The following morning I find myself standing once more on the bridge of the Intrepid wondering to myself how I had failed to change everyone's minds about running a series of sea trials off the coast of Midway Atoll when we had no way of ensuring that not only did the US Navy not find out about this, but that no one else did either.

Not even Professor Strickland who was usually extremely cautious when it came to running practical experiments could be swayed. He had even elected to venture out from his computer labs to join us out at sea and was currently going over some last-minute adjustments on a hastily assembled catapult that had been fitted to the loading deck of the Intrepid to launch air borne targets for the girls to shoot at.

The rest of the research teams had been busy overnight as well, building over-sized targets that had earlier been towed out to act as a mock enemy fleet. And with the Intrepid now positioned in the center of the mass of floating targets the realization that this was about to become a very unsafe place to be was rapidly becoming apparent. Not even Bismarck's parting words about never missing her target were entirely reassuring.

"Okay, everything is all set," the Professor announces as he enters the bridge from the starboard wing, "I've already started the exercise. All we need to do is sit back and observe the trials."

From the corner of my eye I see that Kevin is clearly were looking forward to having high explosive shells lobbed in his direction just as much as I am and Luke is saying a silent pray to himself from his position at the helm.

It isn't long before the distant rumble of what sounds like thunder can be heard off in the distance, and almost instantly one of the targets floating just off port side of the ship explodes in a cloud of sea spray and shrapnel.

As the remains of the target float down from the sky, covering the deck of the Intrepid, a distinct high-pitched whistling can be heard rapidly approaching from the distance. Resisting the urge to duck for cover knowing it would do no good given the lack of protective armour should a stray round hit the ship, and silently praying the stories from those that had served in combat that if you could hear the round travelling towards you it was going to miss, I instead look out over the starboard side in time to witness a series of impact splashes land harmlessly on either side of one of the targets.

"Perhaps that famous Fire Control Radar the Germans boasted of during the war isn't as good as they claim," Kevin comments breathing a sigh of relief.

"It's hard to say," I reply, "That may have been a ranging shot from one of the secondary batteries or even a miscalculation of the targets movements."

As I say this another salvo screams overhead before smashing into the target with an explosive thump sending more shrapnel flying out across the ocean.

Another round of long-range bombardment sends a pair of targets skywards in a fireball, as the sound of multiple approaching aircraft can be clearly heard above the rising wind. A very brief scan of the surrounding waters, it quickly becomes clear that the entire outer rings of targets have been reduced to shredded wreckage, strewn both across the surface of the Pacific and the deck of the Intrepid, all save for the inner most circles of targets remains intact.

"Well boys, looks like that famous German marksmanship is just as effective as all the history archives say. And now it looks like we are going to get a front row seat to what the Americans saw at the Battle of Midway," I remark as I see the first wave of torpedo bombers begin their attack run.

As the planes streak past the Intrepid hugging the wave tops, the catapult on the loading deck launches the first projectile of the exercise. The barrel, roughly the size of a beer keg sails through the air towards the attacking aircraft it appears as though the pilots haven't noticed.

Just before the barrel began its descent however, one of the Zeros screams overhead, guns blazing to destroy the barrel before it even has a chance to cause concern for the torpedo squadron. A moment later the planes drop their torpedos into the water and break off their attack run as five tell-tale streaks of disturbed water mark the trail of the torpedos all the way to the targets, detonating on impact sending more debris flying across the deck of the Intrepid.

The attack waves weren't over however as more high-pitched screaming can be heard both overhead and, in the distance, getting closer, stepping out onto the bridge wing and looking up for the closest source. Multiple squads of dive bombers, already well into the dive runs were hurtling down from the heavens.

"Now I know how the sailors of the US fleet felt looking up at that," said Kevin who had joined me out on the wing, "That's a sight that certainly inspires fear."

"Makes you appreciate the sacrifices that were made back then," I agree raising a pair of binoculars to my eyes.

Looking on in awe at the sight of nearly two dozen dive bombers continuing their descent, before releasing the bombs strapped to the undersides and pulling up with only a couple of meters to spare above the water's surface.

Before long all of the targets had been reduced to floating debris, strewn all around the Intrepid.

With no more targets remaining the remainder of the exercise was spent launching more targets from the Intrepid where the girls took turns either launching fighters to take out the flying barrels or using their Anti-Aircraft guns.

Using a signal flare to indicate the end of the trials once the last of the barrels had been launched and met the same fate as all those before, the girls slowly skate back in to the docks, whilst those on board the Intrepid set about cleaning up the mess left behind.

"Okay, so this morning's exercise, whilst we can say it was a success, has certainly left us with more questions than we achieved answers to," I begin looking around the room at the assembled members of the research team.

"I have to agree," one of the researchers speaks up, "We still have yet to understand how it is that they are able to skate across the ocean surface."

"Yes," I agree, "However that answer will come in due time and is the least of the questions we need answers too."

As I look around the room once more, I notice that the professor has also joined and taken a seat towards the back, "In terms of what we witnessed today, we can conclude that whilst we don't as yet know the reason why the girls exist or seem to have the memories and knowledge of warships from World War II. We can be certain that based on the known data of those ships, that these girls certainly act like the real thing."

"So, your saying that four warships that were sunk over seventy years ago have not only returned, but have also taken on completely different forms?" another of the group asks.

"That is one theory I'm currently looking into," I answer, "All we know for certain at this point, is that the girls can remember events, places and people from back in the 1940's and earlier, including some things that are not a matter of public record. They also have the ability to launch carrier-based air strikes and bombard targets with long range guns. The accuracy and similarity of actual known tactics and data simply cannot be ignored."

"Could it be that the similarity in tactics is from having studied history texts?" the first of the research team asks.

"I won't rule that out as a possibility," I begin, "However the tests we conducted on the rigging has shown that the metal work and composition of the steel used also matches similar work done by both the Germans and the Japanese around the time the original ships were laid down."

Many of those in the room share glances between themselves, "Further to this," I continue, "We also have no answers yet as to what these cubes are," indicating the almost two dozen cubes so far fished out of the water mainly by the team on the Global Explorer.

"The only thing we've so far confirmed is that they react to the scanners in the lab," one of the senior research members confirms.

"How are they reacting?" I ask.

"We placed two of them in the Professor's climate-controlled pressure chamber," the researcher explains, "We set the room temperature to twenty degrees and then started to run a basic laser scan. Within minutes the temperature within the room had risen to over sixty degrees and the strength of the glow emitted by the cubes had reached a point that it was unsafe to view the chamber even through shielded glasses."

"The process also puts a massive drain on the power supply," another researcher adds, "The fluctuations in the power levels to the chamber might be the cause of the rapid temperature rise."

"The power supply issues should be resolved shortly," Professor Strickland states standing up, "I've sent a request for additional testing and power equipment which was approved this afternoon."

"When and where will this additional equipment be coming from?" I ask.

"Most of the equipment will be coming from America," Professor Strickland confirms, "I've arranged for it to be delivered to Hawaii where you can pick it up on your next visit in a couple of weeks."

With no further pressing matters to discuss, the meeting soon wraps up and the various research teams go back to their respective work stations to continue studying the cubes and running further tests on the numerous samples.

It was later in the evening and I'd spent the entirety of the afternoon after the meeting going over every report the research teams had generated to date, trying to find some connection or pattern that might lead to a breakthrough to what was going on.

As I was reading through a revised medical report, the phone on the desk rang. Putting the call on speaker I answer, "Go ahead."

'We have a call from Admiral Jensen, he says its urgent,' the voice on the other end says.

"Okay put it through," I reply. I wait a moment as I hear the call switched through to my phone, "Admiral Jensen. Surely this isn't a social call at this hour of the evening?"

"Hardly," Admiral Jensen replies tersely, "We need at least one of your ships to join a search party we are conducting."

"No worries," I reply, "Send the search area details and we'll head out in the morning."

"I can't stress this enough," Admiral Jensen continues, "But this is on a need to know basis."

"Since when does a search and rescue operation require secrecy?" I ask.

"When it involves a US Naval Carrier Group," Admiral Jensen answers coldly, "We've lost contact with the Gerald R. Ford and the entire escort fleet. They were returning to Pearl after a routine cruise through the Bismarck Sea. Assuming this is a simple radio equipment failure, they are due to transit south of Midway around noon tomorrow."

"Okay Admiral, we'll be there tomorrow," I assure, "And assuming they aren't there, we'll start to retrace the fleets planned route."

As I finish up the call with Admiral Jensen and confirm the search location details a chime on the computer alerts me to an incoming email. Opening up the mail, I find a series of attached news articles from various German newspapers.

Quickly reading through the translated news stories and the attached request for help, I pick up the phone and press the speed dial. "Kevin, I need you to get the Intrepid ready to sail for first light tomorrow. US Navy have asked us to assist in a search operation. Can you also send Albert to see me?"

As I finish packing my sea bag for the upcoming assignment a knock on the door announces Albert's arrival. "As I'm sure you've heard, the Intrepid will be sailing again tomorrow." I say zipping up the bag.

"Looking forward to getting back out to sea," Albert replies, "I believe I've managed to unlock more potential from those new engines."

Shaking my head slightly, "The Intrepid will be sailing without you," I explain, "I need you to join our friends from Hamburg. They are looking into reports of a ghost ship off the German coastline."

"What do ghost ships have to do with us?" Albert asks.

"Take a look at the photos they sent," I say passing the folder over containing the email and various photos and news articles I had printed out.

As Albert flicks through the photos and reads the news reports I explain further, "According to our friends the ship seems to be unmanned, however they also report that it manoeuvres as though someone is aboard."

"Could it be a test program someone is running?" Albert asks.

"Possibly," I admit, "However the silhouette of the ship in the photo had me go through our records and I found a match."

"Really?" Albert exclaims in surprise.

"I found a profile match in a recently released Kriegsmarine U-Boat Captains ships recognition manual," I say, "They had profile matches of German ships as well to prevent U-Boats from attacking friendly ships. The silhouette in those photos roughly matches that of a Type 1936 Destroyer."

"Okay," Albert says, "So if we can determine the ships class then why is everyone claiming that it's a ghost ship?"

"Because," I begin, "None of the Type 1936 Destroyers from the German Navy survived to this day. They were either sunk during the war or scrapped once the fighting was over."

"So, what do you need me to do?" Albert asks.

"To be honest, I don't really know what this is," I admit, "But you've got some experience in what we've been seeing over the last couple of weeks and you speak the language. I just need a pair of eyes to oversee their investigation that I can trust."

"So, this is strictly an observer's role?" Albert queries.

"Exactly," I confirm, "They will lead the investigation and follow it to wherever it leads. You just sit back, take notes and help out where needed. If this does turn out to be another case like we encountered in the Atlantic with Bismarck or the Pacific even for that matter, then you can make whoever they are the same offer and bring them back to Midway."

Albert considers my words for a moment before replying, "Might be a tough ask, convincing a complete stranger to travel half way around the world just on a chance they might get some answers."

"True enough," I admit, "Frankly I think we got lucky that so far the girls we've encountered have been willing to work with us to get some answers as to what is going on, despite the historical differences. With that in mind, it might be a good chance to also prove that we can be trusted."

"Can't say I follow your meaning Captain," Albert says.

"Bismarck mentioned to me that she would like to see Germany again," I answer, "Now this certainly isn't a sightseeing trip you are going on; however, she seems to trust you more than the rest of us."

"Well given my family's historical connection," Albert begins.

"It's okay Albert," I interrupt, "Your family's history certainly helps in this instance. I was just thinking that as both you and Bismarck get along, certainly better than with the rest of the crew. That perhaps having Bismarck join you on this trip, will allow me to keep a promise I made. And should this be a situation like we've been encountering over the past couple of weeks, Bismarck should be able to help bridge that early trust gap."

After finishing up my briefing with Albert and arranging the required travel documents and plans, I make my way down to the kitchens where most of the ships crews could be found at this hour of the night given usual sea routines they kept barely changed even back on land when in the lab facilities.

On entering the kitchens, I pick up two of the metal serving trays and bang them together to get everyone's attention, "Okay lads, I'm sure most of you have already heard by now. The Intrepid sails again in the morning."

At this announcement some of the assembled crew raise a cheer.

"Yes, yes," I say with a smile, "I know that you are all eager to get back out to sea. However tomorrow marks the start of a search and rescue operation, so it will be enlisted crew only. And the crew from the Global Explorer will also to joining us, so that we can try to cover more ground in half the usual time."

Seeing some of the crew from the Global Explorer raise their heads at this news, I continue, "That also includes the senior officers, as we will be operating around the clock watches given the nature of this operation."

Many of those in the room shared looks of surprise at this. It was common to run an extended watch during Search and Rescue, however around the clock only happened in the most extreme of cases.

Looking around the room, I finally locate Kevin sitting in the furthest corner, "Kevin," I speak up over the chatter, "You'll be taking over the engine room for this trip in Alberts place."

"Not like Albert to give up his precious engine room," Kevin comments, raising a few laughs from the engineering teams.

"Albert will be overlooking another assignment that has come our way," I answer, "And I'm sure that you'll get a right dressing down if when he returns that engine room isn't spotless." I finish with a smirk knowing full well that no matter how clean or well maintained the engine room is, Albert will find something to fault.

Leaving the crew to finish their late even meals in peace and start to prepare for tomorrows departure, I leave the kitchens in search of our guests.

It doesn't take me long to locate Bismarck.

Since arriving at Midway, when not in the lab running another series of tests to help the research teams learn more about how her rigging works, or reading up on German history post 1941, she could usually be found looking out to sea from atop a small rise across the small area set aside by those that rarely left the island for outdoor recreation.

Tonight, was slightly different from normal as Graf Spee was also there despite her usual preference of keeping to her room. Joining them and silently waiting for them to finish their conversation which took place entirely in German and to acknowledge my presence, I wonder if aside from being able to sail across the wave tops and bombard targets at long range with naval cannons, if they could actually see anything out there beyond the shoreline in the darkness.

"You're leaving on the morning tide," Bismarck finally speaks up looking in my direction.

"Yes," I answer, "We've been asked to assist in a Search and Rescue effort in the region."

"And you need our help?" Bismarck asks.

"Well more eyes are certainly welcomed," I begin, "However, we also had another request for help with another situation."

Graf Spee also looks in my direction at this.

"I'm sending Albert to oversee a team that we've worked with before that are looking into multiple reported sightings of a ghost ship," I explain, "A light plane will be arriving tomorrow afternoon to fly him stateside, before he takes a commercial flight to Germany. I thought you might like to join him. Give you chance to see your homeland again."

Both girls stand there in silence for a moment, "You mean we have a choice?" Graf Spee finally speaks up.

"Of course," I answer, "You're not prisoners here. You've both helped the research teams try to understand just what is going on, and even though we are no closer to an answer now as to the day we first encountered both of you. Nothing we have so far learned disproves the fact that despite the naval armaments, your ability to walk on water, or even your memories of the events of the war almost eighty years ago leads any of us to believe you are less human that the rest of us."

"And that means what exactly?" Bismarck asks.

"In simple terms, it means you can make your own choices," I reply, "You can stay here, you can join Albert on his trip to Germany tomorrow. You can go anywhere you want, any time you want. I could hardly stop you, even if I wanted to."

Both Bismarck and Graf Spee look at me wordlessly for several moments before Bismarck finally replies, "As I mentioned before, I'd like to see Germany again, so I'll take you up on that offer."

"I figured you would," I admit, "I've already sorted out the required travel arrangements. Albert can fill you in on the details, as he already knows about as much as I suspect this operation is going to be."

"And if I choose to remain in Germany?" Bismarck asks.

"If that is what you choose to do, then the best of luck to you," I answer honestly, "I'm sure we'll cross paths again at some point, as we find ourselves in that part of the world quite a lot."

More silence follows my last reply, before Bismarck nods her head, "It would seem that Albert is right about you. You can be trusted to back up your words with action."

"Well, you don't get some of the work assignments I get without being able to follow through," I admit. Turning to face Graf Spee who had remained silent for much of the conversation, "How about you Graf, you want to go to Germany as well, it's no trouble to arrange an extra set of travel documents."

"No thank you," Graf Spee replies, "I think I'll just stay here."

"Okay then," I reply, "That's not a problem at all. You can do that."