The great September winds blew Unchean's sweeping skyscrapers. Reaching the streets in a great clash, lifting light cups, documents, the pen that slept idle upon that table, the girls and their long dresses fluttering and jumping upwards. A lecherous wind.
Hierd could still recount that nightmare of his. That red sky, the heat he suffered through. That word… Failure? Of what? For what? Who failed? Did he fail? Where? How? When? No matter… Hierd placed his palm upon the window. The street below, the main road, the steps leading up to the White Manor. Those walking towards and away from his Manor.
Those suits, those dresses. Those uniforms, those military-men. He made this. He made Germany. He created a Germany. A fake Germany built through an overpowered, albeit, fake power. The world he walked upon was also fake. Everything should be fake. But it had become too vivid. It had become too long to be a dream. He's long accepted his transmigration. But today was an exception. Today, he questioned; "why am I here?"
Three gentle knocks. "Chancellor, sir!" His attending officer. "The King of Lazaro will arrive by one PM on the dot. Preparations are done, we await your presence in the welcoming of the King from the docks."
"Yes, yes!" He shouted just loud enough for his attending to hear. "It is still eleven. I shall be there and gone here at twelve-thirty."
"Yes, Chancellor sir!" Fleeting footsteps. His attending was gone.
It was a brisk plan. But everything should go as everything should go. Although the HQ wanted it done tomorrow, Hierd wanted it done today. And it was possible. The SMS Midway can swiftly prepare a jolt towards Lottidenty. In the same dock was the SMS Yamato, and two Deustchland-Class cruisers.
Perfectly stationed.
And with perfect timing, the war could end in one week. "Galleheu, that Lottidentian diplomat, should have reached Lorent by now. It'll begin with silent infiltration, silent assassination. I sent my best men with that man. And at night time's strike, I should have the Grand Duque's head racing its way inside the Land Ship towards my manor…"
Hierd mustered a smile. "There will be no failure. There shall not be any failure. Lottidenty will be gone before I even lift my finger."
( * )
[ October 12 - Titanic ]
Dr. Jose Rizal was looking upon Ferris sea on the first-class promenade. With almost no passengers, no cargo, the Titanic (as commented by Cpt. Sparro) was faster than usual. "Many times, I've seen warships (small ones sure) but warships nonetheless that we would stand no chance against. Not even our most mightiest."
"That I know," Rizal fixed his great coat, took one step back from the railing. "But let us not look at it at that viewpoint," -the Defense minister looked at him contemplatively- "should Imperial Germany attack the Middle continent, it will be like a huge cascading fall of wooden blocks. No one should wage war against the whole world. Such a massive (and powerful) force against us would spell world decimation!
"For both Germany and the rest of the world, it is entirely improbable that that would be the case. The case being that they would attack any of the Middle continent. Unless, of course, one of ours attack first…"
Rizal ended with a sigh.
"If it should concern me," he started once more. "Should Germany do what is improbable. I shall end things peacefully, unlike last time."
"Sir, we can't end things peacefully." The defense minister looked out towards the blue horizon. "The people are determined of a free Lazaro. The very thing that you lead the people to. Freedom from the repression of the La' Sanci and Sow Empire. Germany 'is' a threat. A threat that, once escalation has hit a peak, an unbreakable climax, is a threat that we must defend against."
Rizal was impassive. He looked stoic yet his face was plain. Under that face of his, the minister knew that he was thinking of a great many things, too many even.
Tak! The sound of boots clanging onto wooden floorboards. Escorting Mr. Alozzo and a certain figure that Rizal swore he's seen before. "Good afternoon Mr. Alozzo."
"Good Afternoon, sirs." Alozzo bowed, a neat fourty-five degree. "I have brought with me Admiral Jack, captain of flagship of the Combined Germanic Fleet, Richelieu-"
"Did I hear you correctly?" Rizal blurted awkwardly, "Richelieu? Her namesake is French is it not? For such a name to be used… It must mean that 'he' must be here!"
A lengthy silence. "I am sorry, sir Rizal... The chancellor names their ships. At occasion, when their ship builders do create their own ships, they get to name them according to the shipwrights. If you, sir, knows of the name… Then it must mean that the Chancellor has graced with you before!"
"I have yet to." Jose Rizal pondered.
"The chancellor's name does not ring a bell. However, it may be that I know of him."
"Truly great!" Mr. Alozzo squealed. "A history unlocked! The Chancellor rarely says much of his past. I am thankful to have heard it."
Landmass! Bow ward, the ship slightly left, but nevertheless visible. Rizal's attention was drawn quickly to the towering heights of buildings. The defence minister jumped to the magnifying spectacles upon his inner-pocket, unfolded, and observed in quiet intrigue. And, in droves, the few of Lazaro's diplomatic team were looking at Unchean with mouths aghast and faces shocked. They had seen Port Geo, those buildings were tall and built in a way that couldn't be understood. But those buildings… Standing ever so defiant of the high winds, so strong and unmovable even if so high up… "I welcome the delegation to Unchean. The Capital of Germany."
---
News had reached the populace quite late. The papers were late on the uptake and the most relevant information at current was the recent military actions that were taking place near the borders of Lottidenty. But late October 11, they finally caught up and printed them en masse.
LAZARO? POTENTIAL FRIEND? POTENTIAL ENEMY?
- The German Times, Tim Zurk ( October 11 )
Earlier this week, a delegation with a country from the Middle continent arrived upon Dante, Hesia greeted in escort by the newly created Combined Fleet (conceived in the same timeline). Although information is sparse, the delegation will be boarding the SMS Titanic and that this delegation apparently houses the Lazaro prime minister.
There was too much apparent movement. The city was being riled up by something and Rizal couldn't understand what it was about. The naval officers and army officials who was to escort them all left just seconds ago upon swift and large green automobiles.
Rizal picked up one of the newspapers that were being handed by some paper-boy by the public docks. "G'day sir! Since you're from the government, you can have that un' for free!"
He chuckled a little, thanking the boy. "What's happening? Why the running and rampant newspaper grabbing, what's with the crowd?"
"Don't you know mister?" The boy smiled, "our brothers and sisters are currently heading straight towards Lottidenty," -he emphasized with a raspberry signifying those loud tanks- "Germany'll kill em!' The papers are saying."
"Mr. Rizal!" A minister called for him, "what is happening?"
"It seems the chancellor of Germany is in the midst of a great hurdle. We shouldn't disturb."
Rizal saw then from Ferris sea a great amount of iron warships. Their sizes so different from each other. There long and short ones with small guns, big ones with big guns, and small ones with big guns. Only one thing was common with those ships. They all were heading South.
"Where are those warships headed?" Rizal questioned a Navy officer.
"To Lottidenty, sir."
( * )
[ 2:04 PM - Within the Yamato ]
Adm. Yuko lead the Vanguard fleet swiftly towards Lorent, Lottidenty. The SMS Midway, at the time, only had thirty Corsairs aboard, and the bombers from the Foole Airstrip should arrive just in time when the Yamato was going to, as Adm. Yuko said: "assault the white off those mountains."
Holding a briefing within the war-room, Adm. Yuko received the latest telegram from an officer to his right. The room was dead silent, even if the whole ship rumbled deeply and it's direction was clear. His face glittered, "the Chancellor wants to have Lottidenty by tommorow. Thankfully Lorent's already in a blitz. By the time we reach the destination, all we really need to do is bombard and advance.
"There's this little cove that our Mr. Naturvege's concerned about, its naval guns are pointed towards the land. Meaning the tank battalions and infantry won't be able to move even a inch forward it's radius. Meaning, these cities," -he circled it with a pen- "up North would take weeks more than months to advance into.
"That's where we come in." Adm. Yuko carefully stood up, he was a rather precise man, didn't want the wood to creak and didn't want the next person to be inconvenienced by a bump, even if he was the highest ranking in the room. "First, the SMS Midway-
( * )
"Mr. Codzook." He closed the door behind him, the brief light of the outside blinded the man sitting on the chair.
"You have heard of it as well?"
"Yes, indeed." The kommander put his officer hat on the coat hanger. "A German, what I supposed it being, a invasion force, took a hold of a town somewhere quite middle of Lorent. Communication is cut off, so expect that the entirety of Germany currently is descending upon us."
"Why now?" Codzook looked outside, his soldiers manning the guns, his officers commanding the soldiers, their faces confused and afraid of what was to come. "There was virtually no movement yesterday. Now they come storming here. There's no logic behind it. No logic whatsoever. Not unless that is the logic behind it. It's all completely befuddling!"
"I take it that our guns are facing those directions?"
"Indeed." Codzook took a piece of paper. "Our scouts are worried however," -he stood up to look at the window out- "our naval guns… Those big guns in those fjords, those caves, and the ones at the top of the mountains… They're stationed in places perfectly. They can almost not be seen by any threat of the sea, the guns we purposed for the sky can also rapidly act if those Germans come with those sky machines again…"
"This is unwinnable."
Codzook looked at him, it's true. It is unwinnable. But how can they prolong the battle that ill soon ensue?
The town of Berlascke is primarily underground. Cold's unbearable even in the summer. And the incoming winter's making the cold even more unbelievable. Berlascke Fortress is the one directly above the town, twenty naval guns in total. With about five thousand troops. Two thousand trained and the rest are trainees.
There was one naval ship in the hidden port deep into the Berlascke fjord. It was a new steamer, built in Kerfeliz before it succumbed to Germany. It hasn't got any guns. There were attempts to put one of those naval guns that the fjords had so much of. But the ship was built with a lesser displacement. The gun was just too heavy.
Berlascke was also just the town, the… Wall. That wall that shields upper Lottidenty. The Germans have to get through Berlascke to continue. Lest they want to storm the underground highways and potentially lose thousands. Or trek East, thus prolonging this war.
The kommander held his German watch. He bought it from one of the markets of Kerfeliz. Why did this war start? Why is it that we're using the 'same' weapons as our enemies when in the start we advocated against the use of them? 2:20. He read. He didn't know exactly how these watches work. You needed to do a bit of arithmetic to arrive to the Germanic time. But he knew atleast that the smaller lines are each tenth minute of an hour and the bigger ones are the hours.
"So help me God." Codzook's face darkened.
"What is it?" Distressed, the kommander swiftly ran to Codzook.
"I believe we need to go."
( * )
Adm. Yuko saw it. Well not him exactly, those fighter planes that the SMS Midway unleashed did. There were naval guns dotted almost everywhere. At every half minute there was a naval gun being reported. Every little thing that dotted out of the rock of the mountain. Anything that looked like a barrel, they reported; "naval gun over at the mouth of that little thing!"
Fifty five naval guns they reported. The ones visible and at the top of the fjords were immediately bombarded with bullets, the corsairs dove at extreme angles while avoiding the firing of the guns (which were few).
Adm. Yuko saw the skies flood with planes. The Yamato was yet to fire her guns. Although the 18 inchers could easily reach the fjords, Adm. Yuko had a sentimental reason for not shooting.
The planes should be enough.
---
"The guns are slow!" One pilot radioed.
"Fire at the guns at the top! Anything else doesn't do shit! Those naval guns are the targets! Nothing else!" Another pilot yelled out in the air waves.
Germany's planes swooped down into the fjords, hitting extreme corners and banking along the rugged curve of the fjords. The guns hidden in each little cave didn't matter. They were too slow to fire, the planes were too fast for them.
Along with those naval guns at the top of the fjords, some eight of them, in platforms of stone, firing shots at the air at a slow one per two minutes.
At two minutes, a hundred soldiers died. A hundred lottidentian soldiers perished. But those light calibre (slow chugging) lottidentian machine guns made things difficult. The rounds were enough to penetrate the armor of the corsairs.
Already there were two planes heading back for the Midway because of the damage they withstood.
But.
Even under all of that, it amounted to nothing in the end.
"1-"
"2-"
Time elapsed:
"5-"
"8…" And nothing more. Each and every naval gun on the surface: shot down to disrepair. Didn't need a bomber for that one. The fighters quickly came back to Midway. Glancing at the fjords, they saw the soldiers curse at them with their shouts as they walked in the rubble and wreck of the guns, finding bodies in the steel.
---
"Fast." Adm. Yuko commented. "Congratulations, men. We're two more hours away from the end of this war," -he opened an Manila envelope- "hmm… Our tanks are reaching that fortress… Estimating here: twenty minutes. Although the fort virtually is a non-threat to us, I feel that we should send a final regard. A little welcome to the B-29 bomber as well."
"Should we relay to the Deutschlands to enchance effect, sir?"
"No," Adm. Yuko contentedly smiled, "we are enough."
---
Codzook couldn't imagine the destruction. After a bitter… Almost ten minutes of fighting, all was gone. All hope was gone after the top turrets were gone. Everything was undoubtfully lost at that moment.
At instant, he tallied the loses and the assets he still had. Which were all hiding in the mountains. What use had he for Mr. Turret K hiding in the innermost part of the fjord? Could barely help anything in his current scenario!
What should've been done was more aerial defense! Aerial! Aerial! Think of the air!
"Sir,"
Codzook, defeated looked at the soldier. The man was covered in dirt, the gashes on his face… Did he fall on the rocks? "What is it?"
"The kommander wishes to tell you that surrender is our only option. Lest, I emphasize, Lest we rally up all our weapons and soldiers. For a final stand. The kommander adds: 'and that's if the Germans don't fire at us from the sea."
"By God, man." Codzook sighs, chuckles lightly even. "By God, what news you tell me today… By God am I amazed. I cannot believe it. The Germans are terrifying. Well… Well then please. Gather all our men at the front (to-be) assaulted by the tanks. I entrust this to the kommander."
"What will you do sir?"
"I will wait, hopefully for a long time."
( * )
There was a flag pole, battered then by gunfire, but there was a flag pole. An hour earlier, it flew the flag of Lottidenty. "Now, Germany has replaced it."
Adm. Yuko, delightedly said while looking at the take-over from the bridge. The fjord's gone. That was easy. Why had it taken Germany so long? The war culminating in a final, easy battle. It feels as if there was something more. Adm. Yuko had the feeling deep in his mind.
What was it, this uneasy feeling?
( * )
Germany's Northern War Outlook
Germanic Military Watch - 10:03 PM
October, 11. The GA (German Army) have breached through multiple Lottidentian cities and forts. According to recent sources coming out of Cresent Town, attempts have slowed down as the cold numbs soldiers, however NA soldiers (quoted by Gen. Naturvege) "were famished."
"Its no surprise they were famished." Hierd said, "I should implement a surrender tactic… infact, I will! Fighting without fighting is better, logistically and morally. Please tell that to the HQ." He looked at the officer at the door of his room.
"Yes, sir." He exited.
"Will this affect the progress of our alliance-building?" Jose Rizal looked at Hierd.
"No, no it will not. The war is nothing to fuss about, sure. But not when the great nation of Germany is involved."
"Germany…" Jose Rizal repeated, what he said drew Hierd's attention.
"Germany."
The mood was indescribable. There was the occasional car horn, a loud sound, construction. But in that room, that air-conditioned room, it was too eerily silent. Rizal felt that.
"You are what I think you are." Hierd said, "I am what you think I am."
Jose Rizal cleared his throat. "Then that makes things easier. You come from Earth, yes?"
A swelling, affirming hum.
"From what era?"
"The 21st century."
"Ha…" A relieved, somewhat exasperated sigh. "I and a friend of mine have been searching for others like us. Only four we've found over the past years. But hit a dead stagnation, ongoing for fifty years now. To think the next one was from such a modern time." Rizal chuckled, raised his hand to reach for Hierd's.
"I am Dr. Jose Rizal," he shook his hand. "I am Filipino, for the Philippines, and my people. I have stayed in this world for three-hundred years. And have governed Lazaro nation for one-hundred."
"And I am Hierd."
"Surely that can't be?" Rizal smiled, "why keep a shroud on your identity?"
Hierd was silent.
A knock came on the door. "Chancellor sir!"
A bird's wings fluttered outside.
"Chancellor, sir."
A muffled car horn.
"..."
They heard the footsteps drift away slowly.
"I would like to discuss other things with you doctor." Hierd picked up a small document, "we don't have a lot of information on the middle continent and Lazaro, so my questions regard another thing entirely."
Hierd looked up at Jose Rizal, nodding.
"Who are the others?"
"My friend, Lenin-"
"That's a surprise… Oh no, please carry on."
"My friend. Lenin. Napolean, that Napoleon-"
"Where is he now?"
"He has died."
"Is it because of age?"
"We passers do not age. I have lived for a hundred sixty years and I have not age a day since then."
"And the only way one can die, is through death through intentional or otherwise accidental reasons?"
"Yes."
"Now, regarding the others you have met?"
"A certain Margaret Thatcher of a modern Britain, Ulysses Grant…
( * )
Adm. Yuko observed a daunting scene unfold before his eyes. It was twelve-o-ten AM, the Midway's planes were currently refueling and maintaining its complement after its endured at most three battles.
Most of the Yamato's complement were in the mess hall eating, the officers were casually viewing and providing information of the battle from the sea, and carefully guiding the ship in formation with the rest of the fleet.
It was unsure, but it was certain that something major had happened. Germany has been quickly taking over cities and major forts, leaving behind destruction its wake. A small yet powerful platoon of Venit Ille black soldiers, with the Lottidentian diplomat Galleheu had reportedly breached and killed the Grand Duque of Lottidenty.
But the source was wobbly. Too wobbly for Adm. Yuko to accept. He was looking at a weaponry report addressed to Lottidentian logistics. In the course of the whole battle since then, only ten tanks have been seen (all destroyed), three ironclads (easily sunk by even tank squads), a lot of Naval guns (all now dysfunctional), and magical rifles.
Its never been experimented, but the Lottidentians have done it. The potential of magic rifles was something Yuko has been campaigning to pursue, if not for the army and its weapons, then for the navy and its naval guns.
At current, the Yamato's guns (the largest in the world) was a measly eighteen-inches. The diameter and heft was nice, but heft means suffering speed and efficiency. It was not really his ideology, big guns and big ships were nice. But the Betelions and their small jack-of-all-trades ships yet big fleet had its obvious advantages.
Advantages for a modern enemy, not for a primitive one. The Betelions will not be fighting Germany any time soon, "battleships are the only way to go." Yuko quoted from the Germanic Naval, the prime go-to for any navy news in the Ferris sea.
"Sir Admiral."
Yuko turned around, "what is it?"
"The Foole DD-38 Tribal-Class northwest from the fleet encountered a light fleet of Kerfelizian-looking heavy cruisers, three in total."
"Even the Tribal-class can defeat those things. We don't need to interfere." Adm. Yuko resumed to his thoughts and turned to look at the hell-throdden Lottidenty twenty kilometers away.
He saw, from the North, a thundering cluster of clouds.
"I will relay your words, admiral sir."
---
"The fuck you just said!?" Cpt. Julius immediately ordered; "hard to port!" -Then immidiately- "the fuck you just said!?"
"Admiral Yuko's refusing the call!"
"Well great!"
Fifty kilometers South and the you'd be looking at the tip of the Northern-most point of Latessia. But the seas were too rough to see anything, the rain blocked nine-kilometers ahead of any direction, and the world was basically blinded in confusion, fear, and unknown.
The spotted heavy cruisers were firing randomly. The primitive gunpowder used in the firing made the flash of the guns more brighter. The fact that the Tribal-Class was being spotted at all was too unbelievable to Cpt. Julius.
The barrage of shots being fired at them made it seem like they were fighting a battleship. But the Lottidenty, neither that; the Kerfeliz didn't possess anything bigger than a heavy cruiser.
The rangefinders weren't sure anymore, they knew it was two ships, but the darkness and the waves made detail hard to catch.
"We're retreating! Fire at will!" Cpt. Julius made his way out the bridge, taking over the radio down the radio room, his navy blues were drenched, the water droplets dripped onto the wooden paneled ground.
"Tell them its not two heavy cruisers, it's two damned battleships and that we're gonna sink at a moment's notice!"
---
"Is what the DD-38 said;"
Adm. Yuko could not believe that there would be two battleships. The Lottidenty would not have allowed that. The ideology of theirs didn't fit the fact that they built a battleship (nonetheless two), the symbol of national technology and supremacy.
"The Tribal-class should be able to outrun a battleship," Adm. Yuko said with slight distress, "the range should be fairly small, and accuracy would decrease, more so in that turbulent situation they're in. Observe movement and keep track of position. Tell them… Tell them that the 'fleet is coming.'"
---
A lightning strike near the dark sillhouete revealed a terrifying figure. It was indeed a battleship, behind it, a heavy cruiser (of that Kerfelizian kind). "That's a bitchin' hunk of battleship. Did the Hesians make that? It looks like a giant fucking mountain!" Cpt. Julius' entire body trembled. They were facing against that thing?
They were a good twelve kilometers (or-so) away, the battleship could probably not see them, they stopped firing their main guns, probably since they can't see them. The radar signature was massive, they could also tell that the battleship was slow.
Too slow in fact that at times the destroyer ended up going to fast to catch its signature at times. But they could more-or-less make up their destination. "It's a confirmed, captain."
Now in new clothes, "goodness thank me." Cpt. Julius said. "That battleship of theirs is massive, the fact that we also couldn't make out that they even had one is also a massive hunk of what-the-fuck."
"Had probably built some kind of naval dock within the mountains, cap."
"Most undubitantly," Cpt. Julius groaned, "but its accuracy is not subpar. Unlike most ships from the NA, this one is different. You remember those crazy ironclad-esque battleships that the NA had that the 'White Lady' (a nickname for the SMS Scharnhorst) sunk?
"Those were not the greatest, even if they had an incredible line of twin turrets. They couldn't hit the Scharnhorst for much of them they were.
"But now they've developed something closely modern. And that's worrying."
"Worry as you should, captain." The quartermaster said, "but there should not be any issues, Germany's power scales by the day. Even if the Lottidenty were to build a big battleship, it would not compare to our logistics, size, and quality."
"That… Yes, that's right, you're right. Good."
The radio room was silent for awhile, the occasional radioman updating the position of the ships, and a door opening. Then the main radio (where the Tribal communicated with the main fleet) blew up with a new message.
"Rejoice for the Grand Duque has died."
The anthem of the German Empire played triumphantly in the background.
It continued:
"Rejoice for the enemies of the great nation has been felled."
The room was full of officers and seamen who happened to get drawn in on the fuss. The voice was of Gov. Gen. Adelheid, a lot held respect for him.
"Rejoice for Germany is now free of war."
They took of their hats.
"Rejoice for we have won."
The anthem played till its final melodic hum and the broadcast soon ended.
The war was not over, Cpt. Julius knew that much. An hour ago, German forces should have still been making their way North and have not taken over the whole of Lottidenty. Second reason was the battleships. There were still battleships making their way Southward.
Then a secondary broadcast was played, this time, it was evidently from the SMS Yamato.
"It is true the Grand Duque has died, but our enemies have yet to. The battleship remains a foe in our path, Cpt. Julius."
It was Adm. Yuko's voice, relatively gruff.
"Our forces in the North have yet to seize the final of cities, but by the following morning, we will have seized all of Lottidenty to its last breadth of land.
"Currently, my two cruisers and the battleship make its way to your location. However, the HQ would be much thankful if the Tribal were to attack the two ships by its lonesome."
"What!?" Cpt. Julius yelled in confusion.
"I understand the Tribal-class' power and find no reason to help. Unless its captain finds it hard to attack such primitive weapons of war, the Yamato and Deutchsland-Class will arrive within the hour."
The broadcast cut.
"Captain-"
"All to battle stations," he frowned, running up the steps and into the bridge. His officers were already at-bay, handling the mechanics as if it were second nature. "Bare arms at battleship."
"Bare arms at battleship." The officer repeated.
"Open torpedo bays."
"Open torpedo bays." The officer repeated.
Her crew began loading the four torpedo chutes at quick speed, the long metal cylinders popping out the other end.
"Is done!" Another officer said after a few moments.
Affirmed, Cpt. Julius spoke another order. "Hard-to-starboard."
"Hard-to-starboard."
The ship's men reeled to one side of the ship, the waves making the ship sway roughly, the rangefinders finding it a tad difficult to calculate thoroughly. But the silhouette of the metal giants were clear as day, with their mountain-like selves.
"Fire all weapons!"
Almost immediately, its four twin barreled main guns fired in rapid succession. The four-point-seven inchers could blast fifteen kilometers away, and its target was a mere two less kilometers nearer.
The torpedo launched soon after, the slight wake, slow unlike the main guns that shot several rounds over the direction of the enemy warships. Appeared so invisible in the harsh flailing of wind, the dunes of sea waves, and the hail of painful down pouring rain.
You didn't need eyes to see that the target was hit. The blast could be heard for kilometers around. Were you to open your eyes, you'd see the fire that enveloped that part of the battleship (the amidship superstructure, practically its funnel).
Its crew was alert, the rapid firing, the fire on a wet deck, and the evident damage of the Tribal's four-inchers caused a lot of panic.
But just as Cpt. Julius had expected, the damage was not enough and the battleship steamed on. Eighteen shells had been spent, and the torpedos were making their way closer and closer. With a clearer visual, the rangefinders could see that the ship moved at around thirteen knots (probably faster without the presence of the storm).
The torpedos were sure to hit.
Julius took the time to note its appearance and the position of the ship. A sort of momento to visit for in the future (were it that the battleship sunk then and there).
The ship was completely different to those ones the Scharnhorst fought. It had a very tall bridge with sweeping funnels, almost no secondary battery nor AA battery at that matter. It only had, what could be made out from it, four twin barreled main turrets.
Maybe it was trying to copy the Scharnhorst? But the superstructure gave the appearance of a Betelionic-like ship. Cpt. Julius took that to note.
He looked at his watch.
[ 12:52 ]
Then the battleship. Then his watch.
[ 12:54 ]
Then he looked again, certain now.
The battleship was now shooting at their general direction, "evade! Evade! Evade!" He commanded, "make distance!"
The battleship's shells whizzed this way and that, but still those torpedoes hadn't hit.
The destroyer was now a good few kilometers further away from the battleship's guns. The burning battleship had still been shooting blindly in that direction, very-much-so unsure of the state of the battle.
"Load the torpedoes again."
"Load torpedoes!" Echoed the order to the stern.
Cpt. Julius tapped the metal frame of the plexishield windows, waiting for the officer's permission to fire. The battleship's flames were being extinguished, and soon the battle was going to be fought in the dark again.
The rangefinder officers tracked the distance again.
The speeds of the both ships, the trajectory, and where and when to fire exactly… All was being calculated to ensure that this time it was not going to be a miss.
At that moment, he could swear that he could count the amount of droplets of rain that hit the plexishield window, the amount of times his heart beat, and the amount of times that battleship shot for naught.
"Captain."
He jolted awake from his inner within.
"Captain?"
He looked around, finding the officer calling for him.
"Permission to fire, captain."
"Fire."
The sound of the torpedoes leaving the four chutes, a mesmerizing kurplunk, as it left and dunked into the deep blackened blue. Its spread was fairly minimized to avoid a missing chance. The rangefinders were certain they were right on them money. "Four called hits on that bastard's hull I bet you."
Julius looked at his watch.
[ 12:59 ]
Then he looked at the battleship.
[ 1:00 ]
( * )
The broadcast from last night had once more blasted again. Now, it was throughout the whole of Germany. You could hear Adelheid's voice in Ruska upon the family radio. Then on the car radio on your trip to Port Geo. And if you down for it, a speaker from an ocean liner in the Ferris Sea making its way to Handerbour.
Germany.
The Germanic People.
Were happy.
Unchean was celebrating a week off as festivities called for happy moments. The soldiers got to go back the morning after, fully bathed, and ready to tell their war stories to those interested enough to listen.
The streets were busy with applause as Germany's bands played patriotic and upbeat marching tunes as it made its way throughout the districts with their flashing red uniforms, their guns straddled high, the trumpets blaring, and the drums thumping.
German flags were hung at every which street. Some shops that were still opened had posted several German flags on the walls, with posters and images of their chancellor having been decorated with flowers and words of prayer.
Rizal was there, a part of the four hundred government and military visitors attending the Germanic Speech of the Chancellor.
Betelion was there, Hesia was there, those countries North from Ruska were also there. Lottidenty's acting leader, Galleheu, had also taken a seat there. Their venue was the white house's opening steps. The seats stretched so long and wide that it had even overflowed past the metal gate and onto the road.
Some admirals of note, Generals of note, and exceptional soldiers and sailors were given their respective medals and credits, some having been promoted on the spot by Hierd, overseen by the General of the Army, Naturvege.
But then, it was time.
Apart from the five hundred visitors, Hierd could see from building to building, from window to window, his people were watching him with intent eyes, keen to know his words. Keen to know the visions of a man who created the Germany of the present.
"I do not want for this to take long." Hierd smiled, "I know you all have celebrations, feasts to attend to. For that I thank you that you all have given me the time to tell you of my thoughts.
"Our victory could not have been better won with those who had won it for us. Thank the navy and their wonderful sacrifices, the army for their many daring advances.
"Thank the people of Germany for winning!"
The audience cheered.
"The ambition of a great Germany has yet to pass however. We have grown large. And our ideas and ambitions larger. As a people, as a German, we embody the mentality of growth and intelligence for all.
"Thus, I aim to… Thus we all aim to… Rid this world of all that wish to impede on knowledge. Rid this world of all that wish to impede the German Ambition. People. My great people of Germany! Hear my words for we will venture outside of the Latessian continent! We will go North, South, West, and East! We will go where the winds of victory will reach!
"All in the name of a world that recognizes I… Your magnimonious leader. Thank you,
"and may God bless this wonderful land and its wonderful people."