New Azur Lane's First Months
A few months before Sophia was summoned.
In the frozen forests deep inside the Northern Parliament lies a facility used by the nations of the world to conduct research on the wisdom cube's capabilities. Multiple studies were done ranging from upgrading the shipgirls' capabilities, to using elements of science fiction to bring new weapons in this war.
One section of the research team is partnered with another that specialized in studying multiple universes as one of their theories state that the Sirens may have been an aggressive expansionist nation that came from a different universe and came here to dominate their world.
At one time, they were successful in transporting a huge aircraft carrier from another world most likely a more advanced one and started another research into giving it a soul like the current shipgirls. Unfortunately, it was suspended as the Sirens started attacking their military, and naval academies and training centers and ambushing the commanders assigned to each nation.
The higher ups then had the idea to transport new commanders from other worlds using the success of the large aircraft carrier as basis.
In order to make sure the new commanders are on their side, the parameters needed are:
- The current major nations of their world should exist in the other world
- The same historical narrative
- The second world war should have happened
- A post-war democratic world
- The commanders should be a citizen of each major nation.
Lastly, in order to make sure they're safe, they will be transported inside the gardens of the HQ of each nation.
It's almost an impossible task, but they were able to do it successfully. The first two were Andrew Bristol, and Johanna Schneider. Fortunately they weren't hostile, but were visibly angry and suspicious at the researchers as they were basically kidnapped.
Although the two new commanders were quick on the uptake, it took them quite a while to accept their current situation. It didn't help that the Royal Navy, and Iron Blood shipgirls are wary that their new commanders might be assassinated once again, thus they were placed under something like a house arrest, protected 24/7.
The admiralty can't even help as they aren't really sure if the new commanders will even survive if they go out.
The two were in constant communication through mail since the Sirens have cut the telephone lines between the Royal Navy isles, and mainland Europe.
After a month, the commanders of the Northern Parliament, and Sardegna Empire were summoned. Commander Johanna wasted no time meeting with them making everyone wonder how she managed to convince the Iron Blood girls to let her out.
The following month the Iris Libre, and Vichiya Dominion also got their commanders after which they were invited by commander Johanna for a meeting with the the Northern Parliament and Sardegna Empire.
Through the following days, the newly summoned commanders, all under house arrest except for Johanna, had been secretly planning to take the Mid-Atlas Ridge, and the Mediterranean Sea in order to at least have the shipgirls trust them a bit.
As to how Johanna managed to convince Iron Blood, she explained that there was a girl named Roon in her fleet who she subconsciously wants to avoid getting close to. She does converse with the shipgirl from time to time as she doesn't want Roon to feel being avoided by the commander. This is where Johanna found out about Roon's personaity, and had an idea on how she could get out.
After eating the food served in her room, she asked Admiral Hipper who is now serving as her guard.
"Is there anyone else outside the room?"
Admiral Hipper was confused with the question, but answered nevertheless.
"No one, I think. Why?"
Johanna sighed and laid flat on the sofa. "It's about time you guys let me out"
"We still can't commander"
"It's been months now" Johanna complained.
Hipper just stood by the door in silence as she let her commander complain as much as she wanted like always. Their current goal is to make sure the Johanna doesn't meet the same fate as the previous ones.
"Is that so? Hmmm, maybe I should make Roon fall for me and tell her that Alliance is trying to tear our love apart." Johanna said playfully.
"Eh!? You wouldn't do that, would you?""
Johanna smirked after she glanced at a terrified Admiral Hipper.
"Roon! Can you come here for a bit?"
"Ahhh! Alright! Alright! I'll ask Bismarck later today! Just don't do that!" Admiral Hipper pleaded.
Then after they delayed the request for quite some time, Johanna actively sought Roon, trying to invite her to eat.
As the other commanders got her story, they suddenly wanted to express sympathy for the Iron Blood girls.
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Commander Andrew is reading through the letter sent by Commander Johanna seriously, and then lightly smiled. I wonder what it could be? Somehow i don't feel right.
"Belfast" Commander Andrew called me. "Can you ask Her Majesty to arrange for me, and Johanna for a strategy meeting?"
"I don't think Her Majesty will allow you to do that, master"
"Thought so. Anyway, give these to Her Majesty"
The master then gave me a bulky envelope to be given to Her Majesty.
"Also I'd like some tea" He added.
"Certainly, Sir" I nodded then left the room.
As I walked through the corridors I passed by Sheffield who was on her way back to the kitchen from Her Majesty's room.
"Sheffield, the master needs tea in his room. Also please guard him for a while as I give this to Her Majesty"
"Understood"
As I reached the doors to Her Majesty's room, I can hear her complaining about how close the master was to Commander Johanna, I somehow agree. Going as far as hiding which shipgirls were the ones delivering the packages he sends to the other commander.
I knocked on the door.
"Your Majesty. Master has something for you"
The queen could have never opened the door faster.
"Ahem. So did he decide to apologize for prioritizing that other woman over me"
"He wants you to take this"
The queen's excited look disappeared as the envelope doesn't look anything like something from a man apologizing.
"What's this thing?" She looks disappointed at the object I'm holding. "Waspite, can you take care of this for me"
"Certainly, your majesty"
The queen went back to her seat while Miss Warpsite received the envelope.
"Thank you Belfast. You are dismissed"
I nodded then walked back to masters room. Miss Warspite closed the door behind me.
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Operation: Grenadine, and Acanthus
The Iris Orthodoxy, Sardegna Empire launched a simultaneous operation aimed at liberating the waters around the Balearic Islands and Crete so they could begin clearing the Mediterranean of the SIrens.
The Sardegna Empire will head for Crete as they aim to retake the Suez from the Sirens. For this operation they had to rely on the sole carrier of the Iris Orthodoxy, Bearn for initial air support, escorted by Gascogne, and Jeanne d'arc.
The fleet consists of all of Sardgena's current shipgirls except for Carabiniere, and Vittorio.
Bearn was ordered by Matteo to launch scout planes and scan the area they're headed, and fighters to provide air cover for the fleet
Meanwhile, the Iris Orthodoxy's fleet led by Jean Bart headed south towards the Island of Menorca which they could use as a starting point to retaking the entirety of the Balearic islands, and assist the Royal Carnation Navy, represented in the alliance by the Iris Orthodoxy.
The Royal Carnation Navy has pretty much had most of their ports, and naval bases destroyed by the Sirens except for those near the Iris Orthodoxy. The success of this operation will help the nation to rebuild, and provide the alliance a staging point to reestablish control of the ports of Gibraltar, and the entrance to the Mediterranean
Their operation comprised of two groups.
One lead by Jean Bart supported by Algierie , Emile Bertin, Vauquelin, and La Galissonnière.
The other composed of Dunkerque, St. Louis, Forbin, L'Opiniâtre, and Le Téméraire
"As per commanders order, we'll circle the island and clear the surroundings as a large group in order to avoid getting overwhelmed. Dunkerque's group will then dock in Mahon, while my group will dock in Citadel Port. Jean Bart repeated the plan to the group.
The rest of the girls nodded in affirmation and started their operation.
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Operation: Siege
In the far north near Iceland, under the command of Alena Stravinsky, a fleet composed of Northern Parliament, and Iron Blood ships headed towards Greenland intending to meet up with the Eagle Union girls docked in the Commonwealth of Maple.
At this point, Alena had the most freedom of the commanders as she was allowed to go with the fleet on board Avrora's ship. The reason is simply that she won in a weird game of chess where in each move the player drinks a shot of Vodka.
"I guess both of us have unusual commanders" Admiral Hipper said after Sovetskaya Rossiya told her the story.
"Did the same thing happen to you guys?"
"The commander threatened us with Roon" Prinz Eugen joined the conversation.
"It was terrifying, and tiring. The commander was seriously trying to get her"
"You guys also had a rough time, huh?" Sovetskaya Rossiya sympathized with the Iron Blood girls.
In the bridge of Avrora, Alena is sitting lazily on the captain's chair wearing a white long coat, extremely bored.
"Is there anything fun to do while while we cruise for 3 days? She asked Avrora who is currently guarding the Northern Parliament commander.
"We did bring the cards, and board games you requested, commander"
"I'm not in the mood for those"
"If it's alright, can you tell us now--"
"Nope, not until we get the signal from Andrew, and Johanna"
She cutoff Avrora's question about letting them know of the plans of the new commanders. Although the commander did state that this is an offensive to prevent more harassment to the nations bordering the Atlas ocean.
Alena stared outside the window for quite a while before standing up and stretching. "I'll eat for now. Can you make me something?"
She asked Avrora as left the bridge and made her way towards the mess hall.