Chapter 16
- With Liam, his shipgirls, and the mayor -
In the now crowded special booth Liam was using to observe the tournament matches.
"...So, I'm curious," the mayor began.
"Hm? What's up?" Liam replied without taking his eyes off the sudden six on one fight taking place in the ring.
"Can someone explain how there can be two of the same shipgirl? I didn't know that was even possible."
Liam nodded. "Oh, yeah. I'd only learned about it just recently too, but this is the first time I've seen it myself, but then... it's been nothing but firsts for awhile now, each one being more ridiculous than the last. Honestly, something like this feels pretty tame and barely even fazes me other than the surprise of of actually seeing it."
"Huh. Fair enough."
"Anyway, about why there can be more than one of any shipgirl? Before I answer that, I'm guessing you don't know very much about how shipgirls can even exist then, right?"
"Just that they're some kind of super weapon the Azur Lane Alliance developed to help us win the First Siren War and that only those called Commanders can lead them. That's it really. After all, they haven't been seen in decades and any information about them is by way of second or third hand rumors and tall tales from veterans."
"Makes sense. I didn't even really know about them either until I 'constructed' some myself, so yeah," Liam admitted. "Anyway, long story short, shipgirls are the result of a highly complex but streamlined 'grand summoning ritual' that needs a human intermediary that has a specific, magical compatibility with the summoning system for it to even work. After that, and assuming there aren't any other issues, it all just boils down to who 'responds' to the summoning, which is what ultimately determines the form and personality the shipgirl takes and why no one Commander will produce the exact same shipgirl even if he tries to summons the same one over and over regardless of whether they share the same 'origin' or not. Basically, you can think of the two Eugens down there as unique interpretations of the same heavy cruiser they derived their form and abilities from. Or, to put it all another way, even though they share the same base specs, history, identity, and purpose as shipgirls... the very fact that it was a different Commander who called out to and summoned them means that who responds will naturally also be different. For me, it was the silver haired tease while for this Yang Wen-li, it was the blue haired one with the more serious personality. Details might be different here and there, but at their core they undeniably both the real Prinz Eugen."
"...I see."
"Well, it's not like I totally get it either to be honest, but that's how it was explained to me even if it sounds like crazy nonsensical magical bullshit that just flies right over my head half the time. They're here, we click, so that's more than enough for me. Leave all the how's and why's to the mages and researchers. I've got my hands full as it is," Liam freely admitted.
"Hahaha! You really do just go with the flow, don't you?" the mayor commented while having a good laugh after hearing the young Commander's honest, unfiltered feelings. "Well, I suppose you'd need to be that easy going and flexible to deal with such a ridiculous situation, huh. If nothing else, I think you're doing a fine job so far."
"Heh, thanks. That means a lot, actually."
"Just one more question then, if I may."
"Sure, shoot."
"Who do you think will win? Your Eugen, or the light, blue haired one?"
Liam smirked. "Isn't it obvious who I'd pick?"
Mayor Mason chuckled and nodded. "I suppose so."
- In the ring -
"...Hhhaaaahhhh!"
With a roar and a spin, Prinz Eugen(blue) let loose a tremendous amount of surging ether to push back Liam's shipgirls from attempting to encircle her before following up with another round of artillery fire from her own rigging's main guns. However, Liam's shipgirls were stubborn... incredibly stubborn and determined.
'...Eei!"
*ZZZZZAAAAAPPPPP*
Instead of having their formation or resolve break from being clearly outmatched by someone obviously that much more powerful than they were, the challenge only strengthened their desire to beat her.
"...And, go... Bunny toss~! Yay~!"
"...Bang, bang...!"
"... 'Bang, bang'? Really?" Jean Bart had to wonder what was going through her fleet sisters' heads. They were no doubt strong and were definitely committed to kicking this blue haired bitch's ass but even so... 'It's just so hard not to look at them and think that they're just playing around. Well, Not Eldridge though. No, she just looks like she's waiting for a chance to shock the other Eugen to kingdom come...'
*ZAP! ZAP! ZZZZAAAPPP!*
Meanwhile, Prinz Eugen(blue) was busy analyzing her fellow shipgirls' abilities and combat level while either deftly evading their attacks or outright tanking them with her ether shields. Honestly, even if they didn't have as much power or experience as she did, the light bluenette was quite impressed by their performinacne so far.
'Eldridge, Laffey, and Anchorage have some rather amazing coordination and come up with some rather hard to predict moves. I mean, who the hell just up and throws one of their own like a missile like that? And then there's the way Anchorage is so damn hard to hit while still managing to force me to keep my focus on her as the other two press their attack. And then there's my other self and her team,' the light bluenette threw a glance at Prinz Eugen(silver) as she readied and aimed her own main guns while Jean Bart and Belfast waited for any opening they could either spot or force open. 'Not a bad plan overall. Either my other self hits me while my back's turned, the other two go on the offensive themselves, or I get worn down by these three instead. Whichever comes first, I suppose.'
Seeing them quickly trying to adapt to her overwhelming power and difference in skill, Prinz Eugen(blue) couldn't help but smile. Sure she was holding back, but even she could admit when a good plan was still a good plan. Still, that didn't mean the Iron Blood light bluenette would simply let them have their way stay on the defensive though.
"...! Oh, cra-...Ugh!"
Blocking Laffey's kick with one of her shields, Prinz Eugen(blue) wasted no time in retaliating with a kick of her own, landing a heel right into the little bunny's gut and knocking all the wind out of her while the force of the blow sent her crashing right into a now panicked Anchorage who desperately tried to catch the little bunny while Eldridge and the others fired off all their main guns at once the moment she dropped her shields and started moving.
*BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!*
Though they managed to get the light bluenette back on the defensive after a prolonged barrage, Liam's shipgirls knew that simply firing their guns at her wouldn't be enough to win and instead focused all their shots into hitting one single spot with the goal of punching a hole through the bluenette's shields. Luckily for them, Eldridge was busy continuously hammering Eugen(blue) with her anger fueled bio-lightning that successfully masked what the other three were doing which also doubled as an effective cover to mask what their true goal was.
"...Huh, so that lightning of hers can change colors then?" Jean Bart observed between her rigging's artillery fire.
"Seems so," Belfast commented. "And, judging from how red and ominous it looks, I would imagine Miss Eldridge to be quite upset indeed."
"Well, first this blue haired strumpet comes out of nowhere and ruins our match, incites more craziness that ended up with us going six on one against her, and then had to watch as the bunny got kicked away like a soccer ball. I'd be amazed if she wasn't pissed beyond all reason by now."
"Still, I'm more amazed how, even for as angry as she must be, Frau Eldridge hasn't let that anger cloud her judgment or focus. It's damn impressive," Eugen(silver) praised as she fired off another salvo at her blue haired counterpart before finally seeing the sign she and the others were hoping for. "...Oh?"
"Hm? What's up?" Jean Bart asked.
"A crack, that's what," Eugen(silver) said with a grin before summoning her own sword and rushing forward, fully intent on being the first one to get a shot at her other self. Luckily, the others picked up on her intentions and stopped firing the instant they saw her moving. Well, Eldridge was still angrily throwing lightning strikes here and there but, oh well.
"...!" 'Not good!'
Needless to say, even if she saw it coming, Eugen(blue) wouldn't be able to evade or counterattack thanks to the others' efforts and could only block her counterpart's attack with her own blades.
'...To think they'd manage to hit the same point over and over like that without me even noticing. Well played, hiding their true strategy like that! Heh! They've grown much faster than I expected too! Alright then, if it's a duel you want, then it's a duel you'll all get!'
Prinz Eugen(blue) couldn't help but feel excited as her beautiful, red eyes lit up with the joy of what was about to happen. For humanoid weapons platforms like shipgirls, Eugen(blue) wanted nothing more than to enjoy a good fight every now and then without the tension of having to complete a mission or destroy Sirens.
"Ah, das fühlt sich großartig!"
"...Oh my, it seems we've flipped her switch," Belfast observed.
"Heh, that other you's a total pervert... I mean, what else can you call her looking like that while gettin' ready for what's basically gonna amount to a gang bang!" Jean Bart added, unable to resist.
Prinz Eugen(silver), for her part, couldn't help but giggle at Jean Bart's comments.
"Well, it's not quite the sort of gang bang I'd like to be a part of but oh well. Speaking of some group fun, we very much need to bring that up with our dear Kommandant later, ja?"
"...Seriously?"
"But of course! I'd never ever joke about that, I assure you."
"...Utter perverts, the both of you," Belfast remarked, shaking her head at their antics... while at the same time in complete agreement with her fellow silverette.
"...Um, Laffey, Eldridge?"
"Hmm?" (x2)
"...What's a 'gang bang'? Is it some kinda game? And, um... is it something we can play with Teacher?"
"...Yes! To both!" Eldridge immediately replied without any shame and/or hesitation, happily sparking her excitement as her head quickly filled up... with less than wholesome images of this and that.
"...Oh? Okay! Yay! Play with Teacher! Gang bang with Teacher~!"
"...Yup...! *glug, glug, glug!*"
...
"...Belfast?"
"Hm? What is it, Lady Jean Bart?"
"...Should we talk to Anchorage later, and where in the fuck does that little bunny keep getting those oxy-colas from, seriously!"
"To your first question, I'm quite sure that we needn't worry about that for the time being. As for your second question?...Well, I have no clue either," Belfast answered, honestly wondering the same thing.
"Well, whatever. Let's just go back up our Eugen for now, Oui?"
"After you."
xxx xxx xxx
[Lurker Unit 366 to Operations Leader Tester: Target fleet confirmed entering the outermost boundary of Area P-19 of the experiment operations site. Also, no new movement from the Unknown fleet currently docked at the island in Area P-20. Requesting orders.]
[Operations Leader to Lurker Unit 366 and all attached units of the Cluster 66 Experiment Control Group: Continue surveillance of both Kansen fleets while staying just outside of their own detection ranges until the Target fleet enters the edges of the primary experiment site. Meanwhile, another detached unit will move to draw out and bait the Unknown fleet and then hold them within the primary experiment site, thereby forcing the Target fleet to either directly intervene or at least investigate the situation. While the aforementioned detached fleet carry out their assigned tasks, the rest of the Cluster will encircle the primary experiment test site and commence the test once the both fleets are firmly within the experiment site. Remember, discretion and stealth are key to the operation's success so be sure all units stay outside of the Kansen fleets' detection ranges and possible patrol routes. Deployment of fleet wide stealth field layers is highly advised.]
[Lurker Unit 366 and Cluster 66 to Operations Leader Tester: Orders received. Moving out.]
xxx xxx xxx
Somewhere on the island, with the brown haired man.
"And that ends my report."
[So, what are your thoughts about those new shipgirls Walter?]
"Honestly? It's too early to say other than them having engaged in one battle and not being in service for very long. That said, they're certainly a lively bunch filled with just as many eccentrics as any other shipgirl I've seen. Personally, I like them," the brown haired, now named Walter, replied. "If nothing else, they've got plenty of room to grow and are fast learners so I think what Eugen did will be a good experience for them in the long run. That, and their little advertising stunt is definitely winning the locals over too. Dunno whose idea that was, but damn was it a good one."
[Good to know. I'm actually looking forward to meet them now more than ever. On that note, the Hyperion should be entering the Sirens' occupation zone within the hour.]
"Gotcha. I'll let you know if anything comes up then."
"Alright, thanks."
xxx xxx xxx
Back in the ring, ten minutes into the six on one match.
"...Tch! Dammit! Sure we've gotten some good hits in on your blue haired doppelganger, but even if we keep up the offensive like we've been... time's running out and the only ones getting tired here are us," Jean Bart grumbled after yet another failed attempt to overpower the light bluenette.
"Indeed. She's a very formidable opponent... More than that, she's definitely holding back too..," Belfast added.
"...Tch! Anyway, I gotta give it to our Eugen and those three little monsters though. They're stubborn as hell and still keepin' the pressure on. I mean, our Eugen I get, but what's got Eldridge and the others so fired up?"
"Frankly, I think Miss Anchorage just sees it as innocently playing around while Miss Laffey just likes fighting. As for Miss Eldridge? I'm not quite sure if it boils down to any one thing... but, if I had to venture a guess, then I think she's being fueled mostly by anger at another obstacle getting in her way of her time with our dear Master and his lap. More than that, our opponent is another Eugen."
"And what does her being Eugen have to do with anything?" Jean Bart asked.
"Simple, for how different they seem on the surface, on top of how keen the little one's instincts tend to be, they're still essentially the same person at their core. In which case...-"
"-...She just likes messing with people and not showing all her cards, which can only rub the little zapper the wrong way, right?"
Belfast nodded. "Exactly. At any rate, let's get back to it as well, shall we?"
"Yeah, let's get goi-...Oof!"
Before Jean Bart could finish speaking, she suddenly got the air knocked out of her when Laffey's petite frame slammed into her stomach. Of course, the reason for that was pretty obvious.
"Whoops. Might have put a bit more force into that kick than I should've, huh. My bad..," muttered Prinz Eugen(blue) with a sheepish smile that, somehow, didn't look even remotely sincere, only further enraging an already angry blonde little zapper as she sped off at full speed, guns blazing and bio-lightning bolts zipping by like divine punishment. 'Her output and control have gone up now... And not just her either. It seems my other self's moves are getting sharper too. Good, good! And with just a few minutes left too! Wunderbar!'
"...Hmph! Smiling Blue Tease, annoying!"
*ZAP!*
"You know dear, it's hard to take you seriously when your angry face just looks so cute!" Eugen(blue) shot back as she swiftly dodged Eldridge's attack.
"While I can't disagree with you, I think it's best you not make her any more angry, ja? After all, I'm the one who will pay for it later," Eugen(silver) said as swung her own sword down in a fast, diagonal slash.
*CLANG!*
Sparks and ether flew about to the backdrop of blades striking against each other with the full force of Eugen(silver)'s own simply decorated military saber pushing down against Eugen(blue)'s own blades currently pushing back in a cross block.
'Tch. Normally, this wouldn't be so bad, but I have to admit that Eldridge's precision attacks and the others' own constant, long range bombardment is making it really hard to keep holding back... Heh, I'm not sure if that should make me happy though,' Eugen(blue) mused to herself with a wry smile at realizing just how much trouble her juniors were slowly but surely piling onto her on top of still holding back her true strength. 'Still no denying how quickly they're leveling up though, as Long Island would say.'
Then, as if reading her mind, her silver haired counterpart spoke up.
"You know, holding back to test us is fine and all... but, if you don't start actually trying to end this sooner rather than later I'm afraid Frau Eugen's patience is going to run out and she might try something... drastic. And, honestly, I'd... rather not have that happen."
"..." '...She's not wrong. I've already seen a taste of what she can do already and, while it's true that I could probably handle that much, I"m not sure what would happen if she used even more power than that...'
Taking a glance around, she noticed that Belfast, Jean Bart, Laffey, and Anchorage not only were in front of the little blonde in question (who had stopped attacking at some point), but increased the intensity of their barrage as if to buy her as much time as possible while she got ready to do something... drastic.
"...You say that, but it's not like you're doing anything to avoid that outcome."
"Heh. Because I honestly want to see her go all out, obviously."
"Even if you all end up getting caught up in it too?"
Prinz Eugen(silver) just shrugged. "Hey, a win is a win. Besides, I think we need to be that bold if we want to take down a monster like you."
"...You're all crazy."
"Says the one taking on six shipgirls by herself while still holding back..."
"Not as much as you might think actually."
"Oh? Well that makes me feel a little bit better. Even so, if it means winning, ending up collateral damage isn't too bad. All it really means is that our dear Kommandant will have to spoil us even more later. In that sense, we might even have to thank you later, my dear other me~"
"..."
Eugen(blue) had no words. Really, what could she even say to that. After all, she could genuinely understand that kind of thinking as a shipgirl herself. But then again, still not the thought processes of a sane person though. And, as if reading her mind again, her other self just smiled before speaking.
"It certainly is more reckless than what this kind of situation calls for, but believe it or not, Frau Eldridge has far more control and focus with her powers than you'd think, so we shouldn't be hurt too badly. You, on the other hand... well, I can only hope your shields will lat until the end."
"Tch!" 'Damn, they're all but forcing me to go all out now... but to make me pour all my energy into my shields. Not bad for a last ditch gamble, and probably the only move they could play too. I suppose that's what I get for overestimating myself just because I'm their senior, huh? Well, even if all that is true, I still have no intention of going down without a fight!'
There was only a little less tan two minutes left now.
"Oh, it looks like she's about to make her move now."
"...!"
Just as Eugen(silver) finished saying that, Eugen(blue) caught sight of something rather unexpected. Though maybe she really should have.
"...Is she-"
Eugen(silver) nodded. smiling that teasing, carefree smile of hers.
"-She is, ja."
"...Ooh! *giggle, giggle* Zappy, tingly, sparkly~! ...And, toss~!"
And, just like with Laffey, Anchorage had picked up a now sparking Eldridge and... tossed her like a missile straight at a bewildered Prinz Eugen(blue) still sword locked with her silver haired counterpart and held firmly in place by an endless barrage of heavy artillery fire from the others. And, before she could say or do anything else, Eldridge was right in front of her, just close enough to hear what she said.
"...Get, zapped."
"...Oh, shi-"
*ZZZZZZZZZZZZAAAAAAAAAAPPPPPPPPPPP!*
And, just like what happened during the last match of the first round, the whole ring was filled with the sounds of thunder and the endlessly bright flash of countless lightning strikes streaming out of the blonde shipgirl turned human hand grenade.
...
*... Crack...!*
That was just the last little push Liam's shipgirls needed to finally, finally break through and shatter the older shipgirl's hexagon shaped ether shields.
- At around the same time, with Liam and the others -
"...Holy crap...!" was all Enterprise could utter at the sheer ridiculousness of the sight.
"...Who knew that little Eldridge made such a potent projectile weapon..," Sheffield observed with a little smirk. "Still, seeing both her and Laffey being used as makeshift missiles isn't just highly unorthodox, but oddly more effective than I thought they'd be." 'And absolutely hilarious, though I think I'll keep that thought to myself.'
"Oh, and what is it that has you smiling like that, dear Sheffy?" Sirius asked, seeing her fellow maid's rare smile and gleam in her normally placid and stoic eyes.
Said Sheffy just shook her head. "It's nothing. More importantly, do you think that opening they made will be enough?"
"Hm. That's, a good question. While I'd like to say yes. I don't think the other Eugen will make it easy for them. What about you, Master? What are your thoughts?"
"Me? Um, I think that if she keeps holding back, the others might have a real shot at getting a victory," Liam said. "Personally though? I'm still rooting for my girls. I know they got this."
"Wait, she's holding back?" Mayor Mason asked, a confused look on his face.
Liam nodded. "Yeah. I mean, I don't think there's any real way that my girls, who've only been up and in service for that long, really have a shot at outright beating another shipgirl who's got hundreds of times more experience and service time... at least, not without a big handicap. Nah, I think this whole stunt is just her training them up with some tough love in a way only shipgirls can understand."
"I see. Well, I can certainly understand the logic in that. I mean, look at how well they've done so far."
"Yeah. I'm really proud of them!"
Just then-
*BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!*
-the alarm on Liam's watch suddenly went off.
"Eh, Metis? What's up?" asked the grey haired Commander as he brought the watch/communicator up to his face.
[Commander. Something urgent's come up.]
"... Something urgent? What happened?"
[... Sirens.]
"...What!? Are you sure!?"
[Unfortunately, yes. A few of the wide area surveillance drones I had scattered around the island and its surrounding waters just barely picked up a Siren fleet headed our way.]
"...Numbers?"
[A mixed fleet of about three dozen. Most of them mass production ships with six Executors at the head, most likely meaning a formation of three groups of ten mass production ships led by two Executors.]
"Tch! Dammit!"
[Your orders, Commander?]
"Activate the Liberty and await further instructions. I'll get the girls and we'll go from there. It's the best we can do on such short notice."
[Understood.]
Finishing his call, Liam turned to the now very tense looking ex-teacher turned mayor.
"Well, you heard the lady. It seems the Sirens finally decided to make their move, and at the worst possible time too... *sigh*"
"... Are you going to fight them?"
"Well, that was one of the conditions for our stay, right? Kinda have to, y'know?"
"Heh. A fair point. But," he then turned to ring. "What about them?"
"Looks like they stopped the match on their own. My guess? They already know about the Sirens."
"What? How?"
"Shipgirls have some nifty abilities. I'm sure the maids there or one of the other shipgirls told them."
To prove his point, Liam pointed to the ring as Prinz Eugen(silver) and the others left one side of the ring seemingly headed towards them as the other Eugen left in the opposite direction, abruptly ending the match then and there, much to the crowd's surprise and confusion.
"Anyway, if you'll excuse me. There's a lot to do now and not nearly enough time to get it done."
Saying his piece and seeing the mayor nod, Liam got up and headed towards his shipgirls who, up until that point, stayed quiet.
"Come on, let's get going."
Everyone nodded and quickly followed after their Commander as they went to link up with Metis and the Liberty. Meanwhile, the mayor sighed deeply as he thought about how he was going to deal with breaking the news and the fallout that was sure to come of it.
'Man, I'm seriously too fucking old for this shit...'
- With the blue haired Prinz Eugen -
"Walter, come in."
[Yeah? What's up? Did you win the match then?]
"Nein. A Siren fleet decided to come pay us a visit actually. Heh, talk about ironic. First I crash the party and now some Sirens decide to crash it again... Anyway, we need to go and link up with the Hyperion."
[You sure? About the Sirens I mean.]
"Ja. My counterpart just told me so I have no reason to doubt the information."
[Fair enough. I'll get the ship ready then.]
"Understood. I should be there in about two or three minutes."
[Roger that.]
- A little while later, aboard the Liberty -
"So? What's the situation with the Siren fleet?" Liam asked, now seated in his 'Commander's seat' on the bridge of the now moving 'Aerial Combat Support Carrier', Liberty with a number of screens opened up in front of him while Sirius, Sheffield, and Enterprise busily analyzed the information coming in and coordinating with the six shipgirl fleets moving in a circle formation around the flying battleship. Metis, whose full body hologram was floating next him, nodded before giving her report.
"No real changes in their movements so far, though I'm sure they've noticed us by now. In fact, it's quite odd. They seemed to have begun slowing down and may be waiting for us to arrive..."
Liam raised an eyebrow in clear confusion. "..What? Are your serious?"
"That's what the latest data feed suggests... and I've had said data checked over half a dozen times now," Metis confirmed. "Which can only mean..."
"A trap then?"
"In all likelihood, yes. A very obvious one too. But, trap or not..."
"...But either way, we can't just ignore this, huh...?" Liam finished with a sigh.
"Unfortunately, no."
"...Goddammit. *sigh* Alright, seeing as we don't have any choice but to knowingly walk into a trap, how should we play this? And by the way, what are the chances that we're gonna end up surrounded?"
"All we can do is continue as is, and yes... there is a very high chance that we will get surrounded too. To use an appropriate slang term that most accurately describes a basic tenet of the Sirens' military doctrine... that is, to 'zerg rush' with overwhelming numbers whenever they get the chance. Of course, that's assuming they don't have any other strategic goal in mind that is, like in our first battle agianst them."
Liam couldn't help but smile hearing his de facto second in command actually say that with a straight face and flat tone.
"Well, that's how they've fought and won pretty much all their battles so far, right? If it ain't broke, don't fix it, as they say. So basically, nine times out of ten, expect a battle of attrition then?"
Metis nodded. "Pretty much, yes."
Lima spoke into the intercom linked to all the deployed shipgirls comm channels.
"You all get that girls? Don't break formation or fight too aggressively unless ordered to, alright?"
...
[Strasser Fleet, copy.]
[Saratoga Fleet here! Roger that~!✩]
[Prinz Eugen Fleet, understood.]
"Good. Meanwhile, Archerfish, Surcouf, and Nautilus. You three will act as support for each of your assigned main attack fleets."
[Surcouf here, oui, mais bien sur.]
[Archerfish here. Don't worry, we'll be sure to put on a good show, Commander!]
[Nautilus here. Got it. But, um, what about you Commander?]
"Don't worry, we'll provide heavy shelling support and overall surveillance of the area at the rear of the formation, same as before. Luckily, the enemy doesn't seem to have any forces behind us right now so we should be fine for the time being but, that being the case, I may need to pull you from support to guard duty if the situation calls for it since your teams will be the best suited to respond to such quick changes in the battle. Regardless, I'm counting on all of you to do your best!"
[Yes, sir!] (x Everyone)
xxx xxx xxx
With the awaiting Siren fleet now patiently waiting for Liam and the others.
[Oceana Unit 1106 to Assault Fleet two: Message from Lurker Unite 366: 'Target fleet has entered first outer boundary line of the operation zone. Estimated time to arrival, provided there are no unexpected variables to the timetable, 360 seconds and counting. Please be sure to succeed in luring in and holding the Unknown fleet at the testing site until the Target fleet is well within the bounds of the encirclement'. That is all. Now, as per Operations leader Tester orders, we will now commence combat against the Unknown fleet with the goal of keeping their attention on us while gradually increasing our combat power such that they will be forced in staying put. To that end, we will begin at 75% and increase 5% CP every thirty seconds. Also, be advised that while we must not outright sink them if it can be avoided, we are also to avoid losses to our own forces as much as possible. To that end, an exception on CP release can be made if a unit is at immediate risk of being sunk before the second phase of the operation begins.]
With a chorus of affirmations from the Executor's orders, the other Sirens began moving to carry out their orders and engage Liam and his fleet while waiting for their true target to enter the stage.
xxx xxx xxx