There were a lot of forces. My estimate of 6 to 17 enemies were off, It was likely tending toward the upper figures. I realized that when we closed the distance and my RADARs were able to discern the echoes from one another. From what i could tell, It was several destroyers and a Scharnhorst-type. but now there were a few heavy cruisers and a light carrier mixed in. The presence of the carrier alone changed my plans as now I began arming MiGs for R-73s and counted on my bombers to get through with speed.

But one thing I reported made me smirk a bit. They were able to enter combat with the fleet that I was to be escorted to apparently. which if i am not wrong also includes Javelin, I guess both fleets had spotted each other and circled each other before the Sirens decided to go in. Maybe they were weighing whether I was here of not.

Well, In any case I knew they were here. and my guns were loaded with guided rounds and bombers were ready for takeoff. The question was... Which one to take out first? The carrier of the battleship?

I relayed my desires to my A-7s preparing to take off, They would target the carrier first for destruction. My computers were busy calculating all factors from range to weather and wind conditions deep inside my hull, This combined with my Gun engagement RADARs gave very high precision. Although there might still be errors due to my current level of being inexperienced. My guns aimed at one of the destroyers.

'Correct for any possible range errors... Warm up the mechanisms and program in the target... Eat 406mm shells down the bloody hatches!'

Pulling the triggers electronically. Smoke and blast waves came one after another with little delay as I fired all turrets. 9 406mm HE rounds flew toward the destroyer. I impatiently waited for any smoke or splashes to be detected by Zhuk or Type 273. Most of them missed, But the remaining few? One blew apart a chunk of the superstructure to bits and the others rendered a torpedo turret unusable. as well as blasting open a nasty looking hole in the hull.

Record to self for later. If I can't start a battle without it on being my terms and when they are already engaged, My accuracy still goes down drastically. Good thing to know, but it still irritated me even if i had never had any military experience in the first place anyway. It also potentially alerted any enemy units that i was here. which would now be important. In any case, I wanted to prioritize the destroyers first. but the cruisers could prove to be a serious threat with these guns and as long as they were still out there, The friendly fleet would never be truly safe.

Watching Kent and Comet outrun me. I decided to keep my secondaries armed and prepared to shoot at anything that got too close. If Azur lane was like it was in fanfics or the anime itself. Then it could most likely turn into a messy and brutal close-quarters combat affair that would leave me vulnerable to torpedoes i didn't see coming of simply being overrun. Even If i was a magical girl. I decided to aim toward the cruisers again. If that firepower could be shut down... I sent the word to my MiG-29s to begin contesting for air supremacy and for A-7s to target the carrier for destruction as I tried to not be overloaded with combat tasks.

As I was confronted with 3 destroyers and a heavy cruiser. I realized that I have to start designating what targets were most important to me now rather than just murdering them all with focused fire. That left the heavy cruiser as high priority and is the furthest so far not counting the other enemies. That meant demolition HE explosives were still ideal until i could switch shells. The destroyers? Secondaries were within the upper edge of effective firing range even with ER shells but it was still possible to thin them out, As I began the process of ramming in more shells. I watched Comet and Kent go at it.

Comet was gritting. Her main battery firing wildly as she duelled with a destroyer, The destroyer in question returned fire and changed course to enter a contested battle. The two shipgirls closed the distance, aiming at each other in a high-stakes game of feinting and decision loop. That's when I saw something on Comet moving.

Four torpedo-tube mounts. She dumped these into the water as the enemy destroyer kept erratically moving. Apparently this left the green haired girl frustrated as more torpedoes were launched before she switched back to artillery. In the meanwhile, Kent was moving parallel to the destroyers. firing upon them as she kept her distance from them. I saw a 203mm shell hitting another destroyer, but I didn't know what damage could have resulted.

Hearing a beep. I narrowed my eyes as I allowed my sixth sense to reach out before my main artillery battery fired. Shells went screaming at high velocities toward my main target with the best my RADARs and rangefinders would give me. I had to keep that cruiser from trying to shoot at Comet of kent, otherwise they both would be messed up in short order.

In the meanwhile. I turned my head toward Comet as torpedoes missed, But a shell torn open one of the Siren shipgirl's gun turrets followed by precise hits as another shell struck and burst next to a torpedo mount before she ended up being the attention of Z21 and Concord (Who were executing a turn) as many destroyer and light cruiser shells struck many times. vaporizing a AA mount and losing a part of her superstructure before being finally destroyed as she went up in flames.

Comet seemed to realize she was going too deep when she saw two more destroyers and a light cruiser closing in followed by Carrier dive bombers as she executed a turnaround and began moving back toward me. It reminded me of just how crazy the Azur lane shipgirls were compared to Kancolle's...

In any case, With what looked like enemy SBDs closing in. I needed to give her aerial cover, I sent a command to my MiG-29s and I began firing my secondaries on one of the destroyers as she tried to take shots at Comet. I still liked Comet and right now, I didn't want to see her go down and besides. She deserved her own reputation! Nothing was getting to her without a word from me!

Firing my 406mm guns again I got to watch once again only a few of my shells actually blow apart the Light cruiser's hull as the rest completely missed. Goddamn it! I had chromo-plated guns. MV RADAR and Pulse-doppler systems as well as a PESA for guns AND I STILL missed? All I can only surmise is that's me being green as a vegetable and managing to have the shells fly over in my haste. I can't even curse a game for my sheer dumb stupid luck of aiming. I only had the slightest idea to how scared I felt right now with that I may have made a major mistake.

However, During all of that. my secondaries had been replying and had considerably better outcomes. scoring several hits as I started a fire on the destroyer, Comet executed another slight turn as she started firing back before she resumed her course again as torpedoes were now reloaded and ready to go.

I have to say, That's some skills for an human-sized ship with unearthly reaction speed. The needed strength to handle the mental strain of managing all of your ship subsystems and more determination than your typical Azur lane shipgirl that had a run-in with Arbiter.

My guns were still busy preparing to drive in propellant charges. But I felt more shells being rammed into my Mark 42/12 gun reloading mechanisms as I didn't let up on the pressure, barraging that destroyer into oblivion with more metal and explosives as most of my focus was still on the cruiser that was moving, She was moving toward me and she was starting to get too close.

New shells, this time APC were fully armed as propellant was drove in as my computers made corrections for range and inputted the necessary data into my guns by means of remote control. 'Come on... Please work!'

Kill!

I fired, and then squinted my eyes as the rounds sailed through the skies. I only paid a brief glance to the destroyer as my Secondaries kept tearing her apart to scrap. I saw a few flashes and columns of water around my target. That didn't look good as it seems all factors were now corrected for.

Then I noticed that Comet had began firing back at the destroyer that I was beating down on with my Mark 42s. The destroyer didn't seem to notice it, too focused on not panicking under the literal rain of tracers and shells. An error, And possibly a serious one at that.

I think I saw her stern exploding in a line of fireballs and flames when her ammunition lockers began to go off. Estimating from the power of these explosions alone. The outcome looked fairly grim.

Then Kent, Who I just noticed had suffered some hits was now turning her guns toward the Heavy cruiser. She attempted a charge with all of her firepower concentrated. gun flashes not letting up, Pure will staggering her opponent as the enemy cruiser began to panic and flee.

I have kept watching it if it wasn't for the fact that my main battery guns had just completed the loading cycle. The cruiser, already having a main gun turret knocked out by a 406mm AP shell and now under Kent's attention had decided to call it and was trying to turn away, All while firing toward Kent.

With my capabilities. She was not getting away from that try of her's being barraged with superior firepower! Guns deafened again as shots were now out. I observed as one of my lesser RADARs began tracking.

*A-7E 1# IMPACTS ON ENEMY CARRIER*

Huh, Didn't notice my bombers until of just now. According to what I was seeing, It looks like multiple M64-class detonations which resembled more of a inaccurate carpet bombing pattern rather than a targeted one. Still, That has to be very painful. Also, It appears most enemy aircraft are neutralized now because of my MiG-29s for no losses so far.

I turned back to Kent... To find a burning destroyer and Comet charging toward that heavy cruiser. "Comet! Get the hell back! COMET!"

That made the destroyer stop as she turned to look toward my direction, I heard what must have sounded like a 'sorry' through communications channels. Guess my shout was a bit too loud.

"Keep moving! W-we need to keep them off balance!" I commented before I fired my next salvo. Multiple hits as It suffered severe damage and it looked like it began sinking, I supposed that was one way to crack open cruisers.

Kent blinked, Staring at the tired-looking battleship and the green-haired destroyer that Norfolk just spent the part of 15 seconds screaming into the comms. She wasn't entirely sure what to make of her, On one hand. She waited until she was within secondary range before she started shooting. She had actually dared to get into a close-range fight against destroyers and cruisers when her main advantage was firepower from a distance and armor.

Other hand? She was stupidly fast at getting the range. Then there was what she had heard over the comms. The battleship seemed like she had her quirks, Though to be fair that wasn't new when you considered the other shipgirls. Maybe with a temper and tendency to get overly-worried if her outburst at Comet was anything to go by.

Which bought Kent to a source of questions. The fact that she was Norfolk, supposedly Dorsetshire's sister. but she was instead a hypothetical ship class and to top it off she had modern technology. How had that happened? When was the first time a Shipgirl suddenly materialized in the middle of nowhere? Was she a anomaly?

"...Kent!" The british cruiser was shaken from her musings by Yorktown who came over the radio. "Kent!"

"Yes! Kent's here!" She responded. "We're fought back against one of their fleets on our end. We are fighting against their cruisers!"

"We will handle things on our end." Yorktown replied. "I need you to keep escorting Norfolk and make sure she links up with us. We wrap things up and link up with you when the situation allows."

"Y-Yeah. Okay, We will change our course to give Norfolk backup." Kent confirmed. "What do we do with the question of her equipment?" Yorktown couldn't blame Kent asking that question. She wasn't entirely sure what had caused the Heavy cruiser-turned-battleship to be like unless it was some form of escaped secret project. There was a pause.

"Leave it be for now, The commander will answer it later. We send word back to let them know what to expect."

"Righto!"

Comet pulled up alongside me close enough to be considered in-formation with me. Still worried about the distance she wants to stay from me, Was it my demonstrated firepower and carrier abilities? Was that an issue I need to work through later? It almost feels like i am operating with a scared dog.

Considering what I was capable of, That might not be too far off the mark. Especially if I wanted to destroy the chain of command with guided bombs and EW.

But that will be a problem for later, Right now. It's making sure I can get to the stronger fleet in good health. So I kept my Surface search RADAR going and kept recon with a few of my leftover fighters. The only ones I could see were the ones being engaged by other shipgirls. Azur lane seemed to have the situation under control. But I was sure as hell not going to let the Siren side suffer severe losses without being able to toss a few anti-ship missiles myself.

I just needed to program in the correct coordinates and make sure they didn't think of friendly shipgirls as targets. of worse.

"Hey!" For a second I thought that scared me. Then I realized that this sounded too much like... Wait...!? "Renown to Norfolk. Alsace! Come in! Norfolk!"

"Y-Yes? This is Norfolk, I am with Kent and I-I... Ehm... Engaged a few enemy destroyers. All confirmed sunk, W-what are the orders?"

"Norfolk, Stay where you are. We're coming to you, We will link up with you and Kent's fleet." That meant I could get out of here. I can get back to friendly lines? I was tired of this, I just wanna get into a bath for an hour and then power down and sleep for a few days straight-on.

"Ha...Ha... N-No, I... I am coming to you." I Replied.

"Norfolk? It may be simpler if we came to-"

"I-I've been trying to avoid enemy flotillas and engaging the ones I can fight on reasonable t-terms. And I-I am not sure if my fuel or ammunition will hold out! G-Give me a fucking direction and I will go to you!"

All I got in response was the direction itself, I think Renown heard the relieved sigh I gave out. I was able to mentally drop my headphones as my hands shook with strain. It doesn't matter either way, Feels like I don't feel sick in the chest anymore.

Then how about some motivation?

Seeing her up close, Hardy still had no idea what to make of Norfolk/"Alsace". On the one hand, She looked very tired and was able to keel over and turn upside down. She however did apologize to Yorktown for her earlier outburst.

More than anything else though, Hardy was worried about Norfolk. There was only slight damage to her, But the way she was looking and her eyes closing only to snap open a moment later gave it away as to how fatigued she was, And there was a black scorch mark on her hull from what could only assume to have been caused by gunfire. Norfolk however had evaded severe damage somehow. but that didn't take away from her twitching and shaking hands. As much as Yorktown had tried to start a conversation, Outside of the ongoing battle Norfolk just didn't seem to bother now with her current state of tiredness.

Would she be even combat-capable by then? Wait, Was that orange light glowing underneath her wounds. And did that hole just seal itself up?

I don't know why i suddenly feel so fucking tired, Maybe it's my powers coming down of something. Maybe it's my healing spell that tipped me over the edge.

I don't know, and I don't care. I know that a lot of the looks I was getting from the other shipgirls were concern. All I could think of was completing the mission and reaching my objectives, 'Just go home and reunite with Dorestshire. And then you can sleep' was the one thing that drove me and my engines on.

Most of everything after I reached what I assumed to be my destination was a blur. All I know is that I wound up stripped by somebody and led to somewhere that felt like a bath of something like that. It didn't seem like a bed of shower, It was sort of like both at once.

Was that me undergoing repairs of something? Doesn't matter, Good as a place to sleep. Norfolk sleep now.

Log Entry:2 Name:Norfolk
Class:County Class Norfolk Subclass formely/Alsace-Class battleship

"Been engaged in a fleet battle against a marauding siren fleet that was going to run into the main fleet that would escort me. Been at it for what feels like hours and already it is getting boring other than sea waves getting me wet.

At least my bombers are really accurate in dives and my fighters can practically dominate anything, Didn't get many chances for anti-ship missiles though.

Feel bad, But I need to reach my objectives. I need to go home. If only so i can find a place to sleep. On second thought, Now that I know how to do a basic healing spell. I need to fix up my hull.

Feeling so fucking tired i can barly thik straight

closer. just moresrouin distance

Neddd to slsep. feels like i will go crazy despite my desperation to survive

H-O-M-E (Typed with such force the pen would have ripped through the page if this was not written electronically)"

End log

Couldn't just leave it without a update. did we? With Purple shift around, This has taken secondary status. But it will still continue!