Back aboard the Daedalus, the remaining fleet had gathered around the tactical displays, watching Belfast and the Royal Maids' operation unfold.
The mood changed instantly when the enormous gunship emerged from beneath the Rapture base.
Its silhouette filled the tactical feed.
Massive rotors spun violently.
VTOL engines burned beneath the armored hull.
Heavy weapons protruded from every side.
Missile pods opened along its underside.
For several seconds, nobody said anything.
Then San Diego pointed at the screen.
"Wahh! That's a big copter!"
Unicorn stared at the machine with wide eyes.
"That's... enormous."
Her expression quickly became worried.
"It looks really dangerous."
Around them, the other Shipgirls watched tensely.
Even the veterans who had fought countless battles were visibly unsettled.
Atago studied the tactical feed.
"VTOL propulsion and multiple independent rotor assemblies."
She paused.
"That machine was designed specifically to operate from a confined base."
Illustrious looked toward Yorktown.
"Belfast and the others are directly underneath it."
Yorktown nodded.
"I know."
Her eyes remained fixed on the tactical display.
The image showed Belfast, Ade, Soda, Cocoa and Arisa scattering across the battlefield as missiles rained down around them.
Yorktown's hands tightened.
"We're not letting them fight that thing alone."
She immediately turned toward Illustrious and Houshou.
"Arm the Firehawks."
Both carriers nodded.
"With missiles?"
"And bombs."
Illustrious immediately turned toward her command interface.
"Prepare the Mark III Firehawks."
Houshou followed.
"Load the anti-armor missiles and bombs."
The flight deck erupted into activity.
Ground drones rushed between the aircraft.
Missile racks were attached.
Targeting systems were activated.
The Firehawks were already fueled and ready.
Within moments, aircraft engines roared to life.
Yorktown watched the tactical display.
"Launch."
One Firehawk accelerated down the deck.
Then another.
Then another.
Soon the sky around the Daedalus was filled with aircraft.
The formation turned toward the island.
Illustrious established the attack formation.
"Target confirmed."
Houshou's voice followed.
"Begin attack run."
The Firehawks descended rapidly.
Their weapons locked onto the enormous Rapture gunship.
Leviathan immediately noticed the incoming dozens of aircrafts.
Her expression twisted with rage.
"Damn it!"
Her voice blasted across the gunship's communications system.
"Stop attacking my ship!"
The first Firehawk passed directly over the gunship.
FWOOSH!
A pair of missiles dropped from its pylons.
The missiles accelerated toward the gunship.
BOOM!
They struck the upper armor.
A massive explosion engulfed part of the hull.
The gunship rocked.
Leviathan shouted.
"AA FIRE!"
Several machine guns rotated upward.
They opened fire.
RATATATATAT!
Rounds filled the sky.
The Firehawks scattered.
One climbed sharply.
Another rolled beneath the gunship.
A third released another missile salvo.
BOOOOOOM!
The impact shook the entire aircraft.
Belfast looked upward.
"Now!"
Ade immediately understood.
She pulled an N72 missile launcher from her equipment.
"Target?"
Belfast pointed toward the gunship.
"Left main gun."
Ade raised the launcher.
Soda moved beside her.
"I'll cover."
WHOOSH!
Ade fired.
The rocket streaked upward.
Soda immediately fired another.
Both rockets struck the left-side main gun assembly.
BOOOOOOM!
Armor erupted.
The enormous weapon twisted violently.
Sparks and fragments scattered across the hull.
"Left gun damaged!" Friday reported.
Belfast immediately turned.
"Arisa!"
"Already targeting."
Arisa raised her launcher.
Cocoa moved beside her.
"Right main gun."
Arisa fired.
WHOOSH!
Cocoa followed.
Two rockets streaked toward the opposite weapon assembly.
The gunship attempted to rotate away.
Too slow.
BOOM!
BOOOOOOM!
The right main gun erupted.
Its armored housing buckled.
The weapon stopped moving.
Cocoa grinned.
"Right gun disabled!"
Belfast looked toward the center of the gunship.
"Main VTOL stabilizers."
Her visor highlighted the massive mechanisms controlling the aircraft's flight stability.
"That's our target."
Friday marked them.
PRIMARY VTOL STABILIZERS
Belfast raised her weapon.
"Cover me."
Ade, Soda, Arisa and Cocoa immediately opened fire.
Belfast sprinted forward.
The gunship's machine guns turned toward her.
RATATATATAT!
Rounds slammed into her Echo Suit.
The armor absorbed the impacts.
Belfast continued.
She fired her laser rifle.
ZZZRAK!
The beam struck one of the exposed stabilizer assemblies.
The gunship lurched.
Leviathan's voice echoed through the speakers.
"What are you doing?!"
Belfast fired again.
ZZZRAK!
The stabilizer began sparking.
The enormous gunship tilted several degrees.
Leviathan's expression changed.
"Stabilization failure!"
Belfast smiled beneath her helmet.
"Found your weakness."
She fired again.
ZZZRAK!
The stabilizer assembly exploded.
KRAAABOOM!
The gunship violently rolled to one side.
Its rotors struggled to compensate.
The machine dropped several meters before its remaining stabilizers recovered.
Leviathan grabbed the controls.
"Damn you!"
Above her, another formation of Firehawks approached.
Yorktown's voice came over the tactical channel.
"Belfast."
Belfast looked upward.
"Yes, Hana?"
Yorktown's voice came through the comms.
"Get down."
Belfast immediately understood.
"Royal Maids, take cover!"
The Firehawks descended.
Dozens of Mark III Firehawks screamed across the sky, their engines roaring as they dropped toward the crippled gunship.
Leviathan looked upward.
"What are you doing?!"
The first wave released its payload.
FWOOSH!
Missiles streaked downward.
Then bombs.
BOOOOOOM!
The first impact struck the gunship's armored hull.
Another missile slammed into its side.
Then another.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOOOOOM!
The enormous aircraft rocked violently.
Its armor began tearing apart.
Smoke poured from multiple sections.
Leviathan desperately fought the controls from afar.
"Stabilizers! Compensate!"
The damaged machine struggled to remain airborne.
Another Firehawk passed overhead.
FWOOSH!
Its missiles struck directly around the main motor assembly.
KRAAAABOOM!
The explosion engulfed the engine.
The gunship lurched violently.
Black smoke began pouring from the damaged motor.
Belfast watched from the ruins of the Communications Center.
Her visor immediately highlighted the damaged rotor.
PRIMARY ROTOR — CRITICAL
She smiled.
"Friday."
"Target identified."
Belfast reached behind her.
A weapon unfolded from her equipment storage.
Her Ramjet Rifle.
The powerful rifle locked into her hands.
She stepped onto the remains of the Communications Center, finding a clear line of sight.
The gunship was losing altitude.
Its damaged rotor struggled to maintain rotation.
Leviathan's voice echoed across the battlefield.
"No!"
The machine began descending.
Belfast raised the Ramjet Rifle.
She steadied her aim.
The crosshair settled directly over the damaged rotor.
"Goodbye."
She pulled the trigger.
BOOOOOOM!
The Ramjet round tore through the air.
It struck the damaged rotor assembly.
For one second, nothing happened.
Then—
KRAAAAAA-BOOOOOOM!
The entire rotor exploded.
Metal fragments scattered through the sky.
The gunship suddenly tilted violently.
Its remaining engines struggled to compensate.
It began falling.
"YES!" Ade shouted.
But Belfast immediately noticed something beneath them.
The geothermal power plant.
Its countdown had reached its final moments.
00:03
00:02
00:01
Belfast's eyes widened.
"Everyone, move!"
KABOOOOOOOOOM!
The power plant exploded.
The volcanic facility erupted in a massive fireball.
The blast tore upward beneath the falling gunship.
The enormous aircraft was caught directly in the explosion.
Its already-damaged hull was engulfed in flames.
The machine disappeared into the expanding fireball.
Fragments of armor and machinery rained down across the ruined base.
The shockwave swept across the island.
Belfast braced herself.
Dust and debris blasted past her.
Ade slowly lowered her N72 launcher.
She stared at the sky.
"Nice shot, Head Maid!"
Belfast lowered the Ramjet Rifle.
She looked at the smoking crater where the gunship had fallen.
Soda suddenly jumped in excitement, her missile launcher still resting over her shoulder.
"We did it!"
Cocoa laughed.
"That thing actually went down."
Arisa nodded beside her.
"Excellent shot, Head Maid."
============
Gunship destroyed.
Level 33 achieved.
============
For a few seconds, the battlefield went strangely quiet.
The Royal Maids stood amid the smoke and debris, watching what remained of the gunship disappear into the distance.
Then their interfaces chimed.
LEVEL UP
ADE — LEVEL 33
SODA — LEVEL 33
COCOA — LEVEL 33
BELFAST — LEVEL 33
The four women stared at their displays.
Ade blinked.
"Level thirty-three."
Soda grinned.
"Two levels at once!"
Cocoa checked her interface.
"Looks like that gunship was worth quite a lot of experience."
Belfast smiled beneath her helmet.
Arisa's display remained unchanged.
She had already reached a different level threshold and did not receive the same increase.
"Congratulations," Arisa said.
Soda laughed.
"You're the only one who didn't level up."
Arisa calmly adjusted her weapon.
"I am Level 100 after all."
Belfast chuckled.
But the celebration didn't last.
A second series of notifications appeared across their tactical systems.
YORKTOWN — LEVEL 33
ILLUSTRIOUS — LEVEL 33
HOUSHOU — LEVEL 33
The Shipgirls who had participated from the Daedalus had received the same reward.
Yorktown looked at her interface.
"Two levels..."
Illustrious smiled.
"That was certainly an intense operation."
Houshou looked toward the island.
"But something feels wrong."
Yorktown's smile faded.
She stared at the tactical display.
The gunship's burning wreckage began falling toward the volcano, trailing smoke, flames, and fragments of armor. Its crippled engines sputtered uselessly as the massive aircraft descended directly toward the geothermal generator buried within the mountain.
Then—
BOOOOOOM!
The entire island shook.
Everyone froze.
"What was that?" Soda asked.
Another tremor followed.
RUMBLEEEEE...
The ground beneath them moved.
Belfast immediately checked her sensors.
Her expression changed.
"Wait."
A warning appeared across her visor.
SEVERE SEISMIC ACTIVITY
GEOTHERMAL CORE FAILURE
VOLCANIC PRESSURE INCREASING
Belfast looked toward the direction of the gunship.
"No..."
The enormous machine hadn't fallen onto the ground.
It had fallen directly toward the geothermal reactor.
And now its burning wreckage had crashed into the already-damaged core.
Deep beneath the volcano, the geothermal energy system began collapsing.
The destroyed reactor could no longer regulate the enormous amount of heat and pressure building beneath it.
The ground shook again.
This time, violently.
KRAAAAAAAM!
A section of the base collapsed.
Lava began forcing its way through damaged geothermal channels.
Cracks appeared across the volcanic rock.
Red-orange light illuminated the fissures.
Smoke began pouring from the volcano.
Then a tremendous column of black soot erupted into the sky.
BOOOOOOOOOOM!
The volcano was waking.
Belfast stared upward.
"That's not good."
Ade looked at the mountain.
"Is the volcano erupting?"
Friday answered immediately.
"Affirmative."
"Geothermal containment has failed."
"Seismic instability is rapidly increasing."
Soda's eyes widened.
"How rapidly?"
Friday's answer was immediate.
"Extremely."
Another eruption shook the island.
KRAKOOOOM!
Lava began flowing down the volcanic slopes.
The remaining Rapture structures trembled.
Droids lost their footing.
Buildings began collapsing.
Then alarms sounded across the entire island.
WARNING!
UNSTABLE SEISMIC ACTIVITY DETECTED!
ALL PERSONNEL EVACUATE IMMEDIATELY!
Yorktown immediately opened the communications channel.
"Bel!"
Belfast answered.
"Get to the harbor!"
Belfast looked toward the distant coastline.
"Understood."
Belfast continued.
"We found the prisoners."
"Edinburgh, Glasgow and Newcastle are still at the harbor."
Yorktown immediately looked toward the tactical display.
"Then get them out."
"We'll handle the airspace."
Belfast nodded.
"Understood."
Yorktown turned toward Illustrious and Houshou.
"I need the Firehawks recalled."
Illustrious and Houshou immediately began issuing commands.
"All Firehawks, withdraw!"
"Return to the Daedalus!"
The remaining aircraft broke formation.
The attack run was abandoned.
The Firehawks climbed away from the increasingly unstable island.
Below them, the volcano continued to erupt.
Ash darkened the sky.
Lightning flashed through the enormous plume.
Lava flowed through the cracks in the base.
============
Meanwhile, far from the island, Leviathan watched the chaos unfold through the remaining surveillance feeds.
The gunship was gone.
Her island's defenses were collapsing.
The refinery was destroyed.
The communications center had been crippled.
The geothermal plant had failed.
And the volcano was beginning to awaken.
Yet Leviathan merely sighed.
"Annoying."
She watched another feed as the massive plume of black smoke rose above the island.
Then she smiled.
"At least the gunship accomplished one thing."
Her eyes shifted toward another monitor.
PRISONER TRANSFER PROTOCOL
ROYAL NAVY SHIPGIRLS — THREE
TRANSFER STATUS: READY
The Rapture droids had already begun preparing the remaining prisoners.
Leviathan leaned back.
"Move them."
The command was transmitted immediately.
Inside the warehouse, three massive containment cylinders stood in a row.
Each contained a Shipgirl.
The first was Edinburgh.
Even after years of captivity, her appearance remained unmistakably that of the Royal Navy's elder maid.
She was tall, with long light-purple hair falling around her shoulders, two braided locks framing her face and a ribbon brooch tied to the side of her head.
Her round glasses rested over her purple eyes.
Her maid uniform had been preserved inside the containment system, though it had become worn from days of captivity.
The sleeveless black maid dress reached to her thighs.
A white apron covered the front.
Black arm sleeves with white cuffs extended toward her hands, which were covered by black gloves decorated with yellow bands.
White stockings with blue stripes completed the uniform.
Even trapped inside the cylinder, Edinburgh looked every bit like the elder sister Belfast remembered.
Beside her stood Glasgow.
Her long dark hair was arranged into low side-twintails, contrasting with the lighter hair of many of her Town-class sisters.
Her bright blue eyes remained closed.
Her Royal Maid uniform was battered but recognizable.
The dark dress.
The white headdress.
The cuffs.
The stockings.
Everything that had once represented the quiet dignity of the Royal Maids.
The third cylinder contained Newcastle.
Her long brown hair was tied into a side ponytail beneath her black maid headdress.
Her light-blue eyes were closed.
Her white apron and brown frilled uniform had been damaged in several places, but the clothing remained intact.
Three sisters.
Three prisoners.
Three lives waiting to be taken somewhere else.
Around the cylinders, droids prepared equipment for transport.
Heavy restraints were brought forward.
A transport platform was moved into position.
The droids were completely mechanical.
They didn't care that the volcano was erupting.
They simply followed their orders.
Then—
WARNING.
The warehouse speakers suddenly crackled.
UNSTABLE SEISMIC ACTIVITY DETECTED.
ALL PERSONNEL EVACUATE IMMEDIATELY.
The announcement repeated.
VOLCANIC ACTIVITY DETECTED.
EVACUATION PROCEDURES INITIATED.
The droids immediately changed their behavior.
Some began moving toward the exits.
Others rushed to secure the containment cylinders.
A transport unit approached Edinburgh's chamber.
Her eyes slowly opened.
Purple irises stared through the containment fluid.
She could hear the alarms.
Feel the vibration.
Something was happening.
The warehouse shook.
Dust fell from the ceiling.
Edinburgh looked toward the other two cylinders.
Glasgow's eyes opened.
Newcastle slowly raised her head.
For the first time in years...
All three sisters were awake at the same time.
Glasgow looked toward Edinburgh.
"...Edin?"
Edinburgh blinked.
"Glasgow?"
Newcastle looked between them.
"What's happening?"
Another tremor shook the warehouse.
BOOOOOOM!
The lights flickered.
The droids continued working.
Edinburgh pressed one hand against the inside of her cylinder.
"We're being moved."
Glasgow looked toward the transport equipment.
"Again?"
Newcastle's expression tightened.
"Where?"
Edinburgh looked toward the droids.
She had no answer.
But somewhere beyond the warehouse...
A familiar voice was coming.
A voice she hadn't heard in years.
A voice Belfast had been carrying in her heart for far too long.
Edinburgh closed her eyes.
"Belfast..."
Glasgow looked at her.
"What?"
Edinburgh opened her eyes again.
"I don't know why."
She placed her hand against the glass.
"But I have a feeling..."
"Someone is coming for us."
The warehouse shook again.
The droids continued preparing the transport.
Outside, the volcano roared.
"What... what happened?" Edinburgh asked, her voice trembling slightly. "An earthquake?"
Glasgow looked around the containment chamber.
"I don't know... something is happening."
Newcastle lifted her head as another tremor passed through the warehouse.
"I heard the island is under attack. I don't know what happened."
The droids didn't answer.
They simply continued their orders.
Heavy mechanical arms detached the three containment cylinders from their restraints and placed them onto reinforced transport carts. The machines began pushing them toward the harbor, where the evacuation submarine was waiting.
The warehouse doors opened.
The three sisters were rolled outside.
The sight immediately terrified them.
The island was no longer the quiet refuge they had known for years.
The sky had turned dark beneath an enormous column of ash.
Black smoke poured from the volcano.
Red-orange lava flowed down the mountain, illuminating the landscape.
Another eruption sent a massive plume of fire and soot into the air.
BOOOOOOOOOOM!
The ground shook beneath them.
Edinburgh's face went pale.
"Good heavens..."
Glasgow stared at the volcano.
"That's... that's the volcano."
Newcastle's breathing became unsteady.
"The whole island..."
The droids continued pushing them toward the harbor as though nothing unusual was happening.
Edinburgh looked back toward the ruined village.
For years, that place had been their home.
Not a good home.
Not a safe home.
But a home nonetheless.
She remembered the little houses.
The streets.
The places where the Town-class sisters had slept.
The quiet mornings.
The evenings spent repairing their clothes.
The days when they believed they might finally be able to live peacefully.
Then the Raptures came.
Everything had changed.
The attack had been overwhelming.
They had fought.
They had tried to protect the island.
But the Raptures were simply too powerful.
Sheffield, Gloucester, Liverpool and Manchester had managed to escape.
Edinburgh, Glasgow and Newcastle had been captured.
And along with them had been the Kancolle Shipgirls who had lived alongside them.
Akashi.
Asahi.
Prinz Eugen.
They weren't the same women Edinburgh had known from Azur Lane.
Akashi wasn't the familiar green-haired repair cat who constantly yelled nyaa while chasing profits.
This Akashi was a tall, pink-haired woman.
Human-looking.
Quiet.
Kind.
Yet she had become an important ally to the Town-class sisters.
She had helped them repair their equipment.
Helped them survive.
Helped them build a life on the island.
Asahi had done the same.
And Prinz Eugen...
Edinburgh couldn't help but smile faintly at the memory.
This Prinz Eugen wasn't the teasing, provocative woman she had known from Azur Lane.
She was much more reserved.
Polite.
Well-mannered.
Almost gentle.
They had all become friends.
A strange little family stranded together in a world that wasn't theirs.
And now...
They were being taken away again.
Newcastle looked toward the harbor.
"How long are we going to keep doing this?"
Glasgow glanced at her.
"Doing what?"
"Running."
Newcastle's voice was quiet.
"We found a place."
"We built homes."
"We survived."
"And every time..."
Her eyes lowered.
"...someone comes and takes it away."
Glasgow remained silent.
She understood.
They had already lived through this once.
They had escaped their original home.
They had survived the Sirens.
They had encounter allies that crossed into another world.
They had found the village.
They had stayed there for years.
Then the Raptures destroyed it.
Now they were being transported again.
Newcastle looked toward Edinburgh.
"How long are we supposed to live like this?"
Edinburgh didn't immediately answer.
She looked toward the horizon.
"I don't know."
The droids continued pushing the carts.
The harbor was getting closer.
The submarine waited beside the ruined docks.
The sea was rough from the seismic activity.
Small waves crashed against the harbor walls.
Edinburgh's fingers tightened around the edge of her containment cylinder.
She thought about Belfast.
Her little sister.
The last time they had seen each other.
Years ago.
Before the split.
Before the island.
Before the Raptures.
Belfast had always been the reliable one.
The one everyone depended upon.
The one who could keep her composure when everyone else was falling apart.
Edinburgh smiled sadly.
"Bel..."
She lowered her voice until only she could hear it.
"Wherever you are..."
Her eyes glistened.
"Please save me."
She hadn't seen her sister in years.
She didn't know if Belfast was alive.
She didn't know if the Royal Navy still existed.
She didn't know if anyone remembered them.
But somewhere inside her heart, she refused to let go of that hope.
Perhaps Belfast was still looking.
Perhaps someone had heard their voices.
Perhaps someone was coming.
Glasgow looked at Edinburgh.
"You're thinking about Belfast, aren't you?"
Edinburgh blinked.
"...Yes."
Newcastle smiled faintly.
"She'll come."
Edinburgh looked at her.
"You really believe that?"
Newcastle nodded.
"She's your sister."
Glasgow gave a small smile.
"And ours."
Another eruption shook the island.
The three sisters looked toward the volcano.
The ground beneath their transport carts trembled.
The Rapture droids increased their speed.
Edinburgh closed her eyes.
She remembered the strange voice they had heard weeks earlier.
A voice reaching across the impossible distance.
A voice talking to other Shipgirls.
A voice belonging to someone who had somehow found them.
Someone who had rescued others.
Someone who had promised to bring everyone home.
Could that person hear them too?
Could Belfast have found him?
Edinburgh opened her eyes.
For the first time in years, she allowed herself to believe.
"Please..."
She whispered toward the distant horizon.
"Let this be the last time we have to run."
The submarine waited ahead.
The droids continued pushing them toward it.
===================
"Hold on, Edin..."
Belfast's voice was barely above a whisper.
The harbor was ahead.
She could see the smoke rising from the docks through the gaps between the burning buildings.
Soda was behind the wheel of a captured Rapture armored personnel carrier, the massive vehicle tearing down the road while the volcano continued erupting behind them.
The APC's engine screamed as Soda pushed it to its limits.
Ade sat beside her, watching the road.
Cocoa and Arisa were in the rear compartment, weapons ready.
Belfast stood behind them, one hand gripping the vehicle's frame while her visor continuously updated the harbor's position.
"We're almost there," Belfast said.
Soda grinned.
"Then we're going through the gate."
Ahead stood the final defensive gate separating the main base from the harbor.
Even with the island collapsing around them, several droids had remained behind to secure it.
Turrets rotated.
Machine guns opened fire.
RATATATATAT!
Rounds slammed into the APC's armored front.
Sparks flew.
Soda didn't slow down.
Belfast looked toward her.
"Soda."
"Yes, Head Maid?"
"Ram it."
Soda's grin widened.
"All righty!"
She slammed the accelerator.
The APC surged forward.
CRAAAAASH!
The armored vehicle smashed directly through the gate.
Metal twisted.
Concrete shattered.
The barrier collapsed beneath the APC.
Soda immediately slammed the brakes.
"Everybody out!"
The Royal Maids disembarked.
Belfast was already moving.
"Harbor!"
They sprinted forward.
Droids rushed toward them from every direction.
ZZZRAK!
Ade fired her laser rifle.
One droid fell.
Soda raised her weapon.
BOOM!
Another was blown apart.
Cocoa and Arisa moved together, eliminating targets on either side.
Belfast led from the front.
Her laser rifle flashed repeatedly as she cut through the remaining defenders.
Behind them, another volcanic eruption illuminated the sky.
KRAKOOOOOM!
The entire island shook.
A wall near the harbor collapsed.
Belfast barely glanced at it.
"Keep moving!"
They reached the harbor.
Belfast immediately stopped.
"Spread out!"
The five maids split into separate groups.
"Check every warehouse!"
"Check the loading platforms!"
"Look for the submarine!"
"Yes!"
Ade and Soda moved toward the western warehouses.
Cocoa and Arisa took the eastern side.
Belfast ran toward the central docks.
One warehouse.
Empty.
Another.
Nothing.
A third.
Only abandoned equipment.
Belfast's heart began beating faster.
"Come on..."
She opened the squad channel.
"Any sign?"
"Nothing!" Ade answered.
"Nothing here!" Soda.
"Clear!" Cocoa.
"Nothing!" Arisa.
Belfast looked toward the harbor.
Then she noticed the control tower.
The harbor master station.
She immediately sprinted toward it.
The tower's door was damaged.
Belfast entered.
A Rapture terminal remained active despite the chaos.
She connected her interface.
"Friday."
"Connected."
"Search harbor records."
"Searching."
Belfast waited.
The terminal displayed the most recent vessel movements.
Her eyes moved down the list.
Then stopped.
STEALTH SUBMARINE
DEPARTURE: CONFIRMED
DESTINATION: MAIN TRANSPORT VESSEL
STATUS: DEPARTED
Belfast's expression went completely still.
"No..."
Friday continued.
"Departure occurred approximately three minutes ago."
Belfast stared through the tower's window.
The harbor stretched beneath her.
Empty.
The submarine was gone.
She was too late.
Her hand slowly lowered.
"Edin..."
The word came out almost broken.
Ade, Soda, Cocoa and Arisa reached the tower.
They immediately saw Belfast's expression.
Ade stopped.
"Head Maid?"
Belfast turned toward them.
Her voice was quiet.
"They're gone."
Soda's smile disappeared.
"Who?"
"Edinburgh."
Belfast looked toward the ocean.
"Glasgow."
She swallowed.
"Newcastle."
Cocoa's expression fell.
"The submarine..."
"Already left."
Arisa checked the harbor records.
"How long?"
"Three minutes."
Soda clenched her fists.
"We were so close."
Belfast remained silent.
For years, she had wondered whether Edinburgh was alive.
For years, she had hoped.
She had crossed an entire island.
Fought through droids.
Destroyed defenses.
Survived an aerial fortress.
Watched a volcano awaken.
And after all of that...
She had reached the harbor only minutes too late.
Her visor displayed the submarine's route.
A small line moving farther away across the sea.
Belfast stared at it.
Then her expression changed.
The sadness remained.
But something else appeared beneath it.
Determination.
"Friday."
"Yes?"
"Can you track the submarine?"
A pause.
"Affirmative."
Belfast looked toward the horizon.
"Then track it."
Ade stepped beside her.
"Head Maid..."
Belfast raised her hand.
"No."
She looked at the departing vessel's projected route.
"We're not finished."
Soda nodded.
"We can still catch them."
Cocoa checked the tactical map.
"If the submarine is heading toward the main transport vessel..."
Arisa finished the thought.
"...then we know where they're going."
Belfast tightened her grip around her weapon.
She had promised Edinburgh.
She had promised herself.
She would bring her sister home.
Even if she had arrived three minutes too late...
She wasn't going to lose her again.
"Let's go."
Belfast turned toward the harbor entrance.
"We're getting Edinburgh back."
And this time...
She wasn't going to let anyone take her sister away again.
Friday continued tracking the submarine's route.
Belfast stood inside the harbor control tower, watching the projected trajectory spread across her visor.
"Come on..."
The data finally stabilized.
TARGET LOCATED.
RAPTURE CARGO VESSEL — IDENTIFIED
SUBMARINE — TRACKING
Friday spoke.
"I have triangulated the submarine's destination."
Belfast immediately looked up.
"Where?"
"The cargo vessel."
A marker appeared far out at sea.
The submarine was heading directly toward it.
Belfast stared at the tactical display.
Then another marker appeared.
A submarine was sitting at a nearby dock.
Its engines were already coming online.
Belfast understood immediately.
"That's our ride."
Ade looked at it.
"You're kidding."
Soda grinned.
"Looks like the Raptures left us transportation."
Cocoa glanced toward the erupting volcano.
"We'd better take it before the island completely falls apart."
Arisa nodded.
"Agreed."
Belfast opened her communications channel.
"Hana."
Yorktown answered almost immediately.
"Bel?"
"Cancel the extraction."
A pause.
"What?"
"We're going to the ship."
Yorktown looked at the tactical display.
She understood.
"You found their transport?"
"Yes."
"The submarine is heading directly toward the cargo vessel."
Yorktown nodded.
"I see."
She paused.
"Good luck."
"If you need anything, call me."
Belfast smiled faintly.
"Understood."
She closed the channel.
Then turned toward the other Royal Maids.
The volcano erupted behind them.
A massive plume of ash rose into the sky.
Lava continued flowing down the mountainside.
The entire island was becoming increasingly unstable.
Belfast looked at the submarine.
Then at her maids.
"Mind accompanying me to another location?"
Soda immediately raised her hand.
"Pff... we're Royal Maids!"
She grinned.
"Of course!"
Ade nodded.
"Always."
Cocoa adjusted her weapon.
"Lead on, Head Maid."
Arisa gave a small bow.
"The Pleiades Maids will support you."
Belfast smiled.
"Thank you."
They approached the submarine.
It was a strange vessel.
Unlike a conventional long-range submarine, this craft had clearly been designed specifically for transporting personnel and equipment between coastal locations and offshore platforms or vessels.
Three powerful propellers occupied the rear.
Its thick armored hull was built to withstand small-arms fire.
It wasn't designed for long-distance operations.
But that wasn't important.
They only needed it to reach the cargo vessel.
Belfast climbed aboard first.
"Everyone inside."
The maids followed.
The interior was surprisingly simple.
There was no traditional crew compartment.
No visible pilot.
No bridge.
Only an automated control system.
Belfast checked the terminal.
"Automated."
Ade sat down.
"That's convenient."
Soda dropped into one of the seats.
"Does it have autopilot?"
Friday answered through Belfast's interface.
"Confirmed."
Belfast activated the navigation system.
The destination appeared.
TARGET: RAPTURE CARGO VESSEL
ROUTE CALCULATED
She selected it.
The submarine's systems came alive.
THRUSTERS ACTIVE
BALLAST ADJUSTMENT
DIVING
The vessel slowly descended beneath the surface.
Water rushed past the small viewports.
The harbor disappeared above them.
The submarine accelerated.
Its three rear propellers began spinning at full power.
WHUMMMMMM—
The automated vessel cut through the water.
Belfast sat quietly, staring at the navigation display.
The cargo vessel was still some distance away.
But every second brought them closer.
Ade checked her weapon.
Soda looked toward Belfast.
"Head Maid."
"Yes?"
"When we get there..."
Belfast looked at her.
"We're getting Edinburgh back."
Soda smiled.
"Good."
Cocoa nodded.
"And Glasgow and Newcastle."
Arisa calmly checked her ammunition.
"Including the Kancolle shipgirls."
Belfast placed one hand over her chest.
She could almost hear Edinburgh's voice.
Bel... wherever you are... please save me.
Her eyes closed for a moment.
"Hold on, Edin."
The submarine continued toward the open sea.
Far ahead...
A Rapture cargo vessel waited.
And aboard that vessel were three Royal Navy sisters who had spent years believing they might never see home again.
But this time...
Belfast was coming for them.
=====================
Back aboard the Daedalus, the returning Firehawks began settling back onto the flight deck.
One after another, the Mark III fighters touched down, their engines gradually winding down after the intense sortie.
Illustrious stepped away from the flight deck and exhaled.
"Ufuu... that was intense."
Houshou nodded, watching the last Firehawk return.
"Indeed."
Yorktown remained at the tactical display, her attention fixed on the island.
"Still, we can't extract Bel."
Enterprise looked toward her.
"She's already on her way to the ship."
Yorktown nodded.
"Yes. Belfast decided to pursue the transport vessel rather than wait for extraction."
Kaga stood nearby, monitoring the communications network.
"Any status on the commander?"
"No," Kaga replied after checking the channel. "No words yet."
She looked at the tactical map.
"So far, the rest of them have made their way back."
Enterprise nodded.
"They're on their way back. Looks like the operation is a success."
A marker appeared on the tactical display.
"The main team is currently following the AC-130 back."
Kaguya folded her arms, watching the smoking Exia island after they attacked it.
"Alas... to think the Raptures still possessed the means to fight back."
Her expression became thoughtful.
"And Belfast required no assistance?"
Yorktown shook her head.
"No."
She glanced at the ocean surrounding the island.
"She's pursuing the cargo vessel. We can't risk destroying it."
Enterprise nodded.
"Then we trust her."
"Exactly."
The tactical display suddenly lit up.
An incoming communication.
Yorktown immediately accepted it.
Yuuki's voice came through.
"Hey, thanks, girls."
Everyone turned toward the communications terminal.
"You really covered for us."
Yorktown smiled.
"That's what we're here for."
Yuuki laughed.
"Still, I can't believe you actually rained fire on them using the AC-130."
Enterprise's expression changed.
A small smile appeared.
She still remembered the experience.
The massive gunship had been unlike anything she had operated before.
Not the same as Harbinger Gunships.
Two enormous 150mm cannons mounted along its side.
She had controlled the weapons during the attack.
The first time she fired them, the entire gunship had rocked from the recoil.
Enterprise had to admit...
She enjoyed it.
Akagi crossed her arms proudly.
"I enjoyed the quadruple 25mm Vulcan Gatling guns. Rain fire for my Shikikan-sama!"
Her eyes gleamed as she recalled the weapon's deafening roar. The four barrels had spun at incredible speed, unleashing a continuous stream of tracer rounds that tore through the Rapture ground forces below. Every burst had been devastatingly accurate, shredding armored drones and suppressing enemy positions before they could threaten the AC-130.
Kaga glanced at her sister.
"You nearly emptied the ammunition reserves."
Akagi smiled innocently.
"They were asking for it."
"You fired at anything that moved."
"That is called thoroughness."
Kaga sighed, though the faint smile on her face betrayed her amusement.
"Meanwhile, I had the twin 40mm cannons."
She remembered tracking the droids through the gunship's targeting system. The cannons had responded almost instantly to every adjustment, allowing her to follow targets as they scattered across the battlefield.
"The tracking system was surprisingly responsive. Firing cannons from above is quite... fun."
Yorktown chuckled.
"I provided overwatch with the LTM missiles and the two 105mm missile launchers. Still, it was quite excessive. That gunship is practically a flying fortress."
She had remained farther from the main engagement, using the missile systems to eliminate threats that attempted to flank the formation or target the AC-130. Each launch had been carefully timed, ensuring that the gunship could continue its attack run without interruption.
Kaguya smiled brightly.
"And this one had the Elite Mark IV Firehawks."
She looked particularly pleased as she remembered the sleek fighters diving through the smoke-filled sky.
"Those were fun. I disengaged from the main formation to support the gunship from below."
Enterprise glanced toward her.
"You were essentially escorting the gunship while the rest of us operated its weapons. You didn't join in the main attack."
"Exactly!"
Kaguya grinned.
"This one protected the AC-130 while thou girls turned it into a flying artillery battery. The Firehawks intercepted several Rapture aircraft before they could reach the gunship."
Her smile widened.
"One even attempted to attack from the rear. The Firehawks pursued it through the clouds and brought it down before it could fire."
Enterprise nodded.
"And you managed to keep the gunship's escape route clear."
"Of course."
Kaguya placed a hand over her chest with theatrical pride.
"This one guarded the skies while thou unleashed destruction upon the ground. Together, we made quite an effective team."
Akagi nodded approvingly.
"Indeed. The Raptures never stood a chance."
Kaga glanced toward the tactical display.
"Let us not become overconfident. They still managed to surprise us with their counterattack."
Yorktown's expression grew more serious.
"She's right. The Raptures may have lost the island, but they still possess considerable resources."
Kaguya's smile faded slightly as she looked toward the ocean.
"And Belfast is still pursuing the cargo vessel."
Enterprise nodded.
"Then we should remain ready to support her if necessary."
The bridge remained busy as the returning aircraft completed their recovery.
Yet amid the discussions about the battle, several Shipgirls couldn't help but look toward Yorktown with admiration.
She had coordinated the entire aerial operation from the Daedalus while simultaneously guiding Illustrious and Houshou, directing the Firehawks and maintaining contact with Belfast on the ground.
Even Enterprise smiled proudly at her sister.
Yorktown noticed the attention.
"What?"
Enterprise shook her head.
"Nothing, Sis."
A small smile appeared on Yorktown's face.
Then she turned toward the communications terminal.
"Is everyone safe, Commander?"
Yuuki's voice answered.
"Yes."
The sound of the Orca Ex's engines could faintly be heard in the background.
"Bismarck, Tirpitz, Diana, Pallada, Anson, York, Georgina and Howe are all fine."
Yorktown immediately relaxed.
"Thank goodness."
Yuuki continued.
"The Orca Ex is bringing everyone back."
The tactical display updated with several markers.
Diana and Pallada were with Avrora.
The three sisters had barely been separated from one another before Diana and Pallada were reunited with their younger sister.
Both were still struggling to believe that Avrora was alive.
Avrora herself kept holding onto them, almost afraid that if she let go, they would disappear again.
"Sister..."
Diana's voice trembled.
"You're really here."
Pallada smiled through her tears.
"I told you she'd be fine."
Avrora hugged them both.
"I missed you both so much."
Nearby, Wales remained with York, Howe, Anson and Georgina.
The reunion between the Royal battleships was quieter, but no less emotional.
Wales looked at them one by one.
"I still can't believe this."
York smiled.
"Believe it, sister."
Howe placed a hand against Wales' shoulder.
"We've found you."
Anson grinned.
"And we're not letting you disappear again."
Georgina gave a small, dignified smile.
"Indeed. The family is finally beginning to come together."
Elsewhere, Nimi, Eugen and Hipper were helping Bismarck and Tirpitz.
Nimi carefully checked their equipment while Eugen assisted Tirpitz.
Hipper remained close to Bismarck, inspecting the damage and making sure neither battleship pushed herself too hard.
Eugen looked toward Bismarck.
"Frau Bismarck, you've been through quite enough."
Bismarck gave her a faint smile.
"I could say the same about you."
Tirpitz quietly watched them.
For years, she had been alone.
Now she had her sister beside her.
And another Eugen standing nearby.
It was almost overwhelming.
Vestal was working with Kashima and Katori.
The two Kancolle Shipgirls had suffered from years of captivity, and Vestal carefully examined them.
"Don't worry," Vestal reassured them. "I'll restore what I can."
Katori smiled tiredly.
"Thank you."
Kashima nodded.
"We're in your care."
On another part of the Orca Ex, Rapi, Anis and Neon were helping Pepper and Mary tend to their newly rescued Nikke comrades.
Anis looked toward one of them.
"Easy. You're safe now."
Neon nodded enthusiastically.
"That's right! You've been rescued by the strongest organization in the world!"
Rapi sighed.
"Neon."
"What?"
"Maybe don't shout."
"Oh."
Neon lowered her voice.
"You've been rescued by the strongest organization in the world."
Anis laughed.
"That's better."
Then Yuu's voice entered the communications channel.
"Don't forget Ludmilla, Alice, Neve and Tove."
Nayuta immediately added:
"And Kashima and Katori."
Yuuki answered.
"Them too."
He sounded exhausted but relieved.
"They're all fine."
"We're on our way back."
Yorktown closed her eyes for a moment.
"Thank God."
So many names.
So many people who had been missing.
So many families that had been broken apart.
And now...
One by one...
They were coming home.
Then another voice slipped through the channel.
"Shikikan-sama~~"
Akagi.
Everyone on the bridge immediately knew that tone.
"Please come back to Akagi soon."
Yuuki chuckled softly.
"I am, Akagi."
There was a warmth in his voice.
"Wait just a little bit."
Akagi's voice became softer.
"I'll wait."
Yorktown smiled.
She looked around the bridge.
The families were coming back.
The lost Shipgirls.
The Nikkes.
The Kancolle allies.
The sisters.
The friends.
And somewhere beneath the waves, Belfast was still racing toward another reunion.
Yorktown looked toward the ocean beyond the bridge windows.
"One step at a time."
Enterprise stood beside her.
"One family at a time."
Yorktown nodded.
"And we'll bring every last one of them home."
"Establishing video uplink."
The communications display flickered.
A familiar face appeared.
"Yo."
Vergil's face came into view.
Yuuki smiled.
"Hey, Verg."
Vergil nodded.
"I have Yorktown's message."
His expression became serious.
"Looks like you might not have heard what is happening."
Yuuki's smile disappeared.
"Lay it on."
Vergil brought up a tactical map.
"Belfast relayed information about the remaining Town-class Shipgirls."
Four names appeared.
Sheffield.
Gloucester.
Liverpool.
Manchester.
"I found them."
Yuuki leaned closer.
"They're alive?"
"Confirmed."
Vergil enlarged the map.
"They escaped the island before Edinburgh, Glasgow and Newcastle were captured."
"According to the information Belfast provided from the comms center, they've been hiding in a small town not far from the volcanic island."
The map zoomed in.
A cluster of buildings appeared.
A cathedral stood near the center.
Vergil highlighted it.
"They're currently hiding inside that cathedral."
Yuuki's expression hardened.
"What's the situation?"
Vergil's face became grim.
"Bad."
"Raptures are attacking the town."
"Droids are swarming the streets."
"They're searching every building for the Town-class Shipgirls."
He highlighted the cathedral.
"Sheffield, Gloucester, Liverpool and Manchester are trapped inside."
"There's a large number of droids surrounding the town. The people there are in danger."
Yuuki clenched his fist.
"Damn."
He looked toward the tactical display.
They couldn't simply send an airstrike.
There were civilians.
And the cathedral itself was surrounded.
Vergil understood what he was thinking.
"We can't use a large-scale bombardment."
Yuuki nodded.
"We can't risk killing the Shipgirls and the civilians."
"And we can't risk killing any survivors in the town. They're currently in hiding but it's quite dangerous."
He looked toward the Orca Ex.
"We can't divert the entire fleet either."
"We're still carrying the rescued Shipgirls."
Yuu immediately understood.
Yuuki turned toward her.
"Yuu."
She looked at him.
"You're with me."
"We'll fly to that town."
Yuu nodded.
"Understood."
Yuuki turned toward the others.
"The rest of you, make your way back to the Daedalus."
Rapi stepped forward.
"But..."
"We can join you."
Yuuki shook his head.
"No."
His tone was firm.
"Bring our allies back to the Daedalus."
He looked toward the newly rescued Shipgirls.
"They need medical attention and recovery."
"Besides..."
He glanced at the tactical display.
"I'll send another team."
The Shipgirls and Nikkes exchanged looks.
Eventually, they nodded.
Wales gave Yuuki a respectful salute.
"Good luck, Lord Commander."
Avrora smiled warmly.
"Safe travels, beloved."
Neon raised her hand.
"Bring back souvenirs, Commander!"
Yuuki looked at her.
"If I find any."
Neon grinned.
"That's a promise!"
Yuuki then turned toward Yorktown.
"Hana."
"Yes?"
"Are Atago, Takao, Maya and Choukai there?"
Yorktown checked the Daedalus' roster.
"Yes."
"They're here."
Yuuki nodded.
"Good."
"Hana, prepare the Razor."
Yorktown immediately understood.
"Sending them?"
"Yes."
He opened the squad channel.
"Atago, Takao, Maya, Choukai."
The four Shipgirls immediately answered.
"Yes, Shikikan-sama!"
"Get ready."
"You're going to that town."
Atago's expression became serious.
Yuuki continued.
"I'll authorize the Hacking Module on your Echo Suits."
Takao raised an eyebrow.
"Hacking Module?"
"It allows you to commandeer Rapture vehicles."
"Courtesy of Vergil for figuring out their coding."
Vergil gave a small wave through the video feed.
"You're welcome."
Atago smiled.
"Hai, Shikikan-sama."
Yorktown turned toward them.
"The Razor is waiting."
She smiled.
"Good luck."
The four Sakura Empire Shipgirls immediately headed toward the Daedalus' armory.
They stored additional ammunition and weapons.
Sniper rifles.
Chainguns.
Rocket launchers.
Heavy ammunition.
They weren't going to rely solely on their riggings.
This was a ground mission.
Once their equipment was ready, they activated their Echo Suit Mark IIs.
The suits formed around them, replacing their previous clothing with GDI tactical armor.
Atago looked herself over.
"Ufuu..."
She smiled.
"A ground mission."
Takao immediately looked at her.
"Focus, Atago-nee."
Atago laughed.
"Of course."
Choukai adjusted her rifle.
"An outside mission."
Her eyes sparkled.
"It is rather exciting."
Maya checked the rocket launcher mounted to her equipment.
"Rescue mission."
She smiled.
"Let's save them."
The four women boarded the Razor Gunship.
The engines roared.
The aircraft lifted from the Daedalus.
Then accelerated toward the island.
At the same time, Yuuki and Yuu disembarked from the Orca Ex.
Yuuki's Mark 86 suit activated.
Yuu's Mark 49 followed.
Their systems synchronized.
"Ready?"
Yuu nodded.
"Ready."
They launched into the air.
The suits accelerated rapidly.
Below them, the ocean stretched toward the horizon.
Ahead was the island.
And somewhere beyond the coastline...
Four Royal Maids were hiding inside a cathedral.
Yorktown sent Grimm after her commander and head doctor.
"Grimm."
The eagle appeared above them.
Its systems shifted.
The wings changed configuration.
The machine entered its jet-supersonic form.
The engines ignited.
WHOOOOOOOSH!
Grimm accelerated until it was flying alongside them.
Yuu glanced at it.
"Still think that thing looks like an eagle?"
Yuuki smiled.
"It is an eagle."
"An eagle with jet engines."
"Exactly."
Their formation continued toward the island.
The Razor Gunship was already ahead of them.
Atago, Takao, Maya and Choukai would arrive first.
Yuuki and Yuu would follow shortly after.
Their objective was simple.
Reach the town.
Locate the cathedral.
Rescue Sheffield, Gloucester, Liverpool and Manchester.
And get them out before the Raptures could find them.
Yuuki looked toward the distant island.
"Hang on, girls."
His suit accelerated.
"We're coming."
============
The Razor Gunship tore across the horizon.
Its engines remained relatively quiet under stealth configuration, but the speed was anything but modest.
Inside, four Shipgirls sat secured in their seats, weapons already prepared.
The distance to the island was still considerable.
At full speed, the Razor would need roughly twenty minutes to reach the target area.
Yuuki and Yuu, departing from a different position, would take closer to forty minutes.
Even the much larger gunship supporting the wider operation would need nearly an hour to reach the island.
The Razor had the advantage of proximity.
That meant Atago's team would arrive first.
Takao remained unusually quiet.
She stared through the side viewport.
Sheffield.
The name kept running through her mind.
The two had certainly experienced their differences in the past.
They weren't exactly the closest of allies.
But that was the past.
Sheffield was a comrade now.
A fellow Shipgirl.
Someone who had been missing for years.
Takao had already been prepared to volunteer when she heard that Sheffield and the other Town-class sisters had been located.
She hadn't expected Yuuki to choose her without hesitation.
No debate.
No hesitation.
He had simply selected her and her sisters.
Perhaps that was what made the responsibility feel heavier.
Takao quietly tightened her grip around her rifle.
"We're coming for you, Sheffield."
Atago noticed her silence.
"Takao-chan?"
Takao looked toward her sister.
"I'm fine."
Atago smiled gently.
"You've been quiet for quite some time."
Takao looked back toward the horizon.
"I'm thinking about Sheffield."
Choukai glanced over.
"You two had your differences."
"Yes."
Takao paused.
"But she's still one of us."
Maya nodded.
"Then we'll bring her home."
Takao smiled faintly.
"Yes."
The Razor continued forward.
Twenty minutes later, the island finally appeared.
It was enormous.
Mountain ranges stretched across the horizon, with thick forests covering much of the landscape.
The Razor approached from the coastline, staying low.
Atago looked at the terrain.
"There's the mountain range."
Choukai checked the tactical display.
"The town should be on the other side."
Maya leaned closer.
"Nothing on radar."
Takao frowned.
"That doesn't mean nothing is there."
Atago nodded.
"Exactly."
The Razor crossed over the mountains.
And then the town appeared.
All four Shipgirls stared.
It looked almost frozen in time.
Old stone buildings.
Narrow streets.
Small wooden houses.
A central square.
An old-fashioned cathedral rising above the rooftops.
There were almost no modern vehicles.
No large highways.
No skyscrapers.
No advanced infrastructure.
Only basic electrical lines and small generators.
The town looked like something preserved from another era.
Choukai studied the streets.
"This place is remarkably old-fashioned."
Maya nodded.
"How did they avoid detection?"
Takao looked around.
"Perhaps that's the point."
Atago understood.
"Off the radar."
The town reminded her of Silver Tree Island.
A place that existed beyond the reach of the modern world.
A small community hidden from the major powers.
Perhaps the people here had deliberately stayed away from the outside world.
Perhaps they had simply been lucky.
Until now.
Takao looked toward the town.
"And now the Raptures found them."
Atago's expression hardened.
The Razor Gunship activated full stealth.
The gunship's systems changed.
Its signature dropped further.
The engines reduced their output.
The aircraft descended.
The town below remained unaware.
The town contained a massive cathedral, its tall stone spire rising above the surrounding rooftops. Nearby stood an equally imposing inn, built from dark timber and pale stone, while the town hall overlooked the central square from the opposite side.
A well-maintained park occupied the heart of the settlement, filled with old trees, stone paths and decorative fountains. Despite the attack, much of the town remained untouched. Only a small section near the cathedral and the surrounding streets had been drawn into the fighting.
Smoke drifted between the buildings as resistance fighters exchanged fire with the Rapture droids. The defenders used barricades, overturned carts and the remains of damaged vehicles as cover, firing from windows and rooftops whenever the machines advanced.
The Raptures had not yet overrun the town.
But the resistance was being pushed back toward the cathedral.
Then Atago's visor began detecting movement.
"Droids."
Takao immediately raised her rifle.
"How many?"
"Several patrols."
Choukai scanned the streets.
"More than several."
Maya looked toward the cathedral.
"And they're concentrating around the center."
Atago's expression became serious.
"That's where the cathedral is."
Takao immediately understood.
"Sheffield."
The Razor slipped between the mountains and entered the outskirts of the town.
Droids moved through the streets.
Some searched houses.
Others scanned alleys.
Several heavy units patrolled the main road.
The residents had clearly gone into hiding.
There were no civilians outside.
No vehicles moved.
No lights could be seen from most houses.
The entire town appeared abandoned.
But Atago knew better.
People were hiding.
And somewhere in the cathedral...
Four Royal Maids were waiting.
Atago checked her weapons.
"Everyone ready?"
Takao loaded her rifle.
"Ready."
Choukai checked her sniper system.
"Ready."
Maya secured her rocket launcher.
"Ready."
Atago looked toward the cathedral.
"Then let's get Sheffield and her sisters out."
The Razor continued deeper into the town.
Still invisible.
Still undetected.
But beneath them, the Rapture droids were already closing in on the cathedral.
And the four Shipgirls had arrived just in time.
The Razor Gunship approached the town in silence.
Then the four Shipgirls saw something that immediately changed the mood inside the cabin.
Below them, a group of resistance fighters had been captured.
They were being forced onto their knees in the middle of a street.
Standing before them was a massive Rapture tank.
Its primary weapon wasn't a conventional cannon.
A long flame projector extended from the front of the armored vehicle.
Maya's eyes narrowed.
"Atago."
Atago looked down.
"I see them."
The flame tank began charging its weapon.
The captured resistance fighters were helpless.
Takao's voice became cold.
"We're not letting that happen."
Atago nodded.
"Agreed."
She moved toward the side door.
"Open it."
The Razor's side door slid open.
Wind rushed into the cabin.
Atago dropped into a firing position.
Her R59 Pierce sniper rifle came up.
The targeting system locked onto one of the droids guarding the prisoners.
Her visor calculated the shot.
She pulled the trigger.
BOOM!
The round punched directly through the droid.
It collapsed.
The other droids immediately turned in confusion.
Atago chambered another round.
Then she squeezed the trigger again.
BOOM!
Another droid fell.
Panic spread among the Rapture forces.
The prisoners immediately understood what was happening.
"RUN!"
The resistance fighters scattered.
Some sprinted into alleys.
Others dove behind barricades.
The droids attempted to pursue them.
But the Razor Gunship was no longer staying quiet.
Its stealth systems disengaged.
WARNING — STEALTH MODE DISENGAGED
The Razor banked sharply.
Its pulse cannons rotated into position.
ZZZRAK-ZZZRAK!
Energy bolts slammed into the flame tank.
The first strike tore into its armor.
The second struck its weapon assembly.
The third detonated against its hull.
BOOOOOOM!
The flame tank exploded.
Atago lowered her rifle.
"Target destroyed."
Maya smiled.
"Nice shooting."
But Choukai suddenly looked toward the horizon.
"Incoming!"
Takao's visor immediately detected multiple threats.
"Missile tanks!"
Several Rapture missile vehicles had detected the Razor.
Their launchers turned upward.
LOCK-ON
Atago's expression changed.
"Jarvis!"
The missile tanks fired.
FWOOSH! FWOOSH! FWOOSH!
Multiple missiles streaked toward the Razor.
Jarvis immediately took control.
"Evasive maneuvers."
The Razor rolled hard.
Missiles passed beneath its hull.
Another volley came from the opposite direction.
The gunship climbed sharply.
One missile exploded dangerously close.
BOOOOM!
The entire cabin shook.
Maya grabbed the support rail.
"That was close!"
Jarvis' voice remained calm.
"Ladies."
Atago looked toward the cockpit display.
"It appears that I need to drop you."
Takao immediately understood.
"Understood."
The Razor Gunship banked toward a secluded area outside the main fighting.
Jarvis guided the gunship behind a line of trees and a large rocky formation.
The engines slowed.
The side door opened.
"Jump!"
The four Shipgirls didn't hesitate.
Atago jumped first.
Takao followed.
Maya and Choukai landed moments later.
Their Echo Suit hydraulics absorbed the impact.
The Razor Gunship immediately accelerated away.
"Good luck, ladies!"
The gunship shot back toward the horizon.
Atago watched it disappear.
Then she turned toward the town.
Not far away, resistance fighters were still battling Rapture droids.
The fighting had spread across several streets.
Smoke rose between the buildings.
The cathedral stood prominently in the distance.
Takao activated the tactical display.
"Everyone."
The others turned toward her.
"Shikikan-sama and Yuu-sama will arrive in approximately twenty minutes."
She pointed toward the cathedral.
"We have twenty minutes to pave a way for them."
Atago checked her ammunition.
"Then let's get moving."
Choukai raised her rifle.
"Agreed."
Maya secured her rocket launcher.
"Rescue mission."
Takao pulled her helmet fully into place.
Her face disappeared behind the Echo Suit Mark II's armored visor.
The calm and composed expression she normally wore was replaced by the tactical HUD.
"We clear a path to the cathedral."
"We eliminate anything standing between us and the Town-class sisters."
Atago nodded.
"Hai."
Maya raised her weapon.
"Hai!"
Choukai followed.
"Hai."
Takao looked toward the battlefield.
The four Shipgirls moved forward together.
The town itself was far larger than it had appeared from the air.
A massive cathedral dominated the center, its tall stone spire rising above the surrounding rooftops.
Nearby stood an imposing inn constructed from dark timber and pale stone.
Across the central square was the town hall.
A well-maintained park occupied the heart of the settlement, filled with old trees, stone paths and decorative fountains.
Despite the Rapture assault, much of the town remained untouched.
Only the area around the cathedral and several surrounding streets had become a battlefield.
Smoke drifted between the buildings.
Resistance fighters exchanged fire with Rapture droids from behind barricades.
Overturned carts.
Damaged vehicles.
Broken masonry.
Anything that could provide cover had been turned into a defensive position.
The resistance hadn't collapsed.
But they were being pushed steadily backward.
Toward the cathedral.
Takao looked at the situation through her visor.
"That's where Sheffield and the others are."
Atago nodded.
"Then we start here."
A droid patrol suddenly appeared at the end of the street.
Maya raised her rocket launcher.
"Permission?"
Takao smiled.
"Granted."
WHOOSH!
The rocket streaked down the street.
BOOOOOOM!
The droids disappeared in a cloud of smoke.
Atago immediately moved forward.
"Advance!"
The four Shipgirls finally entered the battlefield.