Black-clad mishmash of jagged metal in the shape of warships rested on the calm waters. The ebon armada sat motionless, gently bobbing up and down with the waves. Turrets and cannons remained affixed; where they would be directed with purpose, they instead stood idly. The ships of the alien fleet would typically be awoken in sight of a target, but today, they remained even oblivious to those that brazenly zipped by.

Bringing up the flanks of the formation, the cruisers looked in wonder at the inert Siren warships. They were no strangers to these enemies, especially to those who have fought the Sirens for as long as they can remember, but to be able to see so many up close was a surreal experience. For the first time in their lives, they saw a Siren fleet built only for war sail the seas in placid peace.

Columbia gazed at the sight with impressed eyes. "Wow, they're really deader than disco."

"I can scarcely believe it," Tea Time commented. "They truly have lost control."

"And not just here," Fort Grace called from the front, leading the fleet. "I've received word that similar sightings have been made all over the continent. Everywhere that the Siren-produced ships have guarded and patrolled have inflicted no resistance whatsoever. The loss of the Rose Kingdom's 'Key' device proved to be quite a decisive blow to them."

"Yes, it would be," Helena added. She too was impressed by the results before her eyes. "Since it was controlling the entire Siren fleet, then that means a significant portion of their strength has just been removed - maybe more!"

"Serves 'em right!" Denver exclaimed. "They shouldn't have used cheap tricks and toys to win their fights!"

"Oh you're so naive I could almost shed a tear," mocked Arquette. She turned to Fort Grace with both a question and a complaint. "How much further? This long voyage had better be well worth the trouble getting there."

"Almost," the Coalition leader answered confidently. "Almost. It was a long trip, but we're nearly there. With their fleet out of commission, we've got the best opportunity to make our counterattack throughout the continent; no one is sitting out of this one. And right now…

"... we've also got the best chance to disable Stonehenge!"

Declaration made, the fleet - Fort Grace, Arquette, White Valley, Tea Time, Helena, and the Cleveland sisters - sailed at full speed through the once-contested oceans. Despite the long, and almost foolhardy, journey through enemy waters, no one dared to slow down. Invigorated not by fuel in their riggings, the allied fleet was buoyed by the anticipation of their next showdown.

And of another decisive victory awaiting them.

The base was already alive with activity, but the pace became a frenzy the moment klaxons blared in the distance.

Tanager made her way through the base, finding herself caught up in the events around her. From the brisk mobilization, Geofon swiftly made her way towards her.

"... Our enemies have arrived, have they not?"

"Of course," her advisor replied. "Herne has reported sighting of an enemy fleet moving directly towards Stonehenge from the east. Based on their speed, they will be upon us very shortly."

Tanager said nothing, her reaction unmoved. The attack, however alarming, was not unexpected. Inevitability gave way to a strange sort of freedom: acceptance.

"See to our defenses. Stonehenge must be protected at all costs." And with that, Tanager turned around and began to walk off.

Geofon's inquisitive gaze followed her queen. "And what of you?"

Sparing only a pause, the battleship answered. As much as her head tilted towards her, Geofon could tell that her mind, like her view, was preoccupied by something else. "The time has come for me to play a special role for the battle to come. Bereft of eyes with which to aim, our weapon is nothing but decoration. But it remains a weapon nonetheless. I will not let it sit idly on the day it dies.

"I shall leave the defenses to you, but they are to maintain strict observation until they are upon us." And with that, Tanager departed, a goal already having fermented in her mind.

She marched and among the crowd making hasty preparations, she caught two individuals to be before her. Plucked from the crowd, Beowulf π and her assistant stood before their queen. "Um, was there anything you need?"

"Follow me," Tanager replied. "The very mechanisms that once granted our mighty cannons sight can be redirected, can they not?"

The Beowulves thought thoroughly but quickly, pressured by the emergency as well as being in the direct presence of their liege. "Y-yes, the fire control systems can be accessed from the central node. It would be an elementary matter of rewiring where the input signals are so… A-are you suggesting-"

"I am," the battleship cut off. "If the arrangement is possible, see to it at once."

"I- er..." the submarines looked at each other. "Such a modification would be drastic…!"

Tanager's shadow fell over them. "Don't you see? Our prize is on the cusp of an enemy onslaught, to be beset by carrion seeking their fill with a victorious spoils. If they are not stopped, then they will feast upon what was an irreplaceable treasure, a celebration of mockery!... Or worse. Stonehenge is blind, but its heart continues to beat! All it needs is more than eyes - it needs the drive.

"If the cannons cannot be compelled to serve on their own volition, then I will compel them myself! I will make them my body, and with my soul I will smite our enemies myself!"

A beeping trill came into the allied airwaves. "Enemy radio and signal traffic has increased," Andromeda announced. "They know we're coming!"

"Not too surprising," Fort Grace muttered. "I suppose our little attack wasn't quite so unpredictable." But any time for doubts have long passed, left behind at the beginning of their long journey.

But the intelligence vessel continued. "That's not all. Stonehenge has just gone active!"

The news hit their morale like a hammer but the ships steeled themselves, their formation and pace unchanged. As dreaded the announcement was, this too was not to be unexpected. Though the enemy's fearsome weapon had lost its senses, it was not necessarily without teeth. And now, they were charging straight into the enemy's jaws.

But just as Fort Grace was about to say something, the sound of hissing began to filter in their radio. It trickled into their airwaves, waning and waxing as if trying to fit, but it was not long before it evolved into coherence.

"... you hear me, interlopers?" a static-hissed voice demanded.

Everyone looked up but none were surprised; though muddled by static, the voice came through loud, clear, and recognizable.

Fort Grace narrowed her eyes. "Tanager..."

"No need for analysis to confirm that," Andromeda quipped. "She's broadcasting on open airwaves. But I'm not detecting any receiver frequencies; I don't think she can hear us even if we talk back."

"Then why bother asking us if we could hear...?" someone quietly joked from the rear.

Over the radio, Tanager's voice continued to threaten them. "Know that your arrival was not inconceivable. Like fools, you come. But know that this will not mean easy victory. You dare trespass the realm of greater powers, and now for your transgression you shall be struck down! And now… let your great dismemberment begin!"

Both White Valley and Cleveland couldn't help but roll their eyes. "Drama queen," they snickered.

But what debonair moment there was had was immediately stamped out by Andromeda. "Warning! Stonehenge moving to firing position! Attack imminent!"

"Understood." Turning to the others, Fort Grace continued. "This is it! All ships maintain speed and stay low! Eyes on the prize that is Stonehenge! It has a minimum range where we'll be safe; just focus on getting to that close distance as best as you can!"

Everyone nodded with grim determination. As steadfast as cast iron, the fleet held their formation. They would fan out but against a wide-area attack like Stonehenge it wouldn't help much, and caught exposed in the open they had no protection against it. The only option that left was speed.

But they were not the only ones who took lessons from previous encounters. "Stonehenge firing sequence detected!" Andromeda announced. "Attack in 5… 4..."

The Knights of Sea tensed up. Cleveland already knew where her sisters and Helena were; she hoped they would still be there at the end.

"... 3..."

Arquette glanced to the sky impatiently, even brushing her hair back one last time. White Valley could only smirk like an idiot at the anxiety.

"... 2..."

Fort Grace steeled herself. This was now or never.

"Impact!"

The skies above exploded. Despite repeat experience, some more than others, the explosions still throttled every fiber of the ships to their core, the shockwaves rippling through the air and sea like waves on a pond. The furor of an angry god shouting right over their heads. The wind furiously whipped them from above, from left, right, everywhere to crush them.

White Valley gritted her teeth. "Damn! That's never a pleasant feeling ain't it?"

"Did that need to be said?" retorted Arquette. Her expression bore the same discomfort and exertion as her companion; no point in trying to hide the feeling. She glanced down, checking her clothes for imperfections caused by the blasts. "At least my coat hasn't been ruined."

"Didn't feel as bad as before," Tea Time observed. "Is everyone alright?"

She turned and to her delight, found their Azur Lane allies all accounted for, shaken but holding. The sisters seem to take the attacks with relative positivity as they voiced their wellbeing.

Like the maid, Fort Grace nodded with satisfaction. "From the looks of things, they just barely overshot us. Let's keep the pace! We can outrun the impact sites!"

Another warning beep came over the radio courtesy of their intelligence ship. "Another barrage detected! Impact imminent! 5… 4..."

The fleet pushed forward, braving the countdown just as much as the incoming attacks. They arrived, thundering over them. Somehow the tempest was more intense than before. The flurry picked up, threatening to blow them away. The ships grunted under the pressure and as if sensing their pain, a sadistic laugh came through the open airwaves.

"Ha-HAhahaha!"

Arquette scowled. "Oh great, exactly what we needed: the madwoman is laughing at us."

Another barrage, the blasts' intensity refusing to deviate. The shockwaves swept all around them, threatening to smother them in hot dense air. The hurricane-like draft buckled and stumbled the ships, but although scathed they remained steady. But their formation was wavering and from afar, Tanager could already sense their weakness.

"A dictum, like thunder! A ruination, like a force of nature! A judgement, like lightning from the heavens! HehehehahaHA! Don't you see?!"

A worried look graced Tea Time's face. "Could it be… that the attacks are becoming more accurate?"

"Even if they weren't, let's not test that theory!" Fort Grace turned to the others. "All ships, spread out in wide formation! Give everyone room to maneuver!"

Denver looked in doubt as she watched the carriers ahead fan out, leaving her and her sisters behind to keep up. "Would we really survive another barrage…?"

Cleveland passed by, giving her sister a quick pat on the shoulder. "Don't worry, I've been through worse. I'll take the lead, so just focus on following me. Try to stay as low as you can!"

White Valley, having caught the Eagle cruiser's encouragement, scoffed. "Stay low? What does she expect them to do, fly underwater?"

Their radio squawked again. "Another barrage incoming! You're about to enter Stonehenge's minimum range so this will be their last attack!"

All ships gritted their teeth - this was it. If their rigging wasn't already at top speed, then they were. Even if they were, they did their best to will them even faster; every little bit gave them just a bit of comfort.

"... Impact!" A cacophony of roars, like cracks of thunder drawn from all over the world and condensed into eight suns. Deafening blasts that could split the sky and earth apart. The full wrath of Stonehenge refused to let up as it spared nothing within its reach.

And yet, despite the fury of the mechanical man-made gods, the allied fleet managed to elude them yet again.

"... seven… eight… nine ships! Everyone accounted for!" Cleveland proclaimed triumphantly, her face shining bright despite the damage. "Nine in, nine out!"

Though scuffed and worn by the blasts, Fort Grace couldn't help but beam. "Excellent work, everyone!" Staring ahead, she made out shapes in the distance. They resembled land, but upon closer inspection they were too rigid, too orderly. They were mountains, but not of nature. She could feel their gaze but no longer felt fear from it.

Fort Grace cast her eyes on Stonehenge with a determined smile. "Now time to return the favor!"

The Coalition carrier took point and readied her rigging, scratched but still enthusiastic. Her fellow carriers likewise followed after. In unison, the three carriers launched their supply of planes, their targets already having been chosen.

"All planes, missiles away!"
"Missiles away!"

From below, the unified attack made for a fantastic display, streaks of white that lined the sky in a number too much to count. Snaking against the backdrop of deep blue, the missiles all made their way towards the Stonehenge guns. An impending danger, yet the metal mountains did not move. None came to their aid to even shoot them down. But then, as the missiles closed in they all suddenly veered. Once focused, they now lost impetus, swirling without aim or as if repulsed by fear.

The allied fleet could only watch in bafflement. "What the…?"

Andromeda was on the case again. "Standby… Jamming signals detected. I'm tracking their source at Stonehenge's central control unit. It's an ECM!"

"We won't be able to effectively touch Stonehenge while it's up..." Fort Grace observed. Suddenly she reacted, jumping away in time for missiles to slam into where she once stood, with those responsible flying high above her. But the troubles did not end there. Closing in from all sides, the expedition caught glimpses of enemy ships, their weapons and intent quickly approaching. It was the Aegir Fleet.

Arquette surveyed the situation with a grimace. "Blast! Was this a trap all along?"

White Valley smirked as she cracked her knuckles. "After what we've all been through, I'm not complaining!"

"Stonehenge remains our primary objective," Fort Grace stated. "But until the ECM is out of commission, our missiles won't be able to scratch it. Cleveland?"

The Eagle Union's leading light cruiser nodded. "You bet! Time for low-tech to save the day! C'mon everyone!"

Fort Grace watched as the cruisers departed, following Cleveland's lead. "We'll hold here until the ECM's been disabled. So don't take long!"

The cruiser flashed back a thumbs-up before turning away for the last time. The mighty cannons towered over them like the gates of uncertainty and fate.

Tanager scowled at the sight of the allied armada. Surrounding her was not just her rigging but a series of thick cables that snaked from the pedestal she stood atop of, tendrils of black that ended where her contraptions began. They formed a bridge between Stonehenge's husk and her will, anchoring to the very weapon itself. The welcoming salvos against the approaching fleet were of her design, but like always her foes continued to find ways to disappoint her.

From atop Stonehenge's central pillar, she had a commanding view of the entire facility and its surrounding ocean. From a distance, she watched as a battle commenced; she sensed her advisor spearheading the effort of defense. But as she looked, she spied the distant arrival of five ships, speeding away from the ongoing fight that currently brewed between her fleet and the enemy's.

She scowled, but hesitated when she spotted another group of five hurtling towards them at high speed: an intercept course. Her foes had traded one battle for another. Chuckling, Tanager brought up her comms.

"The interlopers are to be stopped before they can tear away Stonehenge's protection. Hunt well, Raven. Show no mercy."

She glanced down. Gripping the cables, Tanager tore them from her rigging with great exertion. The sudden loss of sensation tingled and jolted at her, like static shock. But now that the enemy was close, Stonehenge was of no use to her. The discomfort was a small price to pay for severing ties.

She planned to make up for it with the destruction of her enemies.

Moving at top speed, the light cruisers of Eagle Union flew over the lush fields of blue. Covering the expanse in a V-formation, it felt good to sail openly without threat of the sky above them exploding.

"We're getting close! We'll be passing through Stonehenge very shortly!"

"Is the distance to the target correct?" Montpelier asked as she squinted. But as she sailed closer, her confusion immediately evaporated into awe. "Son of a… that thing is huge!"

The cruisers all stared at the nearest cannon with gaping jaws. Despite the fair distance placed between themselves and the passing gun, it soared high over them as if they were right next to it. The giant did not move to seemingly acknowledge their miniscule presence but even as it slept the knights of the sea felt a chill down their spine.

"And that's what they've been attacking us with?"
"How did something like that ever get built…?"
"That's gotta be bigger than the skyscrapers in NYC!"

"Let's stay focused everyone." Following Cleveland's pointing finger, they made out a hill-like mound, a concrete island in the center of the circle of titans. On that island, the cruisers faintly made out a lone obelisk, standing tall almost like a sundial.

As they wondered what it was for, Andromeda's voice came in their ears with answers. "That's where the ECM's located. Based on the data there's only one. I can't datalink you the target but it's at the top of that small tower that you can see."

Helena looked up in alarm. "Cleveland! I'm tracking five contacts headed our way at top speed. It's-"

"Them. Raven and her Vanguard..." Cleveland finished, her tone becoming serious. All faces hardened with determination as the implications set in. Their mission was vital and it seemed even the enemy realized.

A moment had not passed before Columbia, bringing up the flank, spotted something that brought alarm. "Watch out!" Missiles sliced and streaked past them from the side. The formation dissolved like solute as the ships scattered. Turning towards the source, the knights of the sea saw their counterparts sailing parallel, like a mirror of their movements. The Eagle ships spied the Aquila Vanguard, no doubt aware that they watched them in return. No further introductions needed to be exchanged.

"Let's split up," Cleveland ordered. "Denver, you're with Monty; Columbia, stick with Helena. Let's do some tag-team work!"

"Right!"

The five branched off, eagerness giving them wings as began their moves.

Raven watched their opponents part ways, deciphering their disunited movements as part of a grand strategy at play. "They're splitting off."

"I see three pairings," Magpie observed. "Technically two pairings - their squadron leader's gone solo. To split off like that… they must be trying to disperse us, to get us to split our focus in multiple directions while they go after the ECM."

Raven didn't nod, merely gave her implied agreement in silence. "Then we'll play along. Condor, Finch - you're with Magpie; prioritize defending the ECM. Sparrow and I will take the fight to them."

An eager response punctuated her wingman. "Understood!"

"Got it! Let's play goalkeeper," Finch replied.
"Right with you. Don't stray too far out now!" said Condor.

The Aquila Vanguard set off. While some raced for Stonehenge's epicenter, there were few who instead shot off away, hurtling instead towards their enemies. Raven sped towards the cruisers with Sparrow by her close side, her five targets in sight as her missiles steadily worked towards who to pick. As if aware of predatory eyes that were upon them, a lone cruiser broke off to meet them. Raven instantly recognized who it was.

It was Cleveland. She was coming straight for them head-on. They were right in front of each other! The brief gaze they met was like their oncoming collision: neither side refused to break.

Her missile locked. It was fired the instant Raven could. Cleveland immediately answered with her cannons. Their attacks collided before they could, shooting right past each other through the charcoal smoke, wisps trailing behind their respective riggings as they dashed through.

Raven had kept her glance on her rival even after they zipped past each other, but soon after turned away. The sight of the center mound captured her view. "Ignore her for now. It's the rest of her squadron that we're after."

Sparrow nodded. "Understood." Unlike her squadron leader, her wary eyes lingered on the ship behind them. But eventually she turned her focus toward the battle at hand - the bigger, real battle ahead.

Jumping from side to side, Denver dueled with one of the Aquilas. As much of a trouble it was to dodge missiles one after another, her grin refused to give in to weakness. "Can't touch this!"

"Oh now it's on!" Finch grinned back. Though foes, it seemed that even she couldn't help but share Denver's excitement. "Time for me to up my game! Now - get a load of this!"

Seeing Finch's missile tubes instantly replenish before her eyes, Denver saw her vanish before a swarm of what seemed like all her available ordnance all popped out at once. Shooting out, their trails forming tendrils of smoke, dozens upon dozens of missiles all gravitated towards the only other target: Denver.

She dashed backwards, skirting and weaving away from the missiles that persisted in their chase. Cannon and flakfire peppered their paths, a cloud of combustion that seemingly followed Denver. Despite the interception fire the missile swarm remained thick but the cruiser did not lose hope. "Get her, Monty!"

Swooping to the side, the missiles that followed Denver part aside like a curtain, unveiling Montpelier who charged in, barreling straight at Finch. Opening up with a vigorous opening barrage, she forced the Aquila cruiser back. With her foe ebbing, Montpelier pressed ahead, pushing her back right where she wanted: at gun range of the ECM. She kept the target in the corner of her vision, a stocky pillar whereupon a black metallic box adorned the top like a crown.

Seizing her chance, Montpelier whipped up her guns. A shout, a warning from a familiar voice, but before her mind could recognize who a missile slammed to her side. She quickly stepped away from a follow-up strike with a grunt, allowing her attacker to take center stage.

"I'm afraid I can't let you do that!" Condor playfully chided. She pressed her initiative onward, but was cut short when cannonfire sprinkled around her as Denver breezed past, almost bowling her over as she did. As Condor now shifted her attention with Finch beside her, the battle at large continued outside their immediate focus.

Seeing the opening raised by their teammates, Columbia and Helena rushed ahead. The ECM tower laid bare barring one obstacle that leapt in their way: Magpie.

A beam-like stream of tracers sliced through the air, the two cruisers separating from the laser-like burst even though it would only have pelted their exterior; sting them at worst. Their formation split, Columbia found herself upon her opponent. "Go for the EC-thingy! I'll keep her busy," she ordered Helena.

"Yes!"

"Not if I have anything to say about that!" Two quick pops from Magpie's rigging punctuated her declaration. The duo's progress wavered as they narrowly dodged a pair of missiles that shot past them like bullets. Giving Helena one last friendly gesture, Columbia sped off to meet Magpie.

"Now it's just me and you!" Columbia smiled with certainty. "Maybe we'll see if your missiles can actually hit something!"

"Actually, they still can," Magpie smiled back. She pointed at something behind Columbia who risked a peek. Her eyes widened upon the sight of the same two missiles from before circling around in a U-turn, heading back where they came - directly back at her.

Columbia jumped aside in surprise, running from her pursuers that hounded her. But unlike many other missiles she had seen, there were something more dogged and ruthless about these two; fast yet able to turn on a dime. Magpie watched as the missiles chased her foe as she hastily ran from the projectiles to no avail.

"Have fun with my QAAMs! Now to take care of her friend..."

Helena closed the distance in as short an order as she could. Eyeing the targets, she raised her guns but it wasn't long until her radar, buzzing more lively than usual amid the chaos, sent a chill down her spine. Staying in motion, she whirled around in time to swat an incoming missile out of the air. Its sender made herself known.

"Woah, sixth-sense?" Magpie questioned in astonishment. "Wait, that's got to be thanks to some type of radar. That kind of gear can fetch some really good money. I know some good buyers!"

As if repulsed by the aegis cruiser's money-grubbing aura, Helena immediately ran to keep distance. As expected Magpie gave chase. She let loose another missile only for it to prematurely meet its end only halfway through by Helena's AA. Undeterred, Magpie immediately switched up her approach, bringing out her point-defense weapon. Bursts of tracer-streams belched out, with Helena swerving from the fire with ease.

Helena kept her distance as she dodged and returned fire. 'Why did she switch to using a machine gun?' As she wondered, she suddenly saw Magpie break off, catching her subtle but evident grin beneath her red hood.

Her radar beeped violently. From behind?! Helena turned around to see Raven and Sparrow launching missiles in her direction, a trap sprung just for her. The missiles hurtled fast, too close for-
A shout, accompanied by a wall of lead that scythed through the air in front of Helena, narrowly catching the incoming projectiles. Once the initial surprise wore off, Helena's face lit up at the sight of a familiar friend that swooped by her side.

"Cleve!"

The Knight of the Sea greeted her back with a friendly wink before her visage shifted to a more serious expression towards the distance. Following her gaze, the pair saw Raven and Sparrow circling them.

Suddenly, her ears picked up the echoing call of jet engines. Cleveland looked up expecting the worst but instead saw distant shapes too high in the sky darting in and out from the clouds and among each other. Off the top of her head she recognized the airborne figures to be from her allies, embroiled in their own battles just outside Stonehenge's doorstep.

'Is the battleline shifting closer?' Whatever their appearance meant, Cleveland knew that time was running out. She quickly brought up her wireless. "How's everyone doing?"

"Doing fine, big sis."
"These Aquila Vanguard guys are good. But not Big Sis Cleve-good!"
"Just got rid of them missiles. Whew! So what's up?"

"Let's get together, gang! It's time we wrap this up!"

A cry of affirmatives rang out as Cleveland shot off with Helena in tow. It didn't take long for the rest of her sisters to form up beside her. Cocky grins were donned on the sisters' faces, but none were as big as Cleveland's as she took point. The formation took on an arrow-like shape, aimed straight for the enemy's heart that lay ahead of them. Predictably, their counterparts were assembled to hinder their path. Cleveland, Helena, Columbia, Montpelier, Denver; Raven, Sparrow, Magpie, Finch, Condor. Their biggest - and final - clash of this battle.

The two sides charged forward, until-
"Now!" In unison, the Eagle ships all loosed a salvo as they charged. Seeing the bright orbs rocket towards them, the Aquila Vanguard slackened their formation only to find the enemy's attack was far off their marks. By the time they could reform the allied ships were upon them, now within effective range of their own guns.

"Open fire!" The command came not from one, but from both sides as they closed in. And when they did, they collided in fire and smoke, their cohesion shattering.

"Guh-! I'm hit!"
"Gack! They got me!"
"Avenge me~~!"
"Cleve!"

The blonde only acknowledged the call with determine eyes but a bright smirk on her face. Though hampered by the clash, her momentum carried her forward - closer to the objective. Cleveland stepped forward, first stumbling, then soon running. Helena's voice called out to her yet again.

"At your starboard side!"

"Oh no you don't!" Denver yelled, tackling Condor. Cleveland could only spare her sister a look before nearly taking a missile to the face for her trouble. She whirled only to see the offenders, Finch and Magpie, be furiously chased off by Columbia and Montpelier. "C'mon, big sis! You got the opening!"

Cleveland pressed forward, followed by Helena. Ahead stood all that remained in the ECM's defense: Raven and Sparrow. The light cruisers hurtled onward in open challenge, their invitation answered by the Aquila cruisers' countercharge. Moving and weaving and daring the other to err, the cruisers played tug-of-war, with the Azur Lane ships navigating the maze of missiles and wits for the opportune moment to strike-
There! Dueling with the Aquila leader, sidestepping from her attack, Cleveland had a clear shot at the ECM. Cannons long poised for this moment, all it took was a split-second to aim and-

"Enough of this charade!" a new voice boomed.

Cleveland barely had time to react when the seas shook, a violent gale introducing to her a new forceful presence that had seemingly crashed from above. She felt no injury but heard a yelp. Turning around, Cleveland's blood ran cold.

"As entertaining this was to behold, this farce has outstayed its welcome," began Tanager, unexpectedly gracing the battlefield with her presence. Where she had jumped from was anyone's guess, but her monstrous battleship rigging and proud flag quickly upstaged the show as she rose, a look of disappointment curling into one of disgust. "The time has come to end this once and for all."

As significant Tanager's appearance was, that paled in comparison to the stricken form of Helena held captive in the battleship's grip.

The blue-haired cruiser tried to struggle but with Tanager's hands firmly around her neck she could only let out a whimper. "C-Cleve..."

"H-Helena!"

Shocked looks spread throughout her sisters. They snapped up their weapons but were forced to remain silent from the stare of the Aquila Vanguard's weapons. A stand-off; as if under a commanding trance, none dared to fire, to become the first victim of violating the unwarranted truce.

Tanager looked at the captive cruiser, towering over her with eyes that burned with detestation. Her grip tightened and all Helena could do was squirm helplessly.

"Stop!"

"Silence!" Tanager snapped. "Do not interrupt me as I savor the feel of the throat of an inferior ship, to dream of relishing in your sweet lamentations once I squeeze the life of this worm! Resist and I will strangle her 'til I feel the tips of my fingers digging into her flesh!"

Cleveland could only stare in horror. "Don't-!"

"Tanager!"

The battleship turned to her own knight Raven who looked to her with attentive eyes. Unlike the others, she did not have her weapons raised, a clue evidently overlooked by Tanager as she addressed her. "You and the Vanguard have performed passably this day. But I had expected a more stellar performance from you, Raven. You are one of the Kingdom's best and loyal; who is this excuse of a nemesis our adversaries have raised compared to you?"

Raven said nothing, but did not look away. Tanager continued. "The time has come for you to put this affair to order, to reaffirm your superiority over your enemy. Prove it to yourself as well as to me. Raven…"

Tanager's eyes which had spared Cleveland the bare minimum of her respect now rested upon her with the full undivided attention, the kind that was only granted for all the wrong reasons.

"Kill her."

Cleveland turned to Raven. Her silent expression of shock met Raven's stolid gaze, watching her. Almost contemplating…

"Cleve!"
"Big sis!"
"Cleveland…!"

"Don't," Cleveland ordered as calmly as she could. But as comforting as she could be, she could see it in all of their eyes: the tearing struggle of faith and compassion, between the assurance of someone they held dearly and the worst fear that plagued their minds. Together they formed a concoction that paralyzed them: helplessness.

Raven, without sparing a word, raised her weapon. Cleveland exchanged a longing look with Helena, her eyes stained with impending grief. The longer she looked, the more Cleveland wanted to risk everything to tell her that everything was going to be okay, that things would turn out as fine as she optimistically made them, that the time and feelings they spent were not for nothing.

She waited, bracing for the end.

To be honest, Cleveland had wished that her end would be more… "awesome" for the lack of a better word.

But to her surprise it did not come.

She turned her eyes back to Raven. She was standing exactly as how Cleveland had last seen her, weapon raised and eyes locked. But as she looked at Raven's face, shrouded beneath her hood, she saw something that she - and likely no one else - had never seen. It almost shocked her as much as her imminent execution did.

The continued silence proved to be a bothersome anticlimax for Tanager. "Raven, kill her now."

Her knight remained hesitant. Cleveland could see it all in her face.

"... No."

"Do it!" Tanager hissed.

To everyone's surprise, Raven lowered her weapon, withdrawing her missile battery. "What are you doing?" demanded Tanager. "You are to slay this affront to your pride!"

"I apologize," Raven replied. "But I cannot abide to this. To kill… to defeat my opponent in this manner would be a greater stain on my honor."

"She is the enemy and you are her's!"

"I may be many things, but I am not an executioner."

"I gave you a direct command!" Tanager exploded. "I am your superior, and if you truly are a soldier then you will obey my commandments!"

Raven's stoicism held her firm. "... I'm sorry."

A proverbial storm brewed on Tanager's face. The cannon barrels of her rigging trembled with rage as her grip on Helena tightened. "... If you will not dispatch our enemies in a sufficient manner then I WILL DO IT MYSELF!"

"No!"

An explosion rocked Tanager from behind, causing her grip to slip. Everyone, friend and foe, flinched and reacted as jet planes zipped right around them as a new figure charged from the distance. "Not if I have anything to say about it!"

The faces of the allied ships all lit up. "Fort Grace!"

Tanager spat as she recovered from the blow. "You!" As she turned to retaliate, cannonfire began pounding her from all sides; the Cleveland sisters were having their payback with interest. Suddenly, as if a switch was flipped, the war was back on. But as fast as everyone bounced back into action, there was one thing that everyone but Cleveland seemed to have overlooked. With Raven and Tanager's back to her, she seized it.

As Phantoms, missiles, and shells buzzing around the air like flies smothering the air with intensity, the blonde cruiser finished what she had originally started. She quickly took aim and fired.

Tanager noticed just in time to see their plans shatter with the ECM.

"No…!"

As Fort Grace zipped by, she found herself joined by the audacious knight, grinning ear to ear. "Nice save there!"

"You too, Cleveland," the carrier replied. "I figured you were all in trouble so I got here as soon as I could. Excellent work on the ECM. Andromeda, verify."

"Just confirmed it: jamming signal has gone dark!" the intelligence vessel loudly announced. "All ships, Stonehenge is vulnerable! Repeat, Stonehenge can now be targeted!"

"About time those sods came through!" a certain Delta carrier complained over the radio. "I was nearly at my wit's end with these blighters!"

While Cleveland privately rolled her eyes, Fort Grace merely smirked. "Then worry not, we'll wrap this up real quick!" And without warning, she broke off, speeding away. Ahead of her lay the nearest of Stonehenge's grand cannons. Through her HUD, the sight and sounds of a targeting lock finally graced the image of the great monument. She fired, the entire sky lined with missiles from the squadrons gathered behind her. The sight was almost like deja vu. Except this time, the missiles stayed true to course and Fort Grace was rewarded with confirmed hits, strings of flashes sprinkling about the surface of the giant. Though insignificant in scale and failing to completely destroy their target, some of the warheads were able to fly under the skin of the construct, causing it to visibly buckle and groan from the stings.

To see the effect on her target elicited a primal sense of joy within her. But she would not be content with just one this day. Fort Grace's Phantoms that trailed behind her like thick flocks of birds split off in their separate ways like a peacock's tail.

Fort Grace was not the only one who witnessed the sight of a god's invincibility being called into question. And before they knew it, so did another. And then more as Fort Grace's planes zipped all over, raining fire to as many of Stonehenge's guns as they could. Reactions spread like electricity, bringing to life expressions on their visage.

White Valley laughed as she watched the blue-hulled Phantoms go to work. "Haha! Look at 'er go, she's grabbing all the glory!"

Andromeda could scarcely believe it. "She's doing it… She's actually doing it! At this rate we'll have all of Stonehenge neutralized!"

Preposterous. Surreal. Unfair.

Unacceptable.

She refused to believe what she saw. Why was this happening?

Why couldn't anyone - anything - go the way she desired?

She had done everything in her power to avert this. For this she was to be blameless. The burden of failure could not fall upon her shoulders.

Yet this development was as much as her's. She was burdened with the weight of reality. The reality was that her prized possession was to fall. The indomitable proof of their godhood was crumbling apart like the fabled tower of god. But this was from the hands of mortals… other ships… their enemies.

She knew they would descend upon her treasure. Like vultures, they came to pry it from her hands. The carcass of the weapon would remain for them to scavenge. To feast upon.

To exploit for their own gain. To do with it as they wished.

Unacceptable.

There was only one thing that asked… no, demanded from her. It was not her desire but to let things fall to the hands of fate was to leave it in the hands of the enemy.

She will not let this become her reality.

"It appears that our enemy is beginning to withdraw," Tea Time observed.

"Hm. As they should," remarked Arquette. "They already lost the moment harm could be brought to Stonehenge."

"For something so big, they sure do seem fragile," Montpelier noted. "Don't know what it'll take to make sure they're disabled for good but… Huh?"

She paused. Having glanced towards the guns, she made out the forms of the Rose Kingdom ships. But where she had initially assumed they were simply fleeing, she watched as a number of them open fire. But rather than commit their munitions for a fighting retreat, they instead struck the already-battered hulls of Stonehenge's guns.

"What the…?"
"What're they doing?"

The allied fleet were too shocked to intervene, to make sense of the act they saw playing out. The Aegir Fleet contributed where they could as they withdrew, but none could be compared to Tanager as she brought her wrath upon Stonehenge. Once it's master, she now betrayed it; where Fort Grace had wounded the guns, Tanager thrashed upon them. None of the grand cannons were spared.

This was more than scorched earth - this was a strategic slaughter.

Soon the deed was done. Each of the eight guns lit like bonfire, turning Stonehenge's great circle into a hellish ring of fire. Separated by the flames, the allied ships could only gape as Tanager took her leave to rejoin her long-departed fleet. Against the portrait of licking flames, her silhouette took on a demonic aura. After parting with one last hateful glare did the battleship vanish in the haze like a mirage.

Instead of victory, it was silent respite that retook the seas as all stood and watched, weary and battered. And above all, stunned at what had transpired.

"Just… what..."
"I-I can't believe they did that..."
"... Lady really got issues..."

"Everyone all right?" Fort Grace asked, taking in everyone around her.

"All vessels accounted for," Andromeda answered. Despite being far from the action, her voice sounded flat and winded. "Though damage is extensive; you'll all be in need of good repairs. Stonehenge… I already have confirmation that Stonehenge is neutralized. It will no longer be a threat. Operation is complete.

"All ships, RTB."

The old day glowed like amber. Dark blue spilled into the warm remnant of the daylight sky, signaling the sleepy transition to nightfall. Long shadows danced along the waves that reflected the heavens above. As if to help guide their way, the sun settled low in the direction they sailed in.

Their retreat had never been so quiet.

Raven had not spoken a word as she and her squadron made their retreat. She was not one to strike up conversation but even all around her were unusually close-lipped. Where Condor would console, she did so wordlessly; where Finch would sing about the exhilarations, her spirits were like a flat tire. Even the destroyers remained silent, perhaps out of exhaustion.

Defeat did not inspire talk; only shame.

Who was to blame? Who was to consign the responsibility for the loss? No one said a word. Not yet. Opinions and personal feelings brewed within few of the fleet. Questions lingered, asked again and again for how this came to be to almost no end.

Raven kept quiet because she already suspected the answers.

"Raven."

She stopped as did everyone. Despite not being shouted the call held grave weight. Its volume belied the storm that was headed her way.

Dutifully, Raven turned around. She was not surprised to see Tanager stomping her way with an incensed glare. Ships around her tried to discreetly step away as if praying that the battleship would not take notice. But Raven did not run; she knew better than to save herself.

Likewise, the Aquila Vanguard held their ground. Sparrow stepped forward only for Raven to hold her back with a raised hand. She stared straight ahead, having already anticipated her wingman's intention. Sparrow tried to protest, but a look from Raven silenced her. The rest tacitly held back, unwilling to abandon their leader yet unsure of intervening against the other.

As Tanager approached Raven, everyone held their breath.

She stood perfectly still. Exactly as how the queen wanted it.

The blow came sudden. Everyone who bore witness flinched as it came, striking hard across the cruiser's cheek. A stinging welt became the proof of the violent contract. So quick and vicious as it was, yet Raven's reaction unchanged.

The heat of Tanager's furor could be sweltering as she leered right into the cruiser's face. "This was for betraying me with your insubordination."

Raven remained muted and passive; her silent submission evidence enough of her culpability.

Then the blow came again.

"... And this was for your failure to safeguard my weapon. There will not be a third transgression," Tanager finished.

"I'm sorry..." was all Raven could say, her mannerism still stoic but now with a hint of repentance.

Tanager paused to divert her glare to the rest of the Aquila Vanguard, eyeing each member carefully as if scrutinizing them for their leader's crimes. Her stare shifted from Magpie, Finch, Condor, and Sparrow. Like Raven, they stood passive as bystanders, but unlike Raven they glared back. And chief among the Aquilas was Sparrow. Her eyes burned with defiance.

Tanager glared back, daring any of them to step forward. But neither side budged. "We are done here," she growled, before she marched off to rejoin her fleet. She left the Aquila Vanguard behind where they fumed in silence.

Tanager walked, leaving the battle behind her in the past. But as she walked, she recognized familiar territory. Ahead, she could only recognize yet more struggles to come, more defeats.

She had warned Raven that there would not be a third failure. To that, she vowed there would not.

She would ensure it when the time came.

OMAKE:

The allied armada dashed across the pristine blue sea. A beautiful day for sailing, but it proved to not be without problems.

Cleveland glanced around her nervously as if uncertain of the destination ahead. "Hey, Fort Grace. Just how long did you say this trip would be?"

"As quickly as it takes for us to reach Stonehenge," Fort Grace replied. "Of course, since its guns covered over 1000 kilometers we'd also be sailing all that distance in order to reach it. The sooner we can get there, the better."

Cleveland yawned, a product of the early morning they all had to comply to for the operation. The day burned bright but long had she already sailed. "Are we going to moor somewhere along the way? Assuming all the Siren ships are out of the action as predicted, I'm hoping we can make a quick stop somewhere."

Her sisters mimicked her tiredness. "We barely had breakfast. I'm almost hoping there'll be a rest stop in the sea somewhere..."

A small smile crept up on Fort Grace's face. "We won't be stopping for anything. We're heading straight to the mission area."

"What~~?!"
"What if we want to rest our feet?"
"How're we supposed to fight on empty stomachs?"
"Will we have enough fuel to fight...?"

"But not to worry. I had Andromeda make certain arrangements to take care of this problem." Returning her gaze back ahead, the carrier's eyes lit up. "Well speak of the devil, there she is."

Looking far ahead, the fleet spotted a lone object on the horizon. It stood like a person - another ship? But what was with that bulky tower of a mast?

As everyone got closer, everyone got to see who it was. Cleveland's eyes widened in recognition of this person. "Y-you again?!"

Puffin greeted her new arrivals with an enthusiastic wave, looking the same as Cleveland remembered except she now bore her rigging. Flanking her sides were halves of a ship's superstructure, but conspicuously adorned with overflowing paper in their slits, and on closer inspection she realized they were mailboxes. Small wings were also attached to her ankles, both decorative and symbolic of the Silver Star Federation's very own landing ship.

"DELIVERY! Got the goodies right here, as ordered!" Raising both arms, Puffin hoisted stacks of boxed meals that at first glance would each weigh as much as she did. But that observation could not hold a candle to the staggering tower of packages that rested on her back atop the flat deck of her rigging. It rose high into the sky, making the Azur Lane ships wonder just how they could be tethered, let alone carried by the spritely courier.

As the fleet approached, they did not slow down but rather the landing ship followed along with them, effortlessly lifting the towers of goods as she followed. "A dozen cases of oven buns, fifteen packs of ready-hot soup, twelve pounds of breakfast tacos, fifteen liters of potable drinking water, two pounds of tea mix of various flavors, a pound of condiments and seasonings, three cartons of fresh produce, twenty pounds of fried chicken, five pounds of packaged snacks, twenty-five pounds of french fries, twenty liters of soft drinks, twenty liters of energy drinks, thirty pounds of hamburgers, and forty boxes of pizza! Puffin's Breakfast-Lunch-and-Dinner Combo, all accounted for! No expense was spared for the critical operation!"

The Eagle Union cruisers could only gaze at the landing ship with stunned faces, finding the sheer weight of the delivery to be more daunting and awe-inspiring than any foe. They all turned to Cleveland who among them looked the least flabbergasted.

"Er… yeah. I guess this is all your first time meeting her."

Puffin zipped up to the Cleveland siblings in a flash. "Hey there! You all look famished and in need of a pick me-up! Never fear, because I have something to fuel you up!" Procuring gallon bottles of soda and packaged foods likely drowning in carbohydrates and calories, she began advancing on them. "I shall fill you up with all the gamer fuel you'll need!"

The ships all nervously stepped away from the landing ship, her sunny face taking on a sinister aura in their eyes. "Er, w-we already ate…!"

If any of them could scream, it would be muffled as their mouths found themselves jammed pack with fast food before they knew it. Mountains of snacks and drinks cluttered their arms.

"Mid-voyage resupply complete! This is Puffin, signing out!" Snapping a quick salute, she dashed off into the distance, presumably to make her way back to the Federation regardless of snow, sleet, hail, or even impractical distances. As quick as her very brief reappearance was, she was gone before anyone realized.

Left in bewildered silence, the Eagle Union ships all glanced at each other, teetering under the weight of the bulk meals they had suddenly been bestowed (and burdened) with.

"Say… will there be a bathroom break along the way?"

AUTHOR'S NOTE:

HistoricHippos:
The title of this chapter was meant to be "Stonehenge Offensive" but apparently FF has a character limit for titles which was unexpected.