She felt Iowa's presence leave her mind as the final words she spoke rung through her mind.

Kiana: She...she wants to die...

...

She clenched her fists and stood up, a snarl formed on her face as she stared out the window.

Kiana: After all that's happened, you still think the world is against you...bullshit!

She slammed her hand down on the desk, growling in anger.

Kiana: I'm not letting you die that easy, not when you gave me this life, this freedom!

...

Kiana:*softly* Life...

Life...
——

*click*

Elizabeth's face peeked through the door.

Q.E: Commander? Did you call us?

Kiana: I did...come inside please

She opened the door fully, revealing Bismarck, Nagato, and Cleveland.

Joining them as well was the head of the Eagle Union on the base after Enterprise's betrayal, her older sister Yorktown.

Bismarck: Why were we called here so late? Wouldn't you be preparing for bed?

Kiana: Normally I would, but something important came up and I...needed to get it off my chest

She waved her hand and signaled them to sit down, which they obliged too.

Kiana: Now, what I'm about to say is going to do one of three things; You all grow furious and kill me, you cast me out and let the government get me, or a mix of both

...

Yorktown: What...what kind of things do you need to say for those outcomes to happen?!

Cleveland: I would never hurt you!

She sprang forward and attempted to hug her, but Kiana put her hand on her head and kept the slightly smaller girl at arms length.

Kiana: Not now Cleveland, sit down and...please just save anything until the end

...

It took a minute, but they were back to normal and awaiting her speech.

Nagato: Well...we're waiting commander

Kiana: I know, I'm just having trouble coming to terms with what I'm about to say

...

Kiana:*sigh* First things first, what do you all know of me?

Nagato: You are an intelligent, strong willed, and powerful commander that has always led us on with minimal energy wasted and injuries sustained

They all agreed and nodded to what Nagato said.

Kiana: Thank you for the flattery, but I have a secret that was kept hidden for a reason

Q.E: A secret?

Cleveland: What is it?

Kiana: It's...about my birth

Q.E: But how is that intense? I never heard that birth could be dangerous as long as the procedure is done right

Kiana:...That's the thing about me. I didn't have a normal birth...rather I was never birthed at all

Yorktown looked at her with an eyebrow raised.

Yorktown: Are you apart of a cloning project?

Kiana: I...actually yes, good eye Yorktown

Q.E: You're a clone?!

Bismarck: Remarkable...

Cleveland and Nagato said nothing, but if the shine in their eyes could speak, they'd be screaming in delight.

Bismarck: That's something...but who's your template?

...

Kiana: That's the thing...I'm sure Cleveland doesn't want to hear it

Cleveland: But I want to know who gave their genes to make you! Why can't I hear it?!

Kiana: If you hear it it'll only shatter what little of your heart remains when you realize who I am!

Cleveland: Just say it, it won't be horrible!

Kiana: You don't get it Cleveland, who my parent is is not your conc-

Cleveland: Do you not trust me? Is this what it's about?

Kiana: You'll hate me just as you hate her!

...

Cleveland: What?

Kiana:...

She sat back down after standing to argue with Cleveland. She rested her head on her hands.

Kiana: Fine...I'm a clone, designated K-423...the first and only clone of the USS Iowa

...

She was looking down, but she felt something cold be pressed up against her head.

Kiana smirked as she knew someone was aiming their weapon at her.

Bismarck:*gritting* Give me one good reason I shouldn't blow you to bits...

Kiana looked up and stared into Bismarck's eyes, a soft smile on her face.

Kiana: Because I have my own plans with Iowa, and she has just relieved me of my duties as a double agent

Bismarck's glare didn't soften, but she lowered her gun and sat back down.

Kiana: Well...any questions?

She looked between everyone present, and only Yorktown and Cleveland weren't glaring at her with hatred and betrayal.

Nagato: Were you helping her this entire time? Ever since you came here as our commander those months ago?

Kiana: Yes, and I won't hold anything back. I was originally sent here to relay information to her so she may work around your plans in this war

Nagato: If that's the case...why have we won against the Abyss so much? If they always knew what we were to do, how have we consistently won?

Kiana:...It's all to Iowa's plan...something I want to prevent

...

Kiana took her cap off, letting her cowlick(ahoge) free.

Kiana: She has a rat in the Sirens as well, which is Tester Beta after that idiotic Siren attempted to kill her

Yorktown: If that's the case, how is she working with them?

Kiana: To start, it isn't exactly her. She stole and devoured Tester Beta's soul and created a puppet from her

Bismarck: A...a puppet?!

Kiana: Yep, it's as terrifying as it sounds. What's next?

Yorktown: What's this "plan" she is making?

...

Kiana: It's...a plan to end the war, and it'll be put into effect tomorrow

Bismarck stood quickly.

Bismarck: I won't let that woman win then, I'll gathe-

Kiana: I'm not finished Bismarck, sit down before you go off and ruin the rest of this interrogation

Reluctantly, she sat down and kept her glare on Kiana.

Kiana: The Sirens are preparing a large scale assault tomorrow, hopefully to destroy you girls and divert their attention to the Abyss

Nagato: So Iowa will capitalize and attack both sides?

Kiana: Yes...and no

...

Cleveland: Why...

They turned to Cleveland, who was silently crying the whole time.

Cleveland: Was...was it all just a ruse?...

Kiana:...When this is over...we'll talk, alright?

Cleveland nodded

Kiana: You can go....if you want

She stood up and ran out the door, leaving the group alone again.

Kiana:*sigh* That's going to be hard to calm...

Bismarck: The plan...

Kiana: Right right. She's going to send Enterprise, Amagi, and the other captured girls alongside many Abyssals to the Siren World using Tester Beta to plant an explosive that will destroy the Sirens' war effort, knocking them out of the game

...

Yorktown: And...what of us?

Kiana: She's-

?: Going to attack us alone...isn't she?

They turned to the door and saw their enemies successor standing there.

Kiana: Jersey? Welcome in-

Jersey: I heard everything commander...I want to know what my sis is doing

Kiana: Then take a seat...this'll be tough to hear if your standing

...

Kiana: This plan involves the total use of the Abyssals to target the Sirens, leaving Azur lane without an opponent...and that's where Iowa made her call

Kiana leaned back and sighed.

Kiana: She and she alone is going to target Azur lane...and she's going to accept her fate

Jersey: Her...fate?

Kiana: Yes, and this is what I'm trying to prevent. Iowa has changed over time, once desiring destruction, but after seeing past the military life and into the world of Humanity...how they live with smiles and care for each other in ways she never knew...she knows how this war has to end

Bismarck: Dammit, stop answering in riddles! What the hell is she planning?!

Kiana: She's going to fight you all, making you use whatever you can. Once the bomb is planted and detonated, she will make absolutely sure that this battle will end in...in her death

...

Jersey: She...she wants too die...

Kiana saw the distant look in Jersey's eyes, and she could only offer her hand as comfort.

Kiana: She knows that Humanity needs to go on, or everything she once knew will be erased. She wanted me to take care of you and Enterprise, make sure you're both happy...that is, if you want it

She gently caressed her hand as Jersey's grip strengthened.

Kiana: With this in mind, she will make sure she dies tomorrow, so make your choices now...whatever it is, I simply wish to ask to lead you one last time...then you may decide my fate

...

Yorktown: Despite what you've done...you have made many advancements and helped girls in ways the others haven't. I don't see why you can't be here to fight at least one more time

Nagato: I stand with Yorktown, your treachery was something you were, quite literally, born to do. Yet you changed and you seem eager to stay, I accept your choice to stay

Bismarck:...

Bismarck softened her glare, finally relenting.

Bismarck: Fine...you can stay

Kiana:*smiles* That's all I needed to hear.

One by one, they left the room, leaving both Kiana and New Jersey alone in the office.

Kiana: Now then...Jersey?

She looked up, her eyes glistening with tears at what tomorrow will mean. Yet when she looked at Kiana's eyes, she saw strength and courage beyond anything else she'd ever seen.

Jersey: Y-yes?

Kiana put her hand out, a strong smile in her face.

Kiana: Let's find a way to save my Que-, no...to save Iowa

...

She took the hand and smiled back.

Jersey: Let's