The group of seven walked across Yokosuka Naval Base, the two American women following a few steps behind the group of Japanese. The group of 3 Naval Personnel and 4 ship girls were dead silent this moment.

On the Ship girl's side of things, they didn't know where to start when it came to talking so freely with an American, let alone two. Although they knew the chance of the two women trying to hurt them was low, actually being able to hurt them even lower still, it didn't change the fact that they represented the very country that sank so many of their sisters without giving it a second thought. So, until instructed otherwise or given a common ground of discussion, they found the idea of silence the best course of action.

As for the two American's preparing to call this base home, they found it more than enough for their nerves. They were walking behind four of the most fearsome vessels the Japanese ever wielded in the war. So they supposed that silence wouldn't hurt anyone at the moment. If only for a while. Even though there was so much that the two wanted to ask about.

Admiral Ishigara walked in front of the group, musing over thoughts of his own. He wasn't going to say anything. He was going to wait and see what happened. Either his girls were going to break the ice with the new visitors, or the Americans were going to take the first step in this new found alliance they found themselves in. But instead, something he didn't account for, but should've, occurred. And he immediately recognized what was coming.

"ADMIRAL!" The voice shouted as it rang through the air. The group of 7 turned their heads to find another ship girl running full sprint towards them. Admiral Ishigara's face showed a new found terror, not usual for his normal expression. The two American officers traded a glance as the four ship girls had their own various expressions, Yamato and Mutsu stifling a small laugh while their respective sisters simply shook their heads.

Anya and Sofia watched as the sprinting ship girl neared them. As she did so, they noticed three others round the corner from where the first had come, looking almost as if they were cheering the first on. They also picked up on the similarities in their outfits.

"ADMIRAL!" The sprinting ship girl yelled once again. She then, when she was within 10 feet distance of the Japanese admiral, launched into a front flip, soaring through the air. Seeing this coming, Ishigara sidestepped at the last second, causing the ship girl to go soaring past him.

But that didn't stop the flying ship girl, as she quickly landed, readjusted, and relaunched towards him within seconds. This time however, when Ishigara side stepped this front flip, he didn't account who the ship girl would crash into. It was answered when Anya soon found herself supporting the ship girl within her own arms. The latter responded with a joyous yell.

"Admiral! You've accepted my love!" She responded happily. Anya stood frozen in place as Sofia laughed at her old friend. Ishigara groaned as the other four ship girls let out small laughs.

"Kongou! Let go of her this instant." Ishigara demanded. That's when Kongou's eyes popped open, looking down at the blonde admiral that was currently holding her. After a few seconds, she got down off of the admiral, looking wildly between Anya and Ishigara. As she did this, the other three ship girls that had been approaching earlier finally reached the group. Ishigara sighed.

"Alright. Admiral Johnson and Captain Algerona, this is the Kongou class. Kongou, Hiei, Kirishima, and Haruna. Girls, this is American Admiral Anya Johnson and Captain Sofia Algerona. Like I've only told everyone about 100 times, they'll be on base with us from now on. So please, behave a bit more...." Ishigara pleaded. The one now known as Kongou turned a curious eye to the two women, looking them both up and down.

"So the yanks are finally here...." Kongou muttered. She then walked right up to Anya and looked her straight in the eyes.

"Just because you're an admiral doesn't mean you get my love!" Kongou stated in an over joyous tone. Her sisters cheered her on from the sidelines as Anya stood there, more confused than anything.

"Ummmmm..... Ok?" Anya stated slowly. Kongou gave a triumphant nod as she turned and began to walk back towards the ship girl dorms, her sisters quickly following behind. Anya watched them go for a moment before giving a bewildered glance to Admiral Ishigara and the four battleships. Ishigara simply sighed while the other four simply shook their heads and laughed.

"Anyways.... As you'll see up ahead, this is the American part of the base. We built four dorms to house Ship girls, a headquarters for you two to work out of, and a few smaller things to accommodate whatever you may need." Admiral Ishigara explained as they neared a building. It certainly looked like a headquarters. Well built, and more than intimidating looking at if from afar. Out front flew the American flag, just below that being the U.S. Navy flag. Behind the HQ, four rather large buildings stood, three stories each. Anya supposed that they were the dorms.

"However, things such as Mess hall, the docks, and Carrier range were not able to be built for the American ship girls. So those establishments will be spilt between the Japanese and American girls for the time being." Admiral Ishigara informed the two. Anya and Sofia gave a nod as they looked over the building that would serve as their HQ during their stay here.

"Now, I imagine that you two would like to get down to business with everything, but I suggest you take the time to get used to your new quarters and such. After you've done that, the girls would be glad to lead you to where we'll be discussing the things you'll need to know for future reference." Ishigara explained. Then, with a nod, he began to walk away, leaving the group of six women alone with eachother.

The four battleships turned their heads to the two, quietly waiting for them to make a decision. Anya shrugged and walked past the four to the front door of the building, Sofia following behind her. The four battleships fell in step with the two Americans rather easily.

Anya reached the door, opening one of the two double doors, taking a full step inside. The first thing she noticed was the U.S. Naval insignia on the floor, easy for all to see.

The entry room was circular, two stairways lining the walls, leading up to the second floor. Directly in front of the group was a hallway. It went from right to left, the building's look mimicking that of the White House. Directly at the center of the hallway wall in front of them was a door that read "American Command."

Anya stepped up to the aforementioned door, swinging it open rather easily. Thus, she got her first look at her new work place.

The room was another circular one, another Naval insignia decorating the floor. Directly across from the sat a wide window, looking out into the courtyard between the ship girl's dorms. On each side of this window, sat a desk. The one to the right had a name plate adorning the top it that read Admiral Anya Johnson. The one to the left had a name plate for Captain Sofia Algerona. The walls were a solid white, fitting well with the blue carpet they found themselves standing upon.

Anya walked to what would serve as her new desk as she looked it over, putting her two bags to the side as she did so. Sofia did the same with her own desk. But as they were looking over the desks, a question came from behind them.

"What do you see us as?" The voice demanded, while still holding a calm tone. Anya turned her head to face the one that had asked the question, and based on the expressions that Nagato, Mutsu, and Yamato were sending the fourth, Anya guessed the question had come from Musashi.

"I'm not sure I understand the question...." Anya replied, looking at the second Yamato class battleship. This only seemed to egg Musashi onwards.

"You know what I mean. We're clearly not the same, so there's no way you can view us like you view another of your own navy. Of your own Military." Musashi responded. Anya raised a brow at this, leaning against her desk as the other four in the room watched the standoff. The American's hadn't even been here an hour. So much for good tidings.

"It sounds like you're asking about two different things at once. On one end, it sounds as if you're asking what do I think of you girls because you're Japanese. And on the other, it sounds like you're asking what I think of you because you're ship girls. Based on the fact that I know you know about the friendly relations between Japan and the States, I'm going to guess the second of the two. Is this what you're asking?" Anya asked for clarification. Musashi narrowed her eyes as she gave a nod.

"What's that even supposed to mean?" Anya asked. "What do you mean what do I think of you? Is there even a right answer for that? What? Are you under the impression that when I look at you and your fellow ship girls, I see things that I can toss in front of the Abyssals and say "knock yourselves out."? They can be brought back a third time?" Anya asked with a new tone of voice, a tone of accusation and slight anger. Musashi however stood her ground and gave a defiant nod.

"What the hell would give you that impression?" Anya asked. "Because I'm American? Because our countries fought each other in a war that's almost 80 years old? Look, Musashi, I was at San Francisco. I was there when you girls fired the first shell at the Abyssals. I was there when the Abyssals met their match for the first time instead of just rolling though ship after ship of sailors attempting to protect their homes in vain. So if you have the strange idea that when I look at you, I see a bunch of tools of war that can be lost without so much as a thought, then you should just go ahead and throw that idea at the Abyssals. I'm sure they'll make more use of it than I will." Anya stated.

"I accepted the position because of what I saw at San Francisco. I came here to not only see if I can start an American Ship girl program, but also to see if I can bring more help to you girls." Anya explained. Musashi made a questioning glance, a gesture that didn't pass Anya unnoticed. "Look, by all means. You girls are capable of doing things normal people can't. But that's where you're restricted. You have about 55 girls on base from what I heard a while ago. While yes, 55 is quite a few of you, wouldn't it be better to have 110 girls on station? Or 150? For every girl we bring though, it lowers the percentage of one of you sinking out there. And it increases the number of Abyssals we can send back to bottom of the abyss." Anya finished. Musashi simply turned her head away, crossing her arms in disagreement.

"Fine... For now. But don't think this means you've settled anything." Musashi stated. Anya nodded as she picked up one of her duffel bags, pulling out a framed picture.

"I wouldn't dare think it." Anya stated, putting the picture on her desk to where it was facing the girls. She began to unload the rest of her things as Yamato and Mutsu stepped up to the picture, looking it over. The picture mentioned, seemed to be of a family. Anya, clear to see, was among a few others as well.

"Is this your family, Admiral?" Mutsu asked as Nagato joined the two, although clearly not as interested as the first two battleships. Musashi still stood by the door however.

"Hmmm? Oh that? Yeah, that's my family. Father, Mother, three brothers, and my two sisters." Anya explained. Yamato picked up the picture as she looked it over.

"Are you the only Military member of your family?" Mutsu asked, looking over Yamato's shoulder. Anya shook her head.

"No." Anya stated as she sat in the chair behind her desk. "My father is a 3 star general within the U.S. Army. My mother is a 4 star General in the U.S. Air Force. My first oldest sister, Daisy, is a Lt. Colonel in the Marines. My second oldest sister, Cynthia, just joined the Coast Guard. My oldest brother, Greg, is a Ranger. And then my two other brothers, Hank and Danny, are Seals." Anya explained. Mutsu raised an impressed expression.

"So you're no stranger to the Military life... But I'm confused... You said Seal?" She asked. Anya nodded, but as she began to speak, Yamato beat her to it.

"I assume she means the special forces group that the U.S. Navy is known for. Split up into various teams mostly. Named Seals for their ability to operate easily, whether it be on land, in the air, or on the water." Yamato informed her fellow battleship. Anya simply nodded, not having expected to have one of them answer.

"Impressive Yamato. Studying I take it?" Sofia asked from the side. Yamato gave a sheepish smile

"You could say that. I'm not sent on many sorties usually..." Yamato explained. Anya raised a brow at this as she continued to unload her bags, setting a stack of files off to the side.

"Not many sorties? Why? You're the battleship Yamato. Any reason behind that?" Anya asked, looking up at the battleship. She stuttered for a moment before looking at the ground, becoming rather silent. Anya bit her tongue, looking to one of the other Battleships for help. Musashi gave a sigh as she approached Yamato from behind, giving her back a slow rub of comfort.

"You are probably not aware of this just yet, but even in these forms, we share certain things with our former, larger selves. One of these things is in fact resource consumption. This is why my sister and I are usually held away from sorties, since our return refuel can easily consume that which would normally take close to 20 of the destroyer girls..... Our resources are still recovering from the last time Yamato set out on a sortie." Musashi informed the admiral. Sofia gave a nod at this.

"I remember now.... She went by a nickname during the war...." She muttered. Musashi gave a nod as Yamato began to slowly look up again. Anya sighed.

"Alright... Sorry about that. I wasn't aware resources were so bad around here.... I'll see what I can do...." Anya stated. Yamato gave a short nod in response as Nagato spoke.

"I don't mean to intrude but aren't you going to need more than just two bags if you're staying here for an extended period?" Nagato asked. Anya nodded.

"No need to concern yourself with that. Sofia and I's belongings are being moved from the Norfolk to our quarters on base. But for right now, I think it best if we head to Admiral Ishigara and learn the fine details of what our future together will hold." Anya explained, putting her hat on her desk. Sofia gave a nod as she did the same, the two heading towards the door. The four battleships gave a nod in response as they followed the two American Officers.

As Anya and Sofia stepped out of the building, Sofia noticed movement out of the corner of her eye. She glanced that way to find four younger looking girls peeking at the two from the end of the building. When they noticed Sofia watching them, they ducked back behind the building. Sofia nudged Anya and jerked her thumb in the direction she had seen the girls.

Anya looked over to the side of the building and then back to Sofia in questioning manner. Sofia rolled her eyes and began walking that way. Anya looked back to the battleship girls before shrugging and following behind the captain. Soon enough, she figure out what Sofia was talking about when multiple voices registered to her hearing, speaking in hushed and whisper tones.

"They looked like a couple of first class ladies!" The first voice said in an excited whisper. They heard a short answer of agreement followed by the following.

"What if they saw us spying on them, nanodesu? I heard Americans are really observant." A worried voice stated, sounding as if she was constantly looking around the corner. A scoff was heard in turn, a chuckle being heard.

"That's not true. Tenryuu said that Americans are big and dumb. She said the only reason they won the war is because they got lucky!" Another voice said, barely below a whisper. She quickly received a "Shhhhhhh!" in response as the first voice spoke up again.

"Shhhh. We need to make sure they didn't hear us. Hold on, I'll check." The voice stated. Anya and Sofia looked back at the four battleships before turning their attention back to the corner, which they were now just around, standing in wait.

They watched as violet haired girl, adoring a blue navy cap, poked her head around the corner. When her eyes met Anya's and Sofia's, they grew wide with surprise. She slowly sank back around the corner, silence over coming the area for a second.

"Did they see us?" A fourth voice asked, most likely the one that used the non vocal answer earlier.

"I don't think so....." Said the first voice, although in a slightly less calm manor. Anya and Sofia heard a sigh from behind them as Nagato's voice rang out.

"Akatsuki, Hibiki, Ikazuchi, and Inazuma. Get out here right this instant." The battleship demanded. The two American officers heard some shuffling until the girl they had just looked at a moment before emerged once again, this time followed by three others.

The second girl, white hair easy to see, adorned a hat much like the first. Based on the order in names, Anya guessed this was Hibiki. From what she remembered about this class of destroyers, Hibiki survived the war and was handed over to the USSR as compensation while the other three sunk.

She the turned her attention to the next two, pretty identical in outfit. The only key difference about the two was their hairstyles, both brown in color.

Nagato looked between the four, the indicated group not meeting her stare.

"What were you four doing?" Nagato asked. The four looked at eachother before the first girl, Akatsuki, looked up at Nagato.

"We were keeping an eye on the Americans." She stated proudly. Nagato raised a brow at this, looking down at the small girl.

"And why were you doing that?" Nagato asked the lead ship of the four girls. Akatsuki grinned.

"Tenryuu asked us to! She said it would help make us real first class ladies!" Akatsuki exclaimed. Nagato groaned.

"Alright. Well I'm cancelling that order. You four, go get a snack at Houshou's. Musashi, would you mind accompanying me to go have a chat with a certain light cruiser..." Nagato asked. Musashi gave a nod in response. Nagato turned back to Anya and Sofia.

"I apologize, but we must handle this now. I trust that our sisters shall be able to suit your needs." Nagato stated before she and Musashi began to walk away. The two remaining battleships and the two American officers traded a glance with eachother before giving a shrug.

"I guess we should probably make our way to Ishigara now, right?" Anya asked. Mutsu gave a nod along with a smile as she lead the way. And that's when it happened for the first time. Having two easily approachable ship girls most likely assisted in it. Instead of the Americans pairing off with eachother, Sofia took the first step, falling in step with Yamato. Anya took the following and fell in step with Mutsu as the four made their way to the Japanese admiral.

20 minutes later, they had made their way to the Japanese headquarters of Yokosuka. Mutsu opened the door, admitting Anya inside. Sofia and Yamato soon followed, Mutsu bringing up the rear.

The four walked down a hall to the left, passing a few doors. That is until Yamato stopped the group, pausing at a door on the left. She gripped the handle, giving it a twist, allowing the door to open. She pushed it open, allowing access to Ishigara's office. Anya and Sofia stepped inside, the door being closed behind them. Anya and Sofia turned their focus to the admiral from before, Ishigara raising from his seat to greet the two.

"Ladies. Shall we get down to business?" Ishigara asked. Sofia and Anya nodded as they took seats in front of his desk, watching as he pulled out a stack of files from his desk. He rested them in front of him as he looked at the two.

"So, there isn't a whole lot I can tell you about the ship girls. That's better suited for self experiences and the experience you gain in being with them. But things I do need to inform you of. Here's the first thing. The ship girls are not robotics. They're not in any way synthetic or artificial. Each girl is just as organic as yourself or myself." Ishigara explained. Anya and Sofia gave him a strange look at this.

"You're kidding, right? All evidence supports them being fully robotic. At least that's what most people thought given Japan's innovation in the subject." Sofia stated. Ishigara gave a nod in understanding.

"Fair point. But my homeland's love for robotics aside, these girls weren't made by our hands. They're fully alive just like everyone else. If they were simply a piece of tech that we could build and upgrade when we wished, we simply would've given the U.S. the tech to do so." He explained. Anya raised a look at this.

"Then... What exactly do they fall under?" Anya asked, her mind launching a new wave of possibilities. Ishigara hesitated a moment before letting a sigh escape.

"My best guess at this point? The Supernatural." He finally said. Anya and Sofia looked at him like he'd grown another head. "Look, by all means, I guess those looks are warranted. But think it about. These girls are just as alive as you or I am. But they're about 20 times stronger in basic activities. If you attempted to hurt them, you'd be there for a while. Even the sharpest sword can't draw their blood. The fastest on land speed rounds they've set has been at a solid 25 Mph." Ishigara finished. Anya and Sofia traded a glance before they began to look over the various files in front of them.

"Alright. While you look over those, the second thing. Resources. The ship girls run on four main resources besides food. Bauxite, Steel, Fuel, and Ammo. I bring this to your attention because besides bringing more ship girls into this conflict, this is the second way the U.S. can help the Ship girls in their mission against the Abyssals. Providing us with more resources." Ishigara explained. Anya nodded in response.

"Yeah. That issue came up while we were taking with Yamato and Musashi. I'll talk to Hayfield, see if we can't get something in order." Anya stated. "But I'll need info on each. For one, there are variants of Ammo I imagine." She stated. Ishigara gave a nod.

"Of course. After this, that'll be all. The rest of the day will be yours. Tomorrow, you'll bring the first American Ship girl through. Sound like a plan?" Ishigara asked. Anya and Sofia traded a glance before the two looked at the Japanese admiral, both giving a confident nod in response.