[center][h3]Strategist 
With Carly-Beth and Mary
HMS 'Dreadnought' - 13nm from Miyama Shoreline[/h3]
[@Paradox Witch][/center]

It had taken several minutes for the small launch to be brought in alongside the massive battleship's hull and in the meantime, Strategist had borne witness to both the sight of a 'world' falling to earth, then - just as quickly - a sudden, seemingly out-of-nowhere storm finally extinguish the black and red flames. The Servant let out an audible sigh of relief as she began to climb up the rope ladder that had been thrown down for her, Carly and Mary to ascend; it seemed that, for tonight, the worst was over for this city.

When the Servant's pony-tailed head and uniformed torso popped over the side of the railing-surmounted mid-ship turret deck, the trilling of a pair of boatswain's pipes could be heard as a hundred shoe-shod feet of the ship's officers and crew slammed to attention. Strategist grunted as she hauled herself up onto the deck, saluting the officers' side-party as she stepped to one side to allow the others enough room to ascend the ladder safely.

"Permission to come aboard, Captain Bacon?" Strategist inquired to one of the peaked cap-wearing officers, his shoulders sporting the rank slides of a Captain of the Royal Navy, as Strategist greeted him with a crisp salute.

"Granted, ma'am." CTN Reginald Bacon replied, barely hiding the slight smile he bore as he returned his superior officer's courtesy. "Welcome aboard."

Strategist nodded in thanks, lowering her hand. "My associates here will need billeting, preferably somewhere across from my cabin. See if arrangements can be made."

"Of course, ma'am. Shall I have our ship weigh anchor?"

"Not until we know what we're up against, Captain. The distance between us and the shoreline should be enough for now." Strategist turned to the leading Lieutenant at the side party. "Mr Dawson, please forward my compliments to the remainder of the ship's company and inform the officers that I will be expecting a briefing with them in the officer's mess, within the next two hours." She nodded to the assembly. "Thank you, gentlemen; that will be all. Dismissed."

As the side parties were dismissed and the crew returned to their stations, Strategist leaned against the side railing and put her hands in her trouser pockets, relaxing a little. So far, things were going like clockwork - just how she liked it.