2024.

Azur Lane HQ, Eagle Union dorms.

Enterprise sits with Belfast on the sofa, telling her all she's missed since she was sunk, and how the Sirens were all sent away apart from the one who bright her back. She holds her hands and tries to keep it together.

"It's not healthy to keep everything in, Miss Enterprise. You can let it all out again if you feel the need to." The Head Maid softly says.

"Godammit, Bel… why do you have to do that with me?" Enterprise asks.

"Hmm?" Belfast responds.

"The whole 'Miss' thing… I've told you so many times you don't need to be so professional with me. We've been through so much…" the Carrier falls silent for a moment, "Hang on… Bel, I want you to be honest with me, okay?"

"Of course, Miss Enterprise." Bel replies.

"All these years… have you only looked after me because you were ordered to?"

"Well…" for once, Belfast starts to look nervous, but hides it again, "Yes. That was the only reason at first… but recently…" the facade drops again.

"Recently?"

"…It's not professional of me to say, but since you have stated I need not worry about that, then I hope you forgive my selfishness if I admit that… I have grown… quite attached to you, Enterprise." Belfast finally admits.

Enty smiles and says, "Bel, forget being professional, and just tell me straight. Do you have feelings for me?"

The Light Cruiser quietly nods, seeming ashamed of herself.

"Then… I hope you'll be the one to forgive me if I'm going too far with this…" she reaches into her pocket.

"Enterprise?" Belfast asks in confusion, then she gasps when she sees the small box.

"Bel… when I saw you go under the waves… I thought I lost this chance forever. I hope you understand if I feel I can't let it pass me by again. I was gonna do this when we won the battle, but I stood alone afterwards…" the Carrier says with a shaky voice. She opens the box, revealing the beautiful silver oath ring with a blue sapphire that matches Belfast's eyes. "Ever since your first day with me, getting me out of my rations phase and caring for me before, during and after I want to be with you properly, Bel. Not just as my Maid, but as my partner. Do you want the same?"

For seemingly the first time ever, Belfast is at a loss for words. Instead, she cries tears of joy and hugs her suddenly it makes Enterprise fall back and the Maid lays on top of her as they finally let out their feelings for each other.

1998.

Top-Secret Gründer Industries research centre.

"DEUTSCHLAND! STOP!" Purity pleads as the Kansen puts pressure on Dr. Morgan's throat, making him grab her hands but he's unable to fight her shipgirl strength. The Siren grabs her but even she can't seem to overpower Deutschland in her blood-rage.

Just when Morgan starts blacking out, the grip on his neck becomes incredibly weak as the second injection of Wisdom Cube energy starts running thin in the Kansen's blood. She gets drowsy and she falls onto Purity as the Siren pulls her off Morgan.

"Ugh…" Morgan clears his throat and takes deep breaths as he stands. He looks down and sees the weak Kansen still staring daggers at him, held by the Siren. "Purity."

"Yes… sir?" She looks up at him, fearful.

"Kill this fucking thing. Or you're going with it."

"What!?" Purity stares at him with wide eyes.

"We have all we need from it. I only kept it alive to appease you. Now it's too dangerous. Kill it, or I'll do it myself, and you'll be next on that table." Morgan threatens before leaving, massaging his neck.

Purity softly and quietly starts to cry, "He… really doesn't love me… I'm just another freak to him…"

The Siren starts to spiral until Deutschland raises her hand and puts it on Purity's. She weakly whispers, "Purif— Purity… I'm sorry… but we must leave this place… I'll be there for you… but first… you need to get my Cube back in my body… We can leave together…"

The Siren looks down at her, smiles and picks her up. She lays her on the table and says, "I need to find out how to access the machines. I'll give you another injection, and then I'll be back, okay?"

"Nein…"

"Huh?"

"Just… put it on top of my chest… I'll handle the rest…"

"But don't you need something to focus on? To have something you're willing to fight for in this world?" The Siren asks.

"I do." She grabs Purity's wrist, "I have… you… my friend…"

The Siren smiles and runs into the other room to get the Cube.

Mount Lambert.

An Allied Forces C-5 carrying a rescued VIP comes under fire from Rebel Forces. The VIP in question had been captured by the Coup and the subsequently rescued by special forces. Luckily, Scarface Squadron has responded to their distress call and forms up with the transport.

"So, you must be Phoenix. Do you copy?"

Nagase answers for him, "He does. He doesn't say much."

Acknowledging the response, the pilot continues, "This is transporter Dryman. We're currently escorting a government VIP, but our celebrity has got some pretty determined… 'groupies', if you will. We're counting on you to escort us to the safe zone."

An enemy F-14D appears along with an entire squadron of interceptors. Unnerving Phoenix at first, but once he sees it's not the ZOE aircraft, he throttles forward to protect Dryman.

"Retreating target spotted. Move in to attack." The Tomcat pilot orders.

Keynote warns, "Incoming Rebel aircraft. Stay sharp, Phoenix."

"Are there any of those drones around, sir?"

"Negative. Just Tomcats, Harriers and

"Escorts? Pathetic. Shoot them down." A very misinformed Rebel pilot radios.

After shooting down the first F-14D, Phoenix gets addressed by Keynote, "Good job, Phoenix. Don't let them near the transporter."

An enemy Harrier pilot orders, "Don't let them out of our airspace alive."

Seeing additional red blips appear on his radar, Dryman yells, "Damn, more of them!" He sees Scarface Squadron dancing around the enemies and picking them off before they can get Dryman into their weapons envelopes. He radios Phoenix, "You're as good as I heard! I'll fly this thing with everything I've got!" He calls out to his comrades and the VIP on his plane, "We've got a Phoenix watching our backs!"

An enemy pilot reminds the rest, "That hostage may have learned vital military intel on our forces! Take them down at all costs!"

A more sadistic Rebel pilot yells out at Dryman, "Run while you still can!"

Another squadron engages the transport and Dryman yells out, "Damn, they're laying on the heat! I'll make sure our special guest here covers the bill! We're halfway to the safe zone! Keep going!"

Scarface Squadron continues to dominate the airspace and protect the transport.

As the last Harrier is shot down, Keynote delivers an update, "More reinforcements! Four hostiles spotted in front of Dryman!"

Phoenix looks ahead of the transport and sees a squadron of four F-15 Strike Eagles bearing down on it. He and Nagase loop around to intercept them.

"Who the hell is that firebird!?" On of the F-15 pilots demands.

"Must be their ace pilot! I'll put him in his place!" An overly confident member claims as he changes his target to Phoenix, right before he's shot down by the firebird himself.

The remaining three remain focused on Dryman as Scarface Squadron chase them down.

Edge yells out, "Phoenix! Move!"

Scarface 1 rolls out of the way as Scarface 2 unleashes 3 of her four XMA4s, downing all the remaining F-15s before they can start their attack on Dryman, earning an approving thumbs-up from her flight lead after forming back up with him.

"All Rebel aircraft destroyed." Keynote confirms, "No other threats detected in the vicinity."

"We owe you our lives, Scarface. You're both just as good as I've heard." Dryman radios, "I'll tell the men about you once we get back to base, let 'em know we got a Phoenix on our side. Certainly gives us an… Edge, huh? Hehe… Now to get our celebrity home safely. Thanks, Scarface Squadron!"

Usean Allied Forces airbase.

Once Scarface Squadron had landed, Keynote informs, "The government VIP has informed us that the Rebels are planning a large-scale attack. Numerous warships with Kansen have started gathering at a base in the Spring Sea…"

Skully Islands Archipelago, Spring Sea.

Arquette, holding a picture of her sister Kinnear, takes a deep breath. She tastes the sea air and it calms her. Mourning, it seems, won't be easy, but she just focuses on her mission for now. She only hopes that her other, still Allied sister can see why the Rebels are the side to be on and join her soon. She stands on her Carrier's bridge alongside many of her fellow Kansen, overlooking the former Allied Forces 2nd Fleet, having switched sides when the Coup d' état began.

Behind them a portal opens and put step the Observer and the Empress, who the Kansen all immediately kneel to. Arquette speaks on behalf of them all, "Arbiter! I have gathered the Fleet here, awaiting your command!"

The Empress smiles, "Ah, good to see some people know how to show the proper respect. Observer." She looks at her counterpart, who just rolls her eyes.

The smaller Siren mutters, "I can't stand bootlickers…" she dismissively moves to the edge of the flight deck to check on the fleet itself.

The taller ignores her and orders, "Rise, Kansen, Arquette, where is your ace squadron?"

"Calling them up to deck now, Arbiter." The Carrier responds. In a matter of minutes, the ace pilots run onto the flight deck and line up with salutes.

The Empress looks them all over. "Ah, here you are. USEA Unified Navy, Second Fleet Carrier Air Wing, Cocoon Squadron. Quite a mouthful, human naming conventions are so annoyingly complicated. Now, then. I'm sure you have all heard of Scarface Squadron, correct?"

They all nod.

"Good. Then you should know what to expect. I have had enough of failures due to their interference. I will not stand for any more incompetent fighter pilots. You'd better impress me by shooting them both down. If not, you may as well just crash yourself into the ocean or let yourself by his next target. You will never set foot back on this flight deck or the lane itself unless Phoenix and Edge are dead. The same goes for you Kansen. Does everyone udnerstand?" The Empress asks.

After a series of mild acknowledgements, the Siren arms her rigging and bellows, "I SAID DOES EVERYONE UNDERSTAND!?"

She revives a unified, "YES, EMPRESS!" from everyone present.

"Good! Now you pilots get your asses in the air for a CAP and all Kansen return to your vessels!" The Empress orders. "They're coming here… I'm sure of it…"

As it will soon turn out, she couldn't be more correct.

2024.

Azur Lane HQ, Akashi's lab.

Admiral Hipper had noticed something strange about Yorktown and Hornet since they were resurrected. Their clothes were different and something about them seemed off.

Then she realises from analysing their data. She calls Akashi over.

"What is it, nya?" The green kitty asks.

"Some of the Schiffsmädchen we brought back… it appears the Compiler have them some upgrades, too…"

"What do you meown (mean), nya?" Akashi asks further.

Hipper shows her the screen, "Yorktown and Hornet… their combat data doesn't match up with Enrterprise anymore… they match up with…"

"Essex-san, nya?"

"Ja. They're both now Essex-classes. Akashi, can you bring in Herr Oberstleutnant Bishop?" Hipper requests.

"Hai!" Akashi runs out to go get him, despite having a radio to call him.

Sighing, and assuming Akashi will probably just try and charge the man for running to get him or something, Hipper analyses the other revived Kansen to see if her developing theory holds water.

1998.

Spring Sea, south of Usea.

Herne reports, "Sir, my radar's picking up a huge fleet at the Skully Islands… it's the Usean Second Fleet!"

Captain Torres looks at her, "The fleet that defected!? What the hell are they all doing there?"

"No idea, sir. It looks like they're planning an attack or something. What should we do?"

"I knew I should've brought at least Tanager and Geofon with us… it would take too long for them to get here and we can't do much against a Carrier Task Force, even with our new tech. For now, engage the stealth device we got from that black Destroyer and stay off their radar. For now, we watch them." Torres replies.

"Yes, sir!" Herne salutes.

2024.

Azur Lane HQ, Akashi's lab.

The Fleet Admiral and Lieutenant Colonel Bishop both enter the lab with a dejected Akashi, disappointed at them refusing to pay her a "messenger's fee."

"You have something to report, Admiral Hipper?" The higher-ranking officer asks.

"Ja. I need to ask Oberstleutnant Bishop something important." The Cruiser responds.

Bishop steps forth and responds, "What is it, Miss?"

Blushing a little from the respect he's showing her, she asks, "In your world… what happened to Yorktown?"

"Well, luckily for you, I'm a bit of a history nut." Warwolf 1 chuckles. He continues, "At the Battle of Midway, the USS Yorktown was heavily damaged by the IJN Hiryuu, then she was finished off by the Japanese Submarine I-168."

"I see… what about Hornet?"

"Hornet survived Midway, but she was bested in the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands. It was quite a mess, from what I read up on." Bishop answers. "It wasn't the US Navy's greatest moment, that's for sure."

"So what happened to them afterwards? Their names, I mean? Were there any other ships named after them?" Hipper further asks.

"As a matter fact, yeah. The USS Essex had a helluva lot of sisters. The newer Hornet and Yorktown were built as the same class soon after their Yorktown-classes had sunk." The man replies.

"Interesting… so that's why…" Hipper mutters.

"What's the point of this alternate history session, Admiral Hipper?" The Fleet Admiral asks, growing impatient.

Sounding rather annoyed, Hipper swiftly answers, "The point is, Herr Kommandant, is that we may have finally had a breakthrough on the Mark II Rigging Project…"