"Hey, Wake up already!"
*thump Thump*
Max blearily opened his eyes and scowled as he could hear someone hitting the door to his room. Glancing to his bedside he saw his alarm clock telling him it was barely six in the morning, just before his alarm was going to go off anyway.
"May as well get up then," Max said as he swung his legs over the side of the bed and let out a yawn.
*Thump Thump*
"I'm awake, calm down!" Max called out in response to another pair of hard knocks on the door. With a sigh he got up and grabbed some clothes, heading into his bathroom for a quick shower. It barely lasted five minutes, as showering for ages was not something he enjoyed, but as he was stepping out of the bathroom with still wet hair and no shirt on he could heard some kind of arguing outside his door.
*crash*
And then his door was broken down by a large mechanical head of an Ironblood Rigging that seemed to shake wood off of its head before looking at him like a puppy that had just been caught stealing food.
It then promptly pulled out of the doorway, revealing Admiral hipper, who looked utterly shocked and appalled, and another Ironblood woman that Max did not recognize. A tall body, long black silky hair, red horns coming out of the hair, a short one piece top that turned into her short skirt, thigh high black stockings, knee high platemail boots. The women looked like the Ironblood equivalent of a Valkyrie in a sense, and many would likely call her very beautiful. But the glint in her eyes when she looked at him was the look of a manipulator, and immediately Max knew he was not going to like this woman, and seriously hoped she was not one of the ones leading project overwatch.
"My, it seems mechanics do have bodies like our dear Kiegsmarines do, you choose them well Hipper my child,"
"For the last time I am not your child, and you just broke down his door!" Hipper exclaimed angrily. Max noticed her take a glance at him, but only for a second as she continued glaring at the woman beside her. "Of course he's not going to have a shirt on!"
"Well he doesn't need his shirt with what we may be doing, no?" the woman said with a sultry chuckle before turning to look at Max. "Relax my child, I merely jest. I am Friedrich der Große, PR Battleship of the Ironblood, and Advisor and Lead for Project Overwatch."
Max scowled instantly. "Great, the one advising a project of such importance is a woman so impatient and lacking in common courtesy that she thinks busting down doors is the right way to greet people in the morning."
"I merely sought to expedite your awakening my child; we cannot have such an important piece of our board be missing on our first turn, no?"
"You are an idiot," Max stated bluntly as he simply turned away from her and walked further into his room, opening a drawer and pulling out a shirt.
"That is quiet the false statement. I consider myself very intelligent."
"Memorizing a chessboard is different than knowing basic fucking courtesy apparently then," Max stated venomously as he threw his shirt of, and the rest of his clothes before walking into the entryway kitchen and taking a carton of juice out of the fridge, drinking right from the bottle.
"I was courteous to introduce myself, no?"
"After breaking my door down," Max said as he put the juice away and then took a hipflask out of the fridge and slid it in to his pocket.
"uh, Max, Alcohol, may be looked down on," Admiral Hipper said, sounding very tired already.
"Considering how this morning is starting, I don't care," Max said simply as he grabbed his coat off a hook and threw it on, revealing for a moment just how many tools and other things were hidden within it. "Alright, is this rude awakening for a reason, or what?
"In a sense my child, our wayward allies are to arrive, and those of us for the project shall all meet an unveil our place of work!" Friedrich said eloquently.
"The commander wants us all down there at the docks with him as a sort of, show of unity," Admiral Hipper added with a sigh. "It's too early for this."
"I agree," Max said with a sigh as he pulled out his sunglasses and slipped them on. "Lead the way."
"But of course, this way my children!"Freidrich said as she walked away from the door and sown the hallway, her rigging swimming after her and taking up the entirety of the hallway.
" . . . I wasn't talking to you," Max said with a scowl before walking, Hipper walking beside him as they moved to leave the dormitory. "Is she always like that?"
"Yes," Admiral Hipper said with a sigh. "She was, for a while during the war, Bismarck's replacement, and she was just the same back then."
"It suddenly becomes very clear to me why most of the Ironblood are either normal, or utterly insane,"
"That is rather rude,"
"Not wrong if public rumors of a PR Ship by the name of Roon are anything to go by."
Admiral Hipper scowled and looked down at her feet for a second. "Roon is a, special case."
"And that one isn't?" Max asked as he pointed at Friedrich de Grobe as they left the dormitory to find her with what looked like a baton in one hand, waving it about while singing a low lullaby like tone. One that also seemed to be about chess pieces and explosions.
"She just happens to be a bit eccentric. It doesn't change how intelligent she is," Admiral Hipper countered.
Max simply slumped a bit as they walked. "Great, and the eccentrics are usually the ones put to projects like this. Just great."
"You are not exactly normal either you know, right?" Admiral Hipper commented.
Max glance upward at the sky in thought as they walked before shaking his head. "No, I'd say I'm still more on the normal side."
"You might be half Siren; I would hardly call that normal."
"Allegedly," Max corrected. "It has not been proven. Not yet."
"You seriously don't believe it despite all the evidence to the contrary?"
"I have an odd ability, and my eyes may be the same as that siren's, but that means nothing else," Max said before letting out a resigned sigh. "If after proper further tests and the like it remains as the only sensible option, no matter how outlandish, then it may indeed be the case then."
" . . . . . . I can't tell if you are being optimistic or grim."
"Good, because I'm not sure either," Max said with a smirk before noticing a number of Naval personnel around the base seeming, off. Nervous. "Is the arrival of the Sakura Empire that concerning?"
Admiral hipper glanced around for a second before realizing what Max was meaning. "Oh. No. it's the fact Akagi is coming as part of this."
"Ah, that could do it. She was quite the terror toward the Union during the war as I recall."
"Yes," Hipper said as she began staring at Max.
"Yes?"
"What?"
"You are staring."
"What, no I'm not. Why would I stare at you?"
"I don't know, but you were just now."
". . . . . . . . . . what, what did you talk about with the commander?"
"When it was just the two of us?" Max asked, receiving a slight nod in turn. "A few things. Mostly inconsequential and philosophical things about the situation we find ourselves in. He told me of the number in Project Overwatch, but not their names," Max said before glancing down at Admiral Hipper. "Have you been told?"
"Only that we are both part of it, and that Friedrich der Große is leading it."
"Great," Max deadpanned.
Silence fell over the pair as they followed Friedrich der Große at a distance through the base. Some naval personal pointed and whispered, while most either did not notice, did not care, or did not make their pointed stares so obvious. As she noticed this Admiral Hipper found her mind wandering to worrisome places.
Where did she actually stand in all of this?
She and Max were technically going out and such a thing was public, but how did she feel about everything? She found him nice, and different than most other men who only looked at women's bodies. He looked at her as a person, albeit one who he was also apparently somewhat afraid of. And that brought up a whole different situation in her mind as to how things could go, especially when he so easily guessed that Bismarck had requested her to get close to him to find out more about him and his ability.
And that was all before finding out he was potentially part Siren of all things. A fact that left a strange taste in her mouth. They had barely even managed to do anything together before everything had been turned on its head, so what exactly was she supposed to think or do about this?
Was she supposed to call off their relationship? Keep going? If they kept going, then how would they when she doubted he would be able to leave the base often considering his potential blood? Would they even have the time to get together with just the two of them with both his maintenance work and now the Overwatch work alongside her own work on mission and patrols?
Admiral Hipper was suddenly pulled out of her thoughts as she felt a hand on her shoulder and looked up to see she almost walked into Friedrich der Große. He then looked to see it was Max's hand that stopped her from embarrassing herself thusly, and also realized that the three of them had arrived at the docks.
And it was a scene.
Right in the middle of the docks was a full contingent of marines, a mixed faction contingent surprisingly, with the Commander standing in front of them. On the left side were various groups of Shipgirls and men and women, some grouped together in expected groups, and others not so much, while on the right side of the docks were a small group of Shipgirls and humans, one that looked far less serious.
"Oh good, everyone is already gathered," Friedrich der Große Stated with a smile as she glanced back to Max and Admiral Hipper. "We need only wait for those yet to join us, and then we can truly begin. Shall we go and stand with our fellows my children?"
"So everyone over there, are the ones in the project then?" Max asked as he looked at the group. He did not recognize any of the humans in lab coats or the like, but he did recognize a few of the Shipgirls, namely Leonardo da vinci, Prinz Adalbert and a tired looking Duke of York. The others he could see looked to be a Northern Parliament girl in a body suit with long blonde twin tails, a Union woman with gray hair and hands that, from a distance, looked be covered by gauntlets, and a Libre woman wearing a simplistic dress, but was wearing the highest platform boots he had ever seen in his life. "Quiet the eclectic group."
"The one with the boots and blue hair is Gascogne, a Vichya dominion PR ship," Admiral Hipper said as she narrowed her gaze a bit before sighing. "I don't recognize the other two."
"You do not need to my child," Friedrich der Große said as she began striding towards the group as if she owned the whole of the docks. "We will have proper introductions in time. Come."
Max let out a sigh of annoyance as he and Admiral Hipper followed Friedrich der Große over to the group. Their approach would have gone unnoticed as well, if it wasn't for Prinz Adalbert noticing Freidrich out the corner of her eye and deciding to greet her.
"Morning Freidrich, oh, and to you two as well, Hipper, Max."
"Hmmmm," Admiral Hipper mumbled out, making her opinion on the matter known. "How long?"
"Well, they should be pulling in shortly."
"No, how long have you been standing here waiting?"
"Oh, only about five minutes."
"That's not bad at least," Max said with a shake of his head as he glanced to the rest of the group, noting that a few of them were glancing out the corner of their eyes at him. It wasn't really unexpected considering the circumstances, but he'd much prefer they just speak up if they wanted to say something.
"What do you mean?" Adalbart asked curiously.
"Nothing aside from my door needing replacing," Max muttered in reply as he looked to see the ships finally reaching the dock and dropping mooring lines. "Here they come."
It was a quiet affair, the ship sliding into dock and its gangplank being put up. And as soon as the Sakura Empire Ship came up and appeared there was much conversation. The first to appear and walk down was one that looked like a child in appearance, but not in countenance. Her long draping clothing and regal robes marked her as likely a leader of some kind. Behind her was another that looked like a sibling, and behind her many other followed. It was when two Shipgirls with nine foxtails each that Max noticed many of the arrayed soldiers, especially those from the Union, tense up. One had snow white hair and sharp blue eyes that seemed to be scanning the shore looking for something particular that she seemed fierce about. The other had brown hair, and while her clothing was proper yet revealing in equal measure and she had the looks of one who should be dangerous, her countenance was that of a kicked dog. She looked pitiful, broken, and sorrowful. Yet, her eyes also had a spark of intellect and curiosity within them. And as he looked at her eyes, she seemed to look in their direction and lock eyes with him, even behind his sunglasses.
"That one. The brown haired fox. She is to join us, isn't she?" Max asked.
"Yes," Friedrich der Große said with a nod, her eyes not turning from the Sakura ships as they stepped off the ship and gathered before the commander. "She is Akagi of the Sakura Empire, Head of the 1st carrier division, and the one who formed pact with the Sirens to create the Orochi and nearly doomed the world. As one who worked with Siren technology herself, she is perfect to join our orchestra, no?"
"We shall see," Max said, causing many others in their group to glance at him.
"Yes, we shall," Friedrich der Große said with a grin as she stepped forward. Look now, our newest allies are coming to us now!"
Max looked ahead to see Akagi as well as another who was slight in body with black hair and a short teal kimono. She looked far more energetic than Akagi did, yet she also looked nervous as she and Akagi approached the group with Friedrich der Große at its front.
"Welcome, both of you, to Azur Lane and to Project Overwatch. Are you ready to waltz to a rhapsody of exquisite creation?"
"Uh, yes I guess so?" the slighter one answered while Akagi merely nodded.
"Excellent!" Friedrich der Große proclaimed as she tuned to the group. "Come now everyone, it is time we show you our grand opera house!"
Xxxxxxxxxxxx
The Opera house that Friedrich der Große spoke of turned out to be a great large hanger hidden deep under the base. It was filled with Research laboratories, both sealed and not, fabrication rooms large enough to build entire vehicles, and even firing ranges and a large barracks that could fit nearly a hundred with a large cafeteria. It was a facility that clearly had been designed and built for a purpose.
One that now would show itself.
"And here we are, out grand opera house where we shall conjure great rhapsodies of destruction that we can aim toward our fool audience, the Sirens! I am Friedrich der Große, PR Ship of the Ironblood, and I shall lead this Project Overwatch of both Shipgirl, and Humans together to lead us to a brighter future!" Friedrich der Große proclaimed as she walked into the centre of the hanger and turned to face the whole group. "Now then, before we begin our work, let us first know the names of our fellow composers and their specialities!"
"Well, do you want us to introduce ourselves then?" one of the human scientists said with his hands in his lab coat. "Should be an interesting round of introductions then considering how well known it is for you Shipgirls to have such powerful personalities."
"Hey, it's not our fault we speak our mind," Leonardo Da Vinci stated with a confident smile.
"Of course my child, none are at fault for how they are born," Friedrich der Große stated with a smile as she pointed her Baton at the scientist who spoke up. And yes, I do believe introductions of both name, and ability should be an exquisite idea so that we all know what the others have for skills. Project Overwatch shall, after all, be a rather open in what songs we wish to pursue!"
"So it's sort of free research as long as it leads to boons against our foes huh?" the scientist said with a pleased smile. "I can work with this. My name is Grant Anderson. I am a scientist of Chemical and Metallurgical engineering primarily. Though I have taken part in some groups trying to interpret Siren Armour technologies as well."
"Annabelle Shreidder," A female scientists who looked easily in her sixties spoke up next. "I was part of the IronBlood's First Priority research and Development and assisted in the created of the First IronBlood PR ship. I also am skilled in energetic manipulation and research aptitudes."
"I am Petyr Milokovich, Parliament Engineer of some skill," a large and rough looking northern parliament man said next, keeping his introductions short. Max recognized him though, he was the man who broke the Ironbloods Amnesia encryption system during the war, leading to the Ironblood being able to save Bismarck from Siren Control. He was also rumored to be part of Parliament operation to improve the Parliament Shipgirls Riggings.
Max zoned out through the introduction of the others, the vast majority of them being laboratory assistants and other lower ranked, but still necessary things like chemists, machinists and weapons testing specialists. It seemed like it was going to move onto the Shipgirl introductions next, being that he and Admiral Hipper had taken to standing near the back of the group of the Shipgirls, until Annabelle spoke up a second time.
"And who are you who stands back with the Shipgirls then hmm? Engineer or scientist?"
"He is neither," Petyr answered with a smirk. "He is the one who is an unknown, who told off a Siren recently. Aren't you, young Polukrovka?"
"Polukrova?"Grant asked in confusion.
"It means half-breed in our language," The northern Parliament Shipgirl said with an odd gaze toward Max. It wasn't hateful, but it did make him wonder if she was among those who wanted to take him apart.
"Ah, so he's the one rumored to be some kind of spawn of the sirens," Anabelle spoke up, though her tone was devoid of disdain or any hateful emotion. "Will you not introduce yourself?"
"Maximus Grey, of the Maple dominion," Max said with a light sigh. "I am the one who told off a siren as you've heard, and who, according to that Siren, am supposed to be some kind of child or weapon they made. The truth is yet to be confirmed one way or another however."
"That's a lie, we have seen your eyes," Leonardo Da Vinci said with a scowl.
"We shall all find out the truth in due time, my Child," Friedrich said with a smile. "Regardless of what opinions you may have on him, The commander has not just assigned him to this project as a member, but he shall be running his own project within Overwatch, as many of you will be as well."
"Can you explain what these projects are?" the Union Shipgirl asked.
"Of course my child, such things will be explained, once all introductions are finished," Friedrich said with a smile. "You would not want our dear humans here to simply call you, 'you' would you?"
"Then I'll start then. " I'm Reno, Atlanta Class Light Cruiser of the Eagle Union. I specialize in reactor and mechatronics, so power and mechanical optimization and modifications. I look forward to working with everyone on ways to beat up the Sirens!" Reno said enthusiastically, showing no worry in her tone or on her face.
"Then I shall go next, not that I need much introduction. I am Leonardo Da Vinci, Marconi Class Submarine of the Sardegna empire, and an inventor of such skill that I shall overcome even my namesake in prestige!"
"Well at least you sound ready for this. I'm Prinz Adalbert, P-class Armored ship of the Ironnblood," Prinz Adalbert introduced herself with a smile. "I'm a mechanic, mostly in Rigging and stuff like that. Not just ironblood rigging either."
"Vichya Dominion PR Battleship, Gascogne. Computer Analytics and mathematics," the Blue haired Shipgirl said emotionlessly, as if she herself was nothing but a computer.
"Then, I am the Yuubari Class Light Cruiser Yuubari, of the Sakura Empire. I specialize in weapon and tool modification and modernization," the slight framed Sakura Shipgirl said nervously as she glanced toward Akagi.
"You all know who I am and why I am here. I doubt I need introductions," Akagi said with a huff. Just let me do my penance and don't get in my way.
"Well, that is true, and it does save the best for last, The Northern parliament Shipgirl said with a proud smile. "I am the Genius Mechanic of the Project 7U- Destroyer class, Soobrazitelny! With my genius a part of this project we shall have no chance of failure!"
"Excellent, however my child, you are not the last to be introduced," Friedrich corrected with a smile, before turning her gaze Duke of York and Admiral Hipper.
"Haaah, fine. " Admiral Hipper, first of my class of the Ironblood," Hipper said in announce. I'm here as support and assistance, I've been told, I guess."
"I am, of the Prince George V Class, The Royal Navies Duke, of York," Duke of York said in a tired tone that was a bit odd, and noticed by everyone. "Like Miss Hipper, I am here to support thee, in thine projects, including one, of particular note, to myself."
"And that my children, leads us to the next point for us to consider, our orchestra's choices of music!" Friedrich proclaimed with a smile. "Our director has given us to freedom to choose what pieces of music we shall play, and how many shall be played at once, so long as we show results and do look into a few certain pieces of interest to him."
"Wait, hold on," Grant Anderson spoke up while holding up a hand. "Are you saying we have completely free reign in what we look into and try to create?"
"Yes, the music you compose is yours to do so, within reason," Friedrich said with a smile. "I shall look over all suggested pieces and the ones with the best potential shall be given to our director to approve."
"Okay that sounds more sensible," Grant admitted with a sigh. "So, what are these projects already planned by the base Commander?"
"Yes, you speak as if there are already some prepared, yes?" Petyr asked curiously.
"But of course," Friedrich said with a snap of her fingers, a projector turning on behind her. "Our director allows us to have as many projects as we like, as long as they are approved. When approved you may work on your project alone, or have others help you as needed. As for projects that he wishes to be looked into already, there are four." The projector began to show video of Siren forces coming out of their brilliant yellow portals, ships falling into the sea and righting themselves before joining combat. "First, he wishes to learn more of the Sirens portal technology, so that it might be repressed, or outright stopped from activation."
"I have some, err, experience with those, even if I do not recall most of it," Akagi spoke up awkwardly. "I can work on that project."
"Our director hoped as such," Friedrich said with a smile as she napped her fingers again, causing the video to stop and to change to various images of Shipgirl rigging, both Biomechanical and not. " Secondly, he wishes for us all to continually look into ways to improve Rigging technologies so that those on the frontline have improved chances to return to the orchestra in one piece."
"That should not be a difficult thing considering how many of us, both Human and Shipgirl, are skilled in such things," Annabelle said as she looked to Reno, Yuubaari, Leonardo Da Vinci and Soobrazitelny. All of whom made it clear in their own ways that they were up to the challenge.
"Perfect, the next project our illustrious director wishes to be looked into, is this," Freirich said as with another snap of her fingers her rigging came out from behind a corner of one of the halls and was pushing a trolley with a modestly sized objet upon it. One that Max recognized easily as his lightning gun that had knocked Duke of York out.
Something she seemed to recall as well, visibly twitching at the sight of it.
"Sir Grey here created this apparatus within the confines of the maintenance divisions building, and used it to great effect recently." As if commanded by her words the projector showed a short video of him firing it at Duke of York, though it was clear the camera that had taken hit had no audio, and had been quiet a long way off considering the graininess of the video itself. It did not lessen the gasps of surprise from the human scientists and a few of the Shipgirls present though when they saw it send York reeling backwards. "As you can see, it holds quiet a punch, and our Director believes it can be improved to be both safer, and possible smaller so that it can be used by army forces to protect against Siren Landforms."
Almost immediate a number of the scientists and Shipgirls walked up to the thing and began looking it over, Yuubri and Reno in particular, who both looked back at Max in surprise. "You made this out of spare parts?" Yuubari asked in shock, prompting Reno to ask her own question.
"And you powered it with just a Capacitor?"
"It did need to be plugged in with a hefty cable," Max answered without pause.
"What was your intent for it?" Annabelle asked as she walked over to Max confidently.
"Taking out Landforms," Max said with a shrug. "I almost got killed by ne a while ago, and as many did, I decided to make something that could help. Needs work though."
"How much?"
"Creates to much heat when firing. I burned by hands just holding it because I forgot to consider insulation. Also, the power needed is a bit too high, and I'm pretty sure out of twenty meters it's accuracy would become horrible-"
"Due to it arcing electricity like a lightning bolt. Yes, I can imagine as such." Annabelle said with a smirk as she looked back at it. "It is a novel idea. It will be interesting looking into its applications, and limitations."
"Then it can be decided who, if any, shall look into this piece explicitly," Friedrich said with a smile before very suddenly pointing her Baton towards Max. "and of course, the final project is one that you shall lead. To discover your own ability and its depths. Including how it might be used and what it does."
"Is that truly a good idea?" Grant spoke up with a worried expression on his face. "Having such a person lead such a project, instead of being the main subject of it and only the subject?"
"Yeah, sounds a bit dangerous," one scientist spoke up, prompting Leonardo to speak up. "
"It is dangerous, it is why many of us believe that he should be throw in a cell and looked into from there," she stated seriously. "However the commander denied us, and now makes him lead a project like this."
"And maybe that is exactly why," Max said with a slight smirk, making many turn to face him, and making Leonardo look insulted.
"Excuse me?"
"I said, maybe it's your opinion that is why he decided to do things this way. It makes you all pay attention to what I do so you'll realize that he's right, as I have no feeling toward the sirens aside from disdain."
"And we are supposed to just believe you when a Siren called you its child I heard?" Soobrazitelny asked, though her tone had no hatred in it.
Max Shrugged. "You all seem to trust Bismarck and she had been completely taken over by the sirens," He then looked to Akagi. "And none of you are screaming for her to be thrown in a cell despite working alongside and being tricked by Sirens and nearly destroying entire cities with that Orochi thing. Way I see it, if anyone should be throw in a cell and experimented on, it should be them, because its known for certain what they did. Whereas what I am, or what ability I may or may not have, is as of yet uncertain."
"Lady Bismarck knows she made a mistake and wasn't in control during that incident!" Prinz Adalbert immediately defended, making Max smirk.
"Then why are so many of you against me existing when I've done nothing as a Sirens puppet, or against any Shipgirls?"
"You zapped Duke of York!" Reno exclaimed as she looked over to York herself. "Didn't he?"
"Yes, I was struck by his creation, but it put mine mind back to the frame it was to be in whence I was under unknown control. "While thou may dislike me, I shall assist in pursing the truth in regards to what hast occurred between us."
"Considering these last few days, "I'd say we start fresh for all of our sakes," Max replied before smirking. " Still hate the Royal's though."
"Now now, enough of that," Friedrich said with a clap of her hands, garnering attention from everyone. "We all shall working towards v=creating great pieces of work, so animosity will not be a useful use of time between us. Now, before we all are free to investigate our tools and instruments, there are two last things that must be dealt with," Friedrich said as she pulled out a sealed folder and tossed it to Max, who caught it easily. "that is for you, from Vestal. I am told you will know what it is?"
"Yes," Max said with a nod as he put the folder under one arm, figuring he'd open it up once Friedrich was finished enjoying the sound of her own voice.
"Good. Lastly, there is one thing that must be confirmed. Everyone here, must understand that the works here are to be considered of class one security importance. As such, talk of anything that occurs within these walls, cannot be spoke of outside, unless exempted in some way. I am about to show you a number of files, and documentations that are of extreme importance. If anyone cannot follow such rulings, please leave now."
No one moved, though a couple technicians looked worried.
"Good, then please listen and read the following," Friedrich said as the projector began showing, much to Max's surprise, the one on one conversation that he had the commander had before. It then moved on to showing other similar obviously secure debriefings and the like. One where Enterprise admitted to seeing a darker version of herself during the war and willingly let it control her on a few small occasions. Another where Bismarck admitted that while under the sirens control she found herself in an ocean of black ink where all she could see was history being made, while she heard words of experiments, and failed timelines. Another where Akagi was being debriefed by Nagato after the Orochi incident and she admitted to being manipulated, and speaking as if the Siren knew what she would say before it happened, and seemed to know the future before it happened. There were dozens of other similar documentations, some from mere soldiers in the fields, to survivors of combats and the like, but all of them added credence to the Commanders words in his conversation with Max, and by the time the projector topped, the whole room was silent, and many, both Shipgirl and human, looked like they had just receive the worst news possible.
"And now, we all share the same information," Friedrich said after a few minutes of utter silence. "Those who would end our orchestra, may have very well done this before, so our work here is all the more important. If our director's fears are proven true, we must be sure that it our reality, our orchestra, that continues to play into the long dark, and not another that comes after. So let us begin!"
Max was the first to turn from the group and walk over to one of the alcoves full of equipment, specifically an array of biological and radiology equipment. As soon as he got to it he dropped the folder on the table and opened it up, finding an array of medical sheets, courtesy of Vestal, on his saliva sample.
Mister Grey.
According to my albeit short investigations into your saliva sample I have managed to find a number of things and confirm a few others.
Firstly, your Biological makers do have some that match Siren Markers, but there are still human markers. So at the very least you are not completely a Siren, nor are you a artificial being. You are still human. At least partly.
The Biomechanical markers present in Shipgirls are also present in your markers, albeit to a much lesser degree. Why I cannot say as of yet, but I am willing to believe it is related to your abilities. The energy markers that I found, and have compiled for your ease of viewing were also present in some of my scans od Duke of York just before she broke loose and seemed to be hallucinating.
"I will speak with you in the future about these findings, as well as what you find while part of Project Overwatch. Do not worry, I am aware of it, and all you have already likely been told, and am part of it as well.
My introduction is merely delayed due to my main work taking priority.
Please do not do anything extreme without proper safeties in place.
Repair ship, Vestal.
"I'm not even surprised she knows at this point," Max chuckled to himself as he walked around the table and looked at some of the machines. He recognized some of them, but not others, so he carefully began running his fingers across them, letting the knowledge of their make ups flash into his mind and giving him a bit of a better understanding of what they were. Though their actual operation would take some guesswork.
"That's what you talked with the Commander about!?"
Max turned to see Admiral Hipper and Duke of York approaching the area he was in. Though hipper was more storming up and slammed her hands onto the table and stared as if demanding an answer.
"It was," Max said with a nod. "I wasn't expecting it to be made, well, not public, but revealed so soon."
"And why didn't you say anything about it when I asked!?"
"He made it clear that the conversation did not leave the room," Max said as he touched the final machine and lets its conduction fill his mind for a second. "Besides, would you have believed me if I said, we had been talking about how we are just one timeline of many in some giant alien experiment of unknown need and purpose?"
Admiral Hipper opened her mouth to exclaim, looking angry, but couldn't seem to speak.
"thou must admit, that it sounds as if fantasy," Duke of York said as she came up beside Admiral Hipper with a tired sigh, then noticing the papers on the table. "Is this-?"
"Vestals results of my Saliva sample, as well as your medical records," Max answered as he waked to one end of the table and began pulling a bunch of jars and petri dishes out from its lower cupboard and placed them on the table. "Seems like she's part of this as well."
"Not surprising," Admiral Hipper said with an angry sigh as she looked to see many of the rest still seemingly shell-shocked, though some were breaking out of it by glancing their way, or by speaking with each other about what it could mean. "But . . . . . . alternate timelines? Some grand experiment. This sounds like a movie plot. . . and we might be living it."
"Maybe, but unlike a movie, we can make out own story," Max said as he place a pair of petri dishes in front of each of them, as well as what were clearly pre-sanitized syringes. "Way I figure it, it sounded like each timeline those sirens do is different, likely from them testing different things, like stress testing machinery. So the more we do, the more we prepare, and the less they know, will give us the best chances of finding a way to fight back."
"And we need, dishes for that?" Admiral Hipper asked in confusion.
"No. I'm no expert in biology, not like Vestal likely is. But I still know that science needs basic materials for testing," Max said as he spat into one of the petri dishes in front of him, then pulled out a small scalpel. "So we start with saliva, skin, and blood samples. From each of us."
"Okay, I understand you and duke of York, but why me?" Admiral Hipper asked as she noticed that Duke of York looked unsure of what to do.
"I'm obvious. Duke of York because she may have been effected before, and you, because all of us need basic starting points so if we take further samples further along, we have something to compare them against," Max said as he carefully sliced a layer of skin off the side of his thumb and let it slide into the second petri dish. He then carefully took an alcohol swap and began rubbing it on his arm in preparation for the needle.
"That, does make sense. Very well. Excuse me," Duke of yok said as she hid her mouth as she spat onto a petri dish and took a clean scalpel herself. "This lettered yours, does not state wherein Vestal shall present herself."
"No, but I'm willing to bet in a few days at most," Max said as he took the syringe and carefully put it into his arm.
"So what, we take samples and then do nothing else?" Admiral Hipper asked in aggravation as she followed suite and spat in the dish. "You said yourself you don't know much about Biology."
"True, but I know how to run machines and do experiments and document my findings, even if I may not understand the depth of those findings," Max said as he took out the syringe and then closed his arm to stop the bleeding while he fiddles with the syringe, closing it off and ejecting the blood tube within it. one that seemed designed for the systems nearby thankfully, meaning he wouldn't have to do any dividing of his blood.
At least not yet.
"And, thou have planned test already?"
"Nothing extreme but yes," Max said with a nod. "Pretty sure they should be perfectly safe too. It'll just be a case of deciding how they progress and how quickly they can be done."
"What do you mean?" Hipper asked as she began trying to get her own blood, with some difficulty, leading Duke of York offering her a hand
"Well, once we have our controls, I figure we start from what we know. All of our lips tingled in the different situations, so Mucus membranes like Saliva seem a smart starting position."
"Wait, you're going to have us kiss you?" Admiral hipper asked in surprise, unsure how she felt about such a thing considering how muddled her thoughts on everything were.
"No," Max said right away. "Just like I said to Bismarck, jumping that far so quickly is dangerous. No, we'll tart with something simple and basic like me licking my finger and then touching the top of your hand, and seeing if there is effect, and going from there with ample time between tests is there is even the slightest reaction."
"Good, at least I need not worry about your capability and sense of safety,"
Max, Duke of York and Admiral Hipper tune to see Annabelle a few feet away from them, looking rather calm all things considered.
"M-Madame Shreidder," Admiral Hipper greeted with a salute, surprising Max a bit.
Anabelle smirked as she stepped up to the table beside Admiral Hipper. "As you heard I was part of the PR Project that Created Roon. I also worked on the project that birthed Friedrich and Odin, so many of the Ironblood Shipgirls have quite a bit of, misplaced respect for me."
"Respectfully, it is not misplaced, when you and others like you can be considered like parents to many of us. Or the closest one can get," Admiral Hipper replied.
"Be that as it may," Annabelle said as she looked to Max. "While many of these other projects are of interest, I am highly interested in yours, and can assist with documentation and any other such work as needed, if you would prefer young man."
"I would be happy to accept the help," Max said with a nod as, to Admiral Hippers surprise, Max lifted an arm up and slid his sunglasses off, revealing his glowing eyes. "However, I'm surprised you are not wary of me considering what you now know, and the allegations against me."
"Please, I was one of the ones who helped Roon through her issues upon her creation, there is little that fazes me," Annabelle said with a neutral gaze, before her lips again shifted into a smirk " besides, I am much more interested in you, and what your project may result in. what better upgrade could there be to the Shipgirls than giving them unilateral access to Siren technology, without their corrupting influence? It is something worth looking into, and if others are too afraid of you for such miserably small reasons as your eyes glowing, then they will not be of use to us anyway."
"I see, then," Max raised a hand toward Annabelle. Pleasure to be working with you,"
"You as well," Annabelle said as she shook Max's hand and then looked to Admiral hipper and Duke of York. "And I look forward to working with the both of you as well. I honestly miss working alongside Shipgirls."
"You say that like you won't be able to while here?" Max noticed.
Annabelle smiled. "I am here on loan specifically for Overwatch. I doubt I will leave this facility often, and that is fine. My work is my life, and if my work saves others or improves lives, it is fine. I don't have much time left anyway."
"What is that supposed to mean?" Admiral Hipper almost demanded in a tone.
"It doesn't matter," Annabelle said as she turned to Duke of York and grabbed the syringe off the table. Let us begin these samples and first tests. We cannot even begin without them, so hold still," she then looked to Max with a small grin. "Get on that machine. I will walk you through how to use it. Even if we cannot do many tests today, I will make sure they are ready to be done one way or another.
"Understood, thank you kindly," Max said as he booted p the machine in question, earning surprised looks from both Admiral hipper and Duke of York. "What?"
"I'm just, surprised you're doing as she says so easily," Admiral Hipper said.
"Yes, Tis strange considering thine prior disdain of the Royal Navy's simple requests in past."
"First, Fuck the royals, especially the nobles and all of you who act like them," Max said as he held up a finger, then raised a second one. "Secondly, Miss Shreidder here is well respected and it's clear she will not put up with bullshit. Which suits me just fine."
"Good, then let's get to work. I do have interest in some of the other projects after all," Annabelle stated with a smile as she pulled he syringe out of Duke of York's arm and tapped it, making sure there were no bubbles. "Hopefully we have time to look into all these lovely little projects before we are interrupted."
"Is it truly smart for thou to jinx us such?"
Annabelle just smiled grimly.
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"Are the preparations complete, Royal?"
Ark Royal turned her Blazing blue eye to Queen Elizabeth. Her current Queen and one of the leaders of their burgeoning and suffering force. She did not smile, but her tone had a strange hope to it. "I have finished the mapping of the location, as well as a plant output location. I was going to look for you for suggestion to whom to bring with actually."
"Take Hunter, Sheffield and Princeton with you. Four should be more than enough for this mission I would think."
"May I request Scharnhorst as well?"
"I suppose there is no harm in it if she is not busy," Queen Elizabeth said with a shrug. "Just make sure the mission is a success. We cannot afford to allow the Sirens to claim dominion over yet another Timeline."
"Of course. I shall utterly destroy their tool, and anyone effected by it," Ark Royal said with barely contained glee.
"Excellent. Good hunting."