Post by Sophie on Sept 25, 2022 0:54:14 GMT -5
It was well past dark, but the capitol building was still abuzz with activity. Although most of it was Kumo getting ready to go home for the night as work was finishing up. Though in one room, still had two guards posted outside. Inside, two women shared a very tense cup of tea. As they finished, the maid present quickly collected their cups. “That’ll be all, Kaori-kas.” The woman who spoke was white in everything from clothing to skin and carapace, and her voice came out in soft, dulcet tones.
The maid quickly bowed and left the two women alone in the room. The first to speak was the former Fleet Admiral in her full dress uniform. Riko Kure. “Your Highness. I must apologize for requesting such an urgent meeting. I am certain you will agree with me that it was necessary.”
“I am sure.” The woman in white, Empress Shiraori Tetsu Kumo, answered. “How can I help you then, Minister Kure?”
“I am disturbed by the lack of the navy’s use in the planned exercises in Operation Cobalt,” Kure spoke bluntly, not wanting to waste any time.
“Are you?” The Empress responded in tacit curiosity. “The navy has an important role in Cobalt. I dedicated the entire Yayuri fleet to the job, did I not?”
“You did, yes, but the fleet can do more. She has been the centerpiece of every military action in Kumosenkan’s history. there must be a more vital role to play than shore bombardment.” Kure protested.
The Empress scrunched her eyebrows. “They are doing more than that. The marine operation is essential for Cobalt.”
“Of course, Your Highness,” Kure assured. “But once that operation is complete, the fleet is relegated to shore duty. We can do more.”
“I already told you a blockade was off the table.” The Empress’s words were firm and yet still calm, even somehow soothing. “Providing massive artillery support for our ground forces is needed for victory. What more would you have them do?”
“Give me the Mzukarakana.” Kumosenkan’s one and only aircraft carrier. Kure kept her gaze steady on the Empress and pressed her hands together.
The Empress was baffled, so much so she physically recoiled. “You want Mzukarakana?! Just a year ago, you couldn’t say a single positive word about her, and now you want her for active military operations?! You even assigned an admiral you spent years maligning, to the point she was nicknamed the fucking Plague, to command her.”
Kure didn’t flinch at the harsh words flung at her. “I have learned my lesson since then. I believe the aircraft carrier will have a vital support role to play for the fleet. More to the point, Mzukarakana’s aircraft have a more extended range than even a Kii’s guns. Therefore if we position her off the shore, her aircraft will be able to provide excellent support for our ground forces in Cobalt.”
The Empress sighed and leaned back a bit. “That’s a reasonable point, Kure-kas. Very well. You may have our only carrier for Cobalt. Just bring her back in one piece.”
“Thank you, Your Highness.” Riko Kure bowed her head slightly. “What escorting units may I take to bring her to Elenria?”
“I can spare four hunter-killers, two light cruisers, and a heavy cruiser from the Kogo Heika fleet.” The Empress answered.
“That is very generous. I will treat Mzukarakana as my own daughter.” The Minister promised.
Empress Shiraori, thinking back to a conversation she had with Reito about Rui. “I have no doubts of that.” She spoke with a snort. “Is that all, Minister Kure?”
Pulling out a manilla folder. “Actually, no. I have the new naval estimates for you, your highness. I hope they are to your satisfaction.”
Shiraori took the folder and began pouring over it.
34: Momi Class Hunter Killers. Keels laid. Expected time of commission: six months.
40: Michizuki Class Hunter Killers. Keels Laid. Expected time of commission: seven months.
18 Kawakaze Class Hunter Killers. Keels Laid. Expected time of commission: six months.
20 Niikata Class Light Cruisers. Keels Laid. Expected time of commission: nine months.
12 Oyodo Class Light Cruisers. Keels Laid. Expected time of commission: ten months.
8 Tone Class Heavy Cruisers. Keels Laid. Expected time of commission: ten months.
4 Aka Class Heavy Cruisers. Keels Laid. Expected time of commission: twelve months.
2 Kamoi Class Battlecruisers. Keels Laid. Expected time of commission: twelve months.
6 Wakamiya Class Battlecruisers. Keels Laid. Expected time of commission: thirteen months.
8 Sento Class Battleships. Keels Laid. Expected time of commission: fourteen months.
4 Kii Class Battleships. Keels Laid. Expected time of commission: eighteen months.
4 Mzukarakana Class Aircraft Carriers. Uji Class Battlecruisers entered dry dock. Expected time of commission: six months.
Complimentary aircraft: 120 Mukō Class Fighters, 80 Gyorai Class Torpedo Bombers, 80 Baku Class Dive Bombers.
30 Hei-Gata Class Submarines. Keels Laid. Expected time of Commission: twelve months.
The maid quickly bowed and left the two women alone in the room. The first to speak was the former Fleet Admiral in her full dress uniform. Riko Kure. “Your Highness. I must apologize for requesting such an urgent meeting. I am certain you will agree with me that it was necessary.”
“I am sure.” The woman in white, Empress Shiraori Tetsu Kumo, answered. “How can I help you then, Minister Kure?”
“I am disturbed by the lack of the navy’s use in the planned exercises in Operation Cobalt,” Kure spoke bluntly, not wanting to waste any time.
“Are you?” The Empress responded in tacit curiosity. “The navy has an important role in Cobalt. I dedicated the entire Yayuri fleet to the job, did I not?”
“You did, yes, but the fleet can do more. She has been the centerpiece of every military action in Kumosenkan’s history. there must be a more vital role to play than shore bombardment.” Kure protested.
The Empress scrunched her eyebrows. “They are doing more than that. The marine operation is essential for Cobalt.”
“Of course, Your Highness,” Kure assured. “But once that operation is complete, the fleet is relegated to shore duty. We can do more.”
“I already told you a blockade was off the table.” The Empress’s words were firm and yet still calm, even somehow soothing. “Providing massive artillery support for our ground forces is needed for victory. What more would you have them do?”
“Give me the Mzukarakana.” Kumosenkan’s one and only aircraft carrier. Kure kept her gaze steady on the Empress and pressed her hands together.
The Empress was baffled, so much so she physically recoiled. “You want Mzukarakana?! Just a year ago, you couldn’t say a single positive word about her, and now you want her for active military operations?! You even assigned an admiral you spent years maligning, to the point she was nicknamed the fucking Plague, to command her.”
Kure didn’t flinch at the harsh words flung at her. “I have learned my lesson since then. I believe the aircraft carrier will have a vital support role to play for the fleet. More to the point, Mzukarakana’s aircraft have a more extended range than even a Kii’s guns. Therefore if we position her off the shore, her aircraft will be able to provide excellent support for our ground forces in Cobalt.”
The Empress sighed and leaned back a bit. “That’s a reasonable point, Kure-kas. Very well. You may have our only carrier for Cobalt. Just bring her back in one piece.”
“Thank you, Your Highness.” Riko Kure bowed her head slightly. “What escorting units may I take to bring her to Elenria?”
“I can spare four hunter-killers, two light cruisers, and a heavy cruiser from the Kogo Heika fleet.” The Empress answered.
“That is very generous. I will treat Mzukarakana as my own daughter.” The Minister promised.
Empress Shiraori, thinking back to a conversation she had with Reito about Rui. “I have no doubts of that.” She spoke with a snort. “Is that all, Minister Kure?”
Pulling out a manilla folder. “Actually, no. I have the new naval estimates for you, your highness. I hope they are to your satisfaction.”
Shiraori took the folder and began pouring over it.
34: Momi Class Hunter Killers. Keels laid. Expected time of commission: six months.
40: Michizuki Class Hunter Killers. Keels Laid. Expected time of commission: seven months.
18 Kawakaze Class Hunter Killers. Keels Laid. Expected time of commission: six months.
20 Niikata Class Light Cruisers. Keels Laid. Expected time of commission: nine months.
12 Oyodo Class Light Cruisers. Keels Laid. Expected time of commission: ten months.
8 Tone Class Heavy Cruisers. Keels Laid. Expected time of commission: ten months.
4 Aka Class Heavy Cruisers. Keels Laid. Expected time of commission: twelve months.
2 Kamoi Class Battlecruisers. Keels Laid. Expected time of commission: twelve months.
6 Wakamiya Class Battlecruisers. Keels Laid. Expected time of commission: thirteen months.
8 Sento Class Battleships. Keels Laid. Expected time of commission: fourteen months.
4 Kii Class Battleships. Keels Laid. Expected time of commission: eighteen months.
4 Mzukarakana Class Aircraft Carriers. Uji Class Battlecruisers entered dry dock. Expected time of commission: six months.
Complimentary aircraft: 120 Mukō Class Fighters, 80 Gyorai Class Torpedo Bombers, 80 Baku Class Dive Bombers.
30 Hei-Gata Class Submarines. Keels Laid. Expected time of Commission: twelve months.