Will stepped out onto the deck, hoping for any bit of a breeze. Usually summer weather up north was more than bearable, but Rosyth had been sweltering. No less than five warnings about open portholes had been issued to the ships while they were at anchor, the risk they posed during a sinking far outweighed the chance of them offering a slight breeze.

Considering there wasn't any breeze to be had, Will had been glad to have been given the opportunity to flee port.

Ana was mired in Southampton as she tended to both sides of her business. Not only were her ships bringing foodstuffs, but now with munitions new procedures had to be put into place. In her letters she had mentioned more than once that she had woken up in a sweat, thinking about the possibility of an explosion like there had been at Black Tom Island. Now smoking was absolutely forbidden in her warehouses, in the cargo holds of her ships, and if Ana could have banned it entirely she would have. Another warehouse had been rented just for storage of the munitions, and it sounded as if it was emptied out as quickly as it was filled.

American weapons flooded over, with the men slowly trickling in. Will had not heard anything about the American Navy coming, but he had no doubt they would join in. Ever since the Americans had joined the war, the German submarines had been targeting them with a vengeance. Even Ana's ships had been targeted, some of them limping in with massive damage and one had even been lost, the crew floating in their lifeboats until they had been picked up by a passing ship.

Standing on the bridge wing, Will stared out over the sea, wishing that he could be there for Ana. Considering how the loss of the Great Lakes freighter had affected Ana, he knew she would be upset over this loss. It was only by the grace of God that no men had been lost, and according to her Ruth was already building a new ship to replace it. But men had been injured when their ships were struck by torpedoes or mines, some killed. But her letters weren't tinged with sadness, if anything she seemed busier than ever. She took the injured men to the hospital to be tended to by Dr. Humphry, later providing them lodging in her own hospitals until she could arrange passage home for them.

Will sighed, realizing that he had been woolgathering for far too long. Their destroyer escorts had already deployed their targets, the cruisers screening them and the formation as a whole. They were supposed to be engaging in target practice, yet he was out here worrying over Ana when he knew she was fine. He shook his head as he stepped back onto the bridge, "Is everything ready, Mr. Johnson?"

Bertie, still tender after having to have an ulcer removed during their trip to London, nodded. "Aye sir, Lieutenant Ives is waiting for your orders."

"He may fire as he likes." Will stepped closer, speaking again after Bertie had passed his orders along. "You're doing all right up here?"

Bertie winced, but nodded. "Yes, sir. Mr. Ives doesn't want me back in the turret until I've fully healed. I'm almost ready sir, I promise."

"Don't feel the need to rush yourself." Will went to clap him on the shoulder, but started as the guns fired. All eye turned to the shells, tracking their progress. A few pairs of binoculars were even raised, approving nods as they struck near the targets. "Well done."

"Drifting to the left," Bertie muttered, relaying a few remarks to Ives where he watched above. More and more shells were fired, and they closed in even further. Columns of water gave way to splintering wood and canvas, cordite smoke flooding the bridge and making all of them cough. Will and Bertie had moved to the bridge wing to avoid the smoke when a clatter of footsteps sounded behind them.

Will turned, seeing one of the wireless boys with a message in his hand. The lad was breathless, "From the Peterel, sir. She's spotted a U-boat."

Will took the message, "She's gone off in pursuit?"

"Not quite," The lad was almost dancing on his feet as Will read the brief message.

He blinked, "They're raising a white flag?"

"Your orders?"

Will took a breath, "Have them send a boat with a white flag of our own, include anyone onboard who speaks German. And have someone take some semaphore flags, I want what's going on relayed back to the Peterel and then to us."

"Aye, sir!"

He was off like a shot, and Will glanced to Bertie. He had clearly been trying to be nonchalant about the fact that he could hear everything that was going on, focused on the wreckage of one of the targets that was being pulled in by its destroyer. Will joined him at the railing, "Do you speak German, Bertie?"

He shook his head, "No, sir. I recognize a few phrases, but Father insisted we learn French instead."

"What do you think is going on?" Will glanced at him out of the corner of his eye. "U-boats don't usually raise a white flag."

He pursed his lips, "Perhaps we damaged them during our target practice and they realized they could not escape. It would be wiser for them to surrender than to try and run."

"What do you think I should do regarding their surrender? Some would say that it would be better to shell them, to give them a taste of what they've been doing to the poor merchant ships they hunt."

"You're n-not a vengeful man, sir." Bertie stood straight. "You will accept their s-surrender and provide them with what you can. I k-know you, sir."

Will smirked, "That you do. Just because they've lost their sense of honor doesn't mean we should. We are still gentlemen, even if they aren't." The two of them headed back to the bridge, the wireless message having sent a flurry of activity through the crew. Orders were issued to pull targets in, bring the cruiser screen closer to the Unicorn and send the destroyers to assist the Peterel in case the U-boat suddenly had second thoughts.

Will stepped back out on the bridge wing, a pair of binoculars in his hands. The German on them drew no comments from his other officers, he was not the only one who had a pair from before the war. However he was the only one whose pair had been issued by the German Navy, at least according to what Ana had relayed from Sophie. They were a good pair, the lenses clean and clear as they brought the U-boat into sight. Given that they were miles away, Will could not make out individual men, but he could see that the crew was clustered near the deck gun, which pointed harmlessly straight up into the air.

The boat from the Peterel was still nearby, one sailor standing up and signaling with a massive pair of flags. Will's semaphore was rusty, he couldn't translate the quick signals of the red and white flags himself, but the signalman next to him deciphered it quickly. "U-boat has given up all weapons, desires to surrender to lead ship."

Will pulled his binoculars down, blinking. "Nettles," His second in command was immediately by his side. "Take one of the launches, the intelligence officers and the Marines. Bring those men back, I'll meet with their captain to take his surrender." Nettles nodded, already issuing orders as he strode off. Will turned to the signalman, "Have a message sent to the Peterel, once the men are off she is to take the U-boat under tow for our return to Rosyth. I'm sure the Admiralty will be pleased with it as a prize."

He nodded, scuttling off to relay his orders. Tyne and Bertie kept Will company as he watched Nettles organize his party. The intelligence officers were giddy at the chance to paw through whatever papers they could find onboard and the Marines were checking the pistols at their sides. Nettles kept a firm hand though, seeing that they were put aboard the launch and giving orders for it to be lowered. As opposed to the lifeboats, the launch was powered by a motor which meant they were shortly at the U-boat.

Tyne glanced over, "Sir, should you don your formal uniform for the surrender?"

"I believe I shall be fine in this." Will was more concerned with watching as the indistinct forms were transferred from the U-boat to the launch than prettying himself. The crew of a U-boat was much smaller than that of a battlecruiser, hell, it was far less than a destroyer. And yet they were feared almost more than his ship, and as they drew closer Will could see his Marines with their hands on their guns as they stood guard.

He stood straight as the launch drew up alongside, lines passed up and the whole launch was slowly lifted upward. A pair of Marines stepped off first, supervising as the U-boat crew shuffled into orderly lines on the deck. They were a dirty lot, clothes stained by sweat and grease. Considering the smell wafting off them they likely hadn't seen a bath in weeks, considering how dear fresh water would be and how feared seawater was onboard a submarine. At least on even the smallest Navy ship there was seawater pumped in for them to wash. Will didn't speak as the crew waited, their officers coming up last. Finally the captain stepped aboard, and though he had shaved since Will had last seen him and was far more haggard, Will knew him.

"Captain Murdoch," Otto Metternich still stood proud, "I did not expect to see you again."

Will glanced aside to his officers, noting how a few eyebrows were raised. "It's been several years, Captain Metternich."

"They have been kind to you." Otto gestured to the Unicorn. "Your ship is impressive." He sighed, dropping his head. "I have come to surrender myself and my crew to you, Captain."

Will swallowed, at least there was protocol for this to rely on. "Your surrender is accepted, you and your men are now prisoners aboard His Majesty's Ship Unicorn. When we return to port you will be turned over for imprisonment until the end of the war."

One of the submarine officers was translating Will's words, which brought a good amount of angry faces and muttered curses. One of the crew, little more than a boy, was even weeping as he wrapped his arms tightly around the bulk under his shirt.

The bulk that was moving.

Everything happened in a rush, something dropping out of the boy's shirt, the Marines drawing their guns, the boy dropping down over it and screaming something in German. His fellow crew drew aside, allowing a Marine to approach. The boy cringed away, clutching whatever had been in his shirt even tighter. It was as the Marine was aiming his pistol that Will stepped forward, "Hold. Captain Metternich, tell your sailor to reveal whatever he's hiding."

Otto shouted at the boy, who cringed but didn't release whatever was in his arms. He did move enough for Will to see a small portion of it, a pair of floppy ears that quickly cringed away. Will knelt by the boy, trying to think of what to say. "Hund? Your hund?"

The boy sniffed, finally straightening up so that Will could see the small dog clutched tightly in his arms. It was certainly no Rigel, a long, skinny, short thing that looked at Will with curious brown eyes. Will extended his fingers, allowing the dog to sniff him. Otto sighed, "We told him it would be better for the thing if he drowned it before we surrendered. He's attached, he hoped he could hide it during our imprisonment."

Will looked over his shoulder, seeing that most of Otto's crew was watching the ensuing drama with rapt attention, and noticeably moist eyes. Otto snapped something at the boy, who extended the dog to Will. Will gently took it, scratching it behind its dark brown ears. "There will be no need for that." He returned the dog, now noting that it was a girl. The boy took her, weeping as he pressed kisses to her head. "We can provide for the dog, Lord knows we have enough to go around."

Otto pursed his lips as Will stood, "And when we go to an actual prison?"

"If they refuse to care for the dog, she can stay with my family until you're released." Will couldn't help but note the sighs of relief from the crew as his remarks were translated. "As for all of you, you'll be taken to the brig. Food and water will be provided, the surgeon will see to anyone who needs his attention and you'll be taken under guard to wash."

One of the intelligence men stepped forward from the launch, tattered papers in his hands. "All officers will be interviewed." Will grimaced, wishing he could have been more subtle. Of course it was necessary that the officers be taken away in order to learn as much as could be gotten from them, and at least he referred to it as an interview rather than an interrogation, but it could have been phrased better.

Will stopped him as the prisoners were led off, "Interview Captain Metternich first, then bring him to the wardroom. I would like to speak to him privately." Will could see the man's brain working, suspicions rising to the surface. "I have word for him about his sister, living in America. You can listen in if you like, I promise that's all."

Will turned to his officers once the prisoners were gone, seeing the same suspicions in their eyes. God, did none of them know Germans from before the war? There was nothing to his relationship with Otto, it was barely even a relationship. "I imagine you all are curious as to why that German Captain knows me." He shrugged, "We met twice in New York, his sister is a friend of my wife's. Back then he was rather arrogant, not to mention combative. It seems much has changed in the four years since I saw him last."

Bertie was by his side as the others went back to their duties, "Y-you're not the only one with friends on that side." He swallowed, "Or f-family."

Will nodded, lifting his binoculars again to watch the Peterel begin approaching the U-boat to take it under tow. "It must be difficult for you, Bertie."

"Not especially," He shrugged. "More for F-father and Mother. I never knew any of that s-s-side well."

"Well, I promise to ask him about any of your family, if you'd like." Will focused more on the U-boat, watching as men scrambled over it to secure the line before jumping back into their boat. With a prize in tow, they turned immediately for Rosyth. He ordered the Peterel to move behind them, and for the cruisers to stretch out enough to screen both ships while the destroyers led the way. Organizing the group took some time, and the sun was sinking rapidly towards the horizon when the intelligence officer came up, whispering that Otto was ready for him to speak to.

Will was not surprised when the man followed him, stuffing himself into a corner and attempting to be as unobtrusive as possible. He was also not surprised by the Marines on guard outside the wardroom and inside it as well.

He was surprised by the cuffs around Otto's wrists, and looked to the Marine. "That won't be necessary, please remove them." He quickly did, and Otto rubbed his wrists as Will sat across from him. "Now, how exactly did you wind up here?"

Otto frowned, "Poorly times engine trouble, we surfaced to fix it and heard you smashing away with your guns. I'd rather my men be prisoners than try and dive only to lose the engine and sink to the bottom." He sniffed, "I don't suppose you'd care to answer the same question?"

Will shrugged, "Well timed action, I rammed a U-boat and was promoted."

"At least you hit something on purpose this time." Otto snorted, "I don't suppose you learned who you sent to the depths?"

God it was tempting to punch the man. "Wilhelm Werner."

Otto let out a sour laugh, "Then I suppose I should thank you, the man was a stain on our navy." He leaned back in his chair, "Him and Schweiger have ruined our reputation."

Will recognized the other name, Schweiger, the one who had sunk the Lusitania. "Wouldn't it be your Kaiser's orders that ruined your reputation?"

The chair thudded back to the floor, Otto's voice serious. "Some of us kept our honor, I never once broke the cruiser rules. You can ask any of my men, I always gave warning and allowed the crew to evacuate."

That took Will aback. "I'm sure you'll understand if I don't believe you."

"Believe what you like, it's true."

"Given my experience, I'm doubtful." Will saw Otto's brow rise, his head cocked to the side. "My wife barely survived the Lusitania, thanks to one of your compatriots. But that was the purpose of your U-boats, to spread terror and kill anyone they can."

Otto bowed his head, "I am sorry Mrs. Murdoch was caught up in that, it was very ill done." He blinked, "I never wanted to chase down merchant ships, I wanted to go after your navy. Men who signed on and knew the risk, not innocents."

Will swallowed, sighing. "From what I remember, you do have a sense of honor."

"As do you."

"I actually brought you here for another reason besides arguing," Will rested his hands on the table. "I thought you might like to know about your sister."

His head jerked up, his eyes bright. "Sophie? Is she all right?"

"Yes, yes," Will held up his hands, doing his best to make a calming motion. "She writes Ana often, she's healthy. She had twins last year, boys."

A smile broke out, and Otto rubbed at his eyes. "Three nephews, at least I have a chance to meet them now."

"Yes," Will shook his head at the other man's reaction. "She named them Wilhelm and Frederich, perhaps she'll have another boy and name him after you."

Otto snorted, "She'd be better off naming him after anyone else." He sighed, "Thank you, Captain Murdoch. I haven't heard from her in years, I always worried about her."

Will gestured for the Marine to approach, turning back to Otto. "I'm sure she'll be glad when the war is over and you're released. For now, though, I'm afraid out meeting is done. If there is anything you or your men require, ask a guard and he will relay it to me."

Fortunately there wasn't much time for the prisoners to require anything. The lights of Edinburgh were spotted early into the night, and every ship slowed down as they slowly navigated their way up the Firth. Will had no doubt the U-boat drew quite a bit of attention, plenty of the men manning the submarine nets stared as the towline was transferred to tugboats and it began to be pulled up the river.

They weren't the only ones staring. Will had sent a message ahead regarding their return and prize, and apparently the news had made its way around the fleet. He pursed his lips, seeing that the berth next to the Queen Elizabeth had been cleared out. A frown followed as tugs came forward to shift them into the berth, officers clearly waiting to board once the gangplank had been extended.

He could see plenty of gold braid waiting, all of them arranged around a focal point that made him want to curse.

Admiral Beatty was the first one up the gangplank, quickly racing up the bridge. His officers almost struggled to keep up, while he was barely winded when he arrived in front of Will. "I have to say Captain, I didn't think you were off hunting! Perhaps I should join you for your next gunnery cruise, we could bag ourselves a battleship."

"I was hardly hunting, sir." Will saluted, relaxing once Beatty returned the gesture. "It was simple good luck."

"One should never turn that down." Beatty winked, his voice dropping. "Otherwise how else would you wind up with a wife like that?"

God, the man was insufferable. Why couldn't the officers up at Scapa Flow have accepted him as Jellicoe's replacement? It would have made Will's life far easier. But no, Beatty had fled Jellicoe's flagship that had been filled with resentful officers and soon enough had fled the anchorage entirely. He'd shown up with a battleship squadron, almost parading up the Firth. The man was pleased as punch to be back where he could pursue his various interests beyond the war, and to have received a promotion. Now all of Edinburgh was at his feet, the valiant Admiral leading the defense of the coast from the Firth.

Will coughed, "Sir, my prisoners. I have promised them that they will be treating with all due respect."

Beatty waved his hand, "Of course, they'll be treated as their rank demands. Now, tomorrow I want you to come through that U-boat with me. Did you manage to get your hands on any of their ciphers?"

"No, all papers and maps had been burned. All my men could find were personal letters, but they returned those after reading them through."

"Shame, would have been useful." Beatty lit up a cigarette, a smile on his lips. "Tell your wife to come back up, she should host a party to celebrate."

"After her last one, sir, I don't know if she'd be willing. She has a great deal to occupy herself at the moment." Will was already dreading Ana's reaction to the fact that Beatty had returned. One of her letters had been filled with gossip she had heard about her party after it had ended, including that Ethel Beatty had been spotted as the guest of another naval officer, and that they had headed off together, quite obviously kissing in the back of their cab.

Beatty smirked, "Well, she can't keep away forever. I shall write a recommendation for you to receive a medal, she'll have to host a party for that."