no! Imp aren’t demons, not all of them anyway. Demons are corrupted souls and fallen angels,” Persephone chided me. “Imps have a terrible reputation when they are, honestly, the sweetest little creatures I’ve ever met.”
“I would never have known,” I said, surprised.
“Of course not,” Persephone nodded with a benevolent smile, “Back on Dei, they were subjugated. Here, those imps who follow me transform into fairies. Here they are free and serve of their own free will. Even the imps who follow my imprisoned husband in Hell are free, though they do retain their old impish forms. Granted, plenty of them have a bit of a vendetta against human beings,” Persephone sighed, “but that is why they are down there, not here with me.”
I had to frown, “I am part human, you know.”
“No one’s perfect,” Persephone said, grinning to me as Ipszwella brought a mug of some warm liquid to me.
“Thank you,” I offered as the little fairy grinned happily up to me.
“It’s been so long since Persephone has had a guest in the royal palace! It’s such an honor to sit with her!” Ipszwella beamed at me.
“Oh, you don’t normally entertain?” I cracked a weak smile.
Ipszwella shook her head, “No, normally I am out in the flower fields with my friends, but I am always at the queen’s beck and call!”
Persephone smiled, “Ipszwella’s been one of my most loyal followers for so long, I’ve lost count of the years.”
Ipszwella beamed up to Persephone, “Always and forever, my Queen!”
Persephone smiled warmly to Ipszwella, “Thank you, as always, Ipszwella.”
Ipszwella bowed and fluttered away swiftly.
I sipped the warm liquid, which appeared to be hot cocoa with little rainbow-colored marshmallows.
Persephone now turned to me once Ipszwella had left us, “It’s odd, so far I’ve divulged far more about myself than you have about yourself. Yet you’re here to satisfy my curiosity! I guess that’s just how it goes with me.” Persephone smiled, “How do we go about fixing that, little Evangeline?”
“You seem to know everything about me,” I said in my defense.
Persephone laughed softly to me, “Not everything. I’m not all-knowing. I can see you’re of the line of Enoch. But I’m not sure of the rest of your story.”
“Like how I ended up here?” I asked.
Persephone frowned, “I’ll cut to the chase,” she heaved a sigh, “I want to know how someone who is of the line of Enoch also has Niten blood in their veins.”
I felt my stomach drop, “Niten… b-blood?”
Persephone nodded, “Yes. Niten, I believe you call them ‘Seraphim’?”
I turned away. Moments ago I was fighting against my father, Xyphiel, who was the source of that blood, but could I trust this Goddess?
Persephone was never considered an evil deity, per se. We often considered Hades a mere transitional place where the dead were judged, not an evil God.
“My father came from Nite or so he says,” I confessed.
Persephone narrowed her eyes on me, “The one who calls himself ‘Xyphiel’, yes?”
I gave a nod.
Persephone leaned back in her throne and heaved a heavy sigh, “He’s sent more souls my way than any other creature,” she shook her head. “There are times I regret my decisions in the past and when I do it is entirely because of him.”
“Did you know my father?” I asked.
“No,” Persephone turned to me, “I knew his mother, in a way. I helped her once,” she sighed “and in turn, she helped me with my daughter.”
“You mentioned her before,” I said, confused as to who Persephone had sent Elon to fetch.
“Melinoë,” Persephone sighed, “I had her for such a short time and yet, I miss her so,” Persephone turned to me, looking me up and down. “Funny, you have the eyes of your grandmother. She shared them with her brother, you know. Quite the interesting family.”
“You knew my grandmother?” I asked.
Persephone nodded, “Yes. Sadly it’s her child who’s gone and made a mess of everything, that is your father, Xyphiel. Had I known what her child would end up doing, I’d have let Palma take your grandmother.”
“Palma?” I asked.
Persephone spat at the name, “Bastard was an absolute monster on Dei,” she sneered, “he raped and inflected violence on whoever he desired. Sadly when my husband grew desperate he released those like Palma to fight against the Guardians.”
As she spoke, I began to pick up on a strange resentment she had towards Palma and how she described him. “I’m guessing… he hurt you?”
Persephone paused, her violet eyes looking away and into the distance. “Did he? It’s so long ago…” she sighed, “Like a distant dream,” her eyes narrowed, “or a nightmare. But, I think he did, a long time ago. But he’s gone now. Utterly and completely. So it doesn’t matter anymore. He doesn’t matter because he no longer exists in my eyes.”
“I didn’t think a goddess could be harmed,” I said looking up to her with compassion.
Persephone narrowed her eyes as she looked down on me, pushing the conversation in another direction, “Your sister, I wish to hear of her.”
“Why my sister?” I asked with curiosity.
“Because she’s my granddaughter,” Persephone snapped.
The eyes! How did I not notice? Once Persephone said Zepherina was her granddaughter it all clicked in my mind.
Persephone’s daughter is Ragna, which would make Zepherina Persephone’s granddaughter.
My stomach dropped, “Penthesil would kneel to anything either of them desired if they knew…”
“Knew what?” Persephone asked.
I turned to Persephone, “your daughter, Ragna, is a monster, she’s a warmonger.”
“Ah, and your mother is not? Your people are not?” Persephone said while her eyes narrowed on me, “I believe your faith has a saying: those among you without sin, shall be the first to condemn?”
“You’re defending her?!” I gasped.
“My daughter? Of course,” Persephone smiled, “you claim she’s a warmonger, but you know nothing of the lives she’s touched, the death she has prevented, and what her ultimate goal is,” Persephone’s gaze softened, “but I do hope to see her again, someday.”
“I hope it’s sooner rather than later,” I offered, “she’s trying to conquer our world.”
“I would say, it’s about damn time someone who knows what they’re doing take charge up there,” Persephone laughed, “I’ve been watching her for some time. I was so happy to see her in Penthesil, as the prophecies finally came to fruition.”
“Prophecies?” I gasped.
“Yes, my granddaughter is to be the great queen of this earth someday,” Persephone smiled, “I wished to know what she is really like.”
“Nothing like Ragna or you,” I snapped.
“Ragna?” Persephone asked.
“Uh, your daughter?” I said, an eyebrow raised.
“Ah, you mean my little Melinoë?” Persephone smiled, “She’s had her name changed far too often. On Dei, I had named her Melinoë,” she sighed, “A shame Teryn wasn’t awake to tell anyone.”
“How many times has her name changed?” I asked, befuddled.
Persephone sighed, “I named her properly upon her birth… then when I was being persecuted by those who envied my power, I had her sent to Nite for safekeeping,” she smiled, “Kind of ingenious, really. I had planned that, someday, she’d return to take my place on Dei.”
“I don’t know much about Dei or Nite,” I pointed out.
“Few do,” Persephone sighed, “It was oh so long ago… a little more than half an eon, really,” Persephone sighed, “It’s no small wonder so few of you recall the events. Whispers and musings twisted over time or in visions of the past.”
“So, your daughter got a new name on Nite?” I asked, bringing Persephone back on track.
Persephone nodded, “Yes. A young woman by the name of Yuki, Xyphiel’s mother, by the way, took her in and named her Sellenia.”
I smiled, “Both are lovely names.”
Persephone nodded, “Yes, Yuki didn’t have bad taste,” she heaved a sigh, “Though the sad fate of Kriggary, the son, your father, is another story.”
“So, this Yuki is my grandmother?” I asked.
“Yes,” Persephone smiled, “she was a rather romantic young woman. Fell in love with a Niten Dragon. Such a star-crossed love affair,” Persephone laughed. “Erik was furious.”
“Erik?” I asked, confused.
Persephone shook her head, “Don’t worry about him,” she smiled warmly, “Old friends, old souls, some have been reborn and moved on,” she smiled to me, “You’re good at distracting me from my goal, my dear.”
“Sorry,” I smiled at Persephone, “I have to say, you’re vastly different than I imagined you.”
“Oh?” Persephone smiled, “you seem to be saying that favorably.”
“Sorry about my comment before,” I looked away in shame.
“Think nothing of it,” Persephone laughed, “Now, about my granddaughter?”
I thought of Zepherina and smiled, “Zepherina is the strongest warrior I know, both physically and mentally. She lights up any room and tries to make everyone smile.”
Persephone smiled at me warmly, “and she’s your little sister, yes?”
I nodded.
“You look out for her?” Persephone asked.
“When I can,” I sighed, “but it seems she doesn’t need me, most of the time.”
“Oh, you’re so wrong little angel,” Persephone’s face fell, “Now I see why you need to return. She needs you now, more than ever.”
In an instant, I saw a massive creature, about the size of Persephone, appear in the throne room.
It looked like a Seraphim, but it had three heads and four arms. A massive scythe was in one hand, a book in another, and laying in a pair of its arms was a woman’s body.
Persephone looked to the large creature, lacking any alarm, “Gabriel, I see you didn’t want to entrust this to just anyone?”
“My love is with me,” the mighty Seraphim, Gabriel, sang and spoke at the same time from all of their heads at once.
That’s when I spotted Elon at the base of Gabriel’s huge clawed feet.
“Elon?!” I shouted, rushing to him.
Elon smiled at me, hugging me tightly, “I’m here to take you back to your body.”
Persephone turned her attention to Gabriel, “So, she wound up like this?”
Gabriel nodded, “Yes, as you requested, I’ve ferried her to you.”
Persephone stood and took the woman’s body from Gabriel’s hands.
I tried to make out who it was, but from the appearance, it did not appear to be Ragna.
For one, she had no wings. She appeared thinner than I recalled ever seeing her.
Elon turned my head from the sight, “That hasn’t happened for you yet, you cannot concern yourself with this.”
“What do you mean, Elon?” I asked.
“This realm doesn’t function on normal time,” he pointed to a field nearby where I saw Ipszwella standing in, nearly perfectly still, “the fairy’s time isn’t like others. She only breaks into our time when Queen Persephone demands,” he turned to me, “You, however, have a place you have to be at a specific time when you can finally wake up.”
I frowned, “How long have I been away, Elon?”
“In your time? You've only been asleep a few months,” Elon informed me.
“Months?!” I shouted.
Persephone smiled, “It was nice speaking with you, my little Evangeline,” she turned to Elon, “And thank you, Reaper General.”
I was confused as I turned to Elon to see his eyes looked far wiser and he had his own scythe, very different from Gabriel’s, “Elon?”
Elon turned to me, smiling, “It’s been a long time for me, Eva. It’s really good to see you again.”
“How long has it-” he cut me off, holding my hand.
“Too long to count,” Elon smiled, “eternity is a strange thing, trust me, perhaps you’ll understand someday,” Elon said with a sympathetic look in his eye.
I gasped as I rose into the air with Elon. I turned to Persephone, “Goodbye, Queen Persephone!!”
Persephone smiled, “Farewell Evangeline, and good luck against your father, Xyphiel!”
I felt a rushing motion and before I knew it, I felt tired.
I heaved a breath and found a tube running down my throat.
I gasped and pulled at it, gagging as I realized it was a feeding tube.
“Eva?” I heard Zepherina say softly.
I tried to clear my throat, turning and smiling to Zepherina, “Zeph?”
Zepherina was sitting in a corner of the room and I wondered how long she had been there.
But as she stood, my smile faded.
Something was terribly wrong. Her eyes looked different.
They were her Cherubim eyes, the wisps of violet energy in her eye sockets floating over me as her face twisted to force a smile.
I had never known Zepherina to force a smile before.
Zepherina was wearing new armor as well. Armor that appeared shockingly similar to Ragna’s, though it pulsed with a power that was clearly uniquely Zepherina’s.
I recalled what Persephone said: “...My granddaughter is to be the great queen of this earth someday.”
Zepherina was dressed the part and that worried me, as she had never wanted to rule before.
Zepherina’s face fell as she saw the worry on my own, “I’m… scaring you aren’t I?”
“Zeph, you don’t have to be in your Cherubim form, you can turn it off now,” I offered.
“I-I can’t,” Zepherina confessed.
“Why?” I asked.
Zepherina sat on my bed, her hand moving to my own, “So much happened while you were sleeping.”
I furrowed my brow as Zepherina spoke.
“Did you know?” Zepherina asked me.
I knew what she was asking. I furrowed my brow and turned from her, holding her hand tightly, “Yes, Zeph, I knew she was your mom.”
Zepherina was silent, leaving an awkward silence between us.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” Zepherina finally asked.
“Timothy said it was important to the mission that you didn’t know,” I explained.
Zepheirna nodded, “So the greater good, eh?”
“Yes,” I confessed again. “Zepherina… I’m so sorry.”
“I wish I never knew,” Zepherina began, her voice low and soft, “at first.”
My stomach sank, “At first?”
Zepherina gave me a nod, her eyes not focusing on me. “I tried to go against her, I really did Eva. I wanted to kill her so badly,” she shook her head, “but there’s something so much worse.”
“What is that?” I asked.
“Xyphiel,” Zepherina clenched her teeth and I watched as violet steam rose from her eyes.
“Zeph, what happened?” I asked.
Zepherina turned to me, her face now twisted into sorrow, “Elon’s dead.”
“I know,” I frowned, “I met him, on the other side.” I smiled warmly, “He’s doing well. He’s with Gabriel and he’s apparently a very powerful reaper.”
This didn’t seem to assuage Zepherina’s sorrow, however, “And… the United States killed Theodora.”
My head spun, “Wait, what? Why?!”
Zepherina’s fist clenched and a wind pulsed from her body, “I wanted peace. We both did. We went to meet them and those bastards... “ Zepherina’s hand was shaking.
I placed my hand on hers, looking to Zepherina compassionately.
“They killed her,” Zepherina spat. “So I killed them.”
“You…” I frowned. Zepherina killing people? I couldn’t imagine!
“I killed all of them,” Zepherina clarified, “and I brought Theodora home.”
I sighed, “So then… that gave Ragna an excuse.”
“We just started chanting…” Zepherina said, “‘For Theodora’, and… it all got out of hand so fast.”
“We can stop it, Zeph, we can do it together,” I smiled at her.
Zepherina scoffed and started to laugh, “No… Eva, it’s so far past that point.”
“What do you mean?” I asked, confused.
“We’ve split the US in half, we’ve taken the central states,” Zepherina smiled, almost proudly, “we’ve already taken the southern states, and we’re moving on Washington DC in the next couple of days. It’s almost over.”
I frowned, “Then what, Zeph? The world?” I asked, concerned.
Zepherina shook her head, turning from me, “Then? I kill Xypihel.”
“That I can get behind,” I smiled, hoping it would bring Zepherina back, “but will Timothy work with you after you’ve worked with Ragna for so long?”
Zepherina turned from me completely now.
“Zeph?” I asked.
“Eva…” Zepherina’s voice cracked.
My stomach sank to the floor, “Zeph, what happened? Where’s Timothy?”
Zepherina turned to me, her violet eyes appearing more like water than steam or smoke, “Timothy, Sofia, and Tasha…”
My heart was lodged in my throat as Zepherina spoke.
“Xyphiel killed them,” Zepherina sobbed.
My head swam and Zepherina lunged forward to catch me.
“Eva?!” Zepherina gasped.
“No…” I whispered, “No! That’s not possible…!”
Zepherina held me tightly, “I’m sorry! I couldn’t stop them! I didn’t know what they were planning!”
I sobbed against Zepherina’s shoulder.
How was this possible?
How could my brother be dead? How will we be able to speak to God now?
Had we lost too much?
Was this the end of all hope?

Operation: Old World Blues

With the Western Collective's unprovoked attack across the border as negotiations barely began, we are left in a difficult situation to deal with the Western Collective's renewed threat. As things progress, we have started looking at the different operation theaters. We have begun devising a series of plans that should bring a victory against the Western Collective.

Covert Operations:

Here

The War Within:

We are sitting on a bomb of public anger. The loss of our cities, similar to using a bigger fire to put out a smaller fire, managed to snuff out a large portion of the riots in the resulting shock. However, this shock can only remain so long as people start to seek answers and retribution to the cause. Already this is occurring and can be best illustrated in the retribution skirmishes in Denver.
However, like a bomb, the energy from it can be redirected if properly deflected. Those same skirmishes in Denver show that there is a distinct emotional pathway that can be exploited to redirect this energy from destructive to the state to constructive for the state.
To begin, after an emergency declaration of Air Incursions by the Western Collective martial law and a curfew will be declared and a recommendation to tune into local news and radio for updates and warning. After an initial run on stores, most of the population will return to their homes paranoid of a nuclear strike by the WC. Paranoia is a strong tool as it otherwise keeps people guessing at their next move. What to do, when to do it, can they do it, if they can do anything about it. This indecisiveness aims to keep people indoors and off the streets in the initial days of the renewed conflict.
During this indecisiveness, as people feverishly tune into their radio, news, and internet for information regarding the situation, we have a unique opportunity that people will be tuning in to the most up to date and verifiable local news sources for their information regarding their wellbeing and safety. Partnering with many of these sites to maintain a relatively continuous degree of accurate information we can slowly affect the narrative with state-sponsored hit pieces and disinformation targeting the WC's morality, sanity, and legitimacy.
Once paranoia and shock dissipate in our population, our internal campaign should redirect most of the hate and resentment away from the SLFR and towards the WC. While a stopgap for a slow-burning problem, and potentially larger ones in the future this will ensure that the spirit of our nation is willing and ready to "Remember Salt Lake" and avenge the unfortunate dead.
Morality-
The Western Collective is in itself an immoral nation. Military recon feeds, interviews, and live feeds from Denver will be used to draw parallels from Denver to the siege of Leningrad. Highlighting the lack of dogs, cats, birds, and eventually people we can show that instead of being besieged by an army more than willing to let them starve, Denver is instead occupied by a corporate army who have taken active measures to prevent food and aid in and allow people to escape the prison city that Denver has become. Interviews from survivors who have managed to escape Denver to our aid stations situated outside the border will take place in order to highlight what is effectively an oligarchic regime within Denver. Tales of woe, crime, and starvation will be strung together to show the WC as effectively the North Korea of the United States as defectors risk everything to seek freedom outside the hell it's becoming. Testimonials from soldiers manning the aid stations and interviews will also be used to paint light on the plight these citizens have endured within Denver at the treatment of their own government.
Sanity-
The Western Collective is in itself an insane nation. In all rules of war, one of the biggest concerns has been the unrestricted targeting of civilian population centers. A rule that the Western Collective has casually thrown away in the wake of its other humanitarian crimes. Surely, a nation that is willing to throw away millions of its own citizens lives through forced starvation and those of an enemy through cruel and unlawful means truly cannot claim sanity as it so casually throws away the lives of non-combatants in order to further its goals to wound the soul of a nation rather than to repel it.
Legitimacy-
The Western Collective is in itself an illegitimate nation. The power of the people through democratic principle has been tossed completely out the window in terms of the Western Collective. After the split of the United States, the Western Collective has organized itself more as an unruly mob, rather than of a structured nation. No elections have been called, no protocol set, does the Western Collective even have a government? If not, then who is making the brash statements against our nation? If they are who they say they are, from where do they draw their legitimacy? The entire political structure and landscape of the Western Collective are pockmarked with varying ideologies on every end of the spectrum ranging from moderate to radical. In the Western Collective, what reigns seems to be nothing more than anarchy and some vague form of "collective governance". This is not in the way how any legitimate nation acts.
Counter Intelligence-
As to their own campaign against us, they've published a half brokered a peace deal in an effort to smear us. However, without context, certain conclusions and inferences can be drawn by our savvy news folk. Highlighting the WC side of the deal as one that only aims to serve the needs of the WC and subjugate large portions of the western SLFR population into immoral, insane, and illegitimate nation such as the Western Collective. On the other hand, the SLFR response to the deal can clearly be seen as a deal from the maximalist school and one in which strong negotiation is to be countered and backed down. Clearly, the Western Collective has no room for anything other than the subjugation of the SLFR people to a bandit state.
As the Western Collective is set to be set in a state where a large degree of their power infrastructure and thus communication infrastructure (see below) a prolonged psywar campaign on the part of the Western Collective can only remain spotty and at best. However, our e-war agents will be on the lookout to counter the misinformation campaign of the WC wherever it might show it's ugly head. On the flip side of this, we can begin distributing this information to the limited population of the Western Collective who might be tuned into our social media. The hope is that this will further erode the Western Collectives populace's spirit as they begin to question the morality, sanity, and legitimacy of their own government.
The Armed Forces-
This effect can likewise be translated over to our armed forces as the shock of the situation begins to wear off. Most military units act as a very close-knit unit with many forming lasting bonds after the service many of our service members have either first or second-hand experience from the loss of cities across our nation. Those servicemen and women who've lossed have the most to gain out of direct action against the WC as even the stress of Combat Operations can be considered cathartic. Similarly, those soldiers within this tight-knit bond have been wronged by the WC as their brothers and sisters in arms have been wronged.
One of the greatest examples that there is such sentiment within the armed forces are the attacks in Denver. This shows that such an emotional pathway exists for us to direct our soldiers' energy into and so we can begin a campaign of suggestion within the ranks. Minor things being placed into the common lexicon of soldiers and commanders can have a powerful effect when applied correctly. Order's being followed by phrases as simple as "Avenge Salt Lake/Santa Fe, Langley, Richmond, etc", "Protect our Home", "God Bless the SLFR and the 410" can be used to invoke anger amongst our troops as the enemy ahead is willing to take from them everything. By applying this subtly and slowly through the ranks, orders gain just a touch more authority as the cause being fought for becomes that ever more personal.

Strategic Shortages:

We have access to most Western Collective's water, food, and power resources as it stands. As such, we will be cutting off the supply of all food, utility, and provisional aid for the indefinite future. Worsening food shortages and protests should economically disrupt the Western Collective and create a runaway effect. As a result, their internal stability should continue to decline, morale drop, and personnel to become sluggish as people continue to starve. This disruption will force the WC economy to bleed gasoline as generators and power stations are overworked.

Ground Forces:

Primary Phase-
As of the moment, no attempt by the Western Collective military has been made to corral the SLFR ground forces within the contested border regions nor assail them beyond this. Thanks to this degree of flexibility in the contested areas, we have a golden opportunity to capitalize on our gains. This gain comes in the form of a large portion of our artillery and mobile air defenses being well within striking distance of the two main airbases from which that sorties are carried out. This gives us the opportunity to commit to a series of massed artillery (gun and rocket) barrages and drone strikes utilizing the M777 (M795 rounds,M692/M731(used at the very end ), M109 (RAP rounds) primarily, and M142 Himars (ATAcaMs (Block IVA) and switchblade 300 to target and ultimately bomb out the Western Collective Airbases (with a focus on rocket artillery targeting the Arizona airbase due to gun artillery range concerns) targeting mainly ATCT, runway operations, and aircraft shelters. In addition, a portion of our Himars ATAcaMs will similarly be targeting the aircraft carriers as part of their mission to disrupt sortie time from the sea or (on the off chance one manages to hit due to the apparent lack of escort) score an operational kill. During this same time, thanks to our forces in the contested territories, we can begin some interdiction of enemy planes attempting to penetrate the border and perform ground attack missions.
Back at the homefront, thanks to the purchase of patriot systems batteries before the initial conflict erupted, we sit on a rather large supply of patriot batteries and reserve troops. Once the initial order to scramble fighters from Hill and Creech AFB is given, those patriot units in reserve will similarly be scrambled from army and air bases all across the SLFR. During emergency exercises in setting up a patriot weapon system after air transport, military intelligence surmised that a Patriot missile system could be assembled and put into operation within 12-15 minutes from touchdown. Similarly, we intend to truck many of these systems (thankfully completed as we haven't had a real reason to lift them via air freight) to locations around Creech and Hills AFB. While potentially not enough to stave off a WC incursion by themselves, they still offer the potential to harass, disrupt, or waylay enemy strikes into SLFR territory. However, no delusions to the system's effectiveness are granted (unless the WC does something like fly bombers ahead of their fighter escort or leave air refueling craft outside a similar guard).
With mass barrages taking place on the airbases and carriers (given an RPM average of around 5 for the guns) over the course of 10 minutes, we believe this to be significant in disabling (or disrupting) sorties from these airbases. At 10 minutes, our forces within the contested regions will begin a fighting withdrawal towards SLFR controlled territories utilizing forward mortar positions and artillery to deliver smoke and artillery to forestall any advance by forces within the contested regions. Once our troops have regrouped at the border and consolidated, we can begin preparations for a counter-attack in the contested territories.
Secondary Phase-
Once our ground forces have consolidated themselves, and assuming the contesting airbases have been significantly shelled to the point where drone recon can assure operational kill, we can begin to look towards regaining lost territory in a counter-attack. With artillery massed in the mountains and hills (primarily), our ground forces will participate in a creeping barrage followed by infantry and IFV/APC support with our troops on the ground providing intelligence back as forward observers. While this should be enough to get us into the first districts of the townships we intend to occupy, fire support will then switch to fire on request to better service our forces on the ground with targeting data relayed via drone/forward observers. In addition, as troops move away from the mountains, mortars will become increasingly valuable in the urban environment, and mortar teams will establish several mobile forward-firing positions.
As the fighting continues into the urban landscape, our forces must observe a slow and cautious approach. We have a distinct disadvantage as we advance further into the enemy-controlled territory. In addition, we can take special precautions that will aid in CQB.
Secondary Operations-
Secondary operations are planned to be mission-specific and carried out only if 80% of operational success is being met within their current area unless otherwise noted.
(Specific Logistics Operations (WA)): We maintain a large force in Northern Washington that, at the moment, finds itself having to bring supplies through contested territory or go without. In an effort to change this, our tilt-rotor craft will begin flying supplies, troops, and equipment in and out of the AO. While normally risky with air coverage being low to lax in the area, the team lead has assured that the maneuverability of the tilt-rotor craft should allow the flight to easily maneuver through the Cascades making us of radar shadow and limited visibility in sighting the craft. Taking off from the Yakima Firing Center, these pilots will be in charge of keeping the northern troops supplied in the event of a counter-attack or during their assault. (This operation is to occur regardless of operational success).
(Highway 20 (WA)): While the above air supply should keep our troops in fighting fit order, it still poses a rather risky venture when it comes to actually maintain that supply route. In order to alleviate this strain, a portion of the troops in the north will attempt to establish a secure corridor through Highway 20 over the Cascades. Utilizing recon drone flights ahead of any such operation, we hope to minimize the risk of an ambush to troops moving through the corridor. The populations through the corridor will be contacted by advance recon before moving through their area in an effort to secure their limited support in doing nothing. As they are effectively isolated along Highway 20 offers of food, limited medical supplies, and basic necessities will be offered in exchange for their cooperation.
Tactical Considerations-
Weapons: As we advance, we are most likely to find contention with more Marines than militia and regular army as forces cycle out. Because of this, and knowing the MTV and SPC armor capabilities most commonly used by the Marine core, we can tailor ammo accordingly to favor armor-piercing rounds in the ammo mix. Going into a city fighting scenario, we will have to make use of the best tools on hand for our forces going in. This happens to be the AT4, a weapon we will be utilizing for in close engagements, asset denial, and asset destruction.
Additional Weapons: To further enhance our soldiers' capabilities, the M202 Flash has been authorized to be allocated as needed one per rifle platoon in addition to the rifleman's standard weapon. Blowing the dust off these weapons should give our riflemen the tactical edge when it comes to building clearing, digging out entrenched units, and rapid explosive deployment. While the Flash cannot be deployed in vast numbers, it should have a measurable effect on the conflict where deployed.
Explosives: Testing and deployment of the Scalable Offensive Hand Grenade was begun in 2010, and now it's time to put them to use thanks to their ability to deliver more accurate explosive yields to a target.
Gear: With most urban warfare, the night is both an advantage and disadvantage to either side, depending on their equipment. Our troops conducting night operations will be issued NVGs and Dazzlers to make use of the night best while diminishing the advantage it gives to the enemy. Additionally, heavier protective plate carriers and rigs will be issued on an as-needed basis to keep casualty rates low well in the urban environment. In addition, small drones will be issued to our forces going forward to better make use of unmanned recon, namely the Black Hornet Nano and RQ-11 Raven.
Other Considerations: As our forces push forward, we will eventually become more exposed to the defenders as the conflict progresses in an urban environment. As such, molding the city to our benefit must be given priority in the form of constructing firing and sniping positions (basements being some of the best) as well as shelters and fallback routes along covered paths (wall knocked out to the next building/a pathway through subterranean infrastructure, etc.). This should allow our troops to be easily accessible, tactically secure, and easy to construct fallback positions should the situation call for it.
[m] please note that any gear listed above is either in addition to or supplementing current rifleman kits and is in no way meant to represent the ONLY equipment being allocated to them. [/m]
While we're not sure how far our fighting through the urban centers will get us, we are hoping that through the steady pace set, equipment issued, tactics employed, general lack of direction of the enemy ground forces other than (hold the ground), we can win out the day and push the borders of the contested territory into SLFR occupied and owned domain.
Along the periphery of the urban centers, our armored units will be put to work attempting to cordon off soldiers within these urban centers by denying them a safe logistical road in which to bring in supply and release troops. With concerns to ATGMs, AT troops, and armored units similarly acting on the periphery, we will be resorting to short raids rather than long drawn out fights, utilizing smoke rounds and drone support when and where we can. While this might only disrupt supplies into these contested zones, a disruption for us with minimal losses will be an overall win. To wit, commanders at that time will be given authority whether or not to pursue this course of action or maintain a defensive posture.
​
Strategic goals and Considerations-
While the total victory against the WC militarily would be ideal, it currently does not exist in the cards in terms of a "quick" war. As such, strategic level goals must be set in order to establish parameters for victory in an effort to bring the WC's government into submission.
1: Denial of infrastructure facilitating WC internal commerce, civilian and military logistics, and government functionality.
2: Denial of military resources through the strategic destruction of Air Bases and Military installations as well as forcing WC forces into a siege.
3: Denial of civilian and military port access by forward howitzer artillery and rocket artillery batteries.
Goal one and three are currently being met with goal two still to be decided, however, the situation WC is likely to find themselves will be that of contemporary modern siege warfare. Utilizing models such as the Siege of Homs, Kobanin, and An Khe Sanh we can tactically draw WC forces into the cities as the main aim is to bottle operational forces or create a strategic distraction for forces acting outside these cities and urban landscape to maneuver themselves into more advantageous positions or operations to fulfill strategic level goals.

Navy: TBA

Airforce:

The show's main star will be our air force operating out of Creech AFB, Hill AFB, and Edwards AFB. With the WC making moves to neutralize Creech AFB and Hill AFB, we cannot afford to meet them on "open ground." We must instead utilize our advantage of positioning.
Creech:
Given the direction, size of the forces, combat range, and support craft being employed to defeat Creech AFB, we give them time to target at around 15-20 minutes (this number is not assuming land-based systems are being used to intercept these aircraft, which, indeed, they are) if a massed attack is planned. If a wave tactic is instead employed, we might likely see the first craft arrive within five minutes. This gives Creech enough time to scramble a single flight before the first of the attack comes (assuming given timetables). As it appears that the WC has opted for a massed attack, given the number of aircraft entering the airspace, we can guess that a portion of our craft on the ground will likely be hit while taking off if these crafts manage to reach Creech. The goal is to waylay the incoming craft with ground defenses and E-War and limited air engagements to supply Creech AFB with time to sort out its full complement. The greatest strength we have here is that the relative areas up to Creech are well within our territory and contains a large concentration of our military equipment, including SHORAD. Effectively, passing through these areas will be a shooting gallery for our air defense units. This massed aircraft concentration only serves draws the ire of every SAM and MANPAD around, especially when it comes to aerial refueling craft.
In addition to the shelling from artillery following positive enemy contact, it is hoped that the air defense wall defeats their attempt to penetrate our airspace and will force the enemy pilots to either divert to a better air corridor or suffer a degree of damage/defensive ability as missiles score hits and chaff is expended. The longer we can delay enemy craft, or cause them to tarry, the more fighters Creech and put into the air to hammer these craft.
Hill AFB:
Hill AFB, perhaps our farthest inland, is an attractive enough target for the Western Collective to attempt to strike. Given the shortest distance between launching airbases/carriers, the limited refueling fleet servicing such massed aircraft, having to pass over the same air defense "wall" as well as mountains, we estimate the shortest time it will take the fastest craft to arrive at Hill AFB to be a little under an hour. While this gives plenty of time, forewarning, and preparation for the oncoming assault to sortie fighters as well as get Strato-Fortresses in the air and launching payloads (more to come) we cannot take the threat lightly and thus will be conducting MITO operations in an effort to get as much of our bomber fleet into the air and into a position to achieve operations goals.
Though it's not going to be all peaches and cream as the sheer amount of fighter craft coming to our direction will likely take up the majority of our air reserves to repel (within the confines of a straight dogfight). Our biggest ally in this is time and distance and the servicing of aircraft by refueling aircraft, something we intend to target and take advantage of as they attempt to take off from facilities currently in the course of being bombed as an attempt to pass over our defensive net.
If it comes down to it, our air forces will coordinate with ground air defense forces to extend the flight times of craft already at the very edge of their operational range while engaging Hills AFB. While it's impossible to say who will end up victorious, we can spoil their victory by moving our more precious aircraft away from Hills far in advance of incoming enemies.
Pulling every trick out of our ass, our advisors have devised a plan that should help to delay and potentially halt the Vanguard of the aircraft approaching Hill AFB. Utilizing our extremely limited supply of QF-16 target drones we can attempt to bait their vanguard into otherwise revealing itself while our forces remain in relative safety. The scheme goes that a single QF-16 will be a patrol course with active radar and a tag registering it as an active combatant. This QF-16 will be shadowed at distance (optimal distance to where active enemy radar might not detect them but friendly passive radar would detect hostiles going active) by two flights of aircraft. With hope, this QF-16 will draw the ire of approaching craft that will attempt to intercept and destroy said decoy craft but in the process reveal their firing position or go to active radar. Assuming the shadowing craft isn't outnumber to the point that engaging would-be suicide (even in a pump and dump situation) our craft should be able to engage from range or at minimum make their target long before they're detected. This is a one-off gambit that might bear fruit or not, so we aren't banking too much hope on it as compared to other conventional strategies.
The above strategy, to an extent, can similarly be applied to supplement the saturation campaign currently ongoing (see below).
Edwards AFB:
Edwards AFB is confusing as it seems to be otherwise being passed up for other targets. While it's altogether likely that launching from this base will cause some degree of contention with some of those traveling to Creech, we have an opportunity to effectively strike at the heart of the WC's carrier fleet through the use of E-War and Anti-Ship missiles. A large concentration of US Carriers is now concentrated in or around California's coast. Utilizing our Growlers and F-16 fleet to launch ADM-160 MALDs, the plan is to create a secure radar jammed air corridor between Edwards AFB and the carrier fleet, at which point our F-35s and F/A-18Es will launch. Through this corridor, the F-35s and F/A-18Es will track far enough to deploy AGM-158C LRASMs against their targets, hopefully scoring a series of decisive strikes against the WC's naval aviation.
While this operation is ongoing, craft out of Edwards will begin to reinforce those at Creech and (if the airspace over Edwards and Creech is secured) move North to intercept targets of opportunity flying from Oregon and Washington towards Hills AFB.
In support of ground operations, 5 AC-130Js will deploy from Edwards (at night), supporting local operations where they can, and (if the airspace north is secure) one will move to support operations in the North.
In addition to helping to secure Creech AFB, our limited flights of F-22’s will be purposed to being hunting for the WC refueling fleet. As these crafts are neither stealthy nor fast, we have no doubt that once contact is made we will be able to further cripple the already overstretched WC refueling efforts.
Assisting Stations-
Peterson Airforce base has, as it appears, been left relatively unmarked in the nuclear attacks following the initial battles with the WC. As such, this gives us the extremely powerful tool that is NORADs aerospace warning, and control systems to utilize in the coming battle and provide advanced warning of initial aircraft intrusions and massing. Being able to accurately track enemy aircraft, while coordinating and organizing our own in the horribly massed confusion that is the coming dogfight should prove to great advantage to our pilots as well as having Peterson AFB acting as a safe point to refuel and rearm before reentering the conflict.
[m] note, without clarification if Peterson AFB was hit with Shriver this will ultimately end rearmament and refueling efforts from within this airbase. However, NORAD maintains a secondary command location within the Cheyanne Mountain Complex that can still provide non-aircraft servicing assistance[/m]

Electronic Warfare:

In coordination with the forces cutting power cables leading into California, our E-War units will begin a campaign of coordinated aggression aimed primarily at the disruption of local power generation and military and civilian radar to either attempt to make craft appear or remain hidden, keeping air controllers in a consistent state of stress and delaying sortie rates further. As the WC has yet to cut many, if any, of the ISP connections between our nations, we can utilize many of the similar pathways they used for intrusion while also attempting over others. Such a disruption could have significant consequences for the WC air campaign as high sortie rates are among the few pillars keeping it together and by breaking one piece of the puzzle, the entire combat picture should collapse in short order.
While remote operations on ongoing (as long as regional power remains active), we can continue to attempt to thwart the WC via localized E-Warfare utilizing our ground forces and E-War drones to jam communications, local GPS, and attempt to thwart enemy ground radar allowing our aircraft to operate more freely in the AO and forcing WC craft to use active sensors, painting them as a major target to ground and air missile and sensor systems.

The Big Red Button:

In light of this aggression, it’s time we took back the initiative on the foreign front. Our Stratofortress, once in the air, will begin launching a series of payloads aimed at crippling the WC’s logistics network and continuing to make the war further untenable at the home from:
Targets and Payloads:
Naval Base San Diego-
The principal homeport to the Pacific Fleet, this naval base hosts most of the rearming for the carriers currently being used to harass our bases and forces. To deliver a decisive blow to the WC we will be committing a tactical nuclear strike ( W80 10 kt dialed yield) against the naval yard with 3 nuclear-armed AGM-86 ALCM cruise missiles.
National Guard/Army Armories and Equipment Storage Facilities:
As the war continues, we must face the reality that men and equipment will win this war at the end of the day. As such, we will be launching several conventional strikes against facilities containing such military equipment based on prior locational knowledge and current recon of the AO. While total destruction of these sites is unattainable (and in the long run unwanted), disruption of the flow of supplies from these facilities will go along way in a campaign of attrition warfare against our foe.
I-5 and Highway 101-
Splitting the WC will severely cripple their ability to function as a “nation” and united people. As such, we are preparing a similar cruise missile strike (armed with conventional warheads) aimed at targeting bridges along I-5 and Highway 101. The biggest ones being at coordinates 40.509491, -124.121193 , 40.805301, -124.140597, and 40.762070, -122.318664 . These strikes aim to cripple interconnectivity between California, Washington, and Oregon disrupting internal commerce and military maneuvering along the routes.
Saturation-
The airspace itself we are going to be operating in is VAST and we aim to fill this airspace with enough clutter, decoys, and aircraft to overload enemy sensors and capabilities. Helping to supply this is the already mentioned ADM-160 MALD. Utilizing this to both jam and act as a decoy in the AO, we should be able to overwhelm the enemy’s defense allowing cruise missile payloads to go through and supplementing our fighter’s perceived strength.

Fool Me Twice:

During the course of this defensive operation, we will begin to deploy our ABM missile platforms in an effort to maximize the protection of civilian and military infrastructure. Thankfully, with a large portion of our airbases out of commission, this actually leaves only a few areas to cover in terms of maximizing coverage. Should a follow-up nuclear strike occur it is important to have these systems ready and on alert come what may from our western enemy.

Planning of Failure:

While in the best world we can assume all our plans will come to fruition, assumptions get people killed.
Ground Forces (Primary): If the enemy combatants in the area manage to interdict artillery from our side of the border and within the contested regions, the plan is to initiate an early fallback strategy into the mountains and hills and entrench positions while utilizing our massed artillery to halt and forward motion by the WC army.
Ground Forces (Secondary): If our soldiers cannot find purchase within the enemy fortified points after the bombardments have taken place, a similar strategy to fallback to the mountainous and hilly terrain and entrench will be taken.
Air Forces (Creech): If the situation looks dire but an option for a retreat to Edwards AFB can be managed, all airborne assets will be diverted to Edwards to reinforce operations there.
Air Forces (Hills): If the defense fails and the enemy aircraft manage to inflict serious damage to the airbase and aircraft at the base then the aircraft will be given a general order to disperse and land at civilian airfields while awaiting further orders.
Air Forces (Edwards):
1: If aircraft do seek to interdict operations at Edwards AFB and local, air, and aircraft defenses are overwhelmed the point of non-function, aircraft will be given a general order to disperse and land at civilian airfields while awaiting further orders.
2: If an effective air corridor cannot be made to establish firing targets at the carriers, then operations will be abandoned with contributing craft being diverted to the defense of Creech AFB and Hills as well as CAS operations.
3: If interdiction efforts against aircraft bound for Creech or Hills cannot be sustained or commanders predict a low success rate, contributing craft will be diverted to aid in local CAS and ground attack efforts as well as local air interdiction.
E-War: If our electronic warfare campaign bears no fruit in dismantling the enemies radar coverage, communications, etc then efforts made to strike at the carriers will be waylaid, and contributing craft will be redirected to other missions
BRB: If your B-52 fleet manages to be interdicted before they can take off, or in a position where launching munitions is otherwise untenable, they will fly south towards Denver and the air net around it and loiter until such time as Hills AFB is cleared. If this is not met within the flight time of our bombers, they will divert to civilian airports and await further instructions.
Fool Me Twice: If our THAAD batteries come under molestation or are otherwise interdicted by enemy aircraft, they are to pull back and await deploying Patriot batteries and deploy behind them (even if under non-optimal conditions).
​

Planning for Success:

Airwar (general): If our air war is successful in crippling the WC airforce a long-range bombing campaign is authorized utilizing B-2 spirit bombers and B-25 Stratofortress utilizing conventional warheads as well as CAS with A-10s. With a large focus on SEAD and Anti-tank missions, the goal, if we manage an absolute air kill, is to minimize air defenses, armor, and heavy vehicle involvement in future conflicts.