Azur Lane: Savior

Throughout the weeks, many things happened ever since his meeting with Shinano. Observer still hasn't yet to come to help him using S.A.V.I.O.R but he often talk with Purifier about the current situation. The foremost situation currently is Richelieu fleets and Jean Bart's engaged in a battle around a basilica. Queen Elizabeth also informed him about the appearance of someone similar to Enterprise in the northern area where they encounter a queen's crown singularity-shaped during Operation Tungsten. It was confirmed by Purifier that Code G is making her move after she was waiting for her comrade to infiltrate test site-β and now she will move according to what Observer planned out from the start.

And what happens afterwards...

"The Royal Navy convoy has left the port, and Enterprise is escorting them until they are out of the waters, Commander." Saratoga reported her situation after getting back from the dockyard.

The Commander gave her a warm smile and nodded. "Thanks for your hard work. So are there any news from the higher-ups?" 

"As far we concern, there is no anything yet, but." Saratoga looked around and silently closed her distance to his face, she whispered. "I heard that there will be a military conference in Newport City. I don't know the details but you will be informed personally soon." 

'Just as Purifier said, she will crash the party there to distract everyone from their main objective.'

"Is that so? Then i will look forward to that, thanks for telling me." He thanked her by patting her head in reflex.

"Ah you did it again Commander," She said while pouting, "Don't treat me like a child!" 

"A-ahaha... Sorry for that, it just i moved my hand purely on instinct." Greynar tried to make up an excuse, in hope that Saratoga would buy his excuse.

Saratoga shrugged. "Sure, sure..." She didn't really buy his excuse.

"Ahem, anyway i hope you can keep up the good work, just stay low and report anything unusual on NY Command." Greynar requested her.

"Will do Commander! But, why are you telling me to be wary of them?" Saratoga curiously asked.

Because there are a lot to consider, he hadn't really give an excuse as to why they should be wary of the higher ups. But one of them was the person behind his promotion to Commander. He knew that becoming the Commander isn't easy as it looks. Even by just signing a paper, he needed to pass a lot of test, so why was he easily get inside and immediately become a Commander?

'Noir said, that someone backed him up. It's very suspicious that Eagle Union made a blunder by just giving me a rank of Commander, or was it really Observer that gave me the rank?' He pondered. 'Even though this timeline is a resetted timeline, i can't be relaxed enough knowing someone was plotting inside the faction. I can't easily ask Observer or Purifier to do this because the other party might be in high alert if they started to investigate it.'

After a while, he came up with a small excuse. "It's something related to me and the higher ups. I'm sorry Saratoga, but i can't tell you the exact reason." 

"...Alright, its fine if you don't wanna talk about it, Commander." Saratoga said, she leaped out from the chair, and before she left the room Saratoga turned to him. "Just a reminder for you that all of us trust you not because you are the Commander but because you are our Commander, so if you have any concern please talk to us, okay?" 

The Commander put up a smile and nodded. "That's a promise. I will." 

Saratoga replied to him with a satisfied expression. "Good! Now i will take my leave now, sister Sara off!" She winked and closed the door. 

As the Commander continued to do his simple work, the fleet's sortie mission has lately increased. A month ago, there was a news regarding the labeling of each Siren-occupied water depending on the difficulty of the mission. Siren Threat Assessment Rating or what they call STAR for short. The difficulty of the mission was analyzed through a mass-produced recon plane that was flying through the occupied water. Depending on the severity, the highest rating is 5 while the lowest is 1. They used a mass-produced recon plane to do reconnaissance check because it's safer than sending KANSEN to do the job. 

As safe as it goes, there are also downside into it. A jamming system by Siren could affect the entire reconnaissance check. Even a slight disturbance could disconnect the plane from the carrier. There are more measure to take, but for now, it's the most effective way to rate a Siren-occupied water. 

※ ※ ※

After a week passed, Greynar received a communiqué regarding an important military conference taking place soon, he prepared to embark on a sortie by selecting a few ship to go with him. There was also an exchange trade with Royal Navy yesterday and Victorious was there as an escort ship. She said she will be staying a while because of the next meeting that will happen soon. The queen herself appointed her and asked Greynar to take care of her subordinate in her stead. The Commander complied to her demand.

Afterwards, he decided to bring Volga, Hornet, Victorious and several ships as an escort, some of the escort ship was personally recommended by the NY Command since Enterprise right now isn't available. He knew that Enterprise received an emergency mission from NY Command and to his knowledge, it was probably arranged by Observer herself. 

While there was nothing that appeared during his sortie, the smooth sailing came to an end as they approached an island. They could see some figure greeting them. 

"Commander look!" Hornet pointed out at the island. "Newport City just ahead of us! And i think i saw some figure not far away from us." 

Victorious giggled. "Ehehe~ It's been a while since i've been to this island. Today i will act as Royal Navy representative to attend this special meeting." 

"I wonder what are the topic will be?" Volga pondered. 

Victorious turned to her side, she explained. "I don't know the details but it might be about a plan for future combat strategies." 

"Eh, is that so? How did you know that, Victorious?" The curious carrier asked.

With a grin the Royal Navy lady said. "I have my own intel, and the Commander probably also has his own too, so don't be surprised if we got some info that hasn't been yet made public."

Volga glanced at Greynar that was on the deck of the ship. "Commander is that right?" 

The Commander smiled at her and nodded. "Though it was contained on the message so it wasn't so very secret, we can get some information through decrypting it." 

Volga nodded and stayed silent, she gained a new insight about 'How does message from higher ups work', even if it was complicated to her it was something that she admire about her Commander. 

Hornet chimed in front of them. "Hurry! Hurry! Some of my acquaintance are there!" She gestured her hand to follow her.

Victorious gave her a reminder. "Hornet, calm down. No matter how excitedly you are, we are still the escort ship. Don't forget to act as a proper lady."

The cowboy girl grinned, she turned her head to her. "Haven't you know yet, Victorious?"

"Hm? What is it?" The girl in question tilted her head.

"Hee~ Alright then, let me spill it to you." Hornet was excited to spoil the news to her Royal Navy friend, she coughed before dropping the exciting news. "They said that Enterprise will be coming through here!"

Victorious was dumbfounded, "REALLY!?" she couldn't believe what she just heard. 

In reply, Hornet nodded to her. "Yes! She will be coming here to repair her stuff!"

"Ms. Enterprise, it's been so long since i've last seen her. I wonder if i can talk to the legendary hero of Eagle Union herself." Victorious wondered aloud.

Greynar who was looking at the interaction sighed in resignment. 'We didn't tell them about her emergency mission yet, she is on some far location and hasn't yet to come back. Though, i'd let them just be excited for a while...'

As they approached the dockyard, the Commander recognize the shipgirl that was having exchange conversation with Hornet. Her short hair was recognizeable, and her vibe of tomboyish could be felt. Hornet glanced at Greynar and introduced her to him.

"Hah, I was wondering where all this racket was coming from. I see you're as lively as ever, Hornet." Baltimore patted her on the back.

"Long time no see, Baltimore~!" Hornet replied with a smile.

"Hello there~" Victorious greeted her. 

"Hello Miss Victorious, we've been informed of your arrival here." Baltimore replied her with a wave.

Hornet glanced at Greynar and fixed her clothing. She walked closer to her friend and introduced her to him. "Commander, this is the renowned lady-killer of the Eagle Union, the gallant Baltimore!" As she jokingly raised her hand to look like she was praising her, Hornet seems proud of what she has done.

"H-hornet! Cut that out! Leave your jokes at the door." She pushed the cowboy girl away and turned to Greynar. "Ahem, well met, Commander. I'm Baltimore. I'll be the one in charge to show you around the Newport City."

"Nice to meet you, Baltimore." He replied with a kind smile and shook her hand.

Baltimore then glanced at the auburn carrier. "You must be Volga, Commander's personal fleet... Nice to meet you!" 

Volga received her greeting with a polite bow. "Hello~ nice to meet you, i'm Volga, Northern Parliament carrier. Please take care of me today."

After they exchanged greetings, Baltimore asked them to follow her. Baltimore explained on the way about various things inside the city. 

"Newport Harbor may be a naval base, but it's also a famous resort. Just treat it as a short business trip and relax, this place will definitely bring you an unforgettable memory~" she said. 

'Unforgetable memory, huh... It will be one soon.' Greynar snickered quietly.

After they walked for a while, Baltimore escorted them to one of the resorts for their stay. Not long after she left them in their room, the warning siren began to buzz. All area was locked down and a lot of explosion was heard outside. The planned event already took place outside.