Long Live Ironblood: Benchwarming

Progress Update

"Ah, that's a relief." The commander says as Köln is discharged from the repair bays. The light cruiser has bandages wrapped around her chest from Wales' saber, and she has new glasses because her old ones were smashed by the royal battleship's salvo. "Just glad to see that you're okay."

"Honestly I've been through worse." Köln replies as they head back to the commander's office.

"I think we can both agree you'll need a little time off, at least until those bandages come off." Bismarck says as Köln takes her leave.

"Are there any updates on the prototype ships?" The commander asks.

"Not that I've received. I'm very sure that they're working hard, but it couldn't hurt to see what's going on." Bismarck replies. "Shall we head over?"

"Sure." The commander says as he and Bismarck head down to the Ironblood research facility and head into the room where work on the prototype ships is being done.

"We're working to the best of our ability and time." One person says before suddenly an explosion rocks the facility.

"Scheisse! What the hell was that?!" The commander and Bismarck ask simultaneously.

"Ugh, probably another accident with one of the prototypes." The person replies. "We've been having a lot of trouble with this one. Her name's Roon and we've been having lots of issues with her development. She might be finished much later than our other prototype."

"And who's the other one?" Bismarck asks.

"Friedrich der Große." The person replies. "It's a bit of a surprise though because she's coming out as a battleship and Roon's a heavy cruiser."

"Interesting." The commander says. "As I've mentioned before we can always use the extra firepower that these two will bring along."

"For su-" The three duck to the ground once more as yet another explosion rocks the facility.

"I'm starting to become skeptical of how well the development of Roon is going..." Bismarck mumbles.

"Don't worry, we'll smooth things over to the best of our ability." The person says as everyone stands upright once more before the commander and Bismarck take their leave.

"I'm a little worried about how Roon's gonna come out, especially if problems are this frequent. That wasn't even a few minutes between the explosions." The commander says.

"Still, they are trying their best." Bismarck replies. That's when Prinz Eugen runs into the two, a mischievous glint in her eyes.

"Uh oh..." The commander mumbles to himself.

"What? Is something wrong?" Eugen asks. "You don't look all too happy to see me."

"Ah no it's not that..." The commander replies. "It's just that I've been a little rattled."

"By what exactly?" Eugen asks again.

"We just came out of the research facility. One of the prototypes has been having some... How do I put this? Explosive troubles." Bismarck replies. "I swear a screw nearly took my eye out."

"Well, at least it didn't." Eugen says. "I wonder what the Royal Navy's been doing ever since we beat them at this battle."

"They're probably only getting stronger and stronger as we speak." Bismarck replies. "We shouldn't underestimate their power."

"She's right." The commander says. "Luckily we've been on top of them for quite a while. If the Eagle Union were to attack however, things would get ugly real fast. They've got firepower that rivals, if not even surpasses us, and they carry it all in their planes."

"And we don't really have the best anti air." Bismarck adds. "A whole squadron could easily annihilate us if we aren't ready."

"Well let's not dwell on that for now." The commander replies. "Let's head back to my office. I'm pretty sure there's a lot of unfinished stuff I have since the battle." And with that the commander and Bismarck head back to his office with Eugen in tow.