"We're approaching the enemy fleet. They're right on the edge of my radar range." Enterprise spoke as the clouds kept their planes hidden from view.
"How many are we talking?" Eagle asked, her Albacores reducing speed to just above stalling to hang back from the air fleet.
"It looks to be a sizable fleet , maybe 100 or so ships in total. Although I am getting some weird readings." Enterprise said.
"Weird readings?" Illustrious asked, keeping her Swordfish back with Eagle's Albacores.
"Yes. They aren't like the normal drones I've seen." Enterprise explained.
"Are they battleship class?" Richthofen asked, her hand on the dial of her radio to report to Odin.
"No… they're some kind of cruiser." Enterprise said as she held a hand to her eyes, seeing a section of cruisers surrounding the water between Nonoc Island and Hinatuan Island.
"That looks like about 20 of these strange cruisers, Richthofen." Enterprise spoke.
"And the rest?" Richthofen asked.
"Twenty carriers, Thirty destroyers, and Thirty Battleships… wait… fifteen Normal Battleships. Fifteen modified Battleships." Enterprise said, going off of the description given to the carriers by Norfolk.
"So not only will we have to use these Wisdom Dust weapons, but now we have to deal with a new threat?" Graf Zeppelin asked.
"It seems so." Enterprise said as the sky opened above the enemy fleet, revealing them to the enemy.
Not even a second after Enterprise's first plane left the clouds, the modified cruisers opened up with an AA suite that was uncharacteristic of the Sirens.
"Evade!" Enterprise barked as the air group scattered under the force of the Cruiser force's AA.
"A solid beam?! Where are they getting the power for that?!" Eagle cried.
"No shielding, nor the ability to move." Vengeance spoke up.
"You know about it?" Enterprise asked as she dodged out of the way of the moving beam.
"Yes. Tester has been credited with the creation of the Super Battleship class of drones, which we faced in the First Battle of Australia." Vengeance explained.
"Super Battleship Class?" Enterprise asked as she and the rest of the air fleet weaved to continue avoiding the solid rays of energy being projected by the modified cruisers.
"Impenetrable shields and devastating firepower. The tradeoff being that those drones can't move very fast. And when they activate their shields, they cannot move at all." Vengeance explained further.
"Do you have anything on these cruisers?!" Eagle cried as several of her Albacore's were shredded by the beams and sent spiraling down into the ocean.
"I only have a small portion of the data, as there are two variants of this cruiser." Vengeance said.
"Let's back off. We can't lose any more planes until we know what we're fighting." Enterprise ground out as two of her Skyraiders had their wings shorn off.
"Understood." Richthofen and the others replied as they all shot off in different directions, splitting the AA of the cruisers below before ascending higher into the clouds.
Several seconds after the last planes entered the clouds, the beams of energy stopped.
Enterprise breathed a sigh of relief as they all maintained a circle in the large cloud formation.
"Vengeance, can you explain these cruisers?" Enterprise asked.
"Yes. These are what Tester likes to call 'Anti- Aircraft Cruisers.' There is another version of this cruiser, called a 'Radar Cruiser.' As their names suggest, These are Anti-Air Cruisers, specializing in the utter decimation of any and all Aircraft. Similar to your CIWS system, Enterprise." Vengeance said.
"You know about my AA?" Enterprise asked.
"Of course I do. I'm a Siren. I've FACED it before." Vengeance spoke, a hint of disdain for the system in question.
"Isn't it an AA gun? How did a Battleship class Siren face that?" Eagle asked.
"We had completely destroyed that timeline's Enterprise's flight deck, rendering her all but useless. That said, upon my approach to deal the final blow… she shot me to hell with those CIWS cannons, tearing my rigging to shreds." Vengeance recalled.
"This is hurting my head a bit…" Illustrious said softly.
"Nevermind the story, just know that those cruisers are Tester's way of making something beyond the CIWS system." Vengeance said dismissively.
"And the radar cruisers?" Enterprise asked as Richthofen wrote down everything Vengeance said.
"They were just beginning the experiments right before I deserted. If I had to guess, they are still being tested in the Far North." Vengeance said.
"Northern Parliament?" Enterprise asked.
"Yes. Tester sent a small fleet of them North to Purifier to help her shut down the resistance of the remaining Northern Parliament forces. I'm assuming that is why we haven't received hardly any transmissions from the Kansens to the North." Vengeance said as the air group fell silent.
"Do you know their abilities?" Enterprise spoke up.
"No. But I have to assume by their name that they have an overly advanced Radar system, allowing for enhanced detection. Normal hindrances would be negated, such as heavy fog, and even small pieces of land." Vengeance said.
"Alright… please report that to the Admiral if you have not already. After that… we have a job to do. Come hell or high water, we will draw out this fleet. The main fleet needs this pathway cleared so the Admiral can land the invasion forces." Enterprise spoke.
"Understood." The remaining carriers replied.
"Isaac." Odin said as she gathered Vengeance's report.
"Hmm?" Isaac asked as he slowly sat up, wincing a bit as the dull pain spread across his chest.
"Vengeance has sent a report. 5% of the air wave has been destroyed by a modified cruiser class of drone vessel. In addition, Modified Battleship class drones have been redesignated as Super Battleship class. And the Modified cruisers in this enemy formation are being Designated as Anti-Air Cruisers. Vengeance reports that, like the Super Battleships, these cruisers have abilities that rob them of mobility, but these cruisers are nearly 100% impervious to airborne attacks, as their AA complement is enforced by a solid beam of directed energy." Odin reported.
"I see. So those cruisers are going to be the real threat for the air assault. Can they evade?" Isaac asked.
"They have done so for the most part, but the 5% loss was the result. If we don't hurry and reach the Philippines, they'll have no planes left to assist in wiping out the remaining fleet upon our arrival." Odin said.
"Understood. Then we shall up the speed. Take the fleet to twenty-five knots. I believe Texas and Australia can keep up with us at that rate." Isaac said.
"Aye." Texas's voice was heard from the hall.
"Texas?" Isaac asked.
"Howdy there, Admiral." Texas said as she stepped inside the Med Bay.
"To what do I owe the pleasure?" Isaac asked.
"Just wanted to go for a walk. I know we're headed to the Philippines and all, but I still get a bit cramped walking the same rounds, you know?" Texas explained.
"I see. Not a problem. Just be ready. Apparently we have some new threats to watch out for. Our air wing has engaged a new type of cruiser." Isaac explained.
"Understood, Admiral. Also… I take a bit of exception to the tone you took a few seconds ago." Texas said with a hand on her hip.
"Exception?" Isaac asked.
"My new vessel may look old, but I packed a lot of power into it. I can do twenty-five knots, hell, even thirty. Don't doubt my abilities, Admiral." Texas proclaimed.
"I see. That's what you took offense with." Isaac muttered.
"Pay it no mind, but make sure it doesn't happen again, Admiral." Texas said as she looked at Isaac.
"How is the rest of the fleet? Odin's been here with me for a while." Isaac asked.
"The fleet is fine, Admiral. Although, I will say… you look better. You should get out of here and get ready yourself." Texas said.
"I agree. What's our distance?" Isaac asked.
"150 miles. We are well within the Drone force's strike range." Texas said.
"I see. Odin, patch me through to the fleet." Isaac ordered.
"You're on, Isaac." Odin said as she put a hand on his shoulder.
"All Hands. General Quarters. We are closing in on the Philippine Islands. Enterprise and the other carriers have already engaged the enemy and are working tirelessly to draw them out. We need to be ready to engage the moment we enter the area." Isaac said as he walked to an empty area of the med bay and closed a curtain.
Several seconds later, he reappeared wearing his armor.
"Alright girls. Topside. We have work to do." Isaac said as he left the medical bay with Odin and Texas in tow.
"Wake up." Eugen spoke sternly to the female hunter.
"Nng…" The hunter spoke.
"Wake up." Eugen repeated.
"Wah… where the hell?" The female hunter asked as Eugen put her hand over the woman's mouth.
"Shut your mouth. We can't be found. Are you locals?" Eugen asked as Michael put his hand on her shoulder.
"Eugen, please. You and Atago practically kidnapped these three. Let them know we aren't here to hurt them." Michael spoke.
The woman's breathing slowed as she slowly comprehended her surroundings.
Eugen uncovered her mouth.
"Are you locals?" Eugen asked slowly.
"We're just local hunters. We got permission from the Wolfpack to continue hunting to feed our families." The woman said.
"The wolfpack?" Eugen asked, visualizing several U-boats in formation.
The woman grimaced.
"The Siren's footmen." The hunter said as their ears were assaulted by the sound of an explosion.
"Looks like we're too late to interrogate them. Hey, you three. Get back to your towns. Try to quietly evacuate as many people as you can." Michael said.
"What? Why?" The Female asked.
"Apollyon is on his way. There will be collateral damage. Evacuate. Now."