As the days passed, there was still no immediate command from headquarters. However, one notable development occurred during this time. After his return from the recent patrol, Enterprise brought news of a significant breakthrough: a tracking device had been developed and was set to arrive at the Outpost the next day. This device, dubbed the Ashes Beacon, was designed to detect any nearby members of the Ashes.

  The beacon was a result of extensive research into the Ashes’ unique rigging and detection systems, which operated under extraordinary circumstances. The scientific research department had identified a distinct signal emitted by the Ashes' equipment during battles. This signal was unlike anything observed from standard fleets. The Ashes’ ships possessed a specialized internal structure that allowed them to remain undetected by conventional radar systems for extended periods. The beacon was calibrated to pick up on these unique characteristics, offering a potential advantage in future encounters.

  Four more days passed, and Greynar found himself sighing in his room, the monotony beginning to take its toll. Boredom gnawed at him as he gnced at tomorrow's schedule, where the word meeting was written repeatedly from top to bottom. Despite the fleet being fully assembled and ready, the green light for the rge-scale assault had yet to be given. The operation's progress had slowed to a crawl, and frustration was beginning to set in. The situation was a logistical mess.

  Just the day before, Enterprise had brought troubling news about recent developments in the NA Ocean. The Sirens’ movements had deviated from their usual patterns, acting in ways that were more erratic and unpredictable. Most concerning was the massive storm now raging at the center of the NA Ocean. Visible even from a distance, it was a colossal and menacing tempest, its sheer size and intensity evoking an almost primal fear. The swirling storm seemed less like a natural phenomenon and more like a deliberate warning—a barrier designed to deter anyone from venturing too close.

  There were two possible expnations for the storm. The first was that it was the Sirens’ doing, another mysterious movement by them which just spell trouble. The second, even more concerning possibility, was that the Ashes had begun to make their move in the NA Ocean. Either way, it wasn’t good news—it was the kind of development that spelled trouble on the horizon.

  Adding to the problem, a Siren stronghold had begun to form near the storm's edge. This development suggested that the Sirens were likely orchestrating something significant and it seems to be an organized and deliberate strategy to mobilize their forces in a way that hinted at a rger, more coordinated pn that no one knows.

  Then, there was the ongoing turmoil within the meetings. While a certain degree of disagreement was expected, the sheer complexity and length of the discussions were exhausting. Under the looming threat of the central fortress, the factions among the command were at odds.

  The radicals pushed for an all-out assault, seeking to break through the Sirens' defensive line in one decisive move. In contrast, the conservatives advocated a more cautious approach, preferring to advance step by step to encircle and besiege the Sirens. Adding to the chaos were the reformists, proposing to redirect the main fleet toward scientific research tasks to conduct an in-depth analysis of the Sirens. The endless arguments only served to stall progress further, leaving Greynar frustrated with the gridlock.

  The poor Commander found himself caught in the middle of endless debates, a civil war of words that made attending meetings increasingly unbearable. Seeking an escape, he decided to take a walk around the Outpost. During his stroll, he came across Memphis and Sheffield engaged in a discussion.

  Sheffield’s presence on his team was due to direct orders from the Queen herself, though the exact reasons behind her assignment remained a mystery to him.

  “Sheffield, huh? Looks like she’s discussing something with Memphis,“ he mused thoughtfully. “Let's just approach them directly then.“

  Noticing him approach, Memphis instantly smiled and greeted him. “Morning, Commander.“

  Sheffield also noticed him as Memphis's gaze shifted toward him. “Good day, Master,“ she said politely.

  “Morning, you two,“ he greeted, stifling a yawn. “Looked like you were discussing something, so I didn’t want to interrupt. Those damn meetings, though... such a pain.“

  “I hope you're well, Master,“ Sheffield replied with a slight bow, her tone as composed as ever. “You must have worked hard at the meeting just now.“

  “That meeting... meh,“ he scoffed, shaking his head. “I just hate the way things are handled in there, even if it’s supposedly for the betterment of humanity.“

  Sheffield offered him a faint smile. “It’s best to leave all that noise behind, Master. Take some time to rest and clear your mind.“ With a graceful bow, she added, “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I shall take my leave.“ Without another word, she turned and walked away.

  Memphis walked closer to him, her smile soft yet teasing. “You’ve had quite a hard day today, haven’t you? Taking a walk to clear your head?“

  “Let’s just say I’m taking a breather from those meetings,“ he replied with a grin. “So, what were you two discussing?“

  “Well, for instance,“ Memphis began, tilting her head slightly, “Sheffy asked me for a favor. Essentially, she wants me to investigate something.“ She gave a small shrug. “It’s not something that needs to be kept secret from you, Commander, but I’d prefer to wait until I have a definite conclusion before sharing the details.“

  “Is it reted to what happened in today’s meeting?“ he asked, his brow furrowing slightly.

  “Yeah,“ Memphis said with a pale sigh. “No matter how you put it, today was just... too much.“

  “Too much... in what sense? The sudden change in behavior?“ he asked, narrowing his eyes.

  Memphis nodded, her expression darkening slightly. “The participants and agenda were completely switched without warning, and we were left entirely in the dark. It’s almost like they’re deliberately plotting against us. Plus, the sudden appearance of the Siren stronghold caused Command to make a complete strategic 180. Don’t you think that’s odd?“

  “Sounds about right,“ he agreed, crossing his arms. “A meeting that was supposed to focus on the overall offensive pn abruptly shifted to discussions about META and Siren research as soon as I arrived. That doesn’t feel like just a coincidence.“

  “And... it was originally just a bit of a trend, but I didn’t expect them to take it this far,“ Memphis muttered, her thoughts trailing off.

  Confused by her words, Greynar tilted his head. “Trend? What do you mean?“

  “Yeah,“ Memphis nodded. “Since the beginning of this operation, the progress of the battles has been almost unnaturally smooth. Whether it’s against the Sirens or the newly appeared Ashes, we’ve been achieving victory after victory. Commander, you’ve been on the front lines, so you might not be fully aware... but many pces, far from the front lines have already plunged into a festive atmosphere, celebrating victory in advance.“

  Greynar furrowed his brow. “Celebrating? Even though it’s always because the Ashes actively avoid prolonged battles that we’re able to return safely, isn’t it?“

  “The strength and oppression of the Ashes... Even if people hear about it in reports, they don’t truly grasp what they’re capable of without experiencing it firsthand,“ Memphis expined with a huff. “What’s worse, most people don’t even hear about it at all. All the folks in the rear see are our repeated victories and the countless spoils we’ve brought back from battle. Because of that mindset, they’ve suddenly convinced themselves that the best option is to redirect our efforts toward research instead.“

  “Then extreme views like, 'The Sirens' combat effectiveness is negligible, and command should prioritize scientific research over combat operations,' have started popping up out of nowhere,“ Greynar said, pinching the bridge of his nose in frustration. His voice dripped with disgust as he added, “Fuck this...“

  “And I doubt anybody's happy with it either,“ Memphis said, crossing her arms with an edge of anger in her tone. “We still have to investigate the stronghold and everything, but... we shipgirls want nothing more than to recim the seas from the Sirens. I have to believe that the headquarters, both central and local, feel the same way.“

  “The fact that Sheffield came to inform us specifically means Elizabeth already knows about the situation... Does she want us to solve this problem?“ Greynar asked.

  “Actually...“ Memphis began, but her response was cut off by an unexpected interruption.

  “That is not the case, Commander,“ Sheffield interjected, appearing suddenly and startling the pink-haired girl. “Her Majesty merely hopes you can gain firsthand understanding of the situation and acquire direct insight into what lies behind the battlefield. As for the issues themselves, Her Majesty intends to address them personally.“

  Memphis, having recovered from her initial surprise, turned to Sheffield. “Gosh, don’t sneak up on us like that... Didn’t you say you were leaving?“

  Sheffield gave a calm gnce at Memphis. “Apologies. Your conversation was so intriguing that I ended up listening a bit longer without realizing it.“

  Memphis sighed, crossing her arms. “I swear, sometimes you act like you're part of some secret service or something...“

  “Please,“ Sheffield replied with her usual nonchant tone. “I’m a maid, not a spy from the Royal Navy.“

  “Come to think of it, I haven’t seen Elizabeth at any of the recent meetings... What on earth is she pnning to do?“ the Commander asked, drawing their attention back to the topic.

  Sheffield, with a subtle smirk, began mimicking the Queen's tone. “It's meaningless anyway. I have more important things to do! After saying that, Her Majesty canceled all her meeting schedules.“ She paused briefly before continuing, her tone shifting to a more neutral one. “As a maid, I certainly don’t know Her Majesty’s exact pns. However, if I may specute... If Her Majesty were present at every meeting, there would be no disagreements visible to the Commander. Those whose opinions are suppressed in her presence would likely find endless excuses afterward to hinder the process, making things far more complicated.“

  “That may indeed... happen,“ Greynar admitted with a nervous ugh.

  “Precisely. To that end, I kindly ask for your cooperation, Master,“ Sheffield said, bowing slightly. “Also, it might do you some good to take a walk around the Outpost. Unlike those pompous fools at headquarters who love to hear themselves talk, you could actually accomplish something productive by clearing your mind and distancing yourself from their nonsense.“

  “Ahaha... You sure have a sharp tongue, don’t you?“ he muttered with a smirk. “Alright then, see you ter, Sheffy.“

  “Of course. I look forward to seeing you on the front lines, Master,“ the maid replied, offering a polite bow before turning to leave.

  As they watched the maid leave, Memphis politely excused herself, heading off to handle logistical arrangements for the upcoming battle in the central area. Ever since the NA Ocean theater became the focal point of operations, no ships dared to enter. Merchants and VIPs typically required escorts to navigate the region. Due to recent developments, the central core area of NA Ocean had escated to a Level 7 risk, with surrounding areas ranging from Level 5 to Level 6.

  The next day, with the growing unease from the frequent Siren attacks, Greynar felt the pressure mounting. He was ready to take matters into his own hands regarding the ongoing stagnation in the meeting progress, but before he could act, Enterprise stopped him. She informed him that Queen Elizabeth had already begun to deploy her own pns for the upcoming meeting, and instead, she insisted that he join her on a scout mission.

  Enterprise urged him not to dwell on the ongoing political turmoil or the actions of those in the Command. The situation was a mess, and he couldn’t change that. What mattered now was the operation at hand. To that end, she had already arranged a fleet and prepared his command ship for a scouting mission in the NA Central Core area.

  Happy to oblige and ignore the ongoing mess, the Commander decided to go along with Enterprise's suggestion, hoping it would help him ease his situation.

  'Huh, seems someone’s been staring at me for a while...' he thought to himself as they began their scouting mission, departing from the Outpost.

  From a distance, he could feel Reno's gaze—a light cruiser girl with a mechanical hand and a repulsor mounted on her palm. She was an enthusiastic girl who loved superhero movies and eagerly modeled her weapon after those seen on screen. Her mechanical hand was a prime example of her passion, reflecting her desire to emute her favorite characters.

  Noticing her stare, the Commander gnced over at Reno, but she quickly averted her gaze, flustered. He grinned and turned his attention back to the task at hand, still aware of how the girl was looking at him, almost like she had just met an idol.

  Deciding to call her out, he spoke. “It's not polite to keep staring at people, you know?“

  “W-wuah! So you noticed...“ Reno stammered, her face flushing with embarrassment.

  “Anyone could notice you're staring at me,“ he replied with a slight smirk.

  “Aha-ahaha...“ Reno ughed nervously. “I guess I can't hide it. I'm pretty nervous... Did you notice it then, Commander?“

  Birmingham sighed and shook her head. “It'd be hard not to notice when someone is staring at you nonstop.“

  “True that,“ Baltimore said with a smile, gncing at Reno. “You could've pierced someone with that intense gaze.“

  “O-oh... I-is it that bad...? Sorry,“ the ptinum-haired girl stammered, blushing. “It's just... I'm so excited today! I have the chance to fight side-by-side with the Commander, and I can't contain how lucky I am.“

  “Haha, it's fine,“ the Commander replied with a grin. “It's not like you won't be seeing me again after this. Besides, you can always come up to me about anything, Reno.“

  “Heck yeah! Together, we'll beat those Sirens and save the world!“ Reno said, clenching her fist. “Being able to fight alongside a Commander who's like a superhero, huh? So this time, I’m just like a helper-type character beside the hero... Hehehehe...“ She giggled adorably, her eyes sparkling with excitement as she dreamed of the future.

  Shaking his head at her enthuism, he then focused on the front, they were reaching the titanic storm on the middle. It was pretty massive. TB then informed them that they were approaching the mission scout area as everyone took gaze on the giant storm.

  “It's getting easier to see through the clouds as we get closer,“ Birmingham murmured. “Looking at it up close, it's frightening just how massive this storm is. This would intimidate anyone who ys eyes on it.“

  “And it's so much, much more exaggerated than what we saw before in the center of the Bermuda Sea... It doesn’t even compare. Although there are differences in size and color, could this strange feeling of oppression be some kind of singurity?“ Baltimore added with a concerned look.

  “So far, there's been no strange feeling like Bermuda, so I'm doubtful... And it’s definitely not the usual kind if it really is a Singurity,“ Enterprise commented, her voice calm but tinged with caution. “However, we still don’t know much about singurities. If it is indeed one, it could expin why the Ashes frequently appear in NA waters... At any rate, we need to eliminate all the Sirens in the area, and then—“

  Before she could finish her thought, her voice shifted to a more urgent tone. “Everyone, watch out! The Sirens are coming for us!“

  At that moment, TB's voice crackled over the fleet's communication system. ~Warning: Incoming Siren detected. Prepare to take offensive measures against the Sirens.~

  Reno cast a surprised gnce at the battle-hardened girl in front of her. “She sensed they were coming even before TB did! That's the kind of intuition that takes a thousand battles to develop!“ she whispered under her breath.

  “As soon as they saw us approaching, they responded immediately. It seems the Siren command system in the core area is active and they're finally acting like proper Sirens,“ Baltimore remarked, a grin creeping onto her face. “Time to chip off some of those Siren metal hulls.“

  The Commander raised a hand at the girls. “Just make sure not to overexert yourselves. We're here to measure their power and capabilities, not engage in a full-on battle.“

  “Right on, Commander!“ Reno said, eagerly rushing to the front as Enterprise unched an arrow toward their enemies.

  She bent down just in time to dodge an incoming salvo that whizzed past her. Quickly recovering, Reno aimed her mechanical arm behind her, activating the repulsor-like mechanism. With a sharp hum, a concentrated ser beam burst out, propelling her forward with a sudden surge of speed.

  Her speed rivaled, if not exceeded, that of a fighter jet as she rocketed forward, propelled by the energy of her repulsor. With a burst of raw power, Reno thrust her arm forward like a rocket-powered punch. The force of her strike connected with the Siren blocking her path, sending it hurtling backward into the enemy's formation in a spectacur explosion of sparks and shattered metal.

  “Eat this!“ Reno shouted with a wide grin, her excitement echoing in her voice. “Reno Smash!!!“ She delivered the devastating punch with all her might, the force of her strike sending the Siren careening backward, crashing into its allies like a meteor, leaving chaos and destruction in its path.

  The Siren ships abruptly shifted their focus, abandoning their attacks on the fleet and directing their firepower entirely at Reno.

  “Uh oh!“ Reno excimed, her grin fading into a look of arm as she bolted, darting through the chaos to save her skin. Her frantic retreat unintentionally provided the perfect distraction.

  Baltimore didn’t hesitate, rushing toward the enemy formation while Reno had the Sirens chasing her in the other direction. With their focus completely thrown off, Baltimore slipped through the chaos and made her way to the backline. Her eyes were locked on the carrier—taking it out would cut their air support and give the fleet control of the skies.

  Enterprise quickly caught on to what Baltimore was trying to accomplish. Without missing a beat, she directed her pnes to provide cover, intercepting the bombers closing in on Baltimore and clearing the way for her to reach the Siren carrier.

  Baltimore pushed forward through the formation with sheer determination, her fists then clenched tightly. Reaching the Siren carrier, she unleashed a powerful punch while her guns fired relentlessly at close range. Using the momentum, she propelled herself upward with a burst of energy and delivered a crushing kick to the carrier’s deck, leaving a dent that reverberated through the ship. Lastly, she focused her firepower on the dent and punched it through, causing explosion from inside.

  The Siren carrier began to sink, marking a turning point in the battle as they secured control of the airspace. With their mission complete and the remaining enemies neutralized, the fleet regrouped, ready for the next steps.

  Just then, TB's voice chimed in with an unexpected announcement.

  ~Incoming communication from the Outpost. Connection established.~

  The familiar voice of Memphis came through the channel. “Commander, we've detected traces of Ashes beacons in the nearby waters. It seems your actions may have drawn their attention. Please exercise caution.“

  Her words sent a ripple of concern through the fleet, heightening the tension in the air.