Chapter 10

Admiral Hipper had no single word to describe the situation she found herself in as she strode down the corridors of Essex's vessel. For the past week, a torrent of emotions flooded through her thoughts as she had sailed alongside the Eagle Union carrier from the port of Azur Lane back to Orochi's First Strike zone- now designated OS-00.

After returning to the port previously and submitting her report, she was not at all surprised that she was taken off the task force in lieu of her sister; as always. But when Bismarck had summoned her just days later, stating that Essex had demanded she be a last-minute part of the continued investigation, she had nearly capsized on the spot. Not only had it been completely out of left field, but it left Hipper constantly asking herself the question- "Why?"

Did Essex genuinely want her on the team as an equal? Because she saw something that Hipper could do that her world-famous sister couldn't?

Or was it that Essex felt sorry for her?

Hipper let out a curse between clenched teeth.

She had been careless during their initial investigation of the island. She had gotten too comfortable too fast with her. Maybe Essex thought she would throw her a bone after Hipper's moment of vulnerability by spilling the bier about living in her Eugen's shadow.

Her scowl deepened and her fist clenched, snapping the pen in her grip.

Careless! That's what you are!

Her silent chastising was cut short as she rounded a corner, and impacted with an object, briefly relieving her lungs of air. A startled yelp filled the corridor and Hipper instinctively reached out to catch the girl she had bumped into before they could hit the floor. "Sorry about that. I wasn't watching where I was…" Her voice trailed off when she realized who it was.

Glowworm, slightly dazed, stared up at her, mirroring Hipper's surprise at running into one another.

After a few heartbeats, Hipper was the first to collect herself and pulled the teetering destroyer onto her feet. Glowworm squeaked and wobbled for a beat before looking away sheepishly. "Thank you." She said meekly.

Hipper gave an affirming grunt, looking away and rubbing the back of her neck as the tension between them filled the air. It was then Hipper noticed the data pad on the floor and scooped it up before handing it back to Glowworm.

"Thank you." The destroyer put on an uneasy smile.

Hipper pursed her lips but nodded, ready to move on past the awkward moment. However, no sooner had she taken a couple steps than she felt a hand tug on her skirt.

"Actually Admiral…"

Hipper's eyes shot to Glowworm who squeaked in alarm.

"On second thought, never mind. I'll just-"

"Can you be out with it already?" Hipper demanded. "I'm on a tight schedule."

Glowworm's face turned pink with embarrassment and hastily thrust her data pad at Hipper. "I'm sorry! I just thought I would turn in my report since you're here."

Hipper scrutinized the device a moment before taking it from the stammering destroyer. The screen winked on, and she found herself looking over the report the destroyer was due to turn in….

She checked the time in the corner of the screen. Upon confirmation, she furrowed her brows and began skimming through the report. Page after page scrolled past and after several minutes, she looked up to stare hard at Glowworm.

"This report is early." She stated plainly. "By a full day and a half ahead of expectation."

Glowworm chuckled nervously and rubbed the back of her head. "We had a much easier area to scout than some of the other teams."

Hipper scrolled to the last page of the document, eyeing the map of the island and the six designated taskforce teams assigned to each. "Not by much."

Glowworm only continued to fidget.

After another moment, Hipper sighed and gave an appreciative nod to the destroyer. "Well done to you and your team. Report to your team leader and inform them they may take a short respite in the mess once their relief has arrived. But be on standby for further orders should… when further help is requested."

Glowworm snapped a crisp salute. "Yes Admiral!" She barked.

"Dismissed." Hipper waved and continued on her way, returning to read the report in more detail.

"A-Admiral?" Came the royal squeak.

Hipper pursed her lips and glanced over her shoulder.

Glowworm swallowed hard before averting her eyes. "You… You don't hate me… do you?"

Hipper stared at her, completely blown away that she would ask such a thing, and out in the open no less.

Glowworm seemed to realize this, and her embarrassment deepened as she turned away. "Sorry. It was a stupid question."

"Yes."

Glowworm looked at her with eyes wide from shock as though she had been punched in the stomach.

Hipper rolled her eyes. "Yes, as in it was a stupid question."

Glowworm blinked several times before her expression brightened, finally catching Hipper's meaning. "Thank you, Admiral."

Hipper felt a smile tug at the corner of her lips but fought down the urge to allow it to manifest and settled on a noncommittal wave as she continued.

Before long, the hum and groan of machinery was broken up by the chatter of voices coming from the bridge.

"Sonar scans of the area are ninety percent complete." Came the annoyingly familiar tone. "But to be frank, you are spending too much time-wasting energy."

"I don't disagree." Came Essex's voice. She sounded rather dejected, as though she had been forced to follow through with an order despite the ridiculousness of it. "But with so many unknowns with this investigation, I think it would be prudent to give ourselves a bit of insulation from any further surprises?"

The gruff voice gave a huff. "You could have divided the teams better in that case. Half of our forces could have handled security detail, rather than being strictly designated to reconnaissance. And we'd have at least some data to work with other than the initial findings by your team upon arrival."

"And I get that." Essex sounded exasperated, as though the irritated Iron Blood carrier had been getting on her nerves for some time about this. "But I gave Kooper my word that I would find out what happened to his family."

Hipper stopped in the doorway to the bridge and eyed the scene before her. Essex leaned over the holographic tactical projector in a tense stare-down with none other than Graf Zeppelin. The eagle Union carrier's jaw was working back and forth as she struggled to maintain her professional composure rather than shoot back a scathing remark; something many Iron Blood girls knew all too well with Graf.

Graf Zeppelin, in contrast stood ramrod straight, arms crossed defiantly under her bust as if putting her armament on full display as she loomed over the younger carrier. Hipper could see by the way the muscles around Essex's eyes twitched that she was struggling to maintain eye contact out of necessity.

Hipper stepped onto the bridge and looked around at the assembly of girls from the four major factions. Most kept to their groups, with only a couple standing beside assigned teammates. From the opposite side of Essex, Eugen leaned back, catching Hipper's attention and flashed her trademarked grin.

Hipper rolled her eyes and jerked her head at the carriers, a sign to pay attention.

Graf Zeppelin spared a beat to glance in Hipper's direction but looked back at Essex, scrunching her nose. "You are letting your emotions override your judgment. This is a military operation and should be treated as such."

A lean blonde, stepped up beside Essex and crossed her arms under her cloak. "Military operations still include search and rescue. No matter how you cut it, Essex is doing what's necessary."

"We are very aware of this." Graf stated and adjusted her bust to stare down at the girl's star-spangled socks.

The girl, likely a cruiser bit her lower lip and glared.

The carrier looked distinctly unimpressed and continued. "But this is just one individual who, at present, is safe and being cared for. Our combined taskforces and their safety should be the priority."

"No one is saying that it isn't." Essex sated bluntly. "Their safety has and is my number one priority."

"Then we should move on to the necessary research we've been tasked with."

"Hey!" The blonde barked and leaned across the table to point a punishing finger into the table screen. "Search and rescue outweigh any research, every time."

"Cleveland, that's enough." Essex rested a hand on the blonde's shoulder.

Cleveland ground her teeth but took a reluctant step back. Across the room, four other girls, likely her sisters if their garb was anything to go by, were giving stern glares to the taller carrier. Their muscles were tense, poised, and ready to jump into a melee at the drop of a deutsche mark.

"I understand you're under pressure from Lord Bismarck." Essex continued. "I'm under pressure too. But if humans are involved, then it's our duty to find them and bring them to safety."

Graf Zeppelin's eye twitched. "Of course. I forgot the Eagle Union motto…"

"No one left behind." Cleveland declared proudly and thumped a fist over her heart.

Graf Zeppelin gave a low hum. Or it might have been a huff; Hipper could not tell. But the carrier adjusted her stance and looked over to meet Hipper's eyes. "Perhaps the acting executive officer can weigh in her opinion?"

Essex blinked and turned, seeming to notice Hipper for the first time that day. Her lips parted and her shoulders slumped a fraction.

"Good morning, Admiral." Essex practically sighed. "Thank you for joining us."

Hipper arched a brow.

Is she relieved to see me?

"I'm just doing my duty." She answered plainly before casting a glance to Graf Zeppelin. "That being said…"

Graf Zeppelin shot an accusatory look at Essex, as though she had caught her napping whilst on duty. "I was explaining to our kommandantin that we have been here almost five days and have nothing to show beyond setting up security zones and search through ruins." She gestured towards the hatch leading outside. "We very well could have had a quarter of this island thoroughly searched and mapped by now."

Hipper stepped up to the holo-table and crossed her arms as she scrutinized the projection. Compared to their first visit, the map looked far more complete, now that a proper Iron Blood expeditionary fleet had been sent in with Sakura Empire escorts. Amidst the blue projections of buildings, soft white orbs pulsed, the energy waves bouncing off the surrounding structures giving a near perfect schematic of the buildings above the waterline. However, the projection remained blurred below the water as sonar sensors and scans tended to be less accurate.

A frown spread across Hipper's lips.

"Under the current circumstances, I don't disagree with your line of thinking." She stated to Graf before shooting Essex a look. The Eagle Union carrier seemed to pale slightly but held her tongue as Hipper continued. "If it were me, I would have started here." She pointed to a large yellow dot. "Right where we found the black mental cubes and spread out from there in a modified search pattern, looking for anyone and anything that might give more clues as to what was going on here before the strike."

Graf Zeppelin looked momentarily triumphant until Hipper fixed her with a hard stare. "But after the surprise of finding a survivor, I find Essex's approach more than justified."

Graf Zeppelin's features contorted. "It is foolish to think that something as frail as a human could survive in a ruin such as this for so long. Anyone else who might have survived has either-"

"Don't you dare finish that sentence." Cleveland growled, placing a fist on the projector's surface. "You don't know that for a fact."

"You place your hope against logic and reason." Graf growled, narrowing her eyes at the smaller girl.

"Logic and Reason will always be there." Cleveland barked back. "But hope is what keeps people going."

Graf Zeppelin looked ready to spit at the girl's words.

If Hipper did not intervene, then a fight was likely to break out.

"We won't know until we find answers." She cut in before either side could let the fur fly. She turned to Essex and handed her Glowworm's data pad. "The first of our teams has completed their initial searches and set up sensor relays and early warning systems in their sector."

Essex read through the document in silence for a long minute before her expression fell.

Suspecting she knew what the problem was, Hipper added. "No signs of more survivors."

Essex closed her eyes and took a breath before meeting Hipper's eyes. "Thank you, Admiral. Have Taskforce Nine begin a block-by-block search."

Before Essex could continue, however, Hipper cleared her throat. "I hope you don't mind, but I thought it prudent to allow the team a small break."

Essex bobbed her head without missing a beat and she smiled graciously before turning to Cleveland and her sisters.

Taking the hint immediately, Cleveland straightened with a big grin; though Hipper caught the blonde shoot a superior smirk at Graf Zeppelin. "Looks like we're off, girls." She chirped to the three others. "Let's go show everyone why the Eagle Union never loses hope in any mission."

Graf Zeppelin's nostrils flared but she said nothing, her eyes locked on Cleveland as though she were a target for her aircraft.

"Just a moment Cleveland." Essex interrupted before the four cruisers could bolt from the bridge. The four sisters halted and looked to their commander who brought a hand up to brush a lock of hair from her face and touch her fingers just under her earlobe. "Ingraham? How's the progress coming along?"

"I'm glad you asked."

All heads jerked upwards as the destroyer appeared in the doorway. Behind her, Allen peered over her shoulder, catching a glimpse of the room's occupants before turning back to something or someone in the hallway.

"Your timing couldn't be more perfect, Essex. I was just on my way up to share the results of my project."

Essex eyed the destroyer with a questioning arch of the brow.

Ingraham was covered in sweat and grease. Her hair, while not particularly well-kept in Hipper's eyes during the short time she had known her, was absolutely disheveled; tossed around like it had been in a storm all about her face and shoulders. But Ingraham practically glowed with pride as she twirled a wrench between her fingers as though it were nothing more than a pencil.

Essex gave her teammate a hard stare. "Have you been skimping on your sleep?"

"Not at all." Ingraham stated.

Behind her, Allen rolled her eyes but said nothing. Essex noticed and sucked in a deep breath, restraining some inner desire to berate the destroyer. "Okay then. What have you got for me? I didn't expect it to take so long."

Ingraham blushed as she seemed to notice all eyes were on her for the first time. "Right… About that." She shuffled up to the projector, practically bumping Essex out of the way had the carrier not spotted her coming and moved to avoid her.

After a moment of crazed typing, and a couple curses for mistyped words, Ingraham brought up a blueprint of what looked like a boxy torpedo but a quarter the size with a bulbous hard-plastic nose with an embedded camera.

"Your initial plan was to manufacture this remote-controlled subsurface documentation and extraction device; or RCSSDED for short."

Hipper arched a brow and cast a glance at Essex who wore a passive expression, as though she was not at all surprised by this.

"At any rate," Ingraham continued. "I would have had it done in the days it took us to travel here. But then, I got to thinking. This thing is bulky. Heavy. And for the environment we're in, not very maneuverable. Especially if we plan to take it into tight and confined spaces. I mean…. We don't have enough subs… I mean… we have more than we did the last time… But this city, let alone the island is so big that even the combined girl power from all the factions-"

"Ingraham!" Essex barked and the destroyer gave a surprised yelp, straightening to attention. "Please." Essex eased, her tone becoming gentle. "I know you have the documentation. Just… get to the point."

Ingraham blinked curiously before blushing. "Uh… er… r-right. Sorry." She cleared her throat and turned to Allen who remained in the doorway, looking both exhausted and apologetic to Essex. Hipper even caught her mouth the words "I did my best, but…"

"Behold!" Ingraham declared, spinning to thrust her hand towards her sister. "The fruits of my labor!"

All eyes were transfixed on Allen who stepped onto the bridge, her trademark, oversized jacket sporting two mounds that shifted beneath the fabric. Hipper was about to speak up and ask what they were when a face popped out from behind the older Sumner.

Hipper blinked.

The things blinked as well as they took in their surroundings.

"Come on you two." Ingraham coaxed, leaning forward, and beckoning them with a hand as though calling to a cat. "Don't be shy."

Two orbs, almost twice the size of Allen's head drifted out from their hiding place and floated to shoulder level. Each held a distinct color, one of red and the other of blue, with matching-colored plates on either side of what Ingraham must have deemed their heads during her days of mad science fervor.

"What, are they?" Hipper finally asked, taking a step towards Essex, catching Eugen's eye. Her sister seemed to be struggling to reboot her brain after seeing the two robots.

"I'm glad you asked, Admiral. Allow me to explain."

Behind Ingraham, Allen rolled her head sideways and gave Hipper a look that demanded her to verify whether she was insane for asking such a question.

"Behold! Eagle Union's first Autonomous Rigging Drones." Ingraham declared. "Or AR-D for short." She strolled over to the two floating orbs and placed a hand on what she imagined were their heads. "I figured; Allen has some of the new Irion Blood tech incorporated into her vessel. So, I thought I would take a peek at it and was inspired by how Irion Blood riggings have both individual thought as well as obey the commands of the ones who wield them."

Ingraham slid a hand under the blue orb, and it nestled into her palm like an affectionate kitten. "With a bit of digging into the make of Iron Blood riggings, and dash of Eagle Union ingeuity, I developed these little guys. Fully autonomous prototype support. Or FAPS for short."

A huff came from Graf Zeppelin as she strode around the table towards the red drone, eyeing it as though she were in two minds about summoning her rigging in a confined space to have it devour these morsels Ingraham thought to call rigging.

"Is this what the Eagle Union does in its spare time? Waste time and resources creating toys for children?"

The red orb scowled, its eyes flashing bright before a warning bleat rang from the space likely designated as its mouth.

Graf Zeppelin's eyes widened in surprise when the scarlet plated to either side of the drone's 'head' opened, and two quintuple torpedo mounts manifested from a burst of fingernail-sized cubes of light. The Iron Blood carrier backed away and Hipper suddenly found herself poised for a fight.

"Ingraham!" Essex snapped, looking ready to either fight or bolt. "Not on my bridge!"

"See?" Ingraham pointed out, paying no mind to the sudden alarm on everyone's faces. "They're capable of reacting quickly to perceived threats. The also serve as supplemental armor mounts for Allen's rigging, making her more maneuverable and speedier on the water."

"Theoretically." Allen piped up as she placed a hand on top of the drone. The machine blinked and let out a sound like a chirp before the torpedo launchers retracted inside the main chassis. "I think I'll call this one Tojo." She looked to the blue one. "And you…Bojo."

Essex blinked as she struggled to process what she was seeing along with the rest of the group.

Allen flapped an arm at 'Bojo'. Like its sibling, the side panels opened in a burst of blue particles before manifesting its armament.

"Ah. Bofors." Cleveland stated, seeming to catch the play-on words.

Essex let out a sigh and rubbed at her forehead. "Getting back on topic please. Ingraham… what are these things?"

"The answer to our current problem." Ingraham stated as though it were the most obvious thing in the world. She gave 'Tojo' an affirming pat as if to showcase its durability. "These babies are not only capable of helping in combat, but also search and rescue. They're equipped with the latest Eagle Union and Iron Blood scanning technology and, with a little bit of my creative genius, capable of hazardous material acquisition, and even basic life support."

Hipper narrowed her eyes and took a cautious step towards them. They were certainly different from the feral riggings she and her sisters sported. But with Ingraham in her bereft state, she had a hard time believing that these puny things were capable of all she was claiming.

For a long minute, she remained silent, rubbing at her chin and scrutinizing Ingraham along with her creations.

"I don't buy it."

Ingraham blinked before her face reddened with indignance.

"Fine! I'll prove it to you then!" Ingraham started to approach but Hipper turned her back and faced Essex.

"If we're to believe that these 'toys' work in any capacity, I would like to put them to a test."

"Oh! It's a test you want, is it?" Ingraham seethed between clenched teeth. "I'll give you a test you'll never-"

"Sis… you're going too far." Allen said in a warning voice as she gripped Ingraham's shoulder. Ingraham was yanked out of her momentary fluster as Allen put herself between them, giving Hipper a begrudging nod to proceed.

"As I was saying…" Hipper returned to the projector and pointed to an area circled in yellow. "I would like to investigate Site Alpha, where we originally discovered the black cubes."

Essex's lips scrunched as she eyed the projection. "What are you hoping to find?"

Hipper let out a sigh. "Honestly, not much." She glanced back at the two drones. "But if anything, we'll find out if these things are all they're cracked up to be."

Ingraham's brows furrowed but her lips curled into a grin of challenge. "I will be happy to make you eat those words. Just give me a minute to gather my-"

"Another time." Essex interrupted, catching the destroyer by surprise. "Allen can take them out for field testing and report back her results or any problems. You, on the other hand, are ordered to get some bed rest."

"But-"

"Eight hours!" Essex warned with a raised finger. "No less. Understood?"

Ingraham's mouth worked back and forth as she struggled to find words.

"Hey…" Allen whispered, looking back over her shoulder. "I got this. Go on. You need the rest Ingraham."

The younger destroyer blinked and for the first time, seemed to realize just how exhausted she was. Her tired gaze drifted from her sister to Essex to Hipper. It wasn't a look of anger. Or irritation. It was exasperation.

These Sumner sisters seem to have issues sitting still.

Ingraham finally relented with a tired pout, staggering as she moved to exit the bridge. "You will call me if anything goes wrong."

"It won't." Hipper snapped.

Ingraham grumbled to herself before disappearing from the bridge.

Now it was Hipper's turn to massage her forehead. It would be a hard choice to choose the more irksome sister; hers or Allen's. Her eyes met Allen's who looked mildly apologetic despite herself.

"Lead on, Admiral."

Hipper narrowed her eyes at the destroyer, letting her silently know that she was not going to get under her skin. Not now. Not today.

"We shall keep you posted on our progress." Hipper announced as she passed Essex and headed towards the opposite exit.

"Wait, what about us?" Cleveland asked.

Essex blinked, as though surprised that the blonde and her sisters were still there. But after a brief hesitation she spoke. "Relieve Taskforce Nine and begin a more in-depth sweep of their sector." She turned to Graf Zeppelin who stiffened. "I would appreciate it if you could spare the time to help them. Provide aerial surveillance as they work and assist as needed."

Graf Zeppelin's eye twitched as it was clear Essex was only looking to rid herself of the abrasive carrier's presence if only physically.

"Very well." Graf Zeppelin practically growled and followed Cleveland and her sisters who all glowered over their shoulders at her.

But before the Iron Blood carrier exited the bridge, she leaned in towards Essex and lowered her voice. "You are fortunate I am not Lord Bismarck, little carrier."

And with that, she was gone, Leaving Essex, Allen, Hipper and Eugen to stare uneasily at the doorway where she had vanished.

It was Eugen who let out a sigh as though bored and stretched, popping her shoulders in the process. "Well, that was a fun bit of theatre."

Essex only sighed. A downtrodden expression flashed across her features, and for a heartbeat, Hipper almost felt bad for her. But working with individuals like Graf Zeppelin was par for the course as far as she was concerned. If anything, the Eagle Union carrier would eventually learn that Graf Zeppelin was relatively tame in comparison to others of Iron Blood.

Eugen noticed this as well and shimmied up beside Essex, rubbing shoulders with her. "If it would make you feel better, Kommandantin, I can help ease those anxieties of yours whilst my sister and Allen perform their field tests."

Essex's face turned scarlet, and she recoiled from Eugen. "W-what? I… that's…"

Hipper planted her fists on her hips and glowered at her sister. "Eugen… You're coming with us."

Eugen blinked curiously a couple times before a sly smile spread across her full lips. "Oh? Could it be my big sister is getting jealous?"

"Halt den Mund!" Hipper snarled. She contemplated grabbing Eugen's cheek and dragging her along, but stayed her hand. It would have been poor form to do in front of another faction, let alone a team leader.

Hipper glanced back at Essex. "We'll be in touch."

With that, she planted a firm shove into Eugen's side, forcing her towards the door.

"Ich hole dich spatter ab." She cooed and blew a kiss to Essex.

Hipper growled and shoved again, harder this time. Eugen merely giggled and pranced through the doorway. Behind her, Hipper caught a glimpse of Allen patting Essex's shoulder and whispering something in her ear before trailing with Bojo and Tojo gliding along behind her.

Outside, the crisp morning air brought a much-needed chill to the burning annoyance Hipper felt was threatening to consume her. Even in the dense fog that shrouded much of the flight deck, she could see the haughty swagger of Eugen's hips, clearly gleeful to have turned a tense and awkward situation into something 'more Eugen'.

"Something on your mind, dear sister?"

Hipper blinked to see Eugen had stopped at the edge of the flight deck and was staring back at her. She wore a look that looked equal parts curious and smug, making Hipper's blood boil again.

"Must you insist on being such a pain in the arsch?" Hipper asked between clenched teeth. "This isn't the Sakura Empire we're working with anymore. Eagle Union isn't likely to engage in the same diplomatic relations you attempted with-"

Her words died in her throat when Eugen pressed her hands to her chest. After a couple squeezes, Eugen blinked and tilted her head. "Interesting."

"W-what are you doing?" Allen asked hesitantly as she watched the exchange.

Eugen hummed in thought and Hipper's fist clenched so tight her knuckles popped.

"It would seem my sister's bold claim has done nothing to expand the size of her breasts." She shook her head. "How unfortunate."

Allen let out a choked gasp, her own face turning red as her eyes automatically drifted to Hipper's chest.

"You little…!" Hipper swung to slap Eugen, but her sister leaned backwards, evading the strike, and falling in a graceful backflip to land almost silently on the waves below. Hipper ground her teeth so hard she could feel the strain of gears in her hull. She shot a look back to Allen who smiled awkwardly.

"L-let's just get this done, shall we?"

Hipper gave a derisive snort and stepped off the edge. Allen followed a heartbeat later, landing between the two sisters should Hipper decide to take another swing at Eugen; an option she was genuinely considering.

"Lead the way." Allen gestured for Hipper to take the lead, which she did but not without leering at the destroyer.

Don't underestimate me.

Without further delay, Hipper took off.

"Whoa! Admiral! Wait up!" Came Allen's voice but Hipper was already speeding ahead, a rooster tail of white foam in her wake.

There was work to be done. And she would be damned if Eugen or anyone else interfered with her job.

She had not gone more than a hundred yards when the first warships began to manifest from the fog. Destroyers and cruisers from the four main factions surrounded Essex's vessel in a scattered formation. Not too far from one another, but also a bit closer than Hipper would have personally liked. All it would take was a clumsy battlecruiser to inadvertently slam into her hull and then it would be-.

"Are you okay?"

Hipper jumped and nearly splashed into the surf as Allen appeared in her peripherals.

"What are you-"

The taller destroyer's crimson eyes hardened as she locked eyes with Hipper. "Look. I know I probably seem pretty laxed and unprofessional compared to you. But just because I have a very hands-off approach to dealing with my sisters, doesn't mean I can't tell when something is bothering someone."

Hipper glowered at her. "It's not your business."

Allen frowned harder and pushed on ahead to skate backwards in front of her. "It's my business when we're supposed to be a team. We watch each other's backs."

"I don't need your help." Hipper hissed, casting a glance back at Eugen, who bobbed her eyebrows suggestively.

Hipper clicked her tongue and curled her lip. "And I don't need anyone's pity."

She put on a short burst of speed, darting around Allen who veered to get out of her way before shouting after her.

"I'm not trying to pity you!"

Hipper stood before the dangling billboard of the ruined building, breathing heavily. She had pushed herself. Really pushed herself to arrive well ahead of Eugen and Allen and give herself a moment to get composed.

She drew in a deep breath and wiped the back of her hand across her sweat-streaked forehead, sending droplets to vanish into the sea. Looking around, she could not spot her sister or the Eagle Union destroyer, nor any silhouettes in the dense fog.

Stupid Eugen. Stupid Essex.

A shuddering breath escaped, and she drew back a fist, ready to slam it into the stone wall of the crumbling building.

No. She had to get herself under control. She was close to losing it and she would be damned if she blew this opportunity, regardless of if it was out of some genuine belief that she could do the job, or a pity ploy.

Get a grip! You know what you're doing! You just need to produce the results. Nothing more.

A whisper on the wind tickled her eardrums and Hipper tilted her head towards the familiar sound of girls skating on the water's surface. No doubt Allen and Eugen had finally caught up to her.

"All that seems a bit excessive don't you think?" Came Allen's voice.

"Perhaps to you." Eugen replied dismissively. "But Lord Bismarck has her reasons."

Hipper arched a brow.

What?

She glanced around quickly before darting down a nearby alleyway. Pressing her back to the icy stone, she listened as the two girls drew closer.

"What could Bismarck possibly see the need for doing that?"

"It's not so uncommon for us in the Iron Blood as you might think. Even the Sakura Empire indulges in political skinship to strengthen bonds between allies."

A choked gasp came from Allen. "W-we don't do that in Azur Lane."

A chuckle came from Eugen as the sounds of rushing water slowed to a stop.

Hipper tensed and held her breath.

"You Eagle Union girls really are an amusing bunch. Didn't the Royal Navy engage your leaders in diplomatic relations at the start of their union?"

"I… I don't…" Allen stammered.

Eugen cooed. "I could be wrong of course. Enterprise does seem rather prudish."

"Hey! Watch your mouth! Enterprise isn't a prude. She's just… conservative."

Eugen laughed. "If you say so. I'd place deutschmarks on saying otherwise."

"Is that why you're trying to get under Essex's skirt?" Allen sounded as though she were holding back her temper.

"I have my orders." Eugen stated. "Iron Blood needs to have strong relations with Eagle Union. And I'm willing to work with you to achieve that."

Hipper felt as though the water beneath her feet was about to be sucked away, leaving her to plummet to the street below.

Bismarck was only humoring Essex. Testing her willingness to work with the Iron Blood. Testing her resolve to be a strong ally. And here she was just along for the ride.

You're useless.

"Or…" Eugen continued in a sultrier tone. "I can work on you if you prefer."

"Th-that's-" Allen gave a nervous hiccup.

Eugen let out a giggle. "Don't worry. I'm not here to force your precious Essex into anything. I'm just letting her know, that should she have any concerns-"

"You better not do anything to take advantage of Essex." Allen warned. "You think the Royal Navy is bad when it comes to one of their own being wronged, you have no idea what Eagle Union is capable of."

Eugen hummed in amusement. "As could be said about Iron Blood. But that's a topic for another time." There was a pause. "Where could my darling sister have gotten off to?"

Hipper's heart skipped a beat.

Scheisse!

She heard footsteps on the water and turned away to wipe a glove across her face.

No tears.

Good.

Drawing in a deep breath, she composed herself before turning on her heal and marching towards the street.

Almost immediately she bumped into Eugen upon rounding the corner, her face planting into her chest. Hipper stumbled and would have fallen on her arsch had Eugen not reached out and grabbed her.

"There you are." Eugen's smile was gentle, as though she had just caught Hipper in the act of crying and was trying to console her. "I was beginning to think you'd abandoned us."

Hipper blinked in surprise. Not from the words themselves, but the sudden flip of a personality switch. She had never genuinely had a problem with Eugen's slithery personality beyond her teasing. But this was the first time Hipper felt targeted. Singled out. Was her loyalty to Iron Blood not enough?

Eugen blinked. "Are you all right, sister?"

Hipper shook her head, snapping herself out of her thoughts. "I'm fine." She snapped and pulled free of Eugen's grasp. The younger cruiser backed away as Hipper stepped into the street, finding Allen and her drones nearby. The destroyer's eyes were averted, but Hipper could make out the rosy flush to her cheeks. "What took you two so long?"

Allen's blush deepened.

"You're the one who sped off in a huff." Eugen pointed out.

"I needed to clear my head so I could work." Hipper snarled. "Working with you…" Her voice trailed off as she glared into Eugen's eyes.

It's always about you.

"Never mind." Hipper let out a huff and shoved past Eugen to stand beside Allen. The destroyer lifted her gaze to follow Hipper's as she studied the upper stories.

"So…" Allen started, swallowing before shooting a quick glance from Eugen to the dangling billboard. "Is this where it happened? With Cooper, I mean."

Hipper sighed and nodded, grateful for the distraction.

The blush left Allen's face and she frowned as she stared down at the dark water beneath her feet. Unlike before, the street was barely visible with only the largest of vehicles or structures managing to reflect what little light was able to break through the fog.

Allen shivered. "This place gives me the willies."

Hipper frowned at her, then back at Tojo and Bojo who appeared to be looking around in a similarly nervous fashion to Allen.

"Then perhaps we shouldn't waste anymore time and get to work." She gestured to the drones. "Your sister claimed they have the latest in our combined scanning technology. Time to prove her words."

Allen's features hardened as if warning Hipper about possibly insulting Ingraham. But Hipper only crossed her arms and stepped back, allowing Allen to take point.

The destroyer turned to her companions, waving them forward. "Tojo. Do a full sensor sweep of the below the waterline. Bojo, full sensor sweeps above the waterline."

The eyes on both drones flickered, seeming to acknowledge the order. Tojo splashed into the water, spraying Allen and Hipper in the process. The AR-Ds' mouth opened, and an array of beams projected from their maws, sweeping over the surface of the crumbling building.

Hipper found herself nearly hypnotized by the methodical rising and falling of both drones as they drifted towards the corner of the building and continued onto the next building.

"Um… I don't mean to interrupt…" Eugen started, drawing Hipper's ire. "But are they supposed to be scanning the entire block?"

Hipper and Allen blinked before snapping their heads around to the twin bots.

"Whoa whoa!" Allen called, racing after them and flapping her arms wildly in protest. "Stop stop stop! Come back!"

Tojo and Bojo stopped what they were doing and looked at her as though confused to why she would stop them.

"We just need you to scan this building here. Not the entire block." Allen panted, thrusting a hand at said building. "Do you understand me? Just this building until I tell you otherwise."

Tojo and Bojo exchanged a look seeming to reassure one another that they had heard the order correctly. They returned to the positions they started in and began the process once more. This time, they followed Allen's order and drifted around the corner.

The three of them followed the drones with Hipper taking mental note of their activity. Their search patterns mirrored one another almost perfectly, with each unit adjusting for obstacles.

Bugs aside, Ingraham's work is… acceptable.

As they rounded the opposite side of the building, Hipper noticed Bojo pause at a window,

"What is he…" She started but narrowed her eyes at the window, finding several pock marks around the frame.

"What is it?" Allen asked.

Hipper ignored the question and moved closer to squint at the markings. Eugen joined her, hands crossed under her bust and head tilted curiously.

"Are those…"

Hipper nodded. "Bullet impacts."

Allen arched a brow at them. "I thought there hadn't been any combat the last time."

"There wasn't." Hipper stated and met Allen's crimson stare. "Have Bojo… I mean… have one of them find us a way inside."

Allen's lips twisted for a heartbeat but waved over Bojo. "Hop on Admiral." She chirped after the drone came to rest at Hipper's feet.

"Excuse me?" Hipper gaped as she stared between the machine and the destroyer.

"He'll lift you up to the window." Allen stated as though she were telling Hipper to stop being childish and just do it.

And she did.

Albeit after a few heartbeats of hesitation.

Bojo was surprisingly stable and graceful upon lifting above the water's surface and allowing Hipper to clamber onto the windowsill when near enough.

"Be careful." Eugen called up.

Hipper bit back a retort, giving the gloomy interior a cursory glance. An office of sorts, with soggy papers scattered across the floor. A couch beside the door with dark stains across the cushions. The door ajar as though something had smashed it inward.

A chill ran up Hipper's spine as a breeze brushed her back. Somewhere beyond the office door, the wind gave an ominous wail, as though the spirits of the city's inhabitants were calling out from the grave.

"I promised him I would find out what happened to his family."

Essex's words prodded at the back of Hipper's mind, and she frowned, turning back to the window.

The pock markings where definitely made from small caliber firearms, judging by the size of the impacts, likely a handgun. Three shots had impacted the window frame and ricocheted off to god only knew where. But as Hipper's eyes lifted towards the ceiling, she found two more impacts; one into the wall itself, the second into the ceiling.

"What do you see?" Allen called.

Hipper only gave her a passing glance before scrutinizing the two new impacts. The puncture into the ceiling was likely going to be a task and a half to seek out and retrieve; if at all. But to her surprise and subsequent relief, she spotted a metallic glint in the other hole. She looked around, trying to find something pointy to pry the bullet out with, but finding only pencils and pens scattered along with the papers. Not even so much as a letter opener.

"Come on up." She called to Allen and Eugen. "We have some retrieval to do."

Both Allen and Eugen looked at one another with uncertainty before Eugen gestured for Allen to take the lead.

Bojo hefted the destroyer up and into the window before returning with Eugen a moment later.

"What in the world happened here?" Allen asked to no one in particular once her eyes had adjusted.

"That's what I hope to find out." Hipper muttered and stooped to inspect some of the papers on the wet carpet floor. The parchment fell apart the instant she tried to pick up a page. Irritated, Hipper resorted to squatting precariously between scattered pages, and squinting hard at what remained of the ink. Most pages were completely illegible. But more than once she was able to make out distinct names.

Incor Incorporated. Abstract Systems LTD. Pocket-Space Industries.

"Do these names sound familiar to you?" Hipper asked, pointing for her sister and Allen to read.

"Doesn't ring a bell." Allen stated with a shake of her head, before looking to Eugen.

The heavy cruiser pondered a moment longer, her fire-light eyes narrowing a fraction. "I don't recall the names, but something about them seems… very Eagle Union."

"You think so?" Allen scrutinized the names again before turning to her hovering companion. "Bojo, take pictures of the pages would ya? And scan them as best you can." She looked to Hipper. "If they're too fragile to move without damaging them, then we may as well get some digital evidence to pour over later."

Hipper only gave an affirming nod.

"We best gather whatever we can then." Eugen sighed and stepped gracefully over to the desk and began rummaging through its contents.

Whilst they busied themselves, Hipper returned her attention back to the ceiling where the bullet was lodged. With little to effectively pry it out, she gave the floor a quick scan, searching for the telltale glint of a shell casing before her eyes drifted up the wall opposite. Four bullet holes peppered the wall about chest height and Hipper found herself pushing the smashed door open to the next room. It resisted for a heartbeat before the only hinge holding it in place snapped, sending the remains crashing to the floor.

Eugen and Allen's heads both snapped upright as the sound seemed to reverberate throughout the city.

No one moved and Hipper held her breath as she listened.

Nothing.

Her eyes met Eugen's briefly before she stepped over the remains of the door and found herself in the middle of what may have been an office of sorts, judging by all the cubicles, desks, chairs and filing cabinets. However, all the furnishings were lined against the walls, blocking out windows and doorways.

Except for one.

Something had smashed through the wall, leaving a hole the size of a car in its wake, scattering the gathered furniture into bits and pieces. The light from the hall and office behind her glinted off finger-sized metallic objects scattered across the floor.

Shell casings.

Hipper stepped cautiously to the middle of the room, the shell casings pinging across the wooden floor and glass crunching under her feet. A faint scent on the air brushed her nostrils, and she winced at the burn it left in her sinus. Squinting, she searched the debris for the source.

The wood floors were covered in a layer of dust and splinters with dark stains in large sweeping arcs as though something had been swept across its surface. Hipper's eyes drifted along the patterns which scraped the edges of the makeshift barricade, finding several dents in the cubicle panels and office chairs.

She moved closer to inspect the damage and ran a finger along the surfaces, finding nothing but a thin layer of damp residue.

No blood splatters. But something definitely slammed into them from inside the room.

Hipper was about to move on when she spotted something else that made her brows furrow in consternation.

Several of the nearby chairs that had been piled atop one of the desks looked off to her. Not that there was any method to how things were stacked along the wall, but people tended to be marginally organized even in constructing a rudimentary fortification such as this. Everything needed to be stable enough for a wall to hold; chair legs intertwined or resting against one another for support or propped against the cubicle panels.

The chairs she was looking at appeared to have been knocked out of place; shoved aside as though someone had tried to clamber over them in a desperate attempt to flee.

Hipper's attention was drawn back to the hole in the wall, and she approached cautiously, half expecting a siren or some sort of monster to jump out at her. She briefly considered summoning her rigging, but it was far too bulky for this confined space, and any engagement would only bring the building down on top of them.

Keep your head on a swivel, and don't let your guard down.

Hipper paused, held her breath, and poked her head through to stare down the hallway.

The floors were littered with the remains of picture frames and plaques. Lighting fixtures had been torn from their mounts, looking as though they had been hurled across the hall. Streaks of dark rusty brown stood out against the pale stone wall and the faint scent from before filled Hipper's nostrils, leaving a sickening weight to settle into her stomach.

"Jeez Louise." Came Allen's exclamation.

Hipper turned to see her in the office doorway, eyes wide as she scanned the premises. Behind her, Eugen peeked over her shoulder and her mouth fell open as she took in the state of the room.

"Is this where those bullets came from?"

Hipper's lip twitched.

So, Eugen had noticed as well.

That was fine. She could use a second opinion for the building scenario forming in the back of her mind.

"Eugen. Take a look around and tell me what you see." Hipper gestured with a nod about the room, still scrutinizing every nook and cranny.

Eugen blinked, seemingly surprised at the invitation but stepped past Allen and began looking about, starting with the bullet holes in the wall and proceeding around the room in the opposite direction.

Hipper watched her, paying close attention to what she looked at, and what she ignored. If Eugen missed something, then she would need to be the one to catch it as it may provide a clue to what was going on in this city.

"What have we here?" Eugen said, leaning over a capsized desk and picking something up behind it. Hipper and Allen's eyes went wide when she straightened. A small handgun was pinched between her thumb and index, as though it were a scorpion threatening to sting her. Eugen checked the safety, before ejecting the magazine and pulling back the slide. A single round ejected with a light ping, and she caught it midair before inspecting it.

"Well?" Hipper asked after several minutes passed of her sister looking from the round to the holes in the wall.

"Seems like whomever was here was cornered by someone…" She eyed the hole in the wall. "Or by something and was forced to make a last stand."

Hipper hummed in thought as she looked about the floor. The wood was scuffed, and it was impossible to tell a mark made by moved furniture or created by some other means.

"Scan this room as well." She ordered to Allen who remained frozen in the doorway, looking more than a little uneasy. "But don't touch anything beforehand." Hipper ordered with a warning finger.

Allen crinkled her nose. "What? Why?"

"Just…don't." Hipper warned and stepped into the hallway. The floorboards creaked, threatening to broadcast to the entire world that an intruder was in the building.

At the end of the hall, Hipper came to a second massive hole, one she recognized as being covered by the billboard. Initially, she had thought that this demolished side of the building had been the work of the explosion caused by Orochi. But now…

She ran her fingers along the rim. There were no signs of vitrification or oxidation to indicate siren beam weapons. Large-caliber projectiles would have simply leveled the building.

Which means something brute forced its way in.

"Allen!" She called.

"What's up?" Came the reply as the destroyer cautiously entered the hall. She seemed to pick up on the vile scent and crinkled her nose. "And what is that smell?"

"Have your drone take samples of these areas here." Hipper ordered and pointed to the rim of the breach. "We're going to want to run some…" Her voice trailed off as she turned, her eyes falling upon an object half buried under a broken picture frame.

Hipper froze.

Allen's brow furrowed as she approached. "Yo, Admiral. What's got you-" Allen's own words died in her throat as she too spotted what Hipper was looking at.

The cold weight of terror pressed down on Hipper as she knelt to brush away the debris. A sickening gurgle came from Allen's throat, and she spun towards the billboard. The violent sounds of retching filled the hallway and Eugen's alarmed voice came a heartbeat later.

"What's going on?" She called, practically leaping through the hole in the wall. When her eyes fell upon the grizzly sight, she too paled and backed away a pace.

"Kommandantin Essex..." Hipper murmured over her comms. The smell of decay seemed to be trying to overwhelm her senses as a lump began to form in her throat.

"I hear you, Admiral." Came the carrier's punctual response. "Did you find something?"

Hipper could only tremble as she stared at the remains of the severed human arm.

Another loud wretch from Allen.

"Admiral?"

Essex's tone had shifted to one of unease, as though she were preparing to fight or flee.

"Sister…" Eugen's voice snapped Hipper out of her stupor.

"We…we have…" Hipper swallowed hard and drew in a shuddering breath. "Confirm… We have a casualty."

Essex was silent for a long time.

"Confirm." Hipper choked, trying to prevent the bile from rising in her throat.

"C-confirmed." Essex answered. "I'll notify Taskforce Nine… And have someone come out with an HRP. Copy?"

Hipper nodded absentmindedly. "Copy."

There was a pregnant pause before Essex spoke again.

"Is… Is the body…"

"Just remains…" Hipper sighed.

Another long silence.

"Understood. I'll radio back when someone is on their way."

Hipper hummed an acknowledgment. Glancing back over her shoulder, she found Eugen gently rubbing Allen's back. The destroyer's legs trembled as she struggled to stand, and Eugen pressed one of her shoulders, trying to get her to take a seat. But Allen only shook her head vehemently in protest.

Eugen's eyes met Hipper's and for a heartbeat, Hipper no longer saw the confident envoy of the Iron Blood, but a frightened little destroyer.

But Hipper blinked first, and the look was gone; replaced by a neutral expression Eugen used whenever she was trying to hide her concerns.

Hipper looked away.

"Essex?"

"Yes Admiral?" The carrier sounded hesitant.

Hipper bit her lip as she contemplated the request mulling about in her head. They needed answers. But it was clear that there would be no clean ones. Not for anyone.

"I hate to ask. But I recommend putting in a request to HQ."

"Regarding?"

Hipper swallowed hard. "Request the human be brought on-site."

"Repeat that?" Essex practically choked.

Eugen shifted, and Hipper could feel her eyes boring into the back of her skull.

"I want to request that the human be brought on-site." Hipper clarified, even though she felt she had been perfectly clear the first time. "I think we will need his help with this investigation."