As it turned out, that message about patrols running into issues with submarines had been garbled. A second transmission had come in while Z23 was leading me back to HQ that painted a much clearer, although more distressing picture.

"It's not one of our surface patrols," Hiei announced as soon as I stepped in the building. "One of our sub patrols ran into trouble, and they've gone dark. We picked up two partial messages, but we haven't gotten anything after that."

I continued walking towards the command center, and Hiei quickly fell in step next to Nimi and myself. "What did the second message say?"

Hiei quickly pulled out a scrap of paper from the decoding room and read it aloud. "'Large enemy force spotted, under heavy depth charge attack, unable-' The message was cut off. We tried reaching them, but no response."

"Who sent it?"

"U-47." If I wasn't worried before, I certainly was after hearing that name. She was the least communicative of any of the submarines, half the time spending an entire patrol in radio silence.

"Damn." I felt a gnawing worry growing in my gut. "She was part of a wolfpack, wasn't she? Who was she with?"

"Yes, sir. U-101, U-73, and U-"

"...556," I said the name with her. This wasn't good. Not good at all. "Damn it all. Z23, go find Lord Bismarck and tell her to meet me in the command center immediately."

"Yes, sir!" Z23 saluted smartly and took off the way we came like a shot. I watched her go for a second, then turned back to Hiei.

"Do we have a bearing on where the messages came from?"

"Partial, sir."

"Better than nothing, I guess. Let's take a look."

We were poring over the charts, trying to narrow down the search field when the doors swung open and Bismarck strode in. Wearing her peaked cap and fur-lined cloak, and holding her banner staff in her gloved hands, she looked every bit the imposing figure I'd expected to see. Flanking her were Prinz Eugen and Graf Zeppelin, both looking stone-faced and serious. Typical of Graf, but for Eugen, it only served to underscore just how seriously everyone was taking this.

Bismarck didn't even give so much as a nod before diving headlong into the meeting. "What's the situation?" she asked bluntly.

I straightened up, cleared my throat, and clasped my hands behind my back. "We still haven't been able to re-establish communications with the wolfpack, but we're narrowing down an area to begin a search and rescue mission."

"And the enemy fleet?"

"Unknown. If at all possible, the SAR force will have orders to destroy the enemy fleet, but I'm prioritizing the rescue operation."

Bismarck nodded slowly. "Have you assembled the SAR force yet?"

"Not yet," I shook my head. "I wanted to get this narrowed down before selecting a group to head out."

Without hesitation, Bismarck declared, "I will go. Send me the search grid once you have established the parameters." With her business seemingly done, she turned on her heel and began to march out.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa," I protested. "You and who else?"

Bismarck stopped and slowly turned back to face me. "U-556 is my responsibility," she stated matter-of-factly. "As the leader of the Ironblood, I will rescue her and her comrades myself."

A scathing retort almost flew out of my mouth, but I quickly caught myself, cleared my throat and looked over to my secretary. "Could you give us a moment, please, Hiei?" The Sakura battleship smiled and bowed before heading out. Without averting her gaze from me, she waved her hand to Graf and Eugen.

"Leave us," she commanded, and the pair dutifully obeyed. I gave them enough time so that Bismarck and I wouldn't be overheard, and once I was sure that they had gone far enough I spoke up.

"You're not going alone," I declared. Bismarck raised an eyebrow, a bemused expression on her face.

"Is that an order?"

"I can make it one," I threatened. "I'd rather not. I'd prefer it if you saw reason. You don't need to do this alone."

"I am the leader-"

"-of the Ironblood, I know," I interjected. "And I'm not objecting to you leading from the front. In fact, I envy you. But just because you have to be a symbol, because you have to be a leader, doesn't mean you have to do it alone. A leader without any followers isn't a leader, they're a figurehead."

Bismarck lowered her head as she thought it over. I tried to get a read on her, what she was thinking, but the brim of her cap obscured much of her face from my sight. After a moment, she lifted her head back up. "I can't sit back here and send others to find her."

"I'm not asking you to. I'm asking you to not do this alone. Take Graf Zeppelin, Eugen, Hipper, Tirpitz, Z23, any or all of them with you. Or I've got a dozen other ships on standby who can be ready to sail in fifteen minutes, not to mention the patrol fleets who can rendezvous with you en route."

"And you?"

That caught me off guard. "What about me?"

"Where will you be?"

"Here, monitoring the situation and directing the fleets as needed."

"Why not from the front? Didn't you say you envied me for that?"

I sighed, "Because I can't. I'm not a kansen, I can't take the same levels of punishment you can, or dish it out. So if I go, I have to ride in one of your ships, which hampers your fighting effectiveness. And I'm not going to ask someone to become a combat liability for the sake of a little battlefield bravado. So as I said, I really envy your ability to be out there on the front lines. Just...not alone."

Bismarck listened to my reasoning, her gloved hand on her chin. After I was done, she spoke up. "You make a good point. Perhaps a compromise is in order. I will take a fleet with me-"

"Six ship minimum, counting yourself," I added.

"Six ship minimum," she agreed before continuing, "but, you're coming with me."

My surprise was total and absolute. Of all the conditions I thought she would impose, that was the last on my list. "I-I can't," I stammered, repeating my earlier reasoning. "I can't ask you, or anyone else, to handicap yourself like that."

"You're not asking anyone, I am volunteering."

"But-"

She was quick to cut me off, drawing up to her full height, her cape flaring behind her. "But nothing. I am Bismarck, the pride of the Iron Blood, made to rule the waves across the seven seas! I will crush any foes in any form I may take and with a fleet at my side, none will stop us. Now, are you coming, or will you allow me to take my leave?"

This was the Bismarck I had been waiting to see. The proud, strong woman who led the Iron Blood with an unshakeable determination and commanded such fierce loyalty and respect from those under her command. I could only stand there in stunned silence for a moment, in awe of the woman before me. "You, ah, you leave me with little choice. I will, of course, go with you," I finally managed to get out.

She smiled graciously and nodded. "I'm glad we could come to an arrangement. Meet me at the docks in thirty minutes with the coordinates and we will get underway."

I clicked my heels together and nodded to her. "As you wish, Lord Bismarck. And if you could send Hiei back in on your way out, please."

She bowed, spun around and strode out of the room, her cape and flowing blond hair trailing behind her.

Thirty minutes later, coordinates in hand, I found myself at Bismarck's berth, looking up at the massive grey ship moored there. Still painted in her "dazzle" camouflage, she was an impressive sight, even tied up in dock. Several figures were darting about the deck getting the ship ready to sail, presumably the girls' Bismarck had selected for the search and rescue fleet. As for Bismarck herself, she was waiting patiently at the end of the gangplank, discussing last-minute plans with Eugen. By the time I had made it to the gangplank, Eugen nodded, saluted, and made her way up the gangplank, allowing Bismarck to turn her full attention to me.

She greeted me with a smile, "Ah, right on time, Herr Kommandant. I trust you have the search field narrowed down to an acceptable margin?"

I nodded, holding up the flash drive containing the navigational information and charts. "While I wouldn't say acceptable, we've narrowed it down as best we can from the two signals we received. The search grid will be an area of fifty kilometers by fifty kilometers, south-southwest of the base. I trust you have your fleet assembled?"

"I have. Z1, Z23, and Z46 will form an advance screen and monitor for any enemy submarines in the area, Hipper and Eugen will be our cruiser escort, Scharnhorst, Gneisenau, Tirpitz and myself will comprise the main force, and Graf Zeppelin will provide reconnaissance, air cover, and close air support if needed. Will this be a satisfactory force, Herr Kommandant?"

Tirpitz was a bit of a surprise, I hadn't expected her to bring her sister along, but I hoped it was a positive sign. The rest, however, was much what I expected. "Very," I answered.

"Wunderbar. Then come aboard and we'll be off. Oh, and meet me up on the bridge, please. I was wanting to continue our conversation from earlier."

Within minutes, we had cast off and were underway to the search grid, the vast expanse of the open ocean as far as the eye could see. I have to admit, it had been far too long since I was out on the sea, although the view from Bismarck's bridge left something to be desired. While the ship was an impressive sight, both up close and from a distance, the view from the bridge was dominated by the forward fire control radar set. Still, the view inside the bridge was much better. Bismarck stood to my right, also staring out at the ocean, her stoic expression giving me no hint as to what she was thinking.

I didn't have to wait long. "Your sister," she began softly, "...do you think about her often?"

Grief and shame welled up in me, and I could feel my throat closing off from the rising tide of emotions. For several long seconds, I didn't respond, not wanting to tell her the truth. In the end, I simply looked away to hide her reaction from my sight and shook my head. "...no."

The silence behind me was more deafening than the roar of all of Bismarck's guns and I dared not turn back around to see her reaction. When she spoke again, her voice was softer, subdued. "Why not?"

This time, my answer came more easily. "Because it hurts too much. Because I miss her every second of every day and every time I think about her, the grief is almost too much to bear. So I don't and I hate myself for it."

"...do you think Tirpitz feels the same way?"

Needless to say, that question got my attention and I spun around to face Bismarck. Her stoic composure was gone, replaced by one of pain and melancholy. At that moment, she looked so vulnerable, so unguarded, that all I wanted to do was cross the distance between us, hold her in my arms and tell her everything was going to be alright. As much as I wanted to, however, I felt it would have breached several levels of decorum and personal space, and kept my distance.

"I don't know," I answered honestly. "I can't speak for her state of mind. I know that, for the longest time, she was so used to being alone that she didn't know how to be with other people. Maybe she just doesn't know how to be your little sister. I do know that if my sister came back, I would want to spend as much time with her as I could."

"So why doesn't she?"

"I guess...she doesn't know you. I knew my sister, I grew up with her, I have so many fond memories and stories and arguments and…" my emotions got the better of me, and I swallowed hard and cleared my throat. "I'm sorry. Just...so many shared moments. I would want to reconnect with those moments as soon as I could. But Tirpitz doesn't have those memories, those moments. She doesn't know you the way I knew my sister. All she's ever known are the stories she grew up with. The same ones everyone on the base has heard."

Bismarck nodded, her eyes cast downward, her expression thoughtful. When she looked back up, some of that vulnerability was gone, but the pain remained, along with something else. Sympathy, perhaps? Her next words confirmed my guess. "Thank you for listening," she said softly. "I apologize for bringing up painful memories."

I shook my head, blinking the tears from my eyes. "No, it's alright. You asked me not to pull any punches with you, and I want you to do the same. Don't hold back, I'll be okay."

"I will endeavor to do so, Herr Kommandant." She sighed and turned back towards the window, gazing out at the vast blue expanse.

"Maybe...maybe you could talk to her? Have her over for a cup of tea, coffee, beer, whatever. Get to know her. Let her get to know you."

She sighed heavily but nodded in agreement. "Perhaps that is best. Later, though, once this mission is concluded."

"Of course." The silence returned, hanging heavily in the air until I spoke up again. "We'll find her, I promise."

The corner of Bismarck's mouth turned up in a wry smile. "Promises," she repeated. "She made a promise to me, you know."

"I know," I stated. "She made the same one with me."

"Did she? Interesting. Do you also regret not making the same promise with her?"

I shook my head. "No, we already have."

She turned back to me and shot me a look that suggested I was less sane than usual. "What are you talking about? What do you mean, 'we'?"

"I't's an unspoken promise any commander makes with all under their command, to stand by them, to make sure they all get home safely. Unfortunately, it's often one we can't keep. But I'll be damned if that won't stop me from doing everything in my power to keep it."

"That's an...interesting...way of looking at it."

"Thanks. I think."

She laughed, low and melodic, "It was intended as a compliment, so you are welcome."

We shared a smile and looked into each other's eyes. I don't think Bismarck's ever told me what she saw in my own eyes that day, but in that moment, I finally saw the real Bismarck. The woman she kept hidden behind the mantle of duty, the mask of a leader, someone still strong, vibrant, and powerful, but vulnerable and self-conscious, too. If someone were to ask me where it all started with Bismarck, I would tell them it was this moment, when I saw her in that different light, that started me down this path.

Our shared moment was interrupted by the static squeal of the intercom, causing us both to jump. "Conning tower to bridge," Eugen's tinny voice filled the once-quiet space.

We laughed for a moment, our cheeks flushing before Bismarck flipped on the intercom speaker. "This is the bridge," she answered.

"We're almost to the search area," Eugen announced.

"Understood. Send out the destroyers to begin scouting and have everyone else assemble in the conning tower flag plot. We'll be down shortly."

"Of course. I'll let you two finish canoodling while I assemble everyone. Conning tower out." The intercom cut off with a squeal again, and I felt the heat rush into my cheeks again. I glanced over at Bismarck, who seemed redder than before. She caught my eyes and forced a chuckle.

"So insubordinate sometimes, I swear," she said. "As if we'd be caught doing that up here."

"Y-yeah," I weakly agreed with her. "We're on a mission."

"Ja."

"You just don't do that sort of thing on a mission. Focus! Discipline!"

"Ja!" The awkward silence that followed so thick you could have cut it with a butter knife.

Finally, I spoke up again. "...we should probably go down before they really do think we're up here canoodling. I don't even want to imagine the grief Eugen would give us."

"Oof. Good point, let's go."

By the time we made it to the armored conning tower, Eugen had managed to wrangle the other ships, most of whom were standing around the holotable. Scharnhorst and Gneisenau had opted to hang out in a corner, close enough to hear, but far enough away to keep their own company. Bismarck didn't say anything about it, so I left it alone. Hipper and Eugen stood to one side of the table, the smaller sister tearing into her mischievous sibling over...something she deserved, I'm sure. Probably a crack about Hipper's breasts(or lack thereof). Graf Zeppelin sat opposite them, looking aloof and cold as ever, and Tirpitz was on the side facing Bismarck and myself. Someone had already activated the holotable, and the icons representing Z1, Z23, and Z46 were already moving out, taking up their assigned positions ahead of the Bismarck.

"Welcome back, Lord Bismarck," Eugen grinned at us, her eyes roaming up and down as if she was trying to spot some sign of impropriety. "How was your date with the Kommandant?"

Before I or anyone else could object, Bismarck spoke up. "It wasn't a date, Eugen, and I'd advise you to keep the comments to yourself before rumors being sprouting up." The cruiser relented, holding her hands up in mock-surrender, although that smug smile was still plastered on her face. Bismark waited for any further interruptions before continuing. "If that will be all, let's review the mission."

All eyes turned to me. All, that is, except Bismarck. "It's her show," I answered the unspoken question. "I'm just here as an observer and to direct additional fleet units if needed."

Graf Zeppelin shrugged, Hipper looked mildly annoyed, although I'm pretty sure that's her default setting, Eugen raised an eyebrow, and Tirpitz remained cool and composed. But in the end, all turned their attention back to Bismarck. "As I was saying, our mission is twofold. First, we are to recover our missing submarines and escort them back to the Bismarck, which will carry any wounded home. Our second objective is the destruction of the Siren fleet they reported before they went missing. I want to stress the primary focus is the recovery of our Kameradinnen. If we locate the Siren fleet, we will engage and destroy them, but they are not our primary objective."

Graf Zeppelin spoke up. "Is there any chance that a Mirror Sea cut off communication?"

The battleship shook her head. "Nein. Satellite imagery shows the area as clear and radio transmissions to the area are not being jammed, we're just not getting any replies back.

"Now, the search area is approximately fifty kilometers by fifty kilometers wide, and we have broken it down into grid squares to make it easier to tag locations on the map. As for the overall search pattern, I would like to hear some opinions. Tirpitz?"

The question caught us all off guard, including me. Bismarck never struck me as one who kept the counsel of others unless pressed, and judging by the reactions of everyone else, it seemed I was likely right about that. Tirpitz looked around the room and then pointed to herself. "Me?" she asked.

Bismarck nodded, gracing us with a small smile. "Yes, you. Do you have any ideas on the best way to conduct the search?"

Tirpitz stared at the holotable for a long time and I could see the gears turning behind her eyes, trying to both formulate a strategy and deduce why Bismarck had suddenly called on her. After a while, she picked up one of the pointers from the table's edge and began marking the map. "I think one of two things happened. Either they made for deep water to wait out the attack or they headed to this archipelago here to try and hide amongst the rocks and coral. If they went deep, it will take a considerable amount of time to find them. However, if they sheltered near the archipelago, we should be able to find them fairly quickly. Quicker still if they're looking for backup. I suggest we search the archipelago first, eliminate it quickly, and then if anyone hasn't been found, begin a grid pattern search of the surrounding area. In order to conduct the search as efficiently as possible, I suggest we split the force into three groups, two with two battleships, a destroyer, and a cruiser, and a third with Graf Zeppelin and a destroyer escort. Each battleship group will head in opposite directions around the island, meeting up on the opposite side while Graf Zeppelin provides aerial reconnaissance."

When she finished, she looked up expectantly at Bismarck, along with everyone else. The leader of the Iron Blood studied the map for several long seconds before nodding in approval. "Agreed. Tirpitz, you will take Z23, Gneisenau, and Hipper along the western side, and I will take Z46, Eugen, and Scharnhorst to the east. Graf, you and Z1 will hang back here and provide air cover. Are there any questions?"

Around the table, and off in the corner, everyone shook their heads. "Good. Then let's get to work. Victory to the Iron Blood!"

"Victory to us!" came the assembled reply, and as everyone began to file out, Bismarck gently grabbed me by the arm to get my attention.

"Meet me back up on the bridge."

A/N-Woo! Here's where the fun begins. Working hard on Chapter 3 right now, but in the meantime, there's going to be an update on the New Year's anthology on April 22nd, so keep an eye out for that. As always, thanks for reading and fair winds and following seas!