[b]----------Of the coast of Egypt, near Suez----------[/b]

The sight of the damage done by the Spanish Armada was easily visible from a distance, especially as close as they were. Illardi Cardosi looked through his binoculars towards the opening of land that lead to the red sea, his face sun burnt from being outside the safe haven of the cruiser, Giuseppe Garibaldi. "Cazzo... The Spanish sure like making an entrance."

"Indeed. Do you think it is safe for civilian shipping to continue? The senate needs to know if the Suez is usable." Spoke another voice, convincing Illardi to lower his binoculars to look at the captain of the vessel. Captain Aleramo Laurenzi was a tall, broad shouldered man. Everyone usually assumes him to be a member of the Royal Army, not a naval captain of a cruiser. A pipe hangs in his left hand, the thin trail of smoke blowing to the sides as the crisp Mediterranean wind blows it to the side.

"It would be hard to tell at the distance for sure, but the Spanish fleet seems to have been able to pass through. The nearest Regia Marina vessels are near Crete at the moment, but they are heading to Malta." Illardi replied, as he lead his captain back inside the vessel.

Many of the crew members were eating at this hour, except the radio operators standing by to  relay information to Italy proper, and the people working down in the engine rooms. "The best way to check, and most dangerous, if to sail ourselves through the Suez at a low speed. We don't know how much wreckage, mines, or potential aggressors lie deep into the canal. For all we know, Ethiopian elements could be set up along the shores to fire at any vessel that passes through, even if they don't fly the Spanish flag." Illardi commented as they made into the main room for the radio operators, Illardi himself taking a seat at the main table.

"This is why we must check, better we use the Giuseppe Garibaldi then risk a civilian freighter trying to get to Japan or Australia. We can take what other makeshift weapons that could be pointed our way, freighters are unarmored." Laurenzi replied as elected to cotinue standing in the doorway. "I'm going to need you to relay the information back to Grande' Ammiraglio Fabro of our intentions, and prepare to enter the Suez."

"Aye, Captain." Illardi nodded at him, and the other operators in the room, obviously listening to the conversation, started to get to work notifying the crewmen of the vessel to prepare."

Laurenzi turned and left the room, heading down a hallway as the alarms began to ring over the intercom. "Questa non è un'esercitazione, ripeto questa non è un'esercitazione. Tutte le mani alle stazioni di azione."(*)

[b]----------Genoa, Liguria----------[/b]

The postponing of shipping through the Suez Canal was weighing heavily on both civilian and military minds alike, especially here at the Supermarina, Italy's naval headquarters. Grande' Ammiraglio Tito Fabro was hard at work dealing with the senate on re-opening the Suez canal, by sending a cruiser to examine the damage inflicted by the Spanish and Ethiopians. Finally, after two days of waiting, a message has returned from the captain of the vessel.

Tito sat  a large oval table, with several ranking members of the navy and CEOs of major shipping companies that handled the shipping from Italy to Asia. A printed copy of the message in front of him as he worded out what it said. "At this time, the Regia Marina Duca degli Abruzzi-class light cruiser, Giuseppe Garibaldi, is entering the damaged Suez Canal to examine possible damage done by Spanish and Ethiopian army, marine, and naval elements. As well as to examine if potential hostile elements of those forces remain that will threaten naval and civilian assets of using the canal. We will radio back updates twice every hour."

"Why not send our own forces to secure the canal, ensuring such an important assets remains neutral during this conflict?" Inquired on of the CEOs after hearing the message.

"Because you are not in charge here, few members of the Supermarina want to attempt to secure the Suez because of potential backlash by the international community. A nation securing total control over one of the most vital water ways in the world? In the hopes of neutrality? Few with believe that. The Spanish might back us, but only for the hopes we only let them pass. So no, a military landing is not an option." Tito said, eyeing the CEO closely. "Instead, the current plan is a naval convoy system to protect freighters until they reach the Arabian Sea, which is away from the combat area in Africa. Once we know if the Suez is usable currently, we will either prepare to clean it up, or begin the convoys."

(* - "This is not a drill, I repeat this is not a drill. All hands to action stations." I wanted to have SOME Italian words in it, okay? Gosh.)