Happy new year everyone. Let's make this year better than the last. To all of you who have joined me thus far... thank you. We now return you to your regularly scheduled program.

Isaac stood by the port's siren tower at 0400, watching the rapidly lightening sky as he took in the crisp morning air. The birds flew about lazily as they returned to their nests from a night of feeding. the moment the sun crested the horizon, Isaac slammed his fist into the alarm button, setting off the port alarm before picking up the PA radio.

"All crews, man your stations! Prepare to depart, on the double." Isaac spoke as he made his way to the Norfolk.

"I could have woke everyone, Commander." Norfolk said.

"No. This is not a day for gentle nudging. This is real. We stare down the barrel of death's gun once more today. And nice will not win us the war. Sound the horns, we are leading the way until we get out of port." Isaac said as he went to his quarters. He closed the door and began to undress, looking towards his closet to grab his gear.

"Commander, we are preparing to fire up the... engines... please...wow." Norfolk's voice was heard from behind him. He turned slowly after grabbing his body suit.

"Thanks for the heads up, Norfolk. I'll be sure to brace." Isaac said as he quickly slipped into his bodysuit before attaching the armor plating.

"No wonder Nimi and Eagle talk about 'that' so much. I gotta say, Commander, I'm a bit jealous." Norfolk said as her face turned bright red.

"Can we not talk about that right now? You're lucky I'm not chastising you for entering while I'm dressing. "Isaac said as he finished putting the last plate in place.

"I...I'm sorry, Commander. I was out of line." Norfolk said, bowing deeply.

"Well, I'm sure those two have already told the majority of the fleet by now..." Isaac wondered aloud as he slipped his helmet on his head, feeling the interior tighten around him until the helmet was snug and unmoving.

"Hello? Hello? Is this thing working?" Isaac asked, testing the mass communication device Norfolk told him was in his helmet.

A mass wave of confirmations nearly deafened Isaac as he hit a small button on his left ear.

"Glad to see that is working." Isaac said as Norfolk's voice rang in his ears.

"Connecting your visor to my visual sensors." She said softly as Isaac's visor turned from a clear view of his room to a futuristic interface showing everything he could need.

"You didn't say this was a feature, Norfolk." Isaac said sternly.

"A girl has to have some secrets, Commander. Come. Let us head to the bridge." Norfolk said as she left the room.

"Fleet, this is Command. We are heading out. Follow the Norfolk and form up once we hit open water." Isaac spoke, receiving another wave of affirmations from his fleet.

The ship shuddered beneath him as the engines roared to life, sending a wave of static through the steel in the ship. Isaac opened the door to his quarters and made his way to the bridge, watching the interface in his helmet update in real time with awe.

"Siren tech really is something. This feels like I've been thrust into the future." Isaac said softly.

"That is because you have, Commander. By building me, I have brought the future to you. There are a few features we can only test in combat... but I think you'll see that this ship and your suit are by far the most futuristic thing in this theater at least." Norfolk said proudly.

"Let's keep the pride in check and focus on steering the ship. Your keel is practically scraping the bottom of the port." Isaac said as he stepped onto the bridge. He looked out onto the ocean as his display seemed to link with his ship.

"Of course, my apologies, Commander." Norfolk said as Isaac saw a wave emanate from the bow.

"Norfolk, what is that?" Isaac asked.

"When you're on the bridge or on the top deck, your helmet will be linked with my sonar and radar. You'll see what I see, Commander." Norfolk said as Isaac looked at her.

"That is absolutely insane." Isaac said as he counted schools of fish that would have been invisible to his naked eyes.

"It was easy to do since the tech came from this ship." Norfolk said as she turned hard to starboard, beginning the turn that would point them towards New Guinea.

"Fleet, form up on the Norfolk. You all know the cruising pattern. I will alert everyone when we are within range of Lurker so we can adjust accordingly. Keep a reasonable distance, but keep your AA overlapping." Isaac said as he stood in front of the massive bay window that took up the bridge.

"Norfolk... commence the operation." Isaac said as Norfolk stood next to him.

"At once, Commander." Norfolk said as Isaac saw the channel change in his helmet, connecting him to his fleet captains.

"Captains, roll call." Isaac spoke sternly.

"Ja." Nimi said in a stern tone.

"Here, Commander." Eagle said.

"Shikikan." Akagi said in her usual condescending tone.

"I'm here." North Carolina spoke, Richelieu and Rodney called in as well.

"Ready when you are, Commander." Intrepid said.

"Excellent. Akagi, you will be taking care of the long range Recon. I want two squadrons of Zeroes in the air circling at 75 miles. Intrepid, Two squadrons of P51s at 50 miles. Eagle, give me close air support and a squadron at 25 miles. Surface radar should detect anything within that bubble." Isaac said as he turned to where the three carriers were in the fleet, watching planes launch expertly from the flight decks of his most versatile ships.

"Aye, Commander." The three spoke in unison.

"Nimi, come in." Isaac barked.

"I'm here, Liebling." Nimi said.

"I want you and Eldridge on Sonar duty since you are on opposite sides of the fleet. I want everything reported to Norfolk as soon as you get it." Isaac ordered.

"I will relay the order Liebling." Nimi said as she cut the line.

"Richielieu, Carolina, Rodney." Isaac spoke.

"Yes, sir?" The three asked.

"AA guns for every battleship in this fleet needs to be on the skies 24/7 If I see anyone slacking, you three will hear from me." Isaac said sternly.

"Understood sir. We will not fail." The three battleships responded as the door to the bridge opened.

"I am here, Kommandant." Odin spoke as she shut the door behind her.

"Good, you can control your ship from here?" Isaac asked.

"I helped Norfolk install a piece of hardware that makes it easier to maintain full control when I am not aboard. My ship is just as battle ready as everyone else in this fleet." Odin spoke proudly.

"Good. Your guns will be useful in the upcoming battles. I won't accept anything less than excellence." Isaac said as he turned to her. Her eyes widened as she saw a bright red light filling the visor.

"Ironblood aesthetic, Kommadant?" Odin asked as she stood at ease next to him by the bay windows.

"I prefer the red and black as opposed to the yellow. But I guess you could say that I have taken a fancy to the red and black motif." Isaac said as he turned back to the ocean ahead of him. Pennsylvania and Fusou flanked his port and starboard bow as they hit open ocean at 0500.

I-13 sat in one of the AA mounts on the Arizona, being carefully watched by several medics from the Iowa.

"I-13, it's a bit cold out here. You should head back inside and get some rest." One of the medics spoke.

"No. I have spent far too long in that bed. I'm feeling much better than I was." I-13 said as she devolved into a coughing fit.

"See? You're nowhere near 100%" The medic argued.

"I am a submarine, damn it! The cold does not bother me. Leave me be." I-13 said spitefully.

"As your medical officer, you are under my charge." The medic said as I-13 glared at him. The anger lasted only a moment as a familiar sound hit her ears.

"AIRCRAFT INBOUND!" She yelled. The medic scanned the sky before running to the deck radio and picking up the receiver and speaking into it. Her discovery was made known as sirens bellowed from the Iowa, signaling the soldiers to man their battle-stations.

The mount that I-13 was on began to move with her in it. A smile crossed her face as she looked down the sights, feeling a rush as they lined up and the guns began firing.

"Man... this almost makes me wish that I was a destroyer or a cruiser." I-13 murmured as Arizona came out to stand with her.

"This really isn't the safest place for you to be, I-13." Arizona said in her adorable motherly tone.

"But... this is so much fun." I-13 argued.

"Oh alright. Since this is my first real taste of action, I'll allow you to celebrate with me." Arizona said as she gave I-13 the rundown on operating the AA mount.

The AA barrier enforced by Kaga and the Iowa made it possible for Arizona to allow I-13 to take control and learn her new AA mount.

"Lieutenant, how is your ammunition holding?" Arizona asked via radio.

"The gunners are chewing through it slowly but steadily. Don't you worry. We have plenty to last us for several days. Not having to patrol the pacific has allowed us to stockpile ammo in place of cargo or other ordinance." Perkins said as he kept a firm eye on the radar.

"That is good to hear. I can't see any carriers, but with a force like this, we should assume that they are close by." Kaga said.

"I agree. Siren aircraft are odd in that they get weaker the further they are from their carriers, unlike our planes that are constant from launch to landing." Arizona said.

"How would you know that, Arizona?" Kaga asked.

"Enterprise told me when her commander sent her to Pearl, chasing leads on a pack of sirens." Arizona replied with a smile.

"That was before we attacked..." Kaga said softly.

"Only a few days before. She left the day before you attacked Pearl." Arizona said as their AA filled the sky with flak, tearing through aircraft like paper cranes. I-13 was heard squealing as she managed to shoot down an aircraft that was making a dive for the Iowa.

"Good shot I-13." Arizona said softly as the submarine smiled gleefully.

"Наконец, Finally." Gangut said as she managed to free herself from the fog and the mirror sea that surrounded it. Three empty bottles laid about on the bow as Gangut stood and went to work checking her instruments.

"Looks like everything is in order. I wish that Sakura could have come with, she seemed like a good drinking buddy." Gangut spoke as she continued sailing away from the mirror sea.

"Oh well. It's finally good to be out in warmer waters for once. Not to bad mouth command, but the arctic circle is not the best place to be." Gangut said as she scanned the horizon.

"Let's see. I need to go past the Philippines and south east of Palau. That should be... 4 days at the least. Hopefully he's there." Gangut said as she headed inside and went to her quarters.

This is the beginning of the First campaign that Isaac and the girls have undertaken. finally, after 61 chapters. I hope I can live up to your expectations. Enjoy.