Cole took to the radio.
"Let's pull off to the side here. We're about 50 miles out from the column. We can use that time to set up a decent ambush, considering this is the main road towards Wilhelmshaven." Cole said after looking closely at a map provided by Ania.
"What will we be doing, sir?" Gneisenau asked coldly.
"We're going to ambush the inbound column with you and Brook taking on their armor with help from the tanks." Cole explained.
"Not to be that girl… but that cruiser will not be able to punch through the armor on those tanks. Most tanks towards the end of the war were Panzer IVs and Tigers. Her rigging won't be high enough caliber to punch through anything more than the side armor of the IVs. She would be best used as infantry support, if you want my opinion." Gneisenau said.
"I see. Will you be okay?" Cole asked.
"My guns are plenty big enough to take out the frontal armor of a Panzer IV. A tiger… I haven't tried yet. I'd like to boast and say I can take them on… but I have never tried before." Gneisenau said.
"I see. Well. We have some explosives with us should the need arise. But we must be sparing with them. We still have no idea what Alpha's defense in Wilhelmshaven looks like. We may need it." Cole said.
"I'll do what I can. Such a shame to waste such good armor." Gneisenau said.
Cole looked at her with a fair amount of side eye. After a moment, and with a sigh, he spoke more.
"Fine. If you can capture any enemy armor, I will find a way to have my men work it. Having a Tiger tank to help bolster everything the third armored division has will definitely break the morale of our enemies." Cole said.
"I'll do my best." Gneisenau said as she aided Cole's men in dismounting the trucks.
A knock on Cole's window drew his attention.
"What's the holdup? The enemy is further south." Natalie spoke.
"We're going to set up an ambush. Ania's numbers for them are not favorable for us. We cannot face them in open combat." Cole said.
"So we're going to hide?" Natalie asked, annoyed.
"No. We're going to use the fact that they don't know we're coming to ambush them and throw them into disarray, hopefully the confusion will allow us to pick off a decent portion of their forces before they can reorganize." Cole said.
Natalie sighed as she looked at Cole.
"So… how do we want to do this?" Natalie asked as she was joined by the apparent commander of the tanks in their possession.
"We're going to camouflage the tanks with brush and branches, moving them twenty or so meters off the side of the road here. That way we can wait until the very best moment to engage their armor and trap them here. I see a small abandoned farm to our right, we should be able to put our riflemen in the buildings to provide them some cover from small arms fire. We are going to have to find a way to conceal ourselves and the Kansen in such a way that we can dictate the battle." Cole said.
"I can have Ania use one of those hay bales to create a blind of sorts." Natalie said as she pointed to a shoddily tied hay bale.
"That would work. We'd have to hide the trucks and your personal vehicle." Cole said.
"I figured… but I also had another idea." Natalie spoke.
"I'll hear it." Cole said.
"We can use the trucks to block their escape should our ambush not be as effective. After all, according to Ania, the rest of the Third Armored division is hot on their heels. We can always get another set of trucks to make the trek back north." Natalie said.
Cole scratched his chin for a moment before nodding.
"Let's make that a last resort. The more trucks we keep, the more potential we have when the raid goes down. Other than that, let's get into position. That convoy ain't stopping." Cole said as they all set about concealing the tanks and setting up the ambush.
"Hood-san. The Matrix is ready for you to use, nyaa." Akashi said.
Hood smiled softly.
"I finally get to sail the seas once more…" Hood said with a small smile.
"Hood?" Akashi asked as she sat on the battlecruiser's bed.
"It's silly… but… I'm actually a bit nervous. The last two times I sailed… I was blown up. Maybe it would be best for me to not be rebuilt." Hood said as she looked to the wall of the medical bay.
Akashi looked at the British battlecruiser. Without a word, she sent a silent message to a certain someone in the fleet.
"I wish I could stay longer, Wilhelm. But it seems I am needed on the Norfolk." Bismarck said as she stood from the tea table that Illustrious had set up.
"It is of no concern. I'm going to take the Admiral's advice and go see Vengeance. He said that she'd be able to help me build my new plane." Wilhelm said as he grabbed his mask and headed towards the island of the Illustrious.
"I can take you…" Bismarck offered.
"I'll ask Tirpitz. Besides, I'm also curious as to what information she coaxed out of Illustrious." Wilhelm said as he entered the island, leaving Bismarck to her own devices.
With nothing more than a sigh, Bismarck took to the waves and headed straight for the Norfolk.
A knock on the door drew Hood's attention.
"I'm coming in." Bismarck said as Hood turned to Akashi, who averted her gaze.
"What's the issue, Akashi?" Bismarck asked.
"Akashi is trying to get Hood to come and get her vessel rebuilt. Hood is being difficult, Nyaa." Akashi said.
"I am not! I just said that maybe it might be best for me to not have my vessel… the last two times ended quite… explosively." Hood said.
Bismarck sighed and walked over to Hood.
"Hey. You can't keep beating yourself up over that… okay? The Siren that hurt you is gone. The Admiral saw to that." Bismarck said.
"I know… but… even back during the war. You sunk me with a single salvo. What good is a warship that can be defeated so easily?" Hood asked.
"Hood… That was a lucky shot and you know it. And the Sirens… they didn't even give you a chance. They rigged your vessel to blow whether you succeeded in your mission or not. Neither of those times were your fault." Bismarck spoke, trying her best to encourage the Royal.
"That argument would be as watertight as a leaky bucket, Bismarck… I was outdated by the time we met and my armor was never meant to be able to face your guns. I sunk because I wasn't good enough to shrug off your attack." Hood said as she stood from her bed.
"Hood. The Admiral wants you to have your vessel. You have the chance to fix what you believe is wrong. Hell. Come with me. I want to show you something." Bismarck said as she led Hood above deck.
Hood and Bismarck walked onto the deck with Akashi following close behind.
"What am I looking for, Bismarck?" Hood asked, her tone still saddened by her own discouragement.
"Look over there. Do you see that cruiser?" Bismarck asked as she pointed to the newly rebuilt Roon.
"That's Roon… isn't it?" Hood asked.
"It is. Notice how she looks a bit different? She took the offer of power that the Admiral gave her and ran with it. She changed out her cannons and added more weapons. Who is to say you can't fix some of your own flaws? Who is to say you can't beef up your armor? Who is to say you can't reinforce the magazines? You have a blank slate, Hood. Use it." Bismarck pushed.
Hood thought for a moment before turning to Akashi.
"Am I able to change things?" Hood asked.
"Akashi doesn't see why not. Roon-san did… Akashi has plenty of wisdom ore to make blank cubes. So Hood-san can do what she thinks she needs to, nyaa." Akashi said.
"Well… I'll give it a shot then… I would like to get back into the fight, after all." Hood said as she activated her rigging and slowly made her way towards the Akashi. Bismarck and Akashi looked at each other with looks of concern.
"Do you want me to tag along, Akashi?" Bismarck asked.
"It would be appreciated, nyaa. Akashi thinks Hood-san still needs a bit more encouragement during her construction." Akashi said.
"Agreed. She's usually a lot more sure of herself. Even that was apparent during our duel back in '41." Bismarck said as she and Akashi took to the waves behind Hood.
Isaac awoke in bed a few hours later.
"When… When did I fall asleep? Weren't we in the tub?" Isaac asked as he sat up, careful not to disturb the bundle of black fur on his chest. Holding Yume close, Isaac looked around to see several of his wives had decided to join him. Shinano, Friedrich, Nimi, and Musashi namely.
None of them woke up to answer his question. Looking down, Isaac saw his daughter looking directly up at him.
With a smile, Isaac made a choice.
"Let's let them sleep for a while. They've definitely worked hard during this last battle. Why don't I get dressed and we'll head over to your vessel. I haven't had a chance to explore over there." Isaac said, earning a happy coo from Yume.
Setting Yume in the chair by the dresser, Isaac quickly threw on a pair of shorts and a shirt, unwilling to go through the hassle of donning his uniform or his armor for what was supposed to be some much needed bonding time with his daughter. He slipped on his shoes before walking back to the chair and scooping Yume into his arms.
"Let's grab my helmet though. We need to radio someone to get us over there… unless you've managed to form rigging too." Isaac said. Yume's face twisted into a look of confusion.
"Didn't think so. That's okay, Otto told me it would come in time. As you get bigger, you'll get rigging." Isaac said as they made their way to the top deck of the Musashi.
Tapping his helmet, Isaac called out to everyone nearby.
"Anyone available to give me a lift?" Isaac asked.
"I can be there in a few moments." Eagle said as Isaac watched her skate over to them.
"Where are you off to, honey?" Eagle asked as she saw Yume in Isaac's arms.
"We're off to Yume's vessel. I want to take a tour and learn what my daughter is capable of." Isaac said.
"So we finally get to see the inner workings of this little cutie? Count me in!" Eagle said excitedly as she helped Isaac and Yume onto her rigging and took to the waves, heading towards the AL Yume.