Intermission 3
September 16th, 2023 - Early afternoon, Sakura Empire's Akitsushima Island: Imperial Navy District.
Naval District Headquarters, inside a meeting room on the third floor.
"So, any questions?" Admiral Yang Wen-li asked, looking around at the gathered admirals, government officials, and special envoy from the Britannian Royal Islands after finishing his report on the battle against the Sirens a week earlier.
"So, just to summarize," the Britannian special envoy began. "Before you even arrived, the Sirens were already engaged in battle with a second, seemingly independent, Commander and his fleet, were then encircled once you linked up with theme to work together to break said encirclement, and then proceed to wipe them out until two Siren Elites arrived? Two Siren Elites who, according to your report, took on several of your forces while you and the other Commander moved into position to launch a successful surprise pincer attack using your respective ACSC's main ether cannons?"
Yang Wen-li nodded. "That's right. Really, if any one element of the battle went wrong at all during that battle, I doubt we would've succeeded, much less survived. Frankly, I'm amazed we pulled such a snap maneuver at all."
The Britannian special envoy nodded. "I can imagine. Still, there was another faction present at the battle, yes?"
"It's as Your Highness says," Yang confirmed. "I can't say for certain who it was that intervened at the end of the battle, but it was because of them that the two Siren Elites ended up critically damaged before they managed to successfully retreat."
"I see," the special envoy, one Lelouch vi Britannia, said. "By the way, Admiral Yang?"
"Yes, Your Highness?"
"Do you think it was the META?"
...
"...I suppose I shouldn't be surprised that the Royal Island's 'Black Prince' would know about the META," Yang replied with a shrug and shake of his head. "Though your asking does confirm a few things."
"Hahaha! You flatter me, my dear Unbeatable Magician! At any rate, seeing as there really isn't anything to gain from keeping secrets from each other about such matters. Yes, the META have made contact with us and those still fighting in Europa and elsewhere as well. However, unlike what you described in your report, they've refrained from directly interfering so far, which makes this incident quite noteworthy, unprecedented even, considering their general but strict tendency to not interfere in our battles with the Sirens. That being the case, you can understand my wanting not to dance around the issue."
Yang Wen-li nodded. "Fair enough. And I imagine what you really want to know is, 'why' they acted then?"
"Just so. And I do believe that your thoughts on the matter are similar to my own in that regard? At least, based on the information we currently have, that is."
"I take it you're talking about the presence of the second Commander?"
"Precisely. So? What are your thoughts about the possible connection between this Liam and the META."
"Frankly, there's simply just not enough information to draw anything conclusive yet but, based on some of the oddities about that battle, then I'd say the chances of Liam being a key factor are higher than not. That being the case, unless and until we can confirm it with the META themselves, it'll best we try not to make any assumptions."
Lelouch nodded, not finding any fault with Yang's logic. "Agreed. Now then, aside from what you've already told us, what are your thoughts about this new and largely still unknown fleet, specifically?"
Yang, for his part, took a moment to briefly put his thoughts in order before answering. Meanwhile, the other gathered admirals and government officials wondered if they even needed to be present or could go ahead and just leave everything up to these two genius monsters. Then, after another minute or two and before said officials could further wallow in their perceived uselessness...
"Well... Considering my forces only fought one battle with them, I don't know how much of what I'm about to say will even be useful, but I think that alone speaks volumes of how great I think their potential really is."
"...Ohoh? That high hm?"
Yang nodded. "I think so, yes. I actually learned that the battle I reported on was only their second real battle against the Sirens after coming online. In fact, their first battle was held the day before that battle we fought together in."
"...That, sounds a little hard to believe, even if they are shipgirls," one admiral finally spoke up.
"Be that as it may, it's true. After all, not only did my forces fight alongside them, but we were even given a copy of the combat logs from that first battle in exchange for some of our own combat logs to help them better prepare for future encounters. Don't worry, that's standard practice between shipgirl Commanders after working together in a battle like we did," Yang explained.
"Speaking of the new Commander. What was your impression of him, as a fellow Commander yourself I mean," a random government official asked, wanting to at least contribute something to the conversation.
"To be honest, considering the fact that not only was he just a normal civilian before somehow finding his fleet, but then fought the Sirens twice practically back to back after just setting out, I'd say Liam is both incredibly lucky and has a great deal of potential as a Commander humself. If nothing else, he is someone who is very flexible and can adapt quickly to the absurd situations around him. Personally, I'm looking forward to seeing how far he'll go as well as working with him again in the future," Yang said with a slight smile. "All else aside, I think that having a wild card like him around will certainly keep things interesting."
"Speaking of, you said that he and his fleet plans to come to the Sakura Empire soon, yes?" Lelouch asked, a slight scheming light in his sharp, violet eyes.
Yang nodded. "He did, yes."
"Well then, I suppose that means I'll have to extend my stay then," Lelouch calmly said. "I'm very eager to meet and speak with this Liam myself. Besides, my getting to stay longer will make Kaguya happy too, so there's that."
"Ah, Lady Sumeragi," Yang nodded in understanding. "She has been very busy lately too, so I'm sure she'll be happy to hear about the change of plans too."
"Indeed. It's always wonderful when things line up like this," Lelouch said with a light chuckle. "Well, at any rate, let's work on setting up plans for whatever else the future has in store for us between now and when our guests arrive, shall we?"
xxx xxx xxx
September 16th, 2023 - Early afternoon, Outer Heaven
"So, to what do I owe the pleasure, hm?" Clemenceau asked after being invited to Akashi and Metis' personal research lab.
"Well... we wanted to give you some access privileges to the island's central databases and ask a really, really big favor from you nya!" replied the cat eared verdette.
"...Oh?" 'That, sure wasn't the answer I was expecting.'
"Hai nya! See, Metis-chan, Shikikan and I talked it over after looking through the skills assessment file you filled out a few days ago and felt that you're just the sort of shipgirl we'll need if we want to stay one step ahead of the Sirens or anyone else that might want to get in our way in the future nya."
"Specifically, what we want is for you to form and lead Outer Heaven's intelligence and counter-intelligence division," Metis clarified after she finished generating Clemenceau's personalized database access key.
"...I, see," Clemenceau said as she finished processing just how big a request they were asking of her "But are you sure you want me for the job though?".
Metis nodded. "Like Miss Akashi said, we felt that you had both the right skills and mindset to handle such a task. Besides, this is something we need set up as soon as possible, especially in preparation for the upcoming trip to the Sakura Empire."
"I take it you want me to use my 'Tribunal System' then," Clemenceau stated more than asked as she summoned the namesake, ornate staff to her hand. "After all, it's the only reason I can think of on why you would ask such a huge and unreasonable favor from me."
"Would you believe us if we said it was actually because of that sharp mind of yours first and foremost?" Metis asked back.
Clemenceau giggled. "I would, but I also know we wouldn't even be talking if I didn't have the Tribunal System either, at least not under these circumstances."
"That's fair. Alright, after Miss Akashi and I finish purging the old system access routes and install Outer Heaven's new security protocols, we'll be teaching you everything you'll need to know to help you get started," Metis explained.
"Don't worry nya! Metis and I prepared a ton of notes you can use so it shouldn't take you very long at all to get started," Akashi added. "You're welcome by the way nya!"
Clemenceau simply gave the petite cat eared verdette a mock bow. "And I thank you for all the hard work you've put in, heehee~"
xxx xxx xxx
Training simulation room number 3.
"...So this is what the inside of the Liberty's bridge looks like...!" Fuu observed in a quiet voice.
"Wow! So many buttons! Are Natsuha and the others really going to learn how to use these from the maid big sisters?" asked the strangely childlike, twintailed blonde.
"...My my. Someone's excited," Sheffield noted with a slight smile at the violet eyed doll's enthusiasm. "At any rate, I think I'll get along with Miss Hibari. Enterprise, Miss Fuu's all yours. And Sirius... just, keep an eye on Miss Natsuha since you're the most suited for handling the hyper/troublesome ones. Also, this is just a light, introductory session since they've got training tomorrow."
"...Ye, yes!" Enterprise squeaked out before heading over to join Fuu.
"Leave Miss Natsuha in this humble Sirius' hands!" replied the somewhat overeager maid before turning to her charge.
xxx xxx xxx
Outer Heaven, beach.
"..."
Staring off into the ocean and blue skies ahead of her, Vichya Dominion battleship Flandre, in all her stoic and petite silver haired glory, continued to try and fulfill the first 'order' her beloved Commander gave her after coming online: get some fresh air and really take in the world around her while getting to know her fellow fleet sisters. Incidentally, she wasn't alone right now either.
"...The sea breeze. It feels, nice," Northern Union destroyer Tashkent observed, finally breaking the silence that had been going on for a little while now.
"Yes. It is," Flandre replied. "And it has, the faint smell of salt as well. How, mysterious."
"Well, we are by the ocean, are we not?" Vichya Dominion aircraft carrier Joffre asked back, joining in on the conversation.
"What I meant was, the fact that we are born knowing that fact despite never having experienced it," Flandre clarified. "I just find it a little hard to believe when you actually stop and think about it."
"...Perks of being a shipgirl I guess," Tashkent lazily said.
Flandre nodded in agreement, not seeing any other explanation for it either. "Yes. I suppose so."
"Perhaps," Joffre halfheartedly agreed as well, not really the type to question those sorts of mysteries herself.
"...You are putting wwaayy too much thought into it," Tashkent sniped before letting out a little yawn. "No need to be so serious about htis stuff, right?"
"...Maybe, maybe not," Flandre replied noncommittally and deciding to change the subject for now instead. "So then, should we go find someone to talk to? To 'make more friends'?"
"Oui. Also, I'm also curious to learn more about tomorrow's training simulaton," Joffre said.
"...Ugh, speaking of which. Somehow, I got stuck on the simulation's decoy team...! And here I was hoping to take it easy for a little longer too...!" Tashkent lazily whined. "Well, whatever. As long as Dear Comrade spoils me rotten when it's over, then I guess I can put in some effort. Just a little anyway.'
...
"Wait. Didn't you just wake up with us today though? How are you already taking part in tomorrow's simulation?" Joffre asked.
"Because I lost a game of rock-paper-scissors with Laffey, that's why... Damn lucky, lazy oxy-cola obsessed bunny...! And what's worse is that Dear Comrade even approved it! Said it'd be good to see what I could do..."
"...Then, do you think the Commander would let us take part too then?" Flandre suddenly asked.
"Huh? Uh, maybe? I think it's kinda too late but I guess it wouldn't hurt to ask...?" Tashkent replied, a little unsure.
Flandre nodded, now with a sudden fire in her eyes. "Then let us go find him! And it would be the perfect opportunity to get to know the others as well!"
"Oh, I hadn't thought of it like that," Joffre admitted with a nod. "True, it might be too late, but it really is too good a chance for us to pass up."
"...Seriously? Well, since I have to be there either way I guess it couldn't hurt to try."
xxx xxx xxx
On the seas south of Outer Heaven.
"...Are you fucking kidding me...!?" half shouted Di, captain of the small, high-speed transport 'Gracie' out on what was supposed to be a routine delivery job as he watched countless smaller boats filled with armed gunmen surrounding them. "Pirates? Really!?"
Sadly, even without the ever present and overwhelming threat of the Sirens, humanity's greatest enemy... was still, as it was and likely ever will be, humanity itself.
"Dammit! Were they waiting for us, or was there an info leak? No, it doesn't matter. ...Fuck! Of all the...!" Di cursed as he tried to come up with a way out of this situation in as close to one piece as he could manage. "Van!"
"Captain?" asked his first mate named Van.
"...Put the medicine in the hidden safe under our other cargo and make sure everyone's got their guns ready. Just in case..."
"...Aye aye, captain."
- Southern, outermost perimeter of Outer Heaven's territorial waters -
With Outer Heaven's first ever patrol fleet.
"Hm?"
"Sara-san? What's wrong?" Azuma asked, noticing the petite pinkette and fleet leader suddenly stop and quirk her brow for some reason.
"...One of the outer perimeter surveillance drones I sent out earlier was just shot down, but that's not really the issue," Sara began as she brought up a holo-screen of the feed from said drone. "There's a ship being attacked just outside our assigned patrol route."
"Sirens?" Algerie asked.
Saratoga shook her head. "...No. Pirates."
"..P, pirates...!?" Unicorn shakily repeated, clutching Uni tightly to her chest.
Saratoga grimly nodded, now in her 'serious' mode. "Yeah, pirates."
"Ara, a large force?" Taihou asked.
"About a dozen or so small high-speed craft, each manned by four to five armed humans. They've currently got a larger high-speed cruiser surrounded, probably a cargo ship," Saratoga reported.
"So? are we gonna help them?" Hatsuzuki asked, eyes brimming with expectation. "I mean, we probably should right?"
"...B, but! They're humans too, right...? Should, should we really get involved?" Unicorn asked, not at all comfortable with with the idea of hurting other humans even if they were pirates.
"Well, I don't particularly care if they're humans or not, the scum, but the real issue is that all of this is happening outside our assigned patrol route," Taihou pointed out before looking at their fleet leader. "So? What will you do, Sara-chan?"
Saratoga frowned, not at all liking this situation. Still, it didn't take her long to come to a decision. After all, even if they were made to fight Sirens, that didn't mean she herself could personally ignore this either. "...I'm the leader so, whatever happens, it's on me."
"You sure?" Taihou asked one last time even as she got her rigging's guns ready while manifesting her trademark tessen.
"...Yeah. Besides, protecting humans is why we exist in the first place, right? Plus, the Commander and Miss Metis said that, as long as it's nothing too crazy, then we're free to act as we see fit while on patrol."
"Well, taking out some pirate filth shouldn't be too tough," Taihou said with a cold fire in her eyes and a sweet but not at all friendly smile on her beautiful face.
"...Remember, we can't kill them," Saratoga reminded.
"...Hai, hai. Scum or not, they are still humans. I know, I know."
"...Well, if nothing else, this'll be a good test of how much we can really do with a severe handicap, non?" Algerie noted.
"Oh, that's true! And I mean, we're probably gonna have to deal with more situations like this in the future, right? Valuable data and all that! Plus, saving that cargo ship means more head pats from Shikikan!" chirped the ever simple Hatsuzuki.
"...Head pats! Big Brother will give us head pats if we do a good job...!"
"Not to mention, they'll owe us," Taihou added. "We are mercenaries after. Good deeds and all taht aside, we still need to make a living too, so hai, two birds with one stone~"
"All valid points," Saratoga agreed, feeling a lot better about her choice after hearing everyone's thoughts. "Oh, but make sure to record everything for the report. Alright, let's go and beat us up some pirates!"
- Back with the crew of the surrounded Gracie -
"...Tch!" 'These bastards are smart. Instead of rushing us all at once they're trying to wear us down by hitting us in waves while we're surrounded and can't move... Shit.'
"...Ca, captain!" called out Van first mate in a slightly panicked voice.
"Hm, what?"
"...More ships sighted coming in from behind us...!"
...
"What did you say!? Are you fucking kidding me!? Are they more pirates?!"
Van shook his head. "Unknown. But whoever they are, they're coming in fast, like really fast! Counting six small unknowns!"
However, before Di could comment any further or ask anything else, a loud boom could be heard from outside, forcing both he and his first mate to see what was going on.
"...Captain! Look!" Van said, pointing to one of the now heavily damaged and sinking pirate ships and its crew floundering about and hanging on for dear life using whatever they could as the figure of a small girl with pink hair dashed past them like she were skating atop the ocean's surface. And it wasn't just her either, but all six of the unknowns.
"...What the..!"
"Oi, oi! Those girls! Are they shipgirls!?" one crew member said, too shocked and surprised to keep firing back at the now equally stunned pirates.
"...Shipgirls? Like the ones rumored to be in the Sakura Empire?" another crew member asked.
"They aren't a rumor," Van corrected. "You guys are new so you wouldn't know, but our last job before you came aboard took us to the Sakura Empire. And yeah, they're real. Real and under the command of the 'Unbeatable Magician' too."
"...Holy shit! You're serious? Then, then do you think they're some of his too?" asked a third crew member.
Van shook his head. "Dunno, but that doesn't matter. Right now, we just gotta make sure that none of those pirate bastards get anywhere near the ship and not get in the way while those shipgirls do their thing."
"Van's right," the captain finally said. "We can worry about those shipgirls later. For now, just get back to your posts and shoot at any of those poor bastards dumb enough to get close to us."
- With the shipgirls, five minutes after their arrival -
"...Hmph. I know I wasn't expecting much but even so, this was pathetic," Taihou muttered as she took a look at at her patrol fleet's handiwork before turning to Saratoga. "Well? What now?"
"Now? Now I think we should report in. It's too big a decision for me, so I say we leave it up to the Commander. What do you all think?"
"Um, I think so too!" Unicorn shyly said. "We should definitely leave this up to Big Brother and Miss Metis!"
Hatsuzuki nodded. "I agree. I mean, I wouldn't even know what to say to them. Plus, isn't that kinda thing Shikikan should take care of anyway?"
"Same here," Algerie said before adding. "Besides, if they really are a cargo ship, then maybe they can work something out."
"Oh, that's a good point," Azuma added. "Metis-san and some of the others have mentioned wanting to do just that, especially with our expedition to the Sakura Empire coming up."
Saratoga nodded. "Alright. I'll report in to the Commander. Meanwhile, the rest of you divide up into two groups to both secure the pirates and see if the ship needs anything as well as find out who they are. Oh, and be sure to keep an eye out just in case any other pirates or something might show up. Right, and ask what they want us to do with the pirates."
"What if they don't know either?" Taihou asked.
Saratoga shrugged. "Then we just leave 'em here. We've got a lot more important things to take care of than dealing with these guys, so I don't really care so long as they don't cause anymore trouble."
With a nod, the shipgirls split up with Algerie and Azuma heading to the ship while Taihou, Unicorn, and Hatsuzuki rounded up the pirates and get them all into one place. However, little did Saratoga and the others know that, because of their actions here, rumors would begin to spread about 'those legendary shipgirls'. It wouldn't to much in the beginning, but that would all change in the not too distant future thanks to a certain event in the Sakura Empire.
xxx xxx xxx
A/N:
And! That ends the latest intermission! This... actually came about while I was working on the next numbered chapter actually so yeah.
Anyway, apologies for the uber late update. It was a combination of the weather, writing chapters for other stories, and going back and editing some other older chapters... Plus, I had a pretty nasty summer cold around then too... Yeah. A lot of things line up in the most unlucky of ways... Sorry about that.
As always, I hoped you enjoyed and see you next release.