Fantasia

[Eppy]

Admiral Halsey's Office, Battleship Norfolk, November 13th, 754 A.S.

"Five Dunkirks?"

Sir Admiral James Halsey stared out from behind lightly tinted rimless spectacles, buried under the brim of a calssical naval cap, at the two Southampton shipwrights on the other side of his desk.

"Yes, five of them. Between the loss of the Hood last year, Liberty's recent order for five more of their Mississippi-class Battleships, the near end of the current Ark Royal's service life, and, indeed, the recent appearance of the Battleships Regensburg and Wotan in Rheinland and the Musashi in Kusari, the Admiralty has convinced the King that an increase in active presence is necessary if we are to retain our standing among the other Houses." Halsey pulled a manilla folder out of an oak cabinet to his left and lifted a thick sheet of parchment from within and placed it on the desk. "Here I have the authorization of all twelve of the seats on High Command and the King. The vessels are to bear the names Ark Royal, Essex, Sussex, Fantasia and Macduff."

The taller of the two, a redhead by the name of Cormac O'Reilly, planted his calloused hands into his trouser pockets, staring intently at the floor.

"I...I'd venture a wee guess, Lord Admiral, we could have specifications fer all five an'a budget written up fer ye by next month, but tha'sa humongous order ye've placed here. Quite frankly, I dinnae know where we're goin'ta get the raw materials fer five'o these lassies in a four-month time frame, tha' bein' the time it takes to throw down the keels."

"Three months, tops." The other spoke. A shorter, dark-haired man, Garret Sutherland, sipped from the flask hanging perpetually inside his vest. "That new operation they've set up in Tau-23 just started producing. We might have to ship in a good portion of the copper and silver from Liberty but we're already buying most of our excess out of Colorado anyways, so it shouldn't be too much of a load. Bloody pricey anyways, won't jack the budget up more than two or three hundred million."

"Excellent!" Halsey clapped his hands. "In that case, would either of you care for a scotch or some such before we conclude this? Tea, even?"

"I'll hold, thank ye, Lord Admiral, sir." O'Reilly bowed slightly. "I'll be needin all me wits aboot me taenight while I'm organizin' labor forces." Sutherland simply patted his right breast.

"Very well, then. Meet me for lunch at Miss Garriot's over on Waterloo next Friday? It's been some time since I've had decent fish, my colleagues recommend hers."

"Yes sir, Lord Admiral." They both bowed and retreated through the door.

Halsey pulled a decanter of amber fluids out of his oaken desk and poured himself half a glass. Sharp stuff, but lord knows he'd need it, considering the hellfire he'd get from his wife for working late again.

*****

"Ach, this is bleedin' madness!" O'Reilly hissed as the Clydesdale that had brought them pushed out of Norfolk's bay. "Five Dunkirks. We'll never get tha materials in the wee time the Navy wants 'em finished."

"Yes we will, Cormac, have faith." Sutherland smiled slightly. "They introduced a new name. Fantasia. That's never been on the roster before. Good luck."

"Aye, but I still don't bloody like it..."

"Regardless, it'll happen all the same."

---

Quick comment - we thought that Panzer was the Leader, Swift. -Agmen

Which Dreadnought was that?

One of your nine.