Azur Lane: Savior

The joint-fleets was surprised by the huge iceberg that emerged from below the water. Especially with Saratoga and the Eagle Union fleets, they were separated from Greynar the moment they caught off guard by the rumbling water. It was as if the Sirens knew that they were now rendered useless without the Commander. 

"What's going on..." Columbia recovered from her dizziness and looked at the iceberg separating them from the Commander. "What the hell is this thing."

"...A giant iceberg?" Montplier clicked her tongue. "Way to go for us to be trapped here."

"Is everyone alright? Where's the Commander?" Cleveland looked around to check everyone from the fleets, but some of them missing including the command ship.

"Urgghhh... I feel dizzy..." Saratoga shook her head to shake off her dizziness. "Where's the other? Did we get separated?"

Hornet carefully placed her hand on the surface of the iceberg, examining it from up-close. "A huge wall of ice, the Siren really did set a trap for us here."

South Dakota also took some look to the giant iceberg that seemed to be expanding to the side. "The Commander and Northern Parliament fleet might be also be on the other side of this thing."

"Columbia, can you try to use your communicator to contact Commander?" Cleveland turned to her sister.

The girl in question shook her head. "I've tried, but Commander's communicator is not responding. Other channels are also buzzing, looks like the interference is jammed here."

"Then we can try to rely on our aircraf- Woahh!!" As Saratoga flew her plane on top of the iceberg, it was shot down immediately by an anti-air weapon. 

"There are anti-air on this wall?!" Hornet was surprised and stepped back from the iceberg.

"No, it's not a simple anti-air." South Dakota corrected the blonde twintail. "This seems to be the part of the stronghold, this entire iceberg is the defense mechanism." 

"We're in a bit of trouble then..." Saratoga frowned.

"How about we look for another way out? We have to get out of here before we're within their cannon range," Cleveland suggested.

Saratoga cursed under her breath. "Damn it! Let's find another route, and hope the Commander is safe."

The Eagle Union fleet quickly retreated, searching for an alternative escape route. They were ambushed by Siren forces along the way, forcing them to fight for their lives. Meanwhile, the Northern Parliament fleet and Greynar were stranded outside the stronghold, unable to contact the Eagle Union fleet for assistance.

"Commander! Commander!!" Pamiat was shaking his unconscious body to wake him up. "Commander! WAKE UP!" 

"Pamiat stop, he won't wake up if you did it like that." Volga stopped her.

The black-haired cruiser stepped back, allowing the auburn-haired carrier to bend down and gently pinch the Commander's cheek. "Commander, please wake up."

"...Is that how you do it." Pamiat asked with a curious glance at her.

"W-well it usually works-" The carrier wryly smiled. Then, the Commander truly did fluttered his eye open after she said it.

"Shit..." Greynar groaned. "I think i just hit my head too hard..." 

The two girl sighed in relief as they watch their Commander gain consciousness. Volga was the first one to react as she put his head on her lap. Pamiat went to help Avrora who was still fighting due to the sudden enemy attack around them. The Northern Parliament girls was quick to destroy the enemies, but they aren't gonna give them a break with their infinite appearance.

"V-volga..." The Commander called out to her.

"Yes, i'm here Commander." Volga replied with a warm smile.

"Ughh... Where are the others? What is happening right now?" He raised his body slowly from her care and looked around.

Pamiat went closer to his ship and explained to him. "Short story, we're separated from your Eagle Union fleet and now your command ship has sunk due to the water got inside the ship when that iceberg appeared. There's good news and bad news, whichever ya want to hear first."

The Commander stood up from the ground. "Alright... Give me the bad news first."

Pamiat then told him. "Bad news is, this whole region became a Mirror Sea after that iceberg showed up, and we can't establish contact with the Eagle Union girls."

"Then the good news?" 

Before Pamiat could continue, Avrora interjected them. "Safe the good news for the last! We need to get out of from the enemy quickly! They're almost closing in on us!"

Pamiat silently nodded. "Since you're awake, I'll leave the commanding to you!"

Greynar quickly assessed the situation and ordered the mass-produced fleet to attack the main force advancing from the enemy's backline. The Siren forces proved to be much stronger than anticipated, attacking relentlessly from all sides. The girls shielded Greynar from incoming fire, while Volga struggled to control the air with a slight disadvantage due to the overwhelming number of enemy carriers.

Avrora and Pamiat fought desperately to maintain their line and escape the dangerous situation. They unleashed a barrage of bullets at the Siren Destroyers ahead and deployed their ASW gear to counter the submarines lurking below. As they exhausted their ammunition and equipment, Pamiat groaned in frustration, her shots becoming less effective.

"Ahhh...!! This is too troublesome! I can't hold on any longer!" Pamiat exclaimed as she fired another shot. "Avrora! Is there any way we can break through this mess?!"

"Hang on a little longer!" Avrora replied, her face showing signs of exhaustion. "I've received word that the main fleet will be here soon!"

'Main fleet? Surely this is the time where Rossiya and her girls will appear. We just need to hold a bit longer.'  The Commander silently commented. 'And that radio...' He glanced at a black box that Avrora seemed to hold on her hand. 'Observer probably was the one who spread it around.'

As the fleet seemed to be on their limit...

"Sorry, Commander. I don't think my plane can hold out much longer!" Volga responded, her breath heavy with exhaustion.

"Me too... My turret is... Exhausted..." Pamiat also agreed with the carrier.

Avrora's radio beeped twice, drawing her attention to the figures approaching in the distance. Beyond the horizon, through the icy winds sweeping across the frozen ocean, a group of girls clad in white winter uniforms emerged. Their ranks included destroyers, cruisers, and battleships. While their silhouettes were unmistakably human, their auras were anything but; they moved like a majestic wave of steel, their presence a reassuring sight.

The riggings they wore exuded an extraordinary air, markedly different from Pamiat's or Avrora's but akin to Volga's. The weight and ruggedness of their equipment seemed to channel the biting cold of the Arctic North, with an otherworldly blue light occasionally seeping from the gaps between their black iron plates. The Northern Parliament's Polar fleet has saved them from the Sirens attack.

One of their turret slowly aimed towards the enemy in front of the Commander's fleet. They fired their bullets as it gave off an icy breeze that freezed the enemy instantly and shattered them. Rossiya and her fleet who were communicating with Avrora through the radio comms gave a signal to the fleet to immediately move.

Looking at the hint, the Commander immediately moved the entire fleet to rendezvous with them. 

"How's that for a timely entrance!" The northern destroyer, Minsk, mocked the Siren fleets. "They're no match for our powerful bullets!"

"Figures you won't be able to do it with just you two, we were lucky that we finished off fast on the mission." Tashkent, the 'blue cruiser' titled destroyer glanced at the two cruiser who almost died to the relentless attack by Sirens.

"Hahaha! Is this what those new Siren model could do?" Gangut, the passionate-thrill-seeking battleship commented at the blue enemies in front of them. "Surely they're just a mere joke in front of my turrets!"

"Mmm... кролик is also raring for a fight..." Grozny, Arctic Bunny destroyer commented, readied her rigging.

"Pamiat, Avrora, sorry if we're late. It seems like we made it in the knick of time though." Rossiya glanced at the Siren ships on the distance and their surrounding.

Kirov, the northern knight cruiser chimed in. "We already have some understanding of the battle situation. It’s been must be hard for you guys to fight on this situation." The cruiser glanced at Greynar that she assume to be the Commander and apologized to him for being late.

He replied with a polite wave. "No don't be sorry, you guys saved us, that's already something im grateful for."

Then someone came behind him and tapped his shoulder. "Sorry for butting in, but the enemy is slowly approaching us." The blue short-haired beauty, Chapayev smiled at him. "You can sit back and leave the enemies to us." She also glanced to Avrora and Pamiat.

"Alright then, if you say so..." Greynar silently sat on the deck with all of his strength leaving. 

Pamiat also spoke. "I guess i'll do that also." The cruiser went up to the mass-produced ship and rest on the deck opposite of Greynar. "I'll let you guys do the hard task, my rigging are worn out right now." Pamiat gestured Volga and Avrora to also rest on the ship. Both of them complied and went up to the ship.

The carrier sat beside Greynar and leaned to his shoulder while Avrora sat with Pamiat to charge their energy. 

"I'm beated up..." The Commander groaned. 

"Same... Those purples are really strong..." Pamiat replied.

"Anyway, those things are new for us. It would be bad if they are spread around the world." Greynar commented on their previous battle, it was almost a life or death battle against many enemies.

"Then shall we analyze it during the fight with the main fleet?" Avrora suggested. 

"Sounds good, i'll rest for a second." Greynar turned to the girl beside him. "Volga can you try to use your recon plane? I need a visual for the battle with purple Sirens."

"Alrighty~" Volga stood up slowly and partially summoned her rigging to launch the recon plane. 

Pamiat and Avrora went closer to the carrier to see the current on-going battle with the main fleets, the purple Siren fleets is a strong enemy that they just fought. Both side exchanged firepower with powerful strength. It was not matter of firepower, but a matter of endurance to see which side that worn out first. After some time, the concentrated fire from Northern Parliament quickly swallowed the whole Siren force in a matter of minutes. It was a quick battle, like they knew their weakpoints. 

After finishing their battle, Kirov was the first one to introduce her name to him on the ship.

"Здравствуй, comrade! The name's Kirov! Is this your first time seeing our fleet in action?" Kirov smirked, the aftermath of the battle was something she liked to show on someone that has never seen their battle tactics.

The Commander silently nodded and greeted her back. "Glad to be working with you, Kirov," he shook her hand.

"Likewise, we'll be working together for some time." Kirov replied. "If you were surprised by what you saw, don't be shy and just give it to us straight! After all, you're no longer in the Eagle Union, comrade! We'd be glad to listen to anything you have to say!"

"Then before we get to that, let's get you acquainted with everyone here. The one who should do the honors is... the leader of the fleet!" Kirov eyed at Rossiya to introduce herself.

"Nice to meet you, Commander. I am the Soviet Rossiya, one of the largest and strongest battleships of the Northern Parliament." Rossiya went closer and shook his hand. "The fleet led by me and now in front of you is part of the Northern Parliament's most elite fleet, the Polar Fleet." 

"The Polar fleet... I'll bear that in mind."

"You've met Pamiat and Avrora so second introduction is not needed." Rossiya then started to introduce their members. "First of all is Kirov. Her participation in this operation will be limited, but I'd at least like you to remember her face."

"That's right. We'll get to fight together next time." Kirov wear a proud smile on her face.

After that, next was the blue-haired beauty. "...This is Chapayev. She's mastered her equipment better than any of us have. Also... I'd advise you to not get on her bad side." Rossiya warned with a wry smile.

Chapayev showed what Rossiya mentioned. "I brought my bridle with me just in case. Anyway, let's get along~" She greeted him with a polite smile.

Greynar suddenly shuddered, he got chills but was still polite not to show it. "Nice to meet you, Chapayev."

The cruiser smiled brightly. "Likewise, Commander."

The they shift to another girl. "Over here is Gangut. She acts hot-blooded and headstrong, but she's actually quite caring." Rossiya introduce her with a warm smile.

"Ahahahaha! Let's fight together, Comrade Commander!" Gangut smiled widely and shook his hand. "Interesting, your grip is as strong as a sword handle. All the more to look forward for your performance!" The woman laughed.

"Glad to be working with you, Gangut." The Commander smiled. "I saw your battle, i look forward for the incoming one."

"This is Tashkent. She was born in Sardegna, nicknamed the Sky Blue Cruiser, is one of our proud comrades." Rossiya introduced the destroyer with a proud look.

Tashkent looked up to him with a curious expression. "Tashkent will be watching you. Let Tashkent see what you are capable of, dear comrade."

"...Dear?" The Commander titled his head in confusion.

"Haha... don't ready too much into it, all right?" Chapayev chuckled, she patted the girl's head. "It looks like Tashkent is interested in you."

The Commander didn't pay mind into it and went to the next person. Rossiya introduced her. "Then we have, Grozny. I'd advise you to stay away from her Кроли."

"Rabbit... Killer...?" He looked at the small destroyer that wore a bunny hat.

The destroyer nodded. "Yes... This is my кролик (rabbit). A cute убийца (killer)."

Then they went to the last person. "Finally, this is Minsk. Her imagination can be a bit whimsical, but also helpful at times. Hopefully she can offer you some new insights."

"Ehehe, pleased to meet you, Commander!" The girl smiled with enthusiast, she gave him a peace sign with her hand.

After that all of them looked at him varying different emotion and genuine reaction. The Commander was a bit overwhelmed with the introduction but also glad that it went well. He knew that the Northern Parliament wasn't really behind in term of their fighting power, but they are an ally to be reckoned with how their strategy work. 

Avrora and Pamiat wasn't behind either, they're also the veteran of war. They are all a bunch of interesting girls with a different personalities. Seeing it in-person was unlike what he expect, especially with how he was always with Volga everyday. His impression of Northern Parliament was significantly arose.

"Then, according to the headquarters' order, the joint operations fleet should be under unified command by the Commander, comrade. Please take over the command now." Rossiya said, she looked at him with eye full of hope.

He expected it and nodded. "Yeah, i will... leave the rest of the entire command to me. I will make sure to get us to the best outcome."

The battleship, smiled, she was brimming with energy. "Thank you, Comrade! We are glad to follow your orders."