On the opposite side of the Eurasian continent, Isaac was hard at work coordinating the impending invasion of Japan through Kure Naval Arsenals. Much to his disdain, while the island defenders hadn't managed to source heavy caliber field guns, it was evident from Enterprise's flyovers and his own binoculars that they were digging in as he prepared his assault.
"The Black Death is loaded, my king." Elizabeth's voice broke the silence on the bow of the Norfolk.
"Excellent. Send them immediately. If we can get the Emperor back under our influence, we might be able to stop the flow of reinforcements that will inevitably be coming our way." Isaac spoke grimly.
"It shall be done." Elizabeth said as she cut the line. Out on her flight deck, Isaac got a front row view of her Chinooks as they took off towards the North.
"Such an interesting piece of technology… I'll have to examine it when we have some room to breathe." Isaac said to himself as static filled his ear. In an attempt to resolve it, he heard a voice.
"Comra…ner. C…in…ease" The broken up english sounded like someone speaking with a heavy Russian accent.
Turning around, he looked at the bridge of the Norfolk.
"Norfolk! Get this static resolved! I'm receiving something from the Russians!" Isaac yelled.
Sure enough after a few seconds, the feed was easier to digest.
"Comrade Garner. Please come in." The voice spoke. It was a woman for sure… but the accent wasn't super heavy Russian like Rossiya or Chapayev. This one held a tinge of German.
Tapping his helmet, he replied.
"This is Fleet Admiral Garner. I hear you decently enough. Identify yourself." Isaac spoke clearly, unsure of the woman's radio clarity.
"My name is Admiral Makarov, formerly known as Ironblood light cruiser Nürnburg." Makarov spoke.
"Formerly?" Isaac asked.
"I was transferred to the Northern Parliament by the German Government to help pay off war debts. I received new guns, new equipment and a new name. But that is not important. I bring news… the last bit I was able to collect before I had to make my escape." Makarov said sadly.
"I'll hear it… where are you located?" Isaac asked.
"I am holed up in a place you Americans call Dutch Harbor. There is no Siren activity in this region… but I only believe this due to the absence of visible atrocities… I can't say I've gone looking, however." Makarov disclosed.
"Dutch Harbor. You're in Alaska then… are you able to make a trip to Japan? Last I heard you went AWOL after the Parliament fleet was decimated." Isaac asked.
"No. My engines will not carry me out of the Bering Sea. They were damaged too severely in my escape for me to consider trying to break out. I was lucky enough that the tides of the Bering Sea threw me to this Harbor instead of shredding my keel on the rocks of St. Matthew's island or leaving me deserted on St. George. I am sorry, Comrade." Makarov spoke.
"It is of no concern. Stay warm and hunker down. Alaskan winters are no joke from what I've heard. All that aside, you said you have news?" Isaac asked.
"Yes. Purifier has strong-armed the government once she heard of your success in the Philippines. Stalin rules the country as her puppet, dictating her rule so she can… toy with the rest of us. The red army is in her pocket. Marshal Zhukov has gone into hiding and is wanted by the head of state for treason. He was the one who stood with the Northern Parliament. Sadly, I am unaware of his location… but finding him and overthrowing… or killing… Stalin will likely be of help to your cause." Makarov divulged.
"That's not good…" Isaac grumbled before speaking up again.
"Do you have anything on the members of the Northern Parliament?" Isaac asked.
"No… all I know is that when their vessels were destroyed, they went into hiding. Rossiya contacted me recently… she's gone as far as to change her hair color and even her accent in an attempt to blend in with the citizens of middle Siberia. The same should be assumed for the rest of Northern Parliament. When you make landfall, I have zero doubt that they will make their way towards you. Until then… the Northern Parliament has been destroyed. They will not answer radio hails. They will not answer to the calling of their names. I believe myself, Avrora and Kronstadt are the only three to have surviving vessels." Makarov spoke.
This made Isaac flinch.
"Makarov… Avrora is dead." Isaac spoke softly.
The sound of a shattering bottle on the other end gave him pause.
"She… died?" Makarov asked shakily.
"Gangut confirmed it herself. Purifier pierced her body and cubes with a spire of rock, leaving her alive just long enough to send a message. She… died in pain… that's what was reported." Isaac spoke solemnly.
"Purifier… killed her?" Makarov asked. Isaac could hear an uptick in her tone. Her sorrow was quickly turning to rage. At this moment, Isaac felt a wash of deja vu fall over him.
"Yes. But attempting to fight her in your condition will lead to your death as well. Please keep a rational mind." Isaac spoke frantically.
"That bitch… I'll show her… they may not be my true family… but I have felt more love here than I did serving the Kriegsmarine. Fuck the damage, Comrade. I'm on my way. I will lead you into my home waters with the flag of the Northern Parliament flying high." Makarov spoke bluntly. Isaac was stunned at her sudden shift in resolve.
"Makarov, you said it yourself, the Bering sea won't let you go so easily. Your engines won't make the trip." Isaac tried.
"I do not have time to care about such things, Comrade. I will make the rudimentary repairs and be underway within the day. Avrora… She was loved by all in the Parliament. Back when I served the Kriegsmarine… I was a soft-spoken individual. I was shy and couldn't speak my mind. Avrora welcomed me when the rest of the Parliament kept their distance. She helped me find my voice… She showed me the spirit of the Northern Parliament. News of her death only pours fuel on my hatred for the Sirens. I will show them no mercy, Comrade." Makarov spoke in a tone that was slipping further into a russian accent.
"I can spare a submarine to escort you. Do you think that would help?" Isaac asked.
"Yes, Comrade. I wouldn't mind some company." Makarov spoke.
"Alright. Then I will send her your way. Japan is blockaded around Kure. You'll have to head to Yokosuka in Tokyo bay. I have a small detachment there that will have a specialized repair crew present. We'll get you back in running order." Isaac spoke, trying to lift Makarov's spirits.
"I will be in your debt, Comrade. Until we meet, farewell." Makarov said as she cut the line.
"We got ourselves another Ruskie. U-110, front and center." Isaac spoke over the fleetwide channel. Several minutes later, Isaac felt a small hand grip his arm.
"Rawr." 110 said happily. Her smile showed that she was happy to have been called upon.
Isaac couldn't help but smile in return.
"I have a very special mission for you, little shark." Isaac said as he ruffled her hair.
"I will perform to the best of my ability, Kommandant." 110 said in a more serious tone.
"You remember Nürnburg, right?" Isaac asked.
110's eyes lit up.
"Of course! I'd never forget a friend!" 110 said cheerfully.
"Well, after the war, she was transferred to the Northern Parliament. She goes by Admiral Makarov now. But she needs our help. Are you willing to help her?" Isaac asked.
"Yes! She may be a ruskie now… but she's still my friend. What do I need to do?" The submarine asked boldly.
"You are to make flank speed for Dutch Harbor, Alaska. She is holed up for engine repair since she was damaged in her escape. Use your enigma machine to reach out to her. And make sure to keep a low profile. Top up your batteries before you enter the Bering Sea. Once inside the Bering Sea… you will not be able to safely surface. Radar cruisers are gonna be everywhere. So stay submerged until you reach Dutch Harbor. You might have to sink some things to get back out, but I have faith in your homing torpedoes. Can you do it?" Isaac asked.
110 gulped visibly.
"I will undertake this mission, Kommandant. I will not fail." 110 said with a hearty salute.
"I will send Patty to escort you as far as Yokosuka. She'll make sure you're in top shape for this mission." Isaac promised.
110 nodded.
"There's blood in the water, little shark. Go get 'em." Isaac said cheerfully, prompting another 'roar' from his adorable submarine.
110 ran off to prepare herself as Isaac tapped his helmet.
"Patty. I want you to escort U-110 as far as Yokosuka. Once there, break off and check on U-47 before making your way back here, got it?" Isaac asked.
"Clear as crystal, Commander. I'll link up with the little shark and we'll head out right away." Patty confirmed.
"Make sure she's ready for a long dive. She'll have to dive and stay submerged for a pretty long while, so make sure her batteries are in top shape and make sure the ballasts are properly sealed. I won't tolerate losing one of my submarines, you hear me?" Isaac said seriously.
"No harm will come to her, Commander. I'll make sure she's in proper order before breaking away." Patty promised.
"Thank you. You two can set off when ready. I'll have Richthofen send fighters just in case you need to run the blockade." Isaac spoke.
"Thank you, sir. We'll be heading out now." Patty said as she cut the line.
"Fair winds and following seas." Isaac muttered as he changed radio frequencies again, ready to put his invasion plans into motion.
