Yamato and Taihou steamed into the waters around Kure with the hull of the Chicago and Shimakaze in tow. The sound now compared to their departure was much more peaceful. The occasional spot of rifle fire as opposed to the unceasing cannon fire and explosions that heralded a heated battle. The waters were calm, and small boats moved around the fleet as repairs were made. The biggest change was the Wisconsin that was halfway done being refloated while the destroyers on the floor of the bay were subsequently stripped of valuable parts.
Barges had been acquired from the moorings around the Naval port and were now holding the five inch guns from the three sunken destroyers as well as several pieces of radar equipment that had miraculously survived the assault and sinking of their vessel.
Yamato looked out over the fleet, sounding her horn once again to let the fleet know of her arrival. Norfolk was the first on radio.
"Welcome back, Yamato. Did things go smoothly?" Norfolk asked.
"Yes. Taihou and I have completed our tasks as directed. The American cruiser is badly damaged and was spot fixed under way to keep it afloat. We also have apprehended the Destroyer Shimakaze. I respectfully request the presence of the Admiral as opposed to Odin to deal with her." Yamato spoke.
"That can be arranged. However, the Admiral is busy retrieving the blueprints that Zero kept under lock and key here." Norfolk replied.
"Izumo and Ibuki… had we remained at war… their use may have been warranted." Yamato quipped.
"He should be returning soon. Until then, I ask that you keep her on lockdown." Norfolk requested.
"If I may… How is the German? The pilot, I mean." Yamato asked.
On her vessel, Norfolk smiled.
"He is doing well. Arizona and Alice have reported a successful operation. He is in recovery." Norfolk reported.
"May I request to see him? Poor Shimakaze feels terrible for her actions. The circumstances surrounding everything forced her hand, she cannot be held completely liable. She will be kept under guard." Yamato assured.
"I suppose it wouldn't hurt too bad. Be wary, the Bismarck sisters are in there. Arizona made a passing comment about how they are on a hair trigger around him. Make sure to keep yourself between them and her." Norfolk warned.
"I can handle those two if needed." Yamato replied stoically.
"If you're sure. I'll approve it." Norfolk said as she cut the line. Yamato smiled as she went to inform the young destroyer.
Yamato boarded the Shimakaze and walked up to the wheelhouse where Shimakaze was sitting, waiting for something to happen.
"Is it time?" Shimakaze asked as Yamato entered.
"Not quite. The Admiral is busy on an errand. But, I bear good news." Yamato spoke.
"Am I spared?" Shimakaze asked.
Yamato's look soured.
"Did I not tell you that they wouldn't hurt you? Why must you allow such dark thoughts to pervert your mind? The man you attacked has pulled through surgery and is recovering well. He has requested to see you." Yamato lied.
"He… has?" Shimakaze asked.
"Yes. I also got approval to escort you to the vessel where he is recovering. But I must lay some ground rules. Mainly, just stay right by my side. He has… surrounded himself with heavy German steel in the shape of two Bismarck Class battleships. And while he may be indifferent… they most certainly are not. You will not stray away from me. Chikuma is not here to help keep you in line." Yamato spoke bluntly.
"You… don't think I know that, Lady Yamato? I heard of her passing during the Battle off Samar. It was on my mind even as I sank in November of 1944… but I understand your sentiment. I shall not leave your side." Shimakaze said as she stood from her chair.
Pleased with her response, Yamato smiled.
"Please come along. And do not stray outside arm's reach. Bismarck is legendary for a reason." Yamato spoke as the two of them left the wheelhouse and headed over towards the Platypus.
Yamato and Shimakaze stepped onboard the Platypus and were greeted by the girl of the same name.
"Good evening, Patty." Yamato spoke cheerfully.
"Good evening, Miss Yamato. What brings you aboard? And who is this cute little bunny?" Patty asked.
"This little bunny is a good friend of mine. The destroyer Shimakaze, current prisoner of our fleet." Yamato said.
Patty's smile saddened.
"I am so sorry for that, Yamato. But I'm sure the Admiral will be generous with this situation, considering it's your friend." Patty said.
"Thank you, Patty. I have gotten approval to see Jager. Could you perhaps guide us to him?" Yamato asked.
"Of course. I will warn you… the sisters are still here. Tirpitz is agitated. Bismarck is stoic, but I would be wary. The other Germans in the fleet say that she is still quite fierce, even if her emotions don't show it." Patty said as she began leading the two Japanese girls into the depths of her vessel.
After nearly two hours of waiting and walking, Zero breached the last layer of her security grid which guarded the vault under Kure. Isaac looked back down the hall to see disabled gun turrets and laser diodes. Technology never seen before. Zero had explained the intricate sensors and security protocols as she deactivated them, leaving Isaac with more questions than answers. But most of the time, his questions were shot down due to Zero reminding him that tech like this was already being developed by the world's bleeding edge scientists. The invent of the Atom Bomb opened many doors. Zero also explained the importance of the bombs, classing the act as a blow to the timelines from which many branches formed. Timelines where Japan refused surrender. Timelines where the bombs had a more devastating effect. Thousands of potential timelines branched from just that single action. The conversation stopped after Isaac began complaining of headaches.
"Are we here? Is this it?" Isaac asked.
"Yes… but it seems something is amiss." Zero spoke.
"Amiss? What's wrong?" Isaac asked.
"Yes. Very much so. The blueprint for Izumo is gone. Ibuki is here." Zero said as her projection scoured the room, asking Isaac to move things for her.
"That's bad right? Isn't Izumo some type of prototype Yamato?" Isaac asked.
"Yes. It means someone has been here… and that those corpses… might not be solely the result of my security system." Zero spoke.
"Someone? Who?" Isaac asked.
"Potentially an Arbiter. The only ones who can backdoor my security. Which one… I don't know." Zero said.
"What do we do?" Isaac asked.
Zero grumbled.
"I told you there were two… I will give you two. Go to the left wall, there is a loose brick." Zero spoke. Isaac did as instructed and found the brick. Pulling it out of the wall, he saw a keypad.
"I see numbers." Isaac spoke.
"8-6-0-0-1-2-8-7-4" Zero recited.
Isaac punched in the code. When the last number was entered, a door made of bricks opened in the small bunker. Isaac saw a staircase leading even further down.
"What is this?" Isaac asked.
"Grab Ibuki's blueprint and get it scanned into your helmet. I can store the data for you. If we take it from this room, it will be destroyed. I can instruct Norfolk and Chief on how to redraw the blueprints." Zero spoke as Isaac did as instructed. Several minutes later, the blueprint was stored in Isaac's helmet with Zero's help.
"Now what?" Isaac asked.
"Prepare yourself. We're going to have to wake up a different blueprint ship… one that can stand against Izumo should we meet her at sea." Zero spoke as the two of them emerged into a cavern under the port. Isaac looked out into the pitch blackness for a few moments before lights began coming on one by one. The lights at first did not reveal much but then the bow of a ship lit up, glistening from the gold star on the tip. Going further back, Isaac soon found himself staring down a dormant light cruiser about the same size as Atago.
"Fifteen 150mm guns. Electronically controlled motors for rapid targeting and engagement. Twelve torpedo tubes. Eight 100mm guns for secondary engagement. The Kansen of this vessel goes by the name Shimanto. She is… a unique being to say the least." Zero explained.
"Why is there a cruiser down here?" Isaac asked.
"A failed experiment that I couldn't bear to part with. So much material to create this… only for it to defy me when given orders. Perhaps if she takes a liking to you, we can use her." Zero said as Isaac walked towards a gangway that led to the ship's quarterdeck.
Isaac stopped at the gangway.
"Hello? Permission to come aboard?" Isaac called, his voice echoing in the caverns.
"Hmm? A visitor?" A voice spoke, the words carried on the small breeze wafting through the undersea chasm.
"My name is Admiral Isaac Garner. An American. I am requesting permission to board." Isaac repeated.
"An American? Interesting. I will allow this, however… be warned… I am watching you very closely." The voice echoed.
"I appreciate your kindness." Isaac spoke as he walked up the gangway, only to come face to face with a sleek white dragon reminiscent of Friedrich's rigging… without the gaping maws and brutish armor. This dragon was graceful… dignified even.
"Are… you Shimanto?" Isaac asked.
The dragon did not answer. A few moments later, a woman with horns and a white gown walked in front of the mechanical dragon.
"I am Shimanto. Light Cruiser of the Japanese Navy." Shimanto spoke bluntly.
"A pleasure and an honor to meet you, Lady Shimanto." Isaac spoke respectfully.
"Hmm. For what purpose have you sought me out?" Shimanto demanded lightly.
Zero appeared from Isaac's gauntlet in front of her.
"Shimanto. This human is in need of your power. You and I may not have had the best working relationship… but considering he defeated me and yet chose to keep me alive… I am begging you to utilize the power bestowed upon you and this hull to aid him." Zero spoke.
"Does she speak the truth, Human?" Shimanto asked.
"Yes. She does. Before coming to this cavern, I was under the impression that I was receiving two sets of blueprints. One for Izumo and the other for Ibuki. Izumo's blueprints have gone missing, so Zero helped guide me to you. I am at war with the Sirens… to help free Humanity. I beseech you… help me." Isaac requested.
Shimanto thought for a moment.
"I sense a massive fleet above in the harbor. I assume you are in command?" Shimanto asked.
"I am. The fleet I have built is in the process of liberating Japan so we can have a stronghold in the Pacific. We'll be staging for a long-term campaign in Russia. The more hands and guns I have… the better our odds." Isaac explained.
"But I could remain safe if I do not join you. What incentive is there? What do you have to offer me?" Shimanto asked.
"When the war is over… I expect a blank check. Whatever you desire, I will bend over backwards to procure for you." Isaac spoke defiantly.
"Interesting. And if I wanted you? What would you do?" Shimanto asked.
"If you wanted me, you would join a bunch of other girls who have taken a ring from me. All of them are members of this fleet. You'd also become a step-mother to my child." Isaac replied.
Shimanto smiled.
"I will think on what I want. But your willingness to give me everything up to and including yourself… Your resolve is enough to awaken my power. Please brace yourself." Shimanto spoke as the dragon surrounding her grew several magnitudes larger and began to glow as the ship itself began to shake.
"Zero? How are we getting out of the cavern?" Isaac asked.
"We're going to break through the seafloor and rise to the surface. I have already ensured that our fleet is clear of the area." Zero spoke as demo charges in the ceiling of the cavern detonated. As chunks of rock came down, Shimanto's shielding became water and airtight, leading to the water flooding the cavern to be diverted from the ship. This caused the cruiser to rapidly ascend through the seafloor and breach the surface several hundred meters outside the outer ring of the fleet.
The radio lit up with nearly one hundred requests all demanding the same thing… "What the hell is going on?"
Isaac spoke up, shutting down the hysterics.
"Everyone relax. It's fine. I'll explain everything in a bit. Stand down and resume the mission. We aren't finished until Kure is airtight, so keep our efforts at a maximum and remain vigilant." Isaac ordered. The few gun turrets that had pointed at the Shimanto returned to neutral as the fleet resumed their occupation.