28 February 1942,
Location: Port of Manila, Philip Islands
Time: 1000
The meeting took place aboard Kongo's flagship, the tidy, clean, and organized strategy room reflecting the high stakes of the ongoing war. The air crackled with tension as Kongo stood at the head of the table, her sisters Haruna, Kirishima, and Hiei seated alongside her. Across from them, Purifier reclined lazily in her chair, her presence exuding a chaotic and unpredictable energy. Her wide grin hinted at the madness she barely kept in check, making everyone in the room uneasy.
Kongo kept her tone composed, laying out the next steps of their invasion. "We'll begin tightening our hold on Java with successive air raids, followed by a ground assault. Once the defenses are weakened, the full Sakuran fleet will move in. Then….."
Purifier yawned, clearly bored with the details. She twirled a strand of her hair, her mind elsewhere, until Kongo mentioned the Silver Demon.
"The Silver Demon?" Purifier sat up instantly, her eyes flashing with excitement. "Now that's interesting. A kansen who has the potential to rival even your best? I want to meet her."
Kirishima frowned, sensing the reckless shift in Purifier's demeanor. "It's not just any kansen. The Silver Demon is a force we haven't been able to fully understand."
Haruna shot a worried glance at her sister. "Perhaps we should approach this carefully—"
But Purifier had already made up her mind. "Careful? Boooring!" she declared, standing up with a flourish. "I'll take her on myself! Can't wait to see what this demon's made of."
Kongo's gaze hardened. "Purifier, we need a coordinated strategy—"
"Nope, I'm doing this my way," Purifier cut her off, grinning maniacally. "Trust me, Kongo, this is going to be fun. And hey, if I die, at least I'll go out with a bang, right?"
Hiei leaned over to Kongo, whispering, "This could complicate things. She's too unpredictable. Also.. as if she could truly die."
Kongo sighed, knowing there was no stopping Purifier once her mind was set. "Just... try not to deviate too much from the plan."
Purifier gave a mock salute, already halfway out the door. "Plan, schman. I've got this!"
As Purifier disappeared down the corridor, Kongo turned back to her sisters. "We'll have to adjust our approach. With her running wild, this campaign could go in any direction."
__________________________________________
28 February 1942,
Location: Soerabaja Port, Java.
Time: 1000
Meanwhile, the sun cast a warm glow over the pier where Mo's ship was moored. Mo knelt by the edge, her focus entirely on the playful antics of Mr. Eagle and a stray cat. The two creatures rolled around, wrestling in a mock battle, and Mo's quiet smile reflected a moment of peace amid the chaos of her existence.
Newcastle stood a few steps behind, her arms crossed, watching over Mo with a calm, measured gaze. Though outwardly composed, Newcastle's protective instincts were on high alert. She had grown fond of Mo, recognizing the vulnerability beneath her fearsome reputation.
De Ruyter approached with purposeful strides, her eyes scanning the scene before her. She paused next to Newcastle, observing Mo with a mixture of admiration and hesitation. "She's needed at the command meeting. The defense of Java won't hold without her input."
Newcastle nodded but didn't immediately call out to Mo. "Let her have a little more time. These moments... they help her find balance."
De Ruyter crossed her arms, her expression softening as she watched Mo. "I can see why she's drawn to this place. It's peaceful, away from the constant battles."
Newcastle glanced at her, a knowing smile on her lips. "Lady Monsoor has been through a lot more than anyone realizes. Separated from her sisters... It's hard, not knowing if they'll ever be reunited. She hides it well, but you can see the weight she carries."
De Ruyter's gaze shifted to Mo, who was gently petting Mr. Eagle. "It must be lonely. I've always felt a certain dread around her power, but…"
"Now you see her as she is," Newcastle said softly, her gaze drifting toward Mo. "In her ship, there's her ship's badge, just like you and me. She, as a research ship, also has one. It's a symbol only those who've been inside know. It shows an armored arm holding a sword, crowned by an angelic wing atop a shield. The words 'I will defend' are etched beneath it." She paused, letting the meaning sink in. "That's Lady Monsoor. She defends, no matter the cost, whether it's her duty or not. She takes everything on herself, even when she shouldn't. It's just... who she is."
De Ruyter sighed. "I used to think she was distant because she didn't care—"
"She's not distant," Newcastle said, her tone firm. "She just carries more than most of us. And it's not her power that isolates her. It's her fear of letting others down."
A brief silence fell between them, broken only by the distant sound of waves lapping against the pier. Newcastle's expression turned thoughtful. "If you're going to help her, you need to understand that. She needs to know she's not alone, even if she feels like she is."
De Ruyter nodded slowly. "You're right. I've been too focused on her strength. I didn't realize how much she's been struggling."
Newcastle's voice was gentle but firm. "If you want Lady Monsoor to be at her best, she needs more than just orders. She needs trust. She needs to know she has people she can rely on. I'm doing what I can, but she could use more support."
De Ruyter's expression softened further. "I'll keep that in mind."
Newcastle chuckled lightly before adding, "And if you ever need help with style, clothes, or anything cute, Lady Monsoor's your girl. She has a surprising knack for those things. You could guess by looking at her, she's got a great eye for fashion and an appreciation for the adorable. If you ask, I'm sure she'd be happy to help."
De Ruyter raised an eyebrow, slightly amused. "I'll remember that. Maybe I'll take her up on it one day."
As the two kansens spoke, Mo remained unaware of the conversation behind her. She continued to play with the cat and Mr. Eagle, her smile faint but genuine. But as the minutes passed, the weight of her responsibilities began to creep back into her mind. With a deep breath, she stood, brushing the dust from her knees.
De Ruyter stepped forward. "Miss Monsoor, we need you at the command meeting. Java's defense depends on your insight."
Mo glanced over her shoulder, her expression shifting from serene to serious. "Understood."
Newcastle stepped forward as well. "Take your time, Lady Monsoor. We're not in a rush."
Mo gave a small nod, her eyes lingering on Mr. Eagle, who already flew to her ship, for a moment longer before turning to follow De Ruyter. The peaceful moment by the pier faded, replaced by the weight of duty and war. Newcastle watched her go, her gaze filled with quiet determination.
"She's stronger than she realizes," Newcastle murmured to De Ruyter. "But she doesn't have to carry everything alone."
De Ruyter's response was quiet, her eyes following Mo's retreating form. "I see that now."
__________________________________________
Mo walked in silence beside Newcastle and De Ruyter, their footsteps echoing along the corridor of the colonial building. The hall ahead was bright, sunlight passing through the large windows of the building. The representatives of the Lowland East Indies (LEI) Army and the colonial government had already gathered inside, preparing for the meeting that would decide Java's fate.
Mo glanced at Newcastle, her expression unreadable as always, but something in her demeanor suggested she sensed the weight of this meeting. Newcastle had been more tense than usual lately, and Mo suspected the arrival of this secret guest had something to do with it. De Ruyter, on the other hand, seemed unusually calm, her lips curved in a half-smile.
Mo finally broke the silence. "This secret guest… seems important. Who is it?"
De Ruyter chuckled softly, keeping her eyes ahead. "Important is an understatement. Let's just say she's someone with quite the lineage. She arrived from Batavia last night. You'll see."
Mo raised an eyebrow, intrigued but unsatisfied. "Someone with quite the lineage? Are we expecting royalty?"
De Ruyter gave her a sideways glance, her smile widening. "Perhaps. You'll find out soon enough."
Newcastle shook her head but didn't press further. She had her own concerns. "Lady Monsoor, I wanted to update you on our communications with Pearl."
Mo's attention shifted instantly. "Go ahead. Have they replied?"
Newcastle's tone was serious, her earlier tension returning. "We've only managed to establish a telegraph connection. No secured radio or telephone lines are available to reach across the Pacific. It's… strange, to say the least."
De Ruyter nodded in agreement. "The telegraphs are coming through regularly, but the messages are cryptic. We've reported our situation, the invasion, and our defense strategy, but I can't shake the feeling that something's off."
Mo's expression darkened. "You're suspicious?"
Newcastle hesitated before answering. "Not exactly. It's just… Pearl sent acknowledgments to our reports, but nothing more. No reinforcements, no further instructions. It's as if they're waiting."
De Ruyter added, "I've asked them to send more kansen. With what we have here, even holding Java feels like a stretch, let alone a counterattack."
Mo's frown deepened. "They're replying, but they're holding back?"
Newcastle sighed. "That's what it feels like. They acknowledge our progress, but there's no sense of urgency from them."
Mo stayed quiet for a moment, absorbing the information. It didn't sit well with her. Pearl should've been more responsive, especially given the severity of the situation in Southeast Asia. "Keep me updated. If something changes, I want to know immediately."
As they reached the hall, the doors opened, and they stepped into a room filled with high-ranking officers of the LEI Army, key colonial officials, and, at the far end, the secret guest, Queen Wilhelmina herself.
Mo's eyes widened slightly as the realization hit her. The Queen of the Lowlands, exiled from her homeland after the Allemani occupation, had come to Java. This was no ordinary guest, her presence was a bold statement of defiance against the enemies threatening the colony.
De Ruyter's smile grew as she watched Mo's reaction. "Surprised?"
Mo didn't answer right away. She studied Queen Wilhelmina, who sat with an air of authority, her chin held high despite the danger she faced by being here. "You didn't mention she'd be this important," Mo finally said, her tone flat but impressed.
De Ruyter grinned. "I like to keep things interesting."