Azur Lane, Pearl Harbor
July 27, 1942
8:00 AM
At the harbor, where all the ships docked, the submarine Arizona was nestled in a submarine port facility, concealing its presence and form from enemy eyes.
Currently at the port, something noteworthy was unfolding. Just as the Cruiser Sheffield docked, a small group awaited – like family greeting a loved one returning from a long deployment. At that moment.
Lucas struggled to suppress his laughter, air escaping through the gaps between his fingers as he held his hands over his mouth. JS Maya felt a warmth at the harbor scene, a sentiment shared by Lucas. It was a remarkable sight to them. For Arizona, however, it was not.
Arizona, with the best of his stoicism, couldn't help himself or prevent an embarrassing situation from unfolding. BB Arizona had assumed a maternal role towards him, and for those wondering why Lucas was wheezing, it was because BB Arizona, like a mother, greeted him with a welcoming party and a hug.
Currently, Arizona was enveloped in the warmest embrace, one that could melt his icy demeanor and replace it with a softer one. Pennsylvania stood to the side, holding a tarpaulin or simply offering a warm gesture of his return.
Arizona spoke, his face reddening at the attention they were drawing at the harbor. "You guys shouldn't have done this... it's quite embarrassing...."
"This ain't my plan," Pennsylvania said, wearing the same uncomfortable expression. Both preferred to avoid such massive attention.
"I'm just glad you're alright. I heard from the communication that the mission had gone wrong. I was worried about you," BB Arizona said, still hugging him tightly.
Arizona's gaze momentarily flickered towards Sheffield, the other person present. She knew she had botched the mission, avoiding eye contact with him.
He sighed and returned his attention to BB Arizona. "I think that hug has been long enough, and people are starting to gather." He voiced his concern that his cover as a Royal Navy Officer could be compromised.
"I think that would be enough... crowds are gathering here," Sheffield interjected, attempting to salvage the awkward situation.
"I think that's enough, Arizona. You're making the boy uncomfortable enough," Pennsylvania added, sounding like an aunt.
"Boy?" he questioned the phrasing.
BB Arizona broke off from her tight hug. "Sorry, I just need to control my emotions at times... it's quite hard for me."
Arizona sighed. "Just not in public. I looked like a kid getting hugged by his own mother." He said with a slight smirk.
"Well, see you soon then," Pennsylvania and BB Arizona bid their farewell as they drew a small audience.
After the Battleships left, Sheffield spoke in her typically bland undertone. "That's quite unprofessional of you.... You could have avoided that hug and all the attention here."
"Yes, I can, but it was her...." he trailed off, remembering Earth's BB Arizona. "I can't just ignore it. I only exist because of her."
"It seems her maternal parenting has stuck in your conscious," she said flatly.
"Better be seeing her happy like that," Minneapolis' voice cut in. Both turned their heads towards her as she casually walked towards them, as if carrying orders.
"Adm. Nimitz has called for your presence for debriefing," she said, passing on the Admiral's order.
Both nodded and walked off the pier, heading towards the harbor gate where Lucas and JS Maya were waiting for them.
Lucas brushed off his soaring jaw, having held back his laughter. "So," he began, a hint of laughter still in his voice, "how's being a baby boy again?" he casually asked.
"Not quite what I expected of her – man... I felt like a kindergartener over there. I couldn't even think straight," Arizona admitted.
"Yeah, I saw it... you froze like being cut off from the server," Lucas said, chuckling.
"Can't blame her there, she's worried about me."
"Miss Arizona was just doing her part as a 'mother' or just a relative, being concerned about your health," JS Maya added with a high degree of respect for both Arizonas.
Lucas then scoffed as if the conversation had turned serious. "So... who messed up?"
Arizona stopped in his tracks and slightly glanced to his side. Sheffield maintained her stoic expression, unbothered by his look.
"Let's not divulge in such nonsense chatter. Adm. Nimitz is waiting," she said, shifting her gaze away.
Both men exchanged a side glance. "Right...." They both said in a dry undertone.
Minneapolis, behind them, shook her head with a trace of a smirk on her lips, knowing Sheffield wanted to save herself from the sinking ship.
...
Enterprise-80's Office
The office was typical of a Naval Officer, with citations and books neatly arranged on the shelves, and documents stacked orderly on the table. The design was serene, yet the person within harbored their own turmoil.
Enterprise-80, in her Naval attire, sat at her desk, with Bunker Hill-76 standing beside her. Both women exuded an aura of authority in their distinct ways, befitting their titles.
"So, what seems to be the hurry for Her Majesty to ask me directly this time?" Enterprise-80 inquired, her tone laced with authority.
Queen Elizabeth occupied the seat opposite hers, matching her authority. She had brought her own authoritative aura producer in the shape of a Corgi – I mean, Warspite.
She elegantly sipped her tea, then replied, "Indeed. I wouldn't send a messenger to convey such urgency if my own two feet weren't in a rush." She said with a touch of humor, seemingly adapting to American wit.
"But jokes aside..." she placed the teacup down. "I do have intel about the lead mole."
"The big fish you wanted fished out of your pond?" Enterprise-80 inquired with a pun.
"Yes, indeed. And with a stroke of sheer luck, all of them will meet in a single place," she clasped her hands together and leaned in. "I do need a force to capture them. I'm not sending maids on such a mission without endangering them. Mobilizing ground troops would raise suspicion amongst the ranks."
Enterprise-80 wore a knowing smirk. She too desired to flush out the moles within the Royal Navy to prevent any hindrance to future Azur Lane deployments against the Sirens and Crimson Axis. This very problem was also why she had allowed Arizona to be under the Queen's command, tasked with sniffing out the moles within her command. Now that the head, or just the big fish, had surfaced, she wouldn't let such a significant catch slip through her fishing rod.
She shifted her posture in her seat and reached for a phone on her table, dialing a number known only to a select few.
"Your Majesty, I do want to capture this fish and have it cooked," she said with a smile.
The phone rang for a moment before it was answered. At the other end, a gruff voice sounded, its tone like that of a war veteran, brooking no nonsense.
"Colonel Madjuu Mattis speaking," the other end announced.
Enterprise-80 spoke. "Colonel... are you busy tonight?"
"Wait... are you asking me out? That's odd coming from you."
Enterprise-80 let a soft chuckle. "No..." she paused, then glanced at the waiting Queen Elizabeth. "I want you and your boys to be ready for tonight, and bring your toys along. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth has called for an escort."
"Yes Ma'am... I'll get the boys ready for the night." The call ended shortly after.
Enterprise-80 placed the phone back on its base, then turned back to the Queen. Her expression held a certain pleasing anticipation.
"Who did you talk to...? Would that be enough for such an operation?" Queen Elizabeth inquired, her incredulity evident.
"No, but they are the right forces needed for such a task in capturing the moles," Enterprise-80 said with a reassuring smile.
"What forces are we talking about?" Queen Elizabeth's curiosity peaked at the mention of the force being lent to her.
"I'm transferring a few battalions of the Manjuu Marines Expeditionary Unit from Essex' ERG under your command for capturing these moles."
This news delighted Queen Elizabeth, but then Enterprise-80 raised a finger, like a citation for a warning. "I do warn you of one thing, Your Majesty."
"Oh, what might that be?" A question mark seemed to visibly float above her head.
"They are fueled by Nicotine, MRE feed, and Bird seeds. So, you may encounter some collateral damage along the way," she warned of the possible outcomes if a Unit of Manjuu Marines were unleashed for an operation.
"Your advice is received," the Queen said with a noticeable gulp.
"Happy hunting with the Marines," Enterprise-80 said with a wry smile.
The monarch and her Corgi left the room with a result she hadn't quite expected. She had a Manjuu Marine Expeditionary Unit on her side, ready to bust some mole behinds.
At the office, Bunker Hill-76 shifted her posture, noticed by Enterprise-80.
Bunker Hill-76 inquired, "Ma'am, why not send a few SEAL Teams to handle such a task?"
From her seat, Enterprise-80 glanced up at her. "The Marines have been complaining about being stuck on the boats and doing daily mundane jobs." She then pointed at the neatly stacked papers. "Colonel Madjuu Mattis requested that his boys were rusting off on the sidelines. I just gave him the green light he was looking for."
"And I bet those Manjuus are eager to let off some steam," Bunker Hill-76 added, adjusting her glasses.
"Precisely."
...
Howe Cookie Shop
After parting ways with Arizona and Sheffield, who were to be debriefed on their somewhat failed mission, JS Maya and Lucas headed towards the residential side, dubbed the Shopping Area, where all the Shipgirls' businesses thrived.
Back in the day, it was only carts and tents; now, there were proper shops and buildings. Their purpose for visiting wasn't shopping either. Earlier, Lucas had asked JS Maya where he could find some part-time work to fill his spare time and save for the future.
"So, where is it? All I see here are rows of shops selling delectable treats," Lucas said as he saw Shipgirls going in and out of the shops with bags in their hands.
"Close. It's a unique one amongst the rest. It didn't sell that much sugary stuff, but the taste was among those delicacies," JS Maya said as she pulled him along the walkways.
Then, she suddenly stopped at a shop – a Cookie Shop, to be sure. The design was simple yet elegant. "Here we are," she announced.
Lucas looked bewildered, as it didn't match his mental image based on her description. "A Cookie Shop?"
"Your schedule and the shop match, and yes. I've already asked the owner about you taking a part-time job," she said, then pulled him inside the shop.
Inside the shop, in the kitchen, a woman wearing similar clothing to Wales and an apron was baking cookies, humming along to the relaxing ambient music playing on the radio.
She scrambled some eggs and mixed them with flour in a bowl. Then, she heard a cling of the hanging bell at the door and someone calling out.
"Yes, come in," she said, placing the bowl and kitchen utensils on the table as she headed to the counter.
Lucas and JS Maya entered the shop, both looking around at the décor, which was so elaborate it surpassed any modern cookie shop.
"Whoa....." Lucas was left speechless by the store décor. "The store owner must be wealthy to afford this kind of decorations," he said, baffled.
"Well, she's quite a Royalty, so there's that," JS Maya said, eyeing every detail of the décor.
As a woman with a taste for décor, she found the place quite simple yet the décor screamed fancy, along with the color scheme.
"Hello... how can I help you, good customers?"
JS Maya and Lucas both looked towards the feminine voice at the counter. They saw another carbon copy of Wales, but with added "waifu" appeal.
"Miss Howe, I've come with the person asking for a part-time job at your shop," JS Maya said with a bow.
"She's the owner?" Lucas inquired in utter disbelief that a more attractive version of Wales would own a cookie shop.
A jab from JS Maya made him stand straight in front of the Royalty. He rubbed his side, aching from the sudden poke.
Howe giggled at the chemistry between the two. Lucas wasn't exactly smooth, but he was trying to blend in and failing. "My, you two seem to be close."
JS Maya waved a hand. "No... I'm just here guiding him so he doesn't get lost in the place," she said with playful banter.
Lucas muttered under his breath, "I can scout this place in less than half an hour and still not get lost."
"So, when do I start?" Lucas spoke, cutting into the friendly chatter between the two women.
"Oh, you may start whenever you want," Howe said, clasping her hands together and smiling at them.
She then pointed at the door next to the kitchen. "The dressing room for men is over there." She gestured towards two doors with separate symbols for Men and Women.
JS Maya slowly pushed him and waved slightly as he entered. Lucas found it odd that she was helping him find a part-time job and being supportive at the same time.
Inside the men's dressing room, he put on his employee outfit and apron. After an hour of their acceptance at the job, they simply waited at the counter for a customer to arrive. Most of their customers were toddlers who couldn't decide what to buy.
"Dear God, this is boring," Lucas complained as he maintained his Marine standing position while waiting for any customers.
"Shut your whining, you're here to work," JS Maya said, sitting at one of the tables and watching him.
"How is this job supposed to ease my boredom... I can stand on the sand under a blazing sun for longer than standing here waiting for customers, and the clock doesn't alleviate my concern as it reminds me how long I've been standing here."
"If you can stand the heat, then you can stand there for long," JS Maya retorted with a teasing tone.
"And by the way.... Why are you keeping an eye on me? I'm not going to break the blender – you know?" Lucas said, acting innocent about the blender.
"I'm not worried about the blender you broke; I'm more worried you'll start a fight inside this establishment."
Lucas furrowed his brow at her. "Sure.... Just watch there in the corner as I stand here like a statue."
"Be my guest," she matched his dare.
Lucas stood there, hands folded behind his back and feet slightly apart, standing at attention. As the clock on the wall reminded him of the time, the hanging bell at the door clanged, drawing his attention.
"Hello, welcome to Howe's Cookie Shop," Lucas greeted the customer like his superiors in the military or just a person of importance.
Sakuran Shipgirls entered the shop and were surprised by his greeting, which reminded them of a military one.
"Ara~Ara. I didn't know you worked here, Lucas-san...." Atago said with a hint of her typical self. Just then, the Mutsuki Sisters came in like a flood.
"Well.... I'm just here for a part-time job," Lucas responded, then slightly tilted his head as he noticed another figure trailing behind.
"Shit, Taihou is here," he cursed under his breath.
Lucas shifted his gaze back at Atago. "Seriously? You brought her?"
Atago chuckled. "Sorry, can't keep her in one place... she's quite troublesome."
"Hey," Taihou cut in with a frown.
"Figures..." Lucas sighed. "Anyways... do you want to buy something, ladies?" he asked them.
"No, we're just here to help these kids buy something." Atago was the kindergarten teacher for the Mutsukis.
"And your friend there?" Lucas pointed at Taihou.
"Oh... she's just accompanying me with my duties as a teacher with these children," Atago said.
"Are you busy tonight?" Taihou asked, a hideous plan forming in her head.
"Sorry... I'll be busy tonight," Lucas declined, sensing something odd about this woman's behavior.
JS Maya, sitting at her table in the corner, gave a deliberate scoff to remind the two that he was under surveillance. Atago's dog ears twitched, and Taihou glanced at her as she casually observed.
"Oh, I see.... Under surveillance," Atago said with a knowing smile.
"A watchdog," Taihou added.
Lucas sighed, leaving the women in their silent conversation that involved staring at one another like a cold war had erupted in the Cookie Shop. Instead, he focused on the Mutsukis, pointing at the various sweets that varied in shape and size.
That brief tension ended as the Mutsukis bought their preferred sweets, and with the closing of the door and the clang of the bell, JS Maya and Lucas were left to their own devices.
JS Maya began as she sat at the table. "I've noticed some sudden transferences?"
Lucas looked at her. "Like what? Stuff, equipment – it's not that big of a deal?"
He read her lips before the words even came out, and that raised concerns. "Manjuu regiments of Essex' Marine Manjuu ARG (Amphibious Ready Group), and yes, it is a big deal."
"Guess things are going down here at Pearl tonight," Lucas said, his arms on his hips and head hanging low.
That Night
At a cottage overlooking Pearl Harbor, the lights were on yet dim. Cars were parked outside, and obscurely patrolling heavily armed guards seemed plentiful for such a simple dwelling.
Simple, yes. But the transactions within weren't that simple, with all the secrecy happening under the cover of darkness or under the table by Royal Navy Senior Staff. The current negotiation concerned news and intel on Azur Lane fleet movements and their next operation.
A man in his Royal Navy Uniform, holding the rank of Rear Admiral, was dealing with a man in a trench coat with the stern face of a Bond villain. The shadow of the overhead light exaggerated his villainous demeanor.
"So," the man began. "I've heard Her Majesty had a sudden weapon blueprint transfer from one of the Modern Kansens at the Royal Isle."
The man in the Royal Navy Uniform shifted in his seat, disliking the implied tone.
"Like always, I want to know where they were hiding such blueprints. Unlike our other attempts, your information seems to be outdated, and my men on the ground almost got caught."
The man in the Royal Navy Uniform chuckled. "That will cost you a lot of payment. The info I have isn't just going to cost me a Rolls-Royce; think of it as delayed service, just like your payment."
The man in the trench coat grumbled. "I guess you can buy a man against his country... but the prices seem to be off the table."
"I'm not a cheap man, you see," he retorted, then slowly leaned in. "The info you receive isn't just street rumors... so the prices were high."
"You insufferable man... at this point, you have more money in your pockets ...than the Queen."
"What can I say.... I'm a businessman, doing business."
--Umm.... Wait a minute, something ain't right? --
"And leaking intel about your nation," the man in the trench coat added.
The two chuckled and then laughed momentarily, easing the tension. Their henchmen also joined the unexpected laughter of the two men.
"So..." the man in the Royal Navy Uniform cut into the laughter. "We have a deal?"
"Just make sure no maids are in the hallways," the man in the trench coat said with a chuckle.
"I'll make sure."
With a flick of their hands, both henchmen brought out briefcases containing the exchange deals between the businesses conducted in the dark.
...
At the dark forest adjacent to the cottage
In the greenery, another shades of green lurked – a round shape with electronics attached and a Boom Stick that would go automatic with just a pull of the trigger.
Manjuu Marines from Essex' ESG had gathered in one spot for a massive and unprecedented bust. In the foliage, under the cover of darkness, their night-vision goggles glowed green – like the eyes of watchful spirits of the deep forest. They crawled slowly, making no rustling in the bushes. Guards in the area kept watch with some laxity. But no one had prepared them for this Nicotine, MRE feed, bird seed – Manjuu Marines. Things could escalate from a bar brawl to a total gunfire assault on the compound.
At Pearl, in an empty lot, V-22 Ospreys were being checked for preflight maintenance before the birds took to the air with their passengers – Manjuu Marines.
The Manjuu Marines on the tarmac also had their own preflight checks for their payload and gear. They would be the insertion elements on the roof as everyone else stormed in on the ground. They would be the first into the target, via ceiling and window.
For now, these Manjuu Marines awaited in the dark for the whole show to commence, guided by communication and loitering drones above. The base of operations wasn't far from the target area – just containerized trucks housing all the computer communications inside.
A mobile base of operations within the containerized containers. ACVs along with other vehicles were covered with camo nets. Manjuu Marines loitered the area for any unwanted elements lingering around that might hinder the current operation.
Inside the containerized base of operation, an operator spoke. "All clear, the heads were accounted for. Transaction only just began."
Drone operator: "The skies are clear, no AA-gun emplacements in the area, all guards on their perimeter."
Another operator spoke. "Rear-end entry has been secured, all possible escape routes now secured."
Another operator, connecting with the boots on the ground, spoke. "All units on standby. The last remaining heads just entered the compound."
Arizona, Sheffield, Cruiser Belfast, Queen Elizabeth, and Warspite tuned in on the comms, each with their own headset.
"What are we waiting for! Let's bust those asses!" Queen Elizabeth couldn't contain her eagerness to apprehend the moles on the spot.
Arizona spoke. "Nope, not yet. We need all the heads to make contact with one another so that we can bust them in one single swoop."
"He's right, Your Majesty. We need this bastard in one place as we block their escape routes. We will squeeze them like rats in the gutter."
A Manjuu Mattis said with exaggerated hand gestures, as if choking them in one hold. "Better to make all the rats in one place accountable. I hate sending some of my men to follow them into their holes."
The Queen looked at the gruff-voiced Manjuu in its MARPAT uniform and camo cap. "I should be the one saying that to these traitors."
"You will have your way with these bastards, for now leave them to my hands. I'm gonna choke them," Madjuu Mattis said with a typical pucker on its forehead.
"Quite a tenacity for the size of a chicken," Queen Elizabeth commented on the Corporal Madjuu Mattis.
"Marines come in all shapes and sizes... but we do have one thing in common... killing bastards mercilessly!" Madjuu Mattis' voice boomed.
"I think that's enough chit-chat. Our targets are making contact with one another," Arizona said.
Everyone turned their attention to the monitor screen. The scene played out on the screen was visible in the reflection of each of their eyes.
"Sir, all targets are now in the same room," the operator said.
"Go, go, go. All Marines on the ground commence the assault!" Madjuu Mattis barked into the comms.
At the cottage, as the transaction commenced – the lights went out. Everyone seemed baffled by the sudden blackout, oblivious to what was about to befall them.
"Huh... odd, never knew a blackout happened at this hour," the man in the Royal Navy Uniform said.
"No... this ain't just a blackout—," as the man in the trench coat was about to speak, one of the henchmen fell, followed by another, then another.
The sound of pierced glass followed by the thud of the dead echoed. This wasn't literally just a blackout – it was a raid.
"Get down. Snipers!" one of the Henchmen shouted before receiving a fatal headshot.
As everyone on the ground scrambled out of the snipers' sights, a bright light flooded the whole cottage, followed by the chopping sound of rotor blades.
"Shit! We've been caught!"
From the foliage, they emerged. Manjuu Marines stormed the compound like pluck of Angry Birds. The Armed Guards were no match for the Nicotine, Bird seed, MRE-fed Manjuus storming in like a pluck of chickens with guns.
Gunshots rang out, followed by explosions to flush out those hiding behind walls and pillars. They came in like a storm, destroying everything in their path of destruction.
One of the Guards was tackled to the ground by one Angry Bird in MARPAT and gear with a force as if he were in an NFL game.
"You have a right to remain silent, or I will beat YOUR ASS!" That Manjuu barked in the man's face like a dog out of its leash.
Some of the Guards hid in the safety of the vehicles as bullets whizzed past them in exchanged gunfire. That moment of safety was about to be shattered.
"Back blast clear. FIRE!"
One of the Manjuu Marines, equipped with an M4 Carl Gustav Recoilless Rifle, aimed at the parked vehicles. The night skies were filled with smoke and burning, flipped-over cars. Some of the guards came out of cover, not wanting to be burned like the others. Some raised their hands in surrender and lay on the ground.
Breaching the compound, the doors were kicked down and busted by the metal rammer. Manjuu Marines stormed in, rifles raised, and engaged any obstacle in their way. They didn't go in with smoke like a typical storming force; they went in with frag grenades.
Tables flipped, base got broke to piece for no good reasons but simply add to the chaos inside the cottage.
Above, some rappelled down from the hovering V-22 Osprey – making entrance through the ceiling and windows, like elite team units coming in with style and blaze.
Some of the henchmen wanted to fight back, but the power of the taxpayers' dollars attached to the Manjuus was overwhelming, even for an armed henchman.
"On the ground! Now!" one of the Manjuu shouted, rifle pointed at the downed individuals.
"Hands on your heads where we can see them! Now!"
Everyone on the ground complied, placing their hands on their heads without complaint, just following the Guy/Manjuu with a gun and no patience for the situation. One wrong move could be the end of them.
One Manjuu radioed. "All targets have been apprehended. Over."
Back at the containerized mobile base
Queen Elizabeth was speechless at the sheer destruction that the Manjuu Marines had brought upon a 'simple raid' on a targeted cottage. Explosions everywhere, body lay sprawl, and the chaotic assault inside.
She was warned though.
"That's a lot of explosion and gunfire for just a raid!" she exclaimed in utter surprise at the efficiency and brutality of these angry Birds.
"See, told you, Your Majesty, it's a job well done," Madjuu Mattis quipped.
"Yes, it's a job well done – but the sheer collateral damage to the property!" she shouted, veins popping on her forehead.
"Not my problem... we did what we were told to. Came in and busted those asses," Madjuu Mattis said, putting a cigar in its mouth like it was the most badass thing to do.
Cruiser Belfast shook her head at the sheer force the Manjuu Marines had exerted on one single cottage, as if it were a raid on a military base. "Guess it's a job well done, if we ignore the property damages."