If you are reading this, hello! And welcome to my first Azur Lane fanfic. Before you continue, there are several things I would like to say about this fanfic.
First of all, despite being exposed to English from a young age and often getting good marks in English classes, it is all but a second language to me. So typos or wonky lines might happen. If you noticed, point it to me or at least give a suggestion so I can improve this fic.
Second, expect updates to be infrequent as I have a life and such could only work on this fic for about an hour every night. That also includes checking Google Maps for possible locations in London to which I planned some scenes to it as well as digging deeper into the 28 Days Later franchise including it's movies and comic books as well as YouTube videos about the Rage Virus in order to get the Infected right such as their behaviour and how they infect others.
Third, about the fic itself. Given its nature, this isn't your typical Azur Lane fanfic. Like the franchise it is inspired from, expect strong language, characters going out of character, use of alcohol, drugs and tobacco, graphic violence, PTSD, politics and of course, character deaths. If you are not into this kind of fic, you are free to click back or close the tab or window but if you are willing to try something new that no one had ever done before, then welcome aboard! Remember: Stay safe, remain vigilant of your surroundings, and most importantly, don't let the rage consumes you. Welcome to the world of Outbreak.
"Eh!? Me? Retrofit?"
"Why not, London? Your performance is quite stellar lately, so the Admiralty is pushing the recommendation to retrofit you to further push your potential." The Commander replied. "Besides, there's no harm in adding more firepower to our ranks considering how our heavy cruisers really are."
"But, why me? Are there any other cruisers in our Navy that also need retrofit?" London asked. "What about York and Exeter? They also need retrofit and they were more active in the field than me."
"Well, to be honest they were more active, but they were mostly engaged in patrol duties. You, on the other hand are often sent to take on more serious threats so experience wise you are higher on the retrofit priority list than them." King George V said.
"Well, okay, I supposed." London just breath out a sigh of relieve on knowing that she's going to be retrofitted. "Anything else I should know?"
"Nothing else. You're dismissed for now. Just tell us when you are ready for the retrofit process." Her commander replied.
1540 London Time
London looked at her phone. The screen shows the contact details of her youngest sister. She was hesitant to press the call button, but eventually mustered her courage and pressed the button. She then waited for a response and after almost 30 seconds, the call was finally answered.
"Hello? Sis? What you calling me at the middle of the night for? You doing okay back home?" Her sister's voice came out on the speaker.
0340 Perth Time
"Oh nothing, I'm fine in particular. I hope I didn't call you too late in the night Shropie." Shropshire replied back. "Sis, it's close to 4 AM here. So, what's going on? You don't normally call me this early in the morning."
"Sorry for that. Anyway, I'm just want to tell you that I just got recommendation for a retrofit."
"Oh! Wow, congratulations! So, you takin that offer?" After a short silence, London replied. "Yes Shropie, I'm taking that offer. In fact, they going to start the process tomorrow."
"Aw, wish I also have a retrofit like you. Then we can defeat our enemies together." Shropshire then heard a chuckle before her sister replied. "Well, commander said you need to be more outstanding if you want the Admiralty to take notice so if you performed better, they might give a chance."
"Anyway, sorry for calling you this late at night. Next time I check the time first before calling."
"Oh no, there's no need to apologize for that. If it was you, I don't mind picking up your call even in the middle of the night. Have you told Sussex yet?"
"Yes, I did. Basically, everyone is getting ecstatic probably because there haven't been any new cruiser in the navy getting retrofitted. Yeah, that's probably it. I think I should get going. Can't let this conversation go too long considering our time difference."
"Yeah, It's close to 4 AM now. Wish we can talk longer."
"Me too Shropie. Remind me, how's Vampire? It's been a good amount of time since both of you got assigned there."
"Oh, she's doing good. Life's kinda easy down here. We occasionally meet up with Achilles and Leander so we're not that lonely. Sometimes Prince of Wales and Repulse come over as well."
"Really? That's good. By the way I need to go now, need to ready myself tomorrow. Say hi to Vampire for me."
"Okay, bye sis!"
"Bye, Shropie!"
And with that, the call ended. London looked at the phone screen, she's been talking to Shropshire for almost 20 minutes. Which felt a little short compared with her other calls to her sister although understandable due to the time differences.
At the same time, Shropshire stared at her phone screen as well. Normally London would call her in midday, and the two sisters would have conversed on the phone for an hour or more. But she knows that the news came so suddenly that her sister decided to call her despite knowing the time difference. Just then, another voice catches her attention.
"Mmm…hey Shropie, what's going on?" Another girl woke up from the commotion that is happening.
"Oh, nothing Vampire. Just my sister, she just called me."
"London? What happened? She normally doesn't call you this early."
"Nah, she said she was going to be retrofitted tomorrow so she must be excited and called me anyway."
"London getting a retrofit tomorrow? Wow! Congrats to her."
"And she also wants me to tell you she said hi."
"Oh, okay." With that Vampire returned back to sleep.
"Well, I should go back to sleep." And Shropshire also pulled the blanket and soon she fell asleep as well.
0930
Royal Navy Retrofit Centre, Kilburn, London
"So, this is the retrofit machine?" London looked at the machine that is as large as the room she was in. Granted, the machine could retrofit three shipgirls at once.
"Yes, London. Every Royal Navy shipgirls that are recommended for retrofit were retrofitted here." Explained Perseus, the shipgirl that was put in charge of overseeing Royal Navy retrofit projects. She then explained further. "Basically, you input all the necessary items into the machine and then you'll be placed in stasis until the process is complete."
"Stasis!? How long do I have to be in there? Will it hurt?" London started asking questions but then another voice intervened.
"Nah, not at all. You won't feel anything while in stasis." London looked at the girl that said the line, Curlew. "Rather, you just feel like you were in a very long sleep."
"Yeah, London. I'm also afraid at first when the Commander said I need to undergo retrofit but after that it felt good." Another voice came. This time it's Javelin. "I know it was scary because you're in a dark, tight space while submerge in a fluid naked but once you fell asleep you won't feel anything until you wake up when the timer is up."
"Wait, I'm in there, naked!?" Learning this, London started to think twice about the whole retrofit thing. But then Perseus continued her explanation. "Don't worry, no one can see you because the tank is closed except for a small window so we can see you face. Besides, only authorized person is allowed here. Even the Commander can't get in here without written permission."
Letting out a sigh of relief knowing her privacy and dignity were unharmed, London then asked Perseus another question. "How long do I have to be in there?"
"About three days." She then asked another question. "What if someone forgot about me then?"
"Don't worry, London. This machine had a built-in failsafe should that happened. If no one releases you after twenty-eight days then it will automatically discharge you. Any other questions you want to ask?"
"No."
"Then are you ready for the procedure?" After several seconds of silence London finally replied. "Yes."
"Alright, then let's get it started then." Perseus clapped her hands together and called the staffs to begin the process. "London, would you please take off your clothing?"
London was a bit hesitant at this, and as such Perseus pointed out to a curtain stand at the corner of the room. "Javelin, could you please bring that curtain stand here so London can take her clothes off in peace." And Javelin promptly complied. "Will do!" She then brought the curtain to the front of the machine so that in a way London can immediately enter the machine once she had removed her clothes.
With the curtain surrounding her, London was confident enough to remove her clothes. After removing the last piece of clothing, she then stepped into the machine's chamber. When she went inside, she noticed a full-face mask dangling on the left and asked Perseus. "Hey Perseus, what are this mask are for?"
"Oh, I forgot to explain that to you." Perseus slightly pushed the curtains to let face in and continued her explanation. "You will be submerged in enhancement materials so you need to wear that mask. Make sure to wear it tightly." Hearing this, London asked one more question. "How do you if it's tight?"
Just then, Curlew's voice was heard. "If your mask is foggy when you breath then it's tight enough." With this knowledge, London put on the mask and adjusted it as tight as she could, sure enough she could see fog forming on the mask as she breathes. After seeing her donning the mask, Perseus asked if London was ready and she gave a thumbs up. "Alright London, I'm closing the chamber. See you in three days."
London watched as the chamber cover closes, leaving only a small window in which light came through ensuring that she wasn't in the dark. Then the chamber's interior lights turned on lighting her in light green colour. Just then the enhancement medium starts to flow in an in about two minutes it already filled up to her waist. Eventually it went up to her chest and before she knows it London was fully submerged in the enhancement medium.
In the meantime, Perseus, Javelin and Curlew prepares the material for London's retrofit. "All the necessary items ready?"
"Yes." Said Javelin and Curlew. "Now let's see." Perseus then looked at the list of items needed for the retrofit. "Thirteen T1 and T2 Cruiser blueprints, ten T3 Cruiser blueprints, twenty T3 Anti-aircraft parts and fifty T3 Gun parts. That's quite a lot." Said Perseus as she opens the item insertion slot. "Well, Admiralty must be very keen on getting all the firepower." Curlew replied while loading the blueprints into the machine. "But wonder why did the Admiralty wanted to retrofit this late? Sirens aren't much of a threat right now."
"Maybe because they thought the Sirens might come back so they want everyone to be ready?"
"Probably." Said Curlew as she continued to insert the materials. Eventually she stopped loading as a key material is needed for the next step. "Alright, we need a Bulin in here. Javelin, can you get her?"
"Will do!" Javelin then leaves the room. Moments later, she returns back with a Bulin following her. "Buli? What can I help here?" The Bulin was excited when she was called into the room. "Hello Bulin, we're having a ship undergoing retrofit here and we need your help." Hearing this, the Bulin immediately know what she was here for and became excited. "Buli! I am proud to be of your service, buli!" said her as she gave a salute.
"Alright now, Bulin, please come this way." Curlew opened a door beside the machine and the Bulin immediately enters the chamber behind the door without any hesitation. "Buli! Proud to you, buli!" said the Bulin as she saluted one last time as the door closes. Locking the door, Curlew signalled Perseus to proceed, in which she pressed a button and the machine begins to hum.
"Good job everyone. Now we just had to wait until Friday."
"Thanks Perseus but, uh... what are these extra T3 Blueprints and guns parts are for?" Javelin pointed her hand at the excess material left on the table. "Oh, that's for the last phase. It should be ready tomorrow. But I can do it on my own. Both of you can go back to base now."
"Thanks Perseus!" Both Javelin and Curlew walked out to the door but just before leaving, they noticed Perseus stayed behind. "Hey Perseus, staying behind?"
"Yeah, had to make sure the whole process goes smoothly. Besides, this is my second home now. Hadn't much of a use for healer with Siren threat dwindling down since we defeated them not too long ago. You can join me if you wanted."
"Uh, no thanks." Both Javelin and Curlew turned down the offer and immediately left. Now alone, Perseus glanced at the timer which showed how much time is left for the retrofit to complete. It only been five minutes with seventy-one more hours to go.
"Well, maybe I should make myself a cup of tea." Perseus then leave the retrofit room for the pantry, leaving London alone in the machine.
0344
Cambridge Primate Research Centre, Cambridge
A lone scientist is the only person currently manning the research lab. Tasked to keep an eye on the chimpanzees for the night, he takes his leave to go for the toilet as well getting himself a drink. As he walked out of the laboratory, he wonders if he should lock the doors but decided against it as he was the only person other than security currently on the premise and as such, he simply left the door open. As he walked away towards the restrooms, three unknown figures dashed into the laboratory.
A few minutes later, the scientist returned to the laboratory with a canned drink in his hand. But upon entering he was shocked to see three strangers wandering near the cages housing the chimpanzees. There was a brief pause as both the intruders and the scientist stared at one another. Then scientist immediately turned and sprinted to the back of the laboratory.
"Oh shit! Stop him before he informs someone!" Cried out one of the intruders and one of them, a big, burly man sprinted after the scientist, who managed to reach the intercom at the back and began to call for help.
"This is Lab Forty-Two to security, we have a break-in. Send someone here- "Before he could finish his transmission the burly catches up to him and forcibly cancelled the call, and then proceeded to drag him towards his group. The intruders removed their masks to reveal who they are: two men and a woman. The scientist then talked.
"I know who you are and I know what are you think…"
"If you don't wanna get, you best shut up and stay where you are." One of the men interrupted him, brandishing a bolt cutter to further intimidate the scientist. But the scientist continued. "Please, you have to listen to me, these chimps you lots are trying to save, are infected."
"Infected? With what?" Asked one of the men. The scientist continued. "These, these chimps were infected, it's highly contagious. They were given some kind of inhibitor..."
"INFECTED WITH WHAT!?" The second men lose his patience prompting the scientist to sigh and uttered one word. "Rage."
"What the fuck did this guy talking about, come on, let's get these cages open!" Hearing this, the scientist panicked and tried to stop them. "No, no, wait! Don't!" But he was stopped by the burly man who pinned him to a wall. "Please listen to me! They were extremely contagious! It's in the saliva! Just one bite and you'll be infected!" But the pleas fell into deaf ears.
"Say whatever you like, but we're taking away your experiment tools" Said the women. She then looked at one of the chimps in cage. "Don't worry boy, we'll get you out of this hell. You. Open the door."
"Yes, madam." The other activist uses his bolt cutter to forcibly open the cage's door. Seeing the door opened, the chimpanzee immediately rushed to the opening. The women stand in front of it with open arms seemingly hoping to embrace the animal. "Come here sweetie…." But instead of coming to her embrace as she hoped, the chimpanzee jumped straight at her face and began to attack her!
"Oh god! What the- AAaarghh, someone get this thing off me!" The women screamed in pain as the chimpanzee clawed at her face. But then, the animal bit her in the neck causing the women to scream in pain. "Oh god, it burns!" The chimpanzee immediately let go of the women and turned to attack the man who opened the cage but he hit the animal with the bolt cutter forcing it to escape. He then turned his attention back to the women who began to squirm and to his shock, began to vomit blood.
Immediately the burly man let go of the scientist as he rushes to aid the women. "Are you alright?" But as he approaches her the women vomited blood straight into his face! "AHH! IT GOTT INTO MY EYES!" The now terrified third men turned to the scientist for an explanation only to see him grabbing a fire extinguisher and rushing towards the women.
"What the fuck's going on here!?"
"She's infected! We need to kill her before things go horrible!" The scientist raised the extinguisher to hit her only for the women to lunge at him, knocking him onto the table before savaging him. "Ahh! Help! Help me!" The man tried to help and prepares to swing the bolt cutter only to be tackled by the burly man. "Oh fuck! AHHH!" Screams permeated throughout the level and by the time security arrives it was too late.
A biological apocalypse had just begun.
0845
Royal Navy base, Canvey Island
It was just another rainy morning in the base, typical at this time of the year. With dwindling Siren activity ever since they were defeated five months ago, many of them were closed and returned to civilian control. Despite this, lingering Siren activities means the base was still needed to tackle them. Even though there were other bases still operational throughout the country, being so close to the capital means most of Royal Navy's main ships are posted here as Siren patrols regularly enter and leave the base, being one of the few activities still ongoing.
"Morning everyone." A tall purple haired girl greeted everyone that was present as she walked into the mess hall with a tone that clearly indicated that she was still sleepy, which catches the attention of another girl nearby. "Hey Rodney! Staying up late again?" Gloucester replied from the other side of the hall. "Yeah, kinda."
"What game this time, Rodney?" Amazon asked before taking a sip of her tea. "Ughh...just some city building game. Traffic got out of hand, stayed up until four."
"Oh, come on. You battleships and carriers got it easy after we won. Us destroyers and cruisers still had to go on patrol." Acasta complained because she was on the next patrol fleet to depart as soon as the previous fleet returns. Her complains were shared by fellow destroyers and cruisers present there. "Hey, you forgot light carriers as well. We also had to accompany you lots on patrols!" Chaser retorts and soon there was a bit of an argument amongst the shipgirls there.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the mess hall several other Royals were also having breakfast as they watch the scene unfolds before them. However, they decided not to intervene as there wasn't any harm for, they were simply making fun of one another.
"George, here's your tea." Belfast handed her a freshly poured cup of tea to King George V, who was observing the whole brouhaha. Warspite noticed this and asked her. "Not intervening?"
"Nah, they're just making fun of each other. Nothing harm in that. Anyways where's the Queen?" KGV just noticed one person is missing from her usual seat and Warspite just sighed. "She's just like Rodney, stayed up to play games. Oh, Belfast? Can I have another cup?"
"Here you go."
"The Queen also stayed up to play games?" KGV was surprised to learn that their faction is also into gaming. Warspite only hummed before taking another sip, and then continued. "So, she ended up sleeping so late she practically sleep talked at me when I tried to wake her up this morning. KGV can chuckled at this revelation. "Better advise her not to do that every night because last thing I want was her being a sleepyhead." Then a familiar, if not annoyed voice enters. "Who are you calling a sleepyhead?"
Both of them turned to see Queen Elizabeth behind them, her hair bearing evidence that she took a short shower and towel dried before went straight to the mess hall. Behind her was Javelin and Valiant, both trying their best to tend to her hair.
"What part of me says that I'm a…Oww! Javelin! That hurts!"
"Sorry your majesty but kind of hard to work with your hair when it still wet!"
"Then dry it faster!"
"Well sister, it'll be faster if you just stay put. Its hard to focus on one part when it kept moving around."
Seeing the whole commotion happening behind her, Warspite instantly rose up from her seat and spoke to Queen Elizabeth as she sat down on the chair next to her. "Sis- I mean your majesty, did you just come here with your hair practically wet?" Seeing both Javelin and Valiant are still struggling with her hair, she then asked both of them.
"You girls had breakfast yet?"
"Not yet Warspite." Javelin replied. "Me and Valiant are going to the mess hall when her Majesty just burst out of the room ranting about how you are not there when she needs you, spotted us and asked if we can do her hair. We politely declined because we haven't had breakfast yet. Then she said she also going to have breakfast so…you'll probably can guess how this goes." Valiant could only nod to Javelin's statement in agreement.
"Well, you girls can go have breakfast now, I'll take care of this. Dido, can you help me?" She then takes the comb from Javelin and began to comb Queen Elizabeth's hair while Dido worked with the hair dryer. Both Javelin and Valiant simply sat down on the opposite chair, there was a brief silence between the two before Valiant stood up.
"Javelin, I'm going to get my food. You want anything?"
"Just get me a toast." Valiant then leaves to get her breakfast as well as Javelin's, while Javelin simply observe what is going in front of her.
"Seriously, I just woke up late and you simply left me?"
"Well, I did try waking you up earlier but you didn't so I go first."
"Then just wait until I wake up!"
"Your Majesty, would you stop squirming?"
"Here's your tea Javelin." The latter surprises her. She looked up to see Belfast handing her a cup of tea for her. "Thanks Belfast." She then takes a few sips and after that she breathes in to calm herself. KGV then sat next to her.
"Sorry for what her Majesty ended up putting you through."
"No, its nothing. Just get caught in the moment. I assure you."
"So anyway, how was London's retrofit yesterday?"
"Oh! It went smoothly. Took a while to convince her that the procedure is harmless. Perseus said Phase 2 will be done today and if nothing happens London will be ready by tomorrow."
"Hmm, maybe it's a good time to start planning a party to celebrate her retrofit." Another voice entered the conversation.
"Belfast."
"Sounds like a good idea to me. It's been a while since we last had a retrofit."
"So, you're going to Kilburn today?"
"Yes. The decorations and banners are ready. I'm bringing Sheffield, Sirius, Edinburgh and Dido as well. Probably spending the night there."
While they were conversing, a little bit further Southampton had just sat down with her breakfast and as she was about to enjoy her meal, her phone buzzes prompting her to stop and pulled out her phone to see what was that about. Upon checking her phone, it was an SMS.
"Huh? What was this about?" Pressing the message app, she noticed the message are sent from the GOV UK. "What's up this time?" Thought Southampton as she opened the message.
" ALERT Civil unrest in Cambridge, avoid travelling there if unnecessary."
Also, at the same time, Rodney finally sat down with her breakfast at looked at the mess hall's television only to find it turned off. "Excuse me, can someone turn on the television?"
"On it." Glasgow turned on the power outlet and reached for the remote control and turned the television on. The news channel was displayed on the screen. Rodney was about to ask for the channel to be changed when the newscaster began to deliver the news.
"And now an update on the ongoing protest in Cambridge…"
"Wait, what? A protest?" By now the television had the attention of everyone that is present. Glasgow herself raised the volume as high as the television permits even before anyone asked.
"The city of Cambridge is currently placed under a lockdown after the protests escalated on 8 AM this morning. Protesters so far has been seen charging and attacking both civilians and members of the law enforcement. As of now, the government has advised the public to avoid travelling to Cambridge if there is no need to do so. Citizens of Cambridge are advised to stay indoors and wait until the situation is safe. More update on 11 AM." By now, everyone began to talk about what they had just heard on the news.
"What are they protesting about? Isn't Cambridge full of university students? They better off studying and creating the future instead of protesting in the streets like some bunch of hooligans!"
"Don't know, but this thing been on the radio this morning. The radioman said the University implemented a new policy and the students don't like it."
"Yeah, but if it is the students then why would they lash out at the public? Should they just stay within the campus?"
Southampton simply starred at the television, completely ignoring her food until a hand tapped shoulder startling her and breaking her out of her stare. She turned around to see Swiftsure.
"Wah! Swiftsure! You almost got me there."
"Well, you just spacing out like that and I thought something's wrong."
"Oh, nothing actually, just…" Southampton again looked at the television, as well as the shipgirls that is now discussing about the protest they just heard on the news. "I don't know Swiftsure, but my guts said something's off about these protests."
"Probably just you. Maybe because your stomach was empty so you started thinking things that you shouldn't." Just as Swiftsure said that, her stomach growls causing Southampton to feel embarrassed. "Yeah, maybe I was thinking too much."
1850
Royal Navy Retrofit Centre, Kilburn, London
Ever since the afternoon, some of the Royal Maids were busy putting up decorations for the upcoming party to celebrate London's retrofit. Banners, flags, confetti's, ribbons, etc were all hung up in their places. While most of them had returned to Canvey, a few chose to stay at the centre so they can easily prepare for tomorrow. With much of the day's work done, the remaining maids rested in the reception hall waiting for their dinner to be delivered as they were too tired to make their own meal.
"Man, it's been so long since we last had a party, I forgot how tiring it was to prepare one." Edinburgh just slumped on the sofa next to Dido who had already asleep. "Same." Sirius replied. Like Edinburgh, she too was slumped on the sofa. "But something's bugging me. Why do she get retrofitted when the war with the Sirens is practically over? I mean, our patrols were like three times a day now compared to when the war is at its height and even the normal Navy had access to anti-Siren weapons now."
"Maybe because the Admiralty thought more firepower is better?" Belfast replied. "I don't see any harm in that. Sheffield, what was your thoughts?"
"I don't know. Its probably Admiralty things. I normally ignore it unless it affects us all." Sheffield, up at this point were only browsing the social media on her phone. As she does so she noticed that post regarding the protests reported earlier that morning is the main topic as almost everyone was talking about it. She also then began running into photos showing the Army setting up roadblocks in cities and towns. She can't help but read at some of the comments and posts.
"What's with this roadblock doin here!? Ain't this a free country?"
"Yo, anyone explain to me why tf there's a roadblock on M602?"
"The news keeps saying the protests are in #Cambridge but the Army having a roadblock here in #Manchester makes me feel something's not right."
"Lost contact with my GF in #Cambridge. Actually, can't even contact anyone there. Normally protest doesn't go that bad is it?"
"News just said the protests spreads to towns and village surrounding Cambridge. WTF those protestors doing there?"
As she scrolls through the posts one catches her attention. While everything else are just photos of Army roadblocks or netizens ranting about the protest, this one is a video from a man who claimed he was from Cambridge.
"Look guys, I'm from #Cambridge. Don't trust what the news said. What's going on is no protest or riot. They're hiding something. I managed to get out of town before the Army blocked anyone from entering or leaving. But I got something to show you. Not mine but I got from a friend of mine of which I lost contact with, but you had to see it. Noticed the news hardly showed any footage of the protest? That's because what's happening there is way above what you can show on the television screens. See it for yourself. You might want to start packing up and leave the country before shit hits the fan. I'm already on my way to Amsterdam. Hope you all safe."
Intrigued, Sheffield pressed on the video and it began to play. It was a CCTV footage from a bank in Cambridge. There weren't many people as the timestamp showed that it's just a few minutes after the bank was opened for business. Sheffield counted about six persons waiting on the benches while there were four persons at the counter. A security guard was standing by the door as well as a sizable crowd waiting for their turns at the ATM. All was normal for the first minute until a woman walked into the bank, as she does so suddenly a group appeared running towards the bank. One of them tackled the woman and proceeds to bit her! The security guard tried to intervene but he was also attacked by one of the attackers and soon several more entered the building and began to attack the occupants. Both the original attackers stood up and went to attack more people but Sheffield saw that while the security guard remained on the floor motionless, the women began to squirm and spasms before vomiting blood. She then stood up, looked around and spotted a lone man cowering on the lower right screen behind one of the benches. The women then sprint to the man and began attacking him. The video then shows the group of people runs out of the bank and into the streets but she noticed some of the crowd now includes the women and several people who at the start of the video was the bank's customers and staffs.
Seeing the video suddenly made Sheffield felt nauseated primarily not just from the violence but also because she was hungry. She immediately pressed the back button while trying to hold back her nausea and this was noticed by everyone in the room.
"Hey Sheffield, are you okay? You looked like you're about to throw up." Belfast noticed something's wrong as Sheffield doing her best from throwing up. Eventually she succeeded. "Get…get me a glass of water." She breaths heavily. Belfast immediately went to the pantry to get her a glass of water and while she was away Sirius asked. "Sheffield, what happened?"
"Oh, nothing. Just wanted to watch some video but YouTube decided to put a trailer for a zombie movie before the video started. Had to wait until the skip option is available. Stupid YouTube almost got me." Sheffield replied as she began to normalize her breath. Then Belfast returned back with a glass of water. "Here you go Sheffield." Taking the glass, she immediately emptied it seconds. "Thanks Belfast."
"Say, where's our pizza?" Edinburgh then the time on the clock nearby. "Its already an hour since we ordered, why it is so long?"
"I don't know, normally the delivery boy arrives in twenty to thirty…" Perseus was interrupted by a buzz on her phone. She then turned her attention back to the girls. "Girls, dinner's here. Come, I need someone to help me carry the food."
"I'll go with you." Edinburgh and Perseus then left the reception hall to collect their dinner. Belfast then looked at Sheffield, who despite already calmed down from earlier her face still shows signs of uneasiness. "Sheffield, what happened to you actually?" She asked but before Sheffield could answer Sirius responded. "She just wanted to watch some videos on YouTube but she got a trailer for a zombie movie before the video plays, and she couldn't handle the gore. Isn't that right Sheffield?" Hearing Sirius's answer she simply nodded. "Hey, what is going on?" Belfast, Sheffield, and Sirius turned their heads to person that asked the question. Dido had just woken up from her nap and unaware of the events that happened minutes earlier. "Did I miss something?"
Meanwhile at the front gate, Edinburgh and Perseus meet up with the delivery boy. Edinburgh took the boxes of pizza and went back to the building while Perseus stayed behind to carry the side orders as well as paying the food. As she takes them, she couldn't help but ask the delivery boy of his late arrival. "Hey, I just wanted to ask. Your restaurant never been this late before. What happened?"
"Sorry miss, but those roadblocks been causing traffic jams everywhere."
"Roadblocks?"
"Haven't watched the news? The Army been setting up roadblocks all over the country. Hell, right now you can't go three blocks without running into one. The Mayor said he won't let the protestors causing havoc in his city."
"Don't know about it. I do know about the protests but roadblocks all over the country is a bit overkill. Anyway, thanks for the delivery."
"Don't mention it miss, we hope to serve you again." The delivery boy starts his motorbike and sped off, while Perseus closes down the gate. "Roadblocks, protests, what is really going on right now?" She thought to herself but then shrug it off as she went back into the building. The rest of the night went uneventful for the girls as they went to sleep as soon after having their dinner.
0652 London time
The maids had woken up to an early start that day to finish up any remaining decorations. With that done, they now had to prepare the plates, cups, and the cutleries. Food, beverages and snacks would follow suite. Everyone agreed that the party is to start at ten, the reasoning is to give London time to clean herself and get used to her retrofit. As such the five maids worked quickly to finish their respective task.
"Edinburgh, Sheffield, get those plates ready"
"Dido, with me. We need to get the cups."
While the rest of the maids are busy with their tasks, Sirius was called by Perseus to the retrofit room.
"So, this is her new clothes?"
"Yes, Sirius. Now put it on the table there." Sirius complied and places the clothing on the table. She then looked at the timer on the retrofit machine. There's exactly two hours left before the retrofit is completed. Perseus had already prepared a towel to be handed over to London once she's out of the machine.
"Sirius, can you charge her phone? It's been three days already. Her phone and other belongings are over there."
"Yes Perseus." Sirius took London's phone and connects it to the charger. "Now we just had to wait until the retrofit's done." Both Perseus and Sirius returned back to meet the others. All the work had been done. They now got to rest until 9 AM before they have to begin preparing the food, snacks and beverages. Belfast decided it was a good time to use the restrooms. After she has done with her business, she washed her hands and was about to leave the restroom when she received a transmission from the Commander.
Belfast was puzzled at first as communication in such manner is only during a deployment. Regardless, she answered.
"Commander?" When the screen showed up Belfast noticed that he looked as he was hastily dressed up, which adds even more questions but before she could ask anything the Commander spoke first.
"Belfast? Belfast? You girls still in Kilburn?"
"Yes Commander, all of us are here. Me, Edinburgh, Dido, Sirius, Sheffield and Perseus. What's the matter Commander, something's wrong?"
"Damn right there is something's wrong, Bel. Look, whatever you girls are planning today, put it on hold for now. We're having an emergency deployment right now. Tell everyone, even Perseus to get to Bullsmoor right now. The Army is setting up defences there and they called us for additional fire support."
"Fire support? Commander, what is exactly going on here?
"You know those protests that has been on the news since yesterday?"
"Yes."
"I was contacted by the MoD just this morning. They said it was not a protest but something else entirely. The Army has been trying to keep them contained in Cambridge but things got out of hand and now they're closing in on London. I already have the Army arrange a transport for all of you, they should be here any moment."
"Commander? Transport's here, let's go." KGV's voice was heard offscreen and the Commander acknowledged her before turning his attention back to Belfast. "I'm also on my way there. If you have any other questions just hold it until you reached Bullsmoor or ask the Army guys."
"Affirmative Commander." With that, their conversation ended. And Belfast immediately rushed out of the washroom. Her head were still trying to process what the Commander had told her but she has a duty to uphold. Making her way to where all the others are, she breaks the news.
"Girls, I regret to inform this but we need to call off the party." Everyone's reaction was exactly what Belfast expect given how sudden this was.
"Ehh?"
"Why?"
"What!?"
"Belfast, what happened?" Perseus asked her and she replied back. "The Commander just contacted me through the comms. He said there's an emergency deployment and we need to go to Bullsmoor."
"Bullsmoor? That's nowhere near the sea! What business does a shipgirl has to do there?"
"Don't know Dido. The only thing he told me was we are needed for fire support. He already has a transport for us so we need to get going."
"But what about London? She's almost done in an hour!"
"That's not a problem. The chamber will only open when I press the release button. Even then if we do forget her, it will release itself in twenty-five more days. I assure you all that. But hopefully we won't be away that long."
Just then, a buzzer was heard. Perseus then checked the doorbell camera and sure enough there was a soldier on the screen. "Girls, let's go. Our ride is here." The shipgirls immediately rushed to the main gate where an Army convoy is already there to take them to their destination. As Perseus walks out of the building, she decided to lock the doors to prevent trespassers from entering before re-joining others.
"You girls are the only ones here?" The soldier asked.
"Yes."
"Good to know, now get in. Time isn't on our side." The girls get inside the vehicles and as soon as the door closes, the convoy speeds off. Sheffield however, looked back towards the retrofit centre until it went out of sight. Edinburgh noticed this and asked her.
"Sheffield, are you worried about London?"
"No, I rather had a feeling that we won't be back here for a very long time."
"Cambridge awoken for a rude start of the day with a protest…"
"Students are furious over sudden policy changes at a Cambridge university…"
"Sudden university policy changes led to protests at Cambridge…"
"Les étudiants de Cambridge protestent contre les nouvelles politiques... (Cambridge students protested against new policies…)"
"Protesters are seen attacking both the public and law enforcement…"
"Cambridge Proteste drehte gewalttätig als Demonstranten offen angreifen Umstehenden und Polizei... (Cambridge protests turned violent as protestors openly attack bystanders and police...)
"中国政府标榜剑桥抗议活动不文明 呼吁保障中国学生... (Chinese Government labels Cambridge protests uncivilized, calls for safeguarding of Chinese students…)"
"Lockdown in Cambridge as protests continued with escalating violence…"
"L'UE condanna fermamente la violenza brutale nella protesta di Cambridge, sollecita azioni immediate... (EU strongly condemns the brutal violence in Cambridge protest, urges immediate actions taken...)"
"Cambridge residents are advised to remain in their homes unless necessary…"
"Citizens warned to avoid all unnecessary travels to Cambridge…"
"Cambridge to be closed off until law and order can be restored…"
"Cambridge Airport closed to all flights due to protestors breaking into the terminal…"
"Protesters seen causing havoc in Hauxton and Fulbourn…"
"Cambridge protests spreads to nearby villages and towns around the city…"
"Police warns those that try to use the Cambridge protest to their advantage…"
"Мэр Лондона предупреждает, что в его городе нежелательны протестующие и нарушители спокойствия, говорит, что будут приняты меры для предотвращения въезда. (Mayor of London warns that protestors and troublemakers are unwelcome in his city, says actions will be taken to prevent entry.)"
"Opposition demands Government to tell the truth after disturbing footages of the supposed protests went viral on the Internet."
"Prime Minister denounced the viral internet footage, calling it a fake video and a marketing stunt."
"Citizens debunk Prime Minister's claims of fake video with solid proofs."
"主要なソーシャルメディアサイトは、英国政府と協力して、物議を醸したケンブリッジ・デモの映像を削除しました。 (Major social media websites worked with the UK Government to remove the controversial Cambridge protest footages.)"
"Twitter, Facebook temporarily disable video uploads from United Kingdom to quell disturbing Cambridge protest footages."
"Army spotted setting up roadblocks in cities, towns and villages across England."
"Sudden Army deployment raises questions among Oppositions, citizens."
"Opposition slams the use of Army to contain protestors, calling such attempts outrageous and over dramatic."
"Army roadblocks called inconvenient and disruptive as citizens demands answers from the Government…"
"Sudden spike of military convoys on major motorways heading to London and Cambridge lead to outrageous traffic backlog."
"Scottish Government prohibits any Army deployment within Scotland unless detailed explanation is given."
"Army helicopters, Air Force aircrafts seen flying towards London and Cambridge sparks fear amongst citizens."
"Panic erupts across the nation as new, unidentified virus sweep through England."
"联合王国提醒世卫组织注意新的致命病毒。 (United Kingdom alerted WHO of new, deadly virus.)
"New virus is now called Rage Virus after the effects it had on its victims."
"Royal Navy were called in to assist in fighting the infected as they are now called."
"Army, Royal Navy forced back after infected overruns defensive line."
"Admiralty confirms first Royal Navy losses to the infected..."
"United States offers military aid as the Armed Forces takes further losses."
"NATO, Azur Lane sends military aid to assist embattled British Armed Forces and Royal Navy."
"Emergency declared after combined NATO, Azur Lane forces failed to stop the infected…"
"Fearing more losses, Azur Lane forces ordered to immediately retreat…"
"NATO confirms all forces in London has been retreated, to be redeployed…"
"Brits ordered to evacuate after London falls to the infected."
"Infected crosses Scottish border, Scottish government orders immediate evacuation."
"Britons using everything from fishing boats to cargo ships and even World War 2 warships to escape"
"La perdita di energia elettrica ostacola gli sforzi di evacuazione in Scozia. (Power loss hampers evacuation efforts in Scotland.)"
"Surge of British refugees overwhelms Europe as refugee camps are immediately filled..."
"Norway, Sweden, Iceland and Spain welcome British refugees after France, Denmark and Benelux countries closes border…"
"United States, Canada offers to take in refugees to lighten the burden in Europe."
"WHO orders Great Britain to be quarantined with NATO, Azur Lane enforcement."
"Eurotunnel fermé pour éviter une épidémie en Europe continentale. (Eurotunnel sealed to prevent outbreak in mainland Europe.)
"Major airlines suspend all flights to England, Wales and Scotland as quarantine takes effect…"
"Chaos auf dem Markt nach dem Zusammenbruch des britischen Pfunds. (Chaos in the market following the collapse of British Pound.)"
"Euro, Swiss franc tumbles as Rage Virus fears grips Europe."
"Rage Virus outbreak saw sudden drop in tourism in European nations."
"Casualties are estimated to be in the millions as the last refugees departed Great Britain on board…"
"UN to begin sending humanitarian aid to British refugees scattered across Europe…"
"Commonwealth of Nation sends aid, offers temporary residence to Britons affected…"
"Calls are made to have British overseas forces to be returned."
"Fate of British forces deployed overseas to be determined…"
"With their leadership almost destroyed and over half of their shipgirls killed or infected, it is uncertain about the future of the Royal Navy which is currently placed under direct control of NATO until the situation could be resolved. NATO on the behalf of Queen Elizabeth has issued an order for all Royal Navy shipgirls deployed outside of the United Kingdom to return immediately as soon as possible. Currently what's left of their fleet is stationed in Belfast and awaiting further instructions…"