The static of the radio startled Isaac as he was woken up around midnight. He had fallen asleep toiling over the lists for splitting the fleet for the trek north. Moving around, he discovered a blanket had been draped over him to keep him warm. He raised a silent thanks as he adjusted the radio.
The moment he touched the dial, a voice came through.
"Help… us." A russian sounding voice spoke.
"A Russian?! Isaac asked, now wide awake.
"This is Admiral Garner of Azur Lane. Who is this, and how did you get this channel?" Isaac asked.
"Ah… Comrade Garner… it's good… to hear your voice." The Woman spoke.
"Who is this?" Isaac asked.
"Light Cruiser Chapayev… at your service." Chapayev spoke.
"Chapayev, you sound horrible. What's wrong?" Isaac asked.
"We've been beaten to the brink of extermination… Comrade. We're just barely hanging on." Chapayev spoke, causing Isaac's blood to run cold.
"But your last message said that you had given time to breathe. What happened?" Isaac asked as he slipped his hand over to the alarm button on the Norfolk's bridge.
"The moment Comrade Zeppelin left… Purifier struck with terrifying force. Soyuz and Belorussia took the brunt and barely escaped. I managed to get away… not without losing my vessel. Nurnburg… sorry, Admiral Makarov has gone MIA towards the East. She managed to limp her vessel from the battlefield. Comrade Monarch… is MIA to the North. I last saw her chasing down the drone fleets that had beat us so handily. It is assumed… that she has perished. And Avrora… has been MIA since the beginning of the attack. We were unable to hold off the invaders… so many men.. dead for nothing." Chapayev poured out.
Isaac slammed his hand down on the button, raising the alarm on the Norfolk before pushing another button and sounding the fleetwide alarm to rouse the fleet.
Norfolk came running as Zero appeared next to Isaac.
"Orders, Isaac?" Zero asked.
"Get me everything you know about Purifier. I want every scrap of intel, even down to the size clothing she wears." Isaac spoke quickly.
"I shall return." Zero said as her image disappeared.
"Isaac, what's wrong? The entire fleet is hailing me at once." Norfolk spoke.
"We need to wake up and prepare to go. Northern Parliament has fallen." Isaac said.
"What?!" A voice came from the door.
Isaac turned to see a white coat and an empty liquor bottle.
"You heard me, Gangut… Northern Parliament has fallen." Isaac repeated.
"Where did you come across this?" Gangut asked as she walked quickly over to Isaac.
"Comrade… Gangut?" Chapayev asked.
"Chapayev! Say it isn't so! The Motherland has not fallen." Gangut pleaded.
"We were handily beaten, Gangut. Purifier attacked right after Graf Zeppelin left our waters. It was like she could see us no matter where we were. Even through the densest fog, she was able to land hit after hit. Belorussia, Soyuz, Rossiya, Tallin, Nurnburg and maybe Avrora are the only ones of us with a vessel. They attacked without mercy." Chapayev spoke as Gangut turned to Isaac and grabbed his collar.
"You order this fleet North, immediately." Gangut spoke as feet were heard coming from the door. Strong looking arms forced Gangut's arms down and coaxed her fingers to release Isaac.
"Gangut… you can't do that to the Admiral." Ben spoke as Gangut turned to him.
"My home has been destroyed, Ben… how else would you have me react other than trying to get there as quickly as I can?" Gangut asked angrily as she tried to move, only for Ben's arms to keep an ironclad grip on her.
"Admiral, what is she talking about?" Ben asked.
"I just received word from Chapayev. Purifier decimated the Northern Parliament forces the moment Graf Zeppelin left the Bering Sea. I don't know how, but they were handily defeated during the Second Battle of Australia." Isaac said as he turned to the radio.
"Chapayev, how did it take this long to contact us?" Isaac asked.
"I'm sorry, Comrade… it took me this long to sneak back into our headquarters here in Northern Siberia. The area has been occupied by Crazed Humans and several classes of Siren Elites." Chapayev defended herself.
"Cultists in the North too, huh? Chapayev. We are coming for you and the others. Lock down that bunker and try to draw the others in, that way we can get to all of you at once." Isaac ordered.
"I will try, Comrade." Chapayev spoke.
"I know you will. I'll be sending a small detachment ahead of the main fleet to help clear a path. I still need reinforcements from Japan, so the main fleet will take a while longer." Isaac said.
"I understand, Comrade. Our pride often dictates us to hunker down when we are cornered… but our pride… has been shattered. Please… help us." Chapayev said before static overtook the channel.
"Chapayev. Come in!" Isaac ordered.
More static.
"Shit!" Isaac growled as he straightened his coat.
"Gangut." Isaac said sternly.
"Comrade." Gangut replied defiantly.
"You will give me the requirements for winterizing the fleet. You will then personally oversee the winterization of the three ships I am sending to the North as your scouting party. I want to know what's going on up there. I will not permit you to engage, do you understand these orders?" Isaac asked.
"Clear as crystal, Comrade. Who shall be my calvary?" Gangut asked.
"Friedrich, Allen Sumner, and U-47 will be heading to the North with you to ascertain the condition of the Arctic region. I want a fully detailed report on every single thing, you hear me?" Isaac reiterated.
"As ordered, Comrade." Gangut spoke with a salute.
Isaac put on his helmet.
"Friedrich, Allen Sumner, U-47. You three are to meet with Gangut to winterize your hulls in preparation for a Scouting mission to the Bering Sea. Once you are overhauled, you are to leave for your mission as soon as possible." Isaac ordered.
"This is the first time we will be apart, Dear Husband. Will you be alright?" Friedrich asked.
"It is because you are one of my trusted wives that I am tasking you with keeping Gangut on a short leash. She is not to engage the enemy without support from the main fleet. This is a scouting mission. Utmost secrecy needs to be maintained." Isaac spoke.
"I will not fail you, Dear Husband." Friedrich spoke softly.
"I know you won't, my love." Isaac said as he removed his helmet.
"Short leash, Comrade?" Gangut asked.
"Yes. I know the desire for revenge is hot right now. But the entire Northern Parliament fell. We need to assume that nobody will be coming to aid you should you lash out at every siren and drone ship you see. Keep it cool, and I will personally allow you the honor of executing Purifier yourself. Do we have a deal?" Isaac asked.
"Never before has a deal been so perfect. My guns shall not move an inch." Gangut said as Isaac turned to Ben.
"Ben… I can't let you leave with her. Kashino is still expecting and is due soon. That, and I need you here to help me keep our potential reinforcements in line. I hope you understand." Isaac said.
"Gives me more time to find a parka, Admiral. Just make sure we do what we need to in Japan quickly." Ben said.
"I'll do my best. Gangut, you are dismissed. The Bulins have been relocated to the Abnaki class tug within the fleet. Find it and get the bulins to help you winterize your task force." Isaac said as Gangut nodded. She left quickly after.
Isaac then addressed the fleet.
"Alright ladies! It's time to get up and get moving. That said, I have a list of ships that will be staying behind to aid Perkins in defending the Philippines as well as coordinating the lower island chain. These ships will be placed under the Command of Lieutenant Perkins until called upon to rejoin the main fleet. Those ships are: Tennessee, Kisaragi, Kaga, Torricelli, and U-110. You five will be Perkins's fighting force should anything come to accost this region. You will also have the liberty of setting up full length patrols that head all the way back down to Niue, allowing you to rotate with the ships that have been tasked with guarding the lower regions. I know this isn't the most ideal… but it is what we need. It is my hope that we will all be called forth for the final battle, that way we may all share this victory." Isaac spoke as his ear was assaulted with a fleet's worth of confirmations.
Norfolk looked at him.
"This is it, huh? Our little vacation has come to an end?" Norfolk asked.
"It has. We're back into the fire now. Let's get the fleet ready to move." Isaac said.
"I just received a telegram from Gangut. She has written out the process for winterization. I can safely guarantee you that my hull has all of this built in. So I will not be out of commission, Isaac." Norfolk said.
"Excellent. Send that to the bulins and let them know that we need that work done to the entire fleet when we reach Japan." Isaac said.
"I will see it done, Isaac." Norfolk said as she ran from the bridge.
"Admiral." Perkins's voice came over the radio.
"Perkins." Isaac said.
"I guess this is where we part ways for a while." Perkins said.
"Aye. Take time and come to terms with Puget Sound. This is the weight of command. I will call upon you eventually when you have cleared your conscious of this. So remain ready." Isaac said in a less formal tone.
"I understand, Admiral. Thank you again. Take care of Iowa for me. She and Kaga are all I have." Perkins said.
"I will die before they sink her, Perkins. I promise you that." Isaac said.
"I couldn't ask for anything more." Perkins said.
"I am leaving you a few ships to help you run the base here. If you set up patrols to the southern islands in the island chain, like Tonga and Niue, you could potentially sell things to make money and hire the locals to help build the base further. I will leave a pair of bulins for you to help just in case. Make sure they stay entertained. We don't need any Philippine animals going extinct." Isaac said.
"Understood Admiral. Good luck and fair seas." Perkins said in a tone that Isaac could only imagine being used when giving a superior officer a salute.
Isaac shut off the radio and looked out over the fleet. A bright light came from beside the Akashi as the final vessel that needed to be rebuilt hit the water.
Isaac looked over another massive carrier. But to his surprise, it had two islands instead of the usual one. Both islands were covered in futuristic looking radar arrays similar to Enterprise and Yume. Sitting on the back of the flight deck was a vehicle that Isaac had never before seen. And the front of the flight deck was curved into a ramp of sorts, but Isaac recalled the owner of the vessel saying she would likely have it removed since she was unable to form her proper complement.
"So this is what you truly are… Elizabeth." Isaac said as he sat in his chair and thought back months before when a pair of Queen Elizabeth class battleships sat within his fleet. Now, looking out, all he could find that matched the names of those two ships was a Vanguard class Battleship and a carrier from so far in the future, Isaac was sure he'd never live to see it come naturally.
"This… is what you would have become… Lizzy." Isaac spoke softly as a tear fell from his eyes.
"What's with the tears, my king?" Lizzy asked as she entered the bridge.
"Could… you do me a favor, Elizabeth?" Isaac asked without turning to face her.
"Of course. Anything for you." Lizzy said as she walked quickly over to him.
"Could you call me Commoner… one more time?" Isaac asked as another tear rolled down his face.
Elizabeth was puzzled but complied regardless.
"Has seeing my new vessel star-struck you, Commoner? You don't seem to be able to contain your emotions." Lizzy spoke, hoping it was what he wanted.
Isaac forced a smile.
"Yeah… yeah it has Lizzy. It's amazing." Isaac managed to get out before his tears cut off his voice
Lizzy looked at him before kneeling down and hugging him gently.
"I know I will never truly take her place, my king. But rest assured. My love for you is as genuine as hers was. And I will see to it that her Isaac will live to see the end of his days resting in a hammock beneath the palms of the Caribbean." Lizzy said as Isaac hugged her for all he was worth.
"I know you're here. And I love you just as I loved her… but the memory… it's still there. I held her in my arms as she died. Seeing your vessel…made me think about how that would eventually have been her vessel. I'm sorry." Isaac whispered.
"There is nothing to be sorry for, my king. I will continue to work my absolute hardest to make it feel like she is still here for you." Lizzy said.
Isaac shook his head.
"Don't pretend to be someone you're not. You have had eighty years to develop into a new woman. I fell in love with that woman just as I had that tiny Queen that I served awful tea to… all those years ago. Don't change. That would only make it hurt more." Isaac spoke softly as Lizzy helped him from his chair.
"Come along, Bel." Lizzy said as Isaac's head shot up and his eyes darted around the room.
Sure enough, the head maid was there and followed them as Lizzy took Isaac out onto the main deck of the Norfolk.
"We will win this war, my king." Lizzy said softly as she sat him down and then sat next to him. Belfast, with a nod from Elizabeth, sat on Isaac's opposite side as they all looked up to the sky.
"She's up there, you know. And while I like to believe I have a will of my own, I believe she used the last of her power in this world to guide me here. To be your guardian angel." Lizzy said as Isaac heard two more pairs of footsteps on the deck of the Norfolk.
"Aye. And to think she gave her life… and everything she had ever dreamt of… to save my life. It is an honor to be among the living. But I still feel that pain alongside you, Admiral." Warspite spoke as she knelt onto the deck.
"She was the best of all of us. Fearless. Strong. And Iron-willed. She spoke fondly of you in the royal courts. I wouldn't be surprised if when we find other members of the Royal navy, that they identify you immediately, dear." Eagle said as she too knelt to the deck.
"I have been around since the awakening of the second fleet of Azur lane. Back months ago. But even before then, I had known you, Master. Her Majesty spoke highly of you in all manners of the court. Her final order to me was to watch over you as your loyal maid. I shall not be derelict in my duties." Belfast said as she transferred from a sitting to a kneeling position.
Lizzy turned to Isaac.
"Eighty years ago. These three girls were my most trusted advisors. All of them already have met me and have gotten to know me. Oddly enough… I've been reinstated as the Queen of the Royal Navy here. I can thank Warspite for that." Lizzy said as Norfolk came out from the Bridge carrying a triangle shaped box that Warspite, Belfast and Eagle recognized immediately.
Isaac turned and gracefully accepted the box, bringing it to his lap.
Isaac's eyes watered again.
"I… I want this flag flown on the mast of your vessel, Lizzy." Isaac said as he gently took the box and handed it to Elizabeth.
Warspite, Belfast, Eagle and Elizabeth all nodded.
"Because if her will is what brought you to me… then I want that flag to represent her will. And that she continues to guide the Royal Navy as she has since the battle of Scapa flow. And as long as you live, her will lives on." Isaac said as Elizabeth nodded.
"It will be done, My king." Lizzy said as the others bowed their heads to him.