Chapter 537: The Wind Rises

Commander, look over there, our command ship!

Cleveland, who was steering the ship, suddenly pointed ahead and said; Qin Ge quickly turned his head, only to see a white beam of light piercing the sea mist and spreading all around.

Such lighting obviously wouldn't be from a Siren mass-produced warship, because Qin Ge's command ship also has the same type of light.

Qin Ge nodded, "Let's get closer and have someone board to see who's up there."

Yes.

As the ship drew nearer, the escorting destroyers and light cruiser shipgirls had already sent two people aboard the command ship.

Soon, Independence, who had been left on the command ship, was brought before Qin Ge.

Commander.

Qin Ge nodded, "What's the situation now? Why are you the only one on the ship?"

Reporting to the commander, because Hai Lun Na and Nengdai were observing a Siren outpost not far away, they suddenly came under attack by enemy carrier aircraft, and the signal was cut off, losing contact.

So Bumblebee had me stay on the command ship to keep trying to contact the commander; she took the others to reinforce, believing they'd return soon." Independence said to Qin Ge.

Qin Ge nodded, "You've worked hard; from now on we'll take over—just rest a bit, because we may still need your strength for a big battle ahead."

It's fine, Commander, I'm always ready." Independence said.

Qin Ge smiled, "Precisely because you're always ready, you should adjust your condition to the best."

Yes." Independence nodded and then stepped to the side.

Tiancheng walked over from beside and said to Qin Ge, "There's no sound of battle anymore; I imagine Hai Lun Na and the others have already broken free. Commander, let's wait here a moment, then arrange for Sheng Di Ya Ge and the others to pick up Hai Lun Na and the group."

Hmm." Qin Ge nodded, "Enterprise, it's up to you—arrange for Juno, Sheng Di Ya Ge, San Juan, Baltimore, as well as Washington and North Carolina under Cleveland's leadership, to go meet up with Hai Lun Na and the others."

The other destroyers and light cruisers spread out in the sea, forming a defensive circle about a kilometer in radius, constantly monitoring the surroundings.

Understood!" Enterprise said and quickly went to make arrangements; meanwhile the others gathered around Independence to ask some questions. After all, compared to Cleveland, she had stayed here longer, so she might have more information.

Soon Qin Ge stood at the command ship's window and saw a group in a single file line quickly heading off into the distance, while the other shipgirls gathered beside the ships pushed the defensive circle outward.

My child, what are you thinking about?

A voice sounded from behind Qin Ge; he could guess who it was without turning around, for in the port area only one person would address him that way.

I'm thinking, this place is too quiet." Qin Ge looked at the surrounding sea and said, "The quiet is excessive, like the calm before a storm.

Hehe, not bad, the storm will come soon." Emperor Frederick's eyes lit up.

I have a feeling we'll encounter some completely different attack methods this time; otherwise the Sirens wouldn't have gone to such trouble to build this outpost for nothing." Qin Ge said.

So my child, what do you think it will be?" Emperor Frederick asked.

Uncertain, because the information we currently have is completely unequal." Qin Ge said.

Then how about we take the initiative to stir things up? Since the Sirens have invited us over, we shouldn't remain purely passive; taking the initiative to sortie might be better.

Although the fog is thicker now, as long as carrier aircraft fly low enough we can see the sea's exact conditions; and we have dozens of aircraft carriers here, so we can completely ignore the mist over the sea.

If fighting breaks out somewhere, that place will shine like a beacon, and that will be our direction of attack." Emperor Frederick said.

Qin Ge nodded, "Then let's do this: have all aircraft carriers launch their carrier aircraft, raise them to visible altitude, and quickly survey this sea area."

I want to see what the Sirens are really up to!

Since the two of them had worked out the next strategy, execution went smoothly. Even proud carriers like Akagi and Kaga, in this strange state, didn't say a word, quickly launching their carrier aircraft; together with the carrier aircraft of the port area's carrier shipgirls, they scouted the entire sea.

Guanghui, standing on the sea surface, watched the departing carrier aircraft and involuntarily turned her head toward Qin Ge's command ship; this might also be one of the actions of many shipgirls, for that place is where their banner and belief reside.

Just then, Guanghui's hair began to flutter, and she murmured, "The wind is picking up."

"The wind's picking up?" The withdrawing Bumblebee raised a hand to signal stop, and Hai Lun Na and the others all halted.

"What's wrong, Bumblebee?" Hai Lun Na said to the stopped Bumblebee.

"No, do you feel it? The wind's picking up." Bumblebee said to Hai Lun Na and the others.

"Yes, but what does that mean? It's perfectly normal for wind to arise at sea." Biaoqiang asked.

"Bumblebee's meaning must be that if the wind picks up, the sea mist can be blown away." Nengdai said to everyone.

"That's right." Bumblebee gave Nengdai a thumbs-up, "If the wind picks up, then these sea mists can be blown away; as long as the sky is unobstructed, we will definitely be able to return to the commander's side."

"Hmm." Everyone nodded in agreement.

"But I have a problem." Nengdai said to Bumblebee, "In theory we aren't far from the command ship we're aboard; given our retreat speed we should have sighted it by now, yet we still haven't seen it."

"Could it be that our direction is wrong?" Benson spoke up.

"That's impossible," Bumblebee shook his head, "When I came I was still in the sea mist and could clearly find you all; how could we now be lost?"

"No, I think it's possible." Hai Lun Na said to everyone, "Even if I use SG, I can't clearly determine our direction. Moreover, have you noticed that our communication signals have become weaker as well?"

"This!"

"Losing direction, really! This sea mist is truly annoying; now we can only hope the sea wind grows stronger to blow away the mist!" Bumblebee said, rubbing his head.

But just then, a bright shell exploded nearby, sending a towering water column that startled everyone.

"Get ready to engage, those guys are closing in again!" Nengdai reacted, drawing the long blade at her waist and said.

"Yes!"