A/N:

Alright, I said I was back, but then exams happened. Then summer happened. Then exams happened again.
I hope that THIS time, I will be able to fulfill my goal of one chapter every 10 days (more or less).
Aaaand of course I cannot forget my reviewers!

Old Steamer: I's a famous creature...but that particular "upgrade" won't be here for a while. All I can say, unfortunately, is: Patience.

UNSC Know Your Place: Thanks for Enjoying the story so far, I'm very happy that you found it interesting. I will try my best to keep the balance, and avoid people (and ships) getting too much OP. I have a feeling that if I ever fall into that trap you will let me know. Regarding romance...it's a bit too soon to think about it just yet, but in the future? Who knows...after all, what are we humans without love and affection and feelings? That's right...machines.

Anonymous: Am I making you worry? :P ...Hold your horses, this story isn't dead!

I had fun writing this one; reviewing it and polishing it? A bit less.
Okay, okay, I'll stop rambling now. Enjoy!

Chapter 8.5: OPFOR Interceptions, log 1

The next night, location unknown.

Warspite, flagship of the Mediterranean Fleet of Fog, was at anchor out of a scorched, ruined city.
She remembered the day the Fog took it, almost a year ago by now. She did not care for the destruction of the buildings, nor for the suffering of its organic inhabitants. Hell, for that matter she did not care about the different colors the sky took during the arc of the day, nor for what had become her only quirk. Namely, Astronomy.

Coincidentally, the annihilation of the human city and its surrounding settlements had taken away any form of heavy light pollution from the island, which since its capture housed the headquarters of the Mediterranean Fleet of Fog. That had given her a good view of the constellations without the need to sortie to open sea, so now she could note her findings with the comfort of a fixed frame of reference. Well, relatively fixed considering the various planetary movements, but it was as fixed as she could get.
She did not know when or how that insidious bug got inside her system, but now she couldn't help but observe the stars every night with her spyglass, noting her observations and data in her memory banks. Of course, that was when she wasn't occupied in a mission or managing the fleet under her command, which required her full attention most of her time.

"Hmm...note: object 8472, date 466 days from activation gamma, observation time 03.23.51: luminosity of object increased to the point of masking nearby objects - at time 03.24.43 luminosity decreased to negligible level. Object faded." She said, an holographic recording window at work while she kept gazing at one specific point in the night sky, holding her spyglass with her right hand while her left one ran along its length, turning two wheels and inserting an additional lens on a support just ahead of the objective.

"...switching to infrared-ultraviolet spectrum of vision confirms the absence of radiation emitting from its previous position; the graviton scope reads traces of a powerful gravitational wave, plus a continuous faint emission of particles. Comparison of data with human astronomical database matches the description of the 'supernova' transition phenomenon, which outcome results in a cosmic singularity. Conclusion: re-classify object 8472 as 'Black Hole'. End of note."

The recording window minimized itself and flew into her left forearm, while she closed her spyglass and attached it to a shoulder strap before securing it over her back, being careful to avoid entangling it with her golden epaulette. Despite its old and simple appearance, it was a truly remarkable piece of Fog technology; only its wooden shell with gold bands reminded of its 18th century origin. It fit well with the rest of her uniform, and neither its original master nor the antiques collector whose house held it until almost a year before, would need it anymore.

Warspite took a long breath, then she started to climb down her mast, jumped off and landed on top of her wide and imposing command tower; the small crow's nest she placed on the highest point of her ship form was great for astronomical observation...but not so great to avoid accidental damage to one's model while said model was focusing on intercontinental communication, though.

She adjusted her jacket and checked her white trousers for stains, then she combed her blonde hair and placed her bicorne on the ground next to her. If Yamato had any peculiarities they would be formality and politeness, and Warspite knew well that speaking to a superior with her hat on was definitely not a good way to convey respect to said superior. Finally ready, she closed her eyes and readied herself for the incoming call.

Opening her lids back, Warspite found herself in an old, Sengoku-era castle: the massive body of the fortress towered over her, partially hidden by terraced stone walls and a big wooden gatehouse. Looking around she could see that she was not outside of the castle walls, for the grassy courtyard she was in was surrounded by white battlements. Walking to the closest and looking outside she could see a rocky waterfall under the wall, falling down for a great height before disappearing in a thick, dark forest.

The sound of shouting and steel clashing suddenly drew her attention back to the center of the courtyard, where two samurai were dueling: one sported white armor and used a two-handed nodachi in a controlled, fast style with an impressive grace and coordination; the other was donning black armor and was dual wielding, with a nodachi in one hand and a reverse-held katana in the other. In contrast to the white samurai, the black one moved around a lot, using a combination of fast power strikes and footwork, though not with any less grace.
It was like watching two dancers, not two warriors. Warspite was hypnotized by their movements, and slowly walked closer to have a better look. Unfortunately, that got her noticed: the white samurai jumped backward and held the palm of her left hand towards the adversary.

"Yamero!" Shouted a deep, feminine voice. At this, the black warrior looked at Warspite and both lowered their guard, sheathed their weapons, and moved to greet her. Soon the same voice spoke again: "I apologize for the reception, Warspite-san. I told Musashi-neesan here that there wasn't time to spar before our talk, but she insisted."

"F-flagship Yamato?! Musashi-sama...?" Warspite exclaimed, bowing slightly in respect.
"I'm sorry...I'm just surprised, I was expecting voicecomm, not a simulation...it's strange of you to have produced models, since I reported that they still needed to be perfected. As I recall, you were always very cautious with experimental technology."

Warspite looked up at the two super battleships, which had closed the distance and removed their helms, and even her level-headed and logical mind couldn't NOT be in awe. Yamato's and Musashi's models were the very definition of imposing: both looked like women in their late twenties, wore menacing and sturdy armor, and both were at least two meters tall...even more, if one saw them with their horned and masked helms.

With those removed, their looks were as different as the color of their armor: Yamato had snowy skin, sharp features and ice blue eyes, which shared their color with her hair gathered in a long ponytail; they shone in a mesmerizing pattern, changing their hues along the whims of the simulated sunlight. When the light hit her eyes, the reflection was so clear and so bright that keeping eye contact was next to impossible.

Musashi on the other hand sported neck long hair the color of a moonless night, which framed a face softer than her sister's with whom she shared the distinct Japanese facial features. Her eyes, though, were literally fiery: flames could be seen dancing inside her pupils, if one was brave enough to stare into them.
Warspite was brought out of her trance when Musashi spoke.

"Ara, she seems curious, onee-sama...and a bit confused." She said, with a smirk and a teasing tone. Her voice was as feminine as Yamato's, but of a lighter tune. "Perhaps we should explain ourselves, hmm?"

"There is nothing to explain. It was my assessment that the prototype models potential in strategic and tactical thinking far outweighed the risks involved, so I produced some for me and my sisters." Yamato almost deadpanned. Hearing this, the british ship's curiosity spoke for her.

"Your sisters? So...Shinano also has one? And...is she here too? I'd like to- whhaaaaaaaa!" Warspite's shriek was caused by a loud whistling arrow embedding itself in the ground right next to her, making her jump in fright.

"Woooooo! Nice shot, nee-chan!" Musashi cried, looking at the central body of the castle where a lonely figure with a bow could be discerned, standing on the roof.

Yamato sighed with irritation.
"As you can deduce, she's here as well. I thought she disconnected, but apparently she got back in during my sparring with Musashi...and she's in pranking mode. Warspite-san, I understand that human capacity for focus and attention are limited, but I thought you did a better job on those prototypes. I should have detected her intrusion."
After addressing Warspite, Yamato looked towards her sisters.

"Musashi! Shinano!" She bellowed, "Exit the simulation, now. I have already given you your orders, so execute them. Fog no kantai no tame ni!"
At this, Musashi turned around and stood at attention, and the figure on the roof of the castle could be seen stiffening; with a shout of "Hai!" both disconnected.

Yamato inhaled deeply, closed her eyes, and in a infinitesimal amount of time transitioned into a traditional white kimono with a blue flower motif, her hair now in a beautiful and complex haircut tied with two long, golden pins. She exhaled, and her expression softened; a small smile appeared on her lips.
"Much better. I apologize for the brutish reception, Warspite-san." Yamato said, bowing slightly. "Now, will you please accompany me inside the inner court?"

"Certainly, flagship." Warspite answered, and moved to Yamato's side as she walked towards the gatehouse of the innermost wall.

Silence reigned for a bit as they passed through the gate, and then into a beautiful garden full of diverse flowers and exotic plants. There were also some sakura trees, but they were not blossoming. Yamato stopped under one of them, which stood right next to the battlements; so close in fact, that they could hear the rumble of the waterfall a few meters below them.

"Beautiful, isn't it? I wasn't able to appreciate such things as...aesthetics, before getting this body. This is for sure an unintended side effect, I know, but as long as it does not interfere with our mission and our abilities...it's far from unpleasant." Yamato said in a low, contemplating voice, kneeling to admire a nearby sunflower.
"The colors of the land, the perfume of flowers, the roar of water...as well as the intricate movements and the precision of swordfight. It is all so...relaxing, and graceful."

"I know that...sensation. I feel it every time I look at the stars in the night sky, their movements and patterns, their colors and brightness...it is...soothing."
Warspite answered, and a small smile appeared on Yamato's lips. Which promptly disappeared when she noticed the other battleship's expression slowly changing from dreamy to nervous.

With a sigh, she stood up in all her height and composed herself.
"I called you not just for admiring my simulation, however. I have orders for you...but I see that something is disturbing you. Tell me what it is, flagship."

"Those that you are experiencing are not the only side effects of those bodies...I have discovered one that is far more dangerous to us all..." Warspite started, hesitant.

"Continue."

"As you know my second flagship, Roma, was the absolute first ship of the Fog to receive a model: we required a ship with high processing power, but we could not risk a flagship for this test. After 3 months of flawless operations, I authorized limited diffusion of the models on all classes of ships belonging to the Mediterranean fleet. Currently 45% of my fleet has adopted the technology."

Silence answered the battleship's words. Silence, and Yamato's intrigued gaze.

"18 days ago, contact was lost with Roma and her escorts during an harvesting mission in the city of Taranto, in southern Italy. I thought she was destroyed, that the humans had suddenly developed a weapon capable of harming us...but two weeks later, we recovered the core of a destroyer from the seabed next to the coast; what she showed me from her recordings of the operation was...troubling."

Warspite was hesitant to continue; Yamato's expression had gradually passed from composed, to inquisitive, to icy. "What happened to her?" She asked.

"Apparently, after the mission was successfully completed, Roma decided to disembark with her model to kill eventual survivors: during this cleanup, her core systems went completely haywire...she attacked and sunk her escorts, permanently destroying a heavy cruiser and one of her destroyer escorts.
After the incident, she disconnected from the joint tactical network and went rogue. She reappeared three days ago, and since then she attacked and destroyed one mobile extraction rig, and sunk or possibly infected a light cruiser and four destroyers.
Her whereabouts were last reported yesterday by a submarine wolfpack, which was standing guard to a convoy of transports and refinery ships...I have not received news ever since." Warspite concluded, nervously. Then she looked at Yamato.

She immediately wished she hadn't.

A cold chill went down her spine as the flagship's icy glare froze her in place: her face was calm and collected, and her voice silent. But her blue eyes were speaking. Speaking of a cold, barely controlled anger. The sensation was unpleasant in the extreme for Warspite, and when the Supreme Flagship of the Fog opened her mouth, from it escaped not words, but sharp whispers.

"Well, that is unfortunate. I hope you will find the cause of this malfunction, and its remedy. Soon. If you will not..."

Yamato then slowly turned around and walked to the nearby battlement, looking at the panorama that was outside the walls.
"The human nations are trying to pool together their naval forces scattered around the world in three big oceanic fleets...the fools want to face us in open battle."
She announced, her voice returned to normal.

"This was not going to be a problem until a minute ago, for I have not been entirely honest with you before.
I have been...carelessly impatient to see the benefits of the Mental Model Porject in battle, and I have not granted them only to myself and my sisters; I also gifted them to some of the more...proficient members of the fleets.
If my, and I presume yours as well, hypothesis that contact with the enemy is the trigger for the models...issues is correct, that deprives the Fleet of Fog of a quarter of its global firepower. So I will need to make some adjustments on the plan for the incoming battles."

Warspite slowly felt the tension leave her body, and gathered enough courage to speak again. "What are my orders, Supreme Flagship?"

"Your orders are to group together all the ships that have mental models, and bring them to your headquarters at Malta to keep them safe from human contact.
Furthermore, for the purpose of the operation i just told you about, you shall temporarily transfer under my control whichever ship in the Italian-born fleet isn't equipped with a model. The British-born and French-born ships assigned to you should be more than enough to keep control in the Mediterranean."

"Aye, aye! Will do!" Warspite exclaimed, standing at attention. Suddenly, she felt that chill again.

"Oh, Warspite?" Yamato whispered, with piercing eyes looked back at her, over the shoulder.

"Keep me informed on the progress of your research. The next time you fail to inform me instantly of a potential disaster...will be the last time you fail me at all. Dismissed."