Before you read:

This story completely diverges from Azur Lane's main story and events. Furthermore, you will see things that don't appear in the canon story. I will keep the characters' settings and traits as close to the game as I can remember. Please keep in mind that certain characters DO have their roles completely changed. If I do make certain characters (excluding this work's original ones) look inaccurate from their canon descriptions, please let me know I will see what I can do. That being said, I cannot promise I will 100% follow your comments.

Please be respectful to this community when you make comments. I suggest you write comments for constructive feedback instead of criticizing other comments. Feel free to criticize my work but it is your responsibility to display your respectful and reasonable attitude.

That's it for now, I hope you enjoy your ride.

Chapter 1: Search and Rescue

Royal Navy sector

"Wormhole establishment succeeded, moving to the next phase."

"Did you input everything correctly? Remember the Observer said this is important."

"I know, setting the timer to 5 seconds, position to (47, 116, 372), target to Code AM right?"

"Great, now it's time to pack up. We still have time though. What do you say, wanna go for another round?"

The purifier thinks for a few seconds.

She and Tester had completed their objective, which is setting the wormhole as instructed by the Observer, in this simulation EX 73.

Sirens established simulations to recreate the events that happened in the "original" timeline. Beyond those simulations, there exists simulation EX. Whatever happens in simulation EX does not contribute as data for the replication. Sirens may attack or befriend any faction, playing with their new "toys," or test simulation theories as they please.

In other words, simulation EX is a relaxing spot where they can take breaks and play games. Quite a luxury for them to have an entire world as their entertainment center.

For EX 73, in particular, Observer Zero ordered the Observer to "invite" a certain guest. Although Zero did not explain who the guest is, he or she must be a VIP of sorts. For this order, the Observer received a wormhole device and the required information for input.

"Nah I am good, I am more interested to see what stories this guest has to offer."

The two Siren recalled the mass-produced models and the Executor-class.

A grand battle between Siren and the Royal Navy took place. The Royal Navy, led by Commander Joseph, has been escorting a resource commission. They did not expect a Siren assault in the area under the Royal Navy's control. Besides a small island where no one lives, there is nothing noticeable in this area.

The fleet is currently escorting Large-scale Oil Extraction III back to the UK. The Royal Navy assigned battleships Hood, Prince of Wales and Renown, the air carrier Ark Royal, the heavy cruiser Suffolk and London, the light cruiser Hermione, and the destroyers, Amazon, Comet, Crescent, Cygnet, Electra, and Icarus.

"Hm? A life sign in this deserted area?" Ark Royal interprets the message from one of her scout planes.

"What is the matter, Ark?" Hood asked. She has been cautious about Sirens, but luckily it seems they withdrew all of their remaining forces. Joseph ordered all of the forces to speed up toward the nearest UK port while they still could in case of Siren remained in this area.

Siren had superior numbers, and troublesome strategies, and was led by Tester, who alone contained a dangerous amount of firepower.

"One of my patrolling planes just spotted some smoke coming from a nearby island" Ark replied, "There might be someone on the island".

A large wave of Siren just appeared in this area, destroying all ships in their sights. How come they missed a human. Did Siren do their job sloppily? Hood mildly shakes her head, such a question is only trivial for now.

Ark Royal reported her discovery to the commander of the Azur Lane, Joseph von Aisenberg.

"One of our kind may be stranded on a barbaric island? This is unacceptable. What are you standing over there for? Go to the smoke and look for survivors" he ordered.

"Bring them back to my ship to recover. I am almost late for my meeting so you better hurry up," said Joseph impatiently.

Commander Joseph comes along with the escorting convoy since such large-scale commissions rarely happen so he decides to monitor the progress in person. He is currently residing inside his command ship.

"Understood." Hood activated her rigging. Her ship started to shine blue before it turned into a massive swarm of blue cubes. The cube then formed around Hood, transforming into her rigging.

"Battlecruiser Hood, taking off." She and Surrfolk followed one of Ark's recon planes towards the island.

Suffolk soon joined Hood "Uh… Lady Hood," she said skittishly.

"Yes, Suffolk,"

"You're sure this is a good idea?" Suffolk asked, "What if this is a siren trap?"

"This open area and weather make setting traps or ambushes difficult" Ark replied over the radio "The sky is clear. We are in the middle of sunlight. No signs of strange clouds and Mirror Sea in my plane's sights so there's nowhere for a siren fleet to hide." she explained, "We should be fine from the siren attacks, but I will keep my eyes on just in case."

"I agree, ambushing now seems very ineffective," Hood reassured.

"I see, thank you for explaining," Suffolk said as the island came into view.

The small island is covered with forests that offer a great deal of shade and cover. There is also a small fire just on the edge of the tree line, but there is no sign of anyone on the island.

They soon reached the island and walked ashore, keeping their riggings on just in case.

A young man is lying down with his face facing toward the sky. He does not respond to their presence although their footsteps are quite loud and noticeable.

Hood and Suffolk quickly rushed over to him. "Mister. Can you hear me?" Hood asked as she crouched down beside him.

The young man did not reply.

It is difficult to tell his age since his beard covered almost the entire lower half of his face. However, there is no wrinkle on his face so he is probably young, probably 18 or 19 but never shaved his beard. His upper half is naked. His raven hair has grown long enough to almost cover his eyes, a complete mess.

He certainly can use a thorough shave.

"Is-is he dead?" Suffolk asked skittishly.

Hood puts a hand against his neck and checks for his pulse "No, his heart is still beating. He seems to have fainted for some reason." She wandered around the shore before she picked him up off the ground "I don't see other survivors around this area. Come along Suffolk, we need to get him back to the command ship".

"Should I deactivate my rigging and carry him back on my ship?" Suffolk asked as they rushed down the beach.

"No, I'll carry him back like this. It'll be faster that way" Hood puts his body on her right shoulder. As they reached the water, they sped off towards the fleet. "Commander, this is Hood. We've found a survivor and are bringing him back. He is fainted but still breathing" she said over comms.

"I see," Joseph said, "I have ordered medical Manjuu and Hermione on standby. Bring him to the medical room once you arrive on my ship."

"Understood, commander," Hood replied.

The fleet soon came back into Hood's view. As she and Suffolk board the command ship, Ark recalls her air recon to fly back to her hangar. Hood looked right at the young man in her arms. There are countless questions she wants to ask. How did he get out here? What happened to his ship?. is he a captain, a crew, or just a civilian? She won't be getting answers until he awakes from his unconsciousness.

She hopes that Commander Joseph's patience can last long enough for him to recover, though she doubts it.