Isaac sat on the bridge of the Iowa. All around him, the girls he had came with and the girls he had come to rescue, all stood about pondering their next move.

"What do we do now?" Richelieu asked as she remained knelt at Jean Bart's side, tending to her wounds with a soft but careful touch.

"We return to the fleet via the Indian Ocean. Can't risk the use of too many Mirror seas. Most times we have used it were in times of emergency. But I haven't ascertained any side effects on what it is doing to Norfolk. I'll have to bring it up with Vengeance and Zero once we return to the fleet." Isaac spoke, piquing New Jersey's interest.

"Vengeance? Zero? Who are they? I've never heard of Kansen that bears that name." New Jersey spoke, causing Iowa and Richelieu to look at Isaac.

"Vengeance is a Smasher class Siren that was betrayed by her own kind. She surrendered to my fleet under threat of destruction from Friedrich. Zero is the Observer that held Japan. She surrendered under threat of death by her own kind, as well as being coerced by Graf Zeppelin." Isaac said as New Jersey glared at him.

"You have taken sides with the sirens?" New Jersey asked pointedly.

"Not at all. They joined me. I would have been more than happy to do away with them." Isaac shut down her questioning, knowing that even if New Jersey fired HE, he'd be dead instantly.

Iowa turned to her younger sister.

"Sister. Please realize that it was due to the Sirens within the Admiral's fleet… that I am standing here before you. The Admiral has not taken sides with the Sirens nor the Wolfpacks. His efforts, along with the willingness to utilize Observer Zero's cubes, is what gave me life." Iowa said.

"So… he can bring Missouri to life to?" New Jersey asked.

"Missouri… How is the damage? I remember an after action report from Tirpitz but the damage report has slipped my mind." Isaac said.

New Jersey turned to face him.

"Missouri is lucky to be afloat, Admiral. Her superstructure is all but gone. The only turret left is the number two turret, and all three barrels are busted. She needs massive repairs…" New Jersey said as tears formed in her eyes.

"Why are you crying?" Isaac asked softly.

"Aside from the fact that she is a hull that is the same as mine… if you do bring her to life… she will have those memories. The damage she sustained… she will remember it as a memory. But not only that… but she needs too much work. She will likely be scrapped." New Jersey spoke as she let fly her thoughts on what was going to happen.

"So. She needs some major overhauls, huh? That'll give the boys some work to do… Iowa, put me through to Norfolk. I need to get in contact with Vengeance." Isaac ordered. New Jersey watched Iowa activate her rigging and her eyes glow yellow.

"All non-essential power is being routed to give us the range, Admiral. The green kitty said she is ready to contact the fleet." Iowa spoke as New Jersey stared in awe at her older sister's incomplete rigging, watching the arcs of power flow through the incomplete and open ring on her back.

Isaac placed his helmet on his head and tapped the side.

"Norfolk. Come in." Isaac said.

"Norfolk is resting, Isaac. What can I do for you?" Zero asked.

"Can Vengeance open a mirror sea?" Isaac asked.

"Of course she can. I can too… even in this form." Zero quipped.

"I would like one of you to use a mirror sea without straining Norfolk. I want more testing done when I return… but since you two can use it risk free, I have a job I need done." Isaac said.

"I will have Vengeance open it. I would have to put strain through Norfolk's hull and body to open it. But Vengeance can use it on her own systems. Where do we need it?" Zero asked.

"The Port of Gibraltar is housing what remains of the USS Missouri. As a show of good faith to New Jersey, I want Missouri brought to the main fleet and repaired posthaste. When I return, we are going to see what we need to do to bring that battleship to life." Isaac said, earning him a surprised look from New Jersey and Iowa alike.

"I understand, Isaac. I will give you time to warn the forces there." Zero said.

"Vittorio, come in." Isaac spoke.

"Ah, Comandante. It is good to hear your voice. To what do I owe the honor?" Vittorio asked.

"I wanted to let you know that there is going to be an odd phenomenon that will occur in your port. Do not worry, it is on my orders. I am going to be taking the Missouri to the main fleet to help rebuild her." Isaac said.

"You're going to use a mirror sea, Comandante?" Vittorio asked.

"I am. How did you know about that?" Isaac asked.

"Ah. Miss Yorktown came to us via a Mirror Sea. She explained it to us before leaving with the assault forces." Vittorio explained.

"Yorktown?" Isaac asked.

"Yeah… Yorktown. Just… not our Yorktown, if you catch my meaning." Vittorio spoke.

"What happened to our Yorktown?" Isaac asked.

"Killed by Empress's forces. This Yorktown has chosen to take her place." Vittorio spoke.

"I see." Isaac said as he turned to Lizzy.

"Lizzy, did you come here with anyone?" Isaac asked.

"I did, my king. It was Yorktown. I picked her up from Patriot's Point since she was to help with testing the device that brought us here." Lizzy explained.

"So…. what does that mean?" Isaac asked.

"Right… different timeline. This Yorktown is part of the Essex class. She also comes from a timeline where she was the sole survivor of her class, instead of Enterprise. So she was the one to drive the war to Japan. She killed Kaga, Akagi, Shoukaku and Zuikaku. She is a hardened warrior who hasn't lost her edge despite being a museum curator for almost fifty years." Lizzy explained.

"And she's run off to join the raiding fleet…" Isaac said as he looked out from the bridge.

Isaac returned to the radio call.

"Right. Anyway. The Missouri will be evacuated to the main fleet in the Philippines. If you want your men to remain with you, I'd give the order for them to move back into the port." Isaac said.

"Thank you for the head's up, Admiral. Have you heard from New Jersey yet? She left here about a week ago, I'm hoping she is closing in on your location." Vittorio spoke.

"I'm actually with her now. Norfolk informed me that two high ranking Sirens had descended on New Jersey's little fleet here. So I came to them to help. She is right here with me." Isaac said as he removed his helmet and handed it to New Jersey.

"What is this?" New Jersey asked.

"It has a radio inside. I'm speaking to Vittorio right now. She's asking about you." Isaac said as New Jersey lowered the helmet onto her head.

"VV?" New Jersey asked.

"Amore Mio! The Comandante said you were in a battle. Are you okay? Is everything working okay? Do I need to come to you?" Vittorio asked in rapid succession.

"V… I'm okay. I'm too tough for something so small to do me in. You should know that." New Jersey said softly as a tear of genuine happiness formed in her eye.

"Amore… I don't think I can take being here alone… not with news like this. I am coming. Duca can lead Gibraltar in my absence." Vittorio spoke.

"V. No. You can't leave the Mediterranean unguarded. You are the final bulwark, aside from Ranger and Washington. The Eternal Flagship must stand strong." New Jersey said.

Vittorio didn't say anything.

"I can practically hear you pouting, Signora." New Jersey said softly.

"You don't realize how hard this is, Amore… Comandante said you fought two high level Sirens… Minneapolis said the only two in the area would be the Enforcers of Hermit. If you fought those two… it could drive Hermit to force her way out of Rome." Vittorio said as her voice trailed off.

New Jersey flinched a bit.

"Those were the two we fought… Almost killed Jean Bart… Had Massa and I on the ropes until Iowa and Richelieu showed up…" New Jersey said in response.

The line went silent as the two battleships thought about their next moves.

The silence was broken as New Jersey removed her helmet.

"Admiral… It was a pleasure to meet you. Thank you for bringing my sister to see me. But I cannot come with you. The way things have unfolded… I must return to Gibraltar to help bolster our forces here." New Jersey said.

Isaac looked at her.

With a nod, Isaac took his helmet.

"So I heard. It was a pleasure to meet you as well, New Jersey. If you feel you must take this road, I will not stop you. I will contact the raid fleet to return swiftly after they obtain the blueprints. Do you believe you are able to hold the line with the forces you have?" Isaac asked.

"You're asking me?" New Jersey asked.

"Why wouldn't I?" Isaac asked.

"You're the Admiral. You're supposed to give orders, no?" New Jersey asked.

"Maybe so. But I haven't commanded Gibraltar or the ships who reside there. You have the most experience, aside from Vittorio. If you feel like you need assistance, I will do what I can." Isaac said.

"There aren't many of us left in Gibraltar. Spee, Phoenix, St. Louis, Atlanta, Juneau, Bluegill, I-19, U-557, Vittorio, Abruzzi, Minnie, Z46, I-25, Washington, Ranger and myself. Spee is injured. I-25 has lost her vessel. Vittorio, Washington and I are the only battleships. Ranger is our only source of air power. We might need the help." New Jersey said.

"Because you'll be facing down Hermit. A battleship class Arbiter." Isaac said.

Isaac turned to Richelieu, Massachusetts and Jean Bart.

"Can you three back up New Jersey? Hermit is threatening to break out of Rome due to our… intervention with her Enforcers. Gibraltar is a Bastion for us. We cannot lose it." Isaac said.

Richelieu stood and looked at Isaac.

"I will do as you command… however… tell Michael… tell him not to get himself killed… working with Prinz Eugen like that. I seem to have found myself liking his presence more than his absence. Don't let him die before we meet again." Richelieu said sternly.

"Got it. Let Michael know that Richelieu loves him heart and soul." Isaac joked.

"I said no such thing, nor can you prove it, Admiral." Richelieu shot back.

"Jean, Massachusetts… will you two be okay?" Isaac asked.

"I failed her this time, Admiral. I will not allow them to hurt Jean any further. I will die before she does." Massachusetts swore.

"I will order the raiding fleet to return quickly from their mission to back you up. So, you must only hold out until they return. I will send instructions on how to awaken the blueprints they are retrieving." Isaac said.

The four battleships nodded.

Isaac sighed.

"The four of you: Richelieu, Jean Bart, Massachusetts, and New Jersey. You are to return with Washington and Ranger to Gibraltar and prepare for a hypothetical counterattack by the Arbiter Hermit. You are to hold out until the raiding fleet returns from their mission, where the final trap will be sprung. These orders are to be executed immediately. Godspeed… and good luck. I hope to see you all again." Isaac said as the four battleships shuffled off the bridge of the Iowa.

"Iowa… radio Benson and Akashi. We need to get back to the main fleet, and quickly. Full steam ahead." Isaac ordered as he replaced his helmet.

"Understood Admiral. Full steam ahead."