The Predator of the Depths

Requiem

The sun shines at its highest points in the sky, as hundreds gather at the port of Azur Lane's main base. Commander Sicilia stands at a podium as she nervously tugs on her collar. 

Behind her are the other three Commanders and Major Freya. Sicilia swallows hard as she looks out to all the soldiers and ships in the crowd in front of her. All those eyes staring at her, makes her anxious. 

Alicorn is in the far back, watching from under a tree as she pets Avis, as he sits in her lap. Dark bags under her eyes, as the stress of the past two months has been getting to her.

Sicilia takes a deep breath before she speaks into the microphone on the podium. "I-I..." She takes another deep breath. "Thank you all for gathering today. I would like to say first, that tomorrow will be for the history book. Tomorrow will change the course of this World War. The Iron Blood, Sakura Empire and the Royal Navy have paved a way for us to begin our operations in Europe Tomorrow afternoon Eagle Union will be landing in France, while our Air Force will be in Ukraine, and our Navy will be watching their backs."

Sicilia looks at all the faces of the soldiers and ships in front of her. "I will not lie... many of you soldiers won't be coming home tomorrow. My ships... this may be the last time we meet. Tomorrow will be the bloodiest day in history, but we will be remember as the ones who fought for freedom, the ones who gave it all to the very end."

Only a few ships and soldiers look worried, as most of everyone has lost someone close to them due to this war.

"We will be the ones that stopped the Siren Elite known as Equus, and the Separatist leader Raul Menendez. They will die know that all they're fighting, was for nothing! They will face justice! We will have our revenge for our fallen brother and sisters!"

Sicilia slams a fist into the podium as she starts shouting. The three other Commanders stare at her in shock.

"This war will end soon! And they will not be alive to see it! We will hunt them down and end this war, even if our guns run out of bullets, our knives dull and our hands go numb! Our spirit to fight is greater than the will of the enemies! Even if it costs my life, I will end this war. Our future generations will remember tomorrow as they day we turned this war around! Operation Overlord will be the spear head for our counter attack!"

Everyone starts cheering and Sicilia looks back to Stait. Stait gives her a smile and a thumbs up. Sicilia turns back to the podium and takes a deep breath.

"So tonight, please, spend time with your loved ones and get some rest. We will be heading out at 0600 hours tomorrow. May God looks over us. That is all, dismissed."

Everyone starts to disperse, Laffey, Ayanami, Z23 and Javelin run to the dorms. Sicilia exits the stage with the other Commanders, and Team Destroyers run up to her.

"We're ready ma'am!" Belchan holds up a fist.

"Hobby is ready to kick some Siren butt!" Hobby shouts as Kalk nods in agreement.

"What will we be doing, Commader?" Echo asks.

Sicilia sighs as kneels down to them. "I need some capable ships to watch over to base while we're all gone."

The girls look shocked.

"But--" Belchan starts.

"We're Team Destroyers!" Echo shouts. "We're the strongest team of ships!"

Sicilia gives a soft smile. "Girls, look, someone needs to stay at base, and everyone agrees it'll be you four."

"That's not fair!" Kalk frowns. "We didn't get a vote!"