Act Two: The Thunder Shooter's Fishing Ground (4/4)

Good news, crew! Thanks to all your hard work, we're finally ready to leave these waters behind!

There are still a number of large enemy ships blocking our exit, but this time, we've got a plan.

We've been racking up victories against these ships thanks to Raikou's incredible firepower, and I fully expect to keep our streak alive.

I've already got her in position, and according to our calculations, we should be able to finish this battle with about six lightning strikes from her Noble Phantasm.

That said, if the plan goes awry, there's still a risk the enemy will counterattack and call for reinforcements again, so we'll need to be ready for that possibility, too.

Combat team, you'll remain on standby here in the ship.

If worse comes to worst, we may also need to release the Nautilus Noble Phantasm again. I trust we're all good to go on that front now, Engine Room?

Hell yeah! I'm still a little uneasy seein' how we only just finished patchin' the engine up, but we'll do what we gotta do, Captain!

If we gotta ram the hell outta those ships to make it outta here, then I'll make it happen if it's the last thing I ever do! Engine room out!

I feel bad for always asking so much of Nemo Engineer... We'll have to do our best to pick up the slack too.

Right you are. I'm expecting great things from all of you!

We'll begin the operation in T-minus six hundred seconds, but before we do, there's something I need to discuss with the acting commander in private.

Okay, you can come in now.

Hehehe, very well.

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It's a bit of a long story...

I've actually been having Raikou investigate some things on the Nautilus in her capacity as shadow prefect...

...and I asked her to let me know if she found anything suspicious, or anyone doing anything suspicious.

I'm sorry. While I do think it was worthwhile to have her keep a low profile, it doesn't excuse the fact that I overstepped my authority by ordering one of your Servants.

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Well, as it happens, I didn't find anything suspicious at all.

This Spirit Origin isn't very well-suited to espionage, so I've been going about my investigation quite openly...

...and if nothing else, I can tell you that I found no signs of suspicious behavior on anyone's part during the two assaults the Nautilus has faced thus far.

That includes the ones called Yang Guifei and Van Gogh.

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Naturally, I investigated these newcomers especially thoroughly to ensure any undesirables keep their distance from you, Master.

But no matter how hard I looked, I found no evidence of suspicious behavior on their part during either assault.

In fact, I can even say with certainty that there were no loud sounds produced in or by the Nautilus prior to those attacks.

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I actually talked to everyone about this to confirm it for myself, and I learned something very interesting.

While she doesn't know where it came from or what it could be, Yang Guifei was the only one who mentioned she thought she heard a strange sound before we were attacked.

If that's true, it could be an enemy pinger.

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It's an active form of sonar, which finds objects by emitting sound waves and seeing which ones bounce back.

The pinger is the device that emits the sound waves.

Assuming that's what happened, that means the enemy has started searching for us.

Up till now, we've only seen and captured void enemies who have been swimming and hunting on instinct alone, but that might be changing.

While it's possible that at least one enemy who excels in covert abilities has been cunningly hiding their true intelligence from the beginning...

...it could also be that the enemy is learning. Or maybe...evolving.

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For now, anyway.

During the victory party, I went out of my way to make noise to see if anyone in attendance would react suspiciously, but saw nothing of the sort.

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W-well of course it was! Can you truly imagine me actually choosing to do anything so indecent otherwise!?

We actually recorded that song ahead of time and used a polar opposite waveform to ensure its sound would be canceled out before it could escape the ship.

If the enemy had attacked us then, it would've given the idea that someone inside the ship was covertly controlling them more credence, but of course, that never happened.

Anyway, I'm very grateful for Raikou's help. She's been invaluable for gathering intel.

(Sniff) Now everyone thinks of me as "Mic-Hog Raikou"...

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Oh, it's all right, Master. I would do anything to protect that precious smile of yours!

Rest assured, Captain, I will continue to carry out my shadow prefectorial duties! If there is anything else I can help with, please don't hesitate to let me know!

Now, if you'll excuse me, I must return to my post as our torpedo launcher!

...Espionage might not be her strong suit, but having more Servants devoted to keeping you safe can only be a good thing.

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Hey now, cheer up. The operation's about to begin, remember? Then again, a few worry lines might actually help you seem more like a real commander.

Personally, I'm really happy about this. Even if it is only for the time being, it feels good knowing we have no cause to suspect anyone on the crew.

Now come on. We've got new waters out there just waiting to be explored.

The Vajra of Gozu-Tenno...reincarnation of the goddess Indra. The lance of divinity made from sacred bones...

Come forth and annihilate all evil...and just for now, do so as quietly as possible...

Vajra of Indra... Hup.

Computer room here. Torpedo number three has been fired, and our magical energy supply is still holding steady. Have we got confirmation of impact?

Nnn... There, it just hit! It's hard to make out through the sound of Alpha blowing up, but I think it took out target Bravo.

So all of our torpedoes so far have hit their targets, and still no return fire. It looks like we might have an overwhelming advantage against enemy ships now.

Yup. Everything's going as smooth as a whale shark's swimming path.

Oh! Wait! I just heard that sound again... We might have another ambush on our hands!

...Damn, I guess I should've known it wouldn't be that easy! Combat team, prepare to deploy!

H-h-hang on. This Bounded Field signal... This isn't a bunch of little ones! We've got a full-blown enemy ship incoming!

What!? An enemy ship is making its way toward us!?

They must've used an active ping to locate us! Dammit, of all the times...!

Computer room! Can you switch Raikou's next target to this incoming ship!?

Negative. Calculating Void Space coordinates and entering them into the homing spell is actually an incredibly advanced and delicate operation. I need at least three hundred seconds.

Dammit! All right then, we'll just have to use my Nautilus Noble Phantasm to

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...Then we might be done for. If they attack us and give our position away to the other enemy ships, we'll be surrounded.

Ehehehe, ehehe... Um...

What is it, Van Gogh? Do you think your Noble Phantasm can get us out of this again?

No... But... In this form...I think I can help...without relying on some strange, mysterious Noble Phantasm...

I can draw a platform...where Lady Raikou is standing now...so that she can continue...sinking enemy ships...

While she does, the Nautilus can slowly reverse...luring the ship approaching us away from her...so we can use Captain Nemo's Noble Phantasm...to destroy it safely...

Would that work? Heh, ehehe...

...!

...Yeah, that should work! I certainly don't see us coming up with a better idea in the time we have!

It definitely sounds better than twiddling our thumbs, waiting to die!

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Heh, hehehe, ehehehe! As you wish, Master!

I'm glad we have a plan now, but we're still very much in the woods! I'm hearing tons of things swimming our way ahead of the approaching enemy ship!

Got it. Then the combat team will protect Raikou while she focuses on her torpedo duties from Van Gogh's platform...

...and I'll use my Noble Phantasm to take out the enemy ship at point-blank range once we're far enough away from Raikou and the combat team!

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Understood! This time nothing gets by me!

Vajra of Indra! There, that should take care of all the enemy ships up ahead!

That's great, but what about us!? The reinforcements just keep coming, and now we've got the last big guy headed our way, too!

Is the Nautilus still not ready for your Noble Phantasm, Captain!?

We just got into position now! All hands, brace for impact! I'm going to release my Noble Phantasm!

Thank goodness. Now we should be safe and sou

Hm? Hang on. I'm hearing a kind of cracking sound coming from our foothol

Aaaaaah!

...There! Engine room, emergency stop! Now!

Aye, aye, Captain!

All the little ones and the Omega have been wiped out, with no sign of return fire! We did it!

Yeah, we did

Oh, we did it all right! The combat team's platform looks to have fallen apart!

Then they all got blasted away by our Noble Phantasm's shock wave! We can't even contact them anymore, either!

They all cut their lifelines in preparation for the attack, so there's nothing to stop them from drifting to the ends of all logical coordinates!

What!? How can we rescue them!?

(Sniff) We can't! Our attack just sent all the Servants capable of traversing Void Space flying!

...This is terrible. Then, they're all

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Huh!? You want to summon another Servant now!? Do we even have the magical energy for that!?

This is the workshop. Worry not. We are flush with magical energy right now, and the link to Mash's shield is still intact.

Feel free to call forth as many Servants as you need until help arrives, Fujimaru.

...Okay, let's do it! Bring in a Servant that's as good a swimmer as mesomeone who can adapt to any kind of sea in the world!

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I'm Alter Ego Lambda. I don't know what this is all about, but you called, so I had to answer.

Dark, drab, and dirty place you got here. No sense of aesthetics whatsoever. Even your room in Chaldea is a bit cleaner than

Well now. I try to keep that side of myself secret when I'm in this form, but I guess I couldn't completely hide my goddess-of-the-arts aura.

Unfortunately for you, though, I'm not her.

I'm Lambdaryllis, lord of the Leviathans. The merciless ruler of the seas; I am a patron of violence rather than the arts.

THAT'S the first thing out of your mouth after summoning me!? And what's wrong with penguins, anyway!?

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Wonderful! Once again, you brought in just the Heroic Spirit for the job, Fujimaru.

You there, High Servant. Blah, blah, blah...here is your Void Space patch.

...That's all you have to say? Do you really think you can order me around like that without a proper explanation? Lostbelt goddess or not, there's no way I'm putting on some strange gear from who knows whe

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Lambdy!? You wanna die or something!?

Did being stuck in this hellhole drive you nuts? Are you just a broken doll now?

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Ugh, you really are panicked, aren't you? I can't even spare a moment for my usual cruel opening remarks.

All right, it looks like you really are short on time, and I've got the gist well enough.

While I loathe wearing anything BB had a hand in, I see it's a necessary evil here.

I don't usually take on new jobs so easily, but I suppose I can make an exception this one time...for the right price, obviously.

So if I were you, Master, I'd make sure you're ready to dig deep into those pockets of yours when the bill comes!

All right, Scáthach-Skadi, hand it over. I'll show you all my patented fully-liquid-body quick-change technique. The family-friendly version, of course.

Oh, and let me make one more thing clear before we begin: I won't be doing any fighting this time.

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You really don't get it? Really?

Have you seen the Void Sea? It's revolting. I only swim in waters worthy of my elegance.

Oh, don't worry, I'll still fulfill your request. You want me to save your friends, right?

Now that I've got this void-compatibility chip, my Leviathans can handle the void, too. They'll have the job done in no time.

Go ahead and get the air lock ready. This'll be over before you can say triple lutz.

Oh man...

I seriously thought I was gonna shindie!

What a dramatic turn of events bringing the mysterious Alter EgoI mean, Lambda in at our time of need, Senpai!

It was amazing to see how quickly the penguins rescued us, too!

Hehehe. Leviathans, Kyrielight. They are properly referred to as "Leviathans."

Indeed, our rescue was truly an act of divine providence. Though I do have some thoughts about the manner in which it was carried out...

Still, worry not. No matter how high the indecency index may rise, I will simply redouble my prefectoral efforts.

Well that's a backhanded compliment if ever I've heard one. It seems this woman could give Lip a run for her money when it comes to making enemies...actually in more ways than one.

Not that I'm going to be one of those enemies myself. There's clearly a lot I could learn from her in terms of...well-rounded physical beauty...

Hey. I haven't seen you around Chaldea before. Who are you?

...

I sense a kind, but sorrowful song within you. Are you a ny

I... I...

Wha...!?

Van Gogh!?

Mmph mmph mmph mmmmmmph! (Talking while gnawing on her own arm)

S-somebody stop her! Quick!

I just checked on Van Gogh in the infirmary. She seems to have calmed down now.

She said she felt so guilty about what happened that she got confused, and apologized profusely.

Fortunately, the bites on her arm were only minor injuries. Though of course, that's no surprise, since she is a pure Heroic Spirit and all...

Poor Goghie. I had no idea she was so broken up over our foothold breaking down and putting us all in danger...

...I see. I must have only made things worse for her.

I mean, a bright shining star like myself talking to her right after such an abject failure?

She must have been so nervous that I can hardly blame her for getting a little mixed up.

Anyway, on a different subject since I, of course, did nothing wrong...

Wait, THAT was Vincent van Gogh? The legendarily troubled artistic genius?

She's obviously got something else mixed in with her. I trust you've already figured out what it is?

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Huh. You must be pretty twisted yourself, keeping a dangerous girlfriend like that around.

Oh well, it's none of my business. You there, in the sailor uniform. I'm going to need my own room, along with a private bath.

See you later then, Mr. Half-Broken Doll.

You're used to this kind of chaos, yeah? I'll just sit back and laugh while you run around trying to contain this mess.

So now we've got yet another...ah, eccentric Servant aboard...

A gestalt Servant with multiple Divinities, huh? Well, at least those familiars of hers should be useful.

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...Okay. Let's just leave it at that.

Anyway, we did the best we could, and things went as well as we could have hoped. I'd say the operation was a success.

Naturally, we'll take good care of anyone who was injured. I have no criticisms about the way it all went.

Yes, that enemy ship moving in to attack us of its own accord may have caught us off guard, but we still managed to deal with it.

So I say we're ready to complete the operation and move on to the next body of water. Any objections?

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Definitely. We wouldn't have been able to handle that enemy ship if it wasn't for her quick thinking.

No one could have expected her platform to fall apart like that, either. She didn't do anything wrong, and she shouldn't blame herself for what happened.

Sounds like you're trying to convince yourself there, my adorable little captain.

What, do you find it suspicious that she was able to manifest new terrain like that?

How dull. How dreadfully boring. If you ask me, a little poisonous suspicion like that is just the spice this bunch needs.

Have you ever thought that maybe you keep finding yourself in these kinds of predicaments because you keep agonizing over every little thing?

Oh well, not my problem. Anyway, I'll send you my price chart for renting out my Leviathans later, in case you wish to make use of my services again in the future.

...So she wasn't kidding about making us pay for her help, huh. I don't know if I've ever seen a goddess with such a keen business sense.

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Oh, I don't mean it in a bad way. I even get the sense that deep down, she's a lot like me.

We work hard, we don't slack off, and we run a tight ship, both figuratively and literally. I'd say that makes us a perfect match for a Master like you.

Anyway, thanks to you, we have a torpedo substitute and a search and rescue team. As long as you're here, I think we can overcome whatever we face.