Inside the Dome
Enterprise-80 and the other Shipgirls trapped within the energy dome alongside her had begun to recover from the initial shock of their isolation from the rest of the Task Force.
Queen Elizabeth, however, was the sole casualty, her injury self-inflicted. In her panic, she had run headfirst into the invisible energy wall.
She was currently receiving treatment from a rather grumpy Vestal, a trickle of blood flowing from her now-tender nose. Her undignified whimpering did little to improve the situation.
"Ouch! That hurts!" she wailed as Vestal dabbed at her nose.
Vestal, clearly unimpressed by her royal patient's dramatics, retorted sharply. "Listen here, Your Majesty. If you run your face into that wall again, I will personally refuse to treat your nose." She punctuated her words with a firm pinch of the Queen's cheek.
"Ouch! Stop pinching me! I get it, I get it!" the Queen pleaded, tears welling in her eyes.
Warspite interjected, her voice laced with concern for either the Queen's actual injury or the redness of her pinched cheeks. "I think that's enough, Vestal. Her Majesty is in pain."
Vestal reluctantly released the Queen's now-crimson cheeks. "Alright... just keep in mind... don't run into anything." She added a pointed warning for good measure.
"Thank you, Warspite," Queen Elizabeth sniffled, her cheeks still smarting.
"Any suggestions on our way out of here, Bunker Hill?" Enterprise-80 asked, her gaze fixed on the seemingly impenetrable barrier above them.
The energy dome encompassed everything, extending from the surface down into the depths. Viewed from above, it resembled a perfect hemisphere, but underwater, it formed a massive sphere, trapping them within a colossal enclosed space.
Bunker Hill-76 thoughtfully tapped her chin, drawing upon her extensive knowledge and strategic thinking. "A 'Kinetic Force' attack might break this imprisonment, but..."
Enterprise-80 turned her attention fully to the younger carrier. "But, what?"
"The energy released by a 'Kinetic Force' attack and the subsequent shockwave could severely damage our internal organs. Remember... we're in an enclosed space. A massive explosion followed by a shockwave will likely rupture our internal organs within minutes."
"... okay... what about the other option?"
"An 'Energy-Based' attack, like a laser, might be our more plausible way of breaking through."
"That would be an impossible feat. No one here possesses a sufficiently powerful energy-based attack. And even if someone did, no conceivable amount of energy would be enough to breach this imprisonment," Hood stated with her characteristic elegance, her tone conveying the grim reality of their situation.
"Well, at least it's worth trying... we might be able to break it," Enterprise-80 countered, clinging to a sliver of hope.
Bunker Hill-76 sighed. "I suppose there's nothing to lose by trying..."
Their gazes then collectively turned to the only Shipgirl present who possessed the potential for a strong and precise energy-based attack. They were all looking at the 'Sniper Queen' herself, renowned for her long-range energy strikes.
"What???" Warspite asked in confusion as all eyes fell upon her. "What do you want?" she stammered, the weight of their combined stares making her uncomfortable.
Hood spoke with graceful mannerisms. "Madam Warspite, we thought you might be the person for such a task."
Warspite let out a sarcastic laugh. "What, me??? No-no-no, I'm not skilled enough for such a task you're asking of." She flatly declined.
"No!" Queen Elizabeth intervened, her voice sharp with regal authority. "Warspite! I order you to shoot that piece of hindrance that blocks our way, our way to victory against those... damn Sirens!"
Unable to disobey a direct order from her Queen, Warspite reluctantly complied. "A-As you wish, Your Majesty," she said, kneeling in deference.
"Up on your knees! You have a task to do," the Queen commanded in an authoritative tone.
"Is she always that dramatic whenever she gives an order?" Enterprise-80 asked, observing the theatrical exchange between the two Royal Navy figures.
"Well, Her Majesty was born into nobility and is in line with the Royal family," Hood explained, offering context to Queen Elizabeth's behavior.
Enterprise-80 was intrigued. "Can you elaborate further, Miss Hood?"
"As you wish... Her Majesty is a Battleship. Battleships are commonly regarded as symbols of national pride among nations with standing navies."
"Just like in our world, huh? ... Capital Ships in our world often consume vast amounts of taxpayers' money and represent national prestige."
"Indeed... but not just that, Her Majesty herself is named after Queen Elizabeth the First, a Queen who rose to great power."
Bunker Hill-76 muttered under her breath. "The Virgin Queen."
An awkward silence descended upon the group after Bunker Hill's unexpected comment. They exchanged uneasy glances, their imaginations perhaps misinterpreting the historical epithet.
Their uncomfortable silence was soon broken as Queen Elizabeth approached them, inquiring about their hushed conversation.
"Nothing, Your Majesty. We were just discussing the current situation and our plan for freeing ourselves from this imprisonment," Hood said swiftly, attempting to steer clear of the recent awkwardness.
Queen Elizabeth nodded, a confident smirk playing on her lips. "Warspite is willing to lend her strength to break our way out of this imprisonment," she declared boldly.
They all watched as Warspite stood in an open area, preparing for her attack. She raised her massive sword, as if drawing energy from the surrounding air. Her four main gun turrets elevated slightly and aligned towards the center of the energy dome.
A ball of intense energy began to materialize at the muzzles of her twin gun barrels, the barrels themselves acting as coils to focus and amplify the gathering power.
After accumulating a significant amount of energy, she pointed her massive sword in the same direction as her turrets. With a chant that sounded like a fierce battle cry, she unleashed the compressed energy towards her target.
"Beli Dora Despicio!"
...
Four beams of concentrated energy streaked towards the center of the energy dome. A deafening explosion ripped through the upper section of the dome, followed by an ear-shattering shockwave that washed over everyone inside within seconds.
Everyone instinctively covered their ears against the sudden, intense pressure wave. Their ears rang, and a wave of disorientation swept through the enclosed space.
Queen Elizabeth floated listlessly on the surface of the water, clearly disoriented by the explosion and the subsequent shockwave. She was unharmed, merely unconscious.
Cruiser Belfast and Hood immediately moved to attend to her pitiful state. Queen Elizabeth was the only one who hadn't received ear protection, as everyone else had heeded the earlier memo.
"Bunker Hill, analysis?" Enterprise-80 asked, seeking an assessment of the data they had gathered from the attack.
"Based on the amount of energy Warspite released, we would need approximately twenty times that amount to break through," Bunker Hill-76 reported grimly.
"... I see...." Enterprise-80 then glanced at her bow-mounted rigging, a thought forming in her mind about utilizing its power.
Bunker Hill-76 immediately cautioned her. "Ma'am. This is only a precaution, but do not use your bow. The chance of us getting out of here is 50/50. Fifty percent chance of breaking through unharmed, and fifty percent chance that the resulting shockwave will crush our internal organs."
"I'm not planning on doing that... I'm just considering if I can even use a compressed energy attack," Enterprise-80 replied, dismissing the immediate use of her powerful bow.
Turning her attention away from the imprisoning energy dome, Enterprise-80 began to look downwards, hoping to find an alternative way out of their predicament.
Before her gaze could fully shift, she noticed Enterprise-6 deep in thought. Her counterpart was clearly engaged in intense contemplation, searching for some kind of solution.
"Is there something on your mind you would like to express?" Enterprise-80 inquired gently.
Enterprise-6 snapped out of her deep reverie, startled by her counterpart's voice. "Umm... nothing. It's nothing," she said, shaking her head dismissively.
"Are you sure?"
"Ye-yeah... I'm sure," she replied, a hint of hesitation and regret in her voice.
Enterprise-80 couldn't shake the suspicion that Enterprise-6 possessed some knowledge or ability that could help them break free. Her gaze then drifted to Cruiser Belfast, who appeared visibly panicked.
Belfast's concern wasn't directed at the Queen's unconscious state, but rather at what Enterprise-6 might be contemplating. Enterprise-80 knew relatively little about CV-6's past and experiences.
Continuing her search for any weakness in the dome, her eyes fell upon Vestal, standing in a corner, her hands pressed against the energy wall. Vestal looked as though she was trying to reach someone on the other side, most likely William.
Just like William on the exterior, Vestal stood with her open palm pressed against the energy barrier, reaching out for her beloved. Enterprise-80 sailed closer to her and asked if everything was alright.
Vestal spoke in a sad tone, her gaze never leaving the shimmering wall that separated her from William.
"It's nothing to worry about. I'm just trying to reach out to him," she said softly.
Enterprise-80 looked at the blurry image of an open palm on the other side, perfectly aligned with Vestal's. "Guess 'love knows no boundaries,' huh?"
"Yeah... maybe you're right. Love knows no bounds," Vestal replied, a small, wistful smile gracing her lips.
After that brief moment of heartfelt connection, Enterprise-80's attention shifted to the blurry hand of William visible through the energy. An idea suddenly sparked in her mind.
She proceeded to flicker one of her spotlights in a direction where William could clearly see it. She began to blink it in a synchronized pattern, transmitting a message in Morse code.
"What are you doing, Miss Enterprise?" Vestal asked, her brow furrowed in confusion.
"Sending a message through this wall," Enterprise-80 replied quickly, her focus intent on the flickering light.
Everyone else inside the dome sailed closer to them, drawn by the odd behavior of Enterprise-80 and the responding flickers of light from the other side.
"What are you doing?" Enterprise-6 asked, her curiosity piqued.
Bunker Hill-76 was the one who responded, her voice thoughtful. "I think she's trying to send a Morse code message through the wall by using her spotlight."
"Would that even work?" No sooner had Enterprise-6 uttered those words than a response came in the form of a flickering spotlight from the exterior of the dome.
"Seems like it works," Bunker Hill-76 said, a hint of relief in her voice.
"Looks like my message got through," Enterprise-80 said, a small smile of satisfaction gracing her lips.
Bunker Hill-76 watched every flicker of the spotlight intently, mentally translating each Morse code sequence. She blinked twice after confirming the final characters of the message sent from the other side.
"Ma'am! Are you sure about this—I mean, we are in a dire situation, are you really sure about granting them the authority to use such a weapon?" she exclaimed, her voice frantic. Their situation was undeniably critical, but Enterprise-80 was now seemingly authorizing the use of nuclear weapons.
Bunker Hill-76 wasn't afraid of using weapons against the Sirens, her deep concern stemmed from the potential for the Shipgirls outside the dome to be contaminated by nuclear fallout.
The other Shipgirls beside her also grew visibly panicked after witnessing Bunker Hill-76's agitated reaction to the transmitted message.
"What weapon are you talking about? I've never heard of any weapon that makes you this worried, Miss Bunker?" Hood inquired, her elegant composure slightly ruffled by the sudden alarm.
"It's a weapon that has brought immense suffering to humanity," Bunker Hill-76 stated plainly, her voice heavy with the gravity of the situation.
Enterprise-80 sighed, her expression resolute. "Let's place our trust in them.... They may be the worst when it comes to manners, but they are disciplined enough to handle the task I have given them."
~After the Nuclear Launch Codes were Transmitted~
Laffey-200 and her division of well-endowed Shipgirls sailed in a tight formation, unleashing a torrent of what could only be described as concentrated Freedom and Democracy upon the alien Siren forces.
Just like what Orange-man once said: Bitches will be met with Freedom, Democracy and Liberty the world has never seen before.
And that Freedom, Democracy and Liberty was about to be forcefully administered the moment these Sirens dared to present themselves with so much as a piece of scrap metal. Our bois had the "bring the sun" option firmly on the menu.
Siren ships exploded in rapid succession as the high-pitched whine of continuous machine-gun fire emanated from Laffey-200's six rotating barrels.
Trails of bullets, forming straight lines of death, tore through what were once glowing, RGB-illuminated warships, reducing them to shredded metal.
This was followed by a relentless barrage of 8-inch shells and various other bullet calibers, all directed at the hapless Siren rigging.
Laffey-200 and her division were conducting a lethal drive-by, raining lead and steel in every direction, punishing any foolish Siren who dared to poke their head up for no discernible reason.
"Enemy at the left!" Honolulu radioed urgently.
"Delete it," Laffey-200 replied tersely over the comms.
"What??? Delete what???" Honolulu asked, bewildered.
"You heard her. Light 'em up, ladies," Baltimore commanded, and everyone immediately complied.
A furious storm of 8-inch and 6-inch shells, along with a hail of smaller caliber bullets, erupted towards the location where an Executor-Class Siren ship had been spotted.
The entire scene devolved into a chaotic shootout. Imagine a single Humvee bristling with a .50 caliber machine gun, accompanied by these heavily armed Shipgirls wielding SCAR-17 rifles, all unleashing a devastating volley in your general direction.
And it wasn't just bullets tearing through the air; heavy 8-inch and 6-inch shells rained down as well. No one had called for artillery support, but these Sirens were about to be thoroughly cratered.
"Damn... that Siren got wasted," St. Louis commented, observing the unfortunate Siren ship now riddled with countless bullet holes.
That particular Siren had been swiftly converted to a state of extreme "holiness" through an excessive application of lead. And Helena, poor Private Helena, witnessed the entire gruesome spectacle with her own two wide, blue eyes.
In other words, Private Helena was rapidly becoming traumatized by the sheer violence she had witnessed since being assigned to Laffey-200's division.
"Do we really have to be this violent? I mean, can't we just ask them to surrender?" Helena asked, her voice trembling slightly as they sailed past floating Siren corpses, many of them missing limbs or reduced to unrecognizable masses of shredded flesh by the relentless hail of high-velocity "Freedom Seeds."
"Sorry to break your fragile world of rainbows and sunshine, but this is war. Death is everywhere. Carelessness could cost you something important, something you'd give your life to protect. No matter what you do, or what you say, you need to kill your enemy... or your enemy will kill you," Laffey-200 stated flatly, her tone devoid of emotion.
Baltimore offered a more succinct explanation that Helena could readily grasp. "She's saying: it's kill or be killed."
Helena looked down at the SCAR-17 rifle she carried, her thoughts turning to the Siren she had killed with it, to her own hands that had pulled the trigger of such a deadly weapon.
St. Louis gently placed a hand on Helena's left shoulder, offering a quiet word of reassurance. "What you did here could save many lives in the future."
Helena raised her head, meeting the understanding nods of the other Shipgirls. Everyone here had faced similar realities. If she was incompetent in pulling the trigger when faced with the enemy, what was her purpose in this fight?
"Right... I'll just have to do my part then," she said, a newfound resolve returning to her voice.
"Get your asses moving! Siren reinforcements are fast approaching this way," Laffey-200 commanded, her AN/SPY-6 Aegis radar system detecting two massive Siren warships rapidly closing on their location.
The Shipgirls, their rigging active and rifles ready, braced themselves, awaiting the incoming tidal wave of enemy force.
Seconds later, two gigantic shadows of warships loomed into view, accompanied by a sizable escort of Siren ships of varying sizes. This impressive display of force was not what sent shivers down the spines of the Shipgirls, but rather the silhouettes of three humanoid Sirens hovering above the Massive Warships.
"O-O-Orochi!!!!!!!!!!" Helena screamed in horror at the sight of the two colossal Siren ships sailing side by side.
Laffey-200, utterly unfazed by the overwhelming display of enemy power, spoke calmly. "Finally, you showed up."
"My~My, you're not afraid... how brave of you...," Enforcer III: Harvester said in a menacing, villainous tone.
"I'm bored dealing with this EXP grind; they were just a nuisance to me," Laffey-200 replied dismissively, completely ignoring the Siren threat.
Explorer MK-III gritted her teeth, her anger rising at the blatant insult.
Explorer MK-III watched, seething, as this seemingly innocuous Bunny Girl had effortlessly turned an entire class of Executors into scrap metal and ground meat. Now, she was dismissing them as mere nuisances of no consequence.
"Damn you!"
Explorer MK-III lost her composure and lunged towards Laffey-200, her intent solely focused on revenge. This foolhardy Siren was charging headfirst at a threat that her entire fleet couldn't handle, going completely solo.
As the saying went: if you're not the main character, don't charge alone like Leroy Jenkins into the boss fight. Unfortunately for her, the background music wasn't the ominous Siren theme, but rather the rousing strains of the "Star-Spangled Banner." And everyone knew what was about to happen next Laffey-200 had no intention of wasting taxpayer money on this foolish Siren who Leroy Jenkins-ed her way into a suicidal attack. She delivered the appropriate, if somewhat blunt, response: "Bitch, get out of the way."
She punctuated her words with a swift, upward kick that sent the Siren flying high, higher than most people's wildest dreams, illuminated by the bright midday sun.
The head of the unfortunate/incredibly stupid Siren flew clean off her body, propelled by Laffey-200's kick with the force and precision of an NFL punt – the real, American football, where toughness and resilience were paramount.
The severed Siren head soared through the air in a trajectory reminiscent of a "Team Rocket blasting off again" scenario, disappearing beyond the visual range of everyone else in the vicinity.
Baltimore and the rest of the Shipgirls watched in stunned silence, a mixture of shock and awe at Laffey-200's casual display of power and the surprisingly nonchalant flashing.
"So... she's that rumored Bunny Girl who eliminated the rest of Tester α's clones like it was nothing," Enforcer IX: Exploration commented, her gaze fixed on the rapidly receding Siren head.
"Judging by those bunny ears... she fits the description. Although... her dress doesn't quite match up," Enforcer VII: Determination observed, cross-referencing Laffey-200 with their Siren intelligence files.
The Sirens had learned a harsh lesson after the defeat of Observer α and the loss of their stronghold in the Southern Pacific. Information gathering had become a top priority in their efforts to combat the Kansens that Code-G had summoned from another world.
Every Modern Kansen had an intelligence file detailing their capabilities, but most of the information was speculative, as the Sirens struggled to determine the limitations and effective range of their advanced weapon systems. This intelligence gap had led them to the flawed conclusion that separating the Kansens from their Flagship would cripple them – a blunder that was now becoming painfully evident.
"She may change her apparel, but she's still the one we need to take down," Enforcer III: Harvester stated, her targeting systems locking onto Laffey-200.
"Right." The other Enforcers nodded in grim agreement, their own targeting systems also focusing on the seemingly unstoppable Bunny Girl.
".... Get into the Helicopter...." Laffey-200 issued a sudden order to evacuate the immediate area. Shit, as she eloquently put it, was about to go down.
"Wait, we can't just leave her alone," Helena protested, her voice filled with concern at the order to retreat.
"It's hard for us too, but... orders are orders," Baltimore replied, her expression conflicted.
"Are you sure she'll be alright on her own?" Honolulu asked, her worry evident.
"I've seen her go toe-to-toe with dozens of Siren clones alone.... But... I'm not sure if she can handle this Siren force. But, I'm sure she has something in her arsenal that might be a match for Orochi and these three Sirens. Besides, we'd probably just slow her down by staying here."
Laffey-200's MH-60 Seahawk hovered inches above the water's surface as the Shipgirls quickly boarded the helicopter. The pilot and crew gave a thumbs-up once all passengers were safely inside.
The Seahawk slowly gained momentum and lifted off, heading back towards the Azur Lane main force. Siren planes attempted to intercept the retreating craft, but they were swiftly shot down by ESSM (Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile) defenses.
"My~ letting your friends get away... how caring of you~..." Enforcer III: Harvester taunted.
"I'm just letting the hindrance out of the way, that's all," Laffey-200 replied, completely unfazed by the Siren's words.
"Your own arrogance will be your own downfall!" Enforcer III: Harvester cried out in frustration.
"Let's see about that."
After that brief but tense exchange, the battle commenced in earnest. Plasma cannons fired, Tomahawk Missiles streaked through the air, and ESSMs engaged aerial targets in a chaotic dance of destruction.
...
"Prepare Nuclear-armed Tomahawk."
"Nuclear-armed Tomahawk Status: Ready. Nuclear Launch Code needs to be verified," an A.I. voice reported.
"Nuclear Launch Code *********** inserted."
"Nuclear Launch Code: Verified. Selecting target:"
"Target Orochi."
"Target: Confirmed. Target data is currently being uploaded to the Nuclear-armed Tomahawk... Nuclear-armed Tomahawk ready to fire."
Without any hesitation, Laffey-200 initiated the launch sequence for a weapon that could irrevocably alter the course of this world's history.
The nuclear-armed Tomahawk missile ejected from its VLS cell and soared upwards, its initial rocket booster propelling it to an altitude where its own jet engine could take over.
Following the first launch, a second nuclear-armed Tomahawk missile roared from its silo, both missiles racing towards their intended target, skimming low over the ocean's surface.
"Intercept them!" Enforcer III: Harvester frantically ordered all nearby Siren ships.
Orochi's anti-aircraft defenses, along with those of its escorting Siren ships, struggled to acquire a stable lock, hampered by Laffey-200's active electronic jamming systems. The two nuclear-armed Tomahawks proved impossible to intercept by AA fire, and now desperate Siren planes were making strafing runs in a futile attempt to shoot them down.
Enforcer VII: Determination landed on the bow of one of the Orochi-class ships, attempting to guide its AA fire. "Follow my lead," she commanded, opening fire at the incoming threat with her own weapons.
The two Orochi-class ships were unable to activate their energy shields, as they were currently prioritizing the launch of their own ballistic missiles, targeting the ongoing beach landing operation.
Then came an eerie, high-pitched whine, followed by an intensely bright flash of light and a shockwave that rivaled the force of a major typhoon or storm. The flash engulfed the nearest Orochi-class ship in a massive fireball, its heat so intense that it instantly vaporized the colossal warship and its accompanying escorts.
Enforcer VII: Determination activated her personal force field in a desperate attempt to shield herself from the devastating blast wave, but the sheer energy being released by the "portable sun" melted her rigging and then began to liquefy her skin.
She screamed in unimaginable horror, completely immobilized. Any movement would compromise her rapidly failing shield. She could only stand there, facing the unimaginable heat that burned with the intensity of the sun itself. A few agonizing seconds passed before her defiance against this human-made instrument of death and destruction was brutally extinguished. She was consumed by the fiery inferno.
The detonation of the two nuclear warheads was immediately followed by the catastrophic detonation of Orochi's onboard ammunition stores. The combined explosions doubled the destructive force, engulfing all other Siren ships in the immediate vicinity in a cataclysmic blast.
MH-60 Seahawk
The Manjuu crew members swiftly secured and sealed the hatch doors of the helicopter, and everyone inside donned chemical protective suits and gas masks.
Many of the Shipgirls were confused as to why they were being issued gas masks inside the seemingly secure cabin of the helicopter.
One of the Manjuu crew 'squeaked' furiously at them, clearly exasperated by their lack of urgency. "Fucking put them on!"
"What?! Why? Why would I wear this?" Honolulu asked, holding the gas mask in front of the panicking Manjuu.
"I think you should just follow the instructions," Helena advised calmly.
The already stressed Manjuu lost what little composure he had left and began forcibly shoving the gas mask onto Honolulu's face, his movements clumsy and frantic.
"Hey! I can put it on myself! DAMN IT!" she exclaimed, struggling against his frantic ministrations.
"You should have just listened to the little bird's instructions," St. Louis commented dryly.
Once everyone had donned their gas masks, they watched the equally masked Manjuu crew frantically check every seal and vent in the cabin for any potential breaches.
Baltimore was about to inquire about their frantic activity when the entire helicopter suddenly lurched violently, as if struck by an invisible force from behind. Everyone inside was thrown about, the cabin shaking violently as if caught in a powerful mixer.
Baltimore risked a quick glance out of the small window to try and understand the helicopter's sudden violent movement. Through the glass, she saw a blindingly bright light that momentarily illuminated the entire cabin with an almost unbearable intensity.
'What was that?' was the only coherent thought that formed in her mind after witnessing the terrifying flash.
...
~Back to the Nuclear Horror~
A gigantic mushroom cloud billowed upwards, dwarfing the tranquil clouds above. Below, the ocean's surface was a raging inferno, the Siren ships annihilated by a blast that made Operation Crossroads look like a mere firecracker.
The intense heat radiating from the explosion melted the ships at the epicenter and those in close proximity. Other Siren ships were wrecked by the sheer force of the blast, their hulls ruptured below the waterline, rapidly taking on water.
Massive tidal waves, generated by the underwater detonations, capsized the crippled Siren ships and dragged them down into the depths. Other vessels simply flipped over, their hulls bobbing upside down on the turbulent surface.
Siren planes plummeted from the sky like insects caught in a swatter's path, victims of the powerful electromagnetic pulse (EMP) that had instantly shut down all airborne electronics within the blast radius.
Both Enforcer III: Harvester and Enforcer IX: Explorer were left utterly dumbfounded, their mouths agape at the sheer scale of destruction, a horror that eclipsed even their own capacity for terror.
These two alien beings had just witnessed the terrifying potential of humanity when pushed to its limits. These "humans" from another world had created a weapon so devastating that even the gods themselves might fear its power.
Feared it, perhaps, because all the life and beauty they had created could be reduced to ash and char by the creations of their own children. Children who had grown in arrogance and stubbornness, leading to countless meaningless deaths.
Did God stay in heaven because he, too, lived in fear of what he had created?
In the aftermath of the colossal blast, as the iconic mushroom cloud climbed into the sky, the surviving Siren ships on the ocean's surface succumbed to their critical hull damage and slowly sank beneath the waves.
Laffey-200's Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical (NBC) defense systems automatically activated. Her rigging was sprayed down by a high-pressure wash-down system, flushing away any potential contaminants or fallout with seawater. She also activated her personal force field to further minimize any lingering contamination.
The onboard A.I. of the Aegis destroyer analyzed and collected data on the residual radiation levels in the vicinity of the explosion.
"Radiation level: Normal... most of the radiation was dispersed by the wind, far from any civilization.... Ship Damage: minimal.... Electronic Counter Measures: Activated.... Situation: Normal..." the A.I. voice reported calmly, completing its analysis of the surrounding environment.
The two Sirens who had witnessed the nuclear horror firsthand were trembling uncontrollably, their bodies and very essence shaken to their core. This was their first true experience of 'dread.' For the rest of the Sirens, fear was a tactical consideration, but facing an enemy with a weapon capable of potentially killing a god?
Dread was now etched into their very being, as the horror of these Modern Kansens extended far beyond simply summoning a literal sun onto the battlefield.
"Do you fear God?"
At that unexpected question, the two surviving Sirens slowly turned their heads, their attention shifting from the towering mushroom cloud to the woman who had spoken.
The woman who had posed the chilling question was none other than Laffey-200, her gaze fixed downwards on the terrified Sirens below.
Both Enforcer III: Harvester and Enforcer IX: Explorer were shaking uncontrollably, their knees buckling after witnessing the utter dematerialization of Enforcer VII: Determination by the power of the portable sun.
Laffey-200 continued, her voice devoid of emotion, yet carrying a chilling undertone. "I guess God sometimes doesn't have any mercy on those who harmed his children."
The remaining Sirens were now gripped by sheer panic as those words hung in the air. They were a death sentence, echoing in the Sirens' ears.
One had just been vaporized, one needed to be crippled beyond repair, one needed to be reduced to ground meat, and the remaining two... needed to be deleted.
...
Siren Dimension
"DAMN IT!"
Zero screamed in unbridled rage, slamming her fist into the holographic screen that displayed the obliteration of two significant investments in a single, blinding kaboom.
"Damn it ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
She threw a violent tantrum within her dimensional space, not alone in her fury. The traumatized Observer α was also present, muttering incoherent gibberish, though fragments of her hatred for Enterprise were disturbingly clear.
"Damn you, Code-G! Damn you!"
Code-G, in her own dimension, watched the ongoing fiasco and the distinctly American spectacle of explosions with detached amusement as the battle against the Sirens raged on.
She observed the unfolding chaos with a mixture of glee and satisfaction, but something about the actions of one particular individual caught her attention as the battle continued.
'What is up with this Bunny? She is just straight-up massacring everything that moves in her path... Those people who created her must be crazy for creating such things, but...'
She looked up, a hint of reminiscence in her eyes. "Azur Lane and Crimson Axis also created their own psychopaths," she muttered to herself, letting out a soft sigh.
She then turned her attention back to the holographic screen, a satisfied smile playing on her lips. "Good thing I brought the right people in for the right job."