[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/zG1CMLw.png[/img][i][h3]Main Deck, HMS 'Dreadnought' - Harbour[/h3][/i]
[@Paradox Witch][/center]

Strategist blinked in surprise at the penguin's hostile response to her Master, which quickly resolved to anger as her Webley was, once again, unholstered. "Listen to me, you out-of-place water fowl!" she growled, taking aim. "I don't give a damn who your Master is or where they're from, but you're on [b]my[/b] ship. Show some respect or I'll hammer it into you, the hard way!" Warning delivered, she returned her sidearm to its place as she amended, "However, your invitation is noted."

She glanced over to Carly as the latter suggested she'd send a mask along, adding, "On the one hand, I'd offer myself to go as well, Master. I suspect having a human face to the crowd would be better then having a floating mask. On the other ..." She didn't need to finish that sentence to know her Master would come to the same conclusion: that sending Strategist into the lion's den would not only be a major risk, but - if the meeting was a trap - their killing power would be entirely nullified if Strategist was killed.

Shrugging, the Strategist about-turned and headed for the battleship's citadel, calling back over her epaulet shoulder, "I'll be in my quarters in the aft section if you need me."

[hr]
[center][i][h3]Admiral's Quarters, HMS 'Dreadnought'[/h3][/i][/center]

The fact that Strategist was even able to have any quarters aboard her ship was a miracle unto itself, considering most of her officers slept in tight quarters, often in fold-down cots or even hammocks. 

The room itself, as a result, was a limited, spartan affair. A fold-down cot with a pair of sheets, a thin blanket and pillow (all R.N.-issue, of course) ran parallel to one of the long bulkheads. An oaken writing desk and chair sat opposite, covered with charts, writing material, intelligence reports and (in one corner) a portable telephone conneced to the bridge and a mobile Morse transmitter/reciever. By the hatch, a pitifully-small washing basin and mirror sat; there was no sign of any showering ablutions within the room. Finally, in conjunction with the sole porthole that let fresh air in, a pair of glowing bulbs were suspended in steel restraints, welded in place, and hung from the series of pipes that ran above the occupants' head.

Not exactly Five Star living at the Ritz. Adequate, however, considering the cramped nature of the ship and it's 'combat first' design approach.

For now, Strategist sat at her desk, mulling over a couple of her papers. One of these reports was the latest meteorological updates: tidal changes, expected weather patterns, wind conditions and so forth.

The other, however, was of particular import to both Strategist and any enemy Servant who might get their hands on it. It was a multi-page report featuring a list of names, required components, measurements, estimated 'Times to Completion' and reams upon reams of additional data, linked to listed appendix numbers. The names - categorised appropriately - would send a chill up the spines of any enemy who had a hint of modern military nautical knowledge:

[center][i][b]DREADNOUGHTS[/b]
HMS Dreadnought
HMS Bellephron
HMS Superb
HMS Temeraire
HMS St. Vincent
HMS Collingwood
HMS Vanguard
HMS Neptune
HMS Colossus
HMS Heracles
HMS Orion
HMS Monarch
HMS Conquerer
HMS Thunderer
HMS King George V
HMS Centurion
HMS Audacious
HMS Ajax
HMS Iron Duke
HMS Marlborough
HMS Benbow
HMS Empress of India
HMS Agincourt
HMS Erin
HMS Canada
HMS Queen Elizabeth
HMS Warspite
HMS Barham
HMS Valiant
HMS Malaya
HMS Agincourt (II)
HMS Revenge
HMS Royal Sovereign
HMS Royal Oak
HMS Resolution
HMS Ramillies[/i]

(...)

[i][b]SEAPLANE CARRIERS[/b]
HMS Ark Royal ...[/i] 

(...)

[i][b]SUBMARINES[/b]
HMS E1 - E9 (Batch One)
HMS E10 - E20 (Batch Two)
HMS E21 - E56 (Batch Three)[/i][/center]

and so on and so forth.

This wasn't a mere inventory listing: it was Strategist's grand design. A design for a fleet capable of overwhelming the entire Grail War system by force and recovering the 'ultimate artifact and weapon' mankind had ever desired and sought-for in vain:

[center][h3][b][i]A GRAND FLEET.[/i][/b][/h3][/center]