Let's now turn back the clock to before this fight and the other six fights took place. We're going back to the part where the team entered the Terraformer.
"The team has reached the insertion point," said Curtis through the communicator "I repeat, the team has reached the insertion point."
Gamma saw her enemies enter the super structure but did not pay it much mind. As far as she was concerned, they were headed to their death, courtesy of Queen Omega and the Antiochs. She now focused her whole attention on wiping out the rest of the rabble. With a wave of her right hand, the Capital Ships began their advance and entered the fight in earnest.
On the ground, many of the girls were facing stiff opposition from the increased firepower provided by the Capital Ships. Most notably, the destroyer division had to cancel their move to provide help to Curtis' group to avoid getting caught by the Capital Ships.
Alec, watching all this moved from his current position to the back of the infantry group. There, he had a better understanding of the fleet and the enemy's movement and began coordinating ways to counter them.
The first and immediate thing he did was break the divisions into smaller groups. These groups made it harder for the enemy to attack but it made it much harder for Alec to precisely handle fleet movement.
Currently, their biggest threat were the Capital ships. Their armor was the strongest in the fleet and their numerous weapons meant that even a single one was dangerous. According to him, there was only one team able to accomplish the task.
"Friedrich," called Alec "take Warspite and Sandy with you and attack the Capital Ships."
"You're insane Alec and not in a good way," said Friedrich "San Diego is already knee deep several carriers providing us support. She can't move from her position. To have only Warspite and I take down all those ships…."
"Even I know I'm not that strong," said Warspite.
"We have to do something," said Alec "if those things are allowed to continue then this fight's over."
"I have an idea Alec," said Saint Louis "but it will require the whole PR class to back me up."
Alec paused and considered his decision. Right now, the PR class separated to help out in different areas. Ibuki, Izumo and Roon were helping the destroyers on the left flank, Neptune and Monarch were working together with the maids to help the central line and Saint Louis was working with the battleships on the right flank. Removing those powerhouses from their positions left openings for Gamma to take advantage of.
However, Alec had no choice. It was the lesser of two evils.
"Go ahead, but take care of things quickly," said Alec "in the meantime, Pennsylvania, Arizona, California and Tennessee, head to the right flank. Cleveland, Yorktown, take your sisters to the left flank."
"What about the center?" asked Belfast
"You'll just have to bear with it till they get back," he said and the maids grit their teeth.
"You heard him girls," shouted Belfast, firing at several planes while Dido and Sirius cut their way through a heavy cruiser "we have to work with the cruiser division to protect this line from the enemy."
The Royal maids nodded and began their work. Curacao, Curlew, and Sheffield met with Hipper and Eugen. The two just finished taking down a destroyer when they saw two cruisers coming at them. Sheffield fired at one, hitting it in several places along the hull. Curacao and Curlew threw several small knives along the hull of the second ship. This created a footing for Hipper to run up and get above the cruiser. In the air, she fired a barrage into the ship while Curacao and Curlew attacked from the sides.
Eugen saw the opening Sheffield created and tore into the ship's hull. There, she quickly found the core and fired a single shot into it then left. The result was the two ships exploding at once.
"Well, that wasn't so hard," said Eugen, only to have her sister tap her on the shoulder and turn her behind. There, she saw more ships coming towards them along with a few battleships and carriers to boot.
Elsewhere, Saint Louis met up with the rest of the PR class and outlined her plan. By the time she was done the remaining five girls all reached the same conclusion: it was crazier than anything their Commander came up with.
However, it was the insanity of the act that Saint Louis banked on to help them succeed. With no one else providing a viable alternative, they went ahead with it. The team ducked and weaved their way through several ships and were halted by a battleship. The Siren ship pointed all guns at the girls and fired. The six nimbly dodged it then retaliated. It did not take long for them to down the ship as their combined power was more than what one battleship could handle.
Then, they spotted their target, a carrier to the left flank deeply engaged with the several destroyers and cruisers. Saint Louis pointed at it and the girls nodded. Saint Louis went first, darting forward like a spear and landing on the carrier in a short time. She spotted several planes on the runway getting ready to take off. They saw her and switched their targets to her. The planes fired a barrage that would have cut down almost anyone else except her.
Spinning her spear before her, Saint Louis casually and calmly deflected all the shots fired. She knew though she couldn't stay forever just blocking and would have to attack soon. Before she could, Ibuki and Izumo charged down either of her sides. Their blades danced in the midst of this insanity as they sliced through all the planes. In seconds, the runway that was half filled was now empty.
Saint Louis turned back and saw Monarch, Roon, and Neptune get onboard. They saw the carrier moving away from its current objective and try to shake them off. Saint Louis turned to Monarch who nodded. She ran to the edge of the carrier, leapt off then fired into the carrier's side. The force of the attack sent the ship in a different direction. She pointed her guns down and fired again, this time sending her up where Saint Louis' spear waited. She grabbed onto the shaft and was pulled back up.
Neptune and Izumo came to her while Ibuki and Roon protected them from the emerging planes. Working in concert, the girls turned the carrier till it was on a collision course with one of the Capital ships. The target ship saw them coming and fired. Several energy beams cut through the ships deck and the girls waved their way through. Not all managed to get through safely as Ibuki was hit on her shoulder, leaving a large wound.
"Take her," yelled Saint Louis as the girls were getting ready to leave. She waited till they were all off before enacting the final part. She leapt off the carrier and charged directly at the Carrier ship. The onboard weapons unleashed a deadly barrage and Saint Louis had no time to react. She tanked several shots to her sides, shoulders and face, but did not stop. Letting out a fierce yell, she landed on the ship and went to work cutting down the gun and missile turrets. Pain hit her in her foot when an errant energy beam from another ship hit that place but she ignored it for now.
She saw the carrier coming to them and knew it was time. Throwing caution to the wind, she leapt off the Capital ship just as the carrier crashed into it. The result was the two ships canceling each other out in a large, fiery explosion.
Saint Louis landed on the waters, skidding to a halt and was joined by the rest of the PR class. They looked at and smiled at the trouble they caused, but their victory was cut short when they saw half a dozen Capital ships emerge behind the wreckage of the previous one.
"You got anymore crazy plans in that head Saint Louis?" asked Roon.
Friedrich grit her teeth and tore a cannon off one of the tanks. Their armor was stronger than last time and the constant enemy bombardment from above was annoying her to no end. Her only ally was Warspite who was also facing stiff opposition. She thought about asking for aid but decided against it. All across the battlefield, the girls were facing trouble of their own. They were outnumbered and were concerned about the insertion team. As much as their Commander told them to focus solely on the mission, they couldn't help but worry.
Her thoughts were cast aside when a tank shell streaked past her and nearly hit a company of soldiers. She turned in that direction and leapt after it. The tank's missiles swiveled, turned and fired at her but they did little to Friedrich. She either swatted them away or tanked them head on. When she was close, she pointed her guns at the tank and fired. The first two shots grazed the armor. The third took out the treads. By now, she landed on the tank and started using her fists to tear into the vehicle. With a single arched right fist, she tore into the shell and exposed the inner workings. She was about to strike, when several shells from other tanks hit her on the side, sending her crashing to the ground.
A little weary but still active, Friedrich shook her head to stop the ringing. She felt someone shaking her and saw one of the soldiers from before. He tried saying something but she could not hear it. Then, to her horror, she saw the soldier get blown to bits by enemy fire.
Friedrich rose, her fists clenched tightly as she charged forward. She fired wildly at all the tanks at her causing half a dozen to stop their attacks and turn to her. They fired but she was too fast, ducking and dodging their way through it. She reached the one nearest and ripped off the missiles. Then, she flung it at another tank and shot it when it was near. The explosion sent the tank spiraling to its side. Now she looked at the first and fired directly at it. The attack blew a hole clean through the tank's armor and its carcass crumpled to the side. Friedrich used the tank as a shield to get close to the third one and rip off the cannon. Then, she pointed her guns into the tank, fired, then leapt off before it exploded.
As she landed, she saw Warspite coming to her, sporting several injuries.
"Turn back," she called out, amidst the heavy fire and explosions.
"We're being cut down by those Capital ships," she added, not noticing one of the tanks pointing at her. Friedrich saw this and charged but knew she was too far away. The tank fired but it did not hit Warspite. Instead, it hit another soldier who leapt into harm's way to protect her. They took on the damage while Warspite only felt the force. She flew forward and was caught by Friedrich.
"We can't gain any ground with those Capital ships raining hell on us," said Warsptie, panting hard.
"Alec, this is Friedrich. The Sirens' Capital ships are wreaking havoc on the ground here. Is there any way you can send some support?"
"Negative Friedrich," said Alec, almost immediately "right now those damn ships are causing hell on the ground and the sky. It's taking everything we've got to keep them at bay here."
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Gamma watched on the flagship as the lines were slowly worn away. Through the Azur Sky's many clashes, Gamma understood something about the fleet that was critical to any battle. They were only strong when their beloved Commander was on the field.
Omega's attempt at wiping out the Resistance and Alpha's demise are perfect examples of this act in play. Despite having the number advantage in both instances, they lost because of the Commander. As long as he was in play, the girls here fought with an almost super-human level of ferocity and determination. So much so that even low ranked ships fought much harder than normal. However, their greatest source of strength is also their greatest weakness.
Case in point, a clash with the Azur Lane where the Commander was severely injured. The news caused a significant drop in the fleet's strength and it played a huge role in why it was easy for Lady Omega to drive the forces away. Now too, with their Commander out of sight and in an unknown condition, the girls were starting to worry about his condition as time passed.
There was the chance that Alec could somehow take up the same role as the Commander but Gamma perished the thought. If he were such a threat Lady Omega would have ended him long ago. Alec was smart but not one that stood at the tip of the spear. He was a strategist, not a leader.
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"Damn it we have to get out of here," shouted Curtis as his line and the flanks were overwhelmed by Hybrid forces "there's too many of them."
"Alec," shouted Cleveland through the communicator "we can't hold the left flank any longer. We have to move now or we're going to die."
Alec could see both sides being pushed back. Whether it was the carriers and battleships struggling against the combined might of the enemy aircraft and Capital ships, or the humans struggling against the Hybrids and Tanks, the battle was taking a turn for the worse.
Alec knew that moving now meant protecting the girls and reducing casualties. However, doing that meant they'd be making it easier for the Sirens to corner them. If Gamma saw them retreat, she'd do everything possible to try and block off their exit and attack them from all sides.
"Alec," shouted Essex "we're facing hell here. What's the order?"
"Alec, we need to move," said Warspite.
"Alec."
"Alec."
It was too much. The weight was too much on him and his legs grew heavy. Alec, struggled to stand as he wondered how James could handle such decisions without hesitation. His mouth became dry, the words were impossible to form and he couldn't think of a good idea at all.
"DO YOU THINK HE'D RETREAT?" shouted a voice that made everyone halt and take notice. They saw Saint Louis standing over the ruins of a Siren cruiser, her body covered with injuries yet she showed no signs of giving in.
"Our Commander is up there," she said, pointing her spear to the Terra Former "facing that monster alone. Many of our leaders and friends are up there facing unimaginable odds and yet they aren't backing down. Omega and her ilk would never give them that courtesy."
"If they can do it, if my Liege can face the enemy despite the odds, then I have no excuse, NONE OF US DO."
Gamma saw the woman pointing a spear at her and directed one of the battleships to fire. The ships loosed a wild barrage and Saint Louis was ready to defend. She didn't have to though as two others fired and stopped the attack from ever reaching her.
Saint Louis wondered who then smiled when she saw Enterprise to her left and Belfast to her right. As much as she didn't want to admit it, those two were the most loyal members of the fleet.
"She's right you know," said Enterprise, "we back down here, then we may as well lie down and accept our defeat."
"We did not come all this way to show the enemy our backs," said Belfast "we will stop them here and now and that is our only way forward."
Elsewhere on the battlefield against all the fire from the Hybrids and the tanks, Curtis, Friedrich and Warspite exchanged looks of understanding. It wasn't just Curtis though, as all the other soldiers that were ducking down shared the same sentiment. Retreating now was tantamount to death.
As Alec and Gamma watched how those words echoed through the battlefield, something else happened. Something that neither side anticipated. After all, the Terra Former Omega made was only meant as set dressing for the final battle. No one in Siren Command or the Azur Sky anticipated that with enough time, the damn thing would actually do its job. It had managed to transform the battlefield into a habitat similar to the Siren homeworld.
It began with several readings appearing on their map.
"This can't be," said Bearn, as she and those in the research division also realized what happened.
Alec looked up from his place in the sand and saw several stars floating in the sky. Only, they weren't stars because the clouds produced by the Terra Former blocked any line of sight with the sky. They were far more valuable than stars.
They were wisdom cubes.
"GET THE CUBES," yelled Omega and at once, the whole weight of the Siren force stopped their attacks and went after the objects.
On the ground, Alec also issued the same orders as he and everyone else made a mad dash to the one closest to them. Alec remembered how essential these things were and how James stumbled on them early on. They were rarer than diamonds and were in James' own words 'A genie in a bottle.'
He zeroed in on one cube that was drifting close to the ground. As he neared, he saw Gamma descending to him with her eyes fixed on the same one. The two looked at each other then made for a mad dash to the prize.
To one, reaching that cube meant snagging ultimate power. To the other, reaching the cube meant creating a solution to turn the tide of this fight.
Gamma let out a wild yell as she formed her weapons and fired. Some of the bullets hit Alec in his foot and his stomach and he slowed. Yet, he grit his teeth and pushed past the pain as he charged forward. Right now, it did not matter how hurt he was, how much blood he last or how delirious he was. All that Alec cared about was reaching the cube.
As Alec and Gamma neared the single cube amidst the chaos all around them, Gamma was about to reach the object first. Out of nowhere though, another figure tackled Gamma to the side and pinned her down.
Gamma looked in horror as Alexis held her in place. She yelled curses and turned to the cube. She reached out in desperation but it was too late.
Alec touched the cube and became enveloped in a bright light. In that moment, Alec did not want power or strength, all he wanted to do was protect those near and dear to him.
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Alec found himself in a familiar setting. It was the café where he met the spirits of Avrora, Jean Bart, and Atago. Only this time, there was no one around.
He was about to speak, when he felt a hand on his shoulder. Instinctually, he touched the hand with his own and felt the warmth it radiated.
"You know Alec," said Atago, standing on his left and smiling gently at him "we'll always be on your side."
"But just this once," said Jean Bart to the right.
"Just this once," repeated Avrora.
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Alec opened his eyes and found himself on the battlefield once again. He looked ahead and saw the wisdom cube was no longer there. All Alec was reaching out to was empty air.
"You failed," boasted Gamma, wriggling herself free and ramming Alexis to the ground "you had one chance to turn this war around and you failed so spectacularly."
"I want you to remember something before I kill you," she said, brandishing a wicked smile "I'll make your beloved suffer a hundred fold before I end her once and for all."
She charged to Alec, intending to end him where he stood. But to his surprise, an unknown crashed her foot into Gamma's face and kicked her away like a football.
Alec looked at the attacker and saw a woman with flowing medium-pink hair dressed in an admiral's shirt with the top two buttons open, wearing a short black skirt, black leggings and high heels. In her right hand she carried an ornate and beautiful onyx broadsword.
"So," said the woman, turning to him "'twas thy voice that awoke my soul from it's slumber."
Alec tried to, but couldn't fully understand what she said.
Gamma rose to her feet and summoned several Hybrids to her side. She pointed them to Alec and they charged but were summarily wiped out by several volleys of cannon fire.
Alec now saw a young girl with flowing black hair, a pair of fox ears, wearing a red dress and a transparent white dress walk next to him.
"York's speech confuses most but do not fear, she means well," said the girl to Alec.
"What the hell?" shouted several voices in the communicator
"What's going on?" asked Alec
"All of a sudden, we're picking up new readings from all over the battlefield," said Bearn "but that's impossible."
"Why is it impossible?" he asked.
Before Bearn could answer, the pink-haired woman called York spoke.
"Ah, the rest of us have all gathered. Good. A declaration of our identities will be sure to strike fear into their hearts and fill ours with courage."
The woman then raised her sword up and shouted "HMS Duke of York."
The little girl next to Alec said "IJN Nagato."
And then, Alec started hearing other names.
"USS Washington"
"USS Colorado"
"USS Maryland"
"USS North Carolina"
"USS Baltimore"
"USS Alabama"
"USS Bataan"
"USS Alywin"
"USS Birmingham"
"USS San Juan"
"USS St. Louis"
"USS Massachusetts"
"USS South Dakota"
"USS Minnieappolis"
"IJN Kawakaze
"IJN Mutsu"
"IJN Kongou"
"IJN Haruna"
"IJN Yoizuki"
"IJN Harutsuki"
"IJN Mikasa
"IJN Ashigara"
"IJN Naka"
"IJN Hatakaze"
"IJN Hiei"
"HMS Victorious
"HMS Formidable"
"HMS Jamaica"
"HMS Matchless"
"HMS Musketeer"
"HMS Fiji"
"HMS Hardy"
"HMS Hunter"
"HMS King George V"
"HMS Glorious"
"FNFF Le Temeraire"
"FNFF Forbin"
"FNFF Emile Bertin"
"FNFF L'Opiniatre"
Saint Louis then noticed the surface of the water before her breaking. Suddenly, she saw a girl shoot out from the water, riding a modified submarine.
"Wolfpack assemble," shouted the little girl "U-556"
"KMS U-81"
"KMS U-101"
"KMS U-110"
"KMS U-73"
"KMS U-557"
"And now for the extended family," said U-556.
"USS Albacore"
"USS Cavalla"
"FNFF Surcous"
"IJN I-25"
"IJN I-26"
"IJN I-56"
"IJN I-19"
"IJN I-168"
"IJN I-58"
Illustrious blinked for a few seconds then rubbed her eyes.
Meanwhile, Gamma used this chance to get back to her flagship. Just as she thought that things could not get any worse, several warning signs appeared on the screen. She looked up and her eyes widened as she saw several holes in the sky open up.
Several of the girls knew these portals as well and feared the worst. They all pointed their weapons to it and readied themselves for the inevitable.
Alec saw the holes in the sky and grew pale. He expected to see more Siren ships coming through but that's not what happened, not at first. Instead, he noticed a lone figure on a glider coming to his location.
"Everyone stand down, that's Purifier," said Enterprise.
The one known as Purifier came to a halt when she saw Alec. She looked at him with her glowing yellow eyes and asked "where's the Commander?"
Alec swallowed and hesitantly pointed to the superstructure behind her. Purifier turned and stared quietly at it for a moment.
"Just as she predicated," said Purifier to herself
"You there," said Duke of York, pointing her sword and rigging at Purifier "announce thine name or face swift judgment."
At this, Purifier stared at Duke of York and said "I don't have time to engage in the old-timey English speak. We've got a war to win and I came to cause to help."
"Help?" repeated Alec but Purifier did not listen. Instead, she pressed two fingers to her ear and looked at the portals.
"Bring them all."
To Gamma's horror and Alec's shock, hundreds of Siren ships began pouring through the portals. What was even more shocking is that rather than shoot at the Azur Sky, the ships were instead forming ranks alongside them, closing holes in the defenses and protecting any girls who were severely injured.
And the final nail in the coffin came when the last two combatants entered the battlefield.
Friedrich was the first to sense it and looked in their direction.
"It can't be," she said, recognizing their presence almost immediately.
"But that's…" said Enterprise, recognizing one of the two "how is she here?"
"USS New Jersey, ready to fight"
"IJN Shinano, your orders are my objective"
"Alec," shouted Curtis, as he, Alexis and the rest of the soldiers rallied themselves up and stood ready.
"Give us the order," shouted Alexis.
"Ready when you are Alec," said Enterprise.
"Lead the way young one," said Duke of York.
"We stand together with you," said Nagato "now, say the words once again."
In that moment, a revelation hit Alec. When it did, he realized how foolish he was for not realizing it sooner.
Ever since his appearance, Alec always felt he was playing second fiddle to James. Although James never intended it, Alec felt a bit of jealousy against the leader and with good reason. Here he was struggling to hold his own and buckle under all this weight and then there was James. The guy made everything from winning battles to commanding the fleet look effortless.
For so long Alec racked his head trying to figure out and understand why he could do what he did. For so long he thought he hit a dead end, until now.
James never did it alone. He had the faith, support, and loyalty of all those who agreed to follow him. And that's why he knew he could do anything because they all stood together with him.
It was this realization that made Alec's body fill with determination. He pointed directly at the flagship and with all the energy he could muster, he shouted:
"AZUR SKY, LIGHT 'EM UP."
In response, the Black Dragon of the Eagle Union fired a deafening barrage at the enemies. The girls and Siren ships charged forward with renewed strength and focus.
Alec watched as the two that stood with him, Curtis, Alexis and everyone else let out a fierce cry as they ran towards the enemy forces.
This time it was different, this time Alec knew he could win. Why?
"Better watch your back big guy," said Alec "I've finally caught up to you."