Legends Don't Die, They are Reborn

Chapter 5: There is always a cost.

The port burned thick, suffocating, oily smoke. The only air of relatively cleanliness was out to the sea but that was doubtful. Eagle Union boasted thousands of personnel for the maintenance alone of crewed ships and kansen. Many vessels were at port were caught entirely unprepared for the Sakuran onslaught, paying for their complacency. At least they had an excuse for it, Eagle Union had never been attacked before for as anyone live could remember.

But that did nothing to comfort them of the horror they lived in. The crewed vessels suffered the worse, many half sunk but recoverable due to the efforts of the damage control. Still, it would take precious weeks to repair any into combat form. Eagle Union did not have days to make a counter blow to the Sakuran Empire.

In the background of smoking battleships, there was a few mercies. The infrastructure that allowed the fleet to operate was intact and USS Enterprise, a veteran of the Siren War, had returned. Too late to make any meaningful impact onto the attack but her mere presence was enough for the morale of the base.

Furthermore, reinforcements were despatched by Eagle Union Mainland and would augment Pearl's defences with the promise of more Royalist Far Eastern troops.

A battered, tired small party met the Grey Ghost. There were dozens of kansen but only two could be spared for pleasantries with so many injured or damaged. The Sakurans failed to deliver a decisive blow onto the base for any kansen to truly die but some were on the verge of it. Vestal immediately set to work with an awkward greeting to the Royalists before heading to the worst victims.

Among the devastation, the two capital ships that had been so useful, drifted into port. The trio gazed at the sight, some more apprehensive than others.

"Who are they?" Enterprise pointed to a certain one that looked out of place in the Azur Lane port.

Prince of Wales scowled, "That one is a Bismarck battleship, the other is a Hood battlecruiser. We are at war with Ironblood yet one of their most powerful surface combatants save us? I do not trust them. This could be a ploy for us to lower our guard before Ironblood delivers the death blow. Cutting the head of monster was always a favourite tactic of the Ironbloods."

"Regardless, would it not be beneficial for us to exploit a schism in Ironblood? Besides, what is Hood doing here? I thought she was deployed elsewhere?"

"Ladies," Illustrious smiled serenely, "We should be thankful to the newcomers for their help. Perhaps listening to their story would be far beneficial as we pass judgement. They seemed to be intent on docking here. We can meet them after they dock."

"Fine. At least, they give us two more battleships to counter the Sakuran threat, though I'd love to have a closer look with my Hellcats."

"Careful, they can still inflict plenty of needless damage onto the port if you provoke them."

Two Hellcats accelerated down the runway of Enterprise's rigging, pulling up sharply before banking to the newcomers as Illustrious directed them to the pier.

"Incoming American Aircraft! Approaching at low altitude!"

Lindemann rushed to the windows with his officers and hurriedly examined the aeroplanes with binoculars. They were fat but powerful, the roar of the engines already reaching the bridge. He decided to make his displeasure known for the damage inflicted on his beloved vessel. Besides, he had a reasonable excuse to the Hood. The Aircraft markings were different to the USAF he had known, not mention that the Americans normally had yellow wings or something akin to that. The Americans hadn't entered the war yet but he could already see a King George V-class Battleship in the American base and other Royal Navy vessels.

"Raise the Alarm, all AA crews are to immediately ready their weapons but are not to open fire unless attacked first!"

The sirens wailed their mournful cry as boots pounded the corridors. The Adrenaline was already wearing off and there were more than a few complaints. Still, serving Captain Lindemann was within their best interest. The hoists brought up a fresh batch of clips of shells for the 3.7cm guns as they were traversed and elevated.