Azur Lane: Euphoria

Ch53: Hello...Sister!

<< Jean's POV >> (Vichya Dominion)

I'm standing with everyone, preparing for our supposed attack on our friends. Everyone's fidgeting and rightly so. None of us wants to do this but at the same time, we all understand that if the 2nd Fleet which is stationed nearby intervenes because of our reluctance, all our friends will be killed. I've tried reasoning with the Iris Libre girls still stationed in the northernmost part of the continent but they've outright refused. I asked for my sister but it seems she's not there either or at the very least, she's not speaking to me right now. 

Dunkerque: Let's just get it over w-

A portal opens behind us and to everyone's amazement and my relief, Richelieu comes through. Behind her, Genesis also steps through and releases her chains which were tightly wrapped around my sister. 

Genesis: She's all yours but I must remind you, if your task is not completed soon, there are other fleets on stand by to carry out it in the most efficient way possible.

With that, she goes back through the portal and it closes. I know what she's referring to. Their "efficient" way is to kill everything that moves, thus eliminating the need to garrison the location immediately. According to the plans we'd spoken about, this region is not a part of their plans and as such, they'd have no problem blasting it off the map. 

Me: I'm happy to see you're safe. I was a bit worried when they said you weren't here. 

When she doesn't instantly reply, I know something's wrong. She goes off about how she thought I was better and that my actions have caused some of Iris Libre's girls to die. I stand listening patiently but when she starts verbally attacking the other Vichya Dominion girls as well, I lose all semblance of control.

Me: Don't even try that! It's one thing to blame everything on me like I'm the cause for your problems. It's another thing entirely to bring everyone else into this or are you forgetting WE DO NOT BELONG TO THE SAME COUNTRY ANYMORE? 

Richelieu: You-

Me: I'm not done. You've had your fill now shut up and listen. We are all here because we care about you all, that's it. The Queen, or rather Empress, gave us a choice to save you or watch you all die and we obviously took the former. Now, there are two fleets from Pacifica within the Mediterranean under strict orders that if you do not comply, everyone will die. So don't give me that B.S. about loyalty to country. My only concern right now is your survival and that of the girls under your charge. Who gives a crap about some overseas territory you are currently occupying? 

Monique: [Jean, this is Monique. Be advised, the 2nd Fleet has already eliminated all potential threats within the Sardegna Empire and is now heading your way. If you cannot get them to accept your terms before there arrival, we'll proceed with Plan B.] 

Me: Listen sister. I know you are smart so you'll see the good in this. They are offering us a chance to start over. We are being allowed to be independent of their Empire and if you join us, you'll be too. We can start over and rule together like we always dreamed of as free individuals. 

Richelieu: Why would I trust anything they say? Isn't that what Iron Blood said to you, to us?

Me: Perhaps but haven't you seen? They conquered us but didn't sink any of our ships. They also didn't seize control of our nation. Instead, they merely used our ports as an allied port and continued on their way. 

Richelieu: What of the many fleets that were stationed in the port?

Me: There to protect us from Crimson Axis retaliation and perform missions without having to travel all the way from Pacifica. 

Richelieu: Well, even so, they've already sunk our girls while we were in Royal Navy. What's stopping them from doing it here? 

Me: If it concerns you so much, the girls you "lost" will be returned to me once the war is over. 

Richelieu: What are you talking about? 

Me: They're going to be bringing everyone back the same they did Hood. 

Richelieu: You can't expect me to believe that. If it were true, why sink them in the first place?

Me: Would you simply allow them to take control like we did or fight to your last dying breath?

Richelieu: Well-

Me: Exactly. They can't afford to push forward and have you all interfering with their plans to rescue their Princesses and eliminate the threat which started all this. Hence, it is much better to wipe you all out entirely and then proceed with the real plan instead of-

Richelieu: That actually makes sense. Especially since we were negotiating with the ASHES.

Me: You were what?

Richelieu: Well, one came to us with one of the Princesses you speak of in tow and said she'd hand them both over in exchange for Enterprise. 

Me: Enterprise?

Richelieu: I thought it weird too but some of the others seemed to think Pacifica was only attacking because it's searching for its own. In which case, if we gave them back, they'd stop attacking. Of course, the meeting hadn't been going on for long when Pacifica attacked and wiped out 3/4 of all the ships stationed there at the time. They secured their Princess alongside me and that ASHES girl and the rest is history.

Me: I had no idea. Still, why do the ASHES want Enterprise...?

Richelieu: No clue, but if what you said is true then have them know that we'll surrender but not to them. To you. 

Me: That works for me. [Monique, we're done.]

Monique: [Understood.]