In the vast expanse of the open seas, far from the shores of Hashirajima, a formidable fleet of ships sailed serenely along. A diverse array of vessels, from nimble destroyers to towering battleships, glided through the water with unwavering precision.
At the heart of this mighty armada lay the formidable Vanguard. Her majestic silhouette, crowned by sixteen massive 16-inch cannons, commanded the respect of both friend and foe alike. Despite her cold and aloof exterior, Vanguard possessed a warm and caring nature that endeared her to her fleet, known as the Second Oriental Fleet of the Fleet of Fog.
The Fleet, consisting of numerous formidable warships, set course for Sabtang Island with a resolute mission: to thwart the Siren Fleet's impending invasion.
Intelligence from the Supreme Flagship, Yamato, had alerted them to a significant concentration of Siren vessels converging on the island. This had sent ripples of alarm through the Philippine Navy, as they lacked the necessary Ship Girls to engage in combat with the powerful enemy force.
As a last resort, Admiral John William reached out to the Fleet of Fog, an enigmatic alliance of warships with advanced technology and the ability to manifest sentient Mental Models. With a mixture of trepidation and hope, he implored their assistance.
Yamato listened attentively to Admiral William's plea and agreed to extend aid, but not without a condition. In exchange for their intervention, the Philippine government would have to permit the Mental Models to roam freely within Manila, the country's bustling capital. Admiral William and the government, eager to secure the island's defense, consented to this request.
Thus, the Fleet of Fog embarked on their journey to Sabtang Island, their hulls cutting through the waves as they raced against time to protect the vulnerable Philippine shores.
Amidst the vast expanse of the ocean, Yamato dispatched the mighty Second Oriental Fleet towards the enigmatic island of Sabtang. The fleet's flagship, Vanguard, stood proudly as the heart of the armada, its powerful presence unmatched.
Accompanying Vanguard were a formidable array of vessels: the majestic Revenge and Resolution, the heavy cruisers Berwick and Cornwall, and a formidable escort of light cruisers. Leander, Ajax, Sheffield, and Liverpool sailed alongside their British counterparts, while Koln, Z11, Kidd, Afridi, Ashanti, and Bedouin added their firepower to the mix.
Twenty Codrington-class destroyers and fifteen Z5 Paul Kakobi-class destroyers completed the fleet's composition, their sleek hulls slicing through the azure waters. However, unlike their fellow vessels, these destroyers lacked the advanced mental models that granted sentience to the other ships.
As they approached their destination, Vanguard's mental model couldn't help but quip, "
(ARP)Vanguard: I never thought we'd be battling these so-called Sirens. It's like they're trying to turn off the emergency alarms with their sirens, haha!"
Revenge's mental model chuckled, (ARP)Revenge: This is our first time facing them in battle. And a good one at that. Nice attempt at humor, Vanguard."
"It's true," Berwick's mental model added. "(ARP)Berwick: This is my first time meeting Vanguard in person. I'd heard she was a bit cold, but she seems rather...animated."
Resolution's mental model simply nodded in agreement.
Vanguard's face turned a light shade of crimson as she heard their comments. (ARP)Vanguard: Oh, shut up, guys! I'm trying to access the world database."
The other mental models couldn't help but giggle at Vanguard's embarrassment. As they continued their journey, they prepared themselves for the challenges that lay ahead. The Second Oriental Fleet's mission was of utmost importance, and they were determined to fulfill it with honor.
--
With a gentle flutter, Vanguard's eyelids descended, veiling her enigmatic gaze. As darkness enveloped her vision, a brilliant transformation unfolded around her.
From her slender frame, holographic rings of deep amber hue emerged, enveloping her in a radiant aura. Within these ethereal circles, countless lines of code and streams of digital data danced and shimmered. Geometric symbols and encrypted algorithms intertwined, forming a tapestry of knowledge and power.
As Vanguard accessed the digital realm, her holographic rings pulsed with ethereal energy. They became portals through which she could traverse the limitless expanse of cyberspace. Lines of code flowed effortlessly before her, revealing the hidden workings of the virtual world.
With the touch of her fingertips on the holographic interface, Vanguard delved into the depths of information. Servers hummed with data, their endless streams of zeros and ones becoming a symphony in her ears. Algorithms yielded their secrets, unveiling patterns and insights that lay hidden to others.
As she explored the digital landscape with unwavering determination, Vanguard's presence became a beacon of technological mastery. Her mind became one with the machine, wielding the boundless power of computation and the infinite wisdom stored within the virtual realm.
Database…
Filtering unnecessary information and prioritizing political and military history…
User: Fog Vanguard, of the Fleet of Fog, Flagship of the second Oriental Fleet, of the Fleet of Fogs,
Level 7 clearance acquired…
1920: The Great War that concluded in 1918 changed the fate of various nations, the emergence of a new power; the United States of America, the collapse of the Russian Empire and it's Orthodox Church by a Socialist Revolution and the dissolution of the German Empire into the Weimar Republic, as well as the independence of satellite states that previously belonged to the aforementioned Empires.
1930: Reports of mysterious attacks spread around the world, mainly focused on commercial shipping lanes including military vessels taking the same routes.
1939: The emergence of the Sirens during the outbreak of the Second World War brought major concern to the League of Nations despite the hostilities by the Empire of Japan and Nazi Germany with Adolf Hitler's appointment as Chancellor and eventually Führer of the Third Reich few years prior.
1941: Attack on Pearl Harbor, Japan's dastardly raid brought the United States into the stage of war. The increase in Siren intervention jeopardized future naval operations in both Pacific and the Atlantic as both Allied and Axis warships had to face each other while fending off the extraterrestrial threat
1944: Nazi Germany's V2 Project had been perfected, launching strikes against the British Empire amidst the raiding by the Sirens in the North Sea and the Baltic Sea, forcing the Kriegsmarine to abandon Norway to protect the German coasts. At the same time, the Allies weren't able to retake Norway due to the Sirens who were also wrecking havoc upon their convoys heading for Murmansk, the Soviet Union's naval base of the North.
Searching for Operation Overlord within the database…
Data not found…
(ARP)Vanguard: what!!,
Assuming the landing operations never came to fruition due to the Sirens…
1945: An armistice is signed in Bern, Switzerland after a long stalemate with little changes made to the status of Europe. Nazi Germany would keep the territories it had taken, with the exception of important Russian cities like Kiev returned back to the Soviets. The Vichy France government would be recognized in Southern France while Free France remained in Africa.
(ARP)Vanguard: huh?
South-East Asia is freed from Japanese control with the condition that the United States of America continue supplying oil without any restrictions. Wake Island, the Marianna Islands would remain under the Empire while the Philippines is recognized as independent from both America and Japan; but both are able to tap into the government's affairs. Indonesia declared independence without worrying about any Dutch intervention as the Sirens expanded their dominance over the oceans while Malaysia received their very own independence with Japan's blessings, Singapore and Borneo remained under the British Empire as their frontal outpost in Asia.
Both Nazi Germany and the United States of America completed their respective nuclear projects by the end of August, prior to the undisturbed heavy water industry in Nazi-occupied Norway and the secrecy of Project Manhattan carefully orchestrated within America.
America detonated it's A-Bomb at Bikini Atoll shortly after the assembly of one bomb while Germany tested its first bomb in the Baltic Sea, the effects of the weapons were devastating and shocked the world media. The public demands that the respective projects be put down, and with pressure from Great Britain, Italy, Japan and the Soviet Union; America and Germany abandoned the projects. The ban of nuclear weapons is announced, converting them into renewable energy instead for an efficient industry.
(ARP)Vanguard: why they didn't keep it a secret form the public, Nuh, it's better without the Nuclear boom, the ocean and the environment would not be harm,
1947: Humanity gathered their warships to combat the Sirens in a full-frontal assault, resulting in massive casualties but with minimum effects against the Sirens. This would become the basis for the foundation of Azur Lane, which was founded after being pushed back to land. The Wisdom Cube was the first step into this new idea of battling the Sirens, sea-faring nations funded the research known as Project KANSEN and work began immediately while the Sirens withdrew from the shores
(ARP)Vanguard: (smile) Project Kansens Huh
1948: Project KANSEN gave birth to the shipgirls who were divided into different factions to represent their nations such as Mikasa for the Japanese Empire and Avrora for the Soviet Union, the older shipgirls were to serve first and hold the line for humanity till newer shipgirls could be called forth.
1950: The Azur Lane coalition becomes a global organization, identifying as a different faction compared to the navies of the nations they belong to. The Eagle Union, representing America. Royal Navy representing the British Empire. Sakura Empire representing the Japanese Empire. Iron Blood for Nazi Germany. Sardegna Empire for Italy. Vichya Dominion as Vichy France's representative while Iris Libre as Free France's own. And the Northern Parliament belonging to the Soviet Union. Several other minor powers would follow suit, such as known colonies within the British Empire.
(ARP)Vanguard: azur lane interesting
1960: Communications with the Soviet Union and the Northern Parliament are severed for unknown reasons, possibly from the endless Siren assaults. Research on Siren technology discovered in Iron Blood, there are suspicions of Northern Parliament conducting them too, hence their silence. Soon the Sardegna Empire and the Sakura Empire followed, leaving the remaining major powers of Azur Lane in their straight path.
1980: Iron Blood declared a new faction after leaving Azur Lane; the Crimson Axis which included the previous Axis Powers during WW2, jump-starting a brand new rivalry between the shipgirls in favor of more power than through strength of unity
1993: Ayane Catherine Caspian is born, a half-Japanese native to Hawaii when her mother moved there as a permanent settler. Due to her militaristic father, she would be enlisted into the Navy upon maturing
2000: The Eagle Union and Sakura Empire underwent various small skirmishes in the Pacific, mostly for contested territories and access to sites of interest. The Royal Navy, having to work on two fronts; abandoned Asia to keep the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean under their major control, beating back any Axis prodding while searching for any Siren presence.
(ARP)Vanguard: I need to discuss this to Lady Yamato about this stopped war among Nations,
The Sirens have gone silent for years, amounting to the emboldened attacks by Crimson Axis without intervention. Leadership figures suspect a new plot in the works by the Sirens, but defending their core territories came as first priorities.
(ARP)Vanguard: this just stopped Human, even were Protecting them, ohh wait Our job's are just to Protect the Philippines small island
2016: At the age of 23, Captain Ayane C. Caspian is chosen as the next Commander of Azur Lane, after the previous candidate; Rear-Admiral Henry Hastings rejected the position and recommended the Captain for her brilliance, as well as boldness in tactics.
Logging Out…
Vanguard's holographic rings dispersed as she returned to reality.
"(ARP)Vanguard: This merely prevented other nations from exploiting Siren technology," she stated. "They fail to grasp that its cessation will hasten their downfall. Alas, humans will always remain human."
(ARP)Revenge: "Flagship," she requested, "could you transmit this data to the Tactical Network for our enlightenment?"
"Certainly," Vanguard replied.
She proceeded to upload the information, giving precedence to political and military history. Upon receiving the data, the Mental Models were astounded by the events that had transpired in this world.
Amidst the escalating tensions, the Fleet of Fog battleship, Revenge, expressed concern over the potential involvement of both America and Japan in the internal affairs of the Philippines government.
(ARP)Revenge: "This is not their problem," Revenge exclaimed. "It should be the Philippines' problem, not theirs. We must inform Lady Yamato about this."
Cornwall, the heavy cruiser, agreed with Revenge's assessment. "Yes, you are right, Lady Revenge," she replied. "We should report this to our Admiralty code."
Resolution, one of the Fog battleships, turned to its flagship, Vanguard, and asked, "Flagship, should we intervene or continue with our objective of destroying the Siren Fleet on the Island of Sabtang?"
Vanguard, the leader of the second Oriental Fleet, responded firmly, "
(ARP)Vanguard: We will not intervene in the internal affairs of other nations. Remember that well."
All the Fog warships present acknowledged Vanguard's command with a resounding "Hai."
Vanguard then gave the order to activate the Fog Camouflage on all Fog warships, shrouding them in a thick fog that would make them invisible to the enemy fleet.
Meanwhile, at Sabtang Island
Chaos ensued as the Siren Fleet unleashed its wrath upon the island. Houses erupted in flames while others crumbled under the relentless laser beams fired from the Siren ships. Panic-stricken civilians raced for cover, desperation etched upon their faces.
But for those living along the coast, escape proved impossible. The Siren beams tore through their homes, leaving behind a grisly trail of death and destruction. People fell victim to the laser blasts one by one, their bodies mangled and lifeless.
From their hiding places, survivors watched in terror as their loved ones perished before their helpless eyes. Tears streamed down their faces as they witnessed the horrors unfolding around them. Anger surged through their veins as they cursed the ruthless Sirens.
The devastation wrought by the Siren Fleet was staggering. Buildings lay in ruins, flames licking at their skeletal remains. Smoke and ash filled the air, choking the senses and obscuring the sun.
At the heart of the Siren armada, two humanoid Sirens observed the carnage with cold indifference. Their eyes scanned the burning village, taking in the suffering they had inflicted.
Clone Tester: Hahahahaha! Run, human, run!
Clone Purifier: Hahaha! It's so much fun watching people die. Tester, look! There's a boy hiding.
Clone Tester: Where?
Clone Purifier: Right over there, hiding in that broken vehicle.
The Tester looked at the vehicle and spotted the boy hiding inside.
Clone Tester: I see him. It's time to die,
Clone Purifier: (laughs evilly) Hahahahaha!
Amidst the chaos of battle, Tester mercilessly aimed her Laser Cannon at the vehicle where the young boy sought refuge. Fear gripped his heart as he closed his eyes and whispered a desperate plea for salvation. Tester's lips curled into a malicious grin as she prepared to unleash her deadly payload.
Fate, however, had a different plan. Just as Tester was about to fire, a deafening explosion shook the battlefield. Three Corrosive Warhead torpedoes had struck her, their impact creating a spatial anomaly. Gravitational waves surged through the anomaly, corroding and freezing everything in its path. Tester's Clone was obliterated, leaving behind only a lingering trail of corrosive energy.
As the smoke cleared, Clone Purifier looked on in shock and awe. A volley of ten Corrosive Warhead torpedoes hurtled towards her, their destructive force threatening to consume her own vessel.
In the midst of the chaotic battle, the Clone Purifier met her demise. As the Siren Fleet ceased their relentless bombardment of the island, the sudden appearance of missiles left them bewildered and disoriented. The commander's demise further plunged them into confusion.
Amidst the chaos, a deafening roar pierced the air. Green photon cannons unleashed their devastating beams, vaporizing Siren Cruiser Ships in a swift and relentless assault. The enemy fleet turned to confront the source of the attack, only to encounter a thick fog that enveloped the horizon.
Back on the island, survivors emerged from the wreckage, their eyes fixed on the ominous sight unfolding before them. The fog appeared like an impenetrable barrier, casting a veil of uncertainty over the battle. However, their respite was short-lived. A blinding green beam pierced the fog and decimated a squadron of Bishop-class heavy cruisers, sending shockwaves through the survivors and the Siren Fleet alike. The battle raged on, with the fog concealing a formidable force that threatened to obliterate the Siren presence.
Siren Fleet's Response:
The Siren fleet executed an abrupt maneuver, shifting their aim in the opposite direction. Their vessels opened fire towards the other side of the fog, unleashing volleys of beams and torpedoes.
Corrosive Warhead Torpedo Attack:
From the skies above, a barrage of corrosive warhead torpedoes descended upon the enemy fleet. The torpedoes propelled themselves through the air with fiery trails, their corrosive payloads designed to pierce through the hulls of Siren vessels.
Second Oriental Fleet's Counterattack:
From the perspective of the flagship Vanguard of the Second Oriental Fleet, she observed the unfolding chaos. She detected the incoming enemy fire but noted that their Klein Field rendered the Siren beams ineffective. Swiftly, she commanded her fleet to redirect their firepower towards the enemy vessels that were engaging the island.
Ensuing Battle:
The battlefield erupted in a fierce exchange of fire as the Second Oriental Fleet charged into the fray. Their battleships unleashed their cannons, while torpedo launched salvos towards the enemy fleet.
The Siren ships retaliated with their own weapons, sending beams and torpedoes crashing against the Oriental Fleet's hulls. However, the corrosive torpedoes launched from the sky proved devastating, effectively crippling several Siren vessels.
The battle raged on, with both sides determined to gain the upper hand in the dense fog that enveloped the battlefield.
Battle Report: Operation Vanguard
Units Engaged:
(ARP)Vanguard: 20 Codrington Mass-Produced Destroyers 15 Z5 Paul Kakobi, Koln
Deployment:
(ARP)Vanguard: Codrington Destroyers engaged the Siren Fleet on the right flank. Koln and 15 Z5 Paul Kakobi engaged the Siren Fleet on the left flank.
Commencement of Attack:
Upon the arrival of Koln and the Paul Kakobi destroyers, Vanguard signaled her fleet to commence the attack.
Attack Sequence:
The Codrington Destroyers unleashed a barrage of photon cannon blasts, laser oscillations, and corrosive warhead torpedoes.
The intense bombardment shattered Siren hulls, obliterating their ships and releasing blinding fog camouflage.
The Paul Kakobi destroyers and Koln supported the Codrington Destroyers with equally devastating firepower, crippling and sinking enemy vessels.
Outcome:
The combined assault of the Oriental Fleet of the Fleet of Fog proved overwhelmingly successful. The Siren Fleet was decimated, with countless ships destroyed or disabled. The fog camouflage was lifted, revealing the battered and retreating enemy forces.
Additional Notes:
The battle showcased the formidable capabilities of the Oriental Fleet's advanced weaponry.
The coordination between Vanguard, Koln, and the Paul Kakobi destroyers ensured a swift and decisive victory.
The annihilation of the Siren Fleet marked a significant breakthrough in the ongoing war against the Fog.
Amidst the tumultuous clash between the mighty Blue and Siren fleets, a barrage of conventional projectiles hurtled from the barrels of 20 Codrington mass-produced destroyers and 15 Z5 Paul Kakobi. The light cruisers Koln joined the relentless bombardment, their salvos raining down upon the Siren armada like an unrelenting storm.
One after another, mass-produced Siren vessels fell victim to the withering fire, their hulls shattering into countless pieces. The enemy had no chance of emerging victorious against such an overwhelming onslaught.
From the bridge of the Vanguard, Flagship ARP Vanguard witnessed the swift demise of her adversaries with a sense of elation. It was her fleet's first major engagement, and they were proving their mettle with each passing moment. Holographic rings shimmered around her, and as she surveyed the tactical display, she observed the steady disappearance of enemy dots.
(ARP)Vanguard: "All Fog warships," she commanded through the comms, her voice unwavering. "Commence the clean-up operations."
Her Fleet responded in unison: "Yes, Flagship!"
--TIMES SKIP--
Amidst the deafening roar of the battle, the Siren fleet met its demise, their ships swallowed by the relentless depths of the ocean. In the aftermath, as the smoke cleared, the Mental Models witnessed a scene of devastation left in the enemy's wake.
The once-vibrant village lay in ruins, homes reduced to rubble or mere skeletons of their former selves. Ashes and debris filled the air, casting an eerie pall over the shattered community. Casualties lay everywhere, their bodies broken and bloodied. Women and children, innocent victims of the conflict, were among the most numerous casualties.
Firefighters and ambulances rushed to the scene, their sirens piercing the heavy silence. They attended to the wounded, transporting the most critical to nearby hospitals. The scenes of suffering and loss were heartbreaking, reminding the Mental Models of the terrible cost of war. This tragedy marked the third largest casualty event on the island in over three decades, leaving an unfathomable scar on its people.
--Vanguard Pov--
(ARP) Vanguard: This is terrible! A lot of people have died. Why do I feel sadness?
(ARP) Revenge: I think it's because of Lady Yamato. She wants us to feel like humans, even though we are weapons.
(ARP) Resolution: Yes, she wants us to learn human emotions. It's not a bad thing to learn human emotions, even though we are weapons and mental models.
(ARP) Vanguard: You're right, but we are still weapons. Our job is to protect the Philippines from the enemy Sirens.
(ARP) Revenge and Resolution: Yes, Lady Vanguard.
(ARP) Vanguard: Good. Our Supreme Flagship has also ordered the Scarlet Fleet to find Saint Paul in the Pacific Ocean for an unknown reason.
(ARP) Revenge: (confused) Wait, Saint Paul is in the middle of the Pacific Ocean?
(ARP) Resolution: How on earth did she get there anyway?
(ARP) Vanguard: I don't know. It's not our problem. Let's focus on our objective.
(ARP) Revenge and Resolution: Yes.
Vanguard Holographic Screen:
The holographic screen aboard the (ARP)Vanguard blinks to life, displaying four vessel icons on its radar.
(ARP)Vanguard (Voiceover): "Attention all vessels. The Philippine Coast Guard is en route to assist injured personnel."
Scene: Coast guard arrives at an island ravaged by a disaster.
Actions:
Ships move to clear the way for the coast guard. People on the island observe the coast guard's arrival. Small boats drop from the ships and head towards the shore. Boats land and people rush towards the wounded. Some people head towards collapsed houses to search for survivors.
Focus on News Crew:
Vanguard spots five people running towards the wounded. Two men carrying equipment identified as news crew from GMA News. Lessa is a newcomer to news reporting. Despite warnings from her seniors, Lessa's instincts led her to the island. News crew begins setting up their equipment for filming. Lessa prepares herself by clearing her voice and doing vocal exercises.
Smiling at the camera, Lesa signaled to her film crew to begin filming. The live video feed was streaming online and on television. Don't ask me how she managed to sway the producers; she had her own methods, and now we were here. The camera panned to the burning houses in the background.
Lesa: "With immense sadness, I welcome you all to this broadcast. Today, we stand on the shores of Sabtang to witness the devastation of a village near the coastline.
As she spoke, she gestured behind her, and the camera zoomed in on the burning houses that continued to blaze.
Lesa: "As you can see, numerous houses, cars, and trucks are engulfed in flames. Our firefighters are valiantly working to extinguish the fire, while paramedics tend to the wounded who survived the siren attack."
Amidst the ongoing discussions, several individuals expressed their opinions online.
User 1: Expresses condolences to the families who lost loved ones.
User 2: Questions the whereabouts of the Philippine Navy's Ship Girls fleet and criticizes their lack of defense against the Siren attack on Sabtang Island, suggesting that taxpayers' money should be allocated elsewhere.
User 4: Accuses User 2 of ignorance and points out that the Philippines only has six Ship Girls due to government corruption. User 4 urges support for the Navy instead of criticizing them.
User 3: Expresses pessimism about the situation, stating that rampant corruption in the nation prevents meaningful action from being taken.
Apart from the usual arguments there were also videos that streamed live to the internet the burial of the first hundred people who were found, A trumpet rings in the distance as everyone puts their hands to their chests.
The heavy cruisers Berwick and Cornwall, and the light cruisers Leander, looked with regret at the graves of many men and women who loved their country. They had been killed because the cruisers had arrived too late.
If they had arrived sooner, this tragedy could have been avoided. However, they still managed to save many lives, which brought a deep sense of regret to their hearts.
So the three mental models created their own platform using their nanomaterial. They walked to the transparent platform leading to the beach. Once the three mental models stepped onto the sand, they walked towards the wounded civilians, passing close to the news crews who were doing their jobs.
A member of the film crew noticed three girls approaching the wounded people. He quickly signaled to Lesa to turn around. When she did, she saw three mysterious girls observing the paramedic staff.
Lesa approached the individuals while all cameras were trained on them.
"Hello," Lesa said.
"Huh?" Berwick, Cornwall, and Leander responded.
The three girls turned to face Lesa, a young woman holding a microphone. Lesa "Excuse me," she inquired, " are you the ones who defeated the Siren Fleet?"
(ARP)Berwick: "Yes," she replied. "We are the ones who destroyed those weak ships. They are nothing compared to the mighty Fleet of Fog."
Before she could complete her sentence, Cornwall slapped Berwick. This action startled Lesa, the film crew, and viewers watching online.
(ARP)Cornwall: Sorry for my sister's behavior. Sometimes she slips out like that. Anyway, we should introduce ourselves. Sister, you go first.
(ARP)Berwick: Fine. Hello, you weak... I mean, people online. I'm Berwick, a first-class County Class heavy cruiser of the Fleet of Fog. Nice to meet you.
(ARP)Cornwall: My turn! Hello, I'm Cornwall, a second-class County Class heavy cruiser of the Fleet of Fog. Hello, hello!
(ARP)Leander: Hi everyone, I'm Leander, a first-of-class Leander light cruiser of the Fleet of Fog. Nice to meet you! Sorry if we...
Leander struggled to complete her sentence, and Cornwall offered to finish it for her. But before she could do so, a young maidenly figure in her late teens emerged. The girl had blonde hair, blue eyes, and was clad in a maid's outfit, her ample bosom contrasting with her status as a Fog battleship like the others present.
(ARP)Vanguard: "Berwick, Cornwall, Leander, return to your ships," a voice commanded. "I shall conclude this conversation. We will then continue our patrol of the area. Is that understood?"
"Yes, ma'am!" responded Berwick, Cornwall, and Leander in unison.
The three mental models retreated to their respective ships, while Vanguard turned her gaze to the people before her. Lesa and the film crew watched her intently.
"My apologies for that interruption," Vanguard said.
"It's alright," Lesa replied. "Please, continue."
(ARP)Vanguard: Greetings, internet viewers. If you're watching this, we of the Fleet of Fog extend our apologies to the Philippines for our tardy arrival at Sabtang Island. We received the news of the situation belatedly, and despite our maximum speed of over 60 knots, we were unable to arrive sooner. However, despite our tardiness, we succeeded in arriving and vanquishing all Siren vessels. On behalf of the Fleet of Fog, we offer our heartfelt condolences to the families, friends, and loved ones of those who perished in the Siren attack. Excuse me now, as I must return to my vessel and report this to my Supreme Flagship. Farewell.
As she walked towards her ship, the incident left Lesa, her film crew, and the viewers stunned.
Meanwhile, in the Pacific Ocean, a massive fleet sails towards the horizon. At the helm of the battleship Bismarck, Bismarck confers with Hood, Admiral Hipper, and Belfast. News from the tactical network reveals that Saint Paul has reached New York Harbor, startling the Scarlet Fleet. Bismarck commands her fleet to set sail for New York.
(ARP) Bismarck: "This will be a challenge," she remarks.
(ARP)Hood: "Why is that?" She inquires.
(ARP) Bismarck: "We must navigate the Panama Canal," she explains, "which will be difficult as the locals will fear us."
"They'll mistake us for Sirens,"(ARP) Admiral Hipper adds.
(ARP)Hood: "So, Lady Bismarck," Hood asks, "what's our plan? Should we circumnavigate North America or attempt the Panama Canal?"
(ARP)Bismarck: "We have no choice but to go around North America," Bismarck decides. "Though the sea currents are strong, we can submerge our vessels."
(ARP)Hood: That's a splendid idea. Since we're no ordinary ship, we can sail towards there.
(ARP)Bismarck: (with a smile) All fleet, set sail towards North America. We're going around it.
Scarlet Fleet: Aye!
(Time skip, brought to you by Shokako, beating the hell out of her sister Zuikaku )
The Scarlet Fleet reached the far side undetected, drawing near to the Falkland Islands. They surged forward at 70 knots, their destination: New York.
(ARP)Hood: "Lady Bismarck?" Hood inquired. "Is something amiss?"
(ARP)Bismarck: "The sea is too quiet, Hood," she replied. "Inform the fleet to prepare for combat."
Hood relayed the order through the Quantum Communication system. The Mental Models readied their weapons. Admiral Hipper activated her enhanced sonar detection system and radar, swapping out her Super-Graviton Cannon.
(ARP)Hood: "All Fog warships are combat-ready, Lady Bismarck," Hood reported.
(ARP)Bismarck: "Admiral Graf Spee," Bismarck commanded, "deploy your sonar torpedoes ahead of the enemy submarine."
Graf Spee complied, her deck opening up to reveal not missiles but sonar torpedoes designed to detect enemy submarines.
(ARP)Graf Spee: Yes, on my deck, multiple sonar torpedo cells are open, not missiles. These torpedos can detect enemy submarines.
(ARP)Graf Spee: The sonar torpedos are ready awaiting your command, Lady Bismarck.
(ARP)Bismarck: Good.
(ARP)Second Bismarck: I believe a submarine is following us, even in this thick fog.
(ARP)Bismarck: Indeed, my counterpart. The submarine is curious, wondering why such dense fog is present. They won't be able to detect us on their sonar.
(ARP)Second Bismarck: True.
They waited for five minutes, but nothing occurred, so Bismarck ordered Graf Spee to eliminate the submarine.
(ARP)Bismarck: Graf Spee, destroy that annoying Siren submarine.
(ARP)Graf Spee: Ja, preparing corrosive warhead torpedoes.
On her stern, two missile cells opened, ready to launch.
(ARP)Graf Spee: Fire!
Two torpedoes, each armed with a corrosive warhead, launched from our missile cell and raced toward the unsuspecting Siren submarine. Seconds later, two enormous plumes of water erupted near the Siren's 5 o'clock position.
(ARP)Graf Spee: Siren submarine destroyed! She's going down!
(ARP)Bismarck: Excellent. All Fog warships, set course for New York Harbor. Full speed ahead!
Scarlet Fleet: Haii!
[Time skip brought to you by Yamato, teaching her sister Shinano how to use your aircraft's) don't ask me, Scene: Imperial Japanese Navy Base, 1945
Characters:
Yamato, the massive battleship
Shinano, Yamato's younger sister
Dialogue:
Yamato: Come, my dear Shinano. It's time for you to learn the secrets of aerial warfare.
Shinano: Yes, Oneesan. I am eager to fly like you.
Yamato: Excellent. First, you must understand the controls.
Yamato guides Shinano through the complex cockpit of her Nakajima B5N2 "Kate" torpedo bomber.
Shinano: It's so complicated!
Yamato: Do not be discouraged. With practice, you will master it.
Yamato demonstrates basic maneuvers, such as takeoff, banking, and diving.
Shinano: This is exhilarating!
Yamato: Now, let's talk about armament. The Kate carries torpedoes, which can be devastating against enemy ships.
Shinano listens intently as Yamato explains the intricacies of torpedo bombing.
Shinano: I understand. I will aim for the enemy's waterline.
Yamato: Splendid. You are a quick learner.
The two sisters continue to train together, practicing formation flying and target acquisition.
Yamato: You have made remarkable progress, Shinano.
Shinano: Thank you, Oneesan. I am ready to join the fleet.
Yamato: Very well. May you bring glory to our Imperial Navy.
As the sun sets over the base, Shinano salutes her elder sister.
Shinano: I will not let you down.] Don't ask me, tell the motherfucker Ai Grammar about this not me okay]
--
The Scarlet Fleet, a division of the Fleet of Fog, approaches New York Harbor, approximately 93.63 km distant.
(ARP) Bismarck, utilizing its Quantum Communication System, addresses the fleet: "Once we are sufficiently close, commence submersion to discreetly approach the harbor. Johnston and Sheffield, accompany me in one of my high-speed boats. Upon entering the port, we will locate Saint Paul. Is this understood?"
Scarlet Fleet: "Hai, Ja"
(ARP) Bismarck: "All Fog warships, commence submersion immediately."
Once all the Fogships submerged underwater, they began to move. On the surface of the water, a small boat sailed towards the harbor, carrying three mental models: Bismarck, Johnston, and Sheffield.
Bismarck instructed Johnston and Sheffield to change into civilian clothes to avoid suspicion at the port. Upon disembarking the boat, many workers and personnel observed the trio briefly before resuming their activities.
Bismarck and her escorts headed toward a different part of the port. They were surprised to find it remarkably crowded, with vendors lining both sides of the walkway. Shipgirls, Manjuus, and humans mingled about, purchasing goods or simply enjoying the sights. Music blared from a nearby stall, and a cheerful voice sang along. Bismarck and her companions approached the crowd, searching for Saint Paul.
(ARP)Johnston: Why are there so many people here?
(ARP)Sheffield: What's that yellow thing over there?
(ARP)Bismarck: According to my data, it's called Manjuu.
(ARP)Sheffield: Manjuu! I want to eat them!
(ARP)Bismarck: Don't even think about it.
(ARP)Sheffield: Aw.
They've been searching for Saint Paul for a while.
(ARP)Bismarck: I can't find her. There are too many people.
(ARP)Sheffield: Me too!
Then Johnston spots Saint Paul talking to three women next to a stall.
(ARP)Johnston: Lady Bismarck! I found Saint Paul! She's talking to three women next to the stall selling Manjuu!
(ARP)Bismarck: Good job, Johnston. Let's approach her.
Johnston, Sheffield: Hai
As Saint Paul noticed them approaching, Enterprise, Baltimore, and Bremerton recognized the three mental models approaching them. Once the three were in front of them, Saint Paul was shocked and horrified to see Bismarck, Johnston, and Sheffield staring at her. Enterprise initiated the conversation.
(AL)Enterprise: "May I ask if you girls need anything?"
(ARP)Bismarck: "Yes."
While staring at Saint Paul, Baltimore was about to address the Fog warships when Saint Paul suddenly spoke up.
Scene: Baltimore, Bremerton, and Enterprise are present.
Saint Paul: Lady Bismarck, Johnston, and Sheffield, what are you doing here in this world?
(AL)Baltimore and Bremerton: (surprised) Bismarck?
(AL)Enterprise: Hold on a moment.
(ARP)Bismarck: We're looking for you, of course.
(ARP)Saint Paul: Looking for me?
(ARP)Johnston: Yes. We were ordered by the Supreme Flagship to locate you and bring you back to Hashirajima base near the Scarborough Shoal.
Horrified, Saint Paul understood Johnston's words about the Fleet of Fog. It was led by the Supreme Flagship (Yamato), which commanded local fleet flagships. These flagships, in turn, issued orders to the remaining "Fog" vessels. The Supreme Flagship also had a personal guard of ships.
Saint Paul was terrified, not only to confront Bismarck, the fifth in command of the Fleet of Fog, but also because she was the second-strongest Fog warship, surpassed only by her sister, Tirpitz.
(ARP)Saint Paul: Orders from the Supreme Flagship herself?
(ARP)Johnston: Yes, and not only that, your sister is worried about you. Your older sister, Baltimore, has been concerned about your four-day absence.
(ARP)Bismarck: The Supreme Flagship requests your presence at the base. Reason unknown.
(ARP)Saint Paul: Understood. When shall we depart?
(ARP)Bismarck: Now. The Scarlet Fleet awaits outside the harbor. Failure to comply will result in the termination of your union core. Is that clear, Saint Paul?
(ARP)Saint Paul: Yes, Lady Bismarck.
(ARP)Bismarck: Good. Now, where is your ship located?
(ARP)Saint Paul: In the underground dock.
(ARP)Bismarck: Bring it to the surface.
(ARP)Saint Paul: I will need to access the dock's system first.
As they prepared to leave, Baltimore interrupted.
(AL)Baltimore: Saint Paul, listen to them.
(AL)Enterprise: They're just tricking you to lure you into a trap and sink you.
(ARP)Bismarck: Nice try, Kansens! That trick won't work on us.
(ARP)Johnston: Are you trying to copy our weapons? You don't know what Nanomaterials are. Only Fogships can use them. Once you run out, you have to come to our base to resupply. Our Supreme Flagship is the only one who can create Nanomaterials.
(ARP)Enterprise: Is that true, Saint Paul?
(ARP)Saint Paul: Yes. Baltimore, let me go. My sister needs me back at the Fogbase.
(AL)Baltimore: (sad) Fine.
She released Saint Paul's hand, and she, Enterprise, and Bremerton watched the four Mental Models disappear into the crowd. They had to explained everything clearly to their Commanders.
--Bismarck Pov--
We headed to the port from where we had seen the Saint Paul ship set sail. She departed toward the sea, while we returned to the light boat. Once we boarded it, we exited the harbor, followed by the Saint Paul.
Suddenly, a thick fog enveloped us, obscuring the entire area. Then, as the fog dispersed, the Saint Paul reappeared. We quickly jumped onto our ship and retrieved our small boat. I ordered the Saint Paul to submerge, and once we were underwater, the thick fog vanished. This left the people and workers on the port in shock, wondering how the fogship had disappeared.
--meanwhile at Commander Ayane office--
Ayane seethed with fury. "What do you mean Saint Paul vanished at the port?!"
(AL)Enterprise, responded calmly, "It's true, Commander. The dockworkers witnessed a dense fog enveloping the Fog warship. When the fog cleared, Saint Paul was nowhere to be found."
"Do you have any idea where they're headed?" Ayane demanded.
(AL)Enterprise: "Yes," She replied. "Intel indicates they're returning to their base."
Ayane: "And where is that base?" She asked.
(AL)Enterprise hesitated. "Unknown, Commander."
Ayane sighed in exasperation. "This is a disaster. Our only hope for victory has vanished. How am I supposed to explain this to our superiors?"
(AL)Enterprise spoke up, her voice tinged with concern. "What will you do now, Commander?"
Ayane: "What else can I do but report the truth? Saint Paul is gone," Ayane replied grimly. "Enterprise, you are dismissed."
Enterprise (AL) nodded and left the office. Ayane was left alone with her thoughts, dreading the fallout from this devastating revelation. How would the USMF and the President react to the existence of the Fleet of Fog? The implications were staggering, and Ayane knew that the future of the war hung in the balance.
