Azur Lane: Savior

As the fleet approached the Aleutian defense line, the clouds which had blocked the skies for months suddenly parted, the water shimmering under the sun's bright glow. Greynar peeked through the ship's window, looking at the row of wall standing side by side. As what the command said about the weather on Bering Sea, it looks like they are welcomed to the place with the parting clouds from above. 

He went outside to feel the chill air from the winter place. The uniform jacket he wore is the special uniform to withstand the cold temperature. Even going outside was no more than a walk in the park during the negative degree of the weather. Hoping that the upcoming battle to the stronghold went successful, he noticed the sharp drop in temperature as they going deep into the northern region. 

"Heeeyyy~ Commander you're wide open! Hah!" Saratoga gestured her hand as one of her plane darted across the command ship as it blasted the deck with frigid air and a spray of sea water. 

Some of the water got into the Commander's body. He looked at Saratoga as she laughed at him. "You little—!" He glanced at Volga's rigging that seemed to ready to blast their mouth to Saratoga's body. "Volga use ice beam!" He commanded with his hand pointing at Saratoga.

"-Ahahaha... Huh—!" Saratoga got caught in the spray of ice particle as soon she turned behind to see what was the Commander saying.

The Commander smirked as his revenge attack was a success blow to the small carrier. "Justice served!"

Volga could only chuckle at the playful banter between the Commander and the petite girl. Saratoga recovered from the attack as she brush off the snowy dust from her hair, she turned to the Commander in a pout. "No fair Commander! That was not in the rules of playing!"

"My rules of playing is to not follow any rule," he said with a smug face. "Do you follow? Because i don't!" 

Saratoga groaned in agreement. "That's one way to say not to follow any rules." She clicked her mouth then gazed to the front. The massive ice structure was already in sight. "Anyway now's not the time to be spacing out! We're about to head into battle, you know? There's a massive Siren stronghold waiting for us just ahead!"

"Right... I just couldn't help to think how calm the sea is. I think Northern Parliament has really done a good job on clearing out the Siren from their territory." He said while standing on the edge of railing of his ship.

"Hmph! You know what they say, the calmer things appear on the outside, the bigger the conspiracy within!" Saratoga replied, she glanced again at the waters around them. "But, this is a bit unusual. We're practically knocking at their front door and they haven't gone attack yet."

"Hmm... Looks like what they said about that thing is correct!" Hornet chimed in. "The Siren Fortress is a good target~!"

"After what happened to NY City, the command really prioritized clearing small or medium Siren stronghold within the territory." South Dakota commented. 

"Heh. After the misery they put us through, it's only fair for us to return the favor by crashing their party." Hornet grinned, she looked at the giant ice structure while gesturing a finger gun. "And we are tasked clearing it, Boom~" She said nonchalantly.

"Then the next major operation for all of us will be halted until we clear out most of the Siren's stronghold." The Commander joined in. "All of us in Azur Lane will likely to participate, and it will be one of the biggest counterattack."

Saratoga slowly nodded. "There's nothing we can do about it. Everyone is still a little frustrated after the Long Island defense incident... What we need now is an inspiring victory!" She clenched her fist in excitement. "Though i did not expect for Northern Parliament to ask us for a joint operation against this thing."

"It makes you wonder what is really this Siren Fortress, the area here seems stable but they suddenly asked us to have a joint operation." Hornet slowly lowered her voice. "It's suspicious enough why they haven't take this matter personally themselves."

"I think it was because of the nature of this place?" Volga chimed in.

Hornet tilted her head to the auburn-haired girl. "Like what? Mind explaining it?"

"Well when i was with the Commander, i've looked into details about some places in Northern Parliament. This place actually falls under the jurisdictions of both the San Diego Naval HQ and the Karaginsky Naval Command." Volga explained.

The gear inside her clicked as soon she finished the explanation. "Ah- Because this place is under two faction, it's a bit troublesome to conduct an operation here, that's why they invited us to here, right?" 

"Correct~" Saratoga replied. "Furthermore, based upon the records of joint operations conducted in the past, neither side has been particularly keen on deploying a main fleet to an area of such low strategic interest."

South Dakota nodded in agreement. "And talking about conducting an operation, this is because of the command's order to prioritize any potential threats from Siren. That's why they invited us here."

"That's also why Cleveland's group already left before us," the carrier looked straight to the defense line using her recon plane. "We already entering the area of naval base. Commander we must seize victory right here!" 

As they sailed a bit further, Saratoga sent a message to Cleveland to notice them about their arrival. As soon the command ship is parked on the dockyard, Avrora was the one who greeted them on the edge of the dock. 

"Commander, and my friends from the Eagle Union, welcome to the Aleutian defense line." Avrora politely said.

"Hey there, Avrora." Greynar waved at her.

"ЗДравствуйте (hello), it's been a while, Commander." She smiled kindly at him.

Saratoga was surprised to see her friend here. "Avrora? Weren't you in charge of securing aid and supplies between the Royal Navy?" 

The girl chuckles. "Hehe, excluding the Commander and Volga, this is basically everyone's first visit to the Northern Parliament, so i'm the most suitable person to be the receptionist."

"Hello Avrora~" Volga went to her as she gave her a hug. 

Avrora reciprocate her hug back.  "Hey there Volga, i hope you're doing well."

"Mmm..! I've been doing well, it's just there's a lot of thing going on back in Eagle Union." The auburn carrier replied her with a smile.

As they parted away from the hug, Avrora gestured them to follow her. "Once again, i welcome all of you to Northern Parliament. I will also be participating in the operation." 

"Hee~ we're going to need all the good help we can get for a large operation like this!" Hornet whistled looking at the inside of the building. 

Stopping in front, Avrora kindly asked them to wait and take a seat as she served them a hot tea to cool down. After a while she took out some food with the help of a girl. 

"I'd like to introduce Pamiat Merkuria, one of the fellow members of the Northern Parliament." The twin-braided girl said.

Pamiat greeted them with a wide smile. "Hello there~ this is my first time meeting all of you. I'm the light cruiser, Pamiat Merkuria. Nice to meet you~!"

Saratoga, Hornet and South Dakota greeted her perspectively. Pamiat glanced at Greynar and also greeted him. "Hello again Commander! Seems you and Volga really got some things going on back at Eagle Union." The cruiser gave a wry smile.

The Commander let out a huge sigh. "Pretty much, the Siren attack and all. But it's all good." He smiled at her and gave her a reassurance.

"Anyway, don't worry, that won't happen here. That snowy stronghold over there won't attack until we get within a certain distance, so there's no chance of them launching an offensive here." Pamiat said while gestured at the giant ice structure that could be seen from the dock.

"I see... But how can you be so sure that they won't take the initiative?" Saratoga asked the girl.

"Well we've never observed any attacks from the stronghold, it appeared shortly after the disappearance of our first White Tower and the structure has been there for as long as we remembered." Avrora explained. "That's why it has been deemed as low-threat target, because of its nature to not attack if wasn't provoked."

"Have you ever tried to do an operation about that structure?" Hornet curiously asked. 

"Although we tried to attack several times, we were unable to mobilize enough fleets to match the power of the stronghold. Regrettably, we are quite ashamed about how little progress we've been able to make..." Avrora let out a dry laugh as she looked in dejected.

Saratoga patted her in the back, assuring the silver-haired girl. "Don't worry about it! See, you have us as a backup now~!"

Avrora glanced at the petite frame girl and slowly nodded. "Thank you, i will be depend on your assistance then." 

The Cleveland group appeared shortly after, Cleveland greeted the fleet. "Yo, Commander! I'm glad you finally made it. I've been getting bored!"

"Hello Cleveland, Montplier, Columbia..." He waved at them. "How was the winter temperature?"

Columbia replied. "A bit cold for me, but it got a nice view, hehe~"

"My sister a bit goofball when it comes to view, but it got pretty good temperature." Montplier commented.

"Heeeyyy... Montplier." Columbia eyed on her with a squint.

"Haha, seeing now that all of us is here now, should we discuss about our plan?" Avrora suggested as she took a small step.

"Right, since i'm not really familiar with the area around here, can you help me, Avrora?" Saratoga kindly asked the girl.

"Alright then, let's discuss about our plan~" Avrora replied.

"Umm..." Hornet spoke out in concern. "Are you two the only ones here from the Northern Parliament?" She was curious as to why it was only two ships that Northern Parliament sent.

Pamiat scratched her hair in embarrassment. "Ahaha... It's a bit embarrassing to admit, but the others are still tied up by some unfinished business in the Arctics... Though they will join us as soon they are done with their business." 

Avrora added. "We'll be joining you on the first phase of the attack. The second phase will start as soon our comrades linked with us from their Arctic mission."

South Dakota silently murmured. "You know... nothing creeps me out more than when the Sirens are sitting there not doing anything..." She rolled her eye when she glanced at the giant ice structure.