The ships made haste towards the Siren fleet as Seraph continued to shadow the fleet, giving Anson constant reports on where it was and what direction it was facing. She was stood at the bow of her vessel as the water was brushed aside by her ship.

"Anson? Are you sure about this?" Norfolk asked as she came onboard, her rigging already deployed in case of a surprise attack.

"Yes. My sister is being held by the Sirens and if we can free her. It's another loss for them" Anson replied, not looking back at the heavy cruiser.

"Have you formulated a plan on how to free her? You've not exactly told us the full formation they have" Norfolk asked, concerned that this mission was rushed and Anson wasn't fully concentrating.

"Perseus has a squadron up. She'll have a report on the placements soon enough" Anson answered.

"Right" Norfolk replied quietly before she returned to her vessel. Swift was onboard with Bulldog, both had looks of concern on her face.

"How is she?" Bulldog asked

"I don't think she's focused properly. This feels like a spur of the moment decision she's made" Norfolk replied.

"It is one of her sisters right? Like Lady Howe or King George?" Swift asked.

"Yes. But at the moment we don't know specifically who it is onboard that battleship. I just hope that Perseus gets a good visual on who it is. Either way, we still follow her orders. As long as she doesn't start making rash decisions. If she does. We pull back, bring her with us if we need to." The Heavy Cruiser answered, looking back towards Anson.

A pink haired woman chuckled to herself as she was punched again by a Peace Breaker Class Siren. "Thine attempts to maim me shall not bear fruit"

"Oh shut it with your backwards talk" The Siren spat as it backhanded the woman again. Who simply chuckled again.

"Did thou not hear me? Thine strikes only a fire in my heart. Thus it allows me to sink deeper into visions of tearing you limb from limb" the woman replied.

"This one is a nutcase. Why couldn't we be assigned to one of the other Prisoners." The Peace Breaker complained.

"Because this one is a force to be reckoned with. If she didn't have all those chains and anchors holding her down. She'd be gutting us already. And I don't like that her eyes are constantly that red colour" another Siren replied.

"Then just don't look at her." A third Siren replied. This one differed in appearance from the other two. "Besides. I'm detecting a small force nearby"

"Some crazy fools trying to attack us?" The first Siren asked.

"No. Not puny Torpedo Boats. These are warships." the Siren replied.

"How many?"

"I cannot be sure. Once they draw closer we'll know"

"I've picked up aircraft on my radar. They're shadowing us." Sheffield reported on the radio

"They must know we're onto them. Perseus, Formidable. Launch aircraft" Anson responded.

"Copy" replied the two carriers. Moments later, aircraft materialised on the decks of the two aircraft carriers.

Spitfires flew off from Perseus' vessel first. Forming a defensive screening above the taskforce, followed by Torpedo bombers.

A different noise emanated from the deck of Formidable's vessel. A group of white and Ice Blue coloured aircraft lined the decks, a distinct loud whining noise erupting from their engines. The first took off from the deck at a much faster pace than the Spitfire's had with the rest following suit, being ready in mere moments. The aircraft circled overhead for a few minutes as all the aircraft became ready, and once they were. They headed off in the direction of the Siren fleet. The Wyverns had to hold back in order to let the Spitfires keep pace, but as soon as they drew in close to the Siren fleet, the Wyverns increased their speed and moved into attack.

The Siren warships began to fire back at the aircraft, most of the shots missing due to how fast the Wyverns were, the incoming fire getting nearer and nearer as the aircraft stormed towards the warships. Soon enough, Formidable let the torpedoes go and fired off some rockets mounted under the wings for good measure. As one of her planes flew over the KGV Class Battleship, she turned it so she'd get a good look at who was being held prisoner. The very visible pink hair amongst the wood and steel told her enough. "It's Duke of York" she reported over the radio as several Torpedoes struck the side of two of the Cruiser drones. One of them was rocked violently, the other exploded as it's magazine was struck.

"Yorkie?" Anson asked, "How is she looking?"

"A bit beat up. She's being held on her bow by multiple anchors and chains" Formidable replied as she began to bring her aircraft back as more Siren aircraft began to deploy from the Carriers.

"That complicates things. We need an opening to get to her. What's the status on their fleet?"

"Hold on" Formidable replied as her fighters began to break away and race back to the fleet, dodging and weaving as Siren aircraft gave chase. Once the Wyverns had pulled away from the Siren aircraft, Formidable spoke again. "One vessel sunk and one severely damaged"

"I have also sunk a vessel. With two others damaged. I count one torpedo fired against one of the Battleships, but it was only grazed" Perseus reported as one of her Torpedo aircraft was shot down, the Siren aircraft being mowed down by one of her supporting Spitfires.

"Must be Sirens like the one we fought at Felixstowe. Bring the aircraft back. We're approaching gunnery range. Formidable and Perseus, keep your vessels back. Let us do the work" Anson replied as the fleet's formation began to shift to prepare for firing. A few minutes passed before the formation was ready and Anson fired a full broadside towards the fleet, making sure to just aim at the closest vessels.

The Sirens braced themselves for the incoming fire, water from some shells splashing across the vessels and over York. She chuckled to herself as a shell smashed into the vessel in front of her. "Thou should give up." she remarked simply.

"Shut it! You have no power to tell us what to do!" the Peace Breaker Siren from before snapped, it's rigging aimed out to sea, expecting a group of Shipgirls to appear soon.

The fleet kept up it's bombardment for some time, smashing the enemy cruisers and battering the Battleships. Formidable and Perseus continued torpedo and rocket attacks as well.

"We can't take much more of this" One of the Peace Breakers yelled. "We won't have to much longer" one of the Carrier Class Sirens replied as it revealed a small cube and a massive portal appeared in front of them. They'd still need to get to it but it was a reachable target.

"Anson! They've deployed a portal! They want to escape!" Formidable called over the radio and the Battleship vaulted over her ship's railings and sped towards the enemy fleet. Norfolk, Swift and Revenge following suit. Agincourt and the rest held back to support the fleet.

"Several targets headed for us" The second Carrier Siren commented.

"There they are" one of the Peace Breakers grinned as the four water trails appeared on the water.

"What's the plan then?" Norfolk called out as the Siren's warships shot at them.

"We're on a strict time limit here. We need to find a way to slow down the Sirens. Or at least delay them whilst I rescue Yorkie. Revenge, I want you near me. I know I won't be able to fully commit to hand combat." Anson replied.

"I can torpedo the lead ship. It would cause some trouble" Swift suggested.

"That could mess up their formation. Norfolk go with her. Only fire two torpedoes each and then move onto the Carriers. I imagine your Anti Air Guns are going to be busy, Norfolk" Anson responded as she drew out her sword with her free hand.

"Nothing I can't handle" Norfolk replied "Just. Be careful"

"Same to you" Anson replied as Norfolk and Swift broke off to cut off the lead Siren warship.

Anson and Revenge were upon the Siren forces moments later. Revenge easily cut down a Pawn and kicked one of the Peace Breakers away.

Anson was nearby, jumping from the Siren ship to her sister's deck. "Yorkie!" she called.

"Wales?" York called back, unable to see which sister it was.

"Anson!" Anson called back.

"I am glad to see thee is alive" York commented as Anson came out in front of her, blasting a Siren away as it tried to get close.

"Yeah. Same to you. Anything on where the others are?"

"No. Howe and George got out but I lost contact with thee." York replied as Anson tried to get the chains off of her.

"Damn. They really don't want you escaping" Anson remarked before she saw a small group Siren spiriting at her and she raised her sword to defend herself.

"Finally! A real challenge!" The Siren lead gleefully remarked, it's weapon clashing against Anson's.

"Oh piss off" Anson responded in kind, pushing the Siren away before kicking them back. The Siren was quick to return and grabbed Anson, throwing her against the side of the bow turret, giving the battleship enough time to deal with the pawns that tried to swarm her.

"Oh it seems that It won't be much of a challenge at all" The Siren remarked, seeing Anson's bandaged arm as the battleship decapitated two of the pawns in a single swim of her rapier.

"I may be injured. But I will fucking put up a fight" Anson replied as she fired a salvo from her smaller double barrelled turret, hitting the Siren in the waist, only slightly injuring them. She ignored it and fired one of her main turrets. That did the trick as it threw the Siren backwards, part of the railing bending from the force the Siren hit it at.

"Heheh. Maybe you are right. I look forward to taking your life before your sister's eyes" The Siren commented as the fight renewed, both equally as capable of taking the other out, but each attack was blocked or parried away by Anson, not giving in. Spurred on by her sister's determination to free, her. Duke of York renewed her own resistance against the chains holding her down on her deck.

Anson kept up her fight and was able to slash at the Siren's arm, nearly taking it off. She grinned as it gave her an opening to grab the Siren and go to throw her. The Siren however had other ideas and one of the blades on it's rigging cut into her left leg. Anson hissed in pain as the Siren used it's rigging to throw Anson aside, the Battleship landing on the deck. Anson picked herself up but putting pressure on her leg only hurt more, causing her balance to falter. Steeling herself for a moment, she aimed her rigging and fired.

"You Missed" The Siren laughed, none of the shells fired actually hitting it as Anson leaned into the superstructure of York's vessel.

"I wasn't aiming for you" Anson remarked as she wiped blood away from her mouth. The Siren's grin faded as quickly as it appeared and their eyes went wide after a moment. Before they could move however, two gloved hands grabbed at their shoulders and Yorkie's head appeared. She dug her vampire-like teeth into the Siren's neck, tearing a chunk out as the Siren cried out in pain. Yorkie chuckled as she spat out the bit of Siren and then she brought her sword to her hand and thrust it through the Siren's back before pulling it upwards and splitting the Siren's head into two.

"Thine taste is horrible" Yorkie commented as she cleaned her mouth with a handkerchief.

"I don't want to see you do that again, Yorkie" Anson remarked as her big sister came to her aid.

"A fair request. Especially so as thou art bleeding over thine clean deck" Yorkie replied as she helped Anson up. "But we must depart."

"What about your ship?" Anson asked as they made their way to the stern of the vessel.

"It can be rebuilt" Yorkie replied simply as she saw a Siren approaching and she swung her sword, decapitating the Siren. "They destroyed the engines anyway. Thou hast been under tow this entire time"

"I see. Sorry I couldn't have come to help you in a better condition" Anson apologised.

"No need dear sister. Seeing thou safe is enough joy for mine eyes"

Anson smiled before she got back on her radio. "Norfolk, need you and Swift over by the stern"

"Alright. I'm on my way. Swift's mopping up at the moment. She will be but a moment" came Norfolk's answer as the Heavy Cruiser moved to head for the Stern of the imprisoned Battleship.

They got to the railing of the warship and York let Anson lean up against it to support herself, York then engaged her rigging and began to fire at the incoming swarm of Siren pawns that were pouring out of the portal. They were very close to the Portal now. It was way too dangerous to stay any longer, they'd either be sucked into the portal and become prisoner to the Sirens, or they escape right now.

Norfolk and Swift were quick to appear on the stern with the two Battleships and Revenge was nearby, already mid-fight with several Pawns.

"Anson?" Came Formidable's voice over the radio"

"Yes? What's wrong?" Anson answered.

"We need to leave. That portal is sending out aircraft at an alarming rate. I don't know how long we can keep this up" Formidable replied as the sounds of heavy anti-aircraft fire burst from the taskforce. Hundreds and hundreds of rounds pouring into the sky above as Siren aircraft tried to get through and attack the vessels.

"We've got York. We're on our way back now" Anson replied before she looked to the others. "They can't hold on for long."

"Agreed. Swift, Smoke up!" Norfolk replied and the Destroyer threw a pair of Smoke Grenades onto the deck. The side of the ship began to be consumed by the smoke but as Anson was preparing to go over the railing and head back out to sea, another Peace Breaker Siren and one of the others appeared from out of the smoke, charging straight towards Duke of York. York saw them and opened fire, but the Peace Breaker smashed into her, knocking her off balance and they grabbed her.

"No!" Anson called out as she also grabbed York, Norfolk quick to give Anson a hand. Swift tried to help, but a new wave of Sirens forced her to conduct area denial tactics, preventing any more Sirens from trying to help the two already trying to pull York away.

Revenge did what she could too, preventing any Sirens from trying to get around the side closest to the others. "We need to go!" She called out.

"We're trying!" Norfolk called out.

"I'm not losing you again!" Anson strained as she kept a firm grip on her sister's hand.

York tried everything she could to try and get the Sirens off of her whilst holding onto Anson as their grips were strained.

Norfolk was holding onto Anson as she tried to help the Battleship to free York from the grips of the Sirens. But it all came to ahead as Anson lost her grip on York's hand and in an attempt to recover, she grabbed York's sleeve but it tore off, leaving Anson with just a part of her sister's coat as the Sirens grabbed York and dragged her away through the smoke and towards the portal. "NO!" Anson cried out, trying to run after her sister, only to stumble and land on her side, groaning in pain.

"We have to leave!" Norfolk yelled over the continuing gunfire as she tried to lift Anson up, to no avail.

She then heard the sound of Sirens approaching her, looking up, she saw at least ten of them coming her way. "Fuck's sake" she remarked as she drew her sword and aimed her rigging to defend Anson. "Swift! I need you"

"I'm a little busy!" came the Destroyer's reply

"Don't move and Inch!" Formidable yelled as the Siren's suddenly stopped moving.

"I thought you were staying with the fleet" Anson coughed as Norfolk helped her back up.

"My instinct told me you were in trouble. So I came to help." Formidable replied as she tried to keep her concentration on the Sirens in her line of sight.

"Good call" Norfolk commented as they got off the Battleship and headed back to the feet. All the while Anson was looking back to where her sister had been. Formidable moved backwards whilst keeping her sights on the Sirens and then turned around, allowing the Sirens to finally be free, but they wouldn't be able to catch the shipgirls now.

"I was so close…" Anson muttered to herself as the group opened up the distance from the Siren fleet.

They returned to the fleet a few minutes later. All of the ships a bit weary from combat but otherwise still able to fight. Anti Aircraft fire was still pouring from Norfolk and Sheffield's vessels as the ships began to turn to leave, Bulldog and Swift deploying a smokescreen to cover the retreat.

"Anson your ship is falling back a bit, is something wrong?" Revenge called over the radio from her ship.

"I think my propulsion's damaged. I need to be taken under tow" Anson replied as she took herself below deck and towards her room onboard her ship.

"Copy that. Formidable, can you help me?" Revenge replied and the carrier and battleship moved to move alongside and they took Anson's vessel under tow, allowing for an inspection of the damage sustained by the fleet. As that went on, Anson heaved herself into her bed and got out the torn piece of sleeve from her sister. She stared at it for the longest time, tears welling up in her eyes. She hugged the torn clothing tightly as she broke down in tears. She had let herself and the others down. And had failed to save her sister. And all that passed through her mind was nothing but pain.