Location: Delta Coalition GHQ, Los Canas

"White-haired… some kind of uniform of gray and bright red..."
"... Same-colored get-up… stuck-up attitude, so definitely military..."
"Gears had the freaky shark mouth thing..."
"Funny accents…"
"... She mentioned that they were of Ironblood."

Everyone stopped, save for Fort Grace who took notice of the marked silence from half of the room.

"Ring any bells?" the carrier asked.

Assembled as part of the debriefing, the portion of the Azur Lane invited in sat hushed thought. No doubt that the unexpected visitors of the ongoing conflict had left them openmouthed.

"No way… they're here too?!"

"Hard to believe that they would actually show up and get involved..."

"Not our place to disbelieve," Tennessee muttered, silencing Columbia with a look. "If they want to participate in this war on the enemy's side, then we'll simply treat them as any other enemy. We've fought Ironblood multiple times, this shouldn't be any different."

To the side of the room sat Kestrel, Vulture, Buzzard, Fensalir, and Folkvangr. Having returned from their previous operation, they had swiftly been brought in to report their findings and provide testimony to what they had witnessed. Watching as how their words had elicited a reaction, Buzzard leaned from her seat. "If there's anything we must know about this 'Ironblood' and the ships they've sent, we need to know. Anything you can share with us?"

"If anyone in particular can best explain, then it may be us." Heads turned toward Ark Royal, Sheffield, and Edinburgh. Striding to the front of the room, they parked themselves before the collage of portraits and images projected onto a screen, a mess of data reports and confirmed sightings of the Ironblood ships that rivaled a mural of wanted criminals.

Sheffield pointed to the images. "Based on what the fleet at Anchorhead observed, Ironblood has dispatched a small contingent of their veteran personnel. Half of them are from Ironblood's submarine fleet, the largest and admittedly one of the most potent in the world.

"One of the submarine that the twins encountered is the thrill-seeking hooligan U-101. Though discreet, she can always be heard thanks to the characteristic purring of her rigging's engine." ("Also likes loud music, if I'm not mistaken," Columbia commented. "Ain't really my style though.")

"The other submarine must be U-73," Sheffield continued. "May like to pretend she is the submarine fleet's 'big sister' but that claim could never be further from the truth. She does however have a head for science; I'm astonished that they dragged her out from behind a desk to be here.

"And finally, there is U-556, the 'Parzival of the Seas'. Although of a different class, she is likely leading the other two thanks to her close relationship with Ironblood's leadership..." She paused, as if stopping herself or remembering something. But the lapse lasted only a half-second before the conversation resumed. This time, it was carried by Ark Royal.

"Now we got their submersible ships out of the way, I must mention their only destroyer, Z23! Or as from the Sakura Empire tend to call her, 'Nimi'! Or her rare nickname 'Zed'! Or what I personally call her-"

The carrier was promptly silenced with a chokehold, Sheffield donning a dark look in her forceful intervention. In her stead, Edinburgh nervously stepped in.

"U-um, yes! The destroyer Z23! A ship known for her loyalty, commitment, and her studious ways. She may just be a destroyer but she is more than capable of pulling her weight! N-now onto the last two…"

Her deed done, Sheffield finally let the Royal carrier go. "These two are Ironblood's prized heavy cruisers. Both of the same class, sisters. Admiral Hipper and Prinz Eugen. They may not look like it… but they are more dangerous than they appear." ('Even with that outfit?' Vulture thought as she got a closer look at Eugen. The more she looked, the more she began to realize how awkward it felt...) "Among the ships identified so far, they must be leading the expedition as Bismarck's representatives. If she had sent the order to commit her country's involvement into this war, then she must have known about our participation here..."

A worried look came across Kestrel's face. "... Is something wrong?"

A reflexive glance from Sheffield told her what she wanted to know. "It's nothing." But as much as the maid tried to brush it off, it was not quite convincing. Silent glances from the rest of the Royal Navy hinted at something troubling.

It was Eagle Union's Knight of the Sea who first broke the ice. "You guys don't know - even we barely know how it feels… But Royal Navy's got a lot of bad blood towards Ironblood. Ever since the Azur Lane first fell apart..."

"'Bad blood' is a succinct way of putting it." For the first time, many saw a moody expression spill across Ark Royal's face. "Our two nations didn't always see eye-to-eye, but what they did to us…

"The war against the Crimson Axis had gone on for a long time, so quite some details have begun to fade from memory. But around the time the war began… Denmark Strait…

"... We dare not forget what we lost that day, the day Bismarck and Ironblood traded our trust for the promise of Siren power." But then Ark Royal shook her head, as if freeing herself from a spell. Or perhaps a recollection? "But enough about that, there are more pressing matters to attend to. If Ironblood forces are present, then the next important question is: why? What is their agenda?

"What are they really here for?"

Tanager was displeased.

For the past several months, the shadow of war had grown long. The enthusiasm had begun to die like a weary sunset with the enemy clawing back their progress, undoing the Rose Kingdom's machinations one victory at a time. Plots had been hatched; weapons have been forged and mended; schemes had been foiled. Her patience had steadily grown thin and with recent events at Anchorhead, she had no reason to be optimistic; far from it. But that was merely the source of her irritation, not her displeasure.

Her ire was directed elsewhere more… immediate.

Tanager's glare matched Dysnomia's as the two faced each other. A muted but brewing showdown. The feeling of animosity was mutual.

"... So this was the grand debut of the Rán Fleet. How apt for the trash of the Rose Kingdom."

Dysnomia sharpened her glare but bit her lip tight. 'Ironic coming from a leader whose fleet suffered an identical fate back at Comberth...' She watched as Tanager's gaze shifted to the side, her eyes narrowing ever more. "... And to think that your name could be disgraced even further..."

"Their invitation was of my design," Dysnomia curtly replied. Glancing towards the ship beside her, she gave Prinz Eugen her cue.

"I am third ship of the Admiral Hipper-class, the miracle of the Third Reich: Prinz Eugen. As representative of Ironblood, allow me to say 'guten tag'."

Introduction made, Eugen took the time to study the battleship up close, the one she had been informed beforehand that was the flagship of the Rose Kingdom. She examined her appearance: military but with a touch of elegance, perhaps even royalty; admittedly beautiful but something peeking just behind the veil of hers. The notion was provided by those sharp eyes of hers: critical, judgemental, incriminating. A real rose if she ever saw one.

Likewise, Tanager scrutinized the foreign ship. Her odd appearance told her a conflicting story and already she did not like it. Tanager did not like how this was her country's chosen candidate, an impression she found suspicious, almost mocking. But what she disliked more was the way this Prinz Eugen seem to stare at her, her eyes seemingly giving the battleship her due respect yet at the same time not. Everything about this ship - this unwanted pest - felt off. As if even she could not tell who exactly she was meant to be.

Now she had a better reason not to trust these outsiders.

Prinz Eugen anticipated a response, only to be met with stiff silence from Tanager who instead turned her attention back to her rival fleet commander. "You will explain this farce - in private.

"... And when you do, pray that I am at least amused."

Ultimatum made, she turned, departing further into the sanctum. Left without a choice, Dysnomia followed, motioning for Eugen to do the same. They descended, fully aware they would not be leaving Tanager's clutches unexcused… or unharmed.

The doors swung shut behind them with a boom. Despite having been led inside as a sheep would be herded to slaughter, Prinz Eugen couldn't help but feel otherwise, preoccupied with digesting the new sights around her. In the recluse chamber, sunlight trickled only through strict windows. Rose Kingdom iconography hung from the ceiling, its sigil already having been burned into her memory. Dysnomia stood by the side, her arms crossed and her lips pursed shut. Her eyes were like a hawk's as she waited for Tanager.

"So tell me… what compelled you to forsake our ideals so callously, impertinent Rán ship?"

The battlecruiser's mood quickly took a turn for the worse. "What the hell are you talking about?"

"It seems you have already forgotten. Foolish charlatan..." Though subdued, the tone and aura from Tanager remained dangerous. "Do you not recall? Our history, our honor, the meaning behind the thorned anchor that has been stained with the blood of countrymen and enemies alike? Our Kingdom had been forged time and time again from the ashes of conflict. Time and time again, we alone emerged from our strifes. Even 15 years ago we emerged victorious.

"So long as we breathe, so does the Kingdom; and as long as the Kingdom lives, so is our duty to it. Our duty, you second-rate battlecruiser. To consort with outside help like a beggar stains our flag with their blood, stains our pride with their impurity. Don't you see? Or do I need to remind you how much you vaunt for the crown in your unreachable delusions?"

Dysnomia answered back with a scowl. "Tch. Speak for yourself. The helm of this war was firmly in your hands long before I ever crossed your mind. And look where we are at now."

Tanager scowled back as she approached her. "And you have not improved the situation with the embarrassment of your fleet. Even with my disdain made manifest you have exceeded even my lowest disappointment. And for what, a paltry invitation? Does my auxiliary force require its own worthless fodder to feed our enemies' cannons?"

Prinz Eugen's brow twitched ever so slightly. "Your- our opponents seem to not have such problems, do they not? Despite how lowly you may think of them, they are winning, are they not?"

"Watch your tongue, you wench," Tanager growled, shooting spiteful daggers at her.

Eugen opened her mouth but Dysnomia's hand interrupted her as she took over. "Many months ago, the Silver Star Federation had made a pact with the Azur Lane. The Delta Coalition had called for aid since the war began and they have answered. Since then, they have steadily swung the tide of war against us. We cannot continue to believe in victory if we ignore facts. And a fact is, we require their assistance. If the allied forces can prosper with seemingly lesser ships, then so can we."

Tanager grinded her teeth, but they could tell it had given her pause. "Can we now… Fine. Humor me."

The slightest of breakthroughs. Dysnomia pressed the advantage. "Whatever disadvantages these Azur Lane ships possess, they have made up for it with talent. Talent that our war effort may benefit from if we know where to find them. My visit to the other world has demonstrated that the Azur Lane is not without enemies of their own, enemies that they are familiar with, far more than we can attest. What better way to even the odds than inviting one whom we share a mutual enemy with?"

The battleship stewed over the bargain, but continued to find its taste lacking. "... I remain distrustful of these outsiders."

Dysnomia took a step forward, demanding the full attention of her rival. "You believe in victory, do you not? If victory is all that matters, then all avenues must be considered. And if victory is all you indeed care about, then what is a small indignation but a small price for salvation?"

Tanager turned her head in disdain but held her contemplative silence. The seconds dragged out agonizingly before she finally made her decision.

"... If they must linger, then so be it."

At this, Prinz Eugen smiled. "Wunderbar. Now, some terms: if Ironblood forces are to cooperate then-"

"But know this," Tanager suddenly interjected. "My consent to allow you among our ranks does not grant you my respect, nor does it grant you the privilege of equality. You may be our incidental ally, but you are not one of us. I am not obligated to impart to you anything that you request. Here, in my domain, I am the master."

"May I at least be provided information regarding the ships of this world?" Eugen asked to test the waters. "If we are to assist in a meaningful manner we would like to be… enlightened with how everything works. Particularly-"

"Do not take my leniency to intrude where you are not meant to," the battleship hissed, encroaching upon the heavy cruiser until Tanager's shadow draped over her. "You and your company are not my burden. You are her's. In my presence, you are but a tenant I did not desire. Your kin will do well not to trespass where you are not. Unless I deem it so, you are only to be seen and not heard. Those are my terms."

Prinz Eugen stood her ground. No one moved even a muscle in the tense air. The message had already been clear.

She along with Dynsomia turned to file out of the chamber, the latter in more of a quiet haste to leave. But as much as Tanager's contempt and demands had been made clear to her, Prinz Eugen couldn't help but silently smirk to herself.

As clear as the message was, she had no intention of following it to the letter.

The doors swung shut behind them but this time, it was a liberation. Dysnomia stomped ahead in a furor. Prinz Eugen only caught vague snippets of muttered curses from the battlecruiser; it went without saying who they were intended for.

The pair walked. It was only when Dysnomia's anger receded that she noticed they had been walking in complete silence for quite some time (or at least, her gues was). "... Tanager has certainly left an impression, hasn't she?" Dynsomia sighed. "Knowing her, I knew this would happen. But even today she proved unbearable."

"Is that so..." the heavy cruiser murmured. Strangely, she sounded a little unconvinced. Turning the corner, she nearly collided headfirst with a feisty head.

"Hmph! Took you long enough!"

Prinz Eugen donned a faux look of sympathy. "Has it really been that long? But you have barely grown in my longing absence~~."

A flush of red on Admiral Hipper's face rivaled that of her uniform's. "S-Shut up!"

As if drawn by the outburst, the rest of the Ironblood expedition gathered around, each eager for news. "So what has been decided?" Z23 asked the inevitable question. "Are we officially welcomed to remain here for the duration of this conflict?"

"Of sorts, yes." Prinz Eugen slyly peeked in Dysnomia's direction. "I recommend we all get comfortable with our host here. The other is awfully commanding..."

Not wanting to be reminded, Dysnomia faked a light cough to rerail the conversation. "Yes, I suppose you should. First things first, I can try to get accommodations laid for you all."

"Oh! Can we get a tour of the base while we're here?" U-556 asked excitedly.
"Is there a good place for me to give Great Shark a tune-up?" U-101 inquired with a wishful smile.
"Where do you store your aircraft? I can't wait to see what they look like up-close!" U-73 exclaimed with twinkles in her eyes.

Dysnomia put her hands out front as if to hold back the tide of enthusiasm. "Heh, easy there. You'll get acquainted with the base in due time. But something tells me you won't be able to get the full tour experience..."

Glancing in the direction of her gaze, the ships all turned to see many eyes watching them. Like a clique, the girls of the Aegir Fleet stood sequestered, their eyes shifting between them or Dysnomia's ships as if unsure who to suspect more: the strange outsiders or the so-called comrades whose hands they could not trust.

Chief among those suspicious eyes were Geofon and Herne, no doubt keeping a cautious watch on the new visitors. Tanager's inner circle would be kept around them like a tight noose.

"... Not with them around."

Though crestfallen by the sight, U-556 was not discouraged. Idly looking around, the little Ironblood submarine spotted something intriguing. "Maybe… we can start by just getting to know some of the other fleet members! Like those over there!" She hurried off before anyone could react, running off toward what she had spied out.

Some distance away, a convoy of manjuus discreetly trundled in an orderly fashion as if it was a marching band, heavy materials their instruments. Conducting this odd parade were Beowulf π and Beowulf v.

"Steady now. That shipment of alloys and chemicals is irreplaceable."
"Indeed it is, nu. We won't find such resources anywhere else for the project!"

Beowulf v glanced back down on her paperclip, laboriously studying the itinerary yet again. "So that's another item crossed off our checklist, nu." Flipping through the reports, she continued. "We just need to get these transported and we'll be on our way to completing Phase I on schedule."

"Splendid!" Beowulf π beamed. "The rocket launch is a crucial ingredient. Without it, we'd risk holding back the rest of-"
"Ahoy there!"

The two submarines jumped high in surprise, almost bonking their heads against the ceiling. U-556 giggled at the reaction.

"Oh gosh! I'm really sorry for scaring you two like that! I'm U-556, Type VIIC submarine! What's your name?"

The Beowulves stood speechless, their confusion torn between who this little girl was and how they should respond. "I, er, we uh… I guess you can just call me Beowulf π."
"Uh, yes I am Beowulf v, nu. I suppose you can say that I'm her partner of sorts..."

A wide grin spread from ear to ear over U-556's face. "Nice to meet ya! So what are you transporting? Looks really heavy and expensive. What's it for?"

The questions flustered the two as they stuttered for an answer. In lieu of one, U-556 peered behind them but could only find crates and caches of ambiguity in the manjuus' hands. Her only clue was that most shared a stylish emblem that U-556 did not recognize, scarcely catching the minute writing that said General-

Her view was suddenly blocked by the outstretched form of Beowulf v. "I-it's nothing, nu! Just… matters of state security!"
"Y-yes!" her companion agreed just as nervously. "Not for your eyes and ears, I'm afraid!"

With the convoy receding, Beowulf π and Beowulf v hastily turned to follow after it, leaving behind a confused U-556 as her companions caught up. They watched as the Rose Kingdom submarines depart, catching the odd peek from the two as they briskly walked away.

"I wonder what that was all about…?" wondered Z23.

"Likely just another one of those meaningless pet projects of theirs," Dysnomia muttered. "Those two have more free time and budget than sense."

"Fellow fans of science? Now I really wished I could chat with them," U-73 remarked with a hint of remorse. "I really wonder what this project of theirs is about. Those materials looked really space-agey!"

Dysnomia couldn't help but roll her eyes. "I doubt they'd tell you. Especially with what supposedly happened some time back."

A spark of curiosity flickered in Prinz Eugen's eyes. "Oh?"

"This is only what I've heard and read from reports, but the day those two let their guard down was the same day that we lost Stonehenge," the leader of the Rán Fleet explained. "The Aegir ships in charge of defending the weapon had allowed themselves to be infiltrated and thus paid a great price. And I sincerely hope that Tanager footed most of the bill, that arrogant bi-"

"'Infiltrated'...?" Eugen's thoughtful eyes narrowed. "Did the spies happen to be… maids?"

The battlecruiser snorted. "I do really wonder how the Aegir ships let them slip under their noses. They must be more oblivious than we are when it comes to keeping track of Aphaiah... which come to think it isn't a more favorable comparison..."

Habitually twiddling her finger over her lips, an idea began to blossom in Prinz Eugen's head. "Before we can get settled here, may I be acquainted with the schiffsmädchen of the other side? The ships?"

"Oh certainly. No doubt you're all curious about our opposition. Better question is how much I have access to share with you all." As she led the way, a similar idea occurred to Dysnomia. "And while I'm at it, perhaps you can enlighten us on a select few of the opposition. I think you know who I'm referring to."

Eugen's smirk stretched just a little wider in the corner of her vision. "Of course. Everything we can tell you about the ones who have given assistance to this 'Delta Coalition'. A fair exchange where we both get what we want. You share with us whatever information you have of the enemy ships of this new world and we will provide you what you need about the ships from our world.

"... Particularly those two spies you mentioned earlier..."

Location: near Gnome Ravine
Some time later…

"... This is Royal! We are under attack! I repeat, we are under attack!"

A shell whipped right past Sheffield's head, the harsh whizz causing her to wince. She looked up to see figures running aside them as well as behind them, their forms partially shrouded in the dark mist as the flashes of their weapons lit the haze like stars. Edinburgh's presence next to her continued to be felt, thankfully. But it was clear that what had once started as an innocuous reconnaissance mission had devolved into a nightmare.

Enyo hollered as she led the charge, hounding the two maids. "Yeah! Get some! GET SOME!"

Despite not sharing the bloodlust, the smile on Prinz Eugen's face rivaled that of Enyo's. "The mice couldn't help but go for anything that smelled like cheese. They are certainly becoming predictable."

"Predictable or not, we can expect them to not fall for a second attempt."

Eugen glanced toward the ship trailing her. A fellow Ironblood ship, though of a different era. Nevertheless, she had been requested to participate as her personal "advisor" - a half-truth Prinz Eugen was more than satisfactory with.

Ironblood Light Cruiser
KÖLN

"Hm. Suppose they should be more comparable to dogs instead?"

"A situation like this is rare but favorable to us - all the more reason to make sure it doesn't go to waste," Köln replied. "Do keep in mind what we're to accomplish here."

Sneaking a quick glance, Prinz Eugen checked back on their allies. Accompanied by Z23 and U-73, Enyo and Eris were deeply preoccupied with the merry hunt in front of them. Too preoccupied to even think of the secretive exchange right behind them.

"... You too, Köln."

Quietly nodding, the pair sped ahead, catching up to Enyo. Despite this the aegis cruiser took no notice of them, her hungary glare too fixated at the Royal maids in her sight. Enfilade attacks from the other Ironblood ships heckled the duo but Enyo found their performance lacking. "Step off, pipsqueaks! Let 'em have a taste of this!"

A telltale hiss of a missile launch as smoke trails filled the air. With a grunt, Sheffield wasted no time the instant she saw and heard the approaching attack. A flurry of smoke ignited from her dischargers as if to create her characteristic smokescreen, but what surprised Köln were the series of bright flares that emanated in lieu of the blinding haze that she had expected. And more surprisingly, she watched as the seemingly innocuous lights drew away the predatory missiles.

She, like the rest of the Ironblood ships present, kept the surprises to themselves as the enemy now returned fire.

Pistols in both hands, it did not matter where precisely Sheffield aimed them at. With enemies all around, there was too much to leave in the hands of precision. In the very brief reprieve she earned, she reached for her radio again. "Royal to Delta, does any Delta read?"

"Mobius here," a voice replied to her relief. "Just hang tight, we're on our way!"

'Better than nothing!' Sheffield pushed her partner ahead in front of her. "Keep going, keep going!"

"W-where to?" Edinburgh scrambled to return fire, avoid the enemy's while also trying to make sure she didn't trip on her own two feet as she ran. "There's no inlet for us to take cover in!"

"Then head there!" Sheffield pointed, and Edinburgh followed it to the haze over yonder. It already enveloped the sea but this mist hung like a drapery of thick cotton.

The maids shared a reluctant nod. Recognizing their best chance of escape, they took it together.

Prinz Eugen watched as their quarries began to vanish into the thick mist before their eyes. She saw as the rest of the ships unanimously push forward, aware of the rolling fog but seemingly oblivious of the ramifications that would ensue.

The fleet dove right in, their senses instantly muted and dulled by the cloud-like formation. The Ironblood ships slowed, gathering close to Eugen and Köln's position. The adaption was quick and wordless, a product of experience and drilling as they adjusted to the new environment.

"Drats. My download speed just dipped down by 17%," grumbled Eris as she tapped away on her portable computer.

"Come on, what're you waiting for?!" Heads turned to Enyo who waited impatiently ahead of them. "We know where they are, so let's get 'em already!"

She sped off, finding U-73 tailing close behind her. "Do you how far they are?"

"Well yeah. I still got the two on radar," answered the leader of Rán Fleet's 2nd Division. "What's a little mist going to do to sensors? I even got 'em on my HUD, clear as day. Just need to get close and they won't know what hit 'em!"

Enyo dashed off, leaving the submarine behind before she had the chance to even mention how her own radar had been deafened by the white thicket (as well as wanting to know what exactly the cruiser had meant when she said "HUD").

Enyo watched as her prey wandered about the stark-white mist, their location betrayed by neon-frames of her sensors. The mist did little to dull the edges of radar systems - they were too sophisticated to be nullified by mere precipitation. At best they played a role in hampering radar lock, but such problem had its own easy solution.

She grinned as she watched her distance to the two maids trickle down like a countdown to their inevitable destruction.

Fort Grace narrowed her gaze at the sight of the rolling mist. "Sheffield and Edinburgh were last headed inside of that mist. They've bought themselves some time but it won't last forever."

"Then we must move quickly," Tea Time added, hardening her resolve.

"If I bail them out of this mess, I'm gonna try asking either of them if they can serve me for once," White Valley remarked. "Maybe figure out which one's Arquette's favorite. Heh..."

"Remember that they've been engaged with enemy forces. If the two are in there, then so are their pursuers," Fort Grace continued. "Unfortunately they don't have the kind of radar we have. Fending off the enemy will be like walking blind for them. We need to secure their escape before its too late."

Buzzard stared at the fog, as if to study it and calling to mind everything she knew about such phenomena and the situation confronting them. Then a thought struck her.

"Everyone, I have an idea."

The Rán-Ironblood fleet found themselves just struggling to keep pace with Enyo as she continued to rocket ahead like a bloodhound. Even Z23 found the chase frustrating.

"Must she rush ahead of us like this?! As one of Dysnomia's right-hand ships she should know better! How can we even be certain that she knows where they are?"

In the absence of a suitable response, the destroyer turned towards the other Rose Kingdom ship, finding her more engrossed with the interweb than she was with the chase.

"Hey! Stop looking at that thing and start paying attention!"

Eris ignored the outburst with a nonchalant wave of her hand. "Take a chill-pill will ya? There's no way they could have gone far ahead of us, let alone outrace a missile. Besides, just use your radar, you should still be able to track their movements."

But right as she mentioned it, Eris frowned in a double-take. She was about to open her mouth to comment on the odd timing but as Z23 watched, it was dawning on her that something was wrong. Her head tilted quizzically as Eris now tapped her wrist computer as if to awake it to no success. "What is it?"

"Lots of static on radar, getting occasional visual glitches on my HUD, and most annoyingly I just lost my Internet connection. Dag-nabit, I was this close to pirating the entirety of..."

Z23 checked her rigging but found only befuddlement. "I don't know what you are talking about. I see no difference (or improvement) with my radar. U-73, are you seeing anything unusual?"

Some short distance away, the submarine answered. "Hm? Let's see… engines, check. Rudders, check. Torpedo bays, should be perfectly functional. Radar… that's odd. I'm encountering signs of signal interference. But thick mist couldn't do-"

A jet screamed past them, causing everyone to jump from the unexpected scare. Enyo screeched to a halt as she now braced for the new enemy. But her cocky smile remained; the chase had ended, but now another fight was about to begin in earnest. "Carriers? Alright bring it on! I got enough for however many of you freaks there are!"

The Ironblood ships were not so enthused as she was however. The sounds of one jet after another made them tense up. Weapons and gaze raised but with their sights obscured by the mist they realized they would be helpless.

This fact was most evident on Z23's face as she tried to track their movements. "Curses! More of those planes!"

Köln tried to count the shapes darting to and fro across her vision, trying to recognize their patterns. "What should we do? Our anti-air won't be able to handle this type of aircraft in these conditions!"

"Don't care! Just shoot everywhere!" Snapping up their weapons, Enyo and Eris opened up, lighting up the sky with tracers and missile fire. In the air choked by condensation, it was nearly impossible to tell what effect - if any - their resistance brought up. But when the misty sky twinkled with retaliatory flashes, they clearly saw and felt the enemy's return fire.

Eris grit her teeth in annoyance. Unlike her Ironblood allies, she had a better grasp of the situation, her vision granted to her via the technologically-enhanced sensors. Keeping her eyes trained on the airborne threats, Eris awaited a lock-on, but found her efforts hindered by an invisible force that plagued the very eyes she took for granted. She watched her tracking systems waver as her vision flickered.

Eris's view shifted higher, confirming her suspicions once she discovered it. "Ugh. Of course…!"

"What is it?"

Pointing high, everyone made out distant planes, high in the heavens. But unlike the ones that swooped like bats, these ones flew with leisure, unconcerned with the enemies below in plain view and unconcerned with harm as they hung too high to reach.

The German ships squinted hard to even make out their shapes. "What are they?" Köln asked. "What are they doing?"

The answer was spat out with disgust from the aegis cruiser. "EW aircraft… those aren't F/A-18s - they're EA-18 Growlers! They're the ones responsible for the mess we're in! I'd try to shoot them down but their interfering with my radar locks! Darned pests, I'll get 'em for killing my downloads if that's the last thing I do!"

Prinz Eugen watched the high-flying birds that circled overhead, intrigued by the unseen but apparent effects their mere appearance produced. But the time for thoughtful studies was cut short when the increase in missile fire from the mist brought more bad news.

"Movement in the fog, at sea level!" True to Z23's word, a trio of dark silhouettes slipped from the mist like wraiths, entering the tangible world upon stepping into the light. Of the three, Eugen only recognized Buzzard, and through her, she deduced the other two as carriers.

Eris's eyes went wide upon recognizing the Delta Coalition flagship. "Oh you got to be kidding… that's 'The Ribbon' right there!"

"So it is..." The heavy cruiser turned towards her companions. "We must withdraw for now."

"Certainly," Köln nodded.

Eris whirled around to see their Ironblood allies make their hasty retreat. Then turning back to the enemy in front of her, she quickly realized it was just her and Enyo. The latter remained oblivious to all this, still raring to go.

"Oh you again?! Bring it on, I'm always ready for round two! I'll take you all on!"

But rather than charging headfirst, Enyo found herself moving backwards courtesy of a forceful pull. "Enyo! Let's get outta here!"

"Get off of me! Why are you-" She stopped short when, looking behind her for what might have been the first time today, she noted the absence of all their allies. Relenting with a frustrated sigh, Enyo conceded, but not before parting with a farewell. "Fine, we'll let you off with those frilly-pants. But I'll be back for the real second round!"

And so she departed with a grateful Eris in tow. The allied ships did not give chase, content with having rescued Sheffield and Edinburgh safe and sound. Tea Time tended to the two as the carriers watched their foes retreat. But unbeknownst to both parties, a diminutive figure fled after the fleeing Rose Kingdom ships.

"W-wait for me~!" wailed Aphaiah.

The day grew older, the sky became colder. Scanning their surroundings, Prinz Eugen was satisfied to see that they were alone. Their allies were too far to be seen, but they would be reunited in good time. They would be irked for leaving them behind, but she expected it.

This was part of the plan, after all.

"So Köln, U-73 - your thoughts?"

"The things I saw… today was more fascinating than last time!" the submarine exclaimed. "The mist that would've left us blind didn't seem to bother them at all! I'll have to check out what exactly makes their radar systems tick, see if I can even try to reverse-engineer it. Can't wait to find out how they got radar to work even in heavy obstruction!"

The light cruiser adjusted her frames. "Our allies' missile-based weaponry, sensors, and fire-control systems are certainly potent. Obtaining their secrets and incorporating their tactics will give us a step up over our enemies. But let's not forget that the technological edge has been employed both ways: the means that gave those ships an advantageous luxury is also a potential avenue of weakness. Today's incursion has demonstrated just how much our allies took their equipment for granted."

U-73 excitedly nodded in agreement. "Oh, certainly! I know it's possible for electronics to be hampered remotely, but they made it look easy! If we're to ever get or even copy their tech, we'll also need to prepare for countermeasures! The Azur Lane may already have a head-start, so the Crimson Axis's got plenty to catch-up.

"But if we ever want to understand their tech, I'm going to need more time to figure them out. There's some pieces of the puzzle that I feel like I'm missing."

Köln concurred. "There remains much to be noted of this world's military technology and the tactics involved that we have yet to observe. We should maintain surveillance until we have obtained all the necessary information. So until we do..."

Eugen gave a pleasant hum. "I see. Take the necessary time as you want; one cannot fully understand what they do not invest the pleasure to enjoy… or pretend to enjoy.

"... We will simply play pretend for our worthwhile allies a little longer."