Commander's Rounds

Gaiden Entry 42.3: Lucky E Rolls the Dice

"You're sure about this?" Enterprise had a look at the report. "If this is true, then we have to take advantage of it."

Warspite gave a nod. "They were discovered by one of Eagle's scout planes. There's no mistaking it- it's a Siren fleet heading home, almost entirely mass-produced ships."

Enterprise gave a nod. "And we won't have long to intercept them. Still, it's strange that they're outside of a Mirror Sea."

Warspite didn't take long to come up with an explanation. "Ever since Purifier broke with the Sirens, we haven't seen them do any of their "experiments". Whatever's going on, they haven't been able to set up one of their games."

Enterprise needed a moment to think. "...They're probably still deciding among themselves what to to do, and they may not necessarily see eye-to-eye on a solution. After all, they do appear to be taking orders."

The Royal battleship looked curiously. "You think they have their own commander?"

Enterprise put the report down. "The commander has heard them reference someone or something they call the Creator, and the fact that Purifier had to be constantly reined in means that the Sirens have some degree of free will. Still, this is a matter we have to act on. I already have a plan."

"What makes this so urgent?"

"It has to do with the commander's next goals, and the steps he wants to take to get there." She folded her hands together. "He asked Yuubari to create something that could cut Sirens off from their data networks so they can be captured, and I was recently informed by Yuubari and Marblehead that they have something ready to go."

Amagi arrived soon. She seemed aware of the conversation. "Ah, Enterprise- I take it you have some matter of planning involved?"

"Yeah." She gave the report to Amagi. "Eagle found a "loose" Siren fleet heading north, and Yuubari has told me that we have the means to take a Siren ship off of the grid. I want to take this opportunity to try to capture a Siren destroyer."

Warspite was about to drink some tea, but was stopped short by Enterprise's plan. "That's... A rather extraordinary maneuver."

Amagi gave a nod. "True enough, but if Yuubari's claims are truthful, it is something that is manageable with our current resources- plus, the commander left her in charge of military affairs. But I do wonder why you haven't submitted this for approval and discussion with the commander?"

"Because our window of opportunity is narrow, and there's no telling when we'll have another one- the further north they go, the more likely they'll be joined by heavy reinforcements." She pointed to the report. "While we know about this, there isn't enough time for us to talk to the commander, discuss the plan with him in the detail he prefers, and gather and organize the forces we need to accomplish this mission. Whatever the outcome, I will take sole responsibility."

Warspite raised a concern. "And you think the others will go along even though the commander hasn't given his personal approval?"

Enterprise shook her head. "We have a chance to further one of the immediate goals the commander has set for the fleet, so we are already acting on his behalf as ships of Azur Lane." She took a deep breath. "And even aside from that, we aren't children, and the commander is not our babysitter."

Amagi gave a nod. "Indeed. There are many ships in this fleet who would turn on the commander if he made a point of treating them like they needed to be protected and sheltered from the danger they are accustomed to, and even revel in- powerful, significant ships at that. I do not believe the commander would remain in his position for long if he adopted such a posture."