Location: Murska naval base, Verusan Entente
All across the Verusan Entente, the domains that made up its vast territories hung still. Even with the world at war, the superpower that stretched from the Usean Ocean to the east to the Ceres Ocean to the west seemingly slept. Even in the base close to the fighting, the fabled war was relegated as far-off echoes of thunder in the distant seas, the frontlines.
Yet in one day, it all changed when the whole nation was awoken to the news that gripped the collective consciousness of the Entente. A message that brought the war back home.
To the many comrades that safeguarded the state, the news could not be any more unexpected… and shocking.
To Pitomnik, the news was unbelievable, almost surreal. From the day they were delivered she could scarcely believe it. But for the past couple days, they have been bombarding her. Everywhere she looked, she could see it: the base as it was but with a new dress, a new decoration in commemoration, almost like a holiday.
The news that was the complete destruction of the Federation's Eaglin Straits, and the two that delivered that victory.
Victory. Pitomnik shuddered at the word. The same word that their Commissary Umely used to hail the moment. The celebration of their enemy's defeat, the rejoicing of their country's dark secrets now come to light, and the triumph of a massacre that took place with the promise of more to come over the vermin, the dogs, the cowards, the hypocrites.
Glorious, righteous, retribution, heroic. Pitomnik remembered how Umely proclaimed the unprecedented news that stunned everyone. How one uneventful day, an entire base had been wiped out, a piece of the earth practically erased in a single unexpected attack by two of their own. Two ships whom no one had ever heard of, gifting their nation the most monumental of gains.
Yet as far as she was concerned, those ships - Scinfaxi and Hrimfaxi - were not comrades as Umely so proclaimed. Not heroes or "the Razgriz in the flesh" as she had praised; goddesses that walked amongst mortals like themselves.
Goddesses of destruction, ruin, and carnage. Demons. Monsters, the both of them.
For annihilating a whole land, for slaughtering untold many that made up whatever the Federation had planned at their staging ground at Eaglin Straits. Pitomnik recalled how the images of the aftermath had been shared as totems of victory. The portraits of a ruin unlike any she nor any of her comrades had ever witnessed. Land blackened and scorched; what was once there it was difficult to determine as a great gash took its place on earth and water. Fire and devastation had infected both, smothering the land and choking the seas. Even the very skies were not spared from the damnation with smoke and ash suffocating the air. As much as the images had showcased, the dark haze made it difficult to comprehend the horrors that were seen.
It chilled Pitomnik to think what the true scope was beneath it all.
Such was the testament which Umely wished to declare gallant, valorous, courageous, noble. Heroic. Victory.
The young destroyer shook her head, but even as she did the news, images, and messages were everywhere. The grand news quickly spread across the virtual sea and had taken the Verusan Entente by storm. There was no escaping it.
"To hell with it…" Pitomnik bitterly muttered.
"Hey everything all right, man?"
An arm landed on her shoulders before she could even look up to see that it was Gumrak suddenly by her side. Pitomnik swiftly snapped to attention in the face of her fellow destroyer and her seemingly inseparable duo Chuda and Dub.
"Er, n-nothing! Just… talking to myself!"
Dub rolled her eyes. "Gee, what could you possibly be talking to yourself about…".
"Er… about nothing in particular, comrade!"
Gumrak chuckled. "Chill man. You know me, so there's no need to be so uptight."
"Yeppers, I know Gumrak well alright!" Chuda remarked with a wide smile. "She's cool, kind-hearted, ballsy, smells nice…"
Ignoring that last remark (and everything else that followed), Gumrak approached Pitomnik with a friendly smirk. "So how're you doing? Nice day outside?"
The greenhorn ship diverted her gaze, pretending to observe the harbor park around her. The open plaza of stone landscape and regimented gardens were home to tranquil air and moments of serenity. The atmosphere of state ideology remained persistent in its architecture, yet today, as Pitomnik dourly noted, the ambience was polluted by the abundance of their recent success distributed as zealous propaganda.
Gumrak knew what she was thinking the moment she caught Pitomnik's expression. She glanced up to see the same sights, the same news that had been forcibly fed to them. Images of gallantry, destruction of their foes, and the supposed valor of their demon duo. The news echoed again and again as idolatry for the masses.
She frowned. "Annoying, ain't it? Can't enjoy some sights without seeing old news shoved in your face. Wished there was at least something better."
Glumly, Pitomnik nodded. "Gumrak… what did you think of it? The news? The things she showed us…?"
"Buncha crock if you ask me (which you just did)," came the redhead's immediate reply. "We were doing fine ourselves and all of a sudden Umely sics some crazy-ass bimbos? Since when? When did our good 'ol Commissary decided it was needed to freaking nuke a place…?"
"All those ships who were there…" shuddered Pitomnik.
"Never seen anyone that powerful, to flatten a whole base with just two ships like that," added Chuda with awe in her voice. "But those two… Brr! You could practically see the crazy in their eyes!"
Dub sighed. "And Umely expects us to treat them well 'cause they're heroes. Might as well worship psychos…"
Gumrak nodded in agreement. "Tell you what man, that 'victory' sure felt sour."
"But a victory nonetheless." All heads jumped up at the voice, the reveal of an interloper close by. Seated just by the base of a fountain was Kaniak, her hands busy with a hand mirror and brush. Her eye too would have rested on her casual task had it not found its resting place upon the four destroyers and their talk. Kaniak spied them with a cautious look as did the others that happened to be nearby: Upor and Chaplya.
The destroyer promptly shut her hand mirror with a snap. "To ask whether a victory was justified or not is to ask whether one would prefer defeat. This is war - they are won by gains and losses, not personal feelings, Pitomnik."
Pitomnik turned aside, shame and fear keeping her lips shut. Gumrak however took up the challenge in her friend's place. "Oh I'm sure that's how it all works, Kaniak. Umely totally wasn't pissed when she sent us to war, calling the Federation every insult under the sun. But not even they decided to go as far as she has, sending totally-not psychos to destroy an entire base and treating that like some holiday. I'm sure she didn't come to that decision without some personal feelings."
"It's still an advantage for us," Upor muttered. "Regardless of whether you believe the Federation started this war or not, we as soldiers do what we need to finish it."
Chuda scratched her hair with uncertainty. "I don't know about that. Seeing how wrecked that base was and making that good news is just… messed up, you know?"
Kaniak scoffed. "Oh do be mature about it, Chuda."
Sitting behind them, Chaplya remained aloof from the bickering as she tended to her pet Ustoy's needs. Though as Dub could make out, she was not ignorant of it as she rolled her eyes at Kaniak's statement. Intent understood, Dub allowed her lips to curl at the irony before putting it into words. "Whatever you say Miss Makeup."
The Striking Spear of the Verusan Entente instantly sharpened her eyes upon the lumberjack destroyer. "Wh-what?! What did you say of me, you overdressed defeatist?!"
A spear appeared in Kaniak's hands. But before she could take another step towards her, Dub brandished her large axe. "So much for being above 'personal feelings'," she quietly snarked.
Kaniak vexed her clenched jaw. "So much for you lot being on our side. Na strazy, 'comrade'!"
"S-stop! Both of you!"
A figure swiftly wedged herself in between the two before they could meet in contentious union. The blades of Dub's axe and Kaniak's spear froze before Pitomnik. She stood stiff under the shadow of both weapons, hands raised and expression heated even if her eyes gave away the petrification of fear. She stood as the divide, her bated breath holding the tension still.
Gumrak quickly swooped in to disarm the situation but it was not until a new presence made itself known that the stalemate was usurped. "What's going on here?" a tinny voice demanded.
Chizh stomped into the scene, her brow furrowed at the sight of weapons drawn (with Upor as the exception as she always had hers). Under her irate glare the deadlock yielded and both Pitomnik and Gumrak sighed with relief. But the trouble did not end there.
"What is the meaning of this?" the librarian destroyer pressed.
"Just… a misunderstanding that got a little heated," Gumrak lied, brushing it off with a nervous smile.
"Hmph. Yes, a misunderstanding. As it better be," grumbled Kaniak as she withdrew her spear. With a twirl, she marched away without sparing another word. Upor soon followed and to everyone's surprise so did Chaplya, presumably to make herself scarce from other people's problems.
Chizh watched them go without further explanation, but conceded with a shake of her head. Turning to Pitomnik, her expression softened. "Are you alright?"
"T-thank you, comrade Chizh! I… I think I will…"
The uncertainty gave Chizh pause before she sighed. Her shoulders sagged as though weary, and as tiring as it was, an upward tilt of her head put the propagandized news into view.
"So I'm not the only one…"
Pitomnik hesitated. "I…"
The librarian frowned when she saw the photos of Scinfaxi and Hrimfaxi, mugshots reframed to be striking and inspirational. "I should've known back then… They were our country's buried sins. Umely is making an unforgivable mistake letting them out. And now that they are…
"There's a reason why monsters were to be locked up - and forgotten."
Elsewhere in the base, word of Eaglin Straits massacre reached there as they had in the courtyard. It took hold of the atmosphere as gospel from the state. But as Umely was the sole Commissary, word of state was word from her own mouth. Posters and displays populated the scenery like vines of a jungle, fingers of the sole ruler seeping everywhere.
There, the ranks of the Sakura Empire kept to themselves, but the prevalent nature of the Entente's latest glory leered at them like many eyes. And in some cases, the eyes of the two esteemed heroes gazed upon them. From the banners and screens held up high, it was as if Scinfaxi and Hrimfaxi were looking down upon them, their status elevating them above mere mortals, their lessers.
And Akagi knew from her early experience that they would view their own no differently than their victims.
She had heard the stunning news, saw the shocking images. Akagi and the others had been delivered the startling turn of events like their Entente "comrades". Even as they stood apart as peculiar but convenient allies from another time and place, the Sakura ships found themselves as much of an audience as their bedfellows. Umely's grand announcement had escaped no one. At first intrigued by the customs of Verusan society, they became captive to what they saw: total annihilation of an entire base, destruction that rivaled acts of god and the death of fates - all from just two ships.
It was a feat the likes of which even Akagi had scarcely believed possible.
She narrowed her eyes. The crimson vixen was no stranger to pain and loss, as both deliverer and sufferer. Through war she learned the virtue of pain: a tool to cleanse interlopers and weakness, and impetus when it was afflicted upon her, fuel for her ambitions of reprisal. It was a cycle Akagi learned that compelled the world and destinies.
Yet the Scinfaxis' results made her stop, forced her to even think about having doubts about her place in the world.
As much as she prided herself a master of ruination, Akagi found herself giving the monsters' work due respect. And with that feeling came a sense of unease for her to admit that. The uneasy looks she discerned from the others was uncomfortable in itself, to know that she was in good company with such ominous feeling.
"Power that rivals the mythical gods of destruction," she quietly murmured. Thoughts of their chance meeting resurfaced fresh in her mind, the day she encountered the two beasts. She had heard Chizh's worries, seen the fear in her face. If Akagi didn't believe her back then, then she was devout now.
Her sister Kaga joined her in this disturbing faith. "The likes of which we will be at the mercy of."
"... Unless we find a way to harness it ourselves," Akagi replied as she looked back to the scenes of a scarred land that was paraded as heroism. Although she conceded to the terrifying strength displayed by the Scinfaxis, Akagi was not keen on prostrating herself as a lesser forever. No student remained one without eventually surpassing their teacher, and here she would not rest until the Sakura Empire had such terrible powers of their own. To deny themselves of this was to deny themselves a future.
And if it meant creating monsters of their own, then so be it.
For the first time, Akagi's lips curved into a smile. Ironblood had acquired insight on this world's exotic technologies - now it was their turn to contribute to the cause. When she had the chance, she had much to report back.
Amidst the horrific praise that surrounded them, her smile went unnoticed by Ayanami.
Footsteps.
They knew it was Umely before the hatch even opened, filtered light from the other end of the glass filling the room. The Commissary stood waiting for the barrier to open, somewhat pleased to see Scinfaxi and Hrimfaxi present on the other side.
As the reinforced metal curtain was lifting to unveil the two demons, Umely's frown stretched as she laid eyes on their new habitat. Now that they had been freed, the Commissary had seen fit to offer them a more… habitable condition in their line of duty. But as generous as she had deemed the accommodations to be, Umely found herself grated by the conditions they were in. Squalor lined the crevices and carpeted the ground as litter, no doubt a byproduct of the amenities they had been shared as their reward. Gashes and pockmarks made for new decorations on the walls, additions which Umely instantly recognized as their handiwork. Even the glass she viewed them through like some zoo exhibit bore marks of stress and strain, leading her to conclude that such damages were no isolated incidents - not from keeping two monsters confined.
And as much of a reward as she tried to make it out to be, all that mattered to the Entente leader was that they remained on the other side of the maximum-reinforced glass - for everyone's safety, her's especially.
"I see you have been keeping your new quarters tidy," she remarked.
"Go to hell, you toy soldier," spat Scinfaxi. "Why should we care? No carpet, no wallpaper, a scratchy couch, filthy-ass toilet… You think we wouldn't notice what this place is?"
"The place you deserve," Umely growled. "Or would you have preferred to remain down in the pit where I found you?"
A bottle slammed against the glass, the pieces splintering across the floor. "Shut up," Hrimfaxi snarled as she encroached the barrier. "We did that stupid favor you wanted. Y'know, the carrier bitches? Did we do a good job or what?"
Umely scoffed. "As a matter of fact, you did. I sent you to destroy them, and you annihilated an entire base. Razed it to ash; performed beyond my expectations. My thanks again for your service to the State."
The demon in blue was not satisfied. She pressed her hands against the glass, drawing herself as close as she could to the Commissary until her heated breath could be felt on the surface. "Enough bullshit! If you don't spill the beans on why we're still here, I'll spill your fracking guts!"
Despite the protective wall, the threats came loud. Strong as the barrier and measure may be, seeing the threat in front of her face meant that Umely was unwilling to take risks. Not when the threat caged within could also see her.
With a sigh, Umely merely raised a remote switch in her hand. At its appearance, the collars on Scinfaxi and Hrimfaxi beeped. Immediately the pounding and screaming ceased, Hrimfaxi resorting to a hateful glare at the Commissary. But the meaning was made clear, their relationship reiterated. Umely knew that the Scinfaxis were no mere subordinates: no disciplining could ever bring them to heel - not unless she wanted their destructive intent to be aimed at her and the Entente rather than their enemies.
And as necessary a precaution the bomb collars are, Umely knew they were better as a known threat than to actually make good on it. Not when their "service" was still needed… and especially not when Umely felt like making a foul mess to clean up.
She cleared her throat. "... I will overlook your indiscretions, now that we are still savoring the glory you have brought to us. Today you are heroes of the State. Comrades. And as one, I will indulge you with the truth. The truth, comrades, is that as monumental your first deployment has been in destroying the Federation, they still stand… and so do their accursed carriers."
Scinfaxi raised an eyebrow. "How many did we get?"
"Of the ships I've tasked you with eliminating… just one."
Instantly Hrimfaxi contorted her face with rage. "Goddamnit!"
"But rest assured, all will be well," Umely tried to placate. "Your success has no doubt-"
"Shut up, you asshat! That's not what I'm pissed about," scathingly cut Hrimfaxi. "Now I gotta polish Scinny's goddamn knife collection with spit and bare hands, you know how freaking long that takes?!"
Her red-haired sister chuckled at the pleasant times that awaited from her informal victory (what she owed Hrimfaxi had she lost, Umely did not know and did not want to know). Clearing her throat, the Commissary continued. "Regardless, as I was about to say, you have merely accomplished in removing one carrier who forms the core of the Federation's pathetic air power. The rest - two ships - remain at large. So long as they continue to draw breath, the Verusan Entente will know no-"
"Yeah yeah, we got the message already," grumbled Scinfaxi as she unsheathed one of her daggers to twirl it mindlessly in her fingers. "So we just got one. Doesn't matter, we already killed dozens. Not like two is gonna make a difference."
But as she played with her implements, Scinfaxi then shot a glance towards the cruiser, a dagger of her own aimed straight for Umely.
"... So when do we kill the other two?"
Umely smiled. "Soon, comrade. The time will come again soon. It is as you've said: two will not make a difference. With one slain, the rest will fall in short order. And then… the entire Federation."
Scinfaxi mirrored the Commissary's expression, content. "Looking forward to it," she purred.
"Looking forward to it even more," added her sister as she calmed down, joining Scinfaxi with a malevolent grin of her own.
With a smirk, Umely turned to leave. "I will let you know when we strike. For now… enjoy yourselves."
In her departure, the shutters began to close. Slowly, the wall between monsters and the outside world was raised again, the divide between them and Umely widening to form an impassable border. Soon the separation would be complete and so would their continued imprisonment, their access to the outside restricted to these impersonal visits. Umely didn't need to turn to see Scinfaxi and Hrimfaxi's vicious smiles again.
But stepping out into the drab corridor that was the foundation for the monsters' prison, a scowl formed on Umely's face. A soft chuckle greeted her from behind.
"Something the matter?"
The Commissary battlecruiser did not bother turning towards her benefactor. "They have their use… But they have no intention to being brought to heel. I can toy with their desires only so long as there remains Federation dregs for them to burn. But when there are none…"
Only with a distrustful gaze did Umely peer at the woman. "... Are you certain of what you have told me?"
"Hard to believe, is it not?" she teased. "To call upon the closest one can find to monsters from the darkest pits to drive your ambitions, yet fail to deliver the outcome you sought. A piece of the earth naught but cinders, unspeakable terror unleashed for all to see… all for a mere carrier. Buzzard, her name was. The watchful eye and mind of the Federation's air arm, her methods honed by the Temptation War, sister of-"
"I do not care about the scum we liquidated!" snapped Umely. "I care about those we have not! You had convinced me that the so-called aces of the Federation posed a clear and present danger to our socialist state. It was you who suggested that I call upon the monsters of the Entente to dispatch them, to seize this war in our favor. And it was you who informed me the whereabouts of the Federation's strength, citing a credible source!"
She brought herself to face the woman, her temper held near boiling point. Restraint contained her outrage with one burning question. "... You have an informant, do you not? Who is it?"
Despite her rage, the woman held onto her playful smile. "That… would have to remain an utmost secret. Were the mystery be unraveled… I would need to guarantee your silence."
Umely scoffed. "Do you admit you lack trust in me?"
The woman smirked. "My, are you incriminating me? I am but a mere purveyor in the art of destruction. Trust is but discretionary for my services. After all… you welcome it, do you not?"
Umely wrenched herself away from the woman, pacing about to divert her simmering temper. She glanced back towards the door that led to the Scinfaxis' cell, reminded of the advantages their terrible power had brought. But such qualities came with their equally terrible demeanor which she had known all too well. Umely was no fool: monsters of the Verusan Entente they may be, but the two were monsters all the same in the end. She may have them held on a leash but that meant putting everything she held dear within reach of their fatal bites.
She thought back to the praise she had extolled upon them. Goddesses of destruction, the very incarnation of the great Razgriz, deities arrived to have shown favor to the Entente…
Lies, exaggerations, embellishment, all of it. To praise the two as heroes was a convenient and profitable falsehood which only her country's patriots consumed. But as it's head, the Commissary knew better. Gods she may have caroled them to be, but demons have been more apt. They were evil souls arisen to the mortal realm from the darkest pits of hell. But even as agents of chaos they could be swayed by interests, desires, and whims. They could be persuaded - negotiated with.
And casting a mindful eye toward the woman, perhaps she too was a demon.
Two monsters were more than enough to keep a tight leash on without concern for her own sake. Perhaps this devil may be the preferable evil in the end. After all, one should not bite the hand that feeds.
"... Pray that your sources are of the utmost reliability," she finally stated.
"My faith is guaranteed," the woman replied. "Believe me when I say that the report made for the most unlikely of news… that the key players of the Federation remain in play. Alive, but rendered unwhole. But rest assured… the power of your country's demons will put theirs in death's embrace, while your compatriots burn away what remains with my gifts…"
Umely stared ahead, not nodding but concurred in her thoughts. Weapons, supplies, intel, unparalleled strength, and now time. All the favors were on her side.
"... When is the next shipment due?"
A conniving look grew over the woman's expression. "Right now…"
"See to it that the contents are processed expeditiously," the battlecruiser ordered. "Have them all prepared by the time we begin our next major offensive. The window in which we can capitalize on our enemy's weakness draws to a close."
She turned to look only to find the woman not there. Staring at the vacant void, it was as if Umely had been talking to herself, her enigmatic benefactor a figment of her twisted imagination. But even if the woman had not existed, her contributions did - and so did their shared taste for destruction. What was real or what wasn't mattered not so long as Umely had in her grasp the realization of her desires. She knew about the history that the rival nations shared as main players of the grand world stage; that she could not deny. But in a world devoid of a common foe, allies would only turn on each other, reveal who they really were. Generosity and peaceful intents did not exist, only leverages and positions of strength. Grandiose projects and armed interventions abroad: Umely never sat comfortably with such wanton pursuits. The Silver Star Federation priding themselves the protector of the world with their might had always drawn suspicious eyes - her's included. And when the Federation finally carried out their deceitful assassination of the Cervidae Presidium, that was when Umely realized what their true colors were. War was terrible, pitiless, and cruel but that was the sacrifice in the name of change, of a culling that separated the wheat from the chaff - the righteous from the hypocrite, of those who waged war in the arbitrary name of peace.
Whatever was to come from this conflict, Umely wanted nothing more than to put the Federation in their place.
Perhaps she had much more in common with the demons that she had assumed.
Location: Okchabursk, Verusan Entente
Out in the clear skies, a cacophonous orchestra flourished. The birds, the waves, the machinery, the foghorns. Sounds of industry invaded the atmosphere as concrete pathways jutted into the oceans like roots, gargantuan ships crawling to and fro along the earthen tendrils as mighty cranes rose and lowered their lofty heads like deified birds. The harbor was a nexus of activity and today was exceptionally lively.
Past the veins of docks, a forest of cargo was raised. Great containers of corrugated steel, wood, or webbed meshing formed the artificial jungle as crew and machine worked feverishly to ferry them from their arks before they would eventually be shuttled deeper inland to parts unknown.
At the crux of this operation, two figures oversaw the delivery. Standing out from the flock of yellow-blobbed nuggets and their steed of vehicles, Beowulf π and Beowulf v watched the steady stream of lumbering vessels give birth to the seemingly unending stream of cargo, their exteriors bearing marks, colors, and names.
Such was the diversity of the new weapons being shipped in.
Beowulf π noted the train of supplies roll by, both on land by wheels or up high via heavy-duty cranes. "That's another freight coming by, going towards depot lot G6-5."
"That's thirty-three shipments accounted for, nu," announced Beowulf v as she kept rapt attention to the datapad in her hands. There the massive flow of goods was captured from the digital and statistical perspective, the quantities breathtaking. "I estimate that these materiels could last for eight months even under accelerated expenditure rates, nu!"
"Sure looks like it," her friend agreed as she too marveled at the shipments. "And they still keep coming! Who knows what sort of things we can get done with all those resources?"
"Indeed, nu! Almost… almost like last time…"
The two submarines became quiet. Beowulf π sighed. "... To think that all of this could've been possible back then."
"We didn't trust her then, nu," comforted Beowulf v. "But now that we work with her…"
"Things will be different," asserted her partner. "We know more about who we're working with. And this time, we're not putting ourselves on the line."
Beowulf v nodded. "To be frank, working from the sidelines is actually proving to be exciting, nu."
The other submarine turned her focus back to the task at hand. Flocks of nuggets worked with haste to process the immense delivery, the goods already in the hands of the Entente through their labor force. And soon - very soon, the same goods will be in the hands and riggings of the kansens on the frontline. Beowulf π mentally checked through what was being sent as part of that woman's services. Beyond construction materials for fortifications and spare parts, she had counted standard munitions, specialized weaponry, equipment of all functions, even medicine.
And that was just scratching the surface of what was being shipped, items borne from whatever the woman or aliens in gray managed to acquire from who-knows-what. A part of her was curious in spite of suspicions she still held towards the "Grays" and their unearthly nature. And chances were, they would not be too keen on sharing privy information with her or her fellow inductee.
And most glaringly, neither of them still found out what that woman's name was.
'I wonder if the Grays even know it either, based on how they never seem to ever refer to each other by name,' Beowulf π thought. 'Must make for some interesting pronoun games in their conversations…'
Then she heard a noise behind her. Both Beowulves turned around, surprised by the sudden appearance of the woman.
And even more surprising, the sight of a curious person in her hands whomst Beowulf π could only describe as some green girl cat thing.
"NYAGH!" it yelped. "D-do show meow-cy! I'm- I'm just a local to see what's up hehe~."
The woman in gray looked upon the green-haired cat-like girl with amusement. "As have I… And I do believe you are not among my clients."
Beowulf v looked at her with swift doubt. "I don't recognize her. She can't possibly be from the Verusan Entente."
The captured girl chuckled nervously. "Hehe… I-I can explain, nya."
"Hm, a conspicuous lack of 'comrade' in her speech," observed Beowulf π, her gaze turning ever more cautious of the unknown interloper. "Perhaps she could be a spy…!"
"N-no no, nya! I'm on your side, a 'comrade' just like you said! I'm Akashi, nya! I work for Akagi who works with you guys!"
The Beowulves raised their eyebrows. "Then you must be… one of the Sakura Empire."
"What were you doing here? Looks like you've been caught red-handed by the looks of things."
"Heh, can you blame me?" Akashi excused. "All of this coming and going can't go without someone noticing, and I certainly couldn't help but notice all the goods arriving here, nya! I know a good profit when I can smell one."
Now the submarines looked at her weird. "Profit?"
"You know, business! I know a good bargain coming when I see one, why else would all these goods be flooding in like so? Whoever's running the show's gonna be rolling in deep, nya!" chuckled Akashi.
"... Er, any chance an honest merchant like meow-self can get a cut in this sweet deal?"
The two Beowulves exchanged odd looks before turning to the woman. But to their surprise, she had kept her smile. No hint of displeasure for unforeseen factors or incursions as they had witnessed once regarding a certain Federation carrier. Her ever-warm expression signified that all was well.
If anything, her smile seemed to glow ever more.
The woman released her grip on Akashi and in her freedom she too beheld the warm look shining down upon her. But even if the merchant cat had reason to feel at ease, Akashi wasn't sure what to make of the expression or the woman's intention. Working under Akagi had taught her not to take such looks for what they were.
"... Continue overseeing the delivery," the woman ordered, her commands coming barely above a murmur. "The dear Commissary would not want to be disappointed by our service's… shortcomings."
With a shrug, the Beowulf submarines returned to their duties while the woman drew Akashi away by her hand. Immediately her instincts brewed an unpleasant feeling. "H-hey, where are you taking me-?"
"Just for a talk…" the woman soothed. She escorted Akashi back to her original hiding spot whereupon the two became sheltered in shadow. Under cover of darkness, Akashi knew there would be no eavesdroppers, no escape, no witnesses.
She tried to make what light she could of her predicament. "Hehe, w-was my offer a little too high? I'm sure we can work something out."
"In fact, I would welcome it."
Akashi stopped. "E-eh?"
"You say you are a merchant, did you not?" asked the woman. "A merchant of what, may I ask?"
"Nya anything, of course! Anything worth a buck, mark, pound, credit, whatever, it doesn't matter. If someone wants something, I'll have wares so long as they have coin… or gems. Preferably gems! My shop boasts all sorts of exotic goodies you won't find anywhere else, nya! Quality and stock guaranteed!"
"Interesting…" the woman purred.
"If you need something special, I'll have it on hand! And if not, I'll cook something up in my workshop to get it (no guarantees if it's actually something you want~)! That's right - I sell stuff and can build stuff to sell more stuff, nya!" continued Akashi with her talk-turned-spiel. "It's all part of business and business is good... Of course, given that there's a war going on in my world, I've got less customers than I would like. It's just not the same for us merchants, especially for me since Akagi expects me to give her all the good stuff. And she's been breathing down my neck trying to get some new equipment for us."
The woman turned thoughtful. "Hmm…"
Akashi tilted her head, the fear of being silenced dissipated. "So… are you a trader too?"
"... Of sorts," answered the mysterious woman. "Long have I been in affairs with conflict, of days entertaining a side with my wares. Where there is trouble… my services follow. Where there is a need, I possess the supply to fulfill it, whatever their desires may be… And if my clients remain unsatisfied, then there is always my more exotic inventory."
"Ooh, sounds intriguing, nya," the repair ship hummed. "So what exactly are you selling? Or is the info a trade secret?"
"... Would you like to know?"
As Akashi considered, the woman's smile stretched wider. "You came here in an attempt to learn… to learn of what you need. This Akagi you speak of wants power, a typical desire. For that problem, I can offer you a solution… and more.
"Your leader seeks weapons, and you seek wares, but I can share you…valuable insight. The gift of an idea, to spread and be used as one sees fit. There is much to gain from this. All that is required is an understanding of your world… and your cooperation."
Now the repair ship was interested. She knew that she needed something to appease her superior who no doubt vexed at the limitations - and worse, attributed the shortcomings onto her. Akashi, the dumb bastard cat who had everything or could mend anything, couldn't deliver to the insufferable standards of a leader spoiled for dominance and vanity. If she could find a supplier, Akashi would placate the needs of that vixen and the Crimson Axis.
… But to figure out how all the new tech works with the help of an insider? That was more valuable. A better offer, a better deal, a better bargain, a once-in-a-lifetime purchase, more bang for her buck. Akashi didn't need to be profit-obsessed to know that the gains would be astronomical over time. Her, to be handed the keys to unlock all sorts of new secrets, the kind that would not only satisfy but also impress. And all of this, just to cooperate with this woman (whatever that entailed), the offer really was priceless!
If this woman's proposal was bait, then Akashi was all too happy to bite.
"Deal!" she proclaimed as the two shook to it, the woman's hand receiving the cat's oversized sleeve. But the symbolism remained the same, the pact sealed.
Whatever was to come out of this, it was a future Akashi wouldn't suspect.
"Say, what's your name nya?"
The woman smirked. "Now that… will have to be a trade secret. One of many between you and I…"
Location: St. Hewlett, SSF port facility
In her provisional office, the most bitter of sighs fled through out of her mouth. The reports, like all the rest, had hammered the most disturbing of all paintings. All of them, from one testimony to another, told again and again the same story until the collective recounts made a mountain that buried her. The account of horror, unforeseen cataclysm, the most appalling of events to befell the Silver Star Federation. So many ships one day, and before it even ended…
There was no denying it: this wasn't the outcome of a costly battle, but a massacre. The Verusan Entente had delivered to them the most savage of slaughters and got away with it for nothing in exchange.
For how long Barbet sat rigid as a statue glaring at the reports, she lost track. The very air inside her office was as still as she was. The sensations in her tight fists went numb like the rest of her body, feeling nothing but emptiness in her soul.
But it was not long until fury filled that void. And like a hungry beast, it was not to rest until it was avenged.
She looked up, all present standing straighter at the first sign of life. Barbet's fiery gaze shifted between her lieutenant and her intel officer. "... How did this happen?" she growled each word.
Before her, Warbler and Andromeda gulped. Even Halcyon who was by the captain's side flinched. Warbler considered her words, taking a quick breath (and saying her prayers). "The attack went undetected on our radar until aircraft were upon us, right after a readiness drill. Andromeda confirmed presence of enemy ECMs."
Barbet angrily shook her head. "Air attack… Our strategic staging ground was done in by mere aircraft?"
"The air assault proved stronger than anticipated. Enemy air support decimated our defense network and facilities. Poor weather, timing, and hostile EW made a mess of everything. By the time we coordinated our defense, I had determined Eaglin Straits compromised-"
A frustrated sigh hissed from Barbet's lips. "Enough… Andromeda."
A bead of sweat trickled down the intelligence vessel's temple. "Yes?"
"Eaglin Straits was far behind our frontlines," Barbet slowly began. "From its location, it would have been easily defensible. Its proximity to all our nearby garrisons and installations would have rendered any attack force detected and dispatched well in advance before they could even be in striking distance. And even if such force made it through, the base itself would have neutralized any threat. This would never have happened.
"So explain to me, Andromeda… HOW THE HELL DID THIS SURPRISE ATTACK HAPPEN?!"
The twin-tailed ship trembled from her captain's rage. "I… I don't know, ma'am! All signals traffic prior to the attack remained stable. Satellite imagery found nothing unusual. We had no warning that a surprise assault was underway, let alone conducted by the Entente's submarine aircraft cruisers!"
"You've determined the ones responsible?" Barbet questioned.
Andromeda nodded. "After the attack, comms traffic from all over the Entente flared up, all sharing the same set of data signature that repeated. From what I managed to decrypt, the attack was executed by Scinfaxi and Hrimfaxi."
"What do we know of them?"
"Only that they were created in secret years ago, as an experiment to create weapons of mass destruction. They've been kept hidden in an attempt to bury the project until Umely deployed them. She called them the living incarnations of 'Razgriz'..."
Barbet exhaled sharply. "I've heard enough. Andromeda."
"Y-yes, ma'am?"
"Return to your post. I want eyes and ears tracking the Entente's every move; I don't care how insignificant it is, I want all Entente movement and communique monitored - especially regarding those two bastards. The loss of Eaglin Straits was a strategic and more so an intelligence failure for the Silver Star Federation. This is your utmost priority from now on.
"Do not fail us this time. Dismissed."
Andromeda hesitated before snapping a hasty salute and then she turned briskly to depart. From the corner of her vision Warbler watched her go, having already noticed one crucial detail.
She was crying.
Warbler turned her attention back towards her superior officer, tension steadily crawling back now that she was alone to whatever her boss had in store for her.
Barbet slowly raised herself from her desk. Her breathing, though calmer, came heavy and periodic as she leaned against the table's surface. As customary, none dared to interrupt the quietness, even if it was a moment of suffering.
Yet, it was Halcyon who dared break protocol. "... Captain Barbet, what should we do?"
Barbet made no response as if either ignorant of the question or preferring to wallow in her grim reticence. The uncharacteristic behavior went on until she finally spoke.
"... Force assessment."
The secretary ship hastily glanced at her datapad. "Our combat strength at the moment has been decimated, though we still possess some units and squadrons to call upon. Our fleet present near the frontlines have reported ThreatCon Yellow so they can still hold."
"Who do we have that we can count on?"
"AA cruiser Excalibur, who was present at Eaglin, survived with minor damage and remains combat effective," the secretary ship reported. "Destroyers Chivalry, Iolite, Cormorant, and Rooster are all accounted for, as does the entire Eagle Union/Royal Navy taskforce who have undergone repairs. Our carriers Kestrel and Vulture also remain operational, however..."
"Buzzard never made it," Warbler finished, her murmured delivery weighing heavily on the conversation.
"... I see," Barbet muttered. "What of our reserves?"
"They remain substantial thanks to our mobilization," continued Halcyon as she read from her reports. "Although we are restricted to defensive operations for the time being, our combat losses can be replaced and new fleet compositions reorganized. Within the month at the earliest we may recover enough to finally pursue our planned counteroffensive."
"But it's not just numbers we need to consider," added the officer cruiser. "Everyone's heard about what went on at Eaglin Straits and now everyone's demoralized. Our morale will remain low unless-"
"We do something about those damn monsters," Barbet growled. Her cold stare hardened and her eyes kindled.
She turned to look at her secretary, the first overt sign of life from her thus far. "Halcyon, what's the status over at Basset?"
"Basset?... The facility has reported condition green. All systems are nominal." Halcyon blinked. "... Captain, are you-?"
"I am," the Federation leader declared. "The Verusan Entente betrayed us with their declaration of war, and have now betrayed whatever morals they had by unleashing those abominations they name Scinfaxi and Hrimfaxi. The time has come for the Federation to make its stand, to push back the scum who would stop at nothing to see us all destroyed."
Warbler and Halcyon looked uncertain. "But…"
"Make no mistake: the Silver Star Federation is in grave danger. The enemy's recent victory has proven to them that we are susceptible and now we are at our weakest. They will exploit this just as they have accepted the use of terrible weapons. If we are to protect ourselves, if the Federation is to ensure its survival… then we will answer with a terrible weapon of our own. We have no choice.
"Warbler, see to it that the Arkbird is ready for combat."
The ship in question stood stunned. Her mind wracked over the grave implications that the order brought with it: to resort to such depravity as have their foes. Appalling as it was to be endangered by monsters, Warbler felt it was wrong to readily summon their own. But as horrifying as it felt, she knew it was the only way. Tales have sung of knights of myths vanquishing beasts through nobility, cunning, or grit. But this was no fairy tale, no idealized fable to draw inspiration from: this was reality, this was war - this was survival now.
They were to turn their bird of peace into a terror of war.
With a glum nod, Warbler accepted the burden. "... Right away, Captain Barbet."
Departing with a salute, the cruiser vacated the office. Halcyon followed after with a look from her superior, making a wordless exit in acknowledgement of the tacit command. Left alone, Barbet let herself down on her chair, alone with naught but her thoughts and the stacks of bleak reports. Stories of defeat, despair, death - too many to count, all ceaseless, mocking her of a failure befitting someone-
All of a sudden, the thoughts dispersed, swept aside in a fit of rage. Paper fluttered in the air, gently falling like snow all over her office floor. Whether they now existed as litter beneath her feet, Barbet cared not.
"... Entente bastards," she bitterly swore. "They'll pay for this. All of this."
Outside, the port of St. Hewlett remained still. The shipyard sat ready but idle and the docks vacant, the air without a breeze and the afternoon sky bearing a serene overcast draping. In the calm, the world was sleepy - peaceful even.
If only that were truly the case.
Inside, the same quietness accompanied the living quarters. In the respite away from war, the ships took solace. But the rest felt hollow; even with the freedom that the reprieve granted, none were enthused to use it. The warm fragrance of tea filled the air, but nobody was in the state of mind to enjoy the occasion. Even the Royal Navy ships gathered for their routine tea were too preoccupied to give the moment life.
In the peace, the mood became a moment of silence.
Leaning against the window frame, Enterprise gazed off into the distance. What she saw, she saw not the peaceful day or the calm seas, but colorless weather and a lifeless scene.
Lifeless as all those lost on that day.
Her eyes, though open, blinked awake when she sensed a presence. Next to her, Belfast presented her a humble cup of tea. "Care for some?" she asked softly to respect the air.
Enterprise shook her head. "I'm not interested."
"You should at least take a seat. We have vacant spots around."
"I'm not tired," the carrier asserted.
"Yet, I can see a weariness in your appearance."
The Grey Ghost said nothing, denying Belfast a match with her own gaze. She peered instead to Cleveland and Vestal who weren't fooled; their wordless expressions divulged their shared thoughts with the Royal cruiser. Enterprise felt weight on her shoulders. Both knight, maid, and nun knew her too well to be deceived by what was going through her mind.
This wasn't the first time they've all seen her this grim-faced before.
Suddenly, muffled sounds from outside roused all heads. They turned towards the door where the source piqued their ears: a nearby commotion.
With nothing else to do other than laze around, Cleveland dragged herself out of her chair. "I'll go check it out; hopefully it's nothing. But knowing her, it's probably bad…"
A body was shoved against the wall, the surface more than a match for the small form that was pushed against it. But while it held up, the force with which she was tossed against it rattled her deeply. Through tear-stained eyes, Andromeda winced as a pair of hands pinned her by the shoulders.
"... Why won't you tell me?"
Trapped, the intelligence vessel could only whimper. "I-it's…"
"Shouldn't you have figured it out? Spent the last two days doing what you do? It's been long enough already!"
The hands that gripped the small girl jostled her as if desperate to shake her awake.
"Didn't you find out who killed your buddy - my sister?!"
Turning the corner, Cleveland stopped dead in her tracks, her face turning to horror. "... Vulture?"
She immediately descended upon the scene, her own pair of hands trying to pry the carrier away from Andromeda. "Just what're you doing?"
"Doing what's necessary," Vulture snarled, fighting off her cruiser friend. "C'mon you brainiac, what do you know? What'd you find? Who's the bastard that killed Buzzard?!"
The carrier shouted as more hands latched onto her to tug her away, four collective pairs overpowering Vulture and freeing the intelligence ship from her grasp. She grunted but found her struggle checked by Enterprise and Cleveland. "Vulture, stop this!"
"Can't you see what're doing to her?!"
Belfast and Vestal tended to Andromeda, worrying glances at the girl's miserable expression. "Andromeda, are you alright?"
The young intel ship sobbed, futilely wiping her tears. "N-no, it's… I messed up. I-I should've- should've seen it coming. Done something to- to save them all… my fault. It's all my fault!"
Without hesitation Belfast drew the ship into an embrace, letting the tears and grief be stained on her bosom. Vestal did what she could to console the young girl from the guilty burden she felt. While the profession of this intelligence vessel was beyond her understanding, the nurse recognized the onus that came from placing others' lives in one's hands. A repair ship such as herself knew how this felt.
In her restraints, Vulture could only watch, unable to join. Her struggling abated as fire slowly faded from her eyes. But dimmed as they became, her heart still burned.
"It wasn't your fault Buzzard and everyone else died…" she muttered. "It was them. The damned ones responsible for destroying our base that day, burned down everything we cherished before the light finished the job. That wasn't normal - everything was nothing we'd seen.
"Please Andromeda… What was it? Who killed Buzzard?!"
"... Two submarines," came the mumbled answer. "Entente superweapons: Scinfaxi and Hrimfaxi."
An incredulous look graced Enterprise's features. "All that firepower that day came from two submarines? Even the aircraft?"
Cleveland shook her head. "You gotta be kidding me."
"They were designed as force-multipliers on a strategic scale," continued Andromeda. "Combining traits of two distinct ship types while acting as a mobile missile platform. The bright lights that wiped out Eaglin Straits were their burst missiles, capable of eradicating anything under 5,000 feet altitude. They-"
"Yeah yeah, we get it," grunted Vulture. "So when do we tilt the odds? Those retrofit kits you talked about, you got 'em ready yet?"
The intelligence vessel sadly shook her head. "No I haven't had the time. The upgrades… Barbet wants me to-"
"Fine." Wrenching herself free from their grasp, Vulture stomped off.
Taken aback, Cleveland could only watch her leave with confusion. "H-hey where are you going?"
"Out," Vulture curtly replied. "Can't stand being cooped up here. Now that I know who killed my sister, I'll make sure I'm ready… It's what Buzzard would want."
The carrier descended down the hall before a response could be made. The five ships all stood silent, knowing that nothing could be done to dissuade Vulture from her path.
Cleveland could only slump in defeat. "Vulture…"
"I fear there will be no suitable outcome for Miss Vulture, no matter what choices she makes," Belfast worried.
"Her obsession will only take her down a dark path," Vestal sighed.
Enterprise watched as Vulture disappeared with a crestfallen look. She saw the pain, anguish, and sorrow in the carrier's eyes. Grief from something irreplaceable no matter how hard one tried: the loss of family. The life of one so cherished, so loved in spite of differences that not even the deepest rifts could ever divide: the ties of sisterhood. Even to Enterprise who knew Buzzard as a friend and ally forged by circumstances and battle, she felt that same terrible void, of a wound that could never heal no matter what. Like a limb that's been lost, the mind would struggle to understand, unable to cope with the unnatural sensation.
But soon, there would be no denying it: a life lost was one lost forever, kept alive only in fleeting memories before they too would eventually vanish in the waters of time.
And in its place, Enterprise saw only anger transform Vulture.
She could not blame her for torturing herself like this.
Tearing herself away from her thoughts, Enterprise turned to walk in another direction. She had to find her.
Outside, it was silent.
Following the path, Enterprise found herself overlooking the sea. Atop a small hill, the vast oceans reflected the open skies, tranquil sleepy blue with the fading aura of the orange sun. Stars glittered the setting sky in majestic embroidery while the gentles waves blurred the horizons, the depths unfathomable. In the dawning night, the air turned cool but placid. No breeze to bring biting chills, no roars of crashing surf, it was just the world captured in kodachrome beauty.
Still, and silent.
Going further, Enterprise reached the peak whereupon she stopped. Ahead of her, she looked as though she was looking at herself: a figure in black, draped in silver hair, a captain's hat perched on top. But where Enterprise stood, Kestrel knelt. Alone, until two reunited. And as she drew close, a murmured melody began to trickle in Enterprise's ears.
A mournful hymn.
"Ages pass, snow falls
All the earth sleeps beneath
A blanket of white.
Darkness clouds the sky.
Snow falls without end.
Recalling our past, we march on.
Times of turmoil shall pass.
Dawn… fills our heart with light.
… Our hopes rise with the brilliant
Sun rises with faith in tomorrow, we… march…"
The song, once alive, trailed off into nothingness. Words given life with meaning faded into obscurity as did the singing. The chorus became lost to the throat choked with tears. Even if she couldn't see it, Enterprise could tell Kestrel was crying.
Silence, joined only by the sounds of sorrow. The only melody to fill the occasion.
Enterprise considered her words to pierce the oppressive stillness. But before she could, it had instead been broken by the other carrier. "This song… do you know what it is about?"
The Grey Ghost was surprised but readily answered. "Is it about fortitude?"
"... Of perseverance. Inner strength. Hope. I learned that hope is good, that all can become good, that light exists even in the darkest of nights… That hope would raise my spirits, and in turn become the light for all to follow. No matter what happened, I would hold out hope that all can be made right in the end.
"Even… even today… Buzzard…"
Enterprise felt her heart ache for the carrier's loss as Kestrel's soft cries drowned out her words. Her soul yearned to do something for her, to help prove her beliefs true, that everything would be all right.
But she knew that it was as futile as bringing back the dead. Nothing would ever be the same again.
That fateful day, it was as if the world had collapsed twice: first when their sanctuary was erased by the flashes of light, second when the weight of those lost casted a heavy burden on them. And none were as burdensome as Buzzard's death. The dead in war were not unprecedented tragedies, but none could have foreseen the cataclysm that befell them all. One moment a startling but winnable raid, and the next…
Gone, like the glare that consumed all in a frightening flash.
And with it, the life of one they all knew, caught in the trap of fate. Whether Buzzard could have been saved, it would never be certain.
Perhaps even she too wished to turn back the clock.
"Kestrel… I'm sorry about Buzzard," the Eagle carrier apologized.
Silent weeping was her only reply as Kestrel fought back tears. "Buzzard… She was there when I first came to this world. We were weapons but we were created as sisters. Conflict and strife was the world I awoke to, but when I first opened my eyes, my world began with just her and Vulture.
"I could remember our past… why we were created. Why we fought. As weapons, it was our duty. We fought and died… we all knew and accepted that fate. Yet we lived. We lived with desires, interests. We lived with dreams and feelings. We lived as a loving family, me as the youngest but promising sister. And as our oldest sibling, I looked up to her; her strength, her wisdom.
"Buzzard… was my light in this world."
Kestrel sighed as she raised her head. Following her gaze, Enterprise saw the dusk turn to night, the sun granting its last vestiges of day before darkness could finish draping over the world. In the twilight, the glittering of stars filled the heavens. Far from a curtain of moonlit black, the skies twinkled with a celestial glow. Even in darkness, the world was still beautiful.
Seeing this, the tears subsided. Painful as the loss was, Kestrel took solace at the kindness of the stars. Alone or in tandem, they were a constellation of all that was majestic in the world; dim or bright, all the stars were like diamonds, each one never to be neglected or forgotten but to be thanked for what they were.
To them, Kestrel gave them her solemn thanks - and thanks to Buzzard for everything.
"I grieve for her… But I accept the pain. I don't wish it on anyone, no matter who they are. I just wish all could live in harmony so that such tragedies can one day cease…"
Gazing at the stars, Enterprise found herself feeling melancholic. The dazzling field of lights made for an alluring sight. In a moment like this - a time of mourning and loss - Enterprise understood how the sights of the heavens called to souls in mourning: lost like those no longer with this world, fragments of life forever gone never to be returned. Like the navigators of old who relied on the celestial heavens for guidance, so too did those in mourning, searching for answers to alleviate the pain in their hearts. At times, Enterprise wondered what became of those who passed on, forced to depart from those who remained in this mortal realm, made to wander the world knowing such empty existence. What was life without another? Somewhere among the stars, did they still feel? Know that they were grieved over?
Whatever the answer may be, Enterprise had a feeling that those spirits were as sad as those who remained. A family divided, between those among the living and those somewhere watching from above, waiting to become whole again.
Enterprise shut her eyes from such thoughts. Buzzard was forever gone, but that did not mean dwelling in its shadow for eternity. Her killers were out there and the Grey Ghost knew they must be stopped.
'Wish all could live in harmony so that such tragedies can one day cease… A hopeful thought, but one that can't happen. Not unless we fight for it. It's never enough to just wish for something - it's up to us to make it real.
'But one day… I hope that does come true.
'... She's just like her: her wish, her soul, her kind heart. So then why…?'
As foolish as it felt, Enterprise hesitated. Her heart fluttered, her nerves threatening to go astray. The lingering question continued to plague her, taunting her for leaving it unanswered, unaddressed. So why not now? She took a breath, bracing herself to confess the truth to the kansen who looked like her.
"Kestrel…"
But right as she spoke, Enterprise sensed a peculiar reaction in the carrier, her gaze still held skyward but silhouette rigid. Intrigued, she quickly followed her eyes whereupon Enterprise picked up something odd overhead. Under the camouflage of brightly-lit stars and dark blue sky, there lay a curious object that slowly moved. Its presence was subtle at first, but after picking up on it she couldn't help but track it. A distant speck sailing slowly across the sea of stars, her sharp eyes picking up the appearance of a ghostly but majestic bird in the night sky.
"What is that?"
"The Arkbird…" quietly answered Kestrel as her own eyes became glued to the faraway bird. "After Ulysses, our world sought to amend from the catastrophe, but one curse it left with us were the fragments it left behind in our orbit. The Federation devised the means to liberate our skies, and it wasn't until the Arkbird was created that we found a way to free our future. It was a bird of peace created from the age of turmoil… It's past and mine were one and the same…"
Enterprise frowned. "It's past and your's were the same…? But it's not a weapon."
"It was our crowning jewel," explained Kestrel. "An achievement in our understanding of the world and what lay beyond… Just as man once explored the seas, we too have yearned to sail the stars. With the Arkbird, it has become humanity's own star, our own light watching over us. But in our progress, it had been deemed that our guardian needed no human mind. In the end, even the Arkbird is just another tool at our disposal…"
The Eagle Union carrier sought to gather more questions until her gaze caught another curious anomaly. Another object, even more faint and imperceptible than the great white bird, soared to meet it. She wondered what it could be, and as if she read her mind Kestrel continued.
"An SSTO shuttle, designed to deliver supplies to satellites without the use of staging… From where it came from, it must have been launched from Basset Space Center. Its mass driver conducts such launches on rare occasions…"
Then her expression stiffened. "So that's why…"
"What is it?" asked Enterprise.
"It's Barbet… she intends to bring the Arkbird into this war. She wants to turn our bird of peace into a weapon."
The Grey Ghost said nothing as she watched the two satellites gradually intersect, understanding that their union would herald a momentous change. How Barbet planned for it to turn the tide, Enterprise was not certain. But she knew exactly why. And there was nothing she could do to stop it.
But there was still something she could do for this war. For Buzzard. For Kestrel.
The next morning…
The door was impatiently opened as Chivalry stepped through. Behind her followed a train of feet as everyone else entered inside the briefing room. Already the mood was dour.
"Come on. We don't have time to waste," the destroyer spurred.
"Can't you cut us some slack? We barely ate," complained Cleveland.
"Once again, to intrude in on morning tea of all things," lamented Belfast.
"Not a good omen…" worried Warspite.
The rest diligently entered to find that they were awaited. Enterprise saw Cormorant, Iolite, Excalibur, Vulture, and lastly Kestrel. Faces all familiar yet few, the abundance of vacant seats a foreboding reminder of their recent defeat. And like that feeling, all expressions were looking grim.
Whatever the situation was, they would have the dreadful answer in due time.
At the front of the room, Halcyon, Warbler, and Barbet stood. The carrier's restless eyes watched the newcomers settle in before opening without a pause. "All right, that's everyone. Let's get started.
"As you all know, the destruction of Eaglin Straits was an unprecedented tragedy, deliberately aimed by the Verusan Entente to wipe out our major garrison… The loss of our key staging ground - and of a considerable number of our ships - has put our country and war effort on the back foot.
"The Verusan Entente knows this for certain. Approximately five hours ago, Andromeda had detected large movements of Entente personnel and aircraft, all headed due east. It is clear they are preparing for a large-scale assault when we are at our weakest, and it is anticipated that Sand Island will be taking the worst of it yet again."
"What should we expect?" came the dreadful question.
Barbet's frown grew. "Everything… Perhaps more."
All present looked grim at the announcement. No words needed to be spoken on why another offensive was taking place. The timing was too perfect.
The enemy was coming to finish the job.
Finally Enterprise opened her mouth to end the silence. "When are they expected to arrive?"
"Very soon. But that's not all," continued Barbet. "Immediately after the attack at Eaglin, the entire Entente comms system lit up. It all contained their reaction to the raid's success and it was from there that we've ascertained the ones responsible for our calamity: Scinfaxi and Hrimfaxi."
A shocking revelation, were it not for the subdued reactions stirred from the audience. Enterprise showed none, already aware of the information shared from yesterday. Furtively, she glanced towards another who knew. Like her, Vulture remained still but Enterprise could see a storm brewing within her. Next to her, Kestrel looked down as if the news repulsed her.
"From what Andromeda was able to find out, those two are the Entente's Scinfaxi-class submarine aircraft cruisers, capable of operating as both submarine and aircraft carrier," explained Halcyon, ignoring the troubles that quietly simmered before her eyes. "Analysis of the Eaglin Straits attack confirmed the use of burst missiles in the kiloton yields which they possess."
"And that's not the worst of it," grumbled Warbler. Her fingers strummed on an electronic tablet. "Recently, we received… this."
With the press of a finger, she activated a recorded audio. Distorted but audible, a cackling voice emanated from the device.
The voice of a demon.
"Hey there, Kestrel 'n Vulture! Heard you had one hella bad day: your harbor went boom, your friends went bye-bye and so did your 'lil sister! Sounds rough, I should know… cuz we're the ones who did it! We wrecked your shit and your stupid sister too! Easy as freakin' breathing! Don't know why she was so special - we fragged her like all the others.
"And so will everyone else. We'll erase every one of you morons every day with our missiles 'til we're too tuckered out, and I'm aiming for a world record. Or… unless you come find me and my dumb sis (H-hey! Ow! It's still recording…!) Better hustle over to the Razgriz Straits.
"Ya hear me, Kestrel, Vulture? You dipshits better have the balls to face us. Wouldn't want your dead sis to know that her family were made up of chickens."
The message ended with aghast looks. To hear from the very mouths of those responsible for the recent catastrophe reaching out to them, openly talking of repeating their great massacre. Their gloating made no secrecy of their threat - and their demand.
Vulture instantly stood up from her seat. "Let's go."
A hand snatched her arm as Kestrel tried to anchor her back to reason. "V-Vulture!"
"What?" her sister snarled as she whirled around, her anguished eyes meeting Kestrel's. "You heard them; they're out there. So what's the hold up? Need to cry more about Buzzard? Think those two assholes will give you time to be sad?"
Kestrel said nothing. She fought tears of her own from swelling in her eyes, but as hurt as she was she had to admit that Vulture had a point. She knew this message was a provocation, to desecrate the memory of their fallen sister. The killers who took the life of Buzzard and so many others were taunting them with an offer seldom given.
With the lives of so many at stake, they had no choice but to make haste in accepting the invitation.
"C'mon Kestrel… Please don't stop me on this."
"I… It's not just you, Vulture. They want me too. I can't change your mind on this… but you won't face them alone."
"Count me in," added Enterprise. "It's clear that those monsters must be stopped at all costs. Let me help put an end to this nightmare for everyone's sake."
A solemn look graced the white-haired Federation carrier. "Enterprise…"
But as moving as the moment was, Belfast remained serious. "Just a moment. I believe we are nearly overlooking an equally pressing matter here."
Warspite sighed. "You're right. With the imminent invasion and the Scinfaxis' demand, there's no doubt this was intended by the Verusan Entente. They're aware that we are gravely weakened."
"Would it be best for our carriers to be away…?" fearfully wondered Cormorant.
Barbet scoffed at the anxious mood filling the air. "I see you've forgotten that I myself am an aircraft carrier. But regardless, the situation is critical. The Entente attack force is inbound to Sand Island; they will arrive at any minute. All ships present and combat-capable will be dispatched - no exceptions. We have little resources, little recourse, and even less time.
"Now go! The rest of you are to sortie immediately to Sand Island!"
At the gesturing of Warbler and Halcyon, all ships were ushered out. The pace went brisk but there was no energy. The dire expectations dropped an anxious weight in the stomachs of all those who were to deploy. Uneasy looks shared the uncomfortable irony, for the same kansens that defended the island before be given the unenviable task of guarding it against insurmountable odds once again. But the prospects now felt heavy with the existence of monsters, the loss of allies, and the loss of a friend.
Like walking into the unknown, they resigned themselves to the mission - and risks - they would face in the pitiless trials to come.
Down by the docks, watching the cast of ships prepare to set sail, Warspite felt a presence greet her from the side. Turning, she saw that it was Enterprise.
Despite her sharp determined features, the Grey Ghost looked apologetic. "I'm sorry for leaving you all like this…"
The battleship accepted the condolences with a warm smile. "It's all right, Enterprise. If those beasts' intentions are as we should fear, then they need you. They will need you to stop them before they do any more harm. It is they who will need your strength, now more than ever."
"Then I wish you the best of luck," the Eagle Union veteran replied with a nod. "You will need it more than me."
The two shook hands, the act quick and simple but in the second it lasted the feelings between the two ships were shared. The gesture of respect and good wishes, of hope and determination to be reunited once the storm passed.
Neither wanted to make this their last farewells.
Kestrel caught the instance, the scene filling her eyes with sympathy as dear friends and companions departed. She stayed watching until a rough hand from Barbet jolted her back into the present. "You. Focus. You have a mission to conduct."
The white-haired carrier shied her eyes away. "I'm sorry."
"I understand that the loss of your sister has been troubling you greatly. Buzzard was a valuable asset with her experience and tactical sense."
"... Thank you," Kestrel whispered.
"That's why I expect you to perform admirably to make up for the loss. You will do well to avenge her… and not disappoint me. See to it that the Razgriz Straits becomes an icy grave for those scum. The fate of the Federation depends on it." Without waiting for a response, Barbet marched off before hopping off from the dock, her rigging summoned to take her away. She soon disappeared into the distance like all the others.
Vulture brushed past, her gaze locked to the horizon. "C'mon sis. You heard her. Let's get this over with…"
With wary acceptance, Kestrel followed her to the docks. Enterprise acknowledged the two by her side with quick glances before they headed out. Feet touching water, they took flight over the surface, steering in unison northward.
A cold breeze already greeted them to the icy tomb that awaited them far from home.
Not far into their journey and already Kestrel felt a chill. A feeling stirred within her like heat but it was not a natural response to the cold that made her uneasy. She peered towards Vulture whose eyes were honed to focus and her demeanor austere. But Kestrel already knew this was unlike her: she could see her expression wracked with emotion.
Kestrel thought back to the demands, the threat laid by the very ones who took the lives of so many. So many souls, her sister's included, just for two. It made her sick to realize it all made some sense now, why they had been sought.
But knowing the identity of the killers made the feeling worse. Kestrel now knew they had names. Names to voices and soon faces. Ships, people like herself. And she would have to fight them.
She glanced again at Vulture. Kestrel wasn't sure what would happen once she met the submarines that took Buzzard away from them. She wasn't sure of many things that would come from this fateful encounter.
But there was one thing she knew for certain.
Kestrel would protect her - her sister, her only remaining family.
No. With everyone's fate on the line, she couldn't afford to play favorites in war. Her sister, Enterprise, every soul she's ever met. They were like her family now.
She'll protect everyone.
Kestrel vowed she would not lose another sister today.
AUTHOR'S NOTES:
Many apologies if you were expecting a new chapter after a lengthy hiatus. Reworking a published chapter is something I seldom do, but after reviewing the draft for the next chapter I came to realize I had to alter some plans. Originally, the next chapter would have been the AC5 mission "Frontline" featuring everyone up to this point. The initial draft took a while due to a busy work schedule and me having to find my mojo again to get back to writing. But when putting together that chapter it occurred to me that from the way it was looking, the next chapter which was to be a significant battle with so many characters was looking to be - for a lack of a better term - a clusterfuck. Even after deciding that the battle would be split into two chapters like with "Emancipation", "Farbanti", and "Megalith", the way the battle/chain of events flowed just seemed less than ideal and I feared that would reflect on the finished quality. I could have some characters be put into the background, but this time, I wanted the named characters to have their own moments of "screentime" rather than be implied window dressing as was the case for some of my OCs in the Emancipation two-parter.
It was at this point that an idea struck. Rather than have one chapter be one overly-huge battle split into two chapters, I could instead have two chapters each with their own battle happening parallel to each other. The first will remain the "Frontline"-esque event while the other one will be taking inspiration from another AC5 mission that some of you will recognize from the clue given. By doing this, I hope to alleviate the issue of having too many characters for a single event which in turn would make it easier to write while still delivering the ideas that I had in mind.
Of course, the rewriting of the plot meant rewriting the future chapter I had in development, which means more delays. I can only hope that my work schedule can give me plenty of time and energy to write so that I can break this dry spell and get this story moving along again. But however long it takes for this crossover to ever be completed, I hope that we can get there eventually.