Undisclosed location, western Usea

A spark. Then an engulfing ignition.

A faint rumble, heard but also felt. What scant birds remained to roost fled in a unanimous vote. The air stirred and sifted but there was no gale.

Then it came. A bright glare rose up from its mound, mimicking a morning sun. It rose high - then higher. And higher, until it became a star to join the rest in the heavens.

"50… 100… 500… Trajectory achieved… All systems nominal. We did it! Nu, it made it!"

Hours of high-strung tension gave way to immense relief for Beowulf π as her body slacken and slump in her station. "Whew! Weeks of nonstop work well spent. Glad Phase I is over!"

She suddenly found herself glomped by her partner. Beowulf v gave a tired but merry chuckle. "This calls for a celebration, nu! Shall I go fetch the apple cider? We still have a bottle for occasions like this."

Beowulf π shared her friend's smile as she gently nudged her off. "Yes, but in a minute. Let's make sure to pass the word to Geofon - let her and Tanager know the good news."

The submarine leaned back in her chair. Strumming her hair, Beowulf π surveyed the various displays and instruments with the luxury of a more relaxed eye. Strings of numbers stretched across the screens and dials, all dancing to her the same pleasant tune:

The OLDS system was now in orbit.

Getting such a satellite up had proven to be far easier said than done, even with the benefits of technology available to the Rose Kingdom. Wartime shortages and tight schedules were troublesome, but they paled before a new challenge that they faced.

As everyone knew, the Ulysses calamity that had once decimated nations had also given them extraordinary fruits. Secrets of the world that none had scarcely dreamt of in the days bygone. Superpowers, stable enough to withstand the cataclysm, made strides to harness these new technologies, emerging with promise of recovery and miraculous advancement.

But to gaze up at the sky was to gaze at the same sky that had once destroyed them. Like the earth below, traces of Ulysses remained in the heavens even to this day. Fragments of the asteroids, countless in number, littered the planet's orbit, wrecking havoc to anything that tried to join them. Now, to launch anything was to take into consideration this threat.

And speaking of which-

"Aaaaand there! Report done and sent, nu! Now about that bottle..."

Procuring a fine glass and accompanying cups, Beowulf v immediately went to work, uncapping the bottle with a fine popping sound. Filling the beckoning cups with fizzling delectation, the Beowulves were ready.

"To a job well done, nu!"
"To a job well done."

Their toast made, the submarines downed their celebration in one liberal gulp. Immediately the sweet flavor took hold of them and the mood.

"Hmmm… now that's some good beverage nu," Beowulf v mumbled. "Nothing like a fruit-based fermentation consumable to raise the spirits..."

"You can say that again," Beowulf π remarked as she studied the bottle's labels. "Funny to think that the non-alcohol property was achieved through irradiation on the ultraviolet spectrum... It's almost like we're consuming a laboratory vial that would risk giving us mutagenic properties. But thankfully comic book writers cannot into science like we can!"

"Nu, you can say that again." Beowulf v hiccuped. "I'll even drink to that, nu!"

"Perhaps I can be welcomed into this small party of yours?"

The two swung toward the voice, unexpectedly finding themselves not alone in the secretive gathering. Beowulf π rubbed her eyes to drive out her own stupor. She held her breath in surprise at who it was.

It was her. The one who came to them so many weeks ago. The one who shared with them a glimpse of secrets that dangled beyond their reach. The one who - for all intents and purposes - put their country in this mess.

"... It's you again. Just where have you and your friends been?"

"Busy - as are you," the woman replied with a smirk. "It's been a while indeed. What have my fellow geniuses been busy with lately? It must be… quite important given the secrecy your queen has entrusted you with."

Beowulf π kept a wary eye on her. "It is. That is precisely why you are not welcomed here."

"Oh my, how awfully cold of you..." the woman mocked with a smile. "Is this how you repay me for teaching you the operation of the Key?... Whatever happened to us being partners?"

"Your little gifts proving to be more fragile than we'd like, nu," Beowulf v retorted. "After losing two of you things you provided us with in quick succession, there's been a change in strategy. Think of it more as a reallocation towards more fruitful investment, nu."

"Ah, but what you do seems promising, if… complicated. Perhaps I can-"

Beowulf π jumped from her seat, now in open confrontation of their mysterious supplier. "Spare us your lip service. Even if you had been of great help, that was all in the past - neither you nor your friends have showed up when you were needed. We had to fight the war ourselves that you helped start."

The woman shifted to gaze at their work behind them with amusement. "... And this is how your queen… Tanager intends to end it? How ambitious."

The submarines held their ground. "... If you've come here just to offer commentary, then perhaps we don't ned your assistance. Your breed of science is extraordinary, but with the time spent studying the Key I believe we can handle ourselves."

"Nu, if there's nothing for you… then please leave."

The woman gave a playful snort. "We truly are not friends, are we…?"

The lead Beowulf took a breath before answering. "No… no we're not."

The woman looked hurt, but they saw it was an act - her smile persisted. "So sorry to hear that. It seems we won't be working together anymore… Give my regards to Tanager… to her two loyal puppets, thinking they can ever achieve victory in this unthinking war..."

The woman spared one last merry look before she finally turned to leave under the watchful glares of the Kingdom's submarines. "... But I applaud the effort. I look forward to your creation's grand debut..."

The Beowulves watched as the woman's gray coat faded to black in the shadows. Within the blink of a second, she had vanished with nary even a proof of her visit or a trace of her disappearance. The room had fallen exactly as it had before the enigmatic watcher had entered their lives today.

Their celebration was now without taste.

A playful hum accompanied U-556 as she strolled down the hall. Running along the vestiges of the base, its open-air nature presented a luxurious view outside: the shining sea, the scenic land, the bright blue sky. A backdrop like no other, a scene with no ownership to tie it down. Gazing out, she found it strange that this strange world could be so… familiar.

Something entered the corner of her vision. Turning, U-556's eyes widened. Opposite to her, she spied out the striding forms of the Rose Kingdom's "royalty" - the battleship Tanager and her advisor Geofon. Already the submarine's interest was piqued as she and her gaze followed after but only tentatively. Their aura of authority and command made the air near them cold; the carrier's especially as her icy stare and demeanor proved too much of a deterrent for the cheery submarine.

But despite this, U-556 couldn't help but be interested in them. Or more specifically, in Tanager. She had seen her before, yet in the time spent delegating all talks to her superiors she heard nothing but bad news of that battleship. U-556 would be lying if she claimed that her first impression of the Rose Kingdom's queen had not given her doubt. But at the same time, the battleship - the lone dreadnought in the age of missiles and technology - made the submarine curious. The stern demeanor, the air of command around her, the authority of power…

Could she…?

The two walked, oblivious to the submarine's presence as she closed in, talking of matters beyond her hearing. U-556 held her breath, weighing her chances…

"H-hello, Miss Tanager! Miss Geofon!"

The greeting brought the two ships to a complete stop, swiftly turning to see the little submarine approaching them with an eager face. "H-how are you two doing-"

"Leave." Geofon's unwelcoming gaze bore down onto the submarine. One word and the mood already chilled.

"E-er, I'm sorry for disturbing you, I just want to say hi!"

Tanager scrutinized the Ironblood ship as if trying to unravel who this carefree child was, who was so bold to come before her. "You… seized my attention for the sole intent to greet me…?"

U-556 nodded, half-nervous but still half-eager. "Mm-hm! I-I saw you walking around s-so I thought it'd be polite to come say hello!... Um, how are you by the way?"

Geofon turned away in impatience but Tanager's gaze remained fixed on her. "Why…?"

"Well… it's such a nice day outside! A clear sky, the clean ocean, it looks like such a pretty day to relax, doesn't it? Or a good day for sailing since a pleasant day is a good omen! Y-you know, I think I've seen something similar back where I'm from, so whenever I see the sights I can't help but be reminded of my world. I-it's kinda weird how they look so alike… i-it made me think that our worlds aren't so different… Y-you know, you also remind me of someone… someone that I r-really-"

…
The very next thing U-556 experienced was something that never once crossed her mind, never occurred to her imagination. The impossibility made her blind to it even when she saw it coming. When it happened, she had absolutely no idea how to react.

She found herself on the floor, feeling unusual. Truth be told, the closest term to describe it was emptiness, like her happiness had been torn out from within her, hollowed her out like a gourd. She felt empty as she lay stunned, save for a hot sensation that came from her cheek.

Tanager stood above her, now seemingly more imposing than before. Shaking her hand in disgust at having to touch the child, it was nothing compared to the expression that twisted her face. "Why… are you determined to waste my time with your vexations?! Who are you to seize my attention solely for your inane greeting, your worthless blubbering? Begone from my sight, you unwanted child."

Angrily, she straightened her cape and uniform before stomping away. "Geofon."

Wordlessly, the carrier followed in close file, giving the submarine the same look she gave her throughout their encounter before turning away, their meeting succinctly finalized. The two marched off without a second thought.

Still in shock, U-556 could only gape aimlessly. She tried to lift herself up but her own arms and legs felt weak, her body like lead. All she could accomplish was to sit up and be abandoned with her thoughts. Thoughts to a more happier time and encounter.

She saw it again. The shining sea, the scenic land, the bright blue sky. It was a beautiful day outside.

She recalled galloping through the halls of their headquarters. She was in a hurry. She wanted to catch up to her.

"L-lord Bismarck! Lord Bismarck!"

Bismarck turned, her sharp, almost icy blue eyes already locked onto the little submarine. Her expression remained fixed, bearing no change as befitting the iron lady that was their flagship. "Good day to you, little submarine," she greeted ever so formally.

U-556 caught up to her, breathless. She couldn't wait to keep the question within herself. "Lord Bismarck, was what you said true? Did we really get a visitor from the other world?"

"Indeed. Our guest spoke of a conflict in which our Azur Lane rivals have been entangled with. She must have sought for us to aid them."

"Was she their flagship?" U-556 asked with excitement.

Bismarck shook her head. "No. But she seemed like someone high in their chain of command. I have considered her request for aid but if we are to accept we must consider who to dispatch."

A hand shot straight up. "Oh! Request permission to volunteer in the expedition!"

Bismarck glanced down at the submarine. "You…?"

"Yes! I, U-556, am willing to tackle this important duty! Simply give me the order as my Lord and I will comply!"

The battleship's tone hinted at the amusement she felt. "If I am indeed your Lord than perhaps that makes you my knight in shining armor..." At this, U-556 could scarcely hide her blushing cheeks.

Bismarck continued, her cold inflection returning to the fore. "Regardless, the ships I require for the expedition fleet must be small but capable, a skillful dagger forged by our resolve and wielded by our acumen. Such is the way of Ironblood, and the ships we send must reflect that. Our knowledge of the other world is limited but we can safely assume it is arduous, even dangerous. A world beyond not just our borders, but our understanding; of powers rivaling ours; of adversaries and acquaintances alike. There is no telling what any one of us may see and encounter.

"The ships I choose must be made of steely determination to withstand the challenges - anything less is unacceptable. Therefore, I have but only one question for you, U-556: are you prepared?"

Under Bismarck's eagle-like watch, U-556 took a breath. She knew there was no reason to be fearful, but she knew her leader was being serious. The submarine chose to respect that earnestness in her response.

"Yes… Yes I am! N-not once have I failed my duties in service of Ironblood! Especially… e-especially..."

A hand found its way atop the submarine's blue scalp, but she found its touch warm and gentle. "I know. I know everything you have done for me on that day. Were it not for you, I would not be here, as myself. I will always be grateful, mein kleiner Parzival."

There was no way U-556 could obfuscate her reddening face, let alone the embarrassing feeling in her voice. "S-s-so am I ready…?"

"You always were."

U-556 glanced up to see a smile looking back at her. It was an expression few only had the privilege of witnessing - the rare side of her lord that by its rarity alone was something to be valued and cherished. The proof that behind a cast-iron exterior there was the hearth for a soul.

It was Bismarck's tender smile that stared back at her.

"The day I met you, the day you asked for my blessings, I knew you had great strength inside you. The day you saved me from certain death was the day you proved yourself worthy. You have nothing to lose confidence over. In fact, I was planning on including you to help lead the expedition all along."

U-556 was nearly flabbergasted. But as nervous as she felt to hear the words, she could in no way turn them down: praise from her very lord's mouth. Her cheeks still flushed, U-556 did her best to return a steady gaze.

"T-thank you very much for the praise, Lord Bismarck! I promise to do my very best and, er, be on my best behavior!"

Bismarck beamed. "I know you will. And… may I ask a small favor from you?"

U-556 tilted her head. "Sure. What would you like me to do?"

"... Please stay safe over there."

The submarine chuckled, nodding. "I will, Lord Bismarck. Submarine's honor!" A pause, before U-556 continued with a new thought. "... Do you think there'll be ships over there who're like you, Lord Bismarck?"

The battleship blinked. "What do you mean?"

"Um, people have said you're rather distant or strict, but that can't be true because deep down you have a kind heart. That's what I like about you very much! I just wonder if there'll be someone like you I can be friends with. Someone strong but gentle and warm like you!"

Bismarck smiled. "So that's what it was about… Given the possibilities, you very well may."

U-556's eyes twinkled with child-like glee. "Y-you really think so, Lord Bismarck?"

"It's possible. To be honest, I would be surprised if she was a battleship such as myself. But whoever she may be, I'm confident that you will succeed in befriending her. Strength comes not from conquering others but from mutual respect and kindness. Even the hardest iron can feel warm. Just… remember to watch over the others and stay away from mischief, verstanden?"

Throwing a quick salute, U-556 grinned from ear to ear. "Yes, my Lord!"

Regaining her steely composure, Bismarck marched off, back to business as usual. U-556 stared off into the bright sunny day, dreaming of the possibilities she would encounter in their bold incursion. She dreamed of what they would discover, dreamed of who their visitor's compatriots were like. What kind of ships did they have? Did they have any submarines like her?

More importantly, was there anyone like her lord?

Whoever she could be, U-556 looked forward to meeting her, to see the similarities...

No… she was nothing like her. The mighty stern-faced battleship was unlike her.

The memories flowed like her tears. They were meant to be a solace but she found them more to a prison for things she had hoped.

She no longer felt the emptiness within her.

Only sorrow.

Elsewhere, another pair of eyes remarked at the tranquility the bright day brought. Pleasant enough that Z23 decided to take a stroll around the Rose Kingdom harbor base.

'Hm. For a world meant to be of an entirely different time period and teeming with potent technology, this place isn't so unusual. Were it not for the flags, I might have forgotten I was in another dimension.'

"HEYYYYYYY!"

Z23 barely jumped aside before Thiassi barreled past, arms laden with bottles and jars. She ran past without even acknowledging the destroyer, chittering all the way. "Can't catch me now, quacker!"

"What is-" Before Z23 got another word off, she found herself almost shoved aside by a pursuing Eirene. "Get back here you dirty little thief!"

"Or what? Give me one of your so-called therapies?" Thiassi taunted. "Oh by the way, got this too!"

The sight caused Eirene to screech to a halt, her expression contorting and reddening in recognition of her underwear now suddenly (and somehow) dangling in the raccoon-thief's hand. She shot off, resuming her chase after Thiassi with renewed vigor and vengeance. "Give that back to me right now you dirty Aegir ship or I will give you the medical aid you never ever wanted!"

With the shouting trailing off, Z23 was left behind in the aftermath. But as she caught her breath, she felt an urgent tap on her shoulder. "Hey, are you a painter, ma'am?"

The destroyer whirled around to see it was the cruiser Metis. "Oh, it was you. Er, no I am not. I'm not sure why you thought that way."

Metis looked confused. "Really? But your hat looks a lot like what they all wear. Y'know, from the color images they themselves made, with chalk and raspberry paste."

"Er, you must be mistaken. I'm in no way an artist. I am just the destroyer Z23."

The aegis cruiser's green and purple eyes looked disappointed. "Aww… it must have lied to me then. Your hat claimed that you were one so I had to ask. Can't be too trusting of hats, I suppose. Mine keeps telling me that it's full of rabbits no matter how hard I look… Oh hey, are you a baker, ma'am?"

"No no no, there's no way she's a mere baker." Z23 spun around to hear another voice behind her. It was destroyer Taisch, covered in those strange runes Z23 could never decipher. "She must be… an artisan of high rank! So high she herself cannot even comprehend it!"

"N-no! That's not it, I'm not who you think I am!" But Z23's protest has already failed to convince the two as the seeds had already taken root in their minds. Worse still, she was now caught in an oddball sandwich.

"C'mon Taisch, don't tell me you believe what her hat says. What if she really is a baker?"
"But I've ascertained it! Her eyes as bequeathed by the Demon Lord has the sign that she far surpasses frivolous pastry art! No, the art she possesses is of a more spiritual design!"
"You think so? But wouldn't baking be just as good because of how they're able to make things not taste like what they're made up? Like, where does the salt go when it's mixed? Or the bug parts? Or the..."

With great vexation, the Ironblood destroyer wrenched herself free, running far and away as she her own terror-filled feet could take her. 'I take it back! This madhouse is unlike anything from Ironblood!'

She sprinted, not caring where she was headed nor caring whether she was being pursued or not. Heaving and wheezing, Z23 finally slowed. She dared a look back and was relieved to see no one after her. Catching her breath, the destroyer tried to clear her head. 'Ugh. What a day this has become. I should just head back to-'

A shot zipped right past her head, its harsh impact compounding her surprise. She jumped back, ill-prepared for yet another surprise this day. Blabbering in shock, Z23 stopped when she found that it was just a certain haughty twin-tailed ship of similar class - her "ally".

Z23's shock swiftly transmuted into anger. "Hey! Just what were you thinking, trying to shoot me?!"

Herne lowered her rifle, but returned the glare. "Just what were you thinking, wandering into my firing range, you idiot!"

"Your firing range? I don't recall there being one in the middle of this base!"

"There is now, you lesser ship!"

Tempers flared, the two began to stomp towards each other. But right before their enmity could collide, a hand swiftly cut in, defusing the mood with its sudden intervention. Z23 glanced up to see it was another ship - a Rose Kingdom's. She could not quite see her face but Z23 already had an idea who it was.

Same could be said for Herne who instead found displeasure. "Oh what now? Don't you have an important mission to be on or something?"

"Already taken care of. Perhaps I could ask the same of you? You were scheduled for patrol after us."

"Yeah yeah, I got it." Grumbling, Herne retracted herself from both the intervenor's grip and of her Ironblood contemporary. Shouldering her weapon, Herne turned to leave, but not before pausing to deposit some last remarks. "Better not start feeling all chummy with these bozos, like how you got all soft back at Stonehenge. I'm surprised Tanager still keeps you around. Guess you're too much of a guard dog, huh?

"... And I'll smell ya later, Zed-head." Shot made, Herne left behind Z23 as she quietly fumed. But her frustrations abated as the ship that came to her aid turned to face her.

"... Are you alright?"

Z23 averted her gaze from Raven's. "I suppose you're now expecting some form of thanks." At the sound of footsteps, she peeked to see that it was the rest of her squadron having just arrived, their identities only partially recognizable to the Ironblood destroyer.

"Raven, are you-"

"The situation has been taken care of," Raven swiftly replied, stopping Sparrow short with her hand. Turning her attention to the presence of Z23, Sparrow looked at her half-suspiciously.

"... What about her?"

Finch scratched her head. "Oh her, uh, what was her name again…?"
"Hm, your question is as good as mine," Magpie added as she took a closer gander at the ship. "Fancy outfit but nothing too remarkable or valuable I'm afraid. Her position must not pay a lot."
"Oh but she does look rather cute," Condor cooed. "Say, sweetie, what may your name be?"

"Z23, was it?" Raven began, surprising the destroyer. "I hope Herne wasn't too much trouble."

Z23 scoffed. "Her? I think there are bigger problems than just that annoying brat! Namely the fact that you Aegir schiffsmädchen are proving troublesome to work with! In fact, what's up with that? I wonder how this Rose Kingdom remains cohesive with such infighting!

"... I heard about this group," Z23 continued. "You're flagship Tanager's crack team, are you not? Her fleet's proud elite, the Aquila Vanguard? I find it hard to believe your intentions could be any different from those of the kommandantin you serve, abiding to this sense of exclusion that look down on outsiders."

Raven said nothing, her visage hard to read for the destroyer. By contrast, her words had provoked the others to shift uncomfortably where they stood.

"... We're not..."
"Hm. You got something." Raven tapped the base of her cheek and mimicking the mirrored motion, Z23 realized a slight blemish that had slipped her notice until now. Raven stepped forward but the destroyer recoiled away. "I-it's nothing. Must have been because of what that dummkopf did earlier. I-"

"Sparrow, your handkerchief."

The cruiser in question was taken aback by the request. Her gaze shifted between her squadron leader and the Ironblood destroyer but it wasn't long before she complied without objection. Reaching into her bomber jacket, Sparrow fished out a light-colored cloth, folded with hardly a wrinkle. It was unlike any other Z23 had seen but she noted the tenderness that went in its transfer.

"Here." Before Z23 could even react to Raven's advance, it happened. One gentle wipe, ending as quickly and suddenly as it had begun. A faint scent of perfume tingled her nose.

Raven stepped back, nodding in approval at her handiwork. Deed done, she returned the handkerchief (whilst seemingly oblivious of the now-jealous look of her wingman). "Better. It's not much… but I hope it's a start."

Z23 was unsure how to react, what to say. The uncertainty made her squirm. She found herself unwilling - no, unable - to look into Raven's eyes.

"There you are."

Z23 turned to find (to her relief) the familiar sights of Prinz Eugen, Admiral Hipper, and Köln.

"Hmph. Just what were you doing, wandering aimlessly?" Hipper narrowed her eyes. "And just who might they be?"

Before Z23 could even begin to explain, Hipper tugged her back to perceived safety among them. In doing so, clear boundaries were drawn between the Ironblood ships and the Rose Kingdom cruisers. Divisions made, none were any interested in violating it.

Raven stared at each of the newcomers, gauging less their potential but more their appearances. The Ironblood ships took notice of her looks, anticipating a response.

"... So you're from the other world, of an earlier time period. It's a pleasure to meet you all."

Hipper leered at the Aquila leader, unconvinced. "Whatever. Z23, we're leaving. I've seen enough of those Aegir upstarts for today."

Gripping her shoulders, the blonde steered the destroyer away. Helpless, all Z23 could do was sneak a rearward glance.

The Aquila Vanguard made no moves, seemingly content with being left behind. But she could see a different story written in all their faces. Downtrodden looks, born from mistaken neglect. The rejection had hurt them and Z23 couldn't help but empathize. She realized now: despite their differences, they had meant well.

Raven caught her glance, but this time Z23 made sure not to turn away. She could spare only a split-second before her group turned a corner, stepping out of sight.

A small smile crept on Raven's lips, a consolation. When she met eyes with the destroyer, she understood it, the message from the intent.

'Not much of a "thank you"... But I'll take it.'

It wasn't much. But it was a start.