"Michael X Eugen?" The message read.
Amagi read the message slowly and took a deep breath.
"If I remember correctly, he has told me before that he was born and raised in Germany, under the care of his father, a high level enlisted Sailor in the Kriegsmarine. So it stands to reason that he'd be attracted to someone from the Ironblood. I know we spoke at length before… and my reasoning stands. I love him too much to keep to myself. Besides… It's good to have someone he knows from his past. Perhaps she can help him in ways I can't." Amagi spoke to the seemingly empty room.
"Everything alright, Amagi?" Isaac asked as he knocked on the door. 13 stood diligently by his side.
Amagi turned to see them standing in the doorway. Isaac was donned in his combat armor, armed with a simple M1 rifle.
"Shikikan?" Amagi asked.
"You've been talking to yourself for a bit. Everything alright?" Isaac asked again, leaning the rifle against the door.
"Yes. Just an interesting development with my husband. He seems to be taking after you, Shikikan." Amagi said with a soft smile.
"I see. Personal matters aside, you're with me." Isaac said.
"Me? You have Friedrich, Odin, even Texas. You have an entire fleet at your beck and call. Why me?" Amagi asked.
"I sent Michael into enemy territory to scout our advance. And if something happened to you in his absence, when I could have sent anyone else and had him here with you, it would fracture this fleet and everything I stand for. I have yet to discuss it with my own wives, but I would consider it a personal order for you to stick with me so that we can keep you safe." Isaac said as Amagi fell into thought.
"So… you wish to keep Michael in your service, and keeping me safe acts as leverage?" Amagi asked.
Isaac sighed.
Before he could talk, 13 spoke up.
"Amagi-sama. Shikikan has a straightforward way of thinking. While you think he is suspicious, he sees you as someone who is important to someone he respects. Isaac knows firsthand the pain of losing a loved one. And it was a miracle that she was returned to us. But we don't know if we can replicate such a feat again. He just wants to ensure that Michael doesn't have to experience losing you as he once lost Nimi." 13 explained.
Amagi sighed before looking at Isaac's helmet. She couldn't see his face, but she could tell he was being genuine.
"Alright then. Are we heading ashore?" Amagi asked.
"We are. Please keep your rigging active while you are off the ship. While Jager's recon proved the absence of anything above ground, I am not entirely sure that this place is completely safe. The other big guns are on shore. Let's move." Isaac said as 13 and Amagi followed him to the main deck.
Taka and Ben stood at attention on the beach as Isaac, 13, and Amagi arrived.
"Admiral." Ben spoke as Isaac looked over his uniform.
"Taka, Ben. How goes it?" Isaac asked.
"Odin has split our forces and sent them into the settlements over the ridge. Each squad is accompanied by one or two of your battleships, so we should be good to face any opposition." Taka explained.
"I was waiting here for orders." Ben said.
"You're with me as well. As a favor to Michael, I am looking after Amagi until we regroup with him. But it seems she does not fully trust me. So you are going to help defend her during this excursion." Isaac spoke.
"Yes sir." Ben said as he turned and walked towards a pile of crates that had been offloaded by the medical tents.
"What's he doing?" Isaac asked.
"Apparently he found a weapon in our armory. Something lifted from one of our previous landings. He said it's something called a Stinger." Taka said.
"Stinger?" Isaac asked as Ben returned holding a machine gun that was as long as 13 was tall.
In Ben's hand was a 1919 Browning Machine gun that looked like it had been modified. It had the stock of an M1 Garand and a Bipod borrowed from a Browning Automatic Rifle. A chain of ammunition hung out from the side of the receiver and wrapped around Ben's arm.
"A bit overkill… don't you think?" Isaac asked.
"Well, if it's just you and me protecting these two, we need more firepower than two little rifles, Admiral." Ben said as he charged the weapon before holding it against his chest.
"I suppose you have a point. We're going to go in and support the leftmost group. We can't spend too much time here, but we can't leave until we ensure this island's condition." Isaac explained.
"Condition?" 13 asked.
"I believe Shikikan means to find out if this island is truly dead. Jager's flight earlier told him that the villages had been burned to a crisp and everyone killed. But if we were to take it at face value and leave, this island may be teaming with Sirens who are lying in wait. If we pass them by and reach the Philippines, Tester could contact this island and have any potential threat surround our forces." Amagi said, earning a nod from Isaac.
"Precisely. So while we are going to look for survivors, and render aid when able… we are merely ascertaining our own safety." Isaac condensed.
"Expert instinct as always, Amagi-sama." 13 spoke, earning a hand on her head from Amagi.
"You flatter me, I-13." Amagi said as she looked at Isaac.
"You have a mind that perplexes me, Shikikan." Amagi said as Isaac turned around.
"Amagi. This fleet… is my family. Everyone here is precious to me. What I do is in the best interest of my family. Keeping you safe has the same weight to me as making sure that we clear this island. You may find it confusing… but I'm just doing my best to protect my family." Isaac spoke as they began walking towards the ridge.
"From what reports are saying, everyone in the immediate area is dead. All scorch marks are cold, meaning that whatever did this has been gone for a while." Taka spoke as they crested the ridge.
"Admiral!" One of the soldiers yelled as they ran to Isaac.
"What is it, Soldier?" Isaac asked as the soldier handed him a box. Despite the size, the box was light.
"What is this?" Isaac asked.
"I don't know. We didn't open it. But the water damage is severe. We found it on a wrecked and burned out ship not to far to the North." The soldier explained.
"Alright… well, stay here. We shall discover it's contents together." Isaac spoke as he propped his rifle against a rock and undid the latch on the box.
Amagi gasped when she laid her eyes on the contents.
"Shikikan." Amagi spoke.
"Hmm?" Isaac asked.
"That mask. It's undeniable… those cubes… it's Taihou." Amagi said as Isaac looked inside.
A golden mask, bearing the features of a bird of prey, sat atop a pair of deep blue cubes. As the soldier had said, the water damage was extensive, as the cloth had been shredded by the salt of the pacific. As Isaac reached into the box, his hand grazed the mask, causing a light to begin shining brightly from within it.
"What is going on?" Isaac asked as Amagi grabbed the box and tossed it a few feet away, with the cubes still inside.
"Amagi?!" Isaac yelled as a column of fire erupted from the box, followed by a blinding blue light.
"She has done this once before… when she awoke originally. The incarnation of the Phoenix. Heavy Aircraft Carrier… Taihou."