The Battlecruisers, at last, arrived in Her Majesty's chambers. Repulse was about to knock on the door when Renown stopped her hand.

'Repulse!' She said, 'Don't forget to bow this time'.

'Oh, don't be such a bother Renown, it was only the one-time' Repulse said as she instead opened the door.

Her Majesty's most loyal bodyguard, the Grand Old Lady Warspite (though you should never call her old), stepped forward and made the announcement.

'The Battlecruisers Renown and Repulse, as Her Majesty has commanded!'

Renown and Repulse walked closer to the throne.

Queen Elizabeth was seated as usual at her throne.

To her left, the head of the Royal Maids, Belfast, was pouring Her Majesty's favourite tea. The Darjeeling smelled delicious, even across the massing throne room.

To the right of Her Majesty sat Renown and Repulse's younger but more elegant cousin, the mighty Battlecruiser Hood, flagship of The Royal Navy.

Hood smiled brightly at her cousins as Renown began her bow, 'We are honoured to receive the summons from Her Majesty, the Queen.'

Repulse forgot to bow, instead taking a sniff of the delicious-smelling Darjeeling tea.

Repulse instead asked, 'Is that Darjeeling? Oh, it smells so good!'

Queen Elizabeth, normally regal and official, instead smiled and leapt from her throne while Belfast poured another tea cup.

'It's my favourite tea! I've been waiting for an eternity for Bel here to finally make us a proper cup. Come and have some with me!' The Queen shouted.

Renown instead elbowed Repulse on the shin, 'Ahem!'

Suddenly remembering she had to bow, Repulse stopped and said, 'Oh! Yes, sorry. We are honoured to receive the… the… I forgot what I was supposed to say.'

While Renown was aghast at her sister's lack of manner, Hood instead gently giggled and looked at her cousins.

'Oh Repulse, always in such a rush. You needn't worry. But both of you have yourselves some tea. There's something we need to talk about.' She said as Bel brought her own cup over.

Once all the ladies had taken a cup, Hood continued to explain the reason for the summons.

'As you know, now that the Great War has come to its end, Her Majesty has decided to extend her goodwill to our colonies around the globe. It will be our way to say thanks to our friends who contributed to the war effort.'

Repulse took a sip of her tea and asked, 'There were so many of them! I couldn't believe how many ships came from across the world. Why all the little frigates from the Maple Monarchy, not to mention the Dragon Empry Cruisers and the Sargdenian Patrollers and'-

Renown again stopped her, 'Don't be rude Repulse, let Lady Hood finish'.

Hood simply smiled again, 'That's quite alright Renown, Repulse is correct. Many of our friends came from across the world. So, in return, we shall pay a visit to each of the home ports of all our new friends.'

'The Special Service Squadron will leave Scapa Flow in two weeks. We will be accompanied by several of the new Maids for their first journey outside our waters. I will be looking after the first squadron. Battlecruisers are ideal for this sort of journey. We are fast, well-armed, and can look after ourselves even if trouble strikes us along the way.'

Hood finished her tea and looked again at Repulse, 'You, my lovely cousin Repulse, shall be responsible for looking after the second squadron. Dragon, Dunedin and Adelaide will be under your care.'

Renown and Repulse suddenly dropped their teacups, and at the same time they both asked, 'Repulse?!'