South of the North Sea, the sun slowly rises from the east, obscured by thick fog into a blurry fireball that should have been glowing gold.
A fleet moves stealthily through the fog, its hulls swaying rhythmically, colliding with the waves and emitting heavy sounds, resembling moans or a heartbeat, echoing continually.
Leading the way is a battlecruiser with eight 305mm main guns ready, crew members at their stations anxiously scanning the surroundings, awaiting orders, and adjusting towering barrels pointed skyward as if ready to roar at any moment.
This is the German High Seas Fleet's "Lützow" battlecruiser, flagship of the First Fast Squadron, acknowledged as the fastest, newest, and most advanced battlecruiser.
(Above: "Lützow" battlecruiser, commissioned August 8, 1915, second of the "Deflanger" class battlecruiser)
In the captain's cabin, Major General Von Kavis finishes his breakfast, retrieves his diary from the drawer, turns to a blank page, and casually scribbles:
