Yorktown launched her fighters into the fog just as a report came from Elbe.
"Admiral? That's the English term, right?" Elbe was heard asking the latter question to someone in the background.
"I'm here, Elbe. What do you have to report?" Nimitz asked.
"Lucia wanted me to tell you that we are not only going to be fighting Sirens. The remainder of the Third Reich has sworn their loyalty to Observer Alpha." Elbe explained.
"I see. I appreciate the intelligence. Anything more?" Nimitz asked as he saw each of Yorktown's planes shimmer slightly before changing color to closely match Elbe's Stuka's camouflage.
"She has a friend in there, she's traveling with the Americans. She shouldn't be hard to miss." Elbe assured him.
"I'll be sure to brief the ground forces." Nimitz spoke before cutting the line. He turned to Yorktown.
"What did you do?" Nimitz asked.
"It's likely that the Germans have not seen Sky-Pirates before. So, I figured I'd try matching the paint to something German made, give them some confusion. Any bit helps, right?" Yorktown asked.
Nimitz smiled.
"Any little bit helps. That's right. You're able to strap rocket pods to that thing, right?" Nimitz asked.
"Of course. It's a simple switch." Yorktown spoke confidently.
"Good. We may need it more than bombs and torpedoes during the raid. So I'd like any and all aircraft armed with rockets." Nimitz spoke.
"I understand. Shall I recall my escort fighters?" Yorktown asked.
"Not yet. Elbe, from the looks of things, is keeping her planes closer to the fleet. We need your long range recon." Nimitz spoke as Yorktown grimaced a bit.
"What's wrong?" Nimitz asked.
"I can feel her here. Purifier is close by. She hasn't managed to sense us coming or else we'd already be eating shells." Yorktown spoke coldly.
"She's that dangerous?" Nimitz asked.
"If this whole thing is a Siren Experiment, as twisted as it may seem, then we and your Isaac Garner are Variables. Sirens dislike Variables, which is why they are trying to kill us. If they can't kill us, they send Purifier. Put simply, Purifier is a cleaner, and she is very good at what she does." Yorktown spoke.
"You sound like one of the Capone boys when you talk like that." Nimitz said flatly.
"Alphonse Capone? Yeah that sounds about right. Except Purifier is the type to make the Saint Valentines Day Massacre look like a simple walk through Central Park and exert just as much energy doing so. Believe me. In my fights with her, back in my own world, I would have to console several members of Azur Lane, Queen Elizabeth included, due to the sheer number of losses caused by Purifier. She is not to be trifled with. If you have any thought of ordering her termination, you had best have the guns of the main fleet here to back up your orders. Otherwise, we're doomed. The quicker we can smash and grab those blueprints, the better." Yorktown explained.
"I see. Can you command this fleet?" Nimitz asked.
"I can. Why?" Yorktown asked.
"I am going to split this task force into two groups. One to go save the American forces trapped here, and one to engage the defenses at Wilhelmshaven. Once we get the American soldiers, we will meet in Wilhelmshaven and retrieve the blueprints before getting the hell out." Nimitz replied.
Yorktown nodded.
"Then if that is the case, I will hold the fleet here. No need to incur losses and expose ourselves. The fog of the Channel rarely dissipates this time of year, so we should remain concealed for a while before being required to take action." Yorktown spoke as she sent out the orders via morse code. Slowly the fleet ground to a halt.
"Thank you. I will arrange for the majority of my men to stay with you onboard. I will only be taking around fifty or so along with Cole and Lucia." Nimitz spoke.
"Sir. It would be best for you to remain as well. Sargent Spirits is more than capable. And with that light cruiser at his side, your men will be well defended." Yorktown suggested.
"I see. So be it. I'll remain as well, if only to dictate orders should we be spotted." Nimitz spoke, earning a nod from Yorktown.
"Listen up girls. We're holding our position here. We've just entered the territorial waters around Germany, so our objective is right here. Cole, Lucia, Brooklyn and fifty of my finest, make your way to the Brooklyn to prepare for shore insertion. The plan is to link up with American forces in Germany and push towards Wilhelmshaven, where Alpha is said to have the blueprints we are after. We will both converge there and commence the assault in earnest. Yorktown has warned me that Purifier is in the area, and is to be considered extremely dangerous. Do not engage. Hide or run… if you fight her, you will perish, Kansen or not." Nimitz explained as he saw Elbe helping Lucia across the waves towards the Brooklyn.
Cole entered the bridge with Brooklyn.
"I heard the orders, Admiral." Cole spoke.
"Be careful. As I said, Purifier is not to be dealt with lightly… or at all. If we can avoid confronting her here, then that would be best. The guns of the main fleet would be far better suited for taking her on." Nimitz explained.
"Understood. Your men are moving towards the Brooklyn now." Cole confirmed.
"Those are your men for the moment, Sargent. Brooklyn, you're going to drop them at the coast as close as you can get. Have your vessel return to the fleet if you can pilot it remotely." Nimitz spoke.
"I understand, Admiral." Brooklyn spoke with a salute.
"Be careful, you lot. I refuse to report to Isaac that we failed here. Stay sharp and call for help if needed. I have Yorktown's planes armed with rocket pods, so if ground troops give you trouble, give us a call. We'll sort it out." Nimitz affirmed.
"Thank you, Admiral." Cole said with a salute.
"Now get going, We're burning daylight." Nimitz said as Brooklyn and Cole left the bridge.
"Smooth as always, Admiral." Yorktown spoke with a small smile.