"Norfolk, connect me to Bermuda immediately." Isaac spoke as he busted through the door of her bridge, interrupting a conversation between Bismarck and Norfolk.
"Commander? Is everything alright?" Norfolk asked.
"What you picked up was Strength fighting Tirpitz, her fleet, and the Missouri. And Tirpitz has reported the death of Strength's Enforcer, like XIV." Isaac said, perking Bismark up upon hearing her sister's name.
"Kommandant." Bismarck spoke in a tone that Isaac had heard once before.
"I know. But first we need to warn Bermuda and order an evacuation. If Strength wants revenge, that's where she'll go." Isaac reasoned.
"I lost her once. I will not allow her to be ripped from me again." Bismarck growled.
"I know. But bear with me. Tirpitz reported that the only loss was the Missouri, which is being towed back to Bermuda. No severe damage or injuries were reported." Isaac said.
Bismarck's glare did not subside as she got in Isaac's face.
"Where is my sister?" Bismarck asked.
"She's putting distance between her fleet and South America. She said she'd be here in a few days. Now stand down and relax, or I will have you restrained." Isaac spoke, using the tone he took when interrogating Oceana.
Bismarck didn't react, but stepped aside, allowing Isaac to pick up the receiver. Isaac turned to face Norfolk, who gave him the thumbs up.
"Bermuda, this is Admiral Garner. Respond." Isaac ordered.
"Commander, this is Washington. Ranger is unavailable right now, so I can receive your call." Washington replied.
"I am giving you express permission, and a direct order to initiate an island wide evacuation. Load up who you can and get out of there. Also, I know that there is a Matrix there. Have Akashi uproot it and take it with you." Isaac ordered.
"Woah. Woah. Woah. What?" Washington asked.
"Evacuate Bermuda, now." Isaac condensed.
"Why? Nothing is going on." Washington argued.
"Strength has become an active threat, and she is the Arbiter that is controlling South America, a stones throw away from you. Tirpitz engaged her and now there is a real chance that she will attack Bermuda in retaliation for the death of her Enforcer." Isaac said.
"Oh... fuck. Alright. I am issuing the order now, Commander." Washington said as Isaac heard a siren spin to life in the background of the call.
"I heard from a semi-reliable source that Gibraltar is the location of a decent pocket of resistance. I want you to head there posthaste. Anyone who tries to stop you... deal with them." Isaac ordered.
"Yes, Sir. It will be done." Washington spoke before cutting the line.
"Kommandant." Bismarck spoke again.
"I get it, you're worried about her. Do you think I'm not as well?" Isaac asked without looking at her.
"We should send a division out to receive her. This part of the ocean is pretty much Siren free due to your efforts." Bismarck suggested.
"Bismarck. I understand your feelings. But as much as we would like to believe that we are safe here, this is the front line. Anywhere north of here is liable to have Drone fleets and Siren Elites roaming about looking for us. We can't just split the fleet without cause." Isaac said.
"Is my sister not worth a few ships to escort her in?!" Bismarck cried.
Isaac tried to formulate a response but was unable to give her a proper answer. He sighed as he allowed himself to sit in his chair.
"Who would you suggest? We need your sister and her forces to bolster our attack on the Philippines." Isaac said.
"Nimi, Kitakaze and Helena. Those three are fast and can easily meet Tirpitz halfway." Bismarck suggested.
"Fine. I'll send them out." Isaac said as he nodded to Norfolk, who gave the order on his behalf.
"What will we do now?" Norfolk asked after she hung up the receiver.
"I need to plan. Norfolk, call Enterprise, Vengeance, and Odin." Isaac said.
"Shall I also call Amagi and her entourage?" Norfolk asked.
"Yes. I need their expertise." Isaac said as he turned to Bismarck.
"You and your sister will be staying on shore bombardment duty once we reach the Philippines. So you will have to stay as well." Isaac said.
"Shore... bombardment?" Bismarck asked.
"Oh... right. You were never meant for that kind of combat. You were meant to take on shipping and convoy fleets. Basically, you and your sister will be sitting close to shore and your guns will be called upon to clear out entrenched enemies or to destroy targets of interest. You won't be coming ashore this time. Besides, with Odin and Friedrich coming shoreside with me, I need someone with leadership experience to coordinate the big guns. Enterprise will lead carrier forces offshore. Other than that, I need to see who is going where." Isaac said.
"Ah. So this seems to be something that the Union is more attuned to." Bismarck said.
"Well... we did take the Pacific. Shore assaults on all of the islands were a fact of life." Isaac explained.
"I see. Well, it shouldn't be too difficult to hit a stationary target." Bismarck said.
"That's the spirit." Isaac said as Amagi and Co. walked onto the bridge, followed by Friedrich, Odin, Vengeance and Enterprise.
"You called for us, Commander?" Enterprise asked.
"I did. We must plan for the upcoming assault. This will be a big task considering that this is the first Elite that this fleet has faced... aside from Strength." Isaac said.
"Strength? Who engaged her?" Enterprise asked.
"Tirpitz and the Missouri apparently." Isaac said as he ran his hand through his hair.
"I see..." Enterprise said, showing that she also knew of Strength's temperament.
"Tirpitz and her forces survived the encounter and Bermuda is being evacuated in lieu of a pending revenge attack. That aside, the Philippines. Amagi, you're up." Isaac said.
"Of course, Admiral." Amagi said as she stepped forward.
Amagi looked throughout the room before speaking.
"We, as in myself and these three..." Amagi started, gesturing to Michael, Wilhelm, and Ben.
"... survived for almost three months in the waters of the Philippines. They are very dangerous, as Tester has increased the number of patrols she is using to detect movement within the islands. We managed to survive by sticking to the fog that forms frequently within the island gaps. The fog is extraordinarily thick and can muffle sounds as well as obscure vision. It is a double edged sword is you wish to do anything besides a full on assault. That said, we believe that we nailed down Tester's position one night when we got a bit too close to the island of Cebu. She has taken up fortifications towards the center of Cebu. Historical data that was gathered during the war says that these fortifications are known as Fort San Pedro. It is heavily defended by a massive drone fleet along with the civilians being held hostage by Sirens." Amagi said.
"Do the sirens have a designation?" Odin interrupted.
"I don't know. But they can't be any more powerful than a destroyer. I have destroyed plenty of them during out time there." Amagi said.
"It sounds like the Explorers." Odin said as she looked at Isaac.
"Agreed. Damn explorers. No matter where we go, the Sirens have influence." Isaac said.
"Also, the seas surrounding the islands are home to pirates, loyal, in theory, to the sirens. We have taken to destroying them as well." Michael spoke up.
"Pirates, huh? Anything else?" Isaac asked.
"Not that we have seen, but if you have faced anything in addition, we would like to know." Amagi proposed.
"Of course. We have discovered that a small portion of the population have, for lack of better terms, begun worshiping the Sirens as God. These... cultists, as we call them, will fight to the death to earn the praise of their so-called gods. That's why I have had to return here to New Guinea. I left troops here, and seeing how only 94% are still alive... It seems that the Cultists had one last push in them." Isaac said, looking at the piles of white cloth outside the medical tent in port.
"I see. How will you bolster your troops? I only see two transport ships, and the campaign you're thinking of attempting would take the entire Union fleet and it's support." Amagi said.
"Nope. I have you." Isaac said, only now noticing a massive bruise on Ben's neck. He made a mental note to keep him after the briefing.
"Me, Admiral?" Amagi questioned.
"Not you specifically, but you, the Kansens. Everyone here has rigging that can be used separate from your vessels. So, most of the battleships, save for Bismarck, Tirpitz and a select few, will be coming ashore with me to act as a supplement to my armored forces that Macarthur commands." Isaac said.
"Ah. And I guess those that stay behind will perform bombardment duties?" Amagi asked.
"You catch on quickly." Isaac said.
"Admiral... you said 'coming ashore with me'... does that mean you fight on the ground?" Michael asked.
"That I do. I fight from the front... much to the distain of my fleet." Isaac said as Norfolk plopped down in his lap.
"We don't like it because you're reckless." Norfolk pouted.
"Being safe doesn't win wars, Norfolk." Isaac said as he ruffled her hair.
"You almost had your head taken off the last time you were here." Norfolk monotoned.
"Yeah... but I had your helmet to defend me. And I am still here because of it." Isaac said.
Norfolk huffed but remained planted on his lap.
"What about us, Admiral?" Michael asked.
"You're a sniper, no?" Isaac asked.
"I am. In addition to being a captain to the Amagi." Michael clarified.
"I get that. No need to feel like I'm stepping on toes. Anyway, I would like you to scout out the island of Cebu. You'll be airlifted in with Helena as your backup." Isaac said.
"Who will fly them?" Bismarck asked.
"Jager will. They have faith in his flying abilities, so as a sign of good faith, I will allow him to fly this mission in the Catalina." Isaac said.
"The Catalina, Kommandant?" Wilhelm asked.
"It's a converted boat plane used by this fleet for scouting missions and light troop transport. Considering that the only carriers here capable of even attempting to launch a C-47 would be Richthofen and Enterprise and they don't even know how to produce them... we don't have much in the way of options for an airdrop." Isaac said.
"Hmm. May I inspect the aircraft after this briefing?" Wilhelm asked.
"Of course. She can house 6 jumpers if needed. And Odin has pioneered the tactic of using Kansen rigging to arm the craft, so I can add another Kansen to your mission to give you some form of protection for the way in." Isaac said.
"That might help. But either way, the mission will succeed." Wilhelm said.
"I hope so." Isaac said.
"What about me, Sir?" Ben asked.
"You're with me on the ground. We're going to storm the fort with the troops and Kansen to ensure the destruction of Tester Beta before capturing the city and locking down the islands." Isaac said.
"Short, simple, and sweet. Just how I like it." Ben said.
"Enterprise, you shall lead our carriers in airstrikes and aid where needed. I leave the support missions to your discretion. Just be ready to sortie when I call." Isaac said.
"Understood, Sir." Enterprise said as everyone looked at Isaac.
"This is a big operation. Rest up and be ready for when Tirpitz arrives. We ship out the moment she arrives. Everyone but Ben is dismissed." Isaac said as everyone filed out of the room.
"Did I do something, Sir?" Ben asked.
Isaac nodded to Norfolk and she quickly ran down into the lower levels of her vessel to give Isaac some privacy.
"No. What happened to your neck?" Isaac asked bluntly.
"I... fell." Ben said.
"Bullshit. That bruise is the perfect shape of a hand. Did something happen between you and California last night?" Isaac asked.
Ben remained silent.
"I won't intervene if you don't want me to. But that is one nasty bruise." Isaac said.
"I'm fine, and so is she." Ben said.
"Is she going to hurt you?" Isaac asked.
"No." Ben said shortly.
"Alright. If you say so. Just... be careful. Some of them may not know their own strength." Isaac said as Ben turned for the door.
"Do you need anything else, Sir?" Ben asked.
"No... you're dismissed." Isaac said as Ben closed the door behind him.
"What an odd guy." Isaac thought to himself as he contemplated the coming days.