9

All along the coast, the Roman Austroasian Navy mobilizes. The combat fleet is now under Hannibal Tran's command.

For this, Hannibal has three warships under his command: the Lynch, the Decker, and the Crane. They're all the best in their respective classes; as are their captains and crews...as DeJarro described them when he handed over command of them to Roman Austroasia's latest hero, Hannibal Tran.

It's official; Hannibal Tran's been deputized into the Roman Austroasian Offense Force. He doesn't wear a uniform, but he dresses for the part. His utility belt is overstocked, and ready to wield. And that's not all he's got...

Out into the South China Sea, the Fleet sails. The Lynch, Decker, and Crane all do their nation proud, as far as nautical speed is concerned. Naturally, that's never super-fast. But then, if it were, no one would be able to stand on the weather decks without getting blown away.

Fog surrounds them. Hannibal stands on the Lynch's bow, observing conditions. He's got a telescope handy. Alas, it won't do him much good in this fog.

A few moments later, it ceases to be necessary. A much bigger fleet, of the People's Liberation Army Navy, looms towards the Fleet's port. Their ships are MUCH bigger. And they are VERY intimidating.

Hannibal sure hopes they're not here to blow them out of the water. These sailors can't gun the crap out of Gatorella if they're swimming among flotsam in the sea, trying to salvage wet gunpowder.

I know; navies don't use gunpowder anymore. It's just a saying...

On the forecastle of the Crane, a junior sailor waves a signal to the People's Liberation Army Navy. In a few moments, Hannibal supposes they'll all know if the PLA Navy gets the memo.

Hannibal watches. The bigger warships bring themselves about, and sail away. Hannibal hopes they get as far away from these waters as they can, and stay there. He'd hate for Gatorella to become their problem.

It's not that Hannibal fears for anyone in the PLA Navy's territory; far from it. But if anyone else besides himself gets the credit for slaying Gatorella, he'll never forgive himself.

He lights a cigar, and smiles. "I love it when the PLAN comes together," he wisecracks.