[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/zG1CMLw.png[/img][h2][i]"Dreadnought", 9nm from Harbour[/i][/h2]
[@Paradox Witch][@Argonaut][/center]
Lowering her binoculars once the smog from the detonations of high explosive warheads cleared, Strategist felt a grim satisfaction pass through her veins - colder then the wind which blew across the bridge and chilled her through her uniform jacket. Her first action - both as a Heroic Spirit and for her war-machine, and already, they've racked up their first success of this War.  

Or did they? A glimmer from the coastline caught her eyes and, as she snatched her binoculars once again, she inhaled sharply as the dying World Tree's baleful glare shot towards her ship.

"HELM, HARD TO PO-" The order was barely out of her lips before - unknown to her - Carly's newest addition to her mask collection intervened. For a split second she saw a speck dart towards the oncoming beam, then her world turned, briefly, bright crimson; she, the other deck officers and anyone else external of the ship's citadel were forced to shield their eyes. When their arms and hands were lowered, the detonation - like both the World Tree and their unknown savior - was gone.

Strategist sighed with audible relief, thanking the Lord and whatever other powers-that-be in this war that [i]'Dreadnought'[/i] had not succumbed to the death throes of that relic. Even so, she knew that time for her and whatever plans she laid had now been considerably shortened. If she and her ship were to operate with impunity, then the planned-for seizure of Miyama's Harbor and any ships it contained would have to be moved up from this evening to [b][i]right now[/i][/b].

"Marines!" she yelled over the side, catching the attention of her ship's company. "Change of plans!" A gloved fist punched the air as she ordered, "[b]We! Move! NOW![/b]" 

A torrent of cheers broke out on the gun-deck as Strategist briefly withdrew to pass down new orders to her officers. "Bring our ship in within three nautical miles of the coastline, by the harbour. Once we are in position, we will disembark any Marine not assigned to gun duty and carry out our assault on the harbor as planned. Captain Reginald," she turned to the ships' commander. "As soon as we are unloaded, I want a continuing patrol and firing arc maintained along the harbor. Any ship that attempts to escape or arrive is to be warned off; all military craft will be ordered to heave-to and prepare to be boarded. No quarter will be given to any enemy Servant who attempt to stymie the landing."

She widened her audience slightly, adding to the others, "I want this one done by-the-numbers, with no civilian casualties if we can avoid it. We're part of a Holy Grail War, not the next Tsushima! I expect you all to carry out your duties effectively and in line with the Articles of War. Is that clear?"

A chorus of replies answered affirmatively and Strategist allowed herself a brief smile; she knew that they would not let her down.

"Very well," she concluded as, behind and below her, the ship's Marines made final preparations to their launches and to their equipment. "Then let's get it done."