Note of the Author: I'm not very fluent in English; I have certainly made some mistakes at an end of another. There's no point in pointing out my mistakes, if you don't explain to me why I was wrong.

Darklight of the 0 arcana: Yes, I have read the manga. Now, I'm not Ark Performance, it's not "Arpeggio of blue steel", but a fan's made crossover write in English by a French author. Sorry, don't expect perfection (ars longa, vita brevis est).

ITalkToSky: Thank!

Akasha Bloodriver: Pour Drake, cela m'a semblé évident. Un Servant capable de vaincre une Invincible Armada et qui soit canoniquement invoqué par le Moon Cell, la bonne réponse était évidente. Invocation ? Pourquoi tu ne lirais pas tout de suite ce nouveau chapitre ?

Ultima-Owner: I hope so.

Daemon of Crawling Tentacles: Thank? It's most strange compliment I've ever received...

Daureod: There's a lot of fanfiction about Hakuno, but I've always found it strange that she would enter in this new universes all happy and without focusing too much on her past. She's just out of a battle-royal that only had two survivors... and she's a sixteen-year-old girl. I don't think she's taking this well.

Student: Thank ! I hope you like the rest of the story.

The Fighting Cardinal

Hakuno Kishinami opened her eyes and sat down before rubbing his eyes. Around her, the night reigned. The wind bore the damp smell of the sea. She stood up to grab the railing around the gazebo. Her eyes roam the night ocean. First, the girl saw nothing but the phosphorescent water that surrounded the bow. Then adjustments were made in her. Occupying the body of a Mental Model made up of nano-machines, Hakuno could now see into the deepest night.

During his sleep, the sea had increased and the wind was blowing. A storm was brewing. As Hakuno wondered where the MN Surcouf was, a virtual screen appeared in front of her showing several maps on various scales... from the position on a world map to a reduced-scale map of the English Channel.

While the teen girl was sailing between the different menus that gave her access to the Surcouf controls, she noticed a change in "communications". The submarine cruiser had lost access to the Fog's real-time tactical interface. She frowned, taking on a rather adorable look of discontent. This break in ties with the rest of the Fog units worried her. Her instinct - forged by seven weeks of fighting in the Moon Cell- informed her that it was a measure of mistrust, perhaps even hostility, towards her.

Mechanically, Hakuno rubbed her arms. Her new body did not really feel the cold and the chill that had just passed through it was not due to the night temperature. It was more a reaction to her sudden sense of vulnerability. All of a sudden, she didn't want to be exposed to the elements as much.

Hakuno Kishinami lifted up the access hatch and descended the ladder, which was sinking into the depths of the Surcouf. However, things had changed in her sleep. The empty rooms, as if abandoned, now housed consoles and seats designed for a human crew. The screens were working, displaying various colored interfaces, or images from the outside. Of course, no one other than her was there to fill the various positions.

More strange... some of the walls were lined with crystalline cubes. Some seemed solid, while others resembled holographic projections. As she stared at one of the groups, she saw two of the crystals change place and state, moving from material to immaterial.
Photonic Crystal...

The Moon Cell had colonized the Surcouf to transform her into an extension of itself and especially adapt her to the needs of her new captain.

Hakuno Kishinami breathed an audible sigh and shook her head. She didn't really know why, but the attentions of the Moon Cell bothered her. Maybe it was just because she came to hate the computer monster that killed so many people in the Grail Wars. Or maybe all those empty chairs reminded her of her loneliness. Chasing away these thoughts that threatened to make her cry again, Hakuno showed a resolute face and sat in the commander's place.
If the winner of the Grail War, and Master of Archer, had learned one thing from the battles won, it was that information was the key to any victory. If the Fog was hostile she had to know why and get information about the intentions of this mysterious armada.
- It's always best to ask the question directly, isn't it?


In the eastern Atlantic, just south of Ireland, operated a fleet formed by the battleship MN Paris, the carrier MN Béarn, the cruiser MN Suffren, the light cruisers MN Émile Bertin and MN Jeanne d'Arc, the MN La Tour d'Auvergne mine anchor, as well as several smaller vessels, torpedo and avisos, having neither Klein's field nor Mental Model.
This squadron followed the fast battleship MN Richelieu, the most powerful ship of the "French" fleet of the Fog.

With a displacement of 47,600 metric tons, and a length of 248 meters, the original had been one of the most powerful battleships of the Second World War... Ironically, he served the Vichy regime and then operated as an escort from 1943 to 1944 when his presence in the Atlantic convoys deterred any exit from the last surface units of the Third Reich. Sent to the Pacific in 1945, it was too late to prove useful. Apart from some coastal bombardments, he did not participate in any combat operations during the Second War.

The version created by the Fog was based on the modernization operated in 1943, in the United States, the MN Richelieu therefore had neither seaplanes nor hangar to shelter them, receiving in return an air artillery reinforced with respect to the initial configuration of the battleship.

Its "historic" armament therefore consisted of eight 380 mm pieces in two quadruple turrets, nine 130 mm pieces in three triple turrets, twelve 100 mm anti-aircraft pieces in six double turrets, fourteen anti-roll sharpeners 40 mm quadruple aerial, eight 37 mm anti-aircraft pieces in two quadruple turrets, forty-eight single 20 mm anti-aircraft guns, sixteen anti-aircraft machine guns in four quadruple turrets.

If these weapons kept the appearance of World War II guns and machine guns, the heaviest pieces could fire shells, lasers or plasma projectiles. Whereas - below the size of 40 mm - the weaker parts fired only lasers.
Of course, the space freed up by the absence of a 1,550-man crew made it possible to install other weapons. First, a gravitonnic cannon, more powerful than that of the Surcouf which occupied the entire length of the battleship. Next, a 160-tube VLS missile launcher!

As the "French" fleet flagship of the Fog, the MN Richelieu had three Delta cores, each with its own Mental Model. Identical in appearance, they looked like beautiful young girls with long grey hair. Like all their sisters, these Mentals Models had developed "human" personalities without ever having met real humans. It was no surprise that the result was rather strange...

Richelieu 1 walked over the bridge, dressed in a scarlet robe worn under a breastplate, the rapier at the side.
- In battle we must win or perish, the cardinal purple is that of the Roman emperors.
The Mental Model stopped in front of a painting depicting Armand Jean du Plessis, Cardinal de Richelieu, at the siege of La Rochelle. The dress worn by the famous prime minister of King Louis XIII on this painting was, of course, inspired that of the Mental Model.
- Like Cardinal de Richelieu, we must use all weapons at our disposal, including hunger, to make the rebels give in. God is my right!
- The sky can hear you.

The answer came from Richelieu 2. Kneeling before a Catholic altar, she prayed to a Christ on the cross. Unlike her sister, she was dressed as a cardinal. Around her, several robots dressed as children of choirs, activated in a mock church's service.
Hands together, Richelieu 2 raised his eyes to the face of Jesus.
- I only hope that it will not be necessary to color the blood.
A sniffle of contempt greeted this reply. Richelieu 3, dressed as a lady of the court of King Louis XIII, waved his fan.
- Above all, I wonder how you are going to "starve" the Surcouf Mental Model.
- It was a picture, replied Richelieu 1.

The situation was about to - once again- degenerate into an open dispute. Richelieu 2 was preparing to intervene and play his role as mediator between his sisters, when the three Mental Models of the Richelieu came to a standstill.
- The rebel is calling us. Are we answering?
- Waste of time, grumbled number 3.
- I rise against your lack of pity, we must listen to the sinner's complaints, countered No 2.
Richelieu 1 smiles.
- Two to three, the majority wins.

A large virtual screen appeared above the bridge, displaying Hakuno Kishinami, her long brown hair falling on her shoulders, still dressed in the uniform of Tsukumihara Academy, and black pantyhose. Her face was frozen, with no apparent emotion, but her immense eyes seemed to contain stars.

Immediately a real cacophony greeted him, each of the Model Mental, speaking simultaneously:
- Rebelle...
- My daughter...
- Um, what looks like?
-... do you come...
-... I'm ready to...
- Finally, I am sure that with makeup and nice clothes...
- ... offer your submission?
-... listening to your confession.
- ... something could be gained.

Hakuno blinked twice before to tilt the head. She had understood nothing of what the trio had said and was rather perplexed. The following reaction of the Mental Models ended to confuse her:
- So cuteeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!
All three had just shouted in unison.
- Cute?
What did she do right that they came to her like that? Finally, sometimes Rin also acted strangely when she got too close. While reflecting, Hakuno tilted her head again, without noticing.

- Stop it, you'll kill me!
-A cute little squirrel!
- Can we keep her? I'm sure if we ask Yamato nicely, she'll agree!
It took a few minutes for Richelieu 1 to restore order to her camp. After making Hakuno promise not to tilt his head so much, the conversation could resume... finally really start.


About an hour later...
Richelieu 1 passed a weary hand over her eyes. This... Hakuno Kishinami wasn't the talkative type, you literally had to take the words out of her mouth.
- So, your name is Hakuno Kishinami you are an A.I. created in... another universe by a giant supercomputer that occupies the inside of the Moon. And you managed to escape here after that... Moon Cell tried to erase you. All you remember next is becoming a Mental Model.
The strange girl with wavy brown hair and eyes nodded.
- Yes.

Richelieu One sighed.
- Okay, let's say I believe you...
The story was hard enough to admit, but at the same time, Richelieu was herself an alien A.I., not really for her to doubt a narrative of this kind.

- Let's say... I have orders of the Supreme Flagship Yamato, I must destroy the MN Surcouf and capture you. Either you turn yourself in unapologetically, and everyone will be fine, or we'll have to force you to come with us.
With his hands tight on his chest, Hakuno shook his head with an air of defiance.

Richelieu 1 looked up.
- I see you don't trust me.
- No.
- Given what you have said, I can understand... However, my orders do not leave much room for interpretation. Either you surrender... or I'll get you. what do you choose?
Hakuno lowered his head, staring at the ground in front of her, like a grounded child.

- Sorry...

The image is gone. This caused a new sigh of Richelieu 1... Quickly smothered by the other two Mental Models who had just jumped on her.
- You should be ashamed of your behaviour, sister; a Christian must convert the pagan to save their souls. You cannot leave the innocent promised to eternal damnation! Pray that you will be absolved of your sins.
- Sob... sob... evil sis... sister I WANT THE LITLLE SQUIRREL!
- Get it together! You are the A.I. of a WARSHIP! We have orders! I'm going to report to the Supreme Flagship Yamato, take advantage of this to regain your wits.


Off the coast of France, two groups of ships were preparing for a clamp attack on the MN Surcouf. One included only four ships: two La Melpomène-class torpedoes and two Vaulequin-class destroyers, and therefore no Mental Model. The other was more interesting, the light cruiser Colbert and the heavy cruiser Algerie, the latter being the only representative of her class.

The Mental Model Colbert was a young woman with half-long, embossed hair, who looked like the archetype of a good family girl with a bit of a grudge. However, influenced by the mentality of the French statesman whose name she bore - Jean-Baptiste Colbert, finance minister of Louis XIV- she was one of the most rational A.I. of the "French" fleet of the Fog.

In other words, she did not like having Algerie as her superior. Dressed as a odalisque, smoking hookah, this Arab beauty rested on a pile of cushions, seeming perfectly happy with herself.

The only good thing about Algerie was that she willingly left Colbert the entire tactical organization of their flotilla. So she was the one who imagined the manoeuvre under way. In fact, she was quite proud of it. If the Surcouf were to dive, the escorts could grenade the submersible. If he tried to confront them, the two cruisers would engage him. And if she attacked them- a madness, moreover, given the difference in firepower- the other ships would make sure to block her escape.
Colbert smiles confidently.
With such superior numbers and tonnage, she had nothing to fear!


Far from it, in the Photonic Abyss of the Moon Cell.

The Main Core Area looked like a surface covered in water, here and there stone pillars emerged as if at random, others were lying... pillars or coffins? The image was oppressive. In the middle, a pile of these monuments recalling the death of the Masters killed by Twice formed the highest structure emerging from the water. It was just below a huge unfinished crystal cube, showing a sphere of golden light.
This one started to pulsate on a fast pace.

0101 MCA: Threat to the Moon's inheritor detected 10110
0011 ACM: Threat Assessment0001
0000 MCA: In progress... 0010
0100 MCA: In progress... 1000
1110 ACM: Evaluation Completed 0110
1100 ACM: Threat Level:2 0010
1111 ACM: Search for an appropriate countermeasure 0010
0000 MCA: In progress... 0001
0011 MCA: Invocation of Heroic Spirit Francis Drake 0010
1001 MCA: Invocation... 1101
1011 MCA: 5% completed... 11101
10111 MCA: 15% completed... 110111
11101011 ACM: 35% completed... 0011011
111011 MCA: 55% completed... 01100
110011 MCA: 75% completed...11000
110001 MCA: 95% completed...011111
111101 Initialization 1000111


On the ground, in the middle of the central station of the MN Surcouf, a pentacle of blue light appeared. The complex design had a six-pointed star in the centre between two concentric kinds of patterns filled the different "boxes" formed by these lines. There were circles with strange signs, all different, scrolls that could be writing, arrows and triangles.

Particles of light blue light emerged from the pentacle, agglomerating to form a human silhouette that appeared to rise from the invocation circle. After acquiring arms and legs, she solidified herself into a woman dressed in high boots going up to the mid-thighs. The pirate was wearing a red scarf as a belt, and a largely low-cut shirt leaving her shoulders bare and half of the... this...

Hakuno, who had looked at the invocation, turned away his eyes, blushing, at the sight of what was moving freely under the fabric. And yes, in the Elizabethan era the bra had not been invented... which did not prevent it from being... indecent.

A woman with her pink hair in a ponytail, very beautiful, in spite of the blindfold that she wore to the left eye and the scar that showed her face on this side, was now standing before Hakuno.
- Girlie, it's good to see you again.
The Japanese girl, largely dominated in size and musculature, rubbed her shoulder, which had just received a friendly slap from the Servant.
- Rider!
- The pirate of the cape Good Hope, The woman who shot the sun, the one and only.
While responding enthusiastically to Hakuno, Rider (or to give him her real name Francis Drake) looked with interest around her.

- So you robed a ship belonging to this "Fog", all by yourself! Hats off, kiddo. I always knew we could do something with you.
- You know about...
- Yeah, the Fog, that ship... I know everything, the Moon Cell put me in the head of everything I needed to know to become your new Servant.
She touched her temple with her finger.
- But it's still a little hard to swallow... a battleship submarine capable of flying... serious?

The arrival of Drake had amazed Hakuno, who really did not expect to see an old enemy appear. However, the more Rider talked, the more uncomfortable Kishinami felt.
- Why... did you agree to come?
It was Francis Drake's turn to look surprised.
- Why would I refuse? I like you, girlie.
As if to prove it, she ruffled her hair with one hand.
- I... I mean, I beat you; I took you out of the Grail War.
- Three times, in fact.
- Three times?
Drake nodded his head.

- Yeah, I remember one defeat by your servant Saber, and two other Hakuno Kishinami with Archer and Caster... three losses. And you see, Kiddo, if someone beats me three times, I can assure you that I would rather be among her friends on the fourth date. After all, the dead pirates are having a little trouble counting the doubloons they took from the Spaniards, aren't they, girlie? !
Rider gave the young A.I. a broad smile and she did not doubt the honesty of the answer. After all, Drake was nothing like a martyr. Seeking to be in the winning camp was totally like , it still seemed abnormal to Hakuno.

- But... I killed Sinji!
Rider sighed with the unhappy air of a sailor who received the chore of cleaning a three-masted man from the large hold to the crow's nest.
- No, kiddo.
- I have killed Shinji! I've seen his death!
Francis Drake shook his head.
- You pushed him with you cutlass into the ocean filled with sharks and the water turned red?
- No!
- You shot him with a gun and he fell into a scarlet pond?
- You know very well what happened. I beat you...
- ... and the Moon Cell erased us.
- I have killed you!

Hakuno began to cry and Drake squeezed her with an exasperated sigh. In spite of his grief, Kishinami blushed again by feeling... something very mellow against his cheek. She stopped breathing and realized that it was the same very free things that jumped under Rider's shirt every step she took. If Hakuno had been a boy, she probably would have had sweet dreams that night.

- Well, for starters, I died of dysentery in 1596, so you couldn't kill me in 2030. I'm a pirate, a slaver, I've killed, robbed, looted without feeling any remorse. Even if you had killed me, it wouldn't be bad, quite the contrary.
- But Shinji...

- Master, trust your Servant. You are not guilty of killing him. He is guilty of entering the Moon Cell believing that the Seraph was a video game. Twice H. Pieceman is responsible for having created rules that sanctioned the defeat of a Servant by the death of the Master. And finally, it was the Moon Cell that erased Sinji. You didn't kill anyone... you just played a game that you couldn't lose without dying. You did the right thing and no one can blame you.
As Drake held Hakuno at arm's length to examine him, she sniffed pitifully before smiling.
- I didn't kill anyone?
- For the hundredth time, no! Are you better?
Hakuno has nodded.

- Well... how much do you pay me? What? You didn't think I was going to work for free?! Hey, I'm a businesswoman, kiddo!
It was Hakuno's turn to breathe a sigh into the soul. If only Drake could afford a bra, she would gladly offer her the contents of a Spanish galleon.