20 February 1942
Location: The Pacific Ocean, Waters around Guam
Time: 1300
A sleek, futuristic warship cut through the still waters, its Rolls-Royce MT30s humming softly. The sound, though subtle, was comforting against the tension hanging in the air. On the command deck, Mo stood at the helm, her neutral expression masking the storm of thoughts in her mind. The liaison officer's conflicting report had stirred a storm of doubts within the Commander, forcing his hand to send Mo and several kansens as reinforcements. Yet the undercurrents of uncertainty ran much deeper than the officer's words alone.
If the Lowland East Indies fell, Bharat and Terra Austral would be next, left vulnerable to invasion.
Mo's thoughts shifted back to her mission. The stakes were undeniable. The Lowland East Indies served as a critical defense buffer for the region, their survival pivotal. Should they crumble, Sakuran forces would be free to expand into the southern territories unhindered. That was a scenario Mo was determined not to let happen, no matter the cost.
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A brief flashback replayed in Mo's mind. She could see the Commander pacing in his office, frustration evident in his furrowed brow. He had voiced his growing distrust of the reports coming from the Lowland East Indies, their contradictions too glaring to ignore.
"The liaison officer from Lowland East Indies was practically begging for reinforcements for their barebones garrison," he said with irritation. "But the official report from his government that we received just right before his arrival, claimed they had more than enough forces to repel Sakuran invasions. And no, I don't think they'd be too modest about protecting their crown colony."
"We have to assume the worst," he told Mo, turning his gaze to her. "Even if it costs us time, we need confirmation. You're to reinforce Java, but don't trust any intel unless it comes directly from Pearl."
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The Commander's voice still echoed in her ears as Mo glanced at the radar screen. The mission ahead carried more weight than any ordinary deployment. The Kansens aboard her ship were all on high alert, their senses finely tuned to any shift in the air. The stealthy nature of Mo's ship made detection by enemy radar operators unlikely. At worst, they'd be mistaken for local fishermen.
"Been a bit too quiet, hasn't it?" Newcastle commented, adjusting her gloves, her expression calm, but her eyes keen.
"Suspiciously quiet," Indomitable added, arms crossed.
She wore a loose white dress that hung off her lazy posture, her long black hair shifting slightly with her movements. Two horn-like or branch-like accessories adorned her head, adding to her laid-back demeanor.
Her gray eyes scanned the horizon lazily. "We're well within range of inland air bases, but no sight of anything yet, not even a patrol plane from the local garrison."
"We're about to reinforce the Allied Eastern Fleet, right? The report said they only had two heavy cruisers, three light cruisers, and nine destroyers. No wonder the liaison officer went directly to Pearl for help, they're nowhere near equipped to protect these vast island chains," Memphis chimed in, her finger tracing the map with frustration. Her long pink hair fell stylishly over her black jumper jacket, complementing her meticulous, almost secretary-like air. Despite her easy going nature, she radiated precision.
"And yet they claimed they had enough to repel invasions." Amazon shrugged. "Overconfident bunch?"
"Perhaps they recently received more kansens from the Kingdom of the Lowlands after it was occupied by the Allemani," Jervis remarked without looking up, absorbed in the book about electrical generators she was reading.
Mo smiled a little. Jervis' choice of reading material hinted at her concern. As a combat medic, Jervis couldn't afford to be ignorant of Mo's full-electric engine configuration. Her study reflected that dedication.
Newcastle, now standing, added, "As the Commander mentioned in the briefing, the liaison officer's plea and the LEI government's official report contradict each other. He even swore his government never issued such a report. There must be something behind this."
"Tea, anyone?" Newcastle asked casually, breaking the tension.
Mo nodded absentmindedly, her thoughts already spinning through the possibilities. Something felt off, but without solid intel, they could only press forward.
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22 February 1942
Location: Celebes Sea
Time: 1500
Mo's ship sailed steadily through the calm waters of the Celebes Sea, the soft afternoon sun glinting off the waves. The deceptive tranquility belied the high stakes of their mission. Mo stood near the bow, her gaze lost on the horizon where distant clouds stretched like a curtain over the sky.
Just as she was beginning to drift into her thoughts, a sharp ping from the radar jolted her back to reality. She ran toward the bridge where the others had already gathered.
"Radar contact. Aircraft approaching from the northwest," she announced, her voice clear but calm.
Newcastle, already by the radar, glanced up. "It seems to be a patrol aircraft from Mindanao doing its usual sweep."
The radar screen showed a lone blip approaching steadily, but the tension in the room remained low.
"Should be one of ours from the… Phillipin- I mean Philip Islands, right?" Mo said, catching herself before correcting the name.
Memphis peered at the radar. "Yeah, most likely a Union PBY Catalina on routine patrol. Nothing to worry about," she said, tapping her fingers on the console.
Newcastle agreed. "They've been flying these routes for ages. Probably just checking in."
Indomitable still crossing her arms. "As long as they don't engage, it's nothing to worry about."
Amazon nonchalantly added, "They'll probably wave and fly off. No big deal."
Mo stared at the radar screen, her eyes narrowing ever so slightly. The ship continued on its course, undeterred. None of them could have guessed that this seemingly routine patrol would soon complicate their mission.
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23 February 1942
Location: Port of Manila
Time: 1100
On the bridge of her flagship, Kongo, the graceful leader of the Sakuran Southeast Asia Invasion fleet, paced thoughtfully. Her white gloves and blonde long hair contrasted with her navy uniform. She was known for her poise and leadership, always maintaining a regal air similar to Kansens from her birthplace.
Her sisters, Kirishima, Haruna, and Hiei, stood by, reviewing the latest reports.
"Odd," Kirishima said, adjusting her black mask. Her red and black ninja suit accentuated her sharp demeanor. "A heavy cruiser-class ship was sighted in the Celebes Sea by one of our patrol planes, but local radar stations picked up nothing of importance."
Haruna calmly tapped her chin. Her brown hair fell in twintails, framing her youthful face. "Siren technology, perhaps? No ship this large could be able to evade radar this easily."
Hiei, always the most graceful of the group, spoke up while still closing her eyes. "If it is a Siren, we'll need to act quickly. They're unpredictable, and they've meddled in our operations before."
Kongo's clear blue eyes narrowed. The possibility of a Siren ship in these waters seemed plausible, but something didn't sit right. "A Siren? Perhaps, but the design reported doesn't match what we've seen before. We can't let this ship roam unchecked."
Haruna nodded, her voice soft but confident. "We need confirmation. Siren interference this deep into the region could jeopardize everything."
Kirishima flipped through the reports again, her brow furrowing. "If it were a Siren, wouldn't Purifier have mentioned something by now? They're supposed to be our allies, after all."
Kongo turned her gaze to the horizon, her mind churning. "Double the patrols. Increase air coverage. Sweep the area thoroughly. I want that ship found. Hiei, can you reach out to Purifier? We need to know if there's something they're hiding from us."
"Of course, Sister." Hiei bowed gracefully before leaving the bridge.
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23 February 1942
Location: Tanjoeng Priok Port, Batavia
Time: 1800
As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm glow over Tanjoeng Priok, the bustling port seemed unusually quiet. Kansen HNLMS De Ruyter stood near the docks, her expression resolute, though worry flickered beneath the surface. She glanced over at Java, her fellow Lowlander cruiser, who was gazing out at the waters, the shadows of war lingering in the distance.
"Do you think it's true?" De Ruyter finally asked, breaking the silence. "That the Sakuran forces will land at Soerabaja?"
Java, her face set in a serious expression, nodded slowly. "I've heard rumors. The eastern approach is vulnerable, and Soerabaja is far less fortified than we'd like. The Sakuran know it's our weak point. With the fall of Bali, they have the perfect staging ground to launch their invasion."
De Ruyter sighed, her hand gripping the railing. "First the Phillip Islands, then Malaya, Sumatra, Borneo, Celebes… and now Bali. The Sakuran forces seem.. unstoppable. And with Terra Austral's Port Darwin attacked last week, we've lost vital supply lines from Azur Lane. The detachment on this island is barely holding on."
Java looked down, her fists clenched. "They've cut us off, and it's only a matter of time before they push into Java. We've already lost our homeland to the Allemani Reich, we must hold this island, De Ruyter. It's our last stronghold in the East Indies."
The weight of Java's words hung in the air as both cruisers stood in silence, the gravity of their mission settling over them. They had been tasked with the impossible, to defend Java no matter the cost, to make it the bulwark against the Sakuran invasion. But with each passing day, the odds stacked higher against them.
"We won't let it happen," De Ruyter finally said, her voice filled with determination. "Java will stand."
Java smirked slightly. " I will."
De Ruyter gave a brief chuckle. "Fitting, isn't it? You're defending your own namesake."
Java nodded, though her eyes betrayed the uncertainty that lingered. "Yes. The Sakurans will have a tough time taking it from me. Speaking of, others are already at Soerabaja," Java said, her tone hopeful. "We'll regroup with HMS Exeter, USS Houston, HMAS Perth, and other nine destroyers."
De Ruyter clenched her fists. "It's not enough, but we'll make it work. We have to."