The sun began to rise over the horizon as the majority of Isaac's first fleet pulled into the silent port of Fiji. Eagle and Richelieu stood on the flight deck of the Eagle, surveying the port.
"This doesn't seem right." Richelieu said as she continued looking, unable to see anyone in the port below.
"Normally, people would come out to investigate. I don't like this one bit. Order the fleet to back off into deeper waters. I'll find the commander and ask him what we should do." Eagle said as Richelieu and eagle moved to the side, allowing a Spitfire to launch from the flight deck.
"Friends of the First Fleet. Raise anchor and back off to a distance of 5 miles. This port is too quiet." Richelieu said as the sounds of chains clinking filled the morning air. Within the hour, the fleet had anchored offshore.
"Fiji is still only under blockade, right?" Richelieu asked.
"This seems more than just a blockade. We broke a decent chunk out of said blockade, but the fact that we haven't been re-engaged is weird and uncommon for the sirens." Eagle said.
"How so?" Omaha asked as her voice graced the radio.
"The last time we engaged the sirens, they had reinforcements in the area within hours. The Drone ships use sophisticated radio communication devices to inform fleets all throughout the pacific. If we could capture one of those devices intact, We could possibly maintain contact with each other despite the distance." Eagle said.
"I see. So the fact that they haven't showed up, and the fact that the port was empty, is a cause for concern?" Triomphant asked.
"Yes. When we arrived in Tonga, we were greeted at the docks. And we could tell people existed on the island. But this does not feel right." Eagle said as she perked up, her plane had found Isaac.
The sound of an airplane engine caught Isaac's attention.
"Eagle, What's wrong?" Isaac spoke into Yukikaze's radio.
"Commander. We have had to back off from the Island. There was absolutely nobody in port, and the fact that we haven't seen a single drone ship since the last battle is making the fleet nervous." Eagle said.
"I see. Alright, guide us back to the fleet. We will leave the Yukikaze with the majority of the fleet. Please prepare four more rifles and five flak jackets. I traded for them back in Tonga. I placed them with the crate of rifles." Isaac said.
"I understand a flak jacket for you, commander, but why four more sets?" Eagle asked.
"I'm going to have our new crew members join me in checking out the town." Isaac said.
"We can go on land too, you know." Eagle said.
"I know that, but you all are at a disadvantage. Your strength comes from the fact that your battlefield is the ocean. So unless you can safely say that you are precise enough to not destroy buildings with stray bombs and shells, I would prefer to keep you all on your ships.
"Fine, sir. But since Richelieu and I are in command, I am giving you half an hour to check in after you make landfall. If we don't hear from you, we will come in. You'll just have to deal with collateral damage if a fight breaks out." Eagle said defiantly.
"Fine, I can deal with that. The Yukikaze has a field radio on board so I will link it with the fleet when we arrive. You all will have to close to 2 miles though. Isaac said.
"Understood. Then I request that you stick with us until we hit that 2 mile mark." Eagle said.
"I don't see the harm in that. Can you give me an idea of where I am?" Isaac asked.
"You are 20 miles away from the fleet. You should be able to reach us within the hour if you maintain your speed." Eagle said as her Spitfire flew out of radio range.
"Nimi, advise." Isaac said over the radio.
"Liebling, is something wrong?" Nimi asked.
"Yeah. Get those four men on the radio for me. Looks like we need to investigate the city that surrounds the port." Isaac said.
"We can do that too, you know." Nimi said, clearly upset.
"I know and I'm sorry. But you guys are at a disadvantage on land due to the sheer power of your weapons. one missed shell and you take out a building. You all will have to stay with the fleet as those four men and myself investigate. Eagle has already said that if we don't radio in, you guys will move in on her command. I accept those terms." Isaac said.
"Fine. But I don't like it." Nimi said.
"Commander? You called for us?" Taka said over the radio.
"Yes. The port city we chose to land at in Fiji is too quiet. You four and I will arm ourselves and investigate the town. One of you will be carrying the radio from the Yukikaze so we can radio the fleet." Isaac said.
"Understood, but I think we should take a Kansen just in case." Taka suggested.
"Why is that?" Isaac asked.
"The four of us have been within earshot of the command center for the Sirens in Sakura Empire. It seems that they kept certain Kansens afloat to use them as soldiers. They mentioned having a powerful Kansen somewhere along the island chain, and since we are nearing the Philippines, which is under Tester's control, Fiji would be the best place for them to station said Kansen." Fu said, his voice placing him directly behind Taka.
"Oh... I am glad you informed me. Put Nimi back on." Isaac said.
"I am here, Liebling." Nimi said.
"Your rigging uses a small caliber gun, yes?" Isaac asked.
"Yes, it is a smaller version of my main cannon but it has been reduced in caliber." Nimi said.
"Alright. You will have to accompany us. Fu has informed me that there may be a rogue Kansen guarding the port city in place of Siren leadership. I do not know how they turned a Kansen, but if she is here, we will attempt to capture her. We will need your firepower to subdue her." Isaac said.
"I understand. The fleet is on my radar now, so we can prepare once we drop anchor." Nimi said as her fog horn alerted the fleet to their presence.
The three destroyers slipped inside the battleship shell and came to rest a few meters from the hull of the Eagle.
"Commander, I really must insist on having someone go with you. I'm getting a bad feeling about this island." Eagle said as she skated up to the Yukikaze.
"I have Nimi coming with me. Her gun scales down far enough to not level a building if she misses." Isaac said.
"I see. Allow me to take those cubes and the young destroyer. Climb aboard with the others and grab your gear. Once you are ready to go, we will advance on your command." Eagle said as she grabbed the small feline destroyer and the cubes from Isaac.
"Those belong to a Union Carrier. And since it was up towards Japan, it probably was not part of your last commanders fleet." Isaac said.
"Isaac, I am past those feelings of inferiority. Your love for me and your plans for my hull has given me the ability to find comfort with my own form and no longer compare myself to my sisters among the fleet." Eagle said with a warm smile.
"I see. Then I am glad to hear it. You will be her senior, so I expect you to do a good job in getting her used to operating in my fleet." Isaac said.
"I won't let you down." Eagle said as she returned to her ship. Isaac and the others all climbed the rope ladder onto Eagle's flight deck.
"Alright you four. Flak jackets on and grab a rifle. This island is not friendly. We will have to clear every inch of this city to ensure that we can safely land here." Isaac said as the four Japanese men donned their protective gear.
"Understood. We are ready to serve under your command, Isaac Garner." Taka said as the other three nodded.
"From what I gather, none of us have any formal military training, except maybe Hashirama. Taka, you will man the radio. You're our lifeline. Hashirama, you'll advise me on this mission. Fu and Kido. You two need to remain with Taka and make sure nobody takes out the radio." Isaac said, laying out their plan of attack.
Within minutes, the four men had boarded the Z23 in preparation for their final advance on Fiji.
"Alright. here goes nothing." Isaac muttered to himself.
"First fleet. We are beginning the operation to take the port city of Suva. Move to a distance of 2 miles and hold there until You hear back from me. If you do not hear from me in 30 minutes, you have express permission to enter the city using your rigging." Isaac spoke into Nimi's radio receiver. After a wave of affirmations, Isaac let out a deep breath.
"First Fleet. Commence operation." Isaac commanded as the fleet moved onward back towards Fiji.