Isaac picked up the receiver again.

"Norfolk, come in." Isaac spoke.

"Yes, Isaac?" Norfolk asked sleepily.

"What happened over there? Why was this weapon used?" Isaac asked.

"When we procured the hull of the Missouri, Vengeance attempted to shut off the mirror sea, as we usually do. Except this time we couldn't. Sirens and drones started piling through and we were forced into a defensive position." Norfolk explained.

"We've been put against worse odds, why was this time different?" Isaac asked.

"Because we were never in danger of being ground down by the strength of an Arbiter before. My calculations at absolute worst were that Empress could keep this mirror sea open and send through her forces for five whole days. Isaac… if you would have been here, you would see why we made the call. Friedrich's hull is scored black from all the plasma fire she took. Some of the Bulins are critically injured. Most of our battleships have sustained heavy damage to their superstructures and may even require hull work to remain operational in the North. The only ship we managed to keep relatively safe was Yamato in terms of our battleships. Thankfully… they took the worst of it." Norfolk explained.

"Five days… I… I didn't realize. What of the mirror sea generator?" Isaac asked.

"We destroyed it, Admiral." Perkins spoke up.

"In an attempt to close the mirror sea." Isaac pieced it together.

"The use of that weapon was not my first action… I saw no other way through this without losing any of your ships, Admiral. But I will take the blame for issuing the order. Jager, Zero, and Vengeance were only doing what I ordered them to do." Perkins spoke.

"I see. This changes things by quite a bit… but I am not so clean here either. New Jersey has returned to Gibraltar for a suspected attack by Hermit. Richelieu and her sister as well. And… I was… met by Temperance." Isaac said.

Isaac heard the shuffling of moving bodies in the background before Norfolk replied.

"That's impossible. Temperance hasn't left South America." Norfolk spoke after checking her sensors.

"I don't know what to tell you… we must have caught her on a good day… or Iowa and I wouldn't be making it back to you. She walked right up to us as if she knew where we were. It seems she was interested in Zero's cubes." Isaac explained.

"That can't be… my sensors still show that she hasn't left South America." Norfolk spoke before trying again.

"Now she's in India?!" Norfolk cried.

"I told you… she boarded the Iowa… even talked to me face to face. If it weren't for her not wanting to kill us… I wouldn't be here." Isaac said.

Isaac heard Norfolk growl on the other end.

"You get back to the fleet this instant." Norfolk demanded.

"I'm working on it, Norfolk." Isaac spoke with a small chuckle.

"You are not leaving this fleet without a dedicated escort any more. If Temperance hadn't been in a sparing mood, you would have been killed. And no, you will not be choosing your own escort party." Norfolk spoke seriously.

"That's a bit much, Norfolk." Isaac tried.

"No. I don't care if it is. You keep throwing yourself at these situations and one of these days it is going to kill you. I will not be left alone without the man that gave me life, damn it." Norfolk spat.

"Glad to see you care, Norfolk." Isaac said with a defeated sigh.

"Have you ever had a doubt?" Norfolk asked.

"Anyway, all that aside, Perkins. You are to tidy up there and prepare for my arrival. I have decided to keep you off the front to process this… as I know it probably will weigh on you for some time. I will order Kaga to stay as well. I am in the process of asking Iowa if she wants to stay as well." Isaac said.

"Why are you asking? You can order her." Perkins spoke.

"I don't run my fleet like that. They are girls just as much as they are weapons. They have feelings and desires too, as we both should know." Isaac said.

"Aye… you got a point." Perkins said.

"So as soon as I return, I will have you take command of the repair forces that are helping with the aftermath of our battle with Tester. That will be your assignment until I call for you again." Isaac said.

"Understood, Admiral." Perkins spoke as Isaac cut the line.

"Alright… that changes things." Isaac said as he disappeared into the depths of the Iowa to find her quarters.

A knock came to Iowa's door.

"Come in." Iowa spoke as she threw on a larger shirt to cover herself.

"It's just me. Care if we have a chat?" Isaac asked.

"No need to be so formal, Admiral." Iowa spoke as she opened the door for him.

"I guess not…" Isaac said upon seeing her state of dress.

"I can change if you need me to… I just feel comfortable like this." Iowa spoke.

"Not necessary. I'm here to give you an update. It seems we were missing a decent portion of the story." Isaac said.

"Ah… that. I've been wondering why he had done it… he's never been that kind of man… not in the time I have known him." Iowa spoke.

"He's not. He's still the man you fell in love with. He just had to make a very hard choice. And ultimately, it saved the fleet. Because while we were dealing with Temperance, they were dealing with Empress. Apparently, every resort was exhausted before the choice came down to using the bomb. Perkins seems upset that he had to use it at all. So don't change your opinion if him… he did what he thought was right for the good of the fleet." Isaac explained

Iowa sat back for a moment.

"That's good then… I had hoped that there was more to the story than what you had said at first. I think I've made my choice as well, Admiral." Iowa spoke.

"I'll hear it." Isaac said.

"Kaga can take care of my honey. I haven't had my fill of fighting. Plus… I want to spend some time with Yamato and Musashi. Get to know them." Iowa said.

"Alright. Just make sure to spend some time to explain it to Perkins when we return. I'm sure he will ask why." Isaac said.

"I will. We're about one hundred miles from the fleet, based on my maps. We should be there in about three hours since we've managed to keep pace at 32 knots." Iowa spoke.

Isaac nodded.

"Thank you for your hard work and understanding, Iowa. I appreciate everything you've done during this excursion." Isaac said as a third voice came from the hall.

"My king, please come to the bridge. I have returned from my stay on the Benson" Lizzy spoke.

"Coming!" Isaac yelled out into the hall.

Turning back to Iowa, Isaac asked a question.

"Are you okay?" Isaac asked.

Iowa nodded with a soft smile.

"Yeah… I'll be alright." Iowa spoke as Isaac nodded before heading back to the bridge.