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Valid. I was concerned about the same. However, I can't afford to hesitate.

Le Terrible stayed her course, cutting through the water not unlike a chainsaw near her top speed. It wouldn't be long until they were within range of each other's guns and the matter would be laid to rest one way or another. The two opposing destroyers were in missile range by now, however Le Terrible held her fire. It was her way to hold back extremely long range fire until the enemy attacked first, she preferred to counter and slip through the gaps. 

She liked to get close, until she could see the enemy's mental model, or the eyes of frightened crew.

”You're more conscientious than you appear, New York. I have visual confirmation and no friendly Phantom Fleet tag. If it is not an enemy, it would do well to stand down.”

Information integrity was paramount.

Grey blue waves lapped at the sides of the dark hull that slowly cut through the ocean off the greatly diminished Japanese coast. The crimson luminescent markings, the color most common to the Fleet of Fog, adorned the ship's exterior, as if it was not in fact a defector. The vessel looked as if she remained an enemy of humanity, a detail that made many nervous despite the fact she no longer aimed her weapons towards them. Her reputation lingered, and with it the fear. As such, the large destroyer Le Terrible could never be chosen as the direct escort for such a delicate mission. Even her patrol kept her well away from the human vessel, though this was just as well for her, having no interest in the humans nor was she suited for escort duty. Such a task would only hold her back.

Atop her mast, balanced precariously, Le Terrible's mental model perched amidst the gusting winds. Despite what looked like dangerous footing she was unmoved by the wind, absorbed in the array of screens circling her. Maps of the sea floor, radar tracking the weather for miles around, the direction and speed of winds, her current power use, temperatures, and other internal diagnostics, her sharp eyes scanned everything. The self proclaimed instrument of war believed that firepower and tactics were not the deciding factors in a battle, rather information was king. However, information was unreliable at best and worthless at worst, if its integrity could not be verified.

High above, beyond the sky that could be seen, were countless satellites scattered over so many decades. Each one, regardless of intended use, was now so much scrap metal floating in the void. Humans had once enjoyed a veritable treasure trove of information with a bird's eye view across the entire globe. This was before her time and with each new satellite immediately shot down, Le Terrible lamented her inability to access such a convenient network. Relying on only her own limited range sensors to collect data drove her to grind her teeth in frustration.

How much can be seen by the Fleet of Fog, if only they turned their attention to this area?

Far too much was the answer she feared, and enough was the answer confirmed by the single ship that appeared to challenge the Phantom Fleet.

Le Terrible's attention was laser focused on the Shimakaze class the instant it was detected, and she wasted no time in checking and rechecking everything she could learn about the enemy. Everything was questioned at least twice over, even if it was her own sensors. Deception was a powerful weapon, and while the Fleet of Fog had rarely used such tactics, the chance was not zero. Only when she could verify the enemy visually did she make her decision.

“Enemy sighted.”

Seawater churned into a white froth as Le Terrible changed course suddenly and rapidly picked up speed.

“It's heading directly towards the fleet. It knows where we are. Enemy support may be hiding beyond detection range.”

This situation was not in their favor. With the enemy sighted and the mission in jeopardy, the best course of action was to break away and run. The Phantom Fleet, small as it was, survived by evading detection, and it seemed they were not as hidden as they had believed. Worst case, she anticipated a blockade surrounding them, ready to catch them all when they tried to escape. She couldn't confirm this prediction yet, obviously, so for her there was only one path forward.

”Moving to intercept.”

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