North Sea, weeks before the Raid
In the middle of the night, three Sardegnians battleship were going to secrets coordinates. Littorio was hoping for a quick and advantageous negotiations with Ironblood in the hope to get their goals and hopes aligned. With Littorio, Vittorio Veneto and Giulio Cesare were coming along. Veneto's presence was of upmost importance. Cesare was only there because Roma's construction is still not done. She knew it but would still act as a proper escort. She was ready for battle anytime even in the dark. Her stopwatch has a illuminating glow that let her see the time in the dark. She was kindly asked to close it so that to not give up their presence to a Royal Navy more than active in the area. The rock had been found. In wait, Tirpitz, Gneisenau and Scharnhorst were waiting. Littorio was displeased with the absence of Bismarck. She had bothered to make their flagship make a long detour and they didn't even bother?
"We have to be cautious," explained Tirpitz. "The Royal Navy is always active these days and, with the Mers-el-Kébir, they showed us they are willing to hit even their own allies."
Giulio had an uncontrollable smirk. She stayed in the shadow listening to this discussion and she wanted to jump in and say to Littorio they were being lied to already. She had to obey.
"Of course, we wouldn't hit our allies like that," said Gneisenau. "In order to defeat these arrogant fools, we need all the help we can get."
"What is the deal, though?" asked Littorio.
"We cannot join you without proper engagements," added Veneto.
Even Giulio found those terms ridiculed. They hadn't done anything, and they were already asking for something. The greed was getting on Giulio's Cesare shoulders and her counterparts of Iron Blood who weren't budging.
"We can ensure the safety of your empire by demanding the Sirens not to play nor advancing further in the Mediterranean after what they did to Vichya. Have your Jewel of Calabria," said Scharnhorst. "Isn't it what you're after?"
"Indeed," said Littorio. "We seem on the same page. Promise us that and were all yours."
Giulio thought they would think about the proposition, but Tirpitz answered right away. They weren't hiding it: they didn't care, and Giulio was seeing right trough. Her comrades were blinded by greed. Giulio reminded herself she was following order and didn't speak. Their discussion went well and the term of a secret alliance with Iron Blood was signed. It would only be revealed when the Sardignian Empire strike. Tirpitz insisted on Gibraltar and the Suez Canal. The Royal Navy had to be suffocated of their precious war materials. Littorio promised again and again like it was an easy feat. Littorio was more than confident, it was borderline a comedic display that Tirpitz took has no more than unneeded words.
"Before that, prove your forces worthy of going to war and then we will make the proper arrangements with Bismarck."
"We will," said Littorio, "with a great setup that you will have the honor to participate."
"And you," addressed Tirpitz to Giulio Cesare whose gaze was lost in the night sky. "You didn't speak much for an old guard."
"I'm only here as escort."
"You're strangely quiet for someone named after a great figure," said Tirpitz. "I hope we didn't bore you."
"Sometime, silence is better than words," said Giulio, "has a prepared plan always beats a risky one."
Tirpitz made sure she would remember her friendly advice. With this, they went their separate way. Littorio, curious, asked what she meant by that. Giulio looked at the stars. They had to be ready for anything, or she would have to face the same dilemma again.
Disclaimer : if you want the actual transcript of the Empyreal Tragicomedy event, just message me and I will send it to you (I don't want any trouble with the publishing of copyrighted material)