She ran with all haste. As swiftly as she moved, her mind raced faster. Her thoughts and her pulse competed with alarm.

She had been exposed.

A foolish, careless mistake on her part. The shadows she took as an ally had failed her this time. And now the witness would no doubt spread word of the unusual sighting.

She had considered many variables, innumerable possibilities in her work. The machinations that drove this war was no small feat on her part; it was fortuitous that a hawk dwelled high within Verusan ranks and a snake of her own inserted within the Federation. Manipulating Tanager from the last war was a simple affair but this particular conflict was a dream come true. Much has been spent to ensure it would brew and conflagrate as she had envisioned, an opportunity of a lifetime to pit two rival superpowers against each other. Much was at stake to fan the flames and perpetuate the enmity she and her conspirators had stoked. As such, everything had been planned. Assets were in place, pieces nudged where they could be, and situation adapted as necessary; the sudden guest's arrival was one such adjustment.

Everything was taken into account… except for being spotted by Kestrel by sheer luck.

Kestrel…

Of all the individuals, why her?!

The woman in gray paused, the sun banished from behind the cover of architecture, the shadows now abundant. Secrecy followed - she returned to her domain. But her worries did not end here. They had only just begun.

A voice in the darkness greeted her. "Back so soon?"

The woman did not bother turning to address Observer Alpha. "... We have a situation."

The Siren stirred. "We have conceded the loss of his potential involvement to preserve the ongoing experiment, even though I doubt even he could throw our machinations into complete disarray. What new concern would you bring to us now?"

The woman in gray inhaled sharply. "... Kestrel."

Observer pondered with amusement at the name. "Yes, the potent subject of our current experiment as was in our previous one. What of her has you so ill?"

"Everything," she responded with uncharacteristic firmness. Although her voice remained subdued and sinister, the Siren narrowed her eyes at the unusual tone. "What she is now aware of has the potential to undo our schemes. She is now a volatile factor that must be addressed before our work is unraveled."

"Kestrel? Did you just say Kestrel?"
"Nu, yes she did! She was working with the Delta Coalition in the last war! Er, that is to say, your previous experiment, nu."

The tentacled Siren coiled in her makeshift throne. "Was she now… Ah yes, the so-called Silver Star Idol, star of the Federation's navy, one who gained the spotlight from the Temptation War so far back."

"As did I…" All heads turned back to the woman, her eyes glazed in a far-flung memory. "The war that gave birth to all of us. I know of her… And she will know of me.

"... Once she knows who I am, then our plan is foiled. The world does not know we exist, for we are meant to be damned souls. Once the facade breaks, the truth will be exposed and so will us!"

The Siren rolled her eyes. "You exaggerate. Who would believe claims that would only be received as outlandish?"

"The seed need only to be planted," the woman hissed. "Should the possibility arise that a third party is pulling strings behind the curtain, then the illusion would be unveiled. A variable unaccounted for and neglected will grow beyond our control!"

"And it would link back to us," a submarine gasped.
"A bigger mess in our hands, nu!" exclaimed the other.

Observer sighed in concession. "Then remove this Kestrel entity. You have eyes and ears that reach across this world, do you not?"

"She has nowhere to hide…" nodded the woman. "A simple assassination would suffice, wouldn't you agree, Beowulf π?"

"Oh! Like a sneak attack! That would be perfect!"
"Or maybe something like a bomb nu? Let the evidence get rid of itself."

"Something discreet yet powerful… a power that will spell definitive doom. Perhaps…"

Then the woman's lips curled with inspiration. "... I would like to offer you a moment of redress, if I may. For the opportunity lost with your prime subject's departure."

This bought Observer's intrigue. "Oh?"

"I have forsaken you a powerful catalyst for your experiment, that I admit," continued the woman in gray. "So as indemnity, I offer you a chance to stimulate development… accelerate progress, if you will. A perfect opportunity to make up for lost potential while also achieving my… pressing concerns. I am certain you would not object to what this will add to the course of events."

The Siren found this intriguing as did the two Beowulves. "What do you have in mind?"

A chuckle. "No… who do I have in mind?"

Upon hearing this, Observer Alpha's expression began to mirror that of the woman's.

A crack.

Light spilled earnestly at the cue of a door swinging open. It rang out amid the hanging silence like the birth of a universe, shattering the quietness that seemed to have existed in the depths for time immemorial. The pit so defined by the shadows was finally disturbed after so long.

The door had been locked for a reason.

Shadows draped the steps one by one, the frame of the visitor sweeping over the heartless floor. Even as the light became banished by the figure's approach, the semblance of balance was anything but complete. The visitor's arrival - and her purpose - ensured that today was of grave significance.

Umely marched down the hall, the darkness of the cavern swallowing her like a nightmare. A tepid air smothered her. Somewhere, the faint echoes of a drip falling staccato made for a disquieting choir. Indoor lighting guided her way through fleeting glimpses but staring ahead, only the void greeted her.

The Commissary took twenty paces. Then she stopped.

"... You two, step forward. Your Commissary has orders for you."

A pitiless snicker answered her as did a pebble flicked to her feet. "Oh have you now? Calling yourself the Commissary, aren't you?"

Umely glowered towards the darkness. "I am. Admiral Tsanev and the others have been wiped out. Were they around, you would remain unneeded - unused. But now I am the Commissary… And I have a use for you."

Another chuckle, now from a different voice. "Oh really? Can't wait to hear about it…"

"Perhaps I can allow my guest of honor to do just that." Stepping aside, Umely gave way to the new figure bathed in the shadows in her place as she joined the unseen party in the dark.

But the darkness suited the woman in gray just perfectly.

"The enemy you are to fight… is the Silver Star Federation. But what's more, you are to fight their greatest strength: their carriers. A select few have proven… thorns to the Commissary's plans. Three, to be precise. I'm certain you may know of who they are, especially one whom you may have heard of… Kestrel. Decrypted Federation communications have graciously provided me their current location at this very moment. The request asked of you is simple: destroy the Federation's fleet to your heart's content for as long as this war lasts. But make sure you destroy those carriers first.

"Do you accept… my little demons?"

A dismissive scoff was heard before a head shot out from the dark, the chamber filled by its serpentine head as did a terrible metallic rancor as it bit at the woman, the jaws wide enough to swallow her whole. But a bridle held it back, leaving it to gnash futilely at the woman's amusing smirk.

"... I'll consider that a yes."

Umely's sneer curled just a bit more with delight. Entering her authentication code on a nearby pad, she wrenched a lever and the defenses that guarded this dungeon stood at ease. Like everything else, they were not meant to ward away outsiders.

The safeguards were down; the shackles have been released; the gates that divided the world from the hell below were wide open.

The Verusan Entente's dangerous prisoners were now cut loose.

Location: Entente harbor facility, Cinigrad

"... What do you mean you can't?!"

Akagi's ire-ridden demand echoed throughout the interior as the vixen carrier screeched, her wrath falling upon an unfortunate victim like a broadside of an entire fleet.

Before her, a petite girl recoiled. As much as she was used to Akagi's whims (which were often impetuous), she could still not get used to the scathing derisions and biting confrontations of her superior. And what misfortune to be under such fickle command.

"Nya, all I'm trying to tell you is that those things you're asking for aren't ready yet!"

Sakura Empire Repair Ship
AKASHI

Akagi scowled. "And why not? Have you not already studied those damned schematics sent by U-73?"

"Of course I have!" the cat-like girl objected with restrained annoyance. "The notes are all there (translated from whatever she scribbled, nya). But the issue is that even when using Ironblood's own experiments in homing torpedoes and jet engines as a starting point, the real deal's still ways off! You're expecting me to deliver to you decades of work in a fraction of that time, nya!"

"Then give me the next best thing!" the carrier screeched.

"... You mean whatever you're already using?" Akashi asked as she gave her an odd look. "Afraid I can't help you much there, nya. There's only so much my inventory can do to give you what you're looking for."

"Hmph. Just what are we paying you for?" the fox-like carrier complained with hands on her hips.

"Your continued patronage, of course~," ribbed Akashi, relishing in the chance to smirk at the carrier. For all the faults of working under a demanding person, the repair ship knew full well that she was too important for any severe disciplining. Useful for when working under anyone who happened to be uncompromising, harsh, and named Akagi.

Not that it kept the carrier in question from trying. Akagi's expression contorted even more as her ire-filled eyes took aim with her hand. "Why you-!"

"Ahem!"

Akagi glanced behind her. A character as diminutive as the repair ship awaited by her back, robed as she was but in a gray regalia with bright yellow trimming and ribbon tie. Under a short curtain of orange hair did two prominent bulbous-like eyes peer at her with a look of particular disapproval, followed by a stuffy voice.

"I would certainly appreciate it if you used your inside voice. There's no need to raise a fuss."

Verusan Entente Destroyer
CHIZH

Chizh gestured to the trolley in front of her, loaded with tomes, indexes, primers, and other miscellaneous materials that now sat idle in transit. "And I would also certainly appreciate it if you scoot aside. These learning materials aren't going to sort and distribute themselves."

With a haughty scoff, Akagi obliged, letting the cargo and the small ship passage that cut between her and Akashi. As she passed through, Chizh kept her eyes on the Sakura carrier, now with a more impartial look. "You know, I've been overhearing you go on and on about upgrades and strengthening. If you're that desperate to improve, you're more than welcome to drop by at the lecture hall. I have lessons from 9 to 2 every weekday, remedials on weekends."

"... I will keep that in mind," muttered Akagi who felt slighted at being advised so condescendingly by a ship below her standing.

Akashi's gaze gravitated towards the objects on the cart and quickly soon so did her hands. "Nya, what's this, the newest shipment of skill books? Nyagh! Volume T4?!"

"And what of it? It's to be expected," questioned Chizh as she promptly snatched the book out of the merchant cat's paws before slotting it back into place. "And please keep your hands to yourself."

"Eh-heh. Couldn't help but take a gander, nya~... Hm? What's this? A record album called 'Metal Aces of the Rock Table'-?"

"I said keep your hands to yourself!" the small instructor hissed, throwing in a slap on the cat-ship's face.

"There you are." Turning around, Akagi was greeted to the sight of her sister in white with Ayanami and another ship by her side. Instantly her visage slackened - there was reason to be in pleasing mood.

Kaga approached, and as she did her notice of Akashi elicited a sigh. "You've been at it again?"

"How else to pass the time whilst licking my wounds, my dear sister?" Akagi purred with a disarming smile. "A little… disciplinary action does wonders to ease the mind when recovering."

Her sister narrowed her eyes. "You know that's not what I meant. I know your last defeat has been… bothersome. But now is not the time to lose our head or our way. There is still a war to be fought and enemies to be met."

Beneath a clenched jaw, Akagi hissed a vexing sigh. "First the Gray Ghost, now that damned imitator… I must absolve my indignity suffered at their hands and of their wretched technology."

"Don't tell me you're looking for excuses."

Akagi peered up to leer at the source of the voice. Taking her place beside her sister and Ayanami, a figure stood in stark contrast to the white. Where the snow-colored robes and dress could paint the sliverest of benign images for Kaga and Ayanami, this one's outfit of black was an uncompromising signal of the foreboding powers this person possessed. A great curved katana, though restrained in its sheath on her shoulder, only served to add this kansen's imposing appearance and potential.

Sakura Empire Light Cruiser
KINU

"Not all terrifying demons possess a sword; the fear and power come from within. You of all ships should be the last one who should be bemoaning about inadequacies and resorting to untested equipment."

Both Kaga and Akagi shot her silent glares, the latter's more venomous for the intended slight. But the realization also gave her a bitter epiphany. The power that would soar her to new heights as the critical edge over her foes was still a dream away. The answer she sought laid elsewhere. Like it or not, Akagi knew where to find it and what it asked of her: she must vanquish the scum with her own hands and own talents.

There would be no miracle, no guaranteed solution to overcome her shortcomings like a magical elixir. She must continue the fight with what she has, learning her adversaries' strengths. The burden of surmounting a difficult opponent was firmly on her shoulders.

The more she came upon this realization, the more she ground her teeth in silence.

All the more reason to vanquish the worthless scum. The thought of finally besting them by her own merit helped bring about a certain… euphoria to the vixen ship.

Ayanami glanced between the two carriers. "So what's next?"

Akagi shifted her eyes back to Akashi who still perused the "merchandise" to Chizh's annoyance. Her sharp call snapped her back to attention. "You, dumb cat. You are dismissed. Continue your work; remember that I still expect results."

Given an order, Akashi sagged her shoulders. As much as her relationship with the current Sakura leadership meant she was assured from the worst, Akashi knew that insubordination had its dire limits. Akagi would not harm her, but Akashi would be foolish to push too far.

Such was the cutthroat life of an intrepid merchant and entrepreneur.

"Whatever you say, nya. You know where to find me. And don't forget that tomorrow there's special deals for- Nyaagh!"

As Akashi looked up to see just who put a wall where she was walking, a hand flashed before her face to shove her back. The repair ship fell on her rear to the clattering of the her toolkit. A cruel snickering brought highlight to her mishap.

"Watch where you're going, pipsqueak."

Chizh gasped. She wasted no time hopping aside as the trolley she was to deliver was shoved aside just as callously, tones of abject mockery spared in recognition of the deed. Shadows of passing figures towered over her without paying her any mind - a providence as she gaped in quiet trepidation.

The rest of the Sakura detachment however, was not so keen on fear. They immediately held their ground, leering at the approaching persons in their own little blockade. Closest to them, Akagi took a tight-lipped gander at the new figures - just two in total. Scantily-clad with piercing eyes and stunning figures and proportions, she found more reason to view them with distaste.

It wasn't long until they took notice of her cold gaze. Coming to a stop in front of Akagi, they leered back at her, letting the face-to-face confrontation highlight their towering stature as their shadow fell over the Sakura ship.

"... What're you waiting for, furball?" taunted one with a sawtoothed sneer, her red hair long and unruly like manes of fire.

"Think she's too dumb to know what we're saying?" mocked the other, sharing the first one's shark-like grin under a dark hood, her hair elegant but evidently dark like her soul.

Akagi's temper flared. "Oh I do," she growled.

She suddenly found herself pushed, the culprit reveling in the brazen act with an uncaring snicker. "Then get out of our way, you dumb fox!"

Instantly Kaga stepped forward, bracing her sister by the shoulder. Ayanami and Kinu fell behind them in solidarity, hands on their respective weapons. Yet the one responsible for the act took great delight in their response, now cackling as if treated to a funny joke. "Look at 'em! Think they can take us on!"

The other shared her humor at the sight of the Sakura ships readying for a showdown. "Of course they do, Hrim. That's because they don't know us. They just don't know any better."

"Pheh. Morons."

Kinu scowled with disgust. Pulling out her katana, a great declaration came forth. "Enough! You will now pay for your-"

A flash, of hand and light, and before everyone knew it the hand of their meddler was now home to a treacherous dagger. The glint of the blade shimmered against Akagi's cheek, the edge resting against the skin of her throat. It took the carrier a second to realize this as the piercing tip brushed the side of her face. Akagi returned to aim her glare at the dagger's owner, the redhead who smirked back to reveal her fangs.

Seeing this froze every Sakura ship cold. Time stood still for the tense scene that was about to embroil: Kinu with her sword about to strike; Ayanami with her own blade held behind her back in hopes of landing on their still-unnamed tormentors; Kaga with her hand poised to rain fire, now too far and slow in coming to her sister's aid. Her eyes exchanged daggers of their own at the one who held her family at knife-point.

The one with blue hair ogled at the standoff with childish glee. "Hahaha! Cat got your tongue, foxgirl?"

The retort went unanswered as Akagi kept her gaze level. Her eyes continued to shine with enmity, yet as she looked closely they were met with those that brimmed with an almost… kindred spirit. Something familiar, something relatable. Yet it burned differently, a blaze that sought to burn everything around it: the person in front of her, the people around her, this corridor, this building, the sea…

Even the world. Not out of hatred, but out of malice; out of a fire's natural desire to see things burn because it can. It had no loyalty but to its own nature.

That, Akagi knew, was where even she found something worth distancing herself from this insolent person.

Kaga shifted her glance between the knife and their new foes. "... Who are you curs to hold a blade against my Dear Sister?"

"Shove it up your ass, snow fox," insulted the blue-hair.

"Watch your tongue, you impudent interloper," warned Kinu as she dared to inch closer with her weapon. "Who are you to show utter disregard in the presence of a Sakura oni - a demon of the battlefield?!"

Upon hearing this, the two laughed out loud. Their combined cackling rang with ruckus and with disrespect.

"You hear that Scinny? A 'demon'!"
"Yeah, I heard! Some demon… Ooooh!"

Closing in on Kinu with casual strides (while still keeping her knife up against Akagi's neck where it remained), the redhead encroached the light cruiser with the same towering aura she gave the carrier.

Kinu kept a firm hand on her sword even as a hand dared to flutter up to her face, brushing aside her ebon cap. The cruiser kept her cool from this immature showmanship.

"Listen here, you brat. Nobody gives a shit what you call yourself. You may look like a demon but those stupid horns of yours only makes you look retarded. You're no demon… you're just a fish who's found herself in a bigger pond.

"If anyone here's a demon… it's us! We're the goddamn Razgriz, you hear?!"

Turning to look back at Akagi, her expression shifted as if despite the acrimony she had forgotten she was one twitch away from slitting her throat all this time. Her grip and sneer returned as she remembered until a beeping snatched her attention. Following her gaze downward, Akagi noticed a curious-looking collar around this person's neck. A grimace was offered in recognition to the peculiar object.

The tip of the dagger nudged lightly against Akagi's cheek. "Got the message now?"

Nobody said a word. Shared looks and mutual hostility covered everything that needed to be uttered.

Finally the knife was withdrawn, freeing Akagi from its grasp. But the situation was not freed from the tension as the fiery-haired woman continued to fiddle it in her hand as she pushed past the Sakura blockade, the other following closely behind. The duo continued on their way down the corridor, the blue-haired accomplice making sure to leave behind one last taunting gesture as a parting gift.

The Sakura ships watch them leave, all too glad to watch them depart their presence. Akagi, content to have her skin free from the touch of cold steel, spat in their direction. Kinu sheathed her sword, disappointed to have denied them the taste of retribution. Like her fellow "demon", Ayanami put away her weapon with displeasure, remembering their antagonism and spiteful contempt of their title.

"Who in the world were those two…?" Kaga muttered as she watched with cold eyes.

"They… are the Entente's monsters."

All attention swung back to realize that Chizh had remained as the forgotten onlooker of the scene that transpired. She stood by the fallen trolley as a survivor of a climatic skirmish, still too shocked to even tend to the scattered books.

The four Sakura ships looked to her for answers. "What do you mean 'monsters'?"

Chizh struggled to walk, each step hesitant and unstable. Even her attempt to adjust her oversized glasses became hampered by trembling hands. The fear was palpable.

"They… they were our country's dark secret. Experiments bred after the Temptation War, inspired by the need to possess even more potent weapons of our own. To that end, we were successful… too successful, one might say. So powerful and terrible they were that our old leaders were afraid to use them, the only ones worthy of sharing the name of a mythical being known for ending the world…

"If they've been unleashed for this war, then I can only fear what Umely plans to do with them."

Akagi and Kaga exchanged looks. Uncertain gaze met those of apprehension at the new knowledge, and even Ayanami couldn't help but feel anxious.

Kinu kept her reservations tight to herself. As she put her hat back on, only one burning question concerned her. "These… demons of yours. What are their names?"

"They are…"

Having reached the docks, the two figures stood by the edge. Overcast weather grayed the skies, the color of the waves seemed dulled. The world as a whole was forlorn in recognition of these two's arrival, their first return to open seas in recent memory.

The redhead grinned at the familiar sight. Even in such dreary weather she felt none of it against her open skin, covered only by her yellow-white two-piece bikini, brown spurred boots, and white wraps around her hands. The dagger that twirled in her fingers was promptly returned to its place to a sheath on her left forearm, one item among many returned to her vast collection she kept on her very body via belts and straps. With hair wild like her soul and with a hairband whose spikes extended out like rays of the sun, she was a woman of fire.

But like the sun whose warmth was absent from the sky, there would be none to bring to this world. She would simply bring the fires of Hell to her enemies.

Glancing down at the water, the waves began to pick up. She leapt up as if to join the water as it quivered and bubbled like a froth. Suddenly, a body emerged from the surface. Her feet instead found the being that appeared from below, growing more and more until it proved colossal. A monstrous head was raised from its long neck and a terrible metallic shriek drowned the air.

She snatched a set of reins that swung by and the monster became submissive. A mere set of bridle by the great mechanical leviathan's mouth cowed it - for now.

Verusan Entente Submarine Aircraft Cruiser
SCINFAXI

Nearby, the figure with blue hair watched with glee from under her dark hooded jacket that sat robed over her shoulders. Like Scinfaxi, she was clad in a skirtini of blue and black and adorned with pearl braids. Unlike her, a set of elbow gloves and impressive black leather thigh-high boots seemed more sensible for the outdoors. But unlike Scinfaxi, this particular ship never felt the warmth. Dark like the night and pale as the moon, she joined her sister to ride the waves atop her own titanic beast, an identical twin with slender snake-like form with audience of great jagged teeth to form the mouths of hell.

She pulled on her reins, bringing her own mechanized dragon to heel.

Verusan Entente Submarine Aircraft Cruiser
HRIMFAXI

Sisters and monsters alike floated on the sea. Two halves made whole in the unity of bringing death.

Their riggings summoned, they were ready.

The two snapped their reins. "Hiyah!"

Their respective beasts obeyed, and like steeds they lunged forward. Waves crashed, froth spewed, and the oceans split as they took off. They slithered along the surface bringing their masters along as their mounts. The wind whipping past them now felt bleak, transforming into frigid howls to accompany their terrible journey.

As they rode the backs of their pets, the collars on both Scinfaxi and Hrimfaxi beeped. Hrimfaxi glanced down at the thick black cuff-like device wrapped around her neck with an irate stare. "Damn this stupid piece of shit…"

"Bet I can figure out how to disarm 'em," commented Scinfaxi. "Umely's been using the same dumb bombs for as long as I can remember… 'Course, I'd have to use you as my guinea pig. Just in case."

Hrimfaxi's steed snapped its jaw at her sister. "I'll be sure to shove this junk up your ass when you do!"

"Haha! You wish! But as long as we do that little errand, we're free!"
"Sweet freedom, here we come!"

Snapping their reins, their steeds were spurred on. Their passage left behind a gaping trail in their wake, rising tides rolling by their sides. Like a tidal wave of a terrible storm, they were one en route to a target.

Free from their prison, the world outside would be at their mercy. Their sentence had come to an end like the calm before the impending tempest.

Their freedom would come at a most terrible price.