Long before the sky burned and the sea fell silent, the Siren base had already sensed something was wrong.
Deep within its core, layers of data flowed endlessly across translucent panels—battle telemetry, signal losses, fragmented recordings. What should have been routine reports instead formed a pattern no one wanted to acknowledge.
"Four hundred units… gone?"
The voice of a Siren researcher trembled—not with fear, but with disbelief.
"That's not possible. Even a coordinated ambush couldn't achieve that level of loss."
Another terminal lit up.
"Purifier signal—terminated."
Silence spread across the chamber.
Not the quiet of calm—
But the quiet of something breaking.
"…Purifier lost?"
"That's confirmed. Signal ceased mid-engagement. No recovery. No residual trace."
A third scientist leaned forward, eyes flickering with accelerated calculations.
"Replay the last transmission."
The room dimmed as a distorted recording appeared—static, flashes of light, incomplete data. A glimpse of something massive. Something airborne.
Then—
Nothing.
The feed cut abruptly.
"…What was that?" one of them whispered.
"No classification match," another responded immediately. "Unknown energy signatures. Unknown constructs. Unknown faction."
"Impossible. Everything in this world has been mapped across timelines."
"…Then this wasn't part of the timelines."
That sentence—
Hung heavier than anything else.
Elsewhere in the facility, behind reinforced containment fields, two figures sat in silence.
Belfast.
Illustrious.
They had been watching.
Listening.
Every fragment of conversation, every shift in tone.
They weren't meant to understand.
But they did.
"…Four hundred ships…" Illustrious whispered softly, her fingers tightening slightly in her lap.
Belfast remained still, though her eyes narrowed faintly.
"…And Purifier…"
A pause.
"…Something defeated them."
Illustrious looked toward the ceiling, as if trying to see beyond the walls.
"…Do you think…?"
She didn't finish.
Belfast closed her eyes briefly.
"…No."
A quiet breath.
"…Hope is dangerous."
Yet—
Something in her voice lacked certainty.
=============
Back in the research sector, tension escalated.
"Expand surveillance range. I want every ocean sector scanned."
"Already in progress."
"Any sign of residual energy?"
"Negative."
"No debris?"
"Negative."
"No survivors?"
"…Negative."
The lead scientist slammed her hand lightly against the console.
"That's not destruction—that's erasure!"
Her gaze sharpened.
"Whatever did this didn't just defeat them…"
"…it removed them."
Another scientist spoke, slower this time.
"…Then we're dealing with something outside expected evolution."
The room fell quiet again.
Then—
Orders came.
"Alert nearby bases. Increase defensive readiness."
"Deploy additional scouts."
"Reinforcement request sent to higher command."
A final pause.
"…And if this unknown faction appears again?"
The lead scientist didn't hesitate.
"…We observe first."
A faint, unsettling smile.
"Then we adapt."
======================
Back in their containment cell, Belfast and Illustrious sat in silence once more.
But this time—
Something had changed.
The Sirens didn't know what had done it.
They didn't understand it.
And for beings who prided themselves on control—
That was dangerous.
Illustrious lowered her gaze slightly.
"…Something is coming…"
Belfast didn't deny it.
"…Yes."
Her eyes opened slowly. Both of them knew what will came as they called for help to the mysterious voice.
"…Something is."
Neither of them knew what.
Neither of them dared to hope.
And yet—
Far beyond the horizon—
Something was already moving toward them.
They just didn't know it yet.
========
The sky above the Siren-held island tore apart without warning.
A massive sphere of crackling blue lightning formed midair, expanding violently before stabilizing into a humming, circular distortion. The air itself seemed to bend around it—like reality was being forced open.
Then—
Something emerged.
The Zeus Battleship descended through the storm of electricity, its colossal frame blotting out the sky. It didn't move like a ship.
It claimed space.
Below its hull, four collider cannons slowly rotated into position, their cores glowing brighter with each passing second.
There was no countdown.
No hesitation.
The cannons fired.
Blinding beams of condensed energy tore downward, striking the island with terrifying precision. Power stations erupted instantly, their structures disintegrating under the sheer force. Shield generators flickered once—then vanished in bursts of light.
Missiles followed.
Sleek, fast, and merciless.
They curved through the air and slammed into secondary defenses—radar arrays, weapon batteries, communication hubs—each explosion timed perfectly with the next.
"Defenses down," Yuuki said calmly, as if reading a report.
"Eva, teleport them in."
"Command acknowledged," Eva replied. "Teleporting troops will arrive in five… four… three… two… one…"
The battlefield fractured again.
On the northern edge of the island—
A massive shape blinked into existence.
Then another to the southwest.
And a third to the southeast.
The Kodiak-class battleships arrived not with sound—but with distortion. One moment, empty sky. The next, towering war machines suspended in midair.
Archangel craft followed close behind, their presence quieter—but no less significant.
The Kodiaks didn't wait.
"Target acquired…"
"Let's light 'em up."
Their artillery roared.
Twelve barrels fired in unison, sending massive shells screaming across the battlefield. The impact was immediate—entire sections of the Siren base were torn apart in seconds.
A backup generator began to activate—
A missile struck it mid-cycle.
It detonated before even reaching full output.
"Backup systems neutralized," JARVIS reported.
Below, Siren units scrambled.
Weapons turned upward.
Beams fired.
Shells launched.
But the moment they struck—
They vanished against the Kodiaks' shielding, dispersing harmlessly across transparent hexagonal barriers.
Yuuki folded his arms, eyes locked on the battlefield from the Zeus's bridge.
"Maintain pressure," he ordered. "Don't let them stabilize."
"Understood," JARVIS replied.
The bombardment intensified.
Kodiaks adjusted their firing angles, systematically erasing defensive clusters. Archangels hovered behind them, beams linking to the battleships—repairing, reinforcing, sustaining.
Every Siren attempt to regroup—
Destroyed.
Every fallback position—
Collapsed.
The island was no longer a battlefield.
It was a dismantling.
==============
The Siren base descended into chaos the moment the sky split open.
At first, the personnel thought it was a malfunction—some kind of atmospheric distortion. Alarms began to sound, sharp and urgent, echoing through every corridor and command deck.
"Unknown energy spike detected—!"
"Source above—no, multiple sources—!"
Then—
The sky tore apart.
A massive electrical sphere formed overhead, flooding the island in blue-white light. Siren operators froze at their stations as something colossal emerged from within it.
"…What… is that…?"
One of the android siren soldiers eyes the crest under the mysterious ship. "Diving Eagle?"
An unknown crest.
Unknown faction.
The Zeus Battleship revealed itself in full, its sheer size blotting out the sky. It didn't resemble any known Siren construct—no exposed rigging, no organic-mechanical fusion.
Just clean, overwhelming design.
"…That's not in the database…"
"…Impossible…!"
Before they could react—
The cannons fired.
Power stations were erased in an instant. Entire systems went offline before emergency protocols could even trigger.
"Primary grid down!"
"Switch to backup—!"
The backup generators never finished activating.
Missiles rained down, striking defensive structures with pinpoint accuracy.
"Backup grid destroyed!"
"Shield emitters offline!"
"Communications—interference detected!"
The command room erupted into frantic motion.
"Re-establish uplink!"
"We're being jammed!"
"Gap distortion—visual feeds are corrupted!"
Then—
More anomalies.
"New signatures detected—!"
Three massive shapes appeared on the outer perimeter of the island without warning.
"No warp signature—no approach vector—how did they—?!"
The Kodiak-class battleships had arrived.
And they opened fire immediately.
"INCOMING—!"
Artillery shells tore through defensive lines, obliterating turrets and bunkers in seconds. Entire formations of Siren units were wiped out before they could reposition.
"Return fire!"
"Target their propulsion systems!"
Siren weapons lit up the sky—beams, shells, concentrated firepower directed at the hovering war machines.
But upon impact—
Nothing.
"…No damage…?!"
"Shields absorbing all impact!"
"Energy readings… abnormal…!"
"Who are these Diving Eagle bastards?!"
Behind them, the Archangel crafts hovered silently, linking beams of energy to the Kodiaks—repairing, reinforcing, sustaining them faster than the Sirens could inflict damage.
"…They're repairing mid-combat…"
"…This isn't possible…"
Panic began to spread.
"This is not a standard engagement!"
"Unknown faction—unknown technology—!"
"Where did they come from?!"
The central command officer slammed her hand onto the console.
"Contact headquarters! Now!"
"We're trying—signal interference is too strong!"
"Bypass it!"
"Emergency channel open—partial transmission only!"
"Send it anyway!"
A burst transmission was forced through the interference.
"This is forward Siren outpost Delta—requesting immediate reinforcement!"
Heavy breathing filled the channel.
"Unknown hostile force detected—repeat, unknown hostile force!"
"They have orbital-level firepower—!"
"They are overwhelming all defenses—!"
A pause.
"Requesting deployment of high-level Sirens immediately!"
Another explosion shook the structure, causing the entire room to tremble.
"Outer defenses have collapsed!"
"Enemy units advancing!"
"Internal breach imminent!"
One of the analysts whispered, voice trembling—
"…We're being erased…"
The command officer gritted her teeth.
"Hold positions!"
"We are Sirens! We do not retreat!"
But even as she said it—
Another barrage struck.
And another section of the base disappeared from the map.
Above them, the Zeus remained unmoving.
Watching.
And below—
The Siren stronghold was no longer holding.
It was failing.
==============
Inside the command bridge of the Zeus Battleship, the atmosphere was calm—almost unnaturally so compared to the chaos unfolding below.
Holographic displays surrounded the room, projecting the battlefield in real time. Every explosion, every movement, every target—tracked, analyzed, controlled.
Yuuki stood at the center in his Mark 47 Armor.
Yorktown and Laffey stood just behind him.
"Laffey. Yorktown," he began without turning, his voice steady.
"Both of you are repaired… but without ammunition, you're vulnerable."
A brief pause.
"Even if you deploy your riggings right now… against Sirens, you won't last."
Yorktown lowered her gaze slightly.
"…Understood."
Laffey nodded quietly.
"…Laffey is aware…"
Yuuki raised his hand, and two control interfaces unfolded beside them.
"So we adapt."
He turned slightly toward Laffey.
"Laffey—I'm giving you control of the Zeus's weapon system. The collider cannons and missile systems."
Her eyes widened slightly.
"…Me?"
Yuuki nodded.
"You'll provide long-range fire support."
He gestured toward the battlefield display.
"Anything that moves, anything that threatens—rain fire on it."
A small pause.
"While I handle the rescue mission."
Laffey straightened slightly, her usual sleepy demeanor sharpening.
"…Understood… Laffey will shoot everything dangerous…"
Yuuki gave a faint nod, then turned fully toward Yorktown.
"Yorktown."
At his command, another holographic interface unfolded in front of her—far more complex than the previous ones. Flight paths, weapon loadouts, squadron formations… all layered in real time.
"The Zeus isn't just a weapons platform."
He tapped the display.
"It's an aerial carrier."
Yorktown's eyes widened as multiple aircraft icons lit up across the interface, each one tagged, armed, and ready.
"…Aircraft…"
"A dozen Mark III Firehawks. A dozen Mark III Orcas," Yuuki continued. "I could've deployed Mark IVs…"
A small pause.
"…but they're overkill for a base this size."
His tone remained calm.
"So this will do."
Below them, the surface of the Zeus Battleship began to shift.
Panels slid open with mechanical precision.
Elevators rose from within the hull.
And one by one—
The aircraft emerged.
===================
Mark III Firehawks lifted from the deck in perfect synchronization, their sleek, angular frames reflecting the battlefield below. Missile racks locked into place beneath their wings, and internal bays cycled open and shut as final checks completed. Their engines emitted a low, controlled hum—power held tightly in reserve as they hovered above their launch pads, awaiting orders.
Unlike conventional aircraft, the Firehawk operated on a dynamically unstable airframe. It could not remain airborne without constant computational correction—but that instability was precisely what gave it unmatched maneuverability in combat. Every movement, every adjustment, was calculated in real time by an onboard AI, working in tandem with its pilot through a neural-link interface. Targeting, threat analysis, navigation, and weapons control were all seamlessly integrated, allowing machine precision and human instinct to function as one.
The Firehawks were no longer limited by older design constraints. Where earlier models carried either air-to-air or air-to-ground loadouts, the Mark III could deploy both simultaneously. Each craft was equipped with multiple Rattlesnake missiles for aerial combat and Hellcat firebombs for ground strikes, giving them full-spectrum combat capability in a single sortie.
Once deployed, they executed their attack patterns with ruthless efficiency—striking targets, pulling out, and returning to the Zeus for rapid rearmament before redeploying again.
For deeper strikes, the Firehawks could engage their Stratofighter boosters—rocket systems that allowed them to punch into the upper atmosphere, briefly entering near-orbital trajectories. From there, they could bypass enemy air defenses entirely before re-entering the battlefield at extreme speed.
Additional upgrades reinforced their survivability. Hardpoints allowed expanded payload capacity, while ceramic armor plating improved durability without sacrificing speed. The result was an aircraft that could adapt mid-battle—switching roles between interceptor and bomber without returning to base.
Historically, units like these had dominated battlefields—crushing fortified positions and intercepting advanced aerial threats with equal effectiveness. Against enemies reliant on air superiority, they were devastating.
================
Then came the Mark III Orcas.
Heavier silhouettes rose from within the Zeus Battleship, emerging from the elevators with a presence that felt far more grounded than the sleek Firehawks. Where the Firehawks were speed and precision, the Orcas were endurance and control.
They lifted into the air in steady formation, their dual ducted VTOL aerodynes stabilizing them effortlessly. Unlike older rotor-based designs, the Orca relied on a refined lifting-body configuration—engineered under GDI's "make the tech visible" doctrine. Every exposed component served a purpose, every line of its structure built for function over concealment.
"This… is different," Yorktown murmured as her interface synced with the new units.
Yuuki nodded. "A-15 Orca platform. Most advanced attack craft we've fielded for sustained operations."
The Orcas hovered with quiet authority, their systems already active. Despite their bulk, their flight stability was exceptional. Twin contra-rotating ducted fans eliminated the need for traditional tail rotors, while the NOTAR-assisted tail system enhanced control during vertical maneuvers. Wing-warping technology subtly adjusted their structure mid-flight, giving them surprising agility for their size.
"They're… stable," Yorktown noted.
"Built to stay in the fight," Yuuki replied.
Unlike the Firehawks, which struck hard and withdrew, the Orcas were designed to remain on the battlefield for extended periods. Their most significant upgrade allowed mid-air refueling and rearming, enabling near-continuous operation without returning to base.
"…They don't need to land?" Yorktown asked.
"Not unless you want them to," Yuuki said. "They can patrol, engage, rearm, and go again—indefinitely."
The Orcas were crewed Corpo drones supported by advanced onboard systems. Their sensor suites were far more robust than standard aircraft, equipped with pulse scanners capable of revealing hidden or stealth units within a wide radius.
"Useful against Siren tricks," Yuuki added.
Yorktown nodded slightly, understanding immediately.
Their armament reflected their role.
Each Orca carried a versatile payload—guided missiles, rocket systems, and precision strike munitions mounted along reinforced pylons beneath the cockpit. Compared to older variants, the Mark III had been significantly upgraded to survive not just ground engagements—but aerial combat as well.
Additional upgrades enhanced their flexibility—hardpoints for expanded armor, sensor pods for improved detection, and integrated systems for rapid redeployment. Every Orca could scan, strike, adapt, and reposition without breaking formation.
=================
Yorktown stared at the sight.
"…They're… ready already…"
Yuuki glanced at her.
"They've been ready."
The last of the aircraft cleared the deck, forming a tight formation above the Zeus.
A full squadron.
Waiting.
Yuuki stepped slightly aside, giving her full access to the interface.
"Your command."
Yorktown blinked.
"…Me…?"
"You're an aircraft carrier," Yuuki said simply. "Use it."
He pointed at the display.
"Firehawks—equip them with bombs and missiles. You'll handle bombing runs."
"Once they expend their payload, bring them back, rearm, and redeploy."
Another tap.
"Orcas—multi-role. Support strikes, precision hits."
Yorktown's breathing steadied as she looked at the interface.
"…This is… more than I've ever controlled…"
Yuuki smirked faintly.
"Good."
A pause.
"Consider this your official task from now on."
Yorktown's hesitation faded.
"…Understood."
Then—
Her expression tightened slightly.
"Commander… what about the humans on the island?"
Yuuki didn't hesitate.
"They sided with the Sirens."
Silence.
"If they're caught in the crossfire…"
His tone remained flat.
"…that's collateral damage."
Yorktown looked down for a moment.
Yuuki continued.
"Focus on military targets. Defenses. High-risk structures."
A brief pause.
"If they retreat—let them go."
Then—
"If they fire at you…"
His eyes hardened.
"Return fire."
Laffey nodded first.
"…Enemies are enemies…"
Yorktown closed her eyes briefly—
Then opened them again, resolve clear.
"…Understood, Commander."
Yuuki turned back to the battlefield.
"Good."
A beat.
"Now—give me cover and please don't attack the central structure until I bring Belfast and Illustrious out."
Outside, the storm of fire continued.
Inside—
Command had been given.
And for the first time—
Yorktown and Laffey weren't helpless observers.
They were part of the storm.
============
Yorktown took a steady breath as the full interface unfolded before her.
Dozens of aircraft signatures hovered on her display—each one alive with data, each one awaiting command.
No pilots.
No voices.
Only systems.
Only obedience.
"…All units," she said quietly, her voice firm despite the weight in her chest. "Prepare for deployment."
Above the deck of the Zeus Battleship, the Mark III Firehawks responded first.
Engines flared.
Formation shifted.
Without hesitation, the entire squadron lifted as one—breaking from hover and accelerating forward in perfect synchronization. Their targeting systems lit up instantly, feeding Yorktown real-time telemetry.
"Firehawks… proceed to strike pattern alpha."
Acknowledgement came not in words—
But in movement.
The drones adjusted their trajectory mid-flight, splitting into attack wings. Missile locks were established before they even reached engagement range.
"They're… already tracking targets…" Yorktown whispered.
Yuuki crossed his arms behind her. "They don't wait."
Moments later—
Missiles launched.
Streaks of light cut across the sky, intercepting Siren aircraft before they could even form up. Explosions followed in rapid succession as Firehawks transitioned seamlessly into bombing runs, releasing payloads with machine precision.
No hesitation.
No error.
Just execution.
Yorktown's eyes sharpened.
"…Next wave… rearm and cycle."
The first squadron peeled away immediately, turning back toward Zeus at high speed while a second wave adjusted position to continue the assault.
A continuous loop.
Endless pressure.
Then—
The Mark III Orcas.
Heavier.
Slower to accelerate—but far more imposing.
They rose from the platform in disciplined formation, their systems already synchronized with Yorktown's control. Unlike the Firehawks, they did not rush forward.
They advanced.
"Orcas… move to support grid."
The formation shifted instantly, spreading across the battlefield perimeter. Targeting reticles appeared across Yorktown's display as ground threats were identified and prioritized.
"…Lock confirmed."
The Orcas opened fire.
Guided missiles streaked downward, striking defensive emplacements with surgical accuracy. Rocket barrages followed, tearing through clustered Siren units attempting to regroup.
One cruiser attempted to retreat—
An Orca adjusted mid-flight.
Missile released.
Direct hit.
The vessel split apart in a controlled explosion.
Yorktown's hands moved across the interface, issuing commands faster now.
"Orcas—maintain pressure. Pulse scan active."
A ripple of energy spread outward from the formation.
Hidden units—
Revealed instantly.
"…No hiding…" Laffey murmured from beside her.
Yorktown nodded slightly.
"Engage all exposed targets."
The Orcas responded immediately, shifting fire toward newly revealed enemies.
They didn't need guidance.
Only direction.
And Yorktown gave it.
Above the battlefield, Firehawks screamed through the sky in relentless cycles.
Below them, Orcas hovered like executioners, dismantling anything that survived the initial strikes.
Yorktown watched it all unfold—every movement, every strike flowing through her command.
Five days ago, she couldn't even fire a single shot.
Now—
She commanded an entire aerial assault.
Her grip tightened slightly.
"…All units… continue operation."
The drones responded instantly.
And the sky itself became hers to command.
=======================
Laffey sat quietly at her station, small hands resting on the control interface far larger than she was.
For a moment, she looked almost out of place.
A destroyer.
A girl who once struggled to even stand.
Now seated before one of the most powerful weapon systems ever deployed.
"…Laffey… will protect," she murmured softly.
The interface responded.
Dozens of targeting reticles spread across her display, each one marking potential threats—anti-air batteries, missile launchers, energy cannons trying to lock onto Yorktown's aircraft.
Her eyes half-lidded—
But focused.
"…Found you…"
Above the battlefield, the Zeus Battleship shifted slightly as its weapon systems aligned with her commands.
"Collider cannons… targeting."
Energy built beneath the hull.
A Siren anti-air array locked onto a squadron of Firehawks—
Before it could fire—
Laffey spoke.
"…Shoot."
The collider cannon discharged.
A beam of condensed energy tore through the structure, erasing it instantly.
No explosion.
Just—
Gone.
Yorktown's voice came through the channel.
"…Threat neutralized… thank you, Laffey."
"…Mm…"
Laffey's fingers moved again.
More targets appeared.
Clusters of defenses attempting to track the Orcas.
Missile batteries spinning up.
"Multiple lock-ons detected," JARVIS reported.
"…Too noisy…"
Laffey selected them all at once.
"…Missiles."
From the Zeus, a swarm of missiles launched in rapid succession, streaking downward like falling stars. Each one found its target with precision—impact after impact silencing entire defensive zones.
Below, Siren units tried to reposition their remaining guns.
Laffey tilted her head slightly.
"…Running away…"
She adjusted the firing solution.
"…No."
Another collider blast.
A moving artillery platform was cut apart mid-escape.
The battlefield grew quieter—not because the fight was over—
But because anything that threatened Yorktown's aircraft…
Didn't last long enough to matter.
Yorktown continued her bombing runs without interruption, her Firehawks diving and pulling out cleanly, her Orcas maintaining pressure across the field.
Because above her—
Laffey was watching.
"…Big sister… safe…"
Another targeting alert flashed.
A hidden launcher powering up beneath debris.
Laffey's eyes narrowed slightly.
"…Found."
Pulse data fed into the system.
Target locked.
"…Fire."
The structure was destroyed before it even surfaced.
Silence followed.
For a brief moment—
There were no threats left in Yorktown's airspace.
Laffey leaned back slightly, her voice soft but certain.
"…Clear sky…"
On the battlefield below, destruction continued.
But in the air—
Nothing remained that could challenge them.
And that—
Was Laffey's role.
Not loud.
Not flashy.
But absolute.
A shield made of overwhelming firepower.
=================
Inside his armor, Yuuki watched the battlefield unfold through layers of data, targeting overlays, and live feeds.
And he smirked.
"…So this is what they can do…"
Below him, the operation moved with near-perfect coordination.
Yorktown's air squadrons cycled endlessly—strike, return, rearm, redeploy. Not a single movement wasted. Every bombing run landed where it mattered most.
And above her—
Laffey erased anything that even thought about threatening that airspace.
No hesitation.
No confusion.
Just instinct.
Yuuki's eyes narrowed slightly as he tracked their inputs.
"They're not just following orders…"
They were adapting.
Flowing.
Like they were born for this.
"…Shipgirls…"
He exhaled quietly.
Now he understood.
Even without their own ammunition… even without their original riggings fully restored—
They were still dangerous.
Give them a platform—
And they would dominate it.
His gaze shifted slightly as another Siren defense node disappeared under Laffey's fire.
"…If this is them without upgrades…"
A faint grin formed.
"…What happens when I give them their own arsenal?"
The thought alone was enough to excite him.
GDI-grade weapons integrated into shipgirl riggings.
Nanotech-enhanced systems.
Energy-based armaments.
Self-sustaining combat cycles.
They wouldn't just fight Sirens—
They would surpass them.
"…Interesting…"
For a brief moment, he allowed himself to imagine it.
Not just two.
But dozens.
Hundreds.
A fleet of shipgirls enhanced by GDI technology—
Each one capable of controlling, commanding, and fighting at levels far beyond anything this world had seen.
"…That would be something…"
He shook his head slightly, grounding himself.
One step at a time.
His gaze returned to the mission.
"…Belfast… Illustrious…"
A cruiser.
An aircraft carrier.
Captured.
Waiting.
He clenched his fist slightly.
"…Hang on."
The battlefield outside was already collapsing.
And with Yorktown and Laffey covering the skies—
Nothing was going to stop him from reaching them.
This rescue—
Was already decided.
==================
Sirens scrambled what little control they had left.
"Deploy carrier wings! Now!"
Across the shattered docks, Siren carriers launched their aircraft in desperation. Sleek, alien jets shot into the sky in tight formations, engines screaming as they locked onto incoming threats.
"Intercept the hostiles!"
"Protect the command structure!"
For a brief moment—
The sky filled with Siren fighters.
Then—
"They're incoming—unknown aircraft signatures—!"
Yorktown's voice cut in over the Zeus command link, calm but focused.
"Firehawks deployed."
From the eastern airfields—and from the Zeus itself—Mark III Firehawks surged into the battlefield. Sleek, fast, and armed to the teeth, they tore through the sky with surgical precision.
"Locking targets…"
"Missiles away."
Streaks of light cut across the air.
One by one—
Siren aircraft exploded mid-flight.
"They're being intercepted!"
"Impossible—our units are being targeted before they can engage!"
Another wave of missiles followed.
Then another.
The Siren fighters didn't even get close.
"…We're losing the entire squadron—!"
Within moments—
The sky was cleared.
Yorktown's voice remained steady.
"Airspace secured."
Below, one of the Siren carriers attempted to reposition.
"Carrier unit attempting retreat—!"
It never made it.
A Kodiak artillery shell struck directly into its core.
The entire vessel vaporized in a single blast.
No wreckage.
No survivors.
The battlefield map updated.
Less than one hundred Siren vessels remained.
And they were surrounded.
Three Kodiaks hovered like executioners, their cannons rotating methodically as they selected targets.
"…Only three units are doing this…?"
"…That's not possible…"
"It is," another whispered. "We're watching it happen…"
"Continue bombardment," Yuuki ordered.
"Don't let them regroup."
"Affirmative."
The Kodiaks fired again.
Cruisers attempting to flee were struck mid-turn, their hulls torn apart before they could accelerate.
Destroyers were erased in clustered explosions.
Any formation that tried to hold—
Collapsed instantly.
And above them—
Yorktown's voice guided the storm.
"Firehawks, rearm and redeploy."
"Orcas—target those cruisers on the west flank."
A new wave of aircraft surged forward.
Mark III Orcas descended lower, unleashing concentrated firepower onto damaged vessels.
"Direct hits."
"Targets eliminated."
One cruiser attempted to return fire—
An Orca missile pierced through its structure, detonating it from within.
Another tried to escape—
It was caught in a bombing run and reduced to fragments.
Laffey's voice followed, softer—but relentless.
"…Target locked… firing…"
From the Zeus, collider cannons fired again, wiping out clusters of remaining ships in bursts of light.
There was no coordination left among the Sirens.
Only scattered resistance.
And it was being erased.
Yorktown and Laffey stood in silence, their eyes fixed on the battlefield unfolding before them.
Just five days ago, they had been on the verge of death—cornered, outmatched, and powerless before a single Siren. The memory of Purifier's overwhelming strength was still fresh in their minds. Back then, even survival had felt like a miracle.
Now—
Yorktown's hands hovered over the control interface of the Zeus, guiding squadrons of Firehawks with precision. Each command she gave translated into devastating airstrikes, each decision shaping the battlefield below.
"…This… is really us…?" she murmured, almost in disbelief.
Beside her, Laffey quietly operated the collider cannons, her sleepy demeanor replaced by sharp focus. Every time she confirmed a target, entire clusters of Siren units vanished in flashes of light.
"…Laffey is… very strong now…" she whispered.
Both of them swallowed.
The contrast was overwhelming.
Five days.
That was all it took for their world to change.
Yorktown's gaze drifted across the massive systems of the Zeus—the aircraft bays, the weapon arrays, the endless stream of data flowing through the interface. Then, a thought surfaced.
"…Commander…"
Yuuki didn't turn, his attention still scanning the inside of the central structure to find his targets.
"Hmm?"
She hesitated for a moment before speaking.
"…You said… this isn't the only one…"
A brief pause. "…The Zeus."
Yuuki's lips curved into a faint smirk. "…Yeah."
Yorktown's eyes widened. "…There are more?"
Yuuki finally glanced back slightly.
"We don't build just one of anything."
A beat.
"We build fleets."
The words sank in slowly.
Laffey blinked. "…More Zeus…?"
Yuuki nodded.
"More Zeus."
"And Kodiaks."
"And Archangels."
Each word felt heavier than the last.
Yorktown's breath caught in her throat. "…Then this level of power…"
She looked back at the battlefield—at the overwhelming destruction they were controlling. "…This isn't even everything…?"
Yuuki gave a small, almost amused exhale. "This?"
He gestured lightly toward the display. "…This is just a forward deployment."
Silence filled the bridge.
Laffey froze slightly. "…Forward…?"
Yorktown stared at him. "…Then your main force…"
Yuuki turned his gaze forward again. "…Is still in orbit."
Outside, another Siren vessel disappeared under concentrated fire.
Inside, the realization settled deep within them.
The man they chose to follow—
Was not just powerful.
He commanded something far beyond anything they had ever imagined.
Yorktown slowly tightened her grip on the controls, her earlier hesitation gone. "…Then…"
Her voice steadied. "…We made the right choice."
Laffey nodded quietly beside her. "…Very right…"
Yuuki didn't say anything.
But the faint smile on his face was enough.
Because this—
Was only the beginning.
=============
"We are under attack!!"
The alarm tore through the Siren facility, louder and more frantic than anything before it. Red lights flooded the corridors as the entire base shook under distant explosions.
"What is happening?!"
"Unknown hostiles—airborne units—multiple signatures!"
A console sparked violently as another impact rattled the structure.
"Flying battleships with Diving Eagle crest!"
Silence—just for a fraction of a second.
"…Diving Eagle…?"
One of the Siren scientists turned sharply.
"Eagle Union?!" she snapped. "They don't possess anything remotely close to this level of firepower!"
Another voice cut in, panicked.
"These are not conventional carriers! Their altitude, their output—this is beyond known human capability!"
"Then what are they?!"
"They're tearing through our defenses like they don't exist!"
Another explosion rocked the facility. Dust fell from the ceiling as the structure groaned under pressure.
"We've lost outer perimeter!"
"Second defensive line collapsing!"
"Where are reinforcements?!"
"No response from headquarters!"
Inside the glass prison, both Belfast and Illustrious lifted their heads at once.
The tremors.
The distant thunder of bombardment.
The chaos.
Illustrious' eyes widened slightly.
"…Someone is attacking…"
Belfast stood slowly, her gaze sharpening as she listened.
"…Not just someone…"
Another explosion echoed, closer this time.
"…Something overwhelming."
Then—
They heard it.
"Flying battleships with Diving Eagle crest!"
The words carried through the corridor outside.
Both of them froze.
"…Diving Eagle…" Illustrious whispered.
Belfast's eyes narrowed slightly.
"That's not Eagle Union. They use eagle crest as well but, I remembered they carried and arrowed anchor."
A pause.
"…That's something else. Is it a new faction? A hidden one?"
Illustrious placed a hand over her chest, her heartbeat quickening.
"…This morning…"
She looked at Belfast.
"…That voice…"
Belfast nodded slowly.
"…'If you're out there… call for me.'"
Another tremor shook the room.
Illustrious's lips parted slightly.
"…Do you think…"
Belfast didn't answer immediately.
But her gaze lifted—focused, steady.
"…He came. Whoever you are...."
Outside, another series of explosions rippled through the base.
The Sirens were no longer in control.
And inside the prison—
For the first time in a long while—
Hope returned.
===========
"Found them."
Yuuki's voice cut cleanly through the command channel.
On the bridge of the Zeus Battleship, Yorktown turned sharply toward him, her expression tightening.
"Commander…"
She stepped closer, just slightly.
"Please be careful."
A brief pause.
"…Come back to us."
Laffey, still seated at her station, nodded quietly.
"…Laffey will cover you…"
Yuuki met their eyes for a second—then gave a small nod.
"Watch my back."
The next moment—
His armor sealed.
Thrusters ignited.
And he launched.
Yuuki shot downward like a meteor, cutting through smoke and debris as explosions continued to ripple across the island. Behind him, ten Iron Legion units followed in tight formation, their descent controlled and precise.
"Target: central structure," JARVIS confirmed.
"Got it."
He adjusted his trajectory, diving straight toward the main entrance of the Siren facility.
Below—
Siren android units were already mobilizing.
"Hostile incoming—!"
"Engage!"
Energy weapons fired upward in rapid bursts.
Yuuki twisted midair, repulsors flaring as he dodged incoming fire. The Iron Legions spread out behind him, returning fire with precision shots that tore through the advancing androids.
"Clear them out," Yuuki ordered.
"Affirmative."
Beams flashed.
Explosions followed.
The entrance perimeter turned into a battlefield within seconds.
But the Sirens were still holding the gate.
Then—
"Commander."
Laffey's voice came through.
"…Opening path…"
From above, the Zeus responded.
Targeting systems aligned.
"…Firing."
A concentrated strike slammed directly into the entrance.
BOOM.
The reinforced structure shattered under the impact, debris scattering outward as the entire gateway collapsed inward.
Smoke and fire filled the opening.
Yuuki grinned slightly mid-descent.
"Thanks, Laffey!"
"…Go, Commander…"
Without slowing—
He surged forward.
Through fire.
Through smoke.
Through the broken entrance.
The Iron Legions followed close behind as they breached into the facility.