"What is happening, god?"

Madrid was on fire. The Palacio Nacional was the theater of fierce hand-to-hand combat. Bombers with the Ironblood eagle dropped thousands of tons of bombs on buildings. Vichya Dominion soldiers disembarked from their craft and were searching capturing vital points in the city. Ironblood mass-produced ship bombarded the port where a shipgirls battle was unfolding. Espana, Jaime I, the cruiser Blaz de Lezo and their destroyers were battling Alfonso XIII, Reina Victoria Eugenia, the Canarias-class, their destroyers and Ironblood pocket battleships.

Onboard a craft, on the side of Alfonso, Commander Buiza saw the admiral of the Iberian Navy.

"What is Luis doing? …"

Days before Operation Isabella, Port of Palma

"It seems Gneisenau wasn't lying," said Alfonso XIII.

"I would have preferred not depleting myself of ships at such a moment now that we are at war with Azur Lane. But your help will help us in the end. All I am asking is that you don't put your nose in our ambitions," asked Littorio.

The battleship Littorio had bring four destroyers along with two submarines to help grow the rebellion's number against the Azur Lane countless ships. The four destroyer saluted their new flagship.

"Destroyer Guglielmo Pepe! At your service."

"I am Alessandro Poerio! Pleased to meet you"

"I am Destroyer Aquila!"

"Falco, destroyer of the Vifor-class!"

Alfonso XIII examined her new destroyers with suboptimal equipment. She would have to do with it because she knew Littorio wouldn't give her better. Some were better than nothing. In order, she renamed them Teruel, Huesca, Melilla and Ceuta. For the submarine, she went fast and renamed them after generals: General Mola and General Sanjurjo. These new reinforcement would complement their new state she decided to call Confederación Ibérica Roja which would be part of the Red Axis from the get-go.

Littorio departed in the night along with her escort. Alfonso XIII was left with Reina Victoria Eugenia who followed her every movement. In their dark room, Alfonso was illuminated by a single candle. She was writing orders to the ships in the different part of the Iberian Union. She was calling them to arm under her banner. To join arms in the rebellion against the central government. On the border, Ironblood and Vichya troops were ready to invade and neutralize any resistance. Alfonso thought it would not even be necessary. If Espana is outnumbered, she will have but no choice to surrender. Alfonso was hoping Espana wouldn't be stubborn.

A man entered the room. He was to be the new commander of the Confederación Ibérica Roja Fleet.

"Admiral Luis Carrero Blanco, it is an honor to have you on board. You decided to come with us?"

Admiral Luis Blanco wore a classical white uniform of the navy.

"The republic is doomed with Espana's leadership. It saddens me."

Ironblood Advanced Headquarters, Brest, occupied Iris territory

Gneisenau, Admiral Scheer and Deutschland came back to their base where Scharnhorst was waiting patiently. U-556, her pack and the carrier Graf Zeppelin were waiting for further instructions.

"We should wait for Bismarck to return from her mission before we try anything dangerous."

"What happened with the Iberians?" asked Scharnhorst, "Can they be trusted?"

"Alfonso XIII promised me they would take power but couldn't count on all of them."

"Their flagship Espana is stubborn I suppose?"

"Not that it matters. Vichya and Sardegnian forces are ready to intervene when Alfonso will give the signal."

"Should we go now?" asked Scharnhorst.

"Like I said, let's wait for Bismarck to return."

Gneisenau released her rigging and went into the base. She had a meeting with the high command to attend.

Meanwhile, Scharnhorst authorized U-556 and some of her wolfpack West to go on the hunt.

Port of Cagliari

Littorio had made it back to her own territory under the cover of friendly dive bombers. The Royal Navy was focused on something she didn't know. She wanted to take it as an omen, but she knew that her sister Vittorio Veneto, wouldn't act in this moment she felt like was their opportunity to seize Malta fast. Unfortunately for her, Veneto, with the upcoming operation against the Österreich and the Hellenic Navy, wanted to make sure that these first decisive operation goes as plan to prove to the Ironblood that they were worth it. Their reputation seemed above strategic movements.

Carabiniere and Corazziere, who had been guarding Littorio for the ride, were asked to go back to the Città Eterna to informed Veneto about the successful help to their soon to be ally in the west. Still, Littorio was annoyed by their participation in the war. Not that she thought they could rival them at the negotiating table, but by the fact Alfonso XIII might have ambitions that coincide with her own.

Littorio was left thinking in the port of Cagliari where she was fueling up. The two destroyers disappeared on the horizon. Littorio thought about the small force they would send to help their ally. Would it suffice? Would they take the island of Gibraltar? This success would surely be more resounding than the win over Malta. Littorio didn't want to give any amount of unnecessary prestige to their ally. If someone was to take Gibraltar, it would be them! They would do it with the help of the Iberian fleet, not the other way around.

A bulb lights up over her head.

They just send the reserve that wouldn't take part in the first battles against the Österreich and the Hellenic Navy. Littorio smiled. A cunning plan was born in her head and the Ironblood wouldn't even see it. Her face created unease among the workers at the oil pump.

"Are you alright, Littorio?" asked one.

She said a short "yes". They wouldn't understand it anyway.

Palacio Nacional, Madrid

Espana isolated herself in her flagship office. In complete silence, she waited for news from different parts of the country. She was worried something was happening behind her back. After her sister lack of respect toward the rules, she hesitated to administer the punishment. She even went as far as defending her in front of the admiral of the Iberian fleet. She refused to believe some of them would trust Ironblood empty promises. Against her will, she was ready to announce their allegiance to Azur Lane. The microphone was in front of her. On the click of a button, she would be able to transfer her voice to the people of Iberia.

"Why are you not pressing it?" asked Jaime I who entered silently.

"I don't want to be the sparks who lights the barrel."

"If the barrel is destined to explode, how do you intend on stabilizing it?"

Espana had no plan. She even thought she had no one left with her. She wanted to give up. She wanted to let Alfonso lead the fleet because her sister seemed better suited for the task. She looked at the city engulfed by the night. She was seeing it light up by balls of flames and cries. If she didn't act, the city would finish in flames and in the palms of unworthy individuals. But what could she do about it …?

"You are not alone Espana," pronounced the light cruiser Blaz de Lezo.

She turned around.

Jaime I let the eavesdroppers enter in the room. The defenders of Madrid, numbering one light cruiser and six destroyers, Sánchez Barcáiztegui, José Luis Díez, Almirante Ferrándiz, Alcalá Galiano, Churruca and Almirante Valdes. Dressed in their ceremonial uniform of a combination of red, yellow and brown, they seemed ready to go in battle.

"Espana, we will fight beside you!" promised Churruca.

"We will defend the people of this land together," added Ferrándiz.

"Let us fight like our ancestors did in Cartagena de Indias!" acclaimed Blaz de Lezo. "This time, we will push Ironblood and their puppets out of our sacred lands! We won't surrender easily".

The flagship was taken aback by the determination of her own fleet. She smiled. They would fight them on land, on sea and in the air. They would push them back to Berlin if necessary. The republic's ideas rested on their shoulder.

Espana pronounced, "My friend, I am impressed by your dedication to our valiant cause. We shall fight the oppressors whoever they might be. We shall help in the creation of a world without Syren or the Red Axis warmongers. Adelante!"

They answered in unison, "Plus Ultra!"