[i][center][img]https://i.imgur.com/zG1CMLw.png[/img][h3]Bridge - 'HMS Dreadnought'
Off the Coast[/h3][@Paradox Witch][/center][/i]

As the fitted-out keel of HMS [i]Hydra[/i] hit the waves, propellers kicking up spray as the newly-completed destroyer urgently began to back out of the Harbor, Strategist felt her hands tighten around her binoculars. For several minutes, every officer had been at their stations, each gun trained landward ... waiting for this oncoming enemy.

Yet, so far, no word, no rustle in any nearby treeline or even the sound of gunfire from the stood-ready Marines landward. [i]Just [b]WHAT[/b] was their enemy playing at?![/i]

"Ma'am," The voice of a rating snapped the Admiral out of her fuming and she lowered her glasses. "The last signal we recieved landward. From a [i]'Servant Nikola Tesla'[/i]."

The Admiral snatched the wireless transcript and, frowning, hurriedly read over the typed-out message:

[quote][center][b][u]FROM:[/u][/b] Servant Nikola Tesla, Class Archer

[b][u]TO:[/u][/b] C. in C. HMS [i]'DREADNOUGHT'[/i] - No. 1 FUYUKI BATTLE SQUADRON, R.N.

Message received. Will coordinate via Frequency Y if artillery is required. Enemy is several hundred combatants, believed to be Heroic Spirit level. Will keep you updated, do not fire on Lat. 47.9 N., Long 4 35 E.

Current status of Pelion's Pub/Unknown Rock Dome is unclear, primary threat may be being held back. May be building power. Wait for update before firing on those coordinates. We must make sure nothing goes wrong, lest we end the world.

Your service is appreciated.

[b][u]END.[/u][/b] [/center][/quote]

Strategist nodded, biting her lower lip before passing the missive back to the Petty Officer. "Pass the word to the gun-plotting room; have the fleet adjust our firing plans for this exception ... As well for our now many-fold foe." Turning her scowling eyes back to the horizon, she didn't acknowledge the officer's salute, or the clamp of feet against the bridge's deck as he disappeared below.

"Trouble, ma'am?" CTN Bacon inquired by Strategist's side, his eyes glued to the rear of his binoculars.
"An [b][i]apocalypse's worth[/i][/b], if that last communique is right." Strategist replied. "I only hope we're up to the mark, intelligence or not. We [i]have to be[/i]."

She turned to the recently-arrived Carley, her eyes reflecting momentary sorrow at their dilemma, before she nodded in apology. "I ... I normally am not one for big rallying speeches." She snorted in self-loathing. "Actually, I'm not good at much outside of the Navy and Empire I've known and loved. But, if this somehow goes keel-up and we don't make it out of here alive ..."

The Servant leaned one hand on the pommel of her cutlass, extending the other glove-covered hand to Carley. "Know that I - [b]Fleet Admiral of the Royal Navy Johanna Arburthnot Fisher[/b] - have been deeply honored to have been both your sword and your Servant. And come what may, the Navy - [i]my Navy[/i] - will fight to the [i]last round[/i] and until the last keel is claimed by the depths."