Azur Lane Base, Pearl Harbor
June 12, 1942
7:00 AM
The room was similar to a 1940's US Military War Room. Shipgirls from the Azur Lane faction and Naval Officers gathered at a table filled with documents and photos.
A map of Japan, or the Sakura Empire, was being projected onto the wall by a projector. The map was dotted with colorful markings. Red markings indicated valuable targets, such as Military Bases, Military Factories, Supply Lines, and Fuel Depots.
"I have a question. Why is diplomacy in Plan C?" Adm. Philips asked, confused as to why it wasn't Plan A.
"Yes. This bothers me too," Wales added, equally confused.
"Why are there Plan A, Plan B, and Plan C?" Queen Elizabeth asked, wondering why there were multiple plans to bomb the Sakura Empire and why diplomatic talks were placed last.
Both looked to the Americans, seeking answers. Why had they placed diplomacy at the end?
Lucas spoke in a sarcastic voice. "Plan A is to bomb the enemy, Plan B is to bomb the enemy with twice the amount, and Plan C is to conduct diplomacy. Easy as pie."
"Well, the original plan was to bomb the enemy into submission and then conduct diplomacy later. So, that's why Azur Lane will conduct diplomatic talks first. But if they still refuse... Let's just go with 'my' plan to bomb them to kingdom come," Enterprise-80 explained.
Frigate Belfast mumbled under her breath. "Typical America."
Cruiser Belfast, standing beside her, heard her mumbling. "What do you mean 'typical America'?"
"You'll see when the operation commences," she said with a slight smile.
Cruiser Belfast didn't understand what she was referring to; she would just have to wait to find out what she meant.
Warspite was concerned about the Modern Kansens' behavior, observing them. The American Kansens' demeanor became increasingly sinister regarding the bombing, while JS Maya was filled with concern about the plan.
"Well, our Plan A is to bomb the Sakura Empire's valuable infrastructure and military buildings, without causing any civilian casualties," Bunker Hill-76 explained.
Everyone agreed with Plan A, as it was a simple plan that excluded civilians from the attack.
"And Plan B is just like Plan A, but with twice the amount of destruction. And with the authorization to use Thermobaric Bombs."
"Thermobaric Bombs?!" The two Admirals and several Shipgirls asked in surprise.
"Ma'am, are you really going to use that? What about the devastation, and how would the Sakurans react if we use such a weapon?" JS Maya asked, concerned about the well-being of the Empire's civilians.
Enterprise-80 sighed. "I know you're worried about the citizens of the Sakura Empire. But sometimes, we have to send them a message that we are not to be trifled with. And our words should have force behind them... Arizona reported that the people in the Empire are nationalistic and supremacist... That bomb is a sufficient message to convince them."
Bunker Hill-76 spoke to reassure JS Maya about the use of the Thermobaric Bomb. "The bomb is only limited to military targets, not civilians."
JS Maya interjected. "But still, using it is barbaric."
Japan was one of the countries that signed a treaty banning the use of Thermobaric Weapons in war. Thermobaric Bombs were banned by the international community, but most superpower nations kept them in storage in case they were needed.
Queen Elizabeth chimed in. "Umm. Excuse me. What is this... thermo... baric bomb?" She was having a hard time pronouncing 'thermobaric'.
Enterprise-80 glanced at Bunker Hill-76 and nodded. Bunker Hill-76 explained the thermobaric bomb.
"A Thermobaric weapon, also called an aerosol bomb or vacuum bomb, is a type of explosive munition that works by dispersing an aerosol cloud of gas, liquid, or powder explosive. In short, thermobaric weapons are used to create a large blast wave to eliminate their target."
Bunker Hill-76 held her forehead and sighed. "Damn it! This is William's field for explaining scientific stuff," she muttered under her breath.
Frigate Belfast simply explained to the Queen for clarity. "It was made to destroy or neutralize hardened targets, such as bunkers and caves."
Queen Elizabeth looked up at her and nodded, still feeling the pressure of Frigate Belfast's gaze. "O...kay..."
Enterprise-80 pressed a remote button to show them the destructive capability of the bomb. The projector showed testing footage of thermobaric bombs. The footage showed a house being obliterated by a pressure wave, and then a mannequin being shredded by the blast wave.
Shipgirls and Naval Officers' jaws dropped at the sight of the thermobaric weapon's devastation. The blast wave was enough to destroy an entire building and shred anyone in its path.
Bunker Hill-76 continued. "We only have one bomb, the JADM BLU-118/B. It is slated for decommissioning in our world, as we developed new, more powerful, and efficient bombs. We also ordered more because of the current Siren threat."
"Wait. You ordered more Thermobaric Bombs because of the Sirens?" Adm. Nimitz asked, surprised that they brought more.
"Yes. If we're going to fight an unknown entity, we might as well be armed enough to face it," Enterprise-80 replied, thinking about how to give the Sirens a big blast.
"We intend to use it only if things get out of hand. It's only for emergency scenarios."
The Shipgirls breathed a sigh of relief that it was only intended for emergency scenarios and not extensive use. They all knew they would use it a lot when it came to the Sirens.
"How can you build such a weapon with this kind of destructive power?" Wales asked, thinking about the devastation Thermobaric Bombs could cause in dense residential areas.
Laffey-200 spoke. "Nothing stokes human creativity greater than killing someone they don't like."
– The Fat Electrician quotes –
Everyone looked at her with disbelief that she would say such words. Others, who knew her tendency to be blunt, didn't react.
"Is she always like that?" Queen Elizabeth asked, hiding behind Wales. She glanced at the red eyes of the Killer Bunny.
"Yes, Your Majesty. She's always like that. But she doesn't kill someone without my permission," Enterprise-80 answered, giving a smirk.
Queen Elizabeth and the others in the room still doubted her word, looking at the Bunny Girl's poker face.
Bunker Hill-76 explained Laffey-200's situation. "Laffey Class Guided Missile Destroyers are born from the threats that America faces in the Pacific. She's armed to the teeth with various weaponry and electronic sensors. She was meant to replace the Ticonderoga Cruisers and Flight 1 Arleigh Burkes. Laffey is made to destroy or eliminate all those who threaten America's interests, without hesitation."
"So, she's like Roon..." Illustrious spoke, pondering.
"Yeah. I'm having the same thought about her being Roon," Adm. Philips said.
"Is she one of those crazy psychotic bitches?" Lucas asked, holding his chin.
Adm. Nimitz and Adm. Philips looked at each other and back at him. "Yes," they said in unison.
"By the way. How did you get these high-quality photos of the Sakura Empire? This is high quality even by today's standards," Wales asked, looking at one of the photos.
Everyone was also looking at the high-resolution photos of the valuable and military targets and Shipgirls.
They were all amazed by the photos' high resolution. Queen Elizabeth and the rest were examining the quality.
"After last night's attack, I sent Arizona to the Sakura Empire to conduct reconnaissance for targets in any future missions," Enterprise-80 said.
"So, that's where you sent him," Adm. Nimitz said, remembering Arizona's departure from the port in the early morning.
"My... this is quite a lot of information for such a short amount of time. I'm intrigued," Queen Elizabeth said, amazed by the amount of information gathered.
"This information is quite sensitive; even our Maids couldn't gather this much," Wales commented.
"Is this all the photos he got? This is too many photos in just a short amount of time," Warspite said, amazed by his reconnaissance performance. She looked at a picture showing the Munition Factories, Shipyards, and Military Bases.
"Actually... that's not all of it," Lucas said uncertainly.
"What do you mean?" Warspite asked, anticipating something foolish.
Lucas pulled out another envelope and placed the other photos on the table. The contents were even more sophisticated than any location of Sakuran Military Bases and Military-Heads, with their ranks and backgrounds. Arizona also captured some controversial projects, such as what they were looking at now.
"That bastard got his priorities straight," Lucas exclaimed, holding out a photo of certain Fox-Girls talking with familiar faces among Azur Lane.
Everyone in the room was alarmed by the discovery of such transactions happening without the Sakura Empire's knowledge. The deal was treasonous to humanity's eyes.
"This is treacherous! Making a deal with a Siren? Have they lost their minds?!" Wales fumed.
"It is indeed treacherous. I want to know their motives," Hood inquired.
"None currently. Arizona is cautious around these types of Kansens because of their animalistic features. He is careful not to get captured," Enterprise-80 said.
Queen Elizabeth tugged Cruiser Belfast's apron. She looked down at the Queen. "Yes, Your Majesty?"
"Bel... This guy intrigues me. I want you to make an appointment with this guy. I want to know more details before I could conduct any deals," she said in a low rumble.
Cruiser Belfast bowed. "As you wish, Your Majesty."
Apparently, the Queen herself was intrigued by his spying capabilities and wanted further details about him before conducting any transactions conducted under the table.
Enterprise-80 continued the discussion. "So, about the diplomatic matters. We will send JS Maya as the diplomat to persuade the Sakurans, and Lucas will be her security at the Empire."
Everyone looked at JS Maya, who froze and made a noise. "EH!" She didn't expect to be the diplomat.
"We will send you to represent America and Japan. And also, they have a similar culture to Japan, so... you will be a diplomat. Starting tomorrow."
"We will also send Langley as Azur Lane's diplomat to the Sakura Empire," Admiral Nimitz announced.
Langley flinched and made some noises. "EEEEEHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!"
Hornet interjected. "Why not send my big sister? She's good to represent us, right?"
"No, Hornet. Enterprise has more enemies at the Empire, especially their Carriers. Besides, she's injured," Cruiser Belfast explained. "And also, she's out of condition for making diplomatic talks."
Enterprise-6 wasn't keen on making diplomatic talks, preferring a more direct approach.
"I guess no matter what, Enterprise always has an enemy," Frigate Belfast spoke sarcastically, sipping her tea.
"Well... back in our world, I was the priority target to destroy the morale of the troops in the Pacific," Enterprise-80 said.
"What???" Hornet was surprised.
Bunker Hill-76 spoke. "That's the big threat facing Ships with a big name, such as Enterprise."
JS Maya was shaking with nervousness about the mission she was given, breathing heavily and sweating profusely. Her erratic breathing caught Lucas's attention.
Lucas placed his right hand on her left shoulder and spoke, trying to comfort her. "Don't worry, I'll assist you if the situation gets bad. So don't worry about it. Okay..." He gave a thumbs-up and smiled.
This made her even more nervous. "Y-Yeah, I'll do my b-best." She stuttered, blushing as Lucas looked at her.
Enterprise-80 explained the upcoming operation.
"Okay, tomorrow, we will sail to Sakuran waters and held territories. JS Maya, Lucas, and Langley will be flown over to Sakura to conduct diplomatic talks, in three days.
If diplomatic talks fail, 'Operation Rolling Thunder' commences. We will bomb the Sakura Empire's valuable targets and military bases.
I will strike the Sakuran Carriers to weaken their counterattack, and the Battleships and Carriers will bombard the ports and factories."
Everyone in the room responded. "YES. Ma'am."
~Time Skip~
After the meeting, Enterprise-80, Bunker Hill-76, and Frigate Belfast were left in the war room. Bunker Hill-76 and Frigate Belfast were putting the files and battle plans back into the briefcase.
Enterprise-80 stared at the projected map of the Sakura Empire, focusing on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
She had complicated thoughts about how to deal with the Empire if all three plans failed. She considered using the force that brought the Empire of Japan to its knees. If she did it here, would it be moral, or just outright murder of innocent people?
She hoped she wouldn't have to repeat the sin that her countrymen suffered the guilt from dropping the BOMB.
JS Maya waited at the door for the others to leave, remaining with Enterprise-80 in the dimly lit room.
Before JS Maya could approach, Enterprise-80 spoke. "I know why you're here. You want to talk to me personally about this matter."
She turned to face the saddened JS Maya. "I won't repeat the same mistake that my nation did to yours."
"I know..." JS Maya said, looking down. "If the use of force is moral, then..."
She took a deep breath and spoke. "I'll leave it to your judgment."
This sudden change of heart surprised Enterprise-80. She knew JS Maya was against the use of nukes, but this was something else.
"Why?" Enterprise-80 asked.
"You said all our words should be backed with force. I just thought they might not receive my words well," JS Maya said, knowing the people of the Sakura Empire and Imperial Japan were both radical and nationalist.
Enterprise-80 rested her right hand on JS Maya's shoulder. "I cannot promise you about not using nukes, but I can promise you I will make sure it doesn't happen."
"Thank you, Ma'am." JS Maya teared up, and Enterprise-80 comforted her.
Lucas and the rest of the Modern Kansens were listening to the conversation in the hallway. They were there to guard and stop anyone who might get close enough to overhear the conversation and the existence of the nuke.
USS Essex LHA-12
Essex-12 was gutting rubber ducks that she had ordered from William back in Norfolk, Virginia. She gutted them and placed frag grenades inside.
Denver-856 watched Essex-12 making her 'sandwich war crimes' and spoke. "Are you making some Quackbang Grenades?"
Essex-12 looked at her with a smug face. "Yes. Grenades sink in water, and rubber ducks float. So, if I put these two together, I have the perfect weapon to handle those Sakurans."
Denver-856 shrugged. "Maybe 'Quackbang Grenades' aren't mentioned in the Geneva Suggestion."
Then something came to Essex-12's mind. "Wait... does Geneva exist in this world?"
Denver-856 pondered. "I asked Cleveland about that topic before, and she said certain rules existed back then, before the Sirens invaded. Those rules fell out of existence as humanity fought off the alien invasion. And WW1 didn't happen, so certain War Crimes might be outside the Geneva Suggestion."
Their train of thought was interrupted by a hatch door opening. Laffey-200 entered, carrying a folder labeled 'Battle Plan'.
"Speaking of war crimes," Essex-12 muttered, glancing at her.
Laffey-200 slid the folder across the table to Essex-12. She caught the folder and unfolded it, reading the contents.
"So, basically, the plan is like Bomb Japan 2.0 with Vietnam and Gulf War mods?" Essex-12 exclaimed, lowering the folder.
"Seems like it," Laffey-200 remarked, not caring about the version of war.
"Fortunate Son will intensify. HAHAHA," Denver-856 said jokingly.
"Not quite," Laffey-200 said.
"EH!" The two were disappointed, expecting 'Fortunate Son' in the battle.
"So, I'm stuck with the trio, huh?" Lafayette exclaimed, reading the papers.
Lafayette was tasked with babysitting Laffey-459, Javelin, Charles Ausburne, Eldridge, and Unicorn. "Who in their right mind thinks I can babysit these Destroyers?"
Denver-856 nudged him. "Hah, good for you."
Lafayette rested his head on the table and mumbled. "I know you're responsible for this, Lucas." He groaned.
Lafayette was stuck on ASW duties with the Trio and the Beaver Squad. A squad of literal children 'with the will power of Friendship', Lafayette wasn't having any of that.
"You are tasked to be the Battleships' air cover and air support, while Miss Enterprise will do the striking role," Laffey-200 said.
"What! Why Battleships?" Essex-12 asked, surprised by Enterprise-80's decision to assign her to the standard Battleships.
"It has to be your 22-knot speed?"
"Damn. You're slow," Denver-856 commented.
"I guess bombarding the enemy's coast with Battleships is still cool..." Essex-12 said, somewhat disappointed.
Sakura Empire, Meeting Chamber
The entire chamber was filled with murmurs and shouting. In simple words, everything was in chaos. Military High-Ranks were pointing fingers at each other, blaming those responsible for the failed mission.
Musashi was not having any of this noise. Her forehead was filled with popping veins, and she snapped.
She then slammed her fist on the table and shouted, "SHUT! THE FUCK UP!!!!!!!" The 'SLAM' at the table and the shouts could be heard throughout the chamber.
Everyone stopped shouting and sat down, fixing themselves. Akagi bit her thumbnail as she sat down. PM Tojo was wiping his sweat from the blame he had just received.
"What should we do now... Lady Musashi?" Souryuu asked, as everyone looked at Musashi. Everyone was waiting for her response to this crisis.
Musashi held her brows as she thought for any answers. But someone shouted, which caught everyone's attention.
"We should finish Project Orochi to combat the New Carriers of Azur Lane. Besides, Orochi's main purpose is to combat larger threats. If that Carrier is a big threat, then it is fit to be crushed by Orochi itself," Akagi remarked, as half of the Military High-Ranks nodded in agreement.
"That project is dead, along with Admiral Nagumo!" Tojo exclaimed, as he hated Nagumo for putting all the Empire's resources into one big project.
Everyone was silent after hearing Nagumo's name. He was the one who proposed Project Orochi to fight the Sirens and the Alliance. But before Project Orochi was finished, he died last year in an operation against the Sirens, which led to Yamato's being out of action.
Musashi spoke while maintaining her stoic face, "We will use this extra time to prepare for the upcoming battle."
She then looked at Akagi. "Akagi, how many days before Project Orochi will be put to operational use?"
Akagi was surprised by Musashi's question, as she jolted back in shock in her seat. "Project Orochi is 80% complete. We just need two or three days to put it at 90% operational," she replied. She then smiled evilly, because her dreams of using Orochi were becoming real.
"Good. We just need to buy some time for our battle against the New Kansens of Azur Lane," Musashi remarked, and she looked at PM Tojo.
"Tojo, prepare the defenses of the Home Island for the upcoming battle." PM Tojo then bowed in acknowledgement.
"And Tojo, evacuate the civilians first, if fighting breaks out in the Sakura Empire." Musashi was looking at PM Tojo as if she didn't trust him.
"Souryuu, I want all the Carriers and Battleships in my office now. I need to brief them on this upcoming battle." Souryuu bowed and hurriedly ran to the door and the hallway meeting room.
"Eugen? When will the Iron Blood reinforcements arrive?" Eugen was leaning back in the chair, crossing her legs, and her right hand index finger was on her lips, while watching the commotion of the Military High-Ranks.
"Based on their current speed, they will reach Sakuran waters at 5:00 PM," Eugen replied, as she felt the weight of the pressure that Musashi was under.
"Shinano? Anything in your fortune telling?" Musashi asked, in anticipation of Shinano's dream.
"Nothing has changed. It's always the same. Maybe that Eagle is that Carrier.... zzzzzzzz" Shinano then fell asleep.
Sakura Tree Sacred Temple
Everyone was in Musashi's office: Akagi, Kaga, Souryuu, Hiryuu, Shoukaku, Zuikaku, Hiyou, Junyou, Taihou, Shinano, and Hakuryuu. They were looking at Musashi as she prepared a plan.
Musashi then spoke to get their attention. "Akagi and Kaga, I want the two of you to face this New Carrier named 'Enterprise', That may pose real threat to us." Akagi and Kaga bowed and looked at the battle plan.
"With Graf Zeppelin's support, you two, with Graf, just need to weaken its Fighters for Orochi to get a hit."
"Shinano and Hakuryuu, you will provide support to Akagi, Kaga, and Graf Zeppelin. If things go south, you two may join the fight."
Shinano and Hakuryuu nodded in acknowledgement.
"Souryuu, Hiryuu, Shoukaku, and Zuikaku, you four will face Azur Lane Carriers. And don't let any of their planes get through your defenses."
They both bowed. "HAI."
Zuikaku smiled, as she was going to fight Enterprise-6 in a 'grand battle' that she dreamed of. Shoukaku had a worried expression, seeing her sister's overconfidence and recklessness.
"Hiyou, Junyou, and Taihou, you three will protect the skies over the capital from any planes that pass our anti-air defenses."
"Finally, I can prove that I'm worthy of Shikikan-sama (Commander Shin)," Taihou happily remarked.
"No. I'm the one who will prove worthy of my childhood friend," Junyou interjected.
"Oh boy, here we go again," Hiryuu muttered.
Your 'neighborhood slut' and 'childhood friend' were not always getting along. They were like two kinds of chemical, both toxic. Everyone in Musashi's office watched these two having an argument about their love for the Commander.
Musashi had had enough of the two 'hoes' arguing about the Commander's love. They were in a peculiar and worst situation, and these two were arguing about their deep love for that asshole.
"Are you sure we are going to win?"
They all looked at the direction of the low voice, and they saw a girl being assisted by a woman at the entrance of her office.
Everyone shut their mouths as they saw the figure at the entrance of the office. All of them bore expressions of sympathy as they saw her condition.
"Lady Nagato and Lady Mikasa. I didn't know that you would be here?" Musashi asked, as she didn't know they were being watched by the two, without getting noticed by them.
Mikasa was wearing her typical clothing. Nagato was wearing her nightgown and pajamas over it, while her hair was messed up like she had just woken up in the morning.
"You guys are all focused on the upcoming battle that you forgot someone was watching you from behind. That is carelessness, you know?" Mikasa lectured everyone in the room for their mistake, including Musashi.
"Thank you for the warning. This time we will watch our backs. By the way, what brings you here, Lady Mikasa?" Musashi asked.
Mikasa shook her head and looked at Nagato and spoke, "I think Nagato-san is the one who wants to say something."
Nagato spoke in a weak and low voice, "I think we should do a diplomatic talk first with them, instead of going to war."
This surprised everyone, including Musashi. She remembered how Nagato taught her how to be a great leader, and not to back down from any fight. But now, she saw her in her weak state, and now she was telling her to avoid fighting a battle altogether.
Musashi clenched her fist and shouted, "What do you mean by that?! Should we bow down and follow them? Like pets! Is that what you want us to do?!"
The Carriers in the room jolted at her sudden outburst. They did not expect the most calm person in the room to yell in such a manner in front of her former mentor.
Shinano was holding her sister back from bursting into rage. "Calm down... let her finish, Nee-san."
Nagato spoke, "No.... I'm not saying that.... If Shinano-san's foreboding were true, then there will never be a Sakura Empire left."
Everyone looked down and contemplated her words. She was a wise leader back in the day, before she got this illness.
"Did I tell you once before, 'words are more powerful than cannons'? Musashi-san, there is still time to make things right. As a Flagship, you have the power to do so. Please don't be hasty in any decision making."
She then turned around and walked slowly out from the office and to the hallway, while being assisted by Mikasa at her slow pace.
The Shipgirls watched her walk in her sorry state. They saw the strongest Battleship of the 'Big-7' now weakened, as if her life and strength had left her body.
This hurt Musashi even more, as she saw the one she admired. As the strongest Battleship, she was now fighting her mental illness and loneliness. She and her sister Yamato were destined to replace her as the Flagship of the combined fleet of the Sakura Empire.
Musashi sat down in her seat, as she accepted defeat and thought. Would her future be like that of Nagato or Mikasa at the end of this battle?
Mikasa retired in early ages and lived a peaceful life, as she was replaced by far stronger Battleships like the Nagatos being constructed.
Nagato was ousted in power as she was traumatized in her last mission. Her inability of decision making and subsequent hallucinations about the past made her ill-suited.
"What now, Senpai?" Shoukaku asked, as she saw the conflicted Musashi.
She then spoke in a low voice, but clear to everyone's ears, "Put the diplomatic talks as our top priority. At once!"
This sudden change of her decision surprised everyone, especially Akagi, who anticipated a grand battle with Azur Lane.
"But. The plan is already in place," Akagi exclaimed, as she could not accept the change of plan.
Musashi shouted in anger, "DID YOU HEAR WHAT I SAY!"
Everyone was scared of her sudden outburst and froze. Nobody questioned her afterwards; they just stood there.
"H-HAI," Akagi replied, in fear of Musashi's wrath. She bowed down and gritted her teeth, as she hated the decision she heard.
Sakura Temple Garden
Arizona, along with AZ-1 Team, were lying down in the vegetation with their Ghillie Suits. They listened to the conversation of the Shipgirls inside the Temple.
"Intel was correct. Nagato and Mikasa are the ones pursuing peace," he mumbled.
"I guess even with this Imperialistic Empire, there are still those inside resisting such a mindset," one of the Manjuus muttered under his breath.
"We need to secure this kind of ally inside this dilapidated Empire, slowly rotting from the inside," he commented.
The AZ-1 Team nodded along with him, their heads visibly bobbing.
Arizona then radioed back to the Submarine to report the intel. "Target is confirmed. From the tone of her speaking, she's... ill."
After receiving the confirmation, he and AZ-1 slowly crawled back through the bushes, retreating to the forest to continue their other mission, after hearing gossips and the importance of Project Orochi.
As his team was about to retreat back to the forest, he heard gossips and murmurs closer to the Temple, far away from any demi-human's ear to reach. He then proceeded in that direction and set up his Long Range Listening Device to listen.
"I can't believe Nagato is still alive."
"Yeah. I know... she should be dead right now. After all, she's useless. She chooses being passive instead of aggressive."
"Why not just kill her?"
"We can't. She's protected by Kawakaze. If we send an assassin, that assassin will be dead before it can even get closer to her."
"What now then?"
"Let the poison do its job, as it kills her slowly in her bed chamber."
Arizona's eyes narrowed, and his brows twitched as his hands slowly reached his slung M4A1. He stopped himself from blowing those two's heads off, as he was reminded of the importance of the mission, and him blowing it up wouldn't help it.
He'd been out in the woods hearing shit like these as he conducted recon. This wasn't the first time he'd heard someone try to kill a 'child' with poison. It sickened him. He might be a cold hearted person, but he had a soft heart when it came to kids.
"Should I put this on my priority list? These two are threatening the peace talks. I'll just let Miss Enterprise choose their fate," he said to himself, as he crawled back to the dense forest without getting noticed.
His eyes darted to his radio. "AZ-2, you've got a new priority. I want a closed eye on Nagato and Mikasa. Keep them out of harm's way."
His radio crackled. "Roger that, AZ-2 is on its way to secure a potential ally."