"KEEP IT MOVING! WE DON'T HAVE TIME FOR THIS SHIT!" Washington yelled as AA and large caliber DP guns flooded the skies above with iron and lead.
"We're moving as fast as we can. We have injured coming in from the edge of radio range, where the fighting is most intense." One of the Marines said.
"That's fine, we can hold them off as long as we need to." Ranger said as her fighters weaved through the flak clouds.
"Tch." Washington scoffed as the civilians loaded onto their vessels slowly.
Brooklyn caught one of the sailors as they were escorting civilians onto her vessel.
"Sailor?" Brooklyn asked.
"You're the cruiser Brooklyn, huh? What can I do for you?" The Sailor asked.
"The Yorktown sisters, where are they?" Brooklyn asked.
"We have the Kansen known as Yorktown hidden in a secret medical facility. Details classified. Hornet was reported lost around the Philippines, although, with the state of the world as it is, I wouldn't be surprised if she somehow came back and is moseying around the South Pacific." The sailor said.
"You're missing one." Brooklyn said in monotone.
"Enterprise was spotted in Washington State. Reports indicate several strange markings along her hull, along with a faint yellow aura surrounding the girl herself." The sailor said.
"Really?" Brooklyn asked.
"All photo evidence was lost due to some odd phenomenon. But the intel is good. It comes straight from the intelligence corps." The sailor said.
"That surely is some strange information should it be true." Brooklyn said as she thought to herself.
"Thank you, carry on." Brooklyn said as she assisted in helping the more fragile civilians onto her vessel.
"Get her onto the table, quickly." Isaac said as K-9 faded in and out of consciousness.
"What is this?" Vestal asked.
"Submarine K-9. Patty took us to her down in Fiona Beach. When we got there, we ran into some workers from the RAN that were trying to send her to the breakers." Isaac said.
"Where is her vessel?" Vengeance asked.
"Out in the port. We have to conduct repairs discretely. The RAN will be looking for her." Isaac said.
"I understand. So, you'll have to describe the state of her vessel." Vestal said as she studiously looked over K-9.
"Rusted to hell. Most of the plates on her hull are either rusted or falling apart. Torpedo tubes are rusted shut. Optics are severly damaged or missing. I haven't been inside as the access hatch has rusted as well." Isaac said.
"Just how long was she sitting?! I'm almost ready to go and shoot them myself!" Vestal said angrily as she unwrapped the bandages covering K-9's limbs.
"It's all dead and decaying. We need to get her under right away." Vengeance said.
"Do what you must. I await good results." Isaac said as he left the med bay.
"Commander. It's urgent." Norfolk said.
"Report." Isaac said as he emerged onto the bridge.
"While it is merely energy readings, I am almost positive of the creation of a fleet in the Union." Norfolk said, her face red with a small blush at being close to Isaac.
"A new fleet? Can we ascertain it's strength?" Isaac asked.
"All I can sus out is that it is more than five ships in size and at least one is a carrier. Other than that, it's just too subtle to determine considering it is originating from Boston." Norfolk said.
"I see. Can you get me in contact with them?" Isaac asked.
"I can try by bouncing the signal from Bermuda, but it's a long shot." Norfolk said.
"Give it a shot, let me know if you get anything." Isaac said as he waited for her reply.
Norfolk nodded and attempted to connect.
"Hmm?" Ranger asked softly as she felt a request come through.
"Hello?" Ranger asked.
"Commander, I got through." A voice said on the other end.
"Hello? Who is this?" Ranger asked as she shut the door to her bridge, quieting the sound of AA guns.
"Hello?" A man's voice came over the radio.
"Hello. I can hear you." Ranger said.
"I see. Who am I speaking with?" The man asked.
"This is Aircraft Carrier Ranger. And who are you?" Ranger asked.
"Isaac Garner. Admiral of Azur Lane." Isaac said.
"An Admiral? Hmm. Well, you're the first member of Command we've come across. So for now, we're at your disposal." Ranger said.
"Where are you currently?" Isaac asked.
"Boston Ship Yards. We're loading civilians and making a break for friendly waters." Ranger said.
"What's that sound in the background?" Isaac asked.
"Well, a fleet of our size wouldn't go unnoticed. So we've attracted quite the force." Ranger said.
"You're under attack?" Isaac asked.
"We are. But our fleet composition is well balanced, so we're holding our own quite well." Ranger said.
"How many of you are there?" Isaac asked.
"Myself, Juneau, Benson, San Diego, Washington, Atlanta, Wichita, and Brooklyn are all here. We're trying to get as many people out as we can." Ranger replied.
"Get them to Bermuda. My forces hold Bermuda for the moment. If you take it wide, you can avoid detection by the forces in South America. Unfortunately, I will be unable to assist you for a while." Isaac said.
"Why? Where are you?" Ranger asked.
"Currently holed up for repairs and ship building in Australia. After which, we will be heading to assault the Philippines and free Japan before making the move North to assist the Northern Parliament." Isaac said.
"Australia?!" Ranger asked.
"Yes." Isaac said.
"How are you transmitting to us?" Ranger asked.
"I'll tell you when we meet up. Just do what you can. Get to Bermuda and hunker down. If I can connect again, I'll issue orders." Isaac said.
"Understood. I'll give word to the fleet." Ranger said.
"Wait, one more thing." Isaac said.
"Yes?" Ranger asked.
"The Nimitz family. Do you have them?" Isaac asked.
"I do." Ranger said.
"Excellent. I'll pass the word on. Alright. Good luck." Isaac said as he cut the line.
"How strange." Ranger said as she looked out over the rapidly diminishing population in the port.
"Just 5 more minutes!" The sailors yelled as the herded the last civilians towards the Ranger.