The command room lights dimmed as the orbital uplink stabilized, projecting a full-scale hologram of the former Azur Lane Headquarters across the center of the room.
The contrast was immediate.
Outside the dome, the ocean looked normal—calm, almost deceptively peaceful. Inside the barrier, however, the environment was completely different. Radiation storms distorted the air, the terrain was scorched and unstable, and the entire zone felt like a dead world sealed away from everything else.
Yuuki studied the projection in silence for a moment before zooming inward.
At the center—
A massive crater.
Perfectly flattened.
Too clean to be natural.
"…That was a direct strike," he said. "Nuclear-level, minimum."
Yorktown stepped closer, her eyes narrowing slightly.
"And still not enough," she added.
The scan deepened.
Beneath the crater, faint structural signatures appeared—layered, reinforced, buried deep underground.
Takao crossed her arms.
"So the headquarters still exists," she said. "Hidden beneath the surface."
Belfast nodded.
"And heavily fortified, judging by the residual structure integrity," she added. "The Sirens would not ignore something like that."
As if on cue, the hologram updated.
Red markers appeared.
Then multiplied.
Clusters of Siren activity spread across the dome interior, some patrolling, others converging toward specific points near the crater.
Vestal leaned forward slightly, analyzing the data.
"Their movement patterns are not random," she said. "They are scanning, probing, attempting entry."
Illustrious frowned faintly.
"That suggests whatever lies beneath is of significant importance, even to them," she said. "Possibly something they cannot easily access."
Yuuki exhaled slowly, processing it.
"…Which means we're walking into contested ground," he said.
He shifted the display to highlight the dome itself.
"What about the radiation levels?"
Vestal answered immediately.
"Extremely high," she said. "Prolonged exposure would be dangerous even for shipgirls. Without proper shielding, combat effectiveness would degrade quickly."
Yuuki nodded once.
"Alright," he said. "So we're not storming this place."
Atago tilted her head slightly, her tone thoughtful.
"Ufuu… if we go in loudly, we will draw every Siren in the dome to us," she said.
Takao followed up.
"And with their numbers increasing, that would be tactically unsound," she added. "We can deal with it, but its not actually risking looking for a way in while being attacked.
Yorktown looked at Yuuki.
"So we approach this quietly," she said.
Yuuki's gaze remained fixed on the hologram.
"Not just quietly," he replied. "Precisely."
He pointed toward the crater.
"They're focused here," he said. "Which means this is both the most dangerous point… and the most valuable one. However, we can find another way inside. People in there must have a backup way of escaping the headquarters before it was attacked."
Belfast folded her hands.
"Then infiltration is the optimal approach," she said. "Minimal presence, controlled engagement, avoidance of large-scale detection."
Illustrious nodded.
"We can support from above without fully committing the fleet," she added. "Selective strikes, if necessary."
Yuuki finally turned toward them.
"We're not here to fight the entire Siren force, unless we know another entrance." he said. "We're here to get inside that facility before they do."
There was a brief pause.
Then he added—
"And leave before they realize what happened."
The room grew quiet.
Because everyone understood what that meant.
Yuuki studied the hologram for a moment longer before turning to the group.
"Has anyone here been to the headquarters before?" he asked.
Only two responded.
Enterprise raised her hand first, followed by Belfast.
Yuuki glanced between them.
"Operational experience?" he asked.
Enterprise answered calmly.
"I was stationed there under my previous commander," she said. "All movements were formal—standard deployments, fleet coordination, and defensive operations. I have never approached it covertly."
Belfast gave a small nod.
"My experience mirrors hers," she said. "All entries and exits were conducted through official channels. Security was strict, and traffic was constant. There was no need for hidden routes at the time."
Yuuki folded his arms slightly.
"So everything you know is surface-level access," he said.
"Correct," Enterprise replied.
There was a brief pause.
Then Belfast spoke again.
"However… there is something worth considering."
Yuuki looked at her.
"Go on."
"Supply runs," she said.
Yuuki tilted his head slightly.
"What about them?"
Belfast stepped closer to the hologram, her tone more analytical now.
"The headquarters was an extremely active hub before it was destroyed," she explained. "Docking capacity was limited, and incoming traffic was tightly regulated. Direct supply landings on the main island were not always feasible."
Yorktown crossed her arms lightly.
"So supplies were rerouted elsewhere first."
"Exactly," Belfast said. "Logistics required discretion and efficiency. Supplies were often delivered to secondary locations, then transported inward."
Yuuki's eyes narrowed slightly.
"…You are suggesting external staging points."
"Yes," Belfast confirmed. "Most likely nearby islands. From there, supplies could be transferred underground to avoid congestion and maintain operational flow."
Takao leaned forward slightly.
"An underground transport system," she said.
Belfast inclined her head.
"It would be the most logical solution given the scale of operations," she replied.
Yuuki gave a faint smirk.
"That actually makes a lot of sense."
He turned back to the hologram.
"Jarvis," he said, "run a triangulation."
"Processing," the AI responded immediately.
"Map a direct logistical line from the headquarters outward," Yuuki continued. "Cross-reference with nearby islands. Identify any anomalies consistent with underground transport systems or hidden facilities."
The hologram shifted rapidly as multiple data layers appeared—terrain mapping, structural scans, subsurface readings.
"Scanning…" Jarvis continued. "Five islands detected within optimal supply radius."
Markers appeared around the headquarters.
"Filtering based on structural irregularities…"
One by one, four of the markers dimmed.
Only one remained.
Highlighted.
"Target identified," Jarvis said. "Island located at extended distance from headquarters. Dense forest coverage. Subsurface scans indicate artificial structures inconsistent with natural geology."
The display zoomed in.
Beneath the canopy—
Angular shapes.
Buried.
Deliberate.
"…That is not natural," Vestal said quietly.
Yuuki nodded.
"No, it isn't."
Jarvis continued.
"Thermal signatures are minimal. No significant Siren presence detected. However, structural layout suggests prior human construction, possibly concealed or abandoned."
Atago tilted her head slightly.
"So this could be the backdoor," she said.
Takao nodded in agreement.
"If Belfast's assessment is correct, this location may serve as an access point to the underground network," she said.
Enterprise stepped forward, her tone firm.
"And if the Sirens have not discovered it yet, this may be our only opportunity to infiltrate undetected."
Yuuki crossed his arms again, clearly satisfied with the development.
"Then that is our entry point," he said.
He looked around at the group.
"We avoid the main island entirely," he continued. "We enter through their logistics network—the one they no longer expect anyone to use."
Belfast gave a slight nod.
"A covert insertion route with minimal exposure," she said.
Yorktown followed.
"This turns the mission into infiltration rather than direct engagement."
Yuuki allowed himself a faint smile.
"Exactly," he said.
Then his tone hardened.
"We move fast, stay quiet, and get inside before the Sirens realize what we are doing."
He glanced back at the highlighted island.
"Because once they do," he added, "this stops being infiltration and turns into a full-scale battle."
And that—
Was exactly what they intended to avoid for now.
Yuuki let the hologram fade slightly as he turned back to the group, his expression shifting from analysis to command.
"Alright," he said, his tone firm. "Roles."
The room straightened with him.
"I will lead the infiltration team," he continued. "Yorktown and Belfast will be with me."
There was a brief pause.
"Enterprise as well."
Enterprise stepped forward without hesitation.
"Yes, Commander."
Yuuki nodded once, then continued assigning.
"The rest of you remain with the fleet," he said. "We are not committing full force unless necessary."
He glanced toward Laffey.
"Laffey, you take control of the command carrier's weapons systems," he said. "Maintain overwatch. If anything escalates, you respond immediately."
Laffey gave a small nod from her position.
"…Laffey… will shoot things…"
Yuuki allowed that.
Then he turned to Illustrious.
"Illy, aerial units and carriers are yours," he said. "Maintain high-altitude control and reconnaissance. No aggressive engagement unless I give the order. However, prepare the stealth bombers and fighters just in case those things snooping around."
Illustrious smiled softly, already understanding the balance required.
"As you wish, Lord Commander," she said.
Yuuki's gaze shifted to Unicorn.
"Unicorn," he said more gently as he levels down and pat her head. Shipgirl she may be but, she is just a little girl. "you stay back with Illy and observe for now. Big brother doesn't have a direct task for you yet."
Unicorn nodded, hugging U-chan a little tighter.
"…I will watch and learn, big brother…"
That was enough.
Yuuki then looked toward Atago and Takao.
"Atago, Takao," he said, "you oversee the destroyers and Aegis units. Maintain defensive formation and interception readiness."
Atago smiled, confidence returning.
"Ufuu… leave it to onee-san~"
Takao followed with a firm nod.
"We will hold the line."
Finally, Yuuki turned to Vestal.
"Vestal, you remain aboard the Orca Ex," he said. "Stand by for extraction."
He met her eyes directly.
"When we secure the entry point, you move in and retrieve us."
Vestal straightened immediately.
"Understood, Commander," she said.
Yuuki nodded, satisfied.
Then he looked toward the central interface.
"Jarvis," he said.
"Yes, Commander."
"Activate full stealth and shield coverage across the fleet," Yuuki ordered. "Reduce signature output to minimum. Position the fleet at a safe distance from the target zone."
"Executing," the AI responded.
The hologram updated as the fleet repositioned, their signatures dimming as it literally disappear as its stealth shielding activating, systems shifting into low-detection mode.
Yuuki continued.
"We approach the island using the dropship," he said. "No large-scale movement. No unnecessary noise."
Yorktown crossed her arms slightly, already focused.
"Silent insertion," she said.
Belfast gave a small nod.
"Minimal presence, maximum efficiency."
Enterprise looked toward the target marker, her expression steady.
"We go in unseen," she said.
Yuuki allowed a faint smirk.
"That's the plan."
Yuuki stepped forward as his armor began to assemble around him in layered precision. Plates folded and locked into place, the surface darkening into a muted, light-absorbing finish.
"The Mark XV," he said. "Sneaky configuration."
The armor settled completely, its presence far quieter than his previous suits. Even standing in the open, it already felt… less noticeable.
"Designed for stealth, signal suppression, and low-visibility insertion," he added.
Then he turned back to the three assigned for infiltration—Yorktown, Belfast, and Enterprise.
"I can't lend you my armor," he said. "It's hard-locked to me."
He opened his interface and retrieved three compact, triangular devices. Each one emitted a faint, contained energy signature.
"But I can give you this."
He held them out.
"These are Da'at Yichud Power Suits," he explained. "Ancient tech. Extremely advanced. Adaptive, self-forming, and capable of full-spectrum protection."
The three of them looked at the devices carefully.
Yuuki continued.
"They were developed by an old secret society back in my world," he said. "We gained access to their technology later. It's one of the reasons GDI became what it is."
Enterprise examined the device more closely.
"…And these will allow us to operate inside the radiation zone?" she asked.
"Yes," Yuuki replied. "Radiation shielding, environmental sealing, mobility enhancement, and basic combat support. Not as strong as my armor—but more than enough for infiltration."
Belfast nodded slightly.
"A suitable solution," she said.
Yuuki paused briefly.
"…There is one thing, though."
All three looked at him.
"The suits need direct surface contact to deploy properly," he said. "Your current outfits will interfere with full integration."
There was a very brief silence.
Then—
Atago's voice cut in from the back, already amused.
"Ara~ how bold, Shikikan-sama~"
Yuuki immediately raised a hand.
"Not what you think," he said flatly.
That did not stop the reactions.
Yorktown looked away slightly.
Enterprise stiffened.
Belfast remained composed—but her eyes narrowed just a fraction.
Yuuki exhaled.
"It's necessary," he said. "The system bonds directly to your surface layer and forms over you. If there's interference, it won't deploy correctly."
He turned around deliberately.
"I won't look," he added.
There was a pause.
Then Belfast spoke first, calm as ever.
"Understood, Master," she said.
Yorktown followed with a small breath.
"…Alright."
Enterprise hesitated the longest—
Then nodded.
"…Understood, Commander."
Behind them, Atago leaned toward Takao with a quiet laugh.
"Ufufu… this is getting interesting~"
Takao sighed.
"Atago-nee…"
Yuuki kept his back turned, arms crossed, waiting.
"…Just tell me when you're ready."
Because for once—
Even he knew better than to push his luck.
The atmosphere shifted the moment the preparation became real.
It was necessary.
All three of them understood that.
And yet—
That didn't make it easy.
Yorktown, Belfast, and Enterprise stood together, each of them composed in their own way, but the faint color on their cheeks gave them away. Removing their outer layers was not something they had ever imagined doing in front of their commander, no matter how clinical the reason was.
Yuuki, for his part, had already tied a strip of cloth over his eyes.
"I said I won't look," he muttered. "This just makes it official."
That alone eased the tension—slightly.
Even if, unknown to them, his perception systems didn't rely on sight alone.
After a few quiet moments, Belfast spoke.
"Master… we are ready."
Yuuki nodded and stepped forward carefully, guided more by positioning than vision. He knelt and placed the three triangular devices on the floor in front of them.
"Alright," he said. "Step onto them."
They did.
The moment their feet made contact—
Yuuki activated the devices.
A low hum filled the air.
Then—
Light.
The triangular cores expanded, projecting a lattice of faint, hexagonal patterns that began to rise from the ground. The energy wrapped around their legs first, forming structure where there had been none.
Layer by layer—
The suits began assembling.
Not bulky.
Not rigid.
But precise.
Each hexagonal segment locked into place seamlessly, adapting to their forms as if the system already knew them. The armor climbed upward, covering them in a smooth, flowing motion—legs, torso, arms—
Until it reached their necks.
The transformation was silent, efficient, and almost elegant.
The room went still.
Atago blinked.
"…Ufuu… that is… impressive."
Takao's eyes narrowed slightly, analyzing the structure.
"…Modular… adaptive… and self-aligning," she murmured.
Illustrious watched with quiet amazement.
"It forms as if it were alive…"
Even Laffey lifted her head slightly.
"…Shiny…"
As the final segments locked into place, the glow faded.
The three stood there—
Fully equipped.
Protected.
The suits settled into a stable state, their surfaces smooth, faint lines of energy running subtly across them.
Yuuki stood up and removed the cloth from his eyes.
"…Good," he said, looking them over.
His tone shifted slightly—more focused now.
"How does it feel?"
Yorktown flexed her fingers slightly, testing responsiveness.
"…Light," she said. "Much lighter than expected."
Enterprise moved her arm, then her shoulder.
"…No restriction," she added. "It responds instantly."
Belfast gave a small nod.
"Fully integrated," she confirmed. "It feels… natural."
Yuuki allowed a faint smile.
"That's the idea," he said. "Now you can operate inside that zone without worrying about radiation or environmental hazards."
He turned back toward the hologram.
The suits did not stop at the neck.
A final sequence activated.
The collars shifted slightly, then thin hexagonal plates rose and curved around their heads. Piece by piece, the helmets formed smoothly, sealing without pressure or discomfort.
A soft glow flickered inside.
Then—
Their hair disappeared.
Yorktown lifted a hand to her helmet.
"…Where did my hair go?"
Yuuki answered calmly.
"It's stored inside the helmet," he said. "Safe and out of the way."
Enterprise turned her head slowly, testing her view.
"I can see clearly," she said. "No blind spots."
Belfast moved her arm slightly, checking her balance.
"It feels natural," she said. "No restriction."
Yuuki nodded.
"I updated the design," he said. "No bulky helmets. This is lighter, faster, and easier to use."
The surface of their helmets was smooth and modern, with faint lines showing the systems inside. It looked clean and advanced, not heavy or outdated.
Atago leaned forward, clearly impressed.
"They look really good."
Takao gave a small nod.
"Efficient and well designed."
Illustrious smiled.
"It suits them."
Yuuki crossed his arms and looked at the three of them.
"You're fully protected now," he said. "Radiation won't affect you. The environment won't slow you down."
He paused for a moment.
"So focus on the mission."
Yorktown, Belfast, and Enterprise stood ready.
Not just protected—
But prepared.
And now, they could walk into that zone—
And come back out.
Yuuki stepped forward again, opening his interface.
"Alright," he said. "Now, weapons."
Three rifles materialized in front of him, each one sleek but clearly dangerous. The frame looked compact, but the core pulsed faintly with unstable energy.
He picked one up.
"This is the Black Widow Volt Auto Rifle," he said. "It fires concentrated electricity. Think of it like shooting a lightning bolt."
Enterprise's eyes focused on the weapon.
"…Electric-based weaponry."
Yuuki nodded.
"Two firing modes," he continued. "First is a straight discharge. Fast, direct, and high damage."
He adjusted the rifle slightly.
"Second mode fires a charged electric sphere. Slower, but it spreads on impact."
Yorktown crossed her arms slightly.
"Area control," she said.
"Exactly," Yuuki replied.
He handed one rifle to each of them.
"Be careful with it," he added. "This thing is powerful, but unstable. It's not beginner-friendly."
Belfast examined the weapon calmly.
"It appears… volatile," she said.
"That's because it is," Yuuki answered. "The control system isn't perfect. The chamber is exposed, and the discharge can be dangerous if mishandled."
Enterprise tightened her grip slightly.
"…And we are safe using it?"
Yuuki pointed at their suits.
"Your suits will protect you from the feedback," he said. "Without them, I wouldn't even let you touch it."
Yorktown gave a small nod.
"Understood."
Yuuki continued, his tone more serious now.
"This weapon is extremely effective against machines, androids, and armored targets," he said. "It will tear through Siren units."
He paused briefly.
"It works on humans too," he added. "So don't get careless."
There was a short silence.
Belfast spoke first.
"We will handle it properly, Master."
Enterprise followed.
"I will not misuse this weapon, Commander."
Yorktown gave a firm nod.
"We'll make it count."
Yuuki stepped back slightly, satisfied.
"Good," he said. "Let's see how well you adapt."
Because now—
They weren't just infiltrating.
They were going in armed with something the Sirens had never faced before.
Yuuki looked around the room, making sure everyone was paying attention.
"Alright," he said. "You'll be monitoring us from here."
He pointed to the main display.
"It's like watching a live feed," he continued. "You'll see everything we see, and you can talk to us in real time."
Illustrious nodded.
"We will maintain full awareness, Lord Commander."
Yuuki gave a small nod, then added more firmly—
"You are allowed to engage any Sirens that threaten the fleet," he said. "But stealth comes first."
Atago tilted her head slightly.
"So we only fight if needed?"
"Exactly," Yuuki replied. "And you tell me before you make a move. No surprises."
Takao answered immediately.
"Understood."
Laffey, still half-lounging, raised a hand slightly.
"…Laffey will ask before shooting…"
Yuuki glanced at her.
"Good."
Vestal straightened slightly.
"We will support from the rear and wait for your signal."
Unicorn hugged U-chan and nodded.
"We will watch you, big brother…"
Yuuki looked at all of them one last time.
"Stay sharp," he said. "We go in quiet, we come out clean."
The group answered together, steady and clear.
"Understood, Commander."
"Yes, Shikikan-sama."
And with that—
The operation began.
=============
The former Azur Lane Headquarters had once been the heart of naval command.
It was where fleets were organized, where research was conducted, and where decisions that shaped entire operations were made. The Research Academy, the Gear Lab, and the command structure itself all centered on that island.
Now—
It was a dead zone.
Encased in a containment dome after the nuclear strike, the island had been cut off from the rest of the world. Inside, radiation saturated everything. The land was scarred, the air unstable, and whatever remained beneath the surface had been left buried and forgotten.
The dropship descended silently onto the smaller outer island.
Dense forest surrounded the landing zone, masking what lay beneath. At first glance, it looked untouched. But the scans had already confirmed it—there was a hidden facility below, concealed long ago and later abandoned after the bombing.
The ramp lowered.
Yuuki stepped out first, his Mark XV armor blending into the environment with muted precision. Behind him, ten Iron Legion units deployed in formation, hovering slightly above ground level, scanning and securing the perimeter.
Yorktown, Belfast, and Enterprise followed.
Their armored suits moved smoothly, their new weapons held ready.
Above them, the dropship engines powered up again.
"Signal me when you're ready for extraction," Vestal's voice came through the comms.
"Got it," Yuuki replied.
The rear ramp closed.
Moments later, the dropship lifted off and disappeared back toward the fleet, leaving the infiltration team alone on the island.
Yuuki looked around slowly.
The forest was quiet.
Too quiet.
"Alright," he said. "Showtime, ladies."
He took a few steps forward, scanning the terrain.
"Place looks abandoned," he added. "But abandoned doesn't mean empty."
Enterprise tightened her grip on the Volt Auto Rifle.
"Agreed," she said. "We should assume possible Siren scouting presence."
Belfast moved slightly ahead, her posture composed but alert.
"The concealment here is deliberate," she said. "This was not a temporary site."
Yorktown glanced toward the tree line.
"If this was a supply relay point," she said, "then the entrance won't be obvious."
Yuuki nodded.
"Which means it's either underground access or concealed structure," he said.
He gestured slightly.
"Legions, spread out. Low scan mode. No noise."
The Iron Legion units moved instantly, dispersing into the forest, their presence barely noticeable as they began scanning.
Yuuki stepped forward again, his voice quieter now.
"…Let's see what they left behind."
Because if Belfast was right—
This island wasn't just a waypoint.
It was the key to getting inside without being seen.
================
A faint crackle came through the comms just as Yuuki stepped deeper into the concealed facility.
"You. What's up, man."
Yuuki smirked slightly.
"Vergil?"
"Yeah," the voice replied. "And by the way, thanks for the captured Siren units. The research team is losing their minds over intact samples. Way better than scraps."
Yuuki walked forward, scanning the structure.
"Good," he said. "Use them. Extract everything you can."
"We will," Vergil answered. "We'll match the data and send it your way."
The team moved under the massive canopy.
From above, it was nothing but dense forest.
Below—
A hidden facility.
Abandoned.
Silent.
The Iron Legions spread out, scanning every corner. No life signs. No Siren presence. No human activity.
"Looks like they left in a hurry," Yorktown said.
"Radiation probably drove them out," Belfast added.
Yuuki nodded.
"We found something bigger," he said into the comm. "There's a hidden access point here. Could lead straight into the headquarters."
Vergil's tone sharpened immediately.
"That's huge."
Yuuki gestured slightly.
"I'm sending the Legions to scan and salvage everything first," he said.
Eight of the units broke off instantly, moving through the facility. Doors were forced open. Systems were accessed. Old terminals flickered back to life under rapid hacking.
Some systems were dead.
Some still worked.
Data began flowing.
Nearby, the three shipgirls moved through the area, checking storage rooms and supply sections.
Enterprise stopped at a crate.
"…Ammo," she said.
Yorktown opened another.
"Oil reserves."
Belfast examined a rack carefully.
"These are shipgirl-grade supplies," she said. "Standard issue."
They moved deeper.
Then—
They found it.
A warehouse.
Rows upon rows of storage.
Stacked high.
Organized.
Preserved.
Yuuki stopped.
"…You've got to be kidding me."
Even Belfast and Yorktown fell silent.
Enterprise stepped forward slowly.
"These are… ours," she said.
It was everything.
Equipment of every class.
Weapons.
Ammunition.
Support systems.
All intact.
But unreachable.
Without the proper system—
They could not equip them.
Yuuki walked forward, picking up items one by one.
Small aircraft units.
Heavy shells.
Oil canisters.
Weapon modules.
"This is insane," he muttered. "This is a full supply chain."
Through the comm—
"Holy…," Vergil said. "That's a gold mine."
Yuuki nodded slowly.
"You have no idea," he replied.
He looked around again, eyes sharp now.
"If we can study these… we can replicate them," he said. "Or adapt our own systems to match."
Vergil's tone turned excited.
"Do it. Grab everything."
Yuuki didn't hesitate.
"Legions," he ordered, "start collection."
The units moved instantly.
Beams activated.
Crates began to shrink.
Massive containers compressed into small, compact cubes without losing contents.
The girls watched.
Wide-eyed.
Entire sections of the warehouse—
Reduced.
Stored.
Organized in a simple box.
Takao's voice came through the comm quietly.
"…That is… highly efficient."
Atago sounded equally impressed.
"Ufuu… onee-san wants that technology."
Yuuki didn't stop.
"Careful stacking," he added. "No damage."
Box after box disappeared into storage.
An entire warehouse—
Condensed.
Contained.
Ready for transport.
Yuuki exhaled slowly, looking at what remained.
"…I've been looking for this," he said.
Because this wasn't just supplies.
This was knowledge.
A foundation.
And if this was just the outer facility—
Then whatever lay inside the main headquarters—
Would be even more valuable.
=============
Once the last crate had been secured, Yuuki closed his inventory interface. The entire warehouse—what used to be a full supply depot—was now condensed and stored.
At the same time, all recovered data had already been transmitted.
"Upload complete," Friday's voice echoed through the comms. "Research division has received all files. Analysis and compilation in progress."
Yuuki smirked slightly.
"Bet they're excited."
"They are," Vergil replied. "Multiple departments have already begun reviewing the materials. You just made your research girls very happy."
Back on-site, the outer facility was effectively cleared.
Nothing left worth taking.
Nothing left worth staying for.
===============
Yorktown, Belfast, and Enterprise disengaged their helmets. The suits retracted slightly around their heads, allowing them to breathe normally again.
Each of them pulled out small red cans taken from the boxes before they are stored.
Fuel.
They opened them and drank. Even taking in some packet bauxite bars.
Yuuki paused mid-step and stared.
"…Hold on," he said. "Those things kept your riggings running? How does that even taste?"
Yorktown glanced at him.
"You want to try, Commander?"
He shrugged.
"Why not."
She handed him the can.
There was a very brief pause as she realized what she had just done, her cheeks tinting slightly.
Yuuki didn't notice.
He took a sip.
And immediately regretted it.
"—Blerrghh!"
He pulled the can away, coughing slightly.
"…That's crude oil."
Enterprise looked at him. Amazed that he actually tried them.
"…Yes."
Belfast remained composed.
"It is not meant for human consumption, Master."
Yuuki wiped his mouth.
"…That is the worst thing I've tasted."
Yorktown covered her mouth slightly, trying not to laugh.
"It's normal for us," she said.
Atago's voice came through the comm, clearly amused.
"Ufufu… Shikikan-sama actually tried it~"
Takao added calmly.
"That was expected."
Yuuki shook his head.
"Yeah, yeah… laugh it up."
But he wasn't done yet. He took up one of the Bauxite bars and took a bite.
"Commander..." Yorktown sweat dropped.
"Heh... not bad.. It tasted like coconut." His face twisted. "And metal."
The girls finished refueling and restock their rigging's ammo.
Their riggings reactivated smoothly, systems stabilizing as energy levels returned to full. Ammo full and fuel is full.
The suits adapted around them, adjusting seamlessly to accommodate the rigging structures without interference.
Enterprise rolled her shoulder slightly.
"…Fully restored."
Belfast adjusted her posture.
"All systems operational."
Yorktown gave a small nod.
"Ready."
They re-engaged their helmets.
The suits sealed again and their riggings stored.
Yuuki looked toward the deeper section of the facility—the direction that would lead underground.
"…Alright," he said.
"Let's move."
They moved deeper into the facility until the space opened into something larger.
A station.
Old.
Industrial.
Still intact.
Rails stretched forward into darkness, disappearing into a tunnel that clearly led underground. The structure was reinforced, built to survive heavy impact, and somehow it had endured everything.
Yuuki slowed his steps.
"…Found it," he said.
He raised his hand slightly and began scanning the area. His armor fed him data—structural integrity, energy flow, environmental hazards.
The system paused.
Then confirmed.
"No active threats," he said. "Rail line is stable."
Belfast stepped closer, observing the layout.
"This matches the supply route theory," she said. "This was used to move equipment underground."
Yorktown glanced down the tunnel.
"Straight into the headquarters," she said.
Enterprise tightened her grip on her weapon.
"Then this is our entry."
Yuuki nodded.
"Looks like it."
He moved toward the control panel. The system was old, but not dead. With a quick interface override, power surged back through the station. Lights flickered on one by one, illuminating the tracks.
A train sat idle on the line.
Waiting.
"…Still functional," Yuuki said.
He turned slightly.
"Legions," he ordered. "Eight of you stay here. Secure the station. No one gets in or out."
The units responded instantly, spreading out into defensive positions around the area.
Yuuki looked at the remaining two.
"You're with me."
They moved into formation behind him.
He stepped onto the train platform.
"Everyone aboard," he said.
Yorktown, Belfast, and Enterprise followed without hesitation, their movements steady and controlled. The suits remained sealed, their weapons ready.
Once inside, Yuuki activated the system.
The train hummed to life.
For a moment—
Nothing.
Then—
It moved.
Slow at first.
Then faster.
The station disappeared behind them as they entered the tunnel. Darkness closed in around the train, broken only by the faint lights along the track.
The deeper they went—
The quieter it became.
No wind.
No sound.
Just the steady motion of the train carrying them further beneath the surface.
Yorktown looked ahead.
"…This leads straight into the heart of it."
Belfast remained composed.
"Then we proceed with caution."
Enterprise said nothing.
Her focus was forward.
Yuuki leaned slightly back, eyes on the tunnel ahead.
"…Stay sharp," he said.
Because whatever survived down there—
Was waiting.
===============
The train slowed as it approached the final stretch.
Metal screeched softly against metal before coming to a complete stop.
The doors opened.
Yuuki stepped out first, his boots echoing faintly across the platform. The space was larger than expected—a full underground railway facility, built to handle massive volumes of cargo.
And it had been preserved.
Crates lined the walls.
Stacks of containers.
Equipment still organized in rows, untouched for years.
"…So this is where everything went," Yuuki said.
Yorktown walked forward, scanning the area.
"Supply hub," she said. "This is where they staged everything before sending it up."
Enterprise moved toward a nearby crate and opened it.
"…More equipment," she confirmed. "Still intact."
Belfast nodded slightly.
"This facility was sealed properly," she said. "It was never breached."
Yuuki didn't waste time.
"Legions," he ordered. "Same procedure. Scan, sort, and store."
The two Iron Legions moved immediately, their beams activating. Crates began shrinking, compressing into manageable sizes before being transferred into Yuuki's inventory.
Box after box disappeared.
Entire rows—
Gone.
Yuuki walked through the area as the process continued, picking up smaller items along the way.
"…This place is a gold mine," he muttered.
Through the comm—
"Sir," Jarvis said.
Yuuki paused slightly.
"Go ahead."
"It appears this is the main underground facility connected to the Azur Lane Headquarters," Jarvis reported. "The surface above is heavily occupied by Siren forces. However, this section remains completely sealed."
Yuuki looked around again.
"…So they never got in."
"Correct," Jarvis replied. "This area has been isolated for years."
Belfast spoke quietly.
"That explains the condition of the supplies," she said. "No degradation beyond time itself."
Yorktown crossed her arms slightly.
"And it means we're currently inside the only untouched part of the headquarters."
Enterprise looked toward the deeper corridors.
"…For now."
Yuuki nodded once.
"Then we take everything we can," he said. "And figure out how to move deeper from here."
The last of the crates vanished into storage.
The station—
Cleared.
Yuuki exhaled slowly.
"…Alright," he said.
"We're officially inside."
=============
Above the surface, the ocean remained deceptively calm.
A single Siren vessel drifted near the island, its sensors sweeping slowly across the shoreline. It did not rush. It did not attack. It simply observed, circling just far enough to avoid suspicion while still close enough to investigate.
On the GDI side—
Everything was ready.
Weapons systems were armed.
Targeting solutions locked.
Atago stood at her station, eyes fixed on the display.
"…That ship is getting a little too curious," she said, her tone light but focused.
Around her, the battleship guns were already aligned, silent but prepared to fire at a moment's notice. The Chrono Prison cruisers had also shifted slightly, their systems primed, ready to erase the target cleanly if given the order.
Takao stood beside her, watching carefully.
"Do not engage yet," she said. "We risk exposing the entire operation."
Atago gave a small sigh.
"I know," she replied. "But onee-san is ready if needed."
Laffey, half-leaning against her console, murmured quietly.
"…Target locked… waiting…"
Illustrious monitored the aerial units, her voice calm.
"Our aircraft are in position. We can intercept if it moves closer."
Yuuki's voice came through the command channel.
"Hold position," he said. "No engagement unless it confirms our presence."
The Siren ship paused for a moment longer.
Its sensors swept the island one last time.
Then—
It turned.
Slowly.
And began moving away.
Atago exhaled.
"…That was intense."
She relaxed slightly, though her systems remained active.
"I was ready to drop it into a Chrono Prison," she added.
Takao allowed herself a small nod.
"But you did not," she said. "That is what matters."
Atago smiled faintly.
"Ufuu… Good thing we have patience."
Above them, the tension eased.
The fleet remained hidden.
Undetected.
And below—
Yuuki's team continued deeper—
Unnoticed.
===============
They advanced through the underground corridor in a tight formation, their footsteps muted against the reinforced flooring. The deeper they went, the more the facility felt… preserved, as if time had simply stopped.
Then—
They stopped.
Ahead, a unit stood motionless near a sealed doorway.
A security droid.
Its frame was aged but intact, faint lights flickering across its surface.
"…Automated defense," Belfast said quietly.
Yuuki narrowed his gaze.
"Looks like it's been running on standby this whole time," he said.
Enterprise raised her rifle slightly.
"What are your orders?"
Yuuki didn't hesitate.
"Take it out," he said. "Lightning should shut it down clean."
Yorktown stepped forward, steady and precise. She raised the Volt Auto Rifle, aligned her shot, and fired.
A bolt of concentrated electricity surged forward.
It hit the droid—
And instantly overloaded its system.
Sparks burst outward as the unit seized, then collapsed to the ground with a dull metallic thud.
Silence lasted—
Half a second.
Then—
More units activated.
Lights flickered on across the corridor as multiple security droids powered up, turning toward them.
"They're waking up," Enterprise said.
"Expected," Yuuki replied.
The first wave advanced.
Yorktown fired again, her shots clean and controlled. Enterprise followed, her aim precise, each discharge frying circuitry on impact. Belfast moved with calm efficiency, eliminating targets without wasted motion.
The droids fell one after another.
Yuuki stepped forward as one of the disabled units twitched on the ground. He reached down and stored it into his inventory.
"Taking this one," he said. "We can study it later."
More droids rounded the corner.
A dozen this time.
Yuuki didn't wait.
Panels on his shoulders shifted open.
"Stand back," he said.
Micro-missiles launched silently—
Fast.
Precise.
Each one struck directly at a droid's head unit.
One after another—
Impact.
Shutdown.
The corridor went quiet again as the last unit collapsed.
Yuuki lowered his arm.
"…What?" he said casually. "Can't let you girls do all the work."
Yorktown glanced at him.
"…We had it handled."
"I know," Yuuki replied.
Enterprise scanned ahead.
"…More may come."
Belfast nodded slightly.
"Then we proceed with caution."
Yuuki gestured forward.
"Stay sharp," Yuuki said. "If these things are still active, then this place isn't as dead as it looks."
They pushed forward.
The corridors widened.
The structure changed.
What had been a transport network slowly gave way to something more deliberate—cleaner, more organized, more important.
Then—
They reached it.
A massive chamber opened before them, and at its center—
The crest of Azur Lane.
Still intact.
Still standing.
Yuuki slowed his steps.
"…Well," he said quietly. "We found it."
Yorktown looked around the room, her voice low.
"This is it," she said. "The core facility."
Belfast observed the architecture, her tone calm.
"The underground research division," she said. "Command, development, and analysis would have been conducted here."
Enterprise stepped forward, scanning the area.
"…No movement," she said. "No Sirens."
The place was silent.
Deserted.
Frozen in time.
Yuuki gestured slightly.
"Legions, start extraction," he ordered.
The units moved immediately, spreading across the room. Panels opened, systems were accessed, and dormant terminals flickered back to life under forced activation.
Data began flowing again.
Yuuki walked toward a central map display, brushing dust off its surface as he examined it.
"…Layouts, divisions… access routes," he muttered. "This place is bigger than I thought."
Behind him—
Yorktown, Belfast, and Enterprise activated the enhancement systems of their suits.
With a controlled burst—
They leapt upward.
Landing smoothly on the floor above.
From there, they began scanning additional sections—offices, storage rooms, command areas.
Everything—
Sealed.
Yorktown looked down from above.
"The structure is intact," she said. "No breach from the outside."
Enterprise added—
"Radiation levels outside must have forced a complete lockdown."
Belfast nodded slightly.
"This facility was designed to isolate itself," she said. "Once sealed, it would remain protected indefinitely."
Yuuki glanced up at them.
"…Which means whatever's here," he said, "was never touched."
The Legions continued pulling data, extracting files, copying entire systems.
The deeper they accessed—
The more valuable it became.
Yuuki looked around one more time.
"…We're sitting on something big."
A Legion unit paused beside a central terminal, its optics flickering as it processed newly decrypted files.
"Sir… we found something," Jarvis reported through it.
Yuuki turned immediately.
"Go on."
"It appears this facility was used to receive shipgirls after destruction," Jarvis continued. "Reconstruction protocols exist here. If conditions are optimal, revival is possible."
Yorktown's eyes widened slightly.
"…So that's why," she said. "Our old commander brought Wisdom Cubes here."
Belfast nodded.
"A controlled revival system," she said. "That explains the secrecy."
Yuuki's expression sharpened.
"…And the manufacturing side?"
Jarvis continued.
"There are references to production systems," he said. "Ammunition fabrication, rigging assembly… and possibly the origin system for shipgirls themselves."
Yuuki smirked.
"Now that," he said, "is exactly what we're looking for."
He crossed his arms.
"See if you can find anything about creating Wisdom Cubes."
There was a brief pause.
Then another voice came through the comm.
"I already tried that," Vergil said.
Yuuki tilted his head slightly.
"What did you find?"
Vergil's tone shifted—more serious now.
"Wisdom Cubes are locked behind something they call 'the Creator,'" he said. "All core data is restricted. Even the fragments we got are incomplete."
Yorktown frowned.
"The Creator?"
Vergil continued.
"According to the data, the KANSEN Project started with reverse-engineered alien material," he explained. "That tech became the foundation of Wisdom Cubes."
Yuuki paused as the data continued scrolling across the interface.
"…Kansen Project?" he asked.
Vergil corrected him immediately.
"Not 'Kansen' like a word," he said. "KAN-SEN Project."
Yuuki folded his arms slightly.
"Alright," he said. "Explain it properly."
Vergil didn't hesitate.
"KAN-SEN are essentially bio-androids," he said. "Not mechanical, not fully organic either. They're created from altered matter using something called Wisdom Cubes."
Enterprise's eyes narrowed slightly.
"…So we are artificial?"
Vergil answered carefully.
"Not just artificial," he said. "You're built from the interaction between human consciousness and those cubes. Think of it as a fusion of memory, identity, and engineered matter. An AI core program, a ship that assimilated into the wisdom cube. Full assimilation before birth into a fully capable and fighting ready ship girl. This is some technology."
Belfast remained composed, though her tone sharpened.
"And our rigging?" she asked.
"That's part of the system," Vergil replied. "Your rigging is both your armor and your weapon platform. It lets you use naval firepower while staying mobile."
Yorktown glanced at her own hands.
"…So everything we are… was designed."
Vergil continued.
"There's more," he said. "Each of you carries the memories and history of the warship you represent. That's what shapes your personality, your instincts, even your combat ability."
Yuuki exhaled slowly.
"…So let me get this straight," he said. "You take a warship's history, main ship itself, an extremely advanced AI core, turn it into a consciousness, store it in a cube, and then give it a physical form."
Vergil gave a short response.
"That's exactly it."
Silence followed.
Enterprise looked down briefly.
"…Then our past… our battles…"
Belfast finished the thought.
"…Are not just records. They are part of who we are. They are real but, we aren't ship girls back then. We are just ships."
Yorktown remained quiet for a moment before speaking.
"…That explains why it feels real."
Yuuki looked at all three of them.
Yuuki's voice softened, but the weight behind it did not lessen.
"Designed or not," he said, "you're still you."
Enterprise lifted her gaze toward him.
Belfast stood composed, listening without interruption.
Yorktown met his eyes directly.
Yuuki continued, more firmly now.
"I don't care how you were made," he said. "What matters is what you choose to be now."
He stepped a little closer, his tone steady.
"You think, you decide, you feel," he added. "You've been sad, you've cried, you've laughed. You react, you care, you grow."
There was no hesitation in his voice.
"You eat my cooking and call it good," he said with a faint smirk. "That alone already puts you ahead of most people in this world."
That drew a small reaction.
Subtle.
But real.
Behind their helmets, there was a warmth they could not fully hide and they're glad their commander here wasn't able to see it.
Enterprise's grip on her weapon relaxed slightly.
Belfast's posture softened, just enough to show it mattered.
Yorktown's expression steadied, but her eyes carried something quieter.
A pause settled between them.
Then Enterprise spoke.
"…Understood, Commander."
Belfast followed.
"As you say, Master."
Yorktown gave a firm nod.
"We will prove that."
Yuuki's voice returned through the comm, lighter now.
"Good," he said. "Because from what I'm seeing, you already are humans. Artificially made or not."
Yuuki turned back to the data console, eyes scanning the deeper layers.
"…Alien origin," he muttered.
Fragments of information aligned on the screen—material compositions that did not match anything known on Earth, energy signatures that defied standard models.
"Wisdom Cubes aren't just advanced tech," he said. "They're something entirely different."
Vergil responded.
"Yeah," he said. "Not from this planet. Whatever they are, they were discovered, not invented."
Yuuki's gaze narrowed slightly.
"…Which means someone found them first."
Enterprise stepped closer.
"…Alien origin…"
"Yeah," Vergil replied. "And heavily restricted. They didn't want other factions mass-producing shipgirls."
Yuuki nodded slowly.
"So who is this Creator?"
"That's the thing," Vergil said. "The identity's been wiped. Completely scrubbed from the system."
He paused.
"But the logs refer to the Creator as 'she.'"
Belfast's eyes narrowed slightly.
"A female lead researcher," she said.
"Most likely the original architect of the system," Vergil confirmed.
Then—
His tone shifted again.
"I found something else," he added. "You're going to want to hear this."
Yuuki sighed lightly.
"Go on."
"The Sirens," Vergil said, "were never meant to become what they are now."
The room went quiet.
"They were designed as a separate faction," he continued. "But something changed."
Yuuki's expression hardened.
"…Let me guess. Someone interfered."
"Exactly," Vergil replied. "A co-creator. Another key figure in the project."
Enterprise stepped forward.
"…And?"
"They took the same technology and pushed it further," Vergil said. "Instead of Wisdom Cubes, they developed Black or Metal Cubes."
Yorktown crossed her arms slightly.
"…The Sirens' core."
"Yeah," Vergil said. "And those Black Cubes are more advanced. Faster learning, faster evolution, more potential."
Belfast spoke quietly.
"They surpassed the original system. Surpassed... us."
"Pretty much," Vergil confirmed. "When corrupted, it broke the whole programming. Become self aware. Then they went rogue."
Yuuki let out a slow breath.
"So the co-creator and the Sirens betrayed the Creator."
"That's what the data suggests," Vergil said. "And it gets worse."
Yuuki didn't react outwardly.
"…Go on."
"The Sirens aren't limited to this world," Vergil said. "They move across timelines."
That landed.
Hard.
Enterprise's grip tightened slightly.
"…Other timelines… That explains the mirror seas we sometimes get pulled into."
"Yeah," Vergil said. "And according to the high-ranking Siren data we captured…"
He paused.
"…We're not supposed to exist in any of them."
Silence filled the room.
Yuuki exhaled slowly.
"…So they're not just controlling this world," he said. "They're expanding across realities. They settled on a prime dimension and conducting test on other timelines. This timeline is one of the tests. However, they didn't expect us. The GDI with tech far surpassed them and, not of any timelines they tested."
"Still to be able to achieved dimensional travel is something else. A technology worth retrieving. Combined this with the Tacitus's knowledge, who knows what we could achieve. To think that we decoded only 10% of the Tacitus."
"Exactly," Vergil replied. "This is bigger than we thought."
Yuuki shook his head slightly.
"…Great. Rogue AI and rogue creators across timelines."
He let out a dry breath.
"Feels like déjà vu."
Vergil chuckled faintly.
"Yeah, reminds me of old times," he said. "Remember Cabal? Legion?… the Mark of Kane?"
Yuuki groaned.
"Era of the Firestorm Crisis," he said. "Don't remind me."
Enterprise looked at him.
"…Firestorm Crisis?"
Belfast followed.
"Master, what is this 'Tacitus' you mentioned earlier?"
Yuuki waved a hand lightly.
"…Long story," he said. "I'll explain another time."
He looked back at the terminal.
His tone sharpened again.
"…For now, we focus."
The moment the data extraction pushed deeper into restricted layers, the facility responded.
Lights flickered.
Then turned red.
A sharp mechanical hum echoed through the halls.
"They triggered a response," Belfast said.
From every corridor—
Droids.
Dozens of them.
Then more.
They poured in from side passages and ceiling hatches, their optics lighting up as they locked onto targets.
Enterprise raised her rifle first.
"Contact."
Yorktown didn't wait.
"Engaging."
The Volt Auto Rifles lit up the corridor.
Lightning surged forward in controlled bursts, tearing through the incoming wave. Droids seized mid-motion, their systems overloaded before collapsing to the ground.
Belfast moved with precision, stepping forward between shots, eliminating targets cleanly and efficiently.
Enterprise adjusted her aim with sharp accuracy, each discharge calculated, each strike decisive.
The suits enhanced everything.
Speed.
Strength.
Reaction time.
They moved faster than the droids could adapt.
More units came.
It didn't matter.
Yorktown switched to the secondary mode and launched a charged electric sphere into a clustered group. It detonated on impact, arcs of electricity chaining between multiple units, disabling them instantly.
Belfast pivoted, firing in short bursts, clearing another wave before it could close distance.
Enterprise advanced, her movements steady and controlled, her rifle discharging in rapid succession as she cut down anything still standing.
Within seconds—
The corridor was filled with fallen machines.
The last droid collapsed.
Silence returned.
Yuuki stood slightly behind them, arms crossed, watching the entire exchange.
"…You really don't want me to do anything, do you," he said with a sigh.
Yorktown lowered her weapon slightly.
"We are handling it," she said.
Enterprise glanced back at him.
"…You gave us the tools."
Belfast added calmly—
"And we are simply using them as intended, Master."
Yuuki shook his head slightly, though there was a faint smile behind it.
"…Yeah, I noticed."
Because right now—
They weren't just keeping up.
They were dominating.
And for once—
He didn't need to step in at all.
===============
Inside the command carrier, the atmosphere had settled into a tense kind of calm.
Monitors displayed Yuuki's live feed—every movement, every corridor, every encounter streamed directly to them. The fleet remained hidden, weapons ready but silent.
Atago leaned against the console, clearly restless.
"This is boring…"
Takao stood beside her, composed as always.
"Atago-nee, this is what we were told to do," she said. "Shikikan-sama said no engagement."
Atago puffed her cheeks slightly.
"That's not the point," she replied. "I miss him."
Takao sighed.
"…It has only been a few hours."
Atago crossed her arms.
"That's still too long."
A voice cut through the comms.
"I can hear you, Atago."
She instantly brightened.
"Shikikan-sama!" she said. "Please hurry. Onee-san needs her ear rubs."
Takao covered her face slightly.
"Atago-nee…"
A short distance away, Illustrious watched the screen quietly.
She smiled faintly, though there was something more behind it.
"My… the Sakura girls are quite bold," she murmured.
Her gaze lingered on Yuuki's figure on the display.
"…Perhaps I should make my move soon."
Unicorn tilted her head, looking up at her.
"Big sister Illustrious… what do you mean?"
Illustrious blinked, then smiled gently.
"Ah… it is nothing you need to worry about," she said softly.
Unicorn nodded, though she clearly did not understand.
Nearby, Vestal stood with her arms lightly folded, her eyes fixed on the screen.
Her expression was calm—
But her thoughts were not.
"Commander…" she said quietly. "Please come back safely."
Her gaze shifted slightly.
"Enterprise… please don't push yourself too far…"
She knew that look.
That determination.
That tendency to take everything onto herself.
Around them, the fleet remained steady.
Hidden.
Waiting.
Watching.
Everything seemed under control.
Everything seemed calm.
But beneath that calm—
Something was building.
And none of them—
Knew it yet.
===============
Deep beneath another ruin, far from Yuuki's position—
A chamber lit only by unstable reactor light pulsed with a dull, ominous glow.
"…Ku… ku… ku…"
A low, broken laugh echoed through the darkness.
A fox girl stood a short distance away, her posture tense despite the damage her body carried. One arm gone. Half her tails missing. One eye lost.
Yet she still stood.
Because the one before her—
Was worse.
"Akagi-nee-sama," Kaga said quietly, "Siren activity is increasing at our old headquarters… just like you predicted."
Akagi did not turn.
"…Ku… ku…"
Her voice trembled—not with weakness, but something far more dangerous.
"Nee-sama?"
"Good," she whispered. "Today… is the day they all die."
Kaga's expression tightened.
"Nee-sama… this isn't right…"
"Silence, Kaga!"
The force in Akagi's voice cut through the chamber instantly.
"If you wish to leave, then leave," she said coldly. "I will do this myself."
Kaga stepped forward despite herself.
"By yourself?" she said. "Project Orochi barely survived the last war. It needs both of us to stabilize it. If you take everything alone—"
Akagi turned.
And for a moment—
Kaga froze.
The sister she remembered— The playful, almost flirty personality of hers.
Was gone.
Nine tails had once flowed behind her.
Now—
Only four remained.
The rest—
Gone.
Her right ear was missing.
One eye—dark, unseeing.
And in her hand—
A Wisdom Cube.
Clutched tightly.
"I don't care," Akagi said.
Her voice cracked—
But her resolve did not.
"For Shikikan-sama… for Amagi-nee-sama…"
Her grip tightened.
"All Sirens must die."
The reactor behind her pulsed louder.
"Even if I have to push Orochi beyond its limits," she continued. "Even if I burn its core… even if I die with it…"
Her lips curled into a fractured smile.
"They will all be erased."
Kaga's remaining eye trembled.
"…Nee-sama…"
She stepped closer.
"Amagi-nee-sama would never—"
"Do not speak her name as if you understand!"
The outburst shook the chamber.
Akagi's breathing grew uneven.
"…You saw what they did," she said. "You saw what we lost."
Her voice dropped.
"…I will not lose anything else."
Silence followed.
Heavy.
Painful.
Then—
Kaga lowered her head.
"…If that is your decision…"
She clenched her remaining hand.
"…Then I will stand with you."
Akagi turned back toward the massive structure behind them.
Project Orochi.
A Super Battleship. A monstrous fusion of technology and power, its core glowing violently as systems began to awaken.
"Good," Akagi said softly.
She stepped toward the control platform.
"For Amagi-nee-sama…"
"For Shikikan…"
"For the Sakura Empire…"
Kaga moved to her position beside her.
"…Yes, Nee-sama."
Akagi activated the sequence.
The chamber trembled.
A teleportation array lit up beneath Orochi.
"Warning," an automated voice echoed faintly. "Single-use teleportation engaged. Reactor instability detected."
Kaga spoke quickly.
"Once we go, there is no return," she said. "If the Sirens counterattack—"
"I already told you," Akagi interrupted.
"I don't care."
Her eye burned with something unhinged.
"Even if Orochi is destroyed… we will take them with us."
The reactor roared louder.
"If needed," she added, "I will detonate the core."
Kaga closed her eye briefly.
Then opened it again.
Resolved.
"…Understood."
The teleportation field intensified.
Light consumed the chamber.
Akagi's voice echoed through it—
Low.
Unstable.
Certain.
"…Everything will be destroyed…"
"…Ku… ku… ku…"
"For you, Amagi nee-sama."
=====
Kaga remained still as the light of the teleportation field grew brighter, her thoughts drifting back to a time that now felt impossibly distant.
There was once a moment when everything could have ended differently.
After the war, when Akagi had been judged for using Project Orochi for her own obsession, the Sakura Empire had already decided her fate. The sentence had been clear, and there was no room for argument.
Execution.
Kaga had accepted it. She had prepared herself to stand beside her sister until the very end.
Then their commander intervened.
He did not raise his voice, nor did he demand authority. Instead, he made an offer. He asked that Akagi and Kaga be taken in under his command, and in return, he requested something that no one expected.
Amagi's revival.
It was an impossible request, yet somehow, it was granted.
That single decision changed everything.
Akagi lived, and for the first time in years, she was no longer consumed by reckless obsession. The love she once directed blindly was reshaped into something steadier. She followed the commander not out of madness, but with quiet devotion. Even knowing that he already had a family, she never crossed that boundary. She remained respectful, flirty, loyal, and composed.
Amagi returned, and with her, peace followed.
For a while, it truly felt like they had been given a second chance.
Then the Sirens came.
Kaga could still see it clearly. The battlefield was chaotic, and everything happened too quickly. There was no warning, no buildup, no chance to react.
A single beam of light descended.
It struck Amagi directly.
The force was overwhelming. There was no survival, no recovery, no time for rescue. She was gone before they could even reach her.
Kaga remembered the silence that followed.
She remembered Akagi's voice breaking.
She remembered how helpless it felt.
After that, everything unraveled.
The headquarters was destroyed. The nuclear strike sealed what remained, and with it, any possibility of revival was lost. The place that once brought hope became unreachable.
That was when Akagi changed.
It was not a gradual shift, nor something that could be reasoned with. The love she once carried twisted into something darker. What remained was not grief alone, but a burning hatred that consumed everything else.
When the Sakura Empire fell, Akagi did not stop.
She returned to Project Orochi.
She rebuilt it with whatever remained.
Not for power.
Not for glory.
But for revenge.
Kaga opened her eye and looked at her sister once more. Akagi stood before the reactor, her body damaged, her strength diminished, yet her resolve remained absolute.
There was nothing left to say that could change her path.
Kaga understood that now.
She had made her choice.
She would not leave.
She would stand beside her, no matter how it ended. Even if her heart longed to go to the voice that called upon them a week ago. The voice her sister was too distraught to hear.
The teleportation field intensified, and the chamber trembled as Orochi began to rise.
Somewhere far away, beneath the ruins of the same battlefield, another force moved forward, unaware of what was coming.
Two paths were now set in motion.
And neither would turn back.