Madrid

The retreat had been chaotic, and every ship went to their respective bases. Canarias would have like to dock elsewhere, but she was forced to come back to Madrid and would have to explain the complete failure of Operation Felix and the lost of their entire capital ship roster. She would have to also reveal the betrayal of Reina Victoria Eugenia.

And her sister had perished. She harbored a deep hatred toward Ironblood and Blanco for their careless handling of the middle force that was supposed to act as a diversion. They had not been briefed on the presence of an aircraft carrier that annihilated them before they were able to start the fight.

"If only she had not been there," Canarias repeated.

"What is it?" the slow and damaged cruiser Navarra asked.

Almirante Cervera and Navarra were the only cruiser left. The destroyers were following behind. She was the biggest ship afloat in the remaining of their navy. She did not want such a burden, especially after the sudden death of Baleares.

In his study room, admiral Blanco stared at the blackened and wounded cruiser who did not bother to go to the infirmary. She wanted her matter done as soon as possible.

"It seems we have lost."

"The circumstances worked against us."

"Even with one of the most powerful Ironblood technology, weather control, we lost the battle. Where is Alfonso."

"She… She's dead sir. Along with Jaime I and Victoria Eugenia joined Azur Lane."

"Seems like there's no longer any need to keep our façade anymore."

Canarias looked at him in disarray. Admiral Blanco stood up and went to a pile of documents in a graceful matter opposite to the sweat pouring from his forehead.

"We were treading a narrow path. With the annihilation of our forces, Ironblood will see no use in keeping us independent and will transform us into a similar puppet to Vichya. Unfortunately, I might not be alive to see this to his completion because I will be accused of the wrongdoing. The Iberian Union is on the verge of total collapse. Our country will be torn between Azur Lane and Ironblood."

The choice for her was easy. She wanted that aircraft carrier alive or dead. The cruiser made her demand clear to the admiral who gently denied her request. She saw the man pile up all the paper. He lighted himself a cigarette. She was more and more hostile toward the admiral and could see what he was getting at. He threw the cigarette that started to burn through the papers. His cap ended in the fire. Blanco pushed aside Canarias who was fixated on the charcoal resulting from the paper burning.

"You should join Azur Lane too," he said gently.

While Admiral Blanco disappeared in the stairs, Canarias looked at the fire until it burned out only leaving black volatile piece of paper.

[…]

In the night, Blanco and two workers prepared a torpedo boat to reach Gibraltar under the cover of darkness. The T-3 was readied and departed toward Gibraltar at a slow speed to not spark the sleeping residents. From the cover of a rock, Canarias in her full rigging looked at the sailing vessel. An easy prey.

The sound of shells echoed through the night. Light started illuminating the damaged streets of Madrid. The alarms rang. The town though they were being attacked. The residents on the shore noticed the drifting torpedo boat engulfed in fire. The sound had stopped, but not the alarms.

In total, Canarias fired three salvoes of only high explosive shells. Only her last two landed and it had been enough to reduce the torpedo boat to the pile of papers she had seen earlier in Blanco's room. From the side of her rock that hid her from plain sight, she looked at the burning boat that light up what was left of her heart if she had one to begin with. The cruiser never thought herself more than a killing machine. Shipgirl had to accomplish their goals fixated by their superiors. Only this one ran away with his balls between his legs. She had no place for cowardice in her book.

When the night returned, and a patrol boat boarded the blackened torpedo boat, Canarias went back to her dorm.

[…]

Ironblood Advanced Headquarters, Brest

Admiral Gerhard Wagner, the head behind Operation Felix, had had enough and prepared himself to board his personal Schnellboot and head to Madrid himself. This time, they were not here to help, but to occupy what remain of the Red Confederation of Iberia and incorporate the remnants of the Iberian Armada into their fleet. At his side, Gneisenau stayed like an obeying secretary waiting for the man to finish reading the next operation.

"So, it is now called Operation Gisella…"

The man had faith that at least this would work.

Wagner said on his usual low tone, obstructed by his smoking habit, "Is it really true that Reina Victoria Eugenia switched side?"

The submarine General Mola answered, "Yes sir! We saw it with our own eyes."

Her sister General Sanjurjo was beside the platform on her rigging and acknowledge her sister's saying.

"U-28, U-73 and U-573, you are coming with us. The submarine Arquimede and Torricelli will lead the way to Madrid."

He was referencing Mola and Sanjurjo. The trio saluted and prepared their departure. Wagner stepped on his Schnellboot and addressed his revigorated fleet.

"We will take Madrid under our control and use it as a defense post against incursion from the west. We will have help from our Vichya friends again. Sardegna retired from any more incursion now in preparation for Operation 25 in two days. Let's hope we don't get too much resistance down there."

He was hailed while Deutschland remained in her corner with Admiral Scheer. They were eager for a fight, Deutschland more so than her sister. Graf Spee's last stand was now old news. For this fight, Ajax, Exeter and Achilles took the fame. This fame, she wanted to return it ten times. While they were preparing, the last piece on the chessboard disembarked from his car and went to the Schnellboot. He saluted the admiral with a funny expression.

"Welcome aboard Commander Langsdorff."

[…]

Littorio had her eyes still set on the land of the Österreich. She took the news of the sinking of San Giorgio and their destroyers in a cold manner. At least, Alberto Di Guissano and Alberico Da Barbiano had made it back alive.

"Didn't I said to run away immediately when danger arose!" Littorio said.

"We were caught off guard by planes from an aircraft carrier," San Marco defended herself. "And we were totally useless against light cruiser."

'I should have had you scrapped along with Dante Alighieri,' thought Littorio. "For now, I am relocating you on training ground for our news Capitani-Romani cruisers."

Without saying a word, the old bodyguard of Dante Alighieri went to the training ground in La Spezia. Vittorio Veneto looked kind of worried.

"This second test seems to show that we are facing bigger odds than what we can actually face."

"With the Free Latin Union on our asses, it seems the Royal Navy was able to buy precious time. At least, the Österreich won't have that luxury when we control the Adriatic."

"I hope Gibraltar won't be a thorn in our side like Malta."

Littorio looked at the dock.

"My strategic insight won't lead us to doom. Don't worry."

[…]

Madrid

"Are the rumors true?" asked Almirante Cervera.

"Unfortunately, yes. Admiral Blanco hit a mine in his escape attempt and died," Canarias said.

What Canarias failed to say was the fact that she bombed him and spread the rumors in hope to discourage anyone from starting an insurrection. As the next in the line of succession, Canarias took the throne to herself and waited for reinforcement from Ironblood. If Azur Lane had attacked now, they would have been done for with only a meager force of one heavy cruiser, two light cruisers and some destroyers, among them some who were only minelayers. With the destruction of the factories, they would have to rely on Ironblood equipment to compliment or retrofit themselves.

Mola and the wolfpack appeared on the horizon followed by the Schnellboot of Wagner. Upon docking, Canarias immediately saluted them and affirmed her loyalty to her new masters. Commander Langsdorff was happy to see that the transfer happened without an ounce of oil spilled. As a reward, the admiral Wagner abstained himself from renaming them for bureaucratic purposes. They could keep their Iberian names. Even with all her devotion, the Ironblood battleship started scorning the Iberian cruisers for the desertion of Victoria Eugenia. Canarias took the unnecessary beating while Navarra and Almirante Cervera were showing disdain for such manners.

Navarra was now called "Sigamos a la flota" because of her light cruiser armament, but her battleship speed and maneuverability. Almirante Cervera and Canarias had escaped such naming because of their relatively good performance. Canarias was trying to stand to her allies Deutschland, Admiral Scheer and Koln who were kinder toward her and almost treated her as a Hipper-class heavy cruiser. She failed to see how they were alike apart from turret arrangement. Maybe they were trying to link her to something positive to improve her standing.

"Will I be able to meet of them one day?"

"I would be surprised," Admiral Scheer said, "After all, Hipper is pampered by her commander. Eugen is on a mission in the Österreich. Blucher and Lützow are on duty in home water and Seydlitz is being hastily retrofitted into a light aircraft carrier."

The conversion of Seydlitz was to supplement Graf Zeppelin (A), Peter Strasser (B) and the two remaining Graf Zeppelin class carrier Karl Meyer (C) and Gunther Plüschow (D). Koln took the time to explain the situation that the sudden increase in spending made them able to continue what Raeder called "Plan Z" years before.

"You are a fine addition, but we all know that in the event of your liberation, you will return to your armada."

"This failed navy? I'd prefer your prestigious institutions over mine any day of the week."

"Oh well if you are aboard that much, Canarias, we welcome you," Deutschland said with a profound smile. They were more than happy to have a good heavy cruiser companion to defend Madrid.

[…]

Gibraltar, months later

The port of Gibraltar had become a center piece in the defense of the western Mediterranean and a key piece in the defense of Malta. It was bombed irregularly by the Sardignians and not a single surfaced ship was sighted near the island for days. Crimson Axis submarines could still pass with some risk and the destroyers tried to stay in alert for them. During this long period of quiet times, Latorre stood by ready to react to any incursion. It seemed to Battle of Gibraltar had been her only battle. Her sister, Eagle, was luckier with her job of delivering aircraft to Malta an important task that required her to sail every now and then.

Then they learn from Somerville the death of an old friend, HMS Ark Royal, to the hand of U-81. Latorre started hating her multiple batteries and wished she could fly like her sister. She visited admiral Somerville from time to time. The man appreciated her visit because, as an admiral, they were secluded in their office in a mountain of paperwork. They had minimum contact with the outside and the commanders were usually the one relaying orders to shipgirls if the chain of command followed a classical pattern. The visit of Latorre in his boring office made him smile.

Latorre thought his office far from boring. There were mock-ups of Swordfishes and Fairey Fulmars. She took them in her hand and imagine herself flying with them. The admiral was getting accustomed to this lone queen of the south. Her frequent visits brought along her sister Eagle that Somerville had never thought than another aircraft carriers in their arsenal. Seeing them in the flesh suddenly made him realized how much he missed the post of commander.

Commander Buiza was in his open office facing the dock. It remained open for friends and visits, may it be Gibraltar's residents or shipgirls. Apart from Latorre and Eagle, he had the frequent visits of Santa Fe and her sisters. Santa Fe tried to keep the innocent smile she had lost on the faithful day she decided to save an already condemned shipgirl from the grip of death.

Unfortunately for her, Durbo died of her poisoning. Buiza tried to tell repeatedly that it was not her fault. It just happened and fate could be a bitch sometime. Latorre handled her body and buried her beside Alfonso. Routinely and religiously, Latorre would encounter Victoria Eugenia praying beside the improvised tombs. Alfonso's batteries were already starting to rust. Latorre's amount of repainting could do nothing against mother nature. Salt water was an iron killer.

"If only there was a graveyard for us," Victoria said.

"Human get to rest away eaten by organic forms," joked Latorre. "We don't get that luxury with ourselves rotting away until we are dismembered and return to our cubic form. If you are buried like the rest of them, it is like sweet present."

"Are we cursed?"

"As war machines, kinda… No amount of feeling will change the cruel truth."

"Even if we decide our own destiny?"

"In the end, if you stay on one side or another, it is but only the treatment that changes."

"You are full of gospel," Victoria said with her first smile. Latorre was bewildered for a second.

"I thought you were an emotionless doll."

"Like you, I held someone dear to my heart. Thanks to Alfonso, I got both the curse and the blessing of living a live I should have never lived."

Latorre started boasting her sister's achievement and, on their way home, she rambled about her career in the prestigious Royal Navy. Her career before the sun tanned her forever. In the dock, Eagle, Argus, Victorious and Indomitable were chatting when Eagle saw her sister come back. When Victorious saw Victoria, she cheered.

"The victories are back together. -hands could accept help herself you know."

Victoria's smile impressed the gallery who fell under her stunning charm. They thought it was her first time smiling.

"Incredible isn't!" laughed Latorre. "And here we all thought she was an emotionless doll."

"It is because of you Latorre. I never thought someone as hardworking existed."

They laughed and talked for hours on end. Eagle suddenly remember why they were in the dock instead of the dorms.

"Operation Julius. What is this?" Latorre said while holding the official paper Argus had been holding on to.

"Malaya's cunning plan to secure Malta after so many failed convoys. We are still waiting for Nelson and Rodney to arrive tomorrow and start the operation."

"Why not just take me, Geraes or the Rivadavia's sisters?"

"We need as much anti-aircraft firepower and you stay as defense ship. Remember what happens to your boilers when you use too much of your energy?"

Latorre remembered her boilers breaking down after two miles of escort. She suddenly had a grudge against her useless body. Along with her sister of the Free Latin Union, they had been reduced to coastal defense ship. After their discussion, they parted way and Latorre went directly to Malaya. Malaya was twice as short as Latorre who seemed like a giant compared to the girl. The Queen Elizabeth's shortness always amused her, but she did not want to be on any bad term with Malaya. The master of Operation Pedestal, who had the approval of Somerville, was in the dorms with Geraes and Rivadavia and Moreno. Since the total disappearance of Riachuelo and São Paulo, Geraes followed Rivadavia wherever they were going. She still hoped for the return of her sister in a divine intervention. Victoria had resigned herself and

"Malaya, what are your plans for this operation."

"Tss… Argus wasn't supposed to disclose it. We never know if they have spies."

"Well now that it is known of everyone, can you tell us?"

Malaya sighed.

"We need to relieve Malta. Is there anything more to say?"

"Is speed paramount in this operation?"

"It is of utmost importance and reliable engines…"

The southern shipgirls laughed. Their engines were plague with mechanical problems and defects.

"But don't worry," Malaya promised, "Your turn will come when Madrid will be needed back in our hands."

Bedouin entered the room. Malaya asked to be left alone with the destroyer. They complied and left. At her dorm, Eagle was waiting for her sister. It was already night. The beautiful stars aligned in the sky in multiple forms that Latorre described to her sister. In the south, she even took the time to learn a little bit of astronomy. The stars reflected themselves in the water making Latorre remembering Jaime I who she did not have the opportunity to bury. Only in name.

"Our Majesty shall be pleased with the surprise we have," Eagle said.

"I wish I could still call her that!" Latorre slightly laughed. "You are going with the convoy Pedestal?"

"Yeah. Our distant covering group will reach Cape Salinas and then we will turn back. The convoy will have accomplished most of the dangerous road by then, we hope…"

"I know it's hard to held promises in time of war. Can you promise me one thing?"

"And what would it be?"

"That you will fight until the end like we are supposed to be?"

"Ahah! You are funny. Of course, I won't use the name of the Queen in vain. I do get to wish for something from you, do I?"

"Go ahead."

"Promise me you will help Victoria Eugenia retake Madrid."

They crossed pinky finger knowing it was out of their control what they were wishing for. Maybe the stars would align to answer their wishes.

[…]

As far as Latorre could remember, the stars never seemed to move from their position in the sky no matter if she were in the north or south. While the stars stayed fixated to the sky, the Earth seemed to have changed a lot in the span of decades. Why distant things seemed slower than nearer things made her head spin. Can these questions really be answered?

The sun irradiated the Mediterranean. When she tested it out, it seemed softer than the burning sun of the south while being harsher than the sun in the north. It was perfect. She was getting accustomed to the Mediterranean, this sea of a unique blue.

While she was batting in the sunlight, Eagle was sailing with the Harpoon convoy in Operation Pedestal, Malaya's jewel. Somerville dispatched false reconnaissance to imply an attack on Madrid. It was a gamble he was willing to take.

Cape Salina had been crossed by Cairo's forces.

Eagle, Victorious, Indomitable and Argus were sitting back. They had not been attacked by aircrafts since the beginning of the operation. The calm water of the Mediterranean mixed with the sunrise gave a beautiful sight in this fifth day of Operation Julius.

A sudden spike of water shattered their contemplation of the sky. The rigging of burst and airplanes were thrown around. The left leg of Eagle was shattered, and she fell in the water. Victorious rushed to her side.

"Stay with me Eagle!" screamed Victorious.

"Destroyers, we need your help!" pleaded Argus.

The sky was invaded by silhouettes of planes. Indomitable's rigging was disable by bombs. Rodney's had sudden boiler problem slowed her down. Nelson, thinking Operation Pedestal had been uncovered, asked for some destroyers to come back with them. She struck a mine. They informed Cairo about the situation and wished them good luck.

Indomitable was holding upon the immobile body of Eagle. She took the time to detach her pierced rigging which sank immediately. The four torpedoes made her fell into what looked like a coma.

The distant covering force sailed back to Gibraltar. Buiza dispatched a hospital ship to try and save Eagle. When they linked with the Harpoon convoy, it was already too late. Eagle had lost too much blood. She was sailed back on a simple chirurgical table where the doctors and higher-ups tried to salvage her cube, but Buiza refused, instead allowing the body to Latorre. In the infirmary, Latorre stayed by Eagle's lifeless body for hour. A useless patch had been put to seal the remaining of her thigh, the remaining of her leg destroyed in the torpedo attack.

"Why of the four what is you!?"

She murmured for hours.

Latorre had a promise to accomplish and she would accomplish it with upmost determination. Eagle had already done half of the deal. Malaya entered the room.

"I'm sorry."

"Was the operation a success?" Latorre asked.

"Malta was saved," Malaya declared both a sad and happy tone.

"Then it is all that matter, my sister has done her duty and she can rest."

"Indomitable recovered this."

Malaya put on the table the only intact inner-rigging Sea Hurricane fighter recovered by Argus while the rigging was sinking. Three were in the sky at the moment of the sinking and made a suicide run against the incoming aircraft downing more than ten each before crashing in the sea without master to come back to. Latorre handled the plane with care in her hands. The grey-olive camouflaged plane made her cry. If only she could have flown.

[…]

Days later, Latorre buried in secret her sister beside Alfonso. She thought about keeping the plane, but she left it on the platform of her tombstone. Victoria Eugenia sneaked behind her.

"I am sorry for your sister."

Almirante Latorre caressed the plane.

"If I have flown like her… Maybe then."

"It saddens me to say that it might not have changed her destiny. Even with your planes, a surprise torpedo attack is still a surprise torpedo attack."

"Aren't you being harsh too early on me!"

"I do not know what happened but Alfonso herself was afraid of her end and her own fixation got her killed."

"I don't know what you are getting at?"

For Victoria, life was like a waterfall. It was a current that led to an end. At the end, there was multiple ways to fall. The water fell how the current pushed it down. The water falls until it meets the other current. When it happens, that water can only make slight adjustments until the inevitable end. What Victoria wanted to communicate to Latorre was that the death of Eagle should not influence the way she goes down that river, nor how she should fall.

"For a doll, you are pretty talkative," Latorre said.

"Years of observing."

They continued talking for a while. They were then joined by Geraes who knew where to find them.

"I don't think it is healthy to hang out in a cemetery," she said.

"What is the matter?"

"We have a visit from the Eagle Union. They finally woke up."

[…]

Two men they had not seen before were talking to each other in a playful manner. In front of them, a crowd of aircraft carriers and battleships waited. Not even one look alike. The Eagle Union had high-quality shipgirls. One battleship looked more like her. Her white hair almost looked like silver and contrasted with her chocolate skin.

South Dakota-class battleship – Massachusetts

"I'm Massachusetts. I'm just a regular old South Dakota-class you can find anywhere... So, yeah, I hope we can... get along," she said to Buiza.

"Hey commander!" Latorre said. "Who's our new visitors."

"My god if it isn't the defenders of Gibraltar. Your deeds are renown now," said a frank admiral whose hairline had retreated to the top of his head.

"Sir admiral Cunningham, Sir commander Whiting, here's Latorre, Minas Geraes, Rivadavia, Moreno of the Free Latin Union and Reina Victoria Eugenia of the Iberian Union."

Miguel Buiza stayed as polite as possible to not steer unnecessary drama with the Eagle Union higher-ups. Whiting, a man his height, seemed like a stereotypical commander of the Eagle Union with a complete blue uniform and white uniform that contrasted with the more black and brown uniform of Cunningham. They had come from the home islands to supervise the joint invasion of Vichya and Iberian territory in the south of Gibraltar. With these free naval bases, it would facilitate the invasion of Sardegnian territories. Buiza saw it as the liberation of Ceuta and the Canaries Islands. The Eagle Union would liberate Casablanca, Safi, Fedhala and Mehedia. The Azores, Cape Verde and Madeira had already been liberated days earlier without a fight.

Operation Torch was the name given to the operation concerning the invasion of Vichya's territories while Operation Backbone I concerned the invasion of Iberian's territories south of Gibraltar. The two main attacks were the submarines base of Ceuta and Islas Canarias. Buiza asked to lead the invasion of Ceuta. Canary would be given to another Royal Navy commander with Free Latin Union ships under his command.

When she heard the word submarine, Latorre immediately jumped on the offer to be in the supporting role in the invasion of Ceuta. Buiza calmed her as he had already the plans in hand. For the moment, she should relax along with her unit in the operation.

Operation Backbone I

Covering force

BB : Latorre / Reina Victoria Eugenia

CL : Almirante Grau / Coronel Bolognesi

DD : Douro / Antioquia

Close Escort

DD : Alsedo / José Luis Díez / Churruca / Almirante Valdes

[…]

Overall, the operation went as plan by the admiralty. In Ceuta, they met no opposition apart from submarines that ran through the little of ASW they had. Latorre fired in anger at the defense post and covered the men on the beach who met little opposition. The batteries of Santa Catalina were silenced by their heavy firepower.

Latorre's group entered the Bay of Ceuta and rested. Buiza occupied a little house on the coastline and formed his temporary shelter. News from all over the front came in that Massachusetts defeated the terrifying Jean Bart and they captured Casablanca in a fearsome battle. Additionally, bad news came from the Canarias where Afonso de Albuquerque was destroyed by shore batteries. Rivadavia and Moreno suffered light damage. In the middle of these crushing victories, Latorre felt exceeded by the events. She was missing her sister like Victoria was missing her mentor. The two of them would bath in the moon light in a heavy silence.

This silence was broken by the battleships Massachusetts, Texas and New-York who came to tell their goodbyes.

"It was a brief visit," Texas said. "We hope it helps to take back Madrid from these rascals."

"Every bit helps along the way. Thank you," Victoria said with her everlasting charm.

With this brief visit, they disappeared. Then it was the turn of the Formidable.

"If it is not royalty herself. We are lucky this night." Latorre said.

She bowed down raising her magnificent black dress.

"I was instructed by Cunningham to help in the retaking of Madrid."

Days later, Buiza was already talking about the last operation to take back Madrid. The final Operation Backbone II. This time, it would not be an easy walk in the park. He assembled a sizable fleet and got the help of the Eagle Union for it. It would be a force from all over the globe. A true Azur Lane formation.

[…]

Libertad, in her usual obedient manner, stayed by Buiza's side. The grand day was coming, and he was getting stressed as usual. This time, he was less worried. With the success of Backbone I and Torch. It seemed like the wind had turn. He just hoped that no other shipgirl would have to pay the ultimate price. They already had lost so much and their debt towards the Free Latin Union was immeasurable. His pressure came from the fact that he did not want to lose any more foreign shipgirls.

"Commander, be at ease as we do the heavy hands job."

"Continue your anti-aircraft work. I couldn't have asked for a better secretary than you."

She smiled.

Operation Backbone II

Covering force Center

CV/CVL : Formidable / Furious / Ranger / Santee (4)

BB : Latorre / Reina Victoria Eugenia (2)

CL/H : Brooklyn / Savannah / Libertad / Blaz de Lezo / Bartolomeu Dias / Almirante Brown (6)

DD : Douro / Antioquia / Pará / Amazonas / Mato Grosso / Císcar / Escaño / Gravina / Jorge Juan / Ulloa / Almirante Antequera / Buenos Aires / Mendoza (13)

Close Escort Center

DD : Alsedo / José Luis Díez / Churruca / Almirante Valdes (5)

Task Force North

BB : Rivadavia / Moreno (2)

CL/H : Miguel de Cervantes /Almirante Grau / Coronel Bolognesi / Veinticinco de Mayo (4)

DD : Paraná / Sergipe / La Rioja / Tucumán / Dao / Douro / Lima / Tejo (8)

Task Force South

BB : Malaya / Minas Geraes (2)

CL/H : Bahia / Rio Grande do Sul / Mendez Nunez / La Argentina (4)

DD : Rio Grande do Norte / Paraíba / Alagoas / Santa Catarina / Vouga / Antioquia / Caldas / Tamega (8)

Submarines

Narciso Monturiol / Cosme García / A-3 / B-1 / B-2 / B-3 / B-4 / B-5 / B-6 / Isaac Peral / C2 / C3 / C4 / C5 / C-6 / Espadarte / Hidra / Delfim / Golfinho / Santa Fe / Santiago del Estero / Salta (22)