"We need to go, nyaa!" Akashi yelled as Azuma and Kitakami tinkered in the lab.
"You guys get out of here. We'll follow you. Head for Fiji." Kitakami said as Akashi looked torn.
"But..." Akashi tried to say.
"We're laying a trap for our... friends. That way they can't follow us or track us." Azuma said as she nodded to Kitakami who was on the lab computer, typing in thousands of contradictory commands and movement orders.
"How, nyaa? Maybe Akashi could help." Akashi said.
"Data bomb. They will want to find us before destroying this base, so they'll be looking through all the computer logs and movement orders to try and track us. By overloading the number of commands, we can stun the elite Sirens since they use a faster form of Data processing. They can't handle the sheer number of commands fast enough to continue full functions. With that advantage, we can detonate the base as a whole, hopefully destroying them in the process." Kitakami said as she looked away from the computer.
"So... you're going to overload their neural network?" Akashi asked.
"Precisely. And while they are stunned, trying to sort all of the false data, we light the powder keg and blow them all to hell in one fell swoop." Kitakami said with a can-do smile.
"Akashi thinks you are scary..." Akashi said as she turned to Azuma.
"What can Akashi do, nyaa?" Akashi asked.
"Spread out the munitions, powder, and hazardous material. We'll turn this place into a wasteland." Azuma said as she rolled a sealed barrel of Oil towards the dorms.
"H-hai..." Akashi said as she threw in her hands to help set their trap.
XXXXXVVVVVXXXXX
"Sister." Phoenix said as St. Louis looked as if she was about to cry.
"Why can't we find some kind of peace? Some refuge from the fight?" St. Louis asked.
"We are warships, Sister. The Commander couldn't have foreseen this happening." Phoenix said as they sat by the docks, awaiting the final call for evacuation from Azuma.
"I know. I know. But just once... I would like to pretend that the life I lived hadn't existed. To look out to sea and not see the thousands of souls that my shells condemned to the deep. I want, just for a day, to forget that my purpose on this Earth is to fight... to protect... and finally, to sink, lost to the depths of the ocean for the rest of eternity." St. Louis said, looking out towards the horizon.
"Sister... why did you never talk to Bremerton about this? You know she said you were always welcome..." Phoenix said as she held her sister.
"I...I just thought it would go away. And now Bremerton is probably lost in the middle of the Atlantic now... God. I really am a worthless older sister." St. Louis said softly as Phoenix recoiled a bit before backhanding her across the face.
"Don't you dare!" Phoenix yelled angrily.
"I... "St. Louis tried but was steamrolled by her younger sister.
"You are the furthest thing from useless! You are probably the hardest working out of all of us Brooklyn class girls. You protected all of us. You helped win the Pacific. You're not useless. And if I ever hear you say that shit again, I'll scuttle you myself." Phoenix cried as tears poured down her face.
"Sis..." St. Louis said as she looked at her crying sister, who was now turning to walk away.
St. Louis stood and ran after her sister, wrapping her arms around Phoenix's shoulders from behind.
"I'm sorry... It's just... I have held everything in for so long... I thought I'd never get to talk to someone about it... I was afraid that even my sisters would abandon me..." St. Louis said as Phoenix turned and held her cheeks, wiping away the tears from St. Louis's face.
"Lu. I am your sister. I will always have your back." Phoenix said.
XXXXXVVVVVXXXXX
"Commander. I have some good news." Norfolk said as Battleship guns went off throughout the fleet.
"Hit me." Isaac said as Friedrich punched his shoulder, throwing him to the deck.
"Not...literally." Isaac said with a chuckle as Friedrich smiled.
"Sorry, Herr Isaac. Couldn't stop myself." Friedrich said with a laugh.
"Anyway, Norfolk, give me the good news." Isaac said.
"I charted my data from the Index against a map of the world. Bermuda is completely dark. No sirens. No siren tech. Not even a drone fleet. Scans from earlier Siren expeditions, however, show that there is an odd fog that surrounds the Island of Bermuda." Norfolk said, earning her a look of confusion from Odin and Friedrich, and a head tilt from Isaac.
"Okay? How is that good news?" Isaac asked.
"There are records of a Royal Navy base operating out of Bermuda. Apparently, that is where they were holding the cubes that spawned Bismarck. As of 1944, Tirpitz's cubes were also rumored to have been taken there to keep them from being revived by the Ironblood." Norfolk said.
"I see. And do we know if that base is currently manned?" Isaac asked.
"There is proof of life. If I transmit on a Royal Navy frequency, There is a direct Channel leading right to this base." Norfolk said.
"Transmit a message to Akashi. I want her to head to Bermuda. If we can convince the Royals to give us a port, We will have a foothold close to both fronts." Isaac said.
"It will be risky, Commander." Norfolk said.
"Why?" Isaac asked.
"Hermit controls the area north of the Panama Canal. Strength shares South America with Temperance. Aside from The Empress... Those three are literal monsters in comparison to Observer Zero.
"Shit. So how do we get there?" Isaac asked as bright blue shields flared up outside the bridge, indicating that the bridge had been targeted by a shell from a drone ship.
"If Akashi goes far enough south to avoid the tip of South America, she can sneak up the coast just outside of their detection range. The thing is, she would be going dark until she got there." Norfolk said.
"Damn it! St. Louis and Phoenix would be the only ones protecting her... What class of sirens are the ones you described?" Isaac asked as a bomb exploded next to the Norfolk, rocking her violently.
"They are classified as battleships, but in terms of power, they have the protective qualities of a dreadnaught with the fire capabilities of the more modern battleships. They are super-battleships by very definition." Norfolk said.
"They would tear those cruisers apart..." Isaac said as he slammed his hand on the metal desk. "Odin, any suggestions?" Isaac asked.
"I have to agree with Norfolk here. The only way to get her to Bermuda is to take the long way and pray that she makes it." Odin said.
"Fine. Send the message. We need to turn our attention back to the battle at hand. We have been taking far too many hits while discussing this." Isaac said as he looked out the bay windows and aiming the forward guns via his helmet's integrated aiming system. He fired the guns, piercing through the weakened shields of a destroyer class drone ship and detonating within the deck, sinking it rapidly after.
XXXXXVVVVVXXXXX
"Nyaa?!" Akashi screeched as she received another message.
"Head south. Make for Bermuda. avoid south America." The message read.
"Azuma-san! Kitakaze-San!" Akashi yelled. The two girls turned and looked at her as they placed the final bombs and shells into their places to detonate upon their escape.
"What is it young one?" Azuma asked.
"Akashi got a message from Norfolk-san. We need to head south, nyaa. Then head to Bermuda while avoiding South America, nyaa." Akashi said.
"I see. Well, then that is what we shall do. The trap has been set. We're shipping out now." Azuma said as she headed for her ship.
"Yup. Once those sirens hit the button to access these computers, that will start a 30 second countdown before detonating the entire base. With the amount of data I created... there will be a lot less sirens to deal with." Kitakaze said as she ran to her ship, that now graced the harbor.
"All ships, listen to Akashi, nyaa. We are heading south, nyaa. Weigh Anchors, nyaa!" Akashi said over the PA system. She then saw St. Louis and Phoenix running to their ships as she scampered to hers along with the remaining bulins. The Cargo ship had already began forming up with the Azuma as the small fleet departed Niue for the final time.
XXXXXVVVVVXXXXX
"Only 250 miles now. Are you sure you don't want us to go after that cockroach after we destroy their base?" Smasher asked the open air.
"No. Return to base after. The Dragon Empery is already getting restless without your presence. So I will need you back here to restore order." Observer Zero spoke.
"Understood." Smasher said as she cut the line.
"Are we going after him?" Navigator asked.
"No. Dragon Empery is getting restless in our absence. We need to finish this quickly and get back there to restore order." Smasher said.
"Ooo! Should we do another mass execution? Send them another message?" Navigator asked.
"As fun as that would be, it leaves a bad taste in Observer's mouth. She wants slaves, so we can't do another mass execution." Smasher said.
"Fine. Then we waste Chongqing." Navigator said.
"Works for me." Smasher said with a shrug.
XXXXXVVVVVXXXXX
Akashi looked at the Island of Niue for the last time as she brought up the rear of the retreating fleet.
"Forrest Shikikan... Akashi is sorry. Akashi hopes you will forgive her, nyaa." Akashi said sadly as Azuma jumped aboard the Akashi.
"What is wrong, little one?" Azuma asked as she walked over carrying a sleeping Mutsuki.
"Akashi promised Forrest Shikikan that she would defend his post to the end, nyaa. But Garner Shikikan is my shikikan now and he said to leave." Akashi said.
"Ah. Little one, did you have time to honor the dead?" Azuma asked.
"Hai. Shikikan allowed us to honor him before he left for his first mission." Akashi said softly.
"Then I am sure Forrest Shikikan will understand. He would want you to live on to continue serving the new Shikikan." Azuma said as she slowly petted Mutsuki.
"Akashi understands. But Akashi is still sad." Akashi said.
"I understand that to some degree. I am here to talk if you need, little one." Azuma said as Mutsuki woke up.
"Azumama! Where are we going?" Mutsuki asked, her voice tired and squeaky.
"We are going on a vacation, little Mutsuki. Shikikan has been nice enough to give us all a wonderful break." Azuma said as she scratched Mutsuki's head, earning her another round of purrs from the feline destroyer.
"Yay! Vacation!" Mutsuki said excitedly as she hugged Azuma.
"Remember what I said little one. I'm here if you need to talk." Azuma said as she returned to her ship.
"Thank you, nyaa." Akashi whispered as she sat down and began to tear up.
XXXXXVVVVVXXXXX
"How much further do we have to go?" Kaga asked.
"Looks like new guinea is just over 2,200 miles away. So we should be able to reach it in six more days." Perkins said.
"Good lord. By the time we get there, that Shikikan might be dead." Kaga said.
"We should head south. Shikikan should be taking the most direct route to his landing point, which is a lot closer to us than New Guinea." I-13 said.
"We could do that, I see no harm." Perkins said over the radio.
"Then are we adjusting course?" Arizona asked.
"Yes. Form up and follow the Iowa." Perkins said as he issued orders to his crew.
He cranked the wheel hard to port, turning the massive vessel towards the south. The Arizona and Kaga followed suit, returning to flank the Iowa as they steamed full speed ahead.
XXXXXVVVVVXXXXX
"Ugh. I'm down to my last case already?" Gangut asked as well over 50 empty bottles of vodka laid on deck, strewn about without care.
"By now, Rossiya would tell me to cut down on the booze... but it is so boring!" Gangut yelled.
"It is really that boring?" A voice asked.
"What?" Gangut asked as a child came out from behind one of her main batteries.
"A stowaway?" Gangut asked as she walked over to the child, kneeling down to meet his gaze.
"My name is Peter... I..I was hiding from those scary sirens onboard when the boat left port." Peter said.
"Боже мой. How did you manage to survive the escape?!" Gangut asked.
"I hid below deck...I just came up recently." Peter said.
"Do you have family?" Gangut asked.
"No... They were killed. My mother by the sirens... my father by the Germans." Peter said.
"Damn... Alright kid. I guess you're with me. We're going to meet up with a Union Comrade who has decided to stick it sideways to the sirens." Gangut said.
"I'm sorry for sneaking aboard." Peter said.
"As bad as it is, I don't mind. You have solved my boredom for sure." Gangut said as she went about cleaning up the deck.
"Do you have beer?" Peter asked.
"Of course I do. It's a special barrel from Chapayev. Can I get you some?" Gangut asked.
Peter nodded.
"Chapayev makes weak beer, but it is so full of flavor that I don't really care. That's why she makes mine in barrels instead of bottles." Gangut said as she poured some beer into an empty vodka bottle for Peter.
"So... who are you?" Peter asked as he sipped at his drink.
"I am a Dreadnaught Battleship for the Parliament. I was built before the great war and proved myself during the second world war as well." Gangut said as she filled another bottle for herself.
"So you're the only one controlling this ship?" Peter asked, looking over the massive pre ww1 battleship.
"You got it, kid. This grumpy old woman runs this boat." Gangut said with a smile.
"You're not grumpy... you remind me of my grandma, actually." Peter said as he drank more of his beer.
"Do I?" Gangut asked as she looked up into the sky.
"Yes. She was sweet and always had a drink for me and Papa. She had long white hair and a thick coat just like yours, miss..." Peter said, realizing he never got her name.
"Gangut. I am Gangut. The oldest member of the Northern Parliament." Gangut said as she sat next to Peter.
"That is cool." Peter said, causing Gangut to smile.
"Well, since you're here, you're going to help Babushka Gangut clean the deck." Gangut said as Peter stood and began gathering bottles as Gangut went inside to grab a couple of rations for them to eat.
XXXXXVVVVVXXXXX
"Commander, they just don't stop. The carrier types just keep throwing aircraft at us. It's becoming more difficult to issue orders to the destroyers to stay on top of lurker." Norfolk said.
"Hmm." Isaac thought for a few seconds.
"Buli?" A voice came from the door of the bridge.
"Head Bulin?" Isaac asked as the bulin nodded.
"What can I do for you?" Isaac asked.
"We can help. After disassembling that battleship in Fiji, we understand the construction of drone ships. If we are found onboard a drone ship, we can tear them apart in short order." The bulin said as Isaac stared at the bulin.
"Are you guys sure? This is dangerous, even by fleet standards." Isaac said.
"We are simple tools, Commander. But we too have a sense of honor. Let us help!" The Bulin said.
"Alright. Take your 5 fastest workers. I'll get you over there." Isaac said as the bulin saluted with her wrench before running off.
"U-37, come in." Isaac spoke.
"About time, Kommandant. What's the good news?" U-37 asked.
"You're going to transport a team of bulins behind enemy lines to begin tearing apart their air power. Lurker should be distracted enough so you wont be noticed." Isaac said.
"I get to play with the adorable little duckies?!" U-37 asked.
"Yes. You get to play with the duckies." Isaac said, glaring at Odin and Friedrich who snickered at his remark.
"YAY! Surfacing now!" U-37 said as she fast breached the surface next to the Norfolk, rocking the boat once more.
"Alright Bulins. Take your little boat and load onto the U-37. We're going to drop you behind the enemy that way you can do your work easier." Isaac said, receiving a unified response from the six bulins.
"U-37. Make sure they get there safe. After you drop them, cause as much havoc as you can before escaping back to the fleet." Isaac said.
"What of my sisters?" U-37 asked.
"Radio me once you have unloaded the bulins, I will unleash the rest of the pack to assist in raising hell." Isaac said.
"Alright, Kommandant. I will not fail you." U-37 said as the last bulin was loaded onboard. She sank below the surface and Isaac watched through his visor as she made her way quickly below the enemy fleet, dodging the hulls of destroyer type drone ships.
"This is quite the unorthodox strategy, Kommandant." Odin said.
"Those girls know how to tear things apart just as well if not better than they are able to put things together. They are just as handy in this kind of attack, although I am only allowing it due to my respect for the head Bulin." Isaac said.
"I see. Is that the same unorthodox planning that made you tell us to load HE?" Odin asked.
"We don't have depth charges in the amounts I would like. So, delaying the fuse on HE shells should, in theory, allow them to act as makeshift depth charges." Isaac said.
"I see. Working with you has taught me many things. This is acceptable." Odin said as they continued to watch the battle unfold.
"Kommandant! We have reached their carriers. They are undefended so I am surfacing now." U-37 said.
"Understood. Stand by." Isaac said as he visually confirmed the submarine's position.
"Ready to launch our attack, Kommandant." U-37 said excitedly.
"Release the ducks." Isaac said, holding his head in his hands.