CHAPTER 19 - PRIDE OF FACTIONS (3)

"Let us first review our information before we proceed," Kay said, while taking out some kind of equipment and putting it on the table. It shows the map of this mission.

Then, kinda liked chibi Enterprise and Helena with others shipgirls to represent the fleet around the map. When Kay is taking the chibi Enterprise, some 'Owari Da' can be heard.

"This is the map, and you can see that Enterprise is right there," Kay said as he pointed to the spot. "Based on my information, Enterprise and the others are currently escorting a number of ships coming from the Eagle Union. Possibly the most important cargo or something else, I suppose."

Kay has already asked Belfast for details on the mission. He needs to know which ships are participate with Enterprise for the escort mission.

"Hornet, Intrepid, Independence, Indianapolis, Portland, Hammann, Sims, Arizona, South Dakota, Washington, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Phoenix, Northampton, Houston and Albacore", said Belfast. "The flagship for that operation is probably Enterprise".

"..........."

"...ARE YOU SURE THAT IS AN ESCORT MISSION??", asked Kay.

"And USS Baltimore and USS Bremerton from Baltimore class also coming from Eagle Union HQ, master", said Belfast.

"THAT'S MORE THAN ENOUGH!!", shouted Kay. "What kind of escort mission is that? Are that ships are that important?".

"They don't start another war, right?".

"........."

"What do you think about that, Elizabeth?", asked Kay.

"Please call me Queen Elizabeth, Commander," Queen Elizabeth said. "It may be the Enterprise wants to launch another battle against them. However the sea is also quite dangerous. So, getting a lot of ships for the escort mission is a wise decision".

"That's right, my queen," Warspite said, praising her majesty.

"By the way, commander. May I ask which faction is targeting them? ", Illustrious asked.

Kay activates [Eagle Eye] to saw the ships that wandering around that location for confirmation. He saw some ships that he recognizes as he had already seen them either in the Sakura Empire or in the Fallen City. Then he takes out the chibi Kaga and Akagi and places them on the table.

"Let see....I saw the white fox, Kaga....the brown fox, Shoukaku, Zuikaku, a demon girl...two black cats...Kirishima, Akatsuki.....Well, that is more than I expected", said Kay.

"And, I don't know most half of them".

A few minutes later, after Belfast and the others helping him by identify all the shipgirls he saw using [Eagle Eye]. To be summarize, they are Kaga, Akagi, Shoukaku, Zuikaku, Atago, Maya, Choukai, Ayanami, Haruna, Hiei, Fusou, Yamashiro, Akatsuki and Kirishima. Not to mention, plenty of sirens are with them.

"There are probably more of them," Kay said. "We need to be careful of this matter."

"How did the commander see them? ", asked Hood.

"I asked Mr. Eagle to remain in the Sakura Empire," Kay said. "It's still followed Zuikaku and Shoukaku everywhere they go. So, I think that's its strategy to keep the others from getting suspicious or just coincidence".

Kay looks at the map and arranges the chibi girls based on their location. As he arranges the chibis, he discovers something he's interested in. He chooses not to share with anyone, as he feels he 's going to have more problems.

"Alright, a rescue mission is still a rescue mission", said Kay. "I guess we cannot ignore that right?".

"You 're right, Master," Belfast said. "I knew Enterprise-Sama wasn't going to agree, but she's still our allies. We can't ignore them".

"This is the perfect time for us to show them the capabilities of the Royal Navy! ", Queen Elizabeth said.

"That's right, my queen," Warspite said. "They 're going to be shocked to see your greatness."

"I think I've got to get prepared," Hood said. "It was very uncommon for me to have this motivation."

The Royal Navy is ready to assist in this rescue mission. They are still displaying their rivalry among other factions to prove themselves. They 're really pleased and enthusiastic about it. Kay drinks his tea as he listens to them.

"Ah, right, before I forget to tell you about it. You know that only Eagle Union will join me in this rescue mission, "Kay said. "Hopefully, you 're going to behave yourself while I'm gone for a couple of days."

Suddenly, the mood drops to zero, from excited to stunned. They appear puzzled as Kay only allows the Eagle Union to join the rescue mission.

"Wait....WHAT!!!", shouted most of the Royal Navy.

"What do you mean, commander!!!".

********************

Unknown place, evening in same day.

"Why ... why have I always been treated like this, Zuikaku? ", In tears, Shoukaku asked. "A mission just after mission. Kaga-senpai and Akagi-senpai desperately want us to die, Zuikaku".

"Ahaha ... possibly because Kaga-senpai and Akagi-senpai trust us, Shoukaku-nee," Zuikaku said. "We've always been involved in almost every battle. Nothing terrible happens while we're here".

Shoukaku pinches Zuikaku's cheek a little stronger than usual. Zuikaku rubs the red face of her cheek. Eventually, someone needs to tell Zuikaku the truth about their circumstance.

"You already meet Kay, don't you? Did he say anything about your problem? ", Shoukaku asked."I knew you didn't tell him your true feeling because of Enterprise. You can't waste that chance, though, Zuikaku".

"I....I'm sorry, Shoukaku-nee", said Zuikaku.

Shoukaku and Zuikaku patrol the area to avoid any ambush from the Azur Lane. For the last time , several planes were deployed to the sky. In two hours, another shipgirl from the Sakura Empire will take their turn, patrolling the area before the main event begin.

"Do you think this is alright, Shoukaku-nee?", asked Zuikaku. "I mean we already...."

Chirp.....chirp....

A bird suddenly sit down on Zuikaku 's head before she manages to finish her sentences. Shoukaku is laughing when saw this funny moment. Zuikaku is already gave up about this bird that always following her for no reason whatsoever.

"Huh....I hate this bird", said Zuikaku. "I hate myself".

"Don't worry about that much, Zuikaku," Shoukaku said. "Oh, well, I guess that's all reasonable. Kaga-senpai and Akagi-senpai are possibly desperate enough to launch another attack against Azur Lane".

"After all, they have been lost several battles against Azur Lane after Kay came in".

They were informed by Kaga and Akagi that some ships were already on their way to Azur Lane. Based on their information, the ships contain an amount of resources, weapons and many others worth stealing. Attacking them and stealing their goods for their own purposes.

"Well, why are there so many of them here? ", asked Zuikaku. "Looking at their fleet, they 're all from the Eagle Union. Not to mention, it doesn't seem like an escort mission to me".

"They seem to want to launch another battle against us. They are prepared for this moment".

In deep thought, Shoukaku and Zuikaku. There's something unusual about the fleet. Not to mention that Kay isn't with them. Did they plan this mission without his permission? Or, this is just part of their plan. Kay also doesn't tell Shoukaku about this mission at her, making its more problematic.

"We just have to be careful, Zuikaku", said Shoukaku.

.........

In another location, Kaga and Akagi can be seen interacting with each other. Akagi looks at the moon that shines brilliantly and beautifully. However, the beauty of the moon can't compared with her.

"Everything works according to plan, Akagi-neesama", said Kaga. "We managed to bring Enterprise and her fleet to follow us".

"However, that human is not with them".

They 're both expecting Kay to appear after they ordered the fleet to strike the ships. However, only Enterprise and other shipgirls from the Eagle Union are coming. Their timing was also seem odd as being too perfect for them to arrive. The moment they started attacking the ships, Enterprise unexpectedly turned up. It's liked, they already waiting for this opportunity to arrive.

"We need to change some of the original plan due to unexpected situation", said Kaga. "However, it fits perfectly what we want, Akagi-neesama. They will fell to our trap".

"Akagi-neesama??"

Akagi has been ignoring Kaga for quite a moment. Her mind isn't there, she's thinking something else. The lost black wisdom cube that fell down to Azur Lane and her beloved jade broaches that her sister gave her.

Amagi, the name that is worth remembering. The legendary battleship of the Sakura Empire.

"I hear you, Kaga", said Akagi. "I just thinking about Amagi-neesama".

"And also that Azur Lane 's commander, Kay".

Kaga gets upset when Akagi talks about that human. But she still hides her feeling for her sister, Akagi, because she doesn't want to expose it in front of her.

"What's special about that human being, Akagi-neesama? ", asked Kaga. "He's just a weak creature. Remember, we exist because human beings are vulnerable against these sirens. They 're almost instinctive".

"Ara...Kaga. You should calm yourself", said Akagi. "Is there any reason for you to hate him so much?".

"I....I....I'm sorry, Akagi-neesama", said Kaga as she calm herself. "It just his face is make me remember something. Something that I despise so much".

"You should take a rest, Kaga", said Akagi.

"Because, there is no tomorrow for them. We will destroy them".

"We will show them my love, Kaga".

"And, to show the unknown Azur Lane 's commander, Kay".

**********************

ACHOO...

"I feel sick," Kay said, sensing someone talking about him behind his back. "Hopefully, it's not nuts or something else whatsoever."

"You're all right, Commander?," asked Cleveland. "if you're sick, you can always go back to the base."

"I think you're the one who should get back! ", Kay shouted at Cleveland. "What the earth are you doing here? Aren't you still hurt, Cleveland, Montpelier, Essex and Shangri-La?".

Vestal opposes the idea of sending these four girls to join this rescue mission. Both of them, however, are stubborn and disregard the order of Vestal. As for Kay, if you are the Eagle Union, feel free to join as long as they obey his instructions.

"Well, I don't want to break my record," Cleveland said. "Until now, I have undertaken the entire mission with the commander. I think it's unusual for me to miss this opportunity".

"As for me, I'm following aniki," Montpelier said. "No matter where the aniki goes, I'm going to follow her."

"It's for Enterprise, commander," Essex said. "My injuries are not as serious as the others. I don't want this injury to be my excuse to miss this chance".

In order to find her reason, Kay looks at Shangri-La. She 's holding a camera. Well, I guess taking pictures is a wonderful hobby for a certain people.

"If the commander wants any wonderful photos, I will show them to you," said Shangri-La. "Even Essex has a few photos that can make the commander blush."

"What do you mean by that, Shangri-La! ", shouted Essex.

Let the information be checked first, the only faction that can join this rescue mission is the Eagle Union. Most of the Royal Navy is against this proposal in the beginning. However, Kay felt that Eagle Union problem should be deal by themselves.

Not to mention, it will probably caused more problems if Royal Navy intervened. Therefore, Kay will leading Eagle Union for this rescue mission. There is no way Enterprise will sent a request for rescue mission. In fact, she probably just destroyed every enemies she saw.

"There must be something wrong with her fleet", said Kay. "Intrepid send the request for rescue mission instead of Enterprise. I really hope that she doesn't abandoned her teammates and goes sicking mode".

Cleveland, Denver, Montpelier, Columbia, Bogue, Cassin, Downes, Nevada, Oklahoma, Pensacola, Essex, Shangri-La, St. Louis, Honolulu and Helena are the girls who are participate in this rescue mission.

"Alright....Our flagship for this mission is Helena", said Kay. "We will start moving at eleven o'clock at night. You have three hours to prepare yourself!! Make sure you already done before we go".

Then Kay left them for them to start preparing. Cleveland went to Helena to give her some compliment.

"Good to you, Helena", said Cleveland. "Usually, it was Wales or Enterprise to become flagship. You should proud for yourself".

"Aren't you also frequently become a flagship for most operation, aniki?", asked Columbia. "I'm pretty sure you always become Kay 's favourite flagship everything you join a mission with him".

"She is right, aniki", said Denver. "Aren't you sad because you are not become a flagship for this mission".

"That...That's is not what I mean it!!", shouted Cleveland.

While Columbia and Denver are teasing Cleveland, Helena is thinking of her responsibility. This is the first time that she has been selected as a flagship for one of the main missions.

Kay told them to expect some heat from the Sakura Empire and the sirens that were wandering around near the Enterprise location.

This is not an easy mission. It's not that they always do it.

These are the different ways of thinking between the other leaders and representatives. The one who always strikes first, and the one who thinks first.

*******************

The day after Enterprise and the others left Azur Lane. It is still morning and plenty of ships from two different factions can be seen fighting each other.

If you wondering what Kay is doing, he is handling the paperwork without knowing nothing about this battle.

"Fire!!!", shouted Enterprise. "Do not let them escape. Show me everything you got!!!".

"Roger that!! Enterprise!", shouted most of the Eagle Union.

Boom.....Boom.....

Klang....Klang...

The sound of war has already started, the noise bursting. The Eagle Union is battling the Sakura Empire and the sirens, about 600 miles from the Azur Lane. It's far enough to prevent Kay from getting involved in their plan.

Enterprise, the one responsible for preparing this mission, likes a genuine warrior to fight for its allies against the Sakura Empire. She deploys her aircraft, assaulting and bombing a few of the Sakura Empire shipgirls and sirens that disturbed her plan.

Her strength is like a brute force, crushing everything in front of her. Nobody is capable of stopping her from rampaging. Her enthusiasm, however, made Eagle Union more excited and followed her lead.

Boom...Boom...

Indianapolis fired her guns along side with Portland. Seeing her sister makes her excited and attacking all the enemies.

"TAKE THIS, SAKURA EMPIRE!!!", shouted Washington while shooting several barrages against the enemies.

Boom..Booom...

"Finally, I can show myself", said Washington while smiling. However, that smile is liked an evil demon.

"Your smile is scary, Washington", said North Carolina.

"Shut up, I have been practising as you know!!", shouted Washington.

Boom....Boom...

The surrounding area is full of firepower, torpedoes and planes circling the sky. The battle has already started and the winner is still undecided.

Hornet, who had already deployed her aircraft, went to her sister, Enterprise.

"It looks like it's working well, nee-san," Hornet said. "I'm pretty sure we're going to win this battle."

"Don't think that far, Hornet," Enterprise said. "We can't look down at them. We're still far from winning".

Enterprise analyses the current situation. She knew that her allies were capable of helping her fight the enemy. A war evidence that the Eagle Union is much superior to the Sakura Empire.

"Are you sure it's all right, Enterprise? ", Intrepid asked while she unexpectedly show up in front of them. "You don't have approval from the commander. If the commander knows, he 's going to be even more upset at you".

Intrepid understood that Enterprise hates Kay so much, because his ambition is less superior to Enterprise. In addition, most of the Eagle Union that undertook this mission understood that Enterprise had no authority to organize this mission. They still support her, though, because of her diverse experiences in several wars.

"It is more than a month since he arrived. Yet, there is nothing he does to make us proud", said Enterprise. "We always in defensive side for a long time. I am expecting something will changes after he came".

"Yet, He did nothing!! He changing plans without telling us!! Nothing is different from usual!".

"How many times he betrayed us!! How many times he lies to us!!".

"TELL ME! WHY HE STILL BECOME OUR COMMANDER!!!".

"............."

Intrepid has no idea how to answer her question. She knew that Kay was already wasting a lot of chances to defeat the threat. He still asked them to retreat and let the enemy run away.

The failure in first operation. The failure for the intruders from Sakura Empire. The failure when he manages to sneak in Sakura Empire perfectly. And the worst, the failure in the Fallen City.

Enterprise has lost its confidence with Kay. She recognized Kay was stronger than she was. She had the impression that he was the chosen one. His action, however, is otherwise. When Kay managed to sneak into the Sakura Empire, Enterprise thought he would capture Nagato and claim the Sakura Empire.

But that's not the kind of action she's expecting from him.

"I'm just going to prank them a little bit", said Kay as he plans to go to the Sakura Empire".

Kay assured her that he would defeat the enemies at the Fallen City along with the others. The promise is broken that easily because he's a coward. Only because there's a high-class siren talking to Kaga and Akagi, he changes the plan entirely.

Now, she wants to defeat them on her own. She no longer wants Kay to support her.

".............."

Booomm.......Boomm.....

"Focus on the battle, Intrepid," Enterprise ordered. "We're going to prove that we're better off without a commander."

Intrepid relieves heavy sighs. She nodded her head as she agreed with Enterprise and began fighting the enemy. She's going to talk to Enterprise again after she calms down a bit.

She's a really persistent person, as Yorktown said. She refuses to give it up.

The battle continues until Sakura Empire has ordered the fleet to retreat. They did not expect that Enterprise will came out immediately.

They already knew about the ships, and they were trying to hijack them. They're going to expect some heat from Azur Lane later, but not that quick. It's too coincidental for them to think about it.

They've already seen enough, and it's going to go as they intend even though with Enterprise intervened them.

***********************

In the evening, after the first battle is already finished.

"Aren't we done more than enough, Enterprise? "Intrepid asked. "They've already withdrawn, the ships are secured, and we've won the battle! ".

"This is just the beginning, Intrepid." , Enterprise said. "They will coming back. Now, we need to defeat them right now".

"WE HAVE INJURED PERSON HERE!!", shouted Intrepid. "Hammann, Sims and Arizona are badly injured. They need to be treated immediately!!".

"That's their fault," Enterprise said. "We cannot just give up on the enemies because of their injuries, Intrepid".

"Then, how about they being treated first before we pursue them? ", Intrepid asked.

"No, it's going to take too long and the Sakura Empire will manage to run away," Enterprise said.

Enterprise ignoring Intrepid, who is also opposed to the idea. Enterprise also orders the fleet to continue its mission. They can't afford to risk it for losing them.

"Every ship is following me! ", Enterprise shouted. "We can't let them get away from our hands. Only us here who can defeat them. We are not going to waste this moment!!".

They replied to the Enterprise request with a few shouts that agreed with her plans. They're going to pursue her as Enterprise will lead them to victory. Then they're beginning to leave this place with Enterprise.

Intrepid and Independence are helping Hammann, Sims and Arizona get up. They're not going to leave them here. They're a little slower, as the allies who are in front of them are almost gone from their sight.

"........."

"Helena, this is Intrepid. I 'm requesting for a rescue mission in behalf of Enterprise", said Intrepid while using the special communicator that she got from Essex before she left. "Please inform the commander right away. Please, I beg you."

.......................

(Kay is questioning Admiral Hipper about little sister if you wondering what he is doing right now)

.......

Eleven o'clock at night. Kay and the others are ready to leave the Azur Lane and head straight to the Enterprise location.

"Remember to close all communications for every ship," Kay said. "Please use this special communicator if something happens."

"Just to tell you again, we need to stay silent and discreet before we get there. It is a part of our plan that crucial to be succeed".

"We will ambush them after I give you a signal ".

Kay decides to move at night to avoid from discovers. As a result, they are likely to arrive later than usual. It will takes one day for them to arrive at Enterprise final location. But this idea is worth it, as no one disagrees with his proposal.

"Enterprise is already starts fighting and she possibly can handles it with some support ", said Kay. "Well, remember that she carries a number of a high-class ship with her. I don't think it's going to be a problem if we arrive a little late.

"Yeah, she'll be all right," Cleveland said.

"IT JUST, I WORRIED ABOUT THE OTHERS", said both of them.