Chapter 3:
UNNV Manifest
Pacific Ocean
February 27, 20XX
A week had passed since they had left the shores of the west coast. It had been a tense journey in no small measure; being a lone ship upon the open ocean, where nightmarish creatures that had been once been though as myth had made their homes. Making their way across the pacific, the Manifest's radar and sonar teams had picked up a number of signals from Siren forces that were patrolling the seas. There was a weird sort of humor to the fact that the most advanced battleship ever put out to water by man, had to skulk around the enemy as if it were a submarine trying to avoid detection.
Everything had been on lockdown, no outgoing communications or even weapons drills. Any drop in the pond would send out ripples that the Sirens could hone in on. While Jones was confident in the ship and its crew's capabilities to carry out their mission, it would be suicidal to think that they could win it all by themselves.
A constant buzz of activity had permitted through the bridge crew's duties as everything was set into place; increasing more so as they drew near the base. Takeda had been working with the navigation team as they charted the helmsman's course to take. He was a very studious man, who, while on a track to retire, had not lost any of the edge forged in his early years in service.
"By my estimations, we should be able to reach visible range of the island chain in approximately an hour. That is, as long as the weather readings taken earlier still hold firm," the Japanese commander stated as Takeda took a momentary glance up from documenting his findings for later reports.
Jones narrowed his focus out the bridge and to the water just ahead of the Manifest's bow. "We're not out of the woods until we're in that harbor."
"My thoughts as well," responded Takeda.
"Let's get some eyes out past the horizon."
Cooper stepped up to the central console, throwing a thumb over his shoulder pointing towards the aft section of the ship. "Morning reports have it that the Seahawk and its flight team are ready to go on demand. Most likely they're itching to get airborne."
"Be that as it may, the possibility of noise pollution as it takes off and flies on could key any Siren in on the nature of this vessel," returned the imperial officer.
Takeda made a good point, rarely to Henry's knowledge would kansen travel by themselves this far out from the coast. Add the displacement to the water that the rotorwash would cause and it definitely would raise the attention of anyone watching, since none of the kansen had control of helicopters.
Pacing around the main console, the Captain rubbed at his chin as he thought over the options available to him. There were a set of RHIBs and zodiacs that the Manifest had as well as the helicopter that could be used. It was likely that their wakes could be mistaken for that of a Kansen, but he had no idea if it was standard for them to travel in such a way by using one ship as a hub. Either way, Henry wanted to minimize the risk as much as they could.
An idea soon popped into his head. Quickly he began to sweep through the ship's supply logs displayed from the central table, while doing this Henry asked Takeda to see if he knew if the ship had what he was looking for. "Didn't the Royal Marines bring along some small drones for target spotting?"
"Hai. A pair of RQ-20 Pumas to be precise."
"Alright then. Let's send a message to Captain Mulloy and get her to send one of them up to run visuals between us and the base."
It had been just over half an hour since the drone had been launched off the bow and the officers had gathered to watch the feed. Both the seas and sky remained calm as their approach drew to an end. It appeared as though they had done it. Making it half way across the Pacific without being caught by Sirens. The Manifest proudly sailed along, allowing her crew to now glimpse the peak of the mountain that rested on the island base.
"Vell the first step on this long road has been achieved," Kholer said as he drew his gaze up from the screen.
With a cheeky grin across Chamber's face, he also let out his own response. "There was a bit of me hopin' for a rumble and tumble, but I am happy that we at least made it."
Leaning his back against one of the monitor stations, Travis brought his shoulders up in a mock shrug, "Well now ya put that out in the air, it's bound to happen. Should we have everyone prepare at battle stations, Captain?"
"Nothing is showing up on visual and acoustic scans, so we shouldn't need that. Lets just make sure everyone is where they need to be when we enter the port." Straightening up his posture, the Captain patted the drone controller on the shoulder to draw their attention. "Alright. Bring it back home."
Stepping away, Jones took up residence in his chair and looked out the bridge to the azur waves as they broke against his ship as the island drew near. The crew remained busy with their tasks as their journey progressed. Continually monitoring sonar and radar, taking in report data from the other sections of the Manifest and collating it into one spot. Though the calm was soon interrupted by a curse from the drone operator, "Bloody 'ell. The fuck is going on 'ere?!"
Hopping down from his seat, the Eagle union officer addressed the Royal Marine, " Status. What's the problem?"
"I've lost total control of the bloody thing… uh...Captain? It's like something took a hold of it and is bringin' her back," confusion was laced in the operator's words.
Looking at the screen as it was still broadcasting, the view of the battleship was growing greater and greater. The lens that captured it wasn't steady at all; bouncing around erratically. Then as it drew over the bow, the screen shaking settled and the drone's motor took back over propulsion. The young Englishman tried to assert control over its path, but he was unable to pull the drone out of the way into impact with the windows of the bridge. The sudden collision shattered the fiberglass hull of the reconnaissance machine and caused most everyone to involuntarily flinch before it dropped to the deck.
"Vell that was not accounted for," chimed Kholer as he looked out the bridge's windows. Following his gaze, Jone's eyes widened in surprise to see perched on the railing outside a bald eagle. The symbolic bird of his nation and the Union, had its chest puffed out as it stared down those on the bridge. It was as if it was incensed by the foriegn machine sent into 'its' airspace. Faintly the officer could hear Takeda whisper out, "at least I do not have to write out the report for this situation."
"Ah damned hells. What are we gonna do with this thing," Chambers wondered as he rubbed his forehead. Eventually he opened the door to the bridge and moved around the deck's exterior. The Knight Commander waved his hands forward towards the proud beast as he tried to shoo it away. "Come on get outta here. Fly off you little blighter."
As the Royal Navy officer got closer to the downed drone, the eagle began to beat its wings and screeched at the man. Startled by the sudden avian outburst, Chambers stumbled back along the deck towards the door. After a few smirks and chuckles crossed the faces of the bridge staff and the officers gathered at the display as the Englishman straightened his posture and adjusted his jacket.
"Wonder if Johnny here needs the marines as back up," Cooper said quietly to Henry with a smirk on his face. The Captain only offered a slight roll of his eyes before stepping out onto the deck himself. Giving a nod to his friend as he passed by, Henry turned his attention to the eagle as he approached.
The two stared each other down with neither giving an inch so to speak. As the Union officer got to the same spot as his friend, he briefly paused to stair down the avian; not showing an ounce of fear in his eyes to the bird. After a moment, Henry could have sworn that the eagle had nodded at him. The captain proceeded over to the wrecked drone and picked it up without hesitation and did not break eye contact with the bird. Once the pieces were secured, he headed back inside.
He handed the shattered reconnaissance tool back to Chambers. They could bust each other's chops about this later when the junior officers and enlisted weren't around.
The eagle at this point turned itself around on the railing and looked out over the sea as if assuming control of the helm. "Well it seems like we got a passenger for this last leg of the trip," Henry said with a smile.
"Alright," he said, turning to the others. "We should be more than close enough to be within range. Have the comms room radio in to let the base know that we will be arriving shortly."
Azur Lane
Pacific Ocean
February 27, 20XX
Enterprise adjusted her cap as she stepped out of the command building and down its stairs, with the other faction leaders or their representatives in tow. Nagato seemed as though to glide across the stone walkway while flanked by her guardian Kawakaze. The Sakura Empire battleship's eyes scanned across the crescent port of the Azur Lane base, attempting to catch a glimpse of what had come from the mainland.
"Enterprise, was there any more insight that you were able to gather from the lead ship of the convoy?"
"Nothing in particular besides it was a United Nations vessel called the Manifest."
"Hmm. Maybe vhatever they are bringing is in relation to those containers so unceremoniously dumped by my office," Bismarck stated as she brought a hand to her chin in thought on the matter. Her voice was as hard as her hull.
"Have you taken a chance to look at what was inside one of them yet? Could it possibly be a part of those weapons that are supposed to arrive today? The Queen is quite curious on these matters," Prince of Wales inquired of the Iron Blood.
Bismarck's brows furrowed at the line of questioning from Wales, "Such things are distractions from my research of ze Sirens. Though zat isn't to say zat I didn't investigate." Relaxing her features, she looked at the Iron Blood's lab, Bismarck's mind drawing up various possibilities for the items within the unmarked crates. "From an initial inspection, contained vithin are energy storage cylinders. Their intended purpose, though, I really couldn't say."
Prince of Wales rested a hand reflexively went to the hilt of her saber while she waved at a group of Royal Navy destroyers that passed the group going about their day with the other. "Energy storage," she asked to no one in particular as the battleship rolled the words in her mouth. "With this latest convoy coming from the Union; do you think it might be one of those railguns that your nation has been working on Enterprise?"
"It's unlikely. From what I saw, we're still a few years out from having it mastered. Even then, it's intended to replace the coastal batteries, since they haven't found a way to equip modern systems for our rigging."
"Hmm. Well what in heaven's name are they for then," responded Wales.
"I have attempted to gain insight as well to their purpose from the Sanctuary and the Defense Force Command," stated the Sakura Empire's spiritual leader. " Regrettably, they have been tight lipped about the whole matter."
"Ve vill soon find out, in all likelihood, ze purpose of zese devices soon enough," Bismarck cooly stated, bringing an end to the line of discussion.
Activity was picking up as the group drew closer to the docks as the number of shops increased. Though there were a few more out and about for this time of day. From the small chit-chat going on around them, it seemed as though word had spread that a new ship was joining the base and they wanted to see which Kansen was arriving. Many friendships had been forged by the seas, but due to the nature of the war, different assignments would see friends separated by months or years at a time.
"Come on Yukikaze, Shigure! At this rate we're gonna miss that new ship that Zuikaku saw," joyfully exclaimed Yuddachi as the destroyer ran past Enterprise and the others. Close behind her were the other two Sakura kansen chasing after her. Shigure was quick to respond to her friend, "Once I get down there, I'll bless them with my luck so they have great fortune here."
"Not if I, the Great Yukikaze, have anything to say about it," her sister chided back. "I'll beat you there and they'll receive my blessing!"
On they passed, heading directly to the harbor's coast line so the three of them could quickly bolt in the direction that the new arrival was headed to dock.
Since the 5th Carrier Division was currently tasked with patrolling the entrance to the base, if Zuikaku had confirmed the convoys passing then they should be visible shortly. Enterprise and the others looked out expectantly, but were greeted by a troubling sight. There was only one ship entering the port and it was one that none knew. The convoy they had assumed to arrive with it was not present. Something was off about the situation; no Sirens had been detected in the area around the base since they received the message and they hadn't mentioned any troubles they'd encountered. Also from what the Sakura destroyers had said, Zuikaku had just seen the ship; it was very unlikely that she'd omit any issues with the convoy if there was any.
The collective of leaders picked up the pace and moved directly to the berthing area that the ship was moving towards. A sizable group was starting to form around the area: from the Cleveland sisters, the Sakura ships from earlier, and Deutschland just to name a few. The sun shone bright in their eyes before the shadow cast by the vessel allowed those gathered to see what was on her deck.
From what Enterprise could tell, she was armed with four triple barreled turrets that looked like they were pulled off one of the Iowa sisters. Across the battleship's deck and superstructure were a mixture of Orliken and Bofors emplacements, with a set of pill shaped devices with rotary barrels sticking out of them. More but smaller triple barreled gun mounts were fitted to her with a set of boxed missile launchers near the ship's aft. Though the wide arrangement of weaponry, especially that common among coastal defense craft, wasn't what made the carrier and some of her compatriots left with mouths agape. Human sailors were moving across the hard deck, dressed in the fatigues of the four major navies. All of them setting about the docking procedures that no kansen needed to do.
"Nanda!? What's with all the people on her? I thought a kansen was joining up, " Shigure asked the question that many of the assembled ships had.
The stamping of a boot striking the ground broke Enterprise and some of the others out of their stupor. Catching the back of Deutchland as she stormed off with her arms above her head, "Verdammt! When are those Dummkopfs going to send you here Spee!?"
The cruiser's tantrum did not hold Enterprise's attention for long as Columbia called out that some of the humans on the deck were lowering down a ramp to come ashore. Shortly a group of eight officers garbed in their dress uniforms began to step down from the gigantic ship. There were two officers apiece it seemed, representing each nation. From the insignia on their collars, the majority of them held the rank of Commander, save for the Royal marine and one of the Eagle Union officers that led the approach.
"It's a pleasure to meet you all," the one leading them said to the faction leaders as he gave them a salute. "Your reputations proceed you all. I'm Henry Jones, Captain of the UNNV Manifest."
Enterprise returned the salute automatically to the officer. It had been long since she had directly acted with any humans; having kept to the waves and conflict for so long. Jones' eyes held a steeled resolve behind them that she hadn't seen in a long time. Another thing that distinguished him from the others was that the Captain had holstered a pistol. The last Union officer she could recall doing that was Admiral Halsey when they finally took the last of the line officers out of the blue water fleet.
Before Enterprise was able to ask the many questions that were on her mind, the captain quickly went on to introduce the others that were gathered with him. "On my right, is my executive officer Lt. Commander Travis Cooper. Representing the Royal Navy, Sakura Empire,and ironblood respectfully are: Knight Commander Johnathan Chambers and Captain Maeve Mulloy, Nitō kaisa Takeda Masaru and Santō kaisa Sakaki Ohta, and Fregattenkapitän Markus Kohler and Oberleutnant zur See Johannes Beck."
The carrier gave a nod of acknowledgment to each of the officers as the Captain introduced them, though her mind was still not at ease . "It's good to meet all of you and that your journey seems to have been a smoothe one. Though I must ask, what is the weapon that you are delivering and where is the Kansen that escorted you?"
Enterprise's question didn't elicit any direct response save for a few questioning and confused looks shared between the newcomers. Jones was the first to bring his attention back to her and the other leaders.
"I think there may have been a bit of a misunderstanding. Is there somewhere we could all sit down and we can go into detail on why we're here?"
"We can discuss this further then in my office," the Union carrier replied, "The Royal Maids have prepared a small reception for you all."
"Alright then," Jones replied and with that the Kansen leaders turned to lead the humans to the base's headquarters as more ships were moving to the dock as word spread like wildfire of the new arrival. Though they were briefly stopped when the Captain asked a question. "Before we go, I have to ask. Does that eagle belong to anyone stationed here?"
The leaders all followed the direction that he pointed to on the vessel that head disembarked from. There was a bald eagle perched on the railing of what Enterprise guessed was the bridge and sure enough it was Grim.
After a series of apologies were given for what happened to the drone, the group made their way to the headquarters. Along the way they ran across Graf Zeppelin, who Bismarck invited to join in the upcoming meeting being the most senior Ironblood ship after the mighty battleship stationed there. The office which Enterprise commanded the forces of Azur Lane was the same one that they had used extensively during the height of the Orochi Incident. In all likelihood this was the first time that the room hosted so many people since the Eagle Union and Royal Navy Kansen poured over the implications of the black wisdom cube that they had acquired. Even as everyone settled down, taking their seats with their factions representatives, it was clear to the Kansen that were present then that something very important was about to be discussed.
Belfast sent Sheffield and Edinburgh to prepare more refreshments due to the greater number of people that they were hosting than expected. Once the two maids had left, Nagato spoke up to draw the meeting to open, "Now that we are all settled. Could you please inform us as to the purpose behind you and that ship being here? It must be important for the Maritime Council to be as vague as they have been."
"Well of course it's important, Nagato, " Queen Elizabeth said. "They've sent numerous high ranking officers from all our factions, including a Knight Commander no less."
The short battleship concluded her thought before looking over to Chambers as she took an elegant sip of her tea. Shaking his hands before himself, Chambers gave a candid reply to her. " Thank you, your Majesty. But I'm just a representative to care for our sailors, marines, and the investment of the Admiralty put into the ship. It's all really Jones' circus in the end," the Knight Commander added with a bit of a chuckle.
Jones gave an unamused look to his friend before rolling his eyes at the brits' comment. "That's one way of phrasing it, Chambers; but yes. I am in charge of the battleship that we arrived on and her crew, no matter their navy." Taking a brief pause by taking a sip of the coffee that Belfast had given him earlier, the Captain soon continued. "Yes, our mission was to deliver a weapon to Azur Lane, though it is not another attempt to add a modern system to your rigging. The weapon is the UNNV Manifest itself.
Over the course of the last few years, Enterprise had begun to look at herself as more of a weapon of war than an individual. There was a slight coldness to the matter of fact way that he described the ship they had arrived on which struck a chord with her. It was a stark contrast to how the kansen were referred to by the people that they defended.
"Zat ship… its design is very peculiar, Herr Captain," Bismarck started with a chilled tone as she focused on him. Clearly trying to merit out the type of individual that was before her.
"As well it should be. It's the culmination of years of ship design and philosophies of all the major camps. "Jones further replied with a nod as he continued, "with a few modern systems that are incompatible with your rigging. With it , the mission of my crew and I is to join the fleets of Azur Lane and fight alongside one another in open combat against the Sirens." Looking towards the lead ships as he went, before finally bringing his gaze to Enterprise.
The declaration from the Eagle Union Captain was far from what the carrier had expected to hear today. If she had to wager, similarly so amongst the other warships based on their reactions. Bismarck's face did little to mask the calculations that were going on in her head. For the briefest of moments, shock crossed Belfast's eyes as the possibility of humans being placed on the frontline shook the good natured maid. Concern was vastly apparent in the features of both Nagato and Prince of Wales' faces. Even Queen Elizabeth's lofty demeanor was slightly diminished as the silence from the officers made it clear that it wasn't some poor joke. Each one of the Kansen vividly remembered the day that the Sirens had arrived so long ago.
"My God, you're all serious about this aren't you," Wales said as she brought up a hand to her face to cover the shocked expression of her mouth.
Chambers gave a shrug and nod as his answer to the royal ship. "All of us were informed ahead of time so we know the kinda fight that we're getting into."
"Are you so sure of that? It is safe to assume that your crew are too young to remember when the Sirens first pushed out and claimed total control of our oceans," Nagato said with a sage-like grace. The wisdom of her lifetime of service was evident in her words. "Even those who were in the defense fleets may have not yet experienced the grim realities of warfare. Do you think their spirits are ready for such a possible outcome?"
Takeda turned himself to face the leader of the Sakura fleets to address her question, his own age evident behind his tired eyes. "While they may not all have had experience with the conflict of this war, their spirits burn bright to defend what they hold dear."
His words seemed to appease Nagato for the time being, though it did little to assure the likes of the Ironblood's leader. "Even if zey have a passion for conflict, it means very little if zey lack ze strength and resolve to see ze battle through to its conclusion, Herr Captain," the battleship said as she moved her attention from Takeda over to Jones.
"Such a determination can't be made until we've gone through our own baptism by fire, Bismarck," the Eagle Union Captain said, matching the steelied eyed look that the blonde battleship gave to him and the Japanese Commander. Changing his focus over to Enterprise, "I can assure you that my crew and my ship are ready for any mission we're assigned."
Enterprise could barely believe what she was hearing. It had been decades since the last sailors were taken off of line duties and restrained to the coasts of their homelands. The vast technological gap between humanity and the Sirens had made it a death sentence to face them on the high seas. Kansen had been the only means of offence, yet here was Captain Jones and his ship waiting to upend that by jumping into harm's way.
"Understood Captain, I'll look into how best to bring your ship into our fleets' composition," was the carrier's sole reply.
"As riveting as zese proceedings are, I have much work zat needs to be achieved in our campaign against ze enemy," Bismarck stated as she and Graf Zeppelin got up from their seats. "I shall be taking my leave for now. Kholer, I'd prefer it if you would stop by my workshop. There are a few things I'd like to discuss since the last time."
With the two Ironblood ships heading out, Zeppelin took a brief moment before stepping out of the office and stared at Jones. Her crimson eyes seemed to try and bore through the man before she added her piece on the matter, "Zis will end in death." Then the carrier took her leave.
"Whelp wonder if Ms. High Hopes is the morale officer here," Cooper said discreetly, just enough for the Captain to hear it. If it wasn't for the meeting they were in he'd have cracked a smile and laughed at the joke.
"Graf Zeppelin is a very...blunt individual. You'll have to excuse her," Warspite stated plainly for the human officers.
Jones returned a nod to the elder warship before looking to the other gathered. 'I suppose that their departure will conclude things for the day then," he said before standing up. "There was one more matter that I wanted to bring up; about setting aside a location that can be made into a barracks for my crew. I'd rather not keep everyone confined to the Manifest while we're stationed here."
"I'm sure we can work something out. I'll set a meeting for us all tomorrow morning," Enterprise said.
"That sounds good," Jones said with a nod before standing up. "There are still some matters to attend to on the ship." And with that he and the other officers left Enterprise's office.
Once they had left the temperature of the room seemed to drop as the weight of the outlandish orders returned to the Kansen.
"Since our reunification and the defeat of Project Orochi, the tempo of this conflict has changed greatly," Nagato said, "It was inevitable that something like this was bound to happen. Though I would have wagered just one officer, instead of a ship's worth of sailors."
"Either way," Prince of Wales sweeped her arm out to encompass the whole matter before looking towards Enterprise. "Surely you can't be thinking of allowing them to sortie against the Sirens.
The carrier's mind was rapt with turmoil like the raging sea. A mixture of the memories from decades past and the weight of the orders she had to abide to clashed with one another. Biting her lip before she came to a determination, Enterprise answered the British battleship.
Hey y'all for those of you that have stuck around for the story, thank you very much it means a lot. And for anyone just starting out on this journey thank you and hope you'll stick around. I've already started work on the next chapter and hopefully won't be another two and a half months (cases of writers block not withstanding).
But yes, the Manifest has finally arrived at Azur Lane and our heroes have met each other, with the question standing just how are they going to help with the war. Stay tuned for more.