A/N: Despite all former, current, and future evidence, I am in fact not dead. Not that the world didn't take it's best shot, huh? What a world we live in this day and age? I hope you all are faring alright, this'll all end at some point.

As some of you might be taking to heart, this chapter's a fair bit longer than most. I told you almost a year ago that I wanted to do something special for 100 and I did. Just, a friend suggested that I split it into two, and in honesty, it was a good idea. Gives you more content and takes some of the pressure of making a deadline off of me.

This is Fifty Thousand words and just part one, second part following in the next month or so. So, please, enjoy. Let me know what you think, and I'll try to make our next meeting not so far off next time. See Ya!
—/—/—/—/—/—/—/—

The creak of the wooden floorboards beneath her feet snapped her attention forwards, her eyes darting around wildly. Her orange eyes desperately searched the room, only lit dimly from the corner as a lamp sat on the corner table, the air stale with a metallic tang to it. Her gaze snapped around wildly for a moment before she finally realized something was off.

Bristol didn't know where she was.

She glanced around the room she was apparently standing in the middle of. She supposed it was some sort of bedroom, but it was barren for all but the corner table that held the lamp atop of it's surface. She watched the light flicker, threatening to plunge the room into darkness already. She watched it, the sound of the bulb within the lamp sounding as if it was going to go out at any second. She watched the light flicker against the wall a moment longer before turning her attention to the floorboards below her feet.

They were scratched and cracked, already threatening to splinter in someways as if they'd had constant foot traffic over some unknown length of time. She bent down and ran her fingers along them, only to pause when they encountered something wet.

But when she pulled her fingers back and look at them, rubbing another against them, her fingers were as dry as they had been before.

Bristol frowned.

Once again, she dragged her fingers along the floor, and once again, they felt as if they were being dragged through some sort of liquid. But once again, as she rubbed them together, they were as dry as they'd been the first time. The girl frowned as she did so before standing again, glancing around the room.

Just as laughter seemed to whisper by her.

The girl whirled around, the floorboards creaking underneath her as she did so. She didn't know where it had come from this time, but she knew the laughter, of that there was no doubt. She knew it well. It'd been haunting her dreams for days now, and this was only the newest happening. It'd caught her off guard in the first few, now, she wanted to know why.

Her gaze found the room once again, still bathed in the dim light before she turned for the wooden door. She paused a moment before going for the doorway, her hand coming to rest on the handle.

Once again, her hand felt something wet, she could feel it. She could feel something dripping from the door handle. But once again when she pulled her hand away and looked it over, still yet, it was dry. She frowned deeper as she took the handle and twisted it, pulling the door open and pushing it to the side as she poked her head out of the doorway.

She knew the hallway immediately. She'd seen it before.

The images of the two mystery figures flashed through her mind but she quickly dismissed it as she looked down the left of the hallway. And then took a cautionary glance down the right. When she saw no one, taking a few moments of silence to confirm she couldn't hear anyone either, she slowly but carefully stepped out into the hallway, the floorboards creaking as she did so.

The laugh echoed in her ears as soon as she had done so.

She didn't even bother glancing around this time, not bothering to look for a source. She knew it wouldn't be here, not now. She wasn't sure how she knew that, but there was something telling her that was the case.

She looked down the dimly lit hallway and decided her next move was to investigate. But as she took her first step, when her foot was brought down, it landed in something that made a small splash. Her gaze shifted downwards, her orange eyes scanning the ground below her for any puddle of anything. But once again, as if her mind decided it fitting to play some sort of cruel joke on the destroyer.

Bristol watched the floor a moment longer, the stale air still at the forefront, that metallic tang to it still present. Bristol shook her head in disagreement before settling on making her way down the hallway. Where the fire has raged and the laughter had run before, the doors sat silent and the air felt cool. She preemptively glanced behind her just to be sure, but she saw no one standing there against the seemingly endless darkness of the hallway, she once again turned her vision to the front, walking forwards as she ignored the splashing of each footstep.

And then the laughter echoed again. But this time, it made itself known, it made itself clear. The sound of the mystery voice echoed off the walls before her, seeming to amplify it. Bristol cringed at the noise, having to bring her hands up to her ears to try and dampen the noise. But even with her ears covered, the laughter rung louder and louder. Bristol frowned as she hastened her pace, willing the laughter to fade, willing it to leave her alone. But it only grew louder as she passed row after row of doors.

As she continued, the splashing at her feet grew louder and louder, convincing the destroyer that there was something she was stepping in. But as she glanced down ever so slightly, it was still as dry as it had been, leaving the destroyer more than confused.

But her pace, her direction was soon rewarded as the laughter began to die down and the hallway began to come to an end, opening up into what Bristol assumed to be some sort of gathering area. It was empty, save all for one lone table in the middle of the room. Resting in the dim light coming from a source that she couldn't place, the girl carefully made her way for the table, being able to just barely make out something resting on top. Bristol titled her head somewhat at the sight, wearily eying them before she finally figured out what it was.

Rings.

Four to be exact.

Sitting across from one another in uniform placement. Bristol seemed to look over them a moment before reaching forwards for one of the rings, carefully picking it up. She didn't recognize it, she didn't know it. And the one thing that caught her eye over everything was impossible to miss.

The gem on the top of the ring was cracked.

But the more she looked at it, the more she inspected it, she realized that it wasn't just the gem, but the entire ring. It was decorated in small cracks criss crossing every which way, both on the outside and the inside of the item. She rolled it around in her hand for a moment before looking to the other three.

Even in the dim lighting around her, she could easily tell that the three of them were much the same. They were cracked and broken, the gem's dimmed and dying. Bristol frowned as she picked up each one of them at a time, looking them over. Each were cracked to separate degrees, some having more damage than the others, some having less. But none of the four were in any sort of good shape.

But when she picked up all four, readjusting where she was standing, she heard another splash below her as her foot took another step. Glancing down, Bristol momentarily paused.

The ground below her was awash in red, washing up against her feet. Her eyes went wide as she looked around, the floor of the entry room now seemingly soaked in red. And that's when she realized she could no longer feel the rings in her hand. Frowning, she looked down at her hands.

She wanted to scream.

Her hands were covered in a fresh crimson blood. Her hands shook as it dripped from her palms, from her fingers, from her skin. And just as the laughter renewed in full, echoing all up and around the room before her.

She woke up just as footsteps began to echo down the hall she'd come from.

—/—\—/—\—

"Finally." She said. "We get a moment alone." Nancy sighed as she closed the refrigerator behind her, two bottles clasped by their necks between her fingers. Frederick, who was seated on the couch, laughed as he leaned back, a hand already waiting for the item to be given to him. As Nancy approached, she placed a bottle in his waiting hand as she leaned down at the same time, kissing her husband on the lips as she released the bottle to him.

"Like you'd ever be one to turn away time with the kids." Frederick answered her as he took a moment to twist open the beer before taking a sip, putting the cap on the table before him. Nancy shrugged as she took a seat next to her husband, the woman sipping at her own bottle.

"I'm not saying I would." She said. "I love each and every one of them. But I can only take so much shenanigans when all six of them are together. Even 25 years later." She said as she leaned against the man. "Peace and Quiet is a gift I adore greatly." She said. "And with a few days off finally and no one scheduled for an appearance anytime soon, we finally have the place all to ourselves." She said. Frederick chuckled at that, the man looking to his wife.

"You're asking for trouble, honey." Frederick laughed. Nancy rolled her eyes at that, sipping at her beer before she shrugged.

"If I'm asking for trouble, so be it." She said. "But as long as I get some quiet out of it, I'm more than happy to abide." She said. She ran a hand through her blonde locks, the same blonde locks that each of her daughters had received from her. Frederick chuckled at that as he looked to his wife.

"I'm really hoping you're not expecting another child." He said. Nancy rolled her eyes at that as she leaned against the man.

"Thank you very much but I could very well handle another child." She said.

"Not saying you couldn't." Frederick answered. "But I don't get sleep much these days. Taking away from that doesn't sound like a very intelligent idea to me." He said. "Plus, the hooligans are still enough of a handful as is. Especially now with their being a potential for a daughter in law that is the reincarnated form of a battleship." He said. Nancy arched a brow at that as she looked to her husband.

"You think they'll end up going for that long?" Nancy asked. Frederick shrugged.

"If not Maryland, I guarantee you the chance of she ending up with at least one of them." He said. Nancy nodded at that, couldn't help but to agree as she thought of her youngest daughter.

"A fair point." She said. "But I think the chances of Maryland are high." She told him. "You know, the whole being Jack's Ship helps that. And having actually met the woman, I truly do like the idea of the two of them together." She said. Frederick nodded at that.

"Though there's nothing saying we end up with just one given that one of these days, Cynthia's gonna end up finding her way to base." He said. "Much to her sister's chagrin." He reasoned. She laughed at that as the two of the flipped through channels on the TV, nothing looking like a good watch at the moment.

"Ain't that the truth." Nancy agreed as she sipped at her beer. "You know, when we were watching her play out on the beach when she was young, this isn't where I expected she'd end up. Leading an impossible navy in this day and age." She admitted. Frederick nodded at that in understanding.

"You never did try to stop them you know." He said. Nancy shrugged at that for a moment.

"It wasn't my place to try and tell our kids what they could and couldn't do with their lives." She said. "Sure, would I love to know that they aren't in harms way? Yes, without a doubt. But disallowing them their military service for my own personal preference would've been wrong." She said. "Besides, most of them had their hearts set on it from their earliest days." She said.

"Most is right." Frederick chuckled.  "We told Cynthia she didn't have to." He said. "But she went and joined Anyways."

"You know how she is." Nancy said. "Headstrong doesn't even begin to describe her. Even in the littlest detail."

"Hmmmmm, I wonder where she got that from." Frederick answered, casting a glance to his wife. Nancy looked back at him with a mock sense of hurt, glancing at him in a surprised notion.

"Are you trying to tell me that my daughter? My second oldest daughter? Decided to take after her mother in more than just looks?" Nancy asked before leaning into close to the man. "Whaaaaat? How preposterous. Simply unheard of." She said. Frederick rolled his eyes at that before leaning into his wife, kissing her on the lips, an action that Nancy made no objection to. Their lips met in a quick peck before the sound of a car door closing outside. The two separated a moment as Nancy arched a brow.

"Thought we weren't expecting any visitors." Frederick said as his eyes wandered towards the front door. Nancy arched a brow at that as she put her beer on the coffee table before her as she got up off of the couch. She carefully eyed the doorway for a moment, making her way across the spacious living room towards the entry way. The woman ever so slowly approached the front door.

Just as someone banged on the door from the outside. Nancy arched a brow at that before she slunk to the right side of the door, carefully peering out the window next to the door. And then she sighed. Frederick glanced at his wife from across the room as he leaned forwards, placing his beer on the coffee table.

"Do we have visitors?" He asked. Nancy's only answer was to unlock the front door and swing it open, giving sight to a group of six people, three women, and three men. Frederick laughed immediately at the sight of the six as he knew who they were already. He chuckled somewhat at that as he slowly stood from his spot on the couch, leaving his beer on the coffee table as the six adults began to enter through the front door.

His Sisters and Brothers in law.

Nancy's siblings.

The oldest of the seven Vortella siblings, Marie, offered Frederick a smile as she went in for a hug, the man all too ready to give.

"I do hope Nancy has remembered just how lucky she is to have you." Marie said as she hugged the man, giving one hard hug for good measure before releasing the man. Frederick only offered a small nod as Nancy huffed from her spot, her eyes meeting those of her eldest Sister's. Being the second oldest of the seven, Nancy and her oldest sister had always been in good terms. But that didn't stop the two of them from getting on one another's nerves every once and a while.

"Wow, and here I thought you all decided on a random visit out of the goodness of your hearts." Nancy said from the side. Marie laughed, the dark headed woman turning from her brother in law to face her sister, offering her a smile.

"We heard from a reliable source that you and Freddy here had a few days off so we decided that we'd come pay a visit." Marie told her, her emerald eyes meeting Nancy's sapphire. The Matriarch of the Johnson family sighed somewhat as she planted her hand against her face, her shoulders slumping at the mere mention.

"Goddamnit Mom." She sighed. Marie laughed at that as a second woman approached the two of them.

"Tell me. Are the dangerous seven set to make an appearance?" She asked as she looked to Frederick. The third oldest of the seven siblings, Bethany, said as she looked to the man. Frederick sighed at that for a moment before shaking his head.

"I certainly hope not." He replied as he picked up his beer from the coffee table. "We only really have room for one destructive set of siblings in this house and I'd rather not test that limit with my sisters suddenly making an unannounced visit." She told him, the black haired woman looking at the man with laughter in her brown eyes.

"I remember your wedding." Marie offered. "Look, I'm not saying your kids got their naturally trouble causing ways from your side of the family." She said, looking to the man.

"But they certainly did." Bethany confirmed.

"Speaking of the kiddos." Anthony said as he approached, the dark headed man, the fourth of the Vortella siblings. "I don't suppose any of the Sinister Six are about, are they?"

"It's seven." Nancy said. "And no. And were you actually expecting any of them to be?" She asked. "With The War going on and what?" She questioned. Anthony shrugged at the question.

"Thought we might get lucky. At least with either Greg or Daisy." He reasoned.

"It's funny." Bethany answered. "You two were so very adamant on not having seven kids. And for a while, that was a success. And then your little girl picked up a stray." She laughed.

"Didn't stop the six of you from sending Sofia tons of stuff every Christmas from that point on." Frederick said as the group laughed, Nancy nodding.

"Some of which she greatly appreciated, mind you." She confirmed. The collective group of adults nodded at that as the fifth member of the Vortella siblings approached, Shane.

"I would hope so." The brown haired man said as he offered a care free laugh at the statement. "Heaven knows we've certainly spoiled her as much as we've spoiled the rest of your kids." He said.

"Like we don't already spoil each other's kids far too much." Nancy replied to that.

"Though we always seem to pale in comparison to their aunts." Marie said as she looked to Frederick in turn. The man nodded at that, sighing somewhat as he sipped at his beer.

"My sisters did always like giving gifts. And they've always been carefree with their spending." He said. "Being the youngest of eight has had its perks some times, I will admit." He told them. Nancy's siblings chuckled at that in agreement as the sixth of the seven stepped towards them, Dalton. Graying in some areas, it was clear to see his former dark hair, a telltale sign of the Vortella linage.

"Sometimes, I worry they spend a little too much." Dalton admitted.

"You're not the only one." Frederick sighed.

"Well, its all alright." Tina surmised, the youngest of the Vortella siblings, her long black hair hanging past her shoulders. "All of this talk of the kiddos however, that begs the question, how are Anya and Sofi doing?" She asked, looking to Nancy. The woman arched a brow at that as she gestured towards the back porch as Dalton and Anthony went for the fridge, pulling a beer for everyone.

"You assume we-"

"We know you know." Marie answered for her, looking her little sister in the eye. "Please, none of us may be active personnel anymore, but that doesn't mean we're not in the know." She said as the group of eight began to step out onto the back deck of the house, the wide space more than accommodating to them easily.

"You're a general and a general and you're going to try to tell us that you don't know how your daughter the Admiral is doing in Japan." She said as she took a seat at the table as a beer was placed in front of her. "Unlike you, we haven't been able to hear much about her or Sofia, and even at that, not much on the rest of them. I ran into Greg last week for a few short moments, but other than that, it hasn't been much." She told her.

"So Spill." Tina told her. Nancy paused at that a moment before eventually nodding to the request.

"For the most part, it's been hectic for Anya and Sofia." She told them. "The ship girls are a handful. And that's just the destroyers I met during my visit." She said. Her siblings, Anya's aunts and uncles nodded at this news. "But overall, they seem to be enjoying the work well enough. Even with the rough waters that pop up ever so often." She told Them.

"Rough waters?" Bethany questioned as she sipped at her beer.

"She's taken a hit or two from the girls. Emotions, being newly reborn women, aren't their strong suits at the moment. So some tempers can flare somewhat easily. Couple that with their strength they naturally possess being the reborn spirits of warships, and you end up with some serious issues." She said. "Largely however, it's been somewhat smooth sailing. Especially since she's already found herself practically tied to one." She told them. Marie and Bethany snorted at that somewhat as Tina chuckled.

"I find myself surprised, what with how dodgy she was with the questions of the same subject of a younger age." Tina admitted.

"Takes after her mother in that way." Shane agreed. Nancy rolled her eyes as Bethany nodded.

"He's right. Took us months to actually get a name from you when you started seeing Freddy."

"Probably didn't want Marie to scare him off like every one of her other boyfriends." Anthony said. Marie rolled her eyes at that somewhat, not truly putting stock in her words.

"I didn't do it that much." Marie contested. Nancy rolled her eyes.

"I can remember at least six guys you either scared off or attempted to get with yourself." Bethany told her.

"Hate to say it Mari, but you did." Anthony told her.

"And here we wonder where Cynthia gets it from." Dalton said as he leaned back in his chair, laughing somewhat. Marie rolled her eyes at that as Tina looked to Nancy.

"All that aside and apart from Marie's and Cynthia's shared interests, which one is Anya supposedly tied to? A heavy cruiser?" She asked.

"Grandpa's ship." Nancy told her in response. Tina seemed to take a moment to adjust at that, but the three brothers of the Vortella siblings found it amusing, Anthony laughing at that as he leaned back.

"Old Mary." He answered. "I'm assuming she doesn't look like she's showing her age." He reasoned. "At least basing that off of what we know of the Japanese fleet thus far."

"Not at all." Nancy agreed. "Drop dead is a good comparison." She told him. Anthony nodded at that, apparently finding it only reasonable.

"We've all seen pictures and news articles regarding the Japanese fleet. I'm pretty sure that description was a given. Tell me, is she taller than the Japanese battleships?" She asked. Nancy nodded.

"The typical trend is that the American battleships are taller than their oriental peers." She told them. "Respective of the typical trend that's set by their countrymen." She told them.

"Okay, enough of Anya at the moment. What about Sofia." Bethany inquired. Nancy nodded at that.

"From what I saw, she holds the fleet as a whole close by but she's not close to anyone in particular, not like Anya is. Now, whether or not that changes in the coming months of if it's already changed, I can't say." She said.

"Would you mind having two in laws that are ship girls?" Shane asked.

"It would be one." Nancy said. "Seeing that Sofia is not legally associated with the family. But no, to answer your question, I wouldn't mind either of them finding someone." She told them.

"It would be nice knowing she's protected for sure." Frederick said. Nancy nodded in agreement at that, sipping at her beer.

"That's the truth." Nancy agreed. "Being sure that she's cared for would be nice. And this is all assuming she comes away from this war with just Maryland. When I was on base, Anya had a handful of destroyers that could typically be found at her side." She said. Marie and Bethany arched brows at that as Dalton looked to Frederick.

"So do you have any plans to make a visit out to Japan?" He inquired. "They've practically already met the rest of the family. Maybe give them the full set?" He asked. Frederick shook his head.

"Though I haven't paid them a visit, I have talked to a few of them on the phone with Anya close by. As things are, they all seem to be having a fairly good time." He said. "From what I picked up on, Atlanta seems to like messing with Anya quite a bit." He said.

"It's weird to think how different this conversation would be if Anya hadn't of joined the Navy." Shane said as he looked out over the ocean for a moment.

"The real loss in that topic of discussion is Sofia." Tina answered him. "The fleet would still have an admiral, but without the navy, Anya wouldn't have met Sofia." She said. The man nodded at that as Bethany casted her gaze towards the oceans as well.

"You know, I still find it amusing that you willingly live next to the oceans." She said. "I find a lot of amusement telling people that one of my sisters still lives along the coast. That and that she's never believed in a gun for home defense. You know how many people I've had ask what's wrong with you and I've never been able to openly give them a straight answer?" She said. "I've had a lot of people tell me outright you're probably not gonna survive this war." She said.

"Geee, thanks." Nancy said with a roll of her eyes, prompting Bethany to laugh.

"Nonsense. If anyone can out last this war while living on a shoreline, it's gonna be this family." Tina said.

"Largely because they all take too much after their mother." Shane supplied.

"Not that that's possibly a bad thing." Nancy interjected. "Look, are you all here for drinks? Or just to poke fun at me?" She asked as she put a hand on her hip.

"Little bit of both honestly." Tina affirmed, shooting a grin to her sister. Nancy only rolled her eyes at that, but made her way to the fridge anyways as her siblings settled in for the day.

—/—\—

Saradia Corina Herkunft still really didn't know what to fully make of her situation. What to make of her posting. Yeah, she was working with the ship girls, fighting this war on the front lines. And she loved them, every single one she'd taken the time to get to know.

But it was all still so surreal.

And that train of thought only reinforced itself as she looked on, watching as Emma sat at her own desk within the office, on one side of her, standing Bismarck. And on her other side, there stood Tirpitz, one hand resting on the desk and the other pointing something out to the girl.

And smushed between Tirpitz and the chair was Bismarck Sea, trying to see what exactly was going on above her view level.

Saradia watched as Bismarck hefted the carrier into her arms, gently sitting her on the desk next to her before the battleship turned back to assisting Emma with the much dreaded homework. Even though it was at this point, down to the last page of her English homework, something the three ship girls would have no issue with. Watching them a moment, she glanced back to her computer screen, where she'd pulled up a history of Bismarck Sea amongst her other work. Taking another glance at the carrier pictured, the little flattop before her, her gaze wandered to the girl of the same name.

That was her.

And she was it. It was her past.

When they'd come back from the Pet shop, what Saratoga had said had stuck with her, about reading about their past histories. And Saradia knew it was in the public domain, but on some level of what she knew as human, it was odd. Most people didn't openly share their pasts down to the last detail. But the girls really didn't have the option to opt out of it, all of them being apart of one of the biggest conflicts in human history. Reading so much, at least in some aspects, made Saradia a bit uneasy. To ease those feelings, she'd started with the German residents first.

But the matter of the fact was that the German girls weren't exactly here in numbers to be envious of. So that'd eventually lead her into the American portion of the base's population, starting with the smaller classed girls. She'd gone with the escort carriers first though, because she feared getting caught up in the labyrinth that was the Fletcher class sisterhood.

But her bout of concentration was broken when her door suddenly flew open, admitting the sight of Z-25 and Z-26 dashing into her office, prompting the four working on homework to look up as Saradia watched, somewhat intrigued. All the way up until U-2342 rushed the door, looking downright pissed as she wielded a torpedo over her head, her face showing the rare glimpse of emotion. At that, Saradia stood almost immediately as Tirpitz and Bismarck made way for the submarine as the two destroyers clustered to hide behind Bismarck Sea, the escort carrier only blinking in confusion before she peered at the sub, barely over the desk.

Luckily, the two battleships were more ready than the sub and she was quickly disarmed, much to Saradia's relief. After a moment, making sure the torpedo was taken care of, which for the moment apparently relied on handing it to Bismarck Sea for proper storage, something Saradia wasn't exactly sure what to feel about it, she looked back to U-2342, who now looked more dejected than anything after apparently having been disarmed from her weapon of choice. Coming to a stance in front of the submarine, the U-boat now refused to meet the woman's gaze which was understandably fixated on her. Arching a brow at that, Saradia simply set her hands on her hips a moment before finally breaking the silence.

"So? Would we like to discuss why you just came marauding through the door with a torpedo slung over your head? Chasing two destroyers no less?" Saradia started off with. When 2342 didn't answer straight away however, and the two destroyers began to try and interject their own side of the story into the discussion, Saradia wasn't open to it at the moment. "Ruhig." The German Admiral said in her normal calm tone. "I want to hear what prompted her to chase the two of you into my office with a torpedo, and so close to my daughter as well." She told them, watching a moment before they backed down. When they'd done so, she turned her attention back towards U. "So? What seems to be the issue that warrants attacking them with what I can only assume was a practice torpedo?" She questioned.

The submarine managed a glance up at the Admiral before mumbling something under her breath. And Saradia couldn't even begin to try and make it out what she'd said. Under normal circumstances, she'd be glad that one of her subs was showing any sort of actual emotion. She just wished it wasn't emotion that was usually noted as negative. For a moment, she said nothing. And then she lowered herself down to U's level, coming almost to a solid eye level with her.

"Come on." She said. "What's the problem? You know you can tell me anything." She asked, looking at her. U however didn't bother to look up though, so much to the point that Bismarck stepped forwards, prompting Saradia to look to the battleship.

"I am unsure if it's related, but I know for certain that Z-25 was teasing her yesterday for having no real name aside from her number." The battleship said. Saradia arched a brow at that, glancing back towards the two destroyers for a moment before looking back to U. It was true, Saradia admitted to herself, that she'd often pondered the thought that technically they didn't have names.

"Neither do the destroyers." Saradia said finally. Bismarck nodded surely at that as Tirpitz stepped forward, taking her own glance back at the destroyers for a moment  before looking back to Saradia.

"No." Tirpitz admitted. "But that's largely because they're easy to tell apart. It's not something that they have going for them. And to be honest, even I myself find trouble in the ability to tell them apart sometimes. I try not to, but I have called them by the wrong.. numbers." She informed her. "And I know that other classes, other ship girls have done the same thing. Most notably those of the American and Japanese." She said. Saradia nodded at that, somewhat in understanding as she rubbed her face a moment, taking a moment to think about it before looking back to U. Rubbing the submarine's head, she sighed a moment before kneeling down to the girl's height once again.

"Should've figured it would eventually come up somehow given that you girls don't have proper names." She said. She was resisting the urge to sigh more. It should have been pretty obvious that this would bother at least one of them about it, given all of the other girls on base with names of sorts.

To her credit, U only nodded somewhat, not bothering to look up at the admiral at the moment.

"Look at me." Saradia spoke softly. It took a moment for the submarine to consider the option. When she finally seemed to, her pale eyes meeting Saradia's, the admiral met her gaze head on. "Having a name means that much to you?" She asked. She wasn't sure what the sub's reaction was going to be there, but the one she got was an almost immediate nod in return. Saradia nodded at that, holding a moment as she began to come up some sort of answer until she eventually settled on one. "Here's what we'll do then. You go back to your sisters and the group of you come up with some names you'd like to go by. While you do that, I'll come up with a better way to tell you girls apart so we don't have to worry about people confusing you for one another." She said. "Is this agreeable?" She asked.

Saradia wasn't sure what she was expecting out of the sub, but what she got was the girl wrapping her arms around the woman's neck in a motion that Saradia almost completely missed by the time it was over. And just as quick as she'd hugged the Admiral, the submarine was gone, presumably off to hunt down her sisters. Shaking her head, somewhat amusedly, Saradia stood for a moment before looking to the destroyers.

"You girls don't face the lookalike issue that they do, but the naming option is extended to the group of you as well, if you want to take it." She reasoned. She surmised that if the subs were given names and the like, it would eventually get to the destroyers to boot. And much to her expected reaction, the two of them nodded before quickly running from the room, Saradia watching them go before closing the door with a soft sigh. "Good heavens." The Admiral sighed before returning to her desk, taking a moment to ease herself down into her chair once again. Bismarck returned to Emma's side, settling the girl in once again as she put Bismarck Sea on her lap, the three of them getting back into the task of Emma's homework.

Tirpitz however, the younger of the two battleships, only approached the desk, leaning on it as she looked over at Saradia.

"Very well handled." Tirpitz offered in support. Saradia only chuckled somewhat at that, shaking her head.

"And I've only got a handful of destroyers and subs. How do Ishigara or Johnson deal with this all of the time?" She asked for good measure. Tirpitz shrugged at the question, leaning on her desk somewhat.

"Well, Ishigara's just far too patient for his own good and Admiral Johnson's.... well, magical I guess." She admitted.

"Magical?" Saradia asked, a brow cocked in a questioning manner.

"Magical. I mean come on, think about it. You really lead me to believe that someone that has that many ship girls to watch and look after and she's still right as rain after every single one? Every single one? No, I don't buy it. The woman has something magical about her." She said.

"And that's when she's just dealing with her own girls. But she has a habit of leaning into the other nation's numbers as well." Bismarck added. "From what I've seen at least." The German battleship reasoned.

"I highly doubt that makes her magical in any sense." Saradia answered, sighing somewhat. "She just seems to have a gift when dealing with the girls and their issues."

"And for how involved she gets, she's lucky that things have gone the way they have. She could have seriously been injured with how many times one of the girls has gotten physical." Tirpitz said.

"Though only one of those times really meant anything. The other three were largely unintentional or complete accidents. Hipper's the only one who actually tried to mean something by it. Kentucky only wanted to be left alone. Tenryuu didn't bother to check." Bismarck answered.

"And I was largely asleep. Even then though, she even solved the issue with Hipper after a little while. I return to my original statement of she being magical." Tirpitz said after that, crossing her arms. "I mean, she's gotta be to handle a class like the Fletchers."

But she wasn't granted all the time in the world as her desk phone began to ring, Saradia pausing a moment before she reached for it and answered.

"This is Admiral Herkunft speaking."

"Hi Saradia." The male voice came over the phone. The woman's gaze darted to Emma a moment before once again focusing in on the call.

"Hello Jonas." She spoke aloud, immediately prompting Emma to look up at the woman in surprise. Before the three ships knew what was going on, Emma was scampering away from Bismarck squared and towards her mother, already climbing onto her lap, Saradia chuckling somewhat as she helped her where she needed it as the three ship girls watched in confusion.

"Based on that reaction, I assume that she must already know I'm calling." Jonas replied as Emma settled on her mother's lap. Saradia nodded at that.

"She was doing homework before you called, but her tutors are doing a wonderful job at keeping the pace so she has time to talk." She said.

"Tutors? You got her tutors?" Jonas questioned. Saradia laid a hand on Emma's head with a shake of her head.

"Got them?  Not so much. Found them by chance? More likely." She said, glancing up to Bismarck and Tirpitz a moment before looking back to her desk. "So, how're things at home?" She asked.

"Well enough at current moment I suppose. Your parents finished the move to the city so I've been checking up on them every so often. They had breakfast with my parents today so at least they're keeping one another company. Your parents called you recently?" He questioned.

"Couple days ago in fact." Saradia replied as her office door opened, admitting the Hipper sisters to poke their heads inside. When they found their Admiral on the phone, Hipper arched a brow before she quietly stepped inside, followed by Prinz and Blücher. Saradia gave them notice to keep quiet a moment before going back to her phone call.

Just as the three cruisers gestured to Saradia while looking to the battleship sisters.

The two simply shrugged.

"Just wanted to make sure they remembered." Jonas said. "So all that aside, are things settling well enough for you?" He asked. "Emma settling in well enough? How are the girls around her?"

"Everything's going fine. Quite actually. All of the girls seem to adore Emma for the time being and a number of them try to speak to her on a daily basis. They don't get much in return, but I can see it's doing good for her in the long run. She's made real friends with a few of them however, including a couple of battleships." She said.

"German I assume?" Jonas questioned.

"And an American." She confirmed. Jonas made a noise that suggested his interest was piqued.

"An American?" He questioned. "Can I question who?" He asked.

"Not the Americans, but I'll tell you the German pair." She said. "Bismarck and Tirpitz."

"She's friends with Bismarck and Tirpitz?" Jonas asked in somewhat disbelief. Saradia only chuckled somewhat at that as she nodded, still holding the phone to her ear as noted Emma looking up at her in a hopeful manner.

"What exactly did you expect when you found out what I was coming to Japan for?" He asked.

"Maybe a cruiser or two, sure. But largely, I expected it to be all destroyers who decided to warrant their time to her. I didn't really expect the battleships to.. you know, have the time to spare or be that interested." He admitted. Saradia chuckled somewhat at that for a moment before she composed herself.

"Have you done any sort of research? Into anything related to this?" She asked.

"That's a moot point because we're talking about two different nations of ship girls since I can't readily come by information regarding the German ship girls. And I doubt that the Japanese ship girls behave just like them." He reasoned.

"Well no. But the basics are still the same. The heavier classed girls have longer attention spans and put more thought into things around them and what they're doing. Either way, I'm going to hand the phone off to Emma for a couple of minutes. She's about ready to take it by force from the looks of it." She said. When he confirmed the move, Saradia took the phone down from her ear and offered it to the girl, who gladly took it and held it to her ear. Making sure she was settled a moment, Saradia eventually looked up to the six ship girls staring back at her, some of them more curious than the others.

"Admiral, who..?" Blücher questioned.

"My Ex-husband, her father." Saradia answered as she readjusted Emma somewhat, making sure she wasn't about to slip off of her lap before looking back to the girls.

"Oh.." Blücher answered. "I didn't mean-"

"Don't worry, it wasn't bad in any sense of the word. We had disagreements about the war and my involvement in it when the Abyssals first appeared. He wanted me to be safe, but I had a duty to preform. After a couple of months of back and forth on the subject with no progress being made either way, him trying to convince me nor myself trying to get him to see reason, we realized it probably wouldn't be the best thing to remain in that relationship while the war was ongoing." She said. "But other than that, we're still quite good friends."

"He wanted you to leave the Navy?" Bismarck asked. Saradia nodded at the question as she looked to her.

"Well you have to put yourself in the thought process back then. The world had just watched New York and San Francisco razed to the ground essentially. And we really didn't know what or who had even done so at that point. It was pretty common across the globe for families to try and talk their members out of the Navy. But essentially the opposite happened and their numbers and recruiting increased in the major naval powers. And it still is that way somewhat, it's just that the deployment options aren't quite the same as what they were only a week into the war." She told them.

"Admiral Johnson wasn't even an Admiral before the war. Were you the same as she?" Tirpitz asked. Saradia shook her head.

"I had already made Admiral before the war. It increased the pressure for sure however. No one was sure if someone's move would be their last, or how much a deployment order would cost in steel and men. It was a time of uncertainty, even though this entire war has maintained the very same feeling." She said.

"And working with us? Deploying us into the war to fight?" Blücher asked. Saradia held a moment at that before a small, unconvincing smile came over her lips.

"It's the same. The uncertainty doesn't fade just because the methods and tactics change." She told them. Tirpitz nodded.

"You're worried one of us won't come back?" She questioned.

"It's a valid fear isn't it?" Saradia questioned in return, glancing up to the battleship. Tirpitz shrugged somewhat at that, scratching the back of her head for a moment before looking back to the woman.

"I know it is. I guess... we've accepted it?" She answered.

"What?" Saradia's brow furrowed.

"I mean, it's kind of in the job description." Blücher supplied, crossing her arms. "We know the fleet lost Fuso and Yamashiro long before we arrived here, even before the Americans had boots on base." She said. "We know there's a chance that one of us might not come back. Maybe a friend, a sister, who knows."

"And maybe it's easier for us to register and come to terms with because we're the ones being deployed like we do, unlike you commanders who simply sit at base and wait for us to return, but it's just kind of part of the job, part of the requirements." Admiral Hipper followed up with that, glancing at the woman.

"Doesn't make me feel any better." Saradia said.

"Neither will the obituaries you'll have to read at the end of this war." Bismarck said, looking dead on at the Admiral. "But they're inevitable and there's nothing much we can do to change that fact aside from no longer deploying anyone. And that simply isn't an option. At the end of the day, War is a body count." The battleship said. "Of those who live, who hurt, and who don't come back."

"Our country knows that better than most." Admiral Hipper said. "Two World Wars showed us the worst of Human Innovation, what horrors it can bring to Mankind. We were proud." She said. "And it worked against us."

"Not as well as the Japanese did, but still." Tirpitz offered.

A small chuckle went up between the various German ship girls present before they all once again focused in on their Admiral, Saradia only shaking her head in brief amusement before she leaned back. "Though I suppose this is all a concern for tomorrow." She said with a relenting sigh. The various girls nodded in return to the statement.

/—\—/—\

"You know there's other things to do then just watch the fleet practice right?" Lexington asked, the carrier crossing her arms as she looked to the man. Man in question, Captain King, only turned his gaze back to the woman, arching a brow for a moment before looking back to his tablet.

"Why? So you can soak a different destroyer?" King questioned in an amused tone. Lex rolled her eyes at the rebuttal as she approached the man, standing next to him as she glanced over his shoulder.

"What are you doing anyways?" She questioned.

"Note taking." He replies in cool. Lexington arched a brow, watching what the man was speaking of before turning her attention to the fleet ahead. Largely, it was comprised of all Australian girls aside from a few of the tutor classes, such as some of the Shira's and Atlanta's.

"What kind of note taking?" She inquired.

"The kind that Yuubari's got me working on." He said in reply, tapping at his tablet a moment before looking to the woman. "She got the plans for what the American R&D team are cooking up for Johnny, so she's trying to come up with something that works in tandem with the rest of the fleet. Sort of a CIC if you will." He said.

"Are they actually going through with that? I didn't think technology like that would work with our riggings, being that they're based on technology a couple decades earlier." She said. King nodded at that as he tapped a bit at the tablet for a moment before looking to the carrier.

"Luckily for us, Technology's come a long way since the Pacific War." He said. "She's still not sold on an idea for sure, or anything really, but she seems to be leaning towards a wrist watch or something of similar design. The carriers already constantly have their wrists within eyesight and it wouldn't be hard for the battleships or subs to follow suit. Cruisers and below may have issues depending on gun placements and rigging layouts, but that's already a quarter of the fleet accounted for." He told her. Lexington nodded at that.

"So like what is this supposed to do?" Lexington questioned as she glanced over his shoulder a moment longer before looking to the man.

"The way Yuubari's hoping for is gonna make your radar link into this, send it back to Johnny at base, and she sends it out to the fleet as a complete piece of info. So not just surface combatants, but also subs, any sort of aircraft, an entire idea of what you girls are facing on each sortie." He told her. Lexington tapped her chin for a moment, thinking on it before she looked to the man.

"What does that mean for us carriers? We're kind of the long range scouts aren't we?" She asked.

"The way id see it, it would allow for shorter response times. But it's a give and take because your boys aren't getting as much time in the air as they would normally. I expect carriers would be rotating for more time at the range and practice sorties to keep it up." He reasoned.

"Keep in mind that we do have our training carrier now however. She may not exactly be combat proficient, but Wolverine's trained her fair share of fly boys." Lexington offered. "And now she's not just working with aces of the US either, she's got all wings under one flight deck. Maybe our pilots will pick up a few new tricks when they start mingling more and more." Lexington offered in retort. King nodded at the fact behind that statement, understanding and seeing the logic.

"That's very true." He offered. "So let's see, we'd get Aces from Langley, Enterprise, Sara and Midway to be sure. Hmmm, most likely Cabot and maybe even Kit and Lo." He reasoned, tapping the tablet against his chest in thought. Lexington pouted.

"And what about me?" She demanded. King looked surprised at that, tapping his chin with a finger for a moment before glancing up at the sky in thought.

"You're right! There's no doubt Lexington will provide her own aces when she eventually crosses over." He offered jovially. Lexington's brow furrowed in frustration.

"What do you mean!? I'm talking about me here! Not my namesake!" She demanded, her hands going to her hips, forming into fists as they dug against her uniform.

"I said Cabot, didn't I?" He questioned, offering an inquisitive brow at the statement. Lexington paused, caught off guard and blinking as she took a moment to process what she'd just been called before frowning deeper.

"What? Wait, you don't have the right to-"

"Oh? Did I strike a nerve Cabby?" He asked, his lips forming into a smirk that could dare the devil himself. Lexington paused once again at that, before her face began to rapidly heat up, her eyes now focusing in on the man dangerously.

"Who told you that name?" She demanded. King only smirked wider at that as he looked back out to the fleet before them out on the water.

"Saratoga is a treasure trove of information if you can find her in a giving mood." He said with a brief, short chuckle. Lexington's eyes shot wide a moment at that before turning away in a huff, ready to storm off to go find the older carrier only to almost run into Ryuujou. The light carrier suddenly braced herself as if she was expecting the fleet carrier before her to run her over with ease, but Lexington stopped herself in time to avoid serious injury, the carrier now looking down to her friend.

"Are you okay Lexington?" RJ questioned as she looked to the woman, arching a brow. Lexington only huffed a moment before nodding to the woman, looking to her as she did so.

"I am. I've just come to the realization that Saratoga has an awful way with words and an even shittier time with secrets." She said. RJ paused before offering a brief nod of understanding, voicing no opinion on the information or the carrier in question.

RJ was pretty sure she'd never traded any sort of words with the American carrier in question, hostile or otherwise. Not even a nod shared between the two of them since the morning the Americans had overtaken the base with their first monster summoning.

And she doubted the chances of that changing any time soon, though it wasn't like it was something that she wanted to change soon anyways. RJ knew everyone had their own ways, had their own methods of dealing with things. After all, she'd been the only ship girl on the planet at one point. So maybe while she wasn't as well versed at helping one better understand their humanity like some of her fellow Japanese ship girls, she liked to think she still had a grasp on the concept.

That still didn't mean she'd want nor try to change or Shift Sara's views.

"So what brings you out here, RJ?" King asked as he looked past Lexington the smaller Japanese carrier. RJ smiled at the question.

"Just came over here to see what the two of you were up too." She answered simply. Lexington huffed as she jutted a thumb to King, the man only grinning in response as he looked back to the fleet out on the water, once again tapping away at his tablet.

"Finding my own personal tormentor." Lexington accused, RJ's gaze swiftly traveling to King, the man in question. Said man only chuckled as he glanced back at the American carrier.

"You say that now. But so boldly when Essex hasn't even graced us with her presence." He Cooley replied. Lexington paused a moment before going Rigid in the back, as if she'd been touched by a specter only she could sense before wheeling on the Captain.

"And just where did you hear about Essex!?" She demanded.

King's response was the widest shit-eating grin RJ had seen in her time as a human, the carrier carefully shifting her gaze back to who she would be proud to call on of her best friends, an involuntary giggle coming over her as she took in the look of both profound agitation and cryptic embarrassment before the carrier whipped around and screamed to the heavens.

"SARATOGA!" She bellowed to the very gods themselves before dashing off, no doubt to go find the third American carrier and share a piece of her mind with the woman. King watched Lex dart off to regions unknown for a moment before laughing with a small shake of his head. Ryuujou watched alongside him, the carrier watching as the woman barreled ahead for the Carrier range before looking back to the man, now coming to a stance next to him, watching the fleet for a moment before she spoke.

"Do you find fun in antagonizing Lexington?" The carrier asked the man in a curious gaze. The same smile the man had a moment ago reappeared, the decades younger Sailor nodding as he looked to the Japanese ship girl.

"I do." He answered her. Ryuujou paused at that, taking a moment to look back to the Australian fleet before her before she turned her gaze back to the man a few seconds later, her accented style of speaking pushing further.

"Why?"

"Because everyone needs a little grief in their life. Whether that being someone poking fun at em, giving them some hell like I just did, or someone being just a general nuisance, it does a person good in the end." He told her with a smile, his eyes darting over the girl a moment before back to his tablet. Ryuujou paused at that, taking in his words a moment before shrugging. "Hey, there even may come a day when it's you whose the one causing her the most grief." He said with a slight amusement dropped into his tone. Ryuujou paused a moment at that before shaking her head, her laugh filling the space between them.

"Noooooooo, I would never." Ryuujou giggled. "I'm not that kind of person to do so." She said, laughing before she turned and left the man standing on the pier by himself. He watched her go a moment before turning back to the water before him, his attention darting back to the fleet before him.

His fleet. But as he did so, watching them, a thought rugged at his mind. Holding the tablet with one hand, he fished in his pocket for a slip. Said slip in turn revealed to be a photograph, of him, a woman, and another man. All smiling so brightly under the Outback sun as it bore down on them.

He was no stranger to grief. Not in this day and age. But the girls, they were new to this life, to these emotions that Humanity itself still stumbled around and over like a newborn deer, even after thousands of years.

His sister.

His brother.

She, the playful one, always warranting people's attention to parts unknown so that she could get in and out without a sound, only up until whatever prank she'd been planning or plan she'd been cooking could come to fruition. She'd been the life and laughter of their childhood.

And He, the usual target, the simple hit. Never quite sure if he should take the last step before there was no return, but he'd always joined them regardless, the logic and sanity in their chaos. They'd been their parents worst nightmares and favorite pastimes.

But all at once, they'd been reduced to memories, their voices and laughter ringing in the distant past. Eclipsed by a fire in his ears that wouldn't stop shouting.

His attention was brought back to the present when he noticed the tablet he was holding locked itself. Holding it up, he went to unlock it before he caught his reflection in it's blackened screen, staring a moment.

The rank at his collar all too telling.

I'm sorry Phillip, they went down with all hands.

He wondered if he did their rank proud.

—/—\—/—\—

"And they're settling in okay?" He asked the battleship, Nagato nodding as she looked down to her Admiral.

"Mhm. Most of not all of the new Summons to our fleet, those of the Japanese respectively, seem to be fitting into base life well enough. The two cruisers we received have their sisters to lean for support, but my only possible concern rests with the Asashio sisters." She explained. Ishigara nodded at that, his mind already pulling reasoning for that remark forwards.

"Kasumi I assume?" He questioned. Nagato nodded at that.

"It's evident in all seven of them thus far, but the idea of serving so close to formerly enemy fleets, notably the American presence of Yokosuka, seems more than enough to stir a few turbulent waters here and there." She explained. "Kasumi has been no shortage of these ideals and I worry that these will catch." She admitted. Ishigara arched a brow at that.

"Catch?" He questioned. "Catch with who? The rest of the Japanese fleet? Those who've been on base since the American's arrival?" He questioned.

"Perhaps not with those already present, but new summons, those of our fleets who would be unsure of their current position?" She said. "Kasumi will come in like a voice of reason we need not expose them to any more than we need to." She said. Ishigara nodded at that, rubbing his face a moment before looking to the battleship.

"May I raise you a point of why I am not worried about Kasumi's bravado and why you shouldn't be either?" He question. Nagato paused momentarily before nodding. "I am unperturbed by the possible influence Kasumi may hold with new summons simply because she's been on base for all of a handful of days. I don't mean to rank any of you in an Unmeaning way, but Kasumi is a destroyer. Everything she says will likely be negated by other ship girls of higher statures. You. Hoshou. Yamato. Akagi. Zuikaku." He answered. Nagato arched a brow at his apparent chosen selection before nodding at the logic.

Whatever Kasumi said wouldn't be able to overwrite anything one of the older, more experienced girls would return with. She could try, he knew, but most people would tend to listen and go with those who had the experience to back it up. Kasumi was still coming off of her summoning and with it, the feelings she carried during the war. He couldn't dismiss those, he knew, as those were her opinions and feelings. But he would minimize them to prevent them from shattering the peace the base had known for a little while now.

"Can I ask a question?" Nagato inquired. Ishigara nodded to the request, Nagato crossing her arms. "Is Zuikaku really the best choice for that?" She questioned. Ishigara nodded at that. After all, it wasn't such a strange question, especially with the carrier  in question being who she was.

"Zuikaku's outspoken personality aside, I would trust her with the task more than Akagi, Kaga, her sister or any of the Kido Butai. As the last member serving, as our last fleet carrier in the old war, Zuikaku saw better than anyone just what the Americans were capable of. What we'd wrought upon ourselves and country. She learned it better than anyone." He said. "Aside from possibly yourself a handful further." He answered her.

Nagato paused a moment, nodding at his reasoning, before looking to him. "Is this how you've felt about the situation, or is this recent due to the events unfolding between her and Captain Algerona?" She questioned. The man nodded somewhat.

"Though not fully representing my choices in the matter, their seemingly developing relationship is playing it's own hand. Largely in calming her nerves about the entire matter." He told the battleship.

"Do we even know if Captain Algerona is a good fit for her? I admit I've not spent much, if any time around the Captain since she arrived on base all these months ago, but I find myself troubled to believe that she is to be the one to win Zuikaku's favor." She admitted. Ishigara nodded.

"I will say that Algerona's past is not known to me, and from the whispers I've heard among base, it's not truly known to Admiral Johnson either." He said. "But Nancy vouches for her in the place of a parent, and if that's what she believes, I do not think there will be any trouble. At least, not willfully because of her. After all, Zuikaku seems to be warming up to the woman quite so already."

"I fear for the backlash should it not work out in the best way for either of them." Nagato told him.

"Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned, Nagato." He told her. "But I don't think it'll be much of an issue with Captain. She seems to have her wits about her." He told her.

"So does Kongou until she opens her mouth." Nagato responded, Mutsu bringing a gloved hand to her mouth as she laughed at the remark. Ishigara smiled at the response.

"Kongou's enthusiasm aside, I believe you are worrying too much about this." He told her. Nagato paused at that, looking over him a moment, before shaking her head. Before she could interject, Ishigara changed the subject. "How's Goto?" He questioned, glancing at the battleship.

The question seemed to catch her off guard, she looking at her Admiral in surprise.

"Admiral, I'm not sure how-"

"How is he, Nagato?" Ishigara once again questioned. The battleship paused a moment before eventually nodding her head.

"He was doing alright the last time I had the chance to hold a conversation with him." She said as she crossed her arms across her middle, holding each by the elbow. "But I don't-"

"When was the last time you were actually able to be with him?" Ishigara questioned further. Nagato paused at that, thinking to the question before finally finding an answer.

"A few months. But I'm unsure of what this has to do-"

"I want you to take the rest of today and tomorrow off and spend it with him." He told her. Nagato blanched at the request a moment, unsure if she'd heard him right a moment before finally coming back to her senses.

"The fleet-"

"For once Nagato, I can say with utmost certainty that the Fleet does not need you on hand 24/7. I respect your commitment and your will to serve, but as your superior, I also have to make sure you're taking the proper time to yourself." He told her. "Go, spend the next few days with him. I know for sure you could use and I would imagine he's probably not far behind." Ishigara told her. "And I know you've got a dress you've been dying for a chance to wear out properly." He said. "So go, have some fun, live a bit. You're not scheduled for a sortie for the next three day's anyways. Might as well use that time for something productive. The fleet will be fine without you over watching everything for a day or two." He said.

In truth, he wasn't wrong. When it had just been sixty ship girls, Nagato had tended to have a presence on almost every sortie they'd deployed. And much to his chagrin at the time, even after asking her to scale back her own deployments, she'd only relented a little. Not even when Arizona had arrived did she offer any idea of changing her routine.

It was only with the second American summoning did his defacto Secretary Ship finally relent, Instead allowing herself a respite as Maryland had took her place then.

Ishigara supposed it was her own way of coming to trust their American allies in her own fashion, her own process for it. But as long as she was taking the time she needed, like she did so regularly now, he could relax just a little bit more.

When Nagato offered a grateful nod, tipping her head forwards in thanks at the man, Ishigara nodded in return. "Give Goto my regards." He told her. "And tell him to stop by more often. His company is well sought." He told her. She offered only a motion of confirmation before she retreated down the hall, away from his office. He craned his neck, watching her go before offering a sigh. "It would be somewhat nice to not have to twist her arm to get her to take some personal time off." He said.

"Awww, Admiral, we both know that's part of her charm." His secretary ship said as she looked to the man with a laugh.

"I don't suppose we could get her more like you, perhaps?" He questioned, looking to the battleship. Mutsu only chuckled at that as she approached the man, tilting her head as she held a finger to her lips.

"Someone's wishing for something dangerous and we both know it." She told him. The thought of a second battleship with a personality to mirror Mutsu did indeed make the man somewhat nervous, especially if that one was Nagato. Seeing the normally steeled woman suddenly act like her bubbly little sister would be off putting to say the least.

"I suppose you have a point." He conceded to his secretary, Mutsu offering a smile at that.

"I have a lot of those, you know." She said as she looked to the man. "You should listen to me more often." The battleship teased. Takeo chuckled as he organized his desk somewhat, forming a stack of papers before him.

"I fear that if we did that, the base may be turned up on it's end." He said in a joking manner. Mutsu smiled, her expression one of mirth a moment before her lips slowly slipped towards a frown, not quite reaching that point. She quickly suppressed the frown a moment, but the man had caught sight of it. "It's that day again, isn't it." He asked quietly. But he needed no answer, the battleship giving none in return. The older man glanced at the calendar at more of a formality then anything else. He already knew the date well.

February 9th.

He'd lost his wife eleven years ago to the day.

And then in 2019, February 9th, he'd met her the first day she'd crossed through the Gateway.

She'd been quiet, living in her older sister's shadow. She'd been content, allowing her to do the talking.

But to him, she'd been perfect.

He'd known Yamashiro for two years.

And then on February 9th, in 2021, she went on sortie, only to never return.

He'd felt his heart shatter a second time that day.

His eyes focused on a spot on the wall only he knew like the back of his hand, his mind trying to do anything but focus on the small, untouched box that sat in the bottom drawer of his desk.

Meant for a question that was never asked.

—/—\—/—\—

The Book that she'd been reading slipped from her limp fingers, her half asleep form doing nothing to stop it as it slid from her lap and off of it, now starting a one way trip to the floor. It was less than a second later when the hardback book slammed into the floor, breaking the peace of the hospital waiting room around it.

The owner of the book jolted upright, coming to alert and ready to act. But only for a moment before the surprise wore off. Blinking hard a moment, Valeria brought a hand to her face, rubbing it before she blinked again, looking around.

The two or three nurses at the floor station present glanced to the woman before looking back to one another, their conversation once again taking hold of them. She watched them a moment longer before her eyes casted their gaze downwards, landing on the book she'd dropped when she'd dozed off. The woman leaned forward from her chair and scooped it up where it had closed, her fingers enclosing around the binding as she brought it up to her lap. But after a moment, she didn't reopen it, instead resting in her lap as she leaned back in her chair, her head resting against the wall behind her as her gaze landed on the plain white ceiling above her.

The white noise that was the ambience of the hospital around her washed over her as a wave of, as much as she hated to say it, nostalgia.

A sense of nostalgia that had, unfortunately, seen some of the worst times of her life.

As she looked up at the ceiling, her eyes lazily traced where each tile met one another. How they overlapped and degraded in some areas.

Like she'd done when she was seven, when her father had died of a heart attack on his way home from work.

She'd sat in the same room for three hours until the doctor had come out to tell her mother that her father was gone. And she'd not even gotten a goodbye. Her mother had held it together for her, had restrained herself so that she could try to get the message to her only child that her father was gone. But when Valeria had seen the doctor walking towards them, composed in a way that he'd practiced hundreds of time in his career, expressing his sorrows for those that were lost.

All Valeria had wanted to know at the time was where her father was. When she was getting her next hug from him. Like she'd gotten the night before. And the night before that. And the night before that. Like she'd gotten every day since she'd been born.

God, what had it been, three, four days until she could look at her mother again without crying. And then his funeral had undone all of her progress.

Her fingers lazily traced the cross necklace that sat around her neck, the one item that had belonged to him. She lightly took it between her thumb and finger, rubbing it somewhat, in her own personal gesture of good luck, the silver coating long ago worn off from the motion on that area of the necklace.

She'd long ago sworn this place off as a monument to pain, to her own personal suffering. But then the war had come and it taken a friend.

Before she could even try and mourn, three more had been taken. But she hadn't even batted an eye, she couldn't, not as the War kicked into high gear. As the world watched the smoke rise from New York, as the world watched the Golden Gate Bridge collapse as the last of it's wire snapped under duress, all at once the world had been given new priorities. Forced to take them and figure them out on the go as everyone settled into their new reality.

Personal suffering had almost become a taboo when everyone around you was almost likely to be in a similar position. Everyone had last someone in this war, whether it be their father or mother, or their sons and daughters. Some, their brothers and sisters, or others their aunts and uncles.

Everyone had lost someone.

She'd sworn this place off years ago, and yet here she was, in the exact same position that she'd been so long ago. But the white noise of the Hospital was interrupted as someone walked past her, the color of blue coming to her vision. Her eyes traveled from the stark, plain white ceiling as it traveled to the person standing before her.

"Admiral Sonferi?" Came the questioning manner. Valeria's eyes traveled over the man's face, giving sight to one Captain Mann. Valeria nodded as she sat up straight, clearing her eyes a moment as she put the book on the side table next to her.

"Captain Mann." She returned, pushing back the urge to yawn.

"What're you doing here?" He asked. "Figured you'd be holed up in a CIC somewhere." He told her. "No offense."

A wry smile tugged at her lips as she leaned forward, putting her hands together. "Relieved of my station." She told him. "For the mess in the Med." She said.

"I wouldn't call it a mess, persay. That feels like blowing it out of proportion." Mann said as he looked to the woman before taking a seat across from her.

"Your fellow countrymen died because of a mistake I made. They died under my watch, Mann." She told him. "Over a thousand Americans put to rest because I couldn't do my job." She told him. Mann arched a brow at that, the older man scratching at his face before leaning forwards.

"Your involvement hardly changes the end result, Sonferi." He told her. "Above all else, this is War. This is a war. Against a threat that still, almost five years after they emerged, we hardly understand anything about them. You can't expect our answers to suddenly come forward to us in a blast of wind."

"And how are they supposed to come? By repeatedly feeding our fathers and mothers, our sons and daughters to the deep?" Valeria questioned. "Humanity is at it's most technologically advanced state we've ever been in our history and we can't even get our body count right." She told him.

"A bodycount is hard when we don't even have all the bodies to begin with." He interjected to her. Valeria sighed as she rubbed her face a moment, pinching the bridge of her nose before she leaned back against the chair.

Captain Mann was another of the American Sailors that had been previously put under Valeria's watch, in charge of another of the American destroyers apart of New Jersey's task force. The older man, now apart of a career where 'Fear the old in a career where men die young' fit so aptly, only looked to the Younger woman with a careful gaze.

"I'm not gonna try and justify this as some easy to solve war, because it's not, not when it's clear their logistics, their supply if they even have it, are so far out of our reach it's like we're in the Stone Age again. But for Christ's sake, we just loss a battleship to these things." She said.

"You saw the live feed and I saw the stills in the after hours. Whatever those things were, however they rank up against their normal forces, they were there that night with purpose. They had a job to do." He told her.

"And you don't sound even the slightest bit upset by all of this?" She asked. Mann sighed, rubbing his face with a hand before he leaned forward.

"This is far more of a complicated issue than just being upset. I've seen this war take family and buddies alike. I've seen this war turn grizzled veterans into confused boys, I've seen it turn the most solid minded boys and girls into squabbling messes." He told her. "War seems so easy when your enemy is human, doesn't it?" He asked her. Valeria paused a moment before nodding, her head sinking into her hands as she did so.

"Do you think at the turn of the century, humanity was expecting something like this?" She asked. Mann leaned back, crossing a leg over the other as he shook his head.

"How could we?" He asked. "As an American, all I figured we could look forwards too was years of oncoming Russian bravado and our own in return. And now, twenty years later, here I am hoping every day those Russian ships in the English Channel hold their steel." He told her. "But enough of current events and the like. You're on leave, much as I imagine it is to your chagrin. Why're you spending it at a hospital?" He questioned, arching a brow to the woman. Valeria eventually brought her hands from her face, the woman looking to him before her eyes wandered to one of the rooms against the wall, across the room from them. Mann followed her gaze a moment, eying the door for a moment before an explanatory nod overcame him, the man returning his gaze to Valeria.

"Young?" He questioned. "You know you don't owe her anything, right?" He asked.

"Is it so wrong to wait to make sure someone recovers?" She questioned.

"That's not what I asked, Sonferi." He told her. "Keeping track of her of her health is one thing. But sitting out here, day after day? Where's the sense in it, why?" He asked.

"And where is her family?" Valeria questioned. "Where are they sitting, waiting to know if she'll wake up?" She questioned. "I'll tell you where. Her parents died in New York when these demons reared their head. And her brother, her only other living member of her family, was snuffed out aboard the New Jersey by the same demons that took their parents." She told him. "She has no one, and my mind will not let me rest until she's at least seen someone focused on her recovery."

"Even when, arguably, your own recovery should take priority over hers? For yourself and your own?" He asked. Valeria glowered at the man, the Captain chuckling in return. "It's a valid concern that I'm sure others have voiced to you." He told her.

Her facade broke down moments later, the woman sighing as she rubbed at her face again. Mann nodded as he once again leaned back into his seat as he looked to her.

"I just... I need five goddamn seconds without something in this war shifting further to their favor or something going so very wrong." She told him. "Before I start to think this war is far more than just demons from the deep and God punishing Man for his hubris." She told him. Mann chuckled deeply at the request as he settled into his chair for a long wait.

"We've had this a long time coming." He said. "The only surprising to me is that it wasn't by our own hand."

Valeria only nodded at that as her gaze returned to the stark white ceiling.

—/—\—/—\—

The woman shifted in her sleep before her, the movement in the bedding easy to hear, let alone be felt to someone sharing the space with her. Her eyes slowly cracked open at the movement, her own body still somewhat slick with sweat as she laid there. Her lover, the only other member of the room, pressed herself against the woman, her chest smashing against the smaller woman's back. She chuckled somewhat at that as she leaned down and placed a small kiss along the mid of her neck, the woman seeming to react in her sleep a moment.

"Heh... you still not done with me?" The carrier asked in a sleepy giggle, casting one eye onto the woman as she turned slightly to look at the woman. The battleship smiled as she slipped an arm around the carrier's waist, pulling her against her, the carrier going one step further as she moved the battleship onto her back as she straddled her stomach. "Missouri." Souryuu said as she settled, leaning down to the woman.

"Hmmm?" Missouri questioned as she sat up somewhat against the wall, the comforter they'd dragged down to the floor with them shifting as she did so. Souryuu let out a small groan from the back of her throat as the battleship began to nip and peck at the carrier's neck in a playful manner. Souryuu planted a hand on the woman's chest to try and put a stop to it for a moment, but her will died away just as Missouri hit a particularly sensitive spot, Souryuu doing her best to stifle herself so that the sound wouldn't travel through the walls. "I believe you were trying to say something?" Missouri asked. But Souryuu was no fool. She could hear the woman's amusement clear as day, even during the night like this.

"D-do you thi- ohhhhh... Do you think Iowa will like me..?" She eventually got out, taking the words slow and even, so that even with Missouri's motions, her words wouldn't be misplaced. Missouri's lips left her neck as she slowly pulled back against the wall, arching a brow.

"Now where's this coming from?" The battleship questioned with an arched brow as she kept Souryuu pressed to her.

"I just..." Souryuu shivered as Missouri ran a finger down the middle of her back, the battleship's eyes narrowing in mischief in the midst of the dimly lit room. "You've told me not to worry before, I know that, but sometimes I fear I'm not good enough for... someone like you." She said quietly, her voice barely audible, even to Missouri. The battleship met eyes with the carrier a moment at that before chuckling somewhat, the woman's voice filling the room with ease, her teasing replaced with one of comfort as she rested a moment, letting her fingers idly trace circles along the carrier's back.

"Are you worried because of the war? Or because you think Iowa's a Paragon for the greater good?" She questioned, pressing her forehead to Souryuu's. The carrier's chest rose and fell with the motions, her eyes looking up to Missouri.

"Well I mean... she's Iowa. The Iowa. Like, she's one of those ships you don't even have to be very much into Naval history to know who she is. Big sister to the last Battleship class of the United States. She's really intimidating and I've not even met her." She said. Missouri laughed at that as she wrapped her arms around the woman, Souryuu blushing into Missouri's chest as the Iowa's clearly defined muscles surrounded her.

"I've told you this before, I'll say this to you again." Missouri said as she leaned against the wall behind. "Iowa's going to absolutely adore you." She said. "Maybe not to the same level I do, but then again, we couldn't really have that, now could we?" Missouri asked in a playful tone, her eyes meeting Souryuu's again. The carrier seemed hesitant for a moment at that, but when her partner's demeanor didn't change, her facial expressions unshifting, Souryuu eventually relented, cracking the smallest of relieved smiles at the motion, Missouri's own smile tugging at her lips in return.

"I suppose.... you may have a point." Souryuu told her. Missouri laughed somewhat at that, her chest shaking against Souryuu's as she did so.

"You suppose?" She hummed. The grin Souryuu returned back to her prompted Missouri to smile wider. All before Souryuu jumped.

"Hey!" Souryuu laughed. "No pinching!" She told her as Missouri's hands once again traveled north, returning to her sides.

"So tell me." Missouri said. "First it was Jersey, then Iowa. You gonna tell me in a week, you're gonna be worried about what Wisky might think of you?" She asked. When Souryuu slowly nodded, once again resting her chin against Mo's chest, the battleship only sighed somewhat. "You worry too much, you know that? They're all gonna love you, like J does."

"J tormented me the first time I met her." She answered her.

"Out of love." Missouri replied. Souryuu turned to the battleship and cupped the woman's face in between her hands, somewhat squishing Missouri's face.

"She threatened to try and fuck you." Souryuu said, bringing her face level with the Battleship's. Missouri gave a squished smile, followed shortly by a laugh.

"To gauge a reaction from you." She said.

Souryuu's eyes told Missouri she wasn't impressed, something that despite the woman's less than pleased expression, prompted Missouri to laugh. Souryuu huffed in return, prompting Missouri's laughter to further a moment before it slowly waned off.

"To say she'd never actually do that, obvious points aside, should be enough to get the point across." Missouri said quietly. "Can I question why my sister's opinions mean so much to you? And why only three? Do Illinois and Kentucky not mean anything to you?" She asked. Souryuu opened her mouth to respond, only for the carrier to jump somewhat. She shot Missouri a dirty look, the battleship only laughing somewhat as she once again brought her hands north away from the carrier's rear. When she was sure Missouri wasn't going to make another move, the carrier sighed somewhat.

"I dunno?" She told her. "I don't have any problems with Illinois and Kentucky, I really like em, honest. But I guess i feel that Iowa, Jersey, and Wisconsin heft more weight with them? Because they served I guess? I don't really know, it's hard to explain." She said.

"Because they knew Japan as an enemy?" Missouri provided, looking to the carrier in a questioning manner. Souryuu paused a moment, trying to figure out if that was what it really was.

"I guess...?" She said slowly. "I don't know. I don't even know why I'm worried about this. You've told me multiple times so far that I don't need to worry, it's just hard to get myself to stop." She sighed. Missouri nodded at that as she leaned back against the wall.

"I think there's more to this discussion. But that's probably later for when we're not sitting in the dark at two A.M." She said. Souryuu shot the woman a smile at that, nodding as she did so.

"Agreed." She said as Missouri unwrapped her arms from the carrier, but Souryuu found herself blinking when Missouri took both of her wrists in one hand, hoisting them above her head as Missouri began to lay the carrier back against the comforter. "Uhhh... Missouri?" She questioned nervously as the battleship positioned herself over the carrier. The predatory glint had returned to the battleship's chocolate eyes.

"You've had my sister's names on your lips quite a lot in the last few minutes." She said in a husky whisper, her breath washing over Souryuu's ears. The heat within the carrier spiked as the battleship grew closer, her arms still bound above her. "Let's make sure you remember mine the best."

It wasn't even moments later when Souryuu had her nails digging into the battleship's back.

—/—\—/—\—

She sighed a moment as she leaned against the counter of the Cafe, taking a quick glance over the patrons in the building at the moment before giving herself a few seconds of respite. The one downside to the fleet growing at the rate and in the way it was meant increased activity and orders within the Cafe. While that wasn't exactly a bad thing, it certainly limited her time free to herself.

Between Sorties, helping around the Cafe, and serving as Secretary to both Admiral Johnson and Captain Algerona, Langley was a very busy woman. Her current schedule of doing things left her very little time apart from those three activities, and if she were being honest, it was a little taxing at times.

Not to mention keeping eyes on the carrier range.

It wasn't a job that she was required so heavily in any longer, not with the likes of Argus and Kitty Hawk now stationed on base. And the heat that had once kept the Japanese and Americans separate had cooled drastically since the months of their first arrival for sure, exceptions expected of course as the thought of Saratoga popped into Langley's mind. The Motherly American carrier only hummed in thought as she began to wipe down the counter, her eyes occasionally darting up to look over the current occupants of the Cafe.

All before the door to the back swung open behind her, a pair of light footsteps approaching her from behind. The smile that overcame her lips was involuntary as she felt a forehead press against her back. "Is Irako still proving to be a handful?" She asked with an amused tone. The forehead pressed into her back grumbled something in return as Langley felt a pair of slender arms wrap around her waist, the carrier smiling somewhat as she reached down and placed a hand atop theirs. After a moment, when the second form didn't say anything, grumble or otherwise, Langley turned as she brought her attention down on Houshou, the Japanese carrier looking thoroughly exhausted.

It was no secret to those that worked within the Cafe or frequented it's spaces that Houshou and Irako did not always, and very rarely, see eye to eye. Houshou was content in doing things the way they'd been doing them since the Cafe opened, but Irako, the most recent returned alongside Yancey, had other ideas, citing the growing nationalities and classes of the fleet as her reasoning. It wasn't a normal day if the two didn't find something to butt heads about on the subject, but Langley and Mamiya were more than content to let it out of their systems on their own and play damage control in the end rather than try to get into the middle of one of their squabbles.

Mamiya had her ways with the other Japanese foodship.

And Langley, well, she knew a few tricks of her own with the Japanese carrier before her.

Taking a lasting look around the Cafe, and knowing Yancey was due to be out here at at moment, she took the Japanese carrier's hand within her own and lead her through the back door, leading to the back spaces of the Cafe.

Finding Mamiya working her own magic through Irako, the foodship seated at a table with the one in question, Mamiya only sent Langley a simply, knowing smile before she turned her attention back to the foodship. This left Langely to her own devices as she and Houshou slipped into the office, Langely swinging the door closed with her hip.

Immediately, her attention befell the Carrier, and now that they were behind closed doors, Langely could relax somewhat.

Slowly turning Houshou around, the Japanese carrier's back now to her, she planted her hands on the woman's shoulders. The carrier seemed to relax greatly under her touch, and Langley pushed her advantage, pressing her thumbs into the woman's back.

Hoshou all but melted under the woman's fingers as Langley began her massage in earnest, the American carrier smiling to herself more than anything as her Japanese counterpart relaxed under her touch.

After a few, quiet moments of Langley working her magic on Hoshou's body and the Japanese carrier silently thankful for every moment of it, a quiet, content sigh left the woman's lips as Langley withdrew her fingers from the carrier's shoulders. She chuckled as Hoshou slumped back against her, the American carrier having to support the woman somewhat while Hoshou found her bearings once again.

"It seems today riled you up especially bad." Langley said with a quiet smile. Hoshou only leaned deeper into the woman a moment before pulling back and righting herself, brushing herself off a moment. But the light blush on her cheeks only served to grow Langley's grin wider.

"Your fingers always seem to know the right spots." She sighed in contentment. Langley smiled at that.

"Can I ask why Irako seems to get to you so often? What is it that seems to get under your skin so easily where others seem to fail?" The American carrier questioned. "Not even Saratoga seems to be able to gauge a reaction from you, as limited as her attempts have been the past months." She said. Hoshou only huffed as the carrier made way around the desk within the office, easing herself into the chair.

"She's too energetic with her ideals, but refuses to relent when she's focused on something or one of them. Getting through to her alone is a task of monumental undertaking, let alone getting anything to come of it." The woman said. Langley nodded slowly, ingesting the Info she'd been given before she sighed, soft eyes gazing over Hoshou as she crossed her arms.

"I hate to see her rile you up in such a way." She told her. "I would think that at least a few things could be met halfway, not that I don't appreciate her attempting to tend to the needs of the other national fleets, but I'm not sure I can agree with her if it's going to cause you this much of a heartache." Langley said. Hoshou's head nearly met the desk set before her, it only stopping as Langley's hand caught her as she'd stepped forwards. "Okay, we're cutting today short is what we're doing." Langley said as she made her way around the desk, going for the woman. Hoshou looked up at the American carrier in surprise, raising her head from the desk somewhat as she tried to state her defense.

"B-but Langley-San, the Cafe-"

"Has Mamiya, Irako, and Yancey still. They can manage without us for the time being while we make sure you're not about to fry yourself." She said with a quiet sigh. "You know, simply because the Japanese portion of the fleet relegates you to such a motherly position, does not mean you have to fulfill that with every waking breath you take." She said as she pulled the woman to her feet before taking her hand and leading her out of the office. Making their way past Mamiya towards the front once again, Mamiya simply shot the two of them a kind smile.

"Checking out early?" The foodship asked with a knowing smile. Langley sent the woman a nod that told all, Mamiya only returning to her work for a moment. "Have fun you two." She called as she peeked out the back door, just as Langley pulled Hoshou through the front door. "Mmmmm, closing early sounds like a plan." She said as her eyes found Yancey a moment, watching the Cargo Ship's back a moment before she smiled a little wider, turning back to her work. "Sounds very much like a plan." She hummed to herself as she vanished into the back of the Cafe.

Houshou found herself unable to pull back against the American carrier dragging her across the base towards destinations unknown. But she got her answer when Langley slowed her pace, eased her power. When Houshou got a look at where they were, she found the bench, seated under the trees at the water's edge. When Houshou opened her mouth to voice her resistance to the idea of cutting their day short, Langley turned, the sunlight filtering through the trees in just the right way, practically dressing the carrier in it's rays.

Houshou's debate died in her throat, instead only to be replaced by a light blush dusting her cheeks. Langley offered the woman a smile as she tucked a few strands of her hair behind her ear before taking a seat on the bench, patting it as she waited for the carrier.

Houshou watched her a moment before closing her eyes in defeat and making way for the spot, easing herself down as she put her hands in her lap. Langley smiled somewhat as her rest her hands in her own lap as she looked to her fellow carrier. "Tell me. When was the last time you actually took a day off?" The woman questioned. Houshou closed her eyes, tilting her head forwards a moment before releasing a quiet sigh.

It was more than telling for the American carrier.

"Not one?" Langley asked.

"I was the third carrier to come over for our country." Houshou said. "Even before the Cafe was thrown into the group, I was constantly deploying, making sure my fleet mates were covered even though speaking from a technological standpoint, i'm inferior to all of them." She explained. "But I did my duty and served my country. And then the Cafe was built and Mamiya required my assistance to properly maintain and run it." She said.

"Oh?" Langley questioned as she glanced to the carrier. "I always thought that it had been your idea?" She asked. Houshou smiled somewhat at that, nodding somewhat as she glanced to the ground with a calm only she could exude.

"It was, as I mentioned it in passing. Mamiya was the driving force in getting it all put together, but she insists it was my doing." She said. "And then when Zuikaku arrived after we lost Fusou and Yamashiro, tensions began to arise between she and Kaga, something I had to keep a careful watch on, therefore increasing my presence amongst the carrier range." She explained. "If I'm being honest, the concept of personal time has long ago lost it's meaning to myself." She said.

"So Irako getting to you like she is is less on her part, and more of you being pushed to wit's end." Langley surmised. Housho frowned at that, a rare expression of discontent crossing the motherly carrier's face.

"Langley-San, do not assume-"

"Everyone has their limits, Houshou. No matter the person, no matter their belief, everyone has a wall they will run into at one point or another." She told her. "You, myself, Admiral Ishigara, Admiral Johnson. Intentions and beliefs will only get you so far before you crash." She said. Hoshou's frown kept itself present a few moments longer before it wilted away, the carrier's expression softening. "Tell me, when was the last time you took a nap?" She questioned.

Houshou's cheeks puffed in return. Langley smiled at the response.

"I'll take that as a sign then." She said before looking to the carrier. "No better time for your first then." She said. Houshou sighed as she kept her hands in her lap.

"Langley-San, I do not-"

"For me?" Langley asked, her tone one of calm. Houshou paused a moment at that, her eyes glancing over the horizon for a moment before she sighed.

"For you then." She said before the motherly Japanese carrier leaned herself into Langley, resting her head on the woman's shoulder.

It was only moment's later when Langley registered the soft snoring coming from her companion. She smiled to herself in a small slice of victory, her hands in her lap as she turned her head and placed a soft kiss atop Houshou's head before she turned her attention back to the Horizon before her, content to take in the Peace and Quiet.

—/—\—/—\—

She frowned at the bowl before her, nestled on the counter in front of her as she glanced at it and then back to the recipe book in her hand. Again, the result she'd been going for seemed to be so very far out of reach. She chewed at her lip a moment as she made an adjustment in her notes a moment, crossing it out and writing something under it.

Under the multiple previous attempts.

And the previous attempts before that.

She chewed on the end of the pen a moment before making another correction and sticking it back over her ear before crossing her arms.

"Another error?" A familiar voice asked from behind her.

Battleship Washington sighed defeatedly as she turned to find Liz approaching her, standard cup of coffee within her grasp. She gripped the mug with two hands as she sipped, taking a peek into the woman's bowl before chuckling softly when she swallowed a swig of her drink.

"An error for sure." She agreed with herself. Washington offered only a quieter sigh at that as Liz exchanged the bowl for another, picking up her coffee once again. "The best of luck, Wash." She told her before making way for the other side of the kitchen, intending to put it with the dishes to be washed. Washington nodded in quiet thanks before turning her attention back to the book before her and looking it over alongside her own notes. As she went to make an adjustment, something hit the cupboards next to her head.

Crunch.

Looking up in surprise, the battleship turned her gaze to her left, to now find a paper airplane sitting upside down on the counter, it's nose crumpled somewhat from it's apparent impact with the cupboards next to her. Plucking it off of the counter, she unfolded it as she went about seeing what was written within, unfolding it as she went. As she did so though, she took a tentative glance back at the kitchen behind her. It's staff, for all they were, didn't even glance back at the battleship from their various tasks. Washington frowned somewhat before looking back to the paper.

Reading over it a moment, she found her self somewhat surprised. She hadn't thought of that before. Going about following the directions now set out before her on the sheet of paper, she began to prepare for as far as the piece of paper told her to do so. But just as she began to wonder what the steps after so would be after so, another of the paper creations whipped by her ear, crashing to a halt as it collided with the Cupboards like the last.

"Is someone under aerial assault?" Liz asked with a playful hint to her voice as she took the paper airplane between two fingers as she sipped at her coffee, glancing to the battleship. Washington only offered the woman a smile at that, nodding in turn.

"It would certainly appear so." The battleship agreed, watching as Liz looked it over a moment before passing the paper construct to it's intended recipient. Washington took it and unfolded the item, the head of Kitchens watching patiently.

"So what's it say?" Liz inquired, glancing at the battleship. Washington took a moment before opening the second of the airplanes, reading over what was written before looking to Liz.

"Further instructions." She said. Liz arched a brow as she took the first paper and then the second from Washington, reading over them a moment before she slowly nodded.

"Well, they're not wrong, I'll say that much." Liz answered as she looked over the instructions. Washington nodded as she returned her gaze to the kitchen, quickly taking in her surroundings a moment. But amongst the kitchen staff, amongst the room itself, she saw no sign that anything was out of the ordinary. But Wash knew better than that.

Only for Liz to pluck a third paper airplane from the air, holding it's nose between two fingers as she gestured to Washington with it.

The battleship's brow furrowed.

On the other side of the kitchen however, two pairs of eyes watched as the battleship looked over what she'd been sent. When they were sure she was reading it, they ducked back down behind their hiding spot as Kirishima went back to quickly scribbling down the next set of instructions as Hiei waited quietly, glancing over her sister's shoulders.

"Is that right?" Hiei quickly asked. "Oh! I see now!" The battleship claimed in a fierce whisper. Kirishima shot her sister a thumbs up paired with a victorious grin before going back to scribbling at her notes, pushing her glasses up with a finger. Hiei watched the woman scribble more and more before she reached for her outfit, reaching into one of her sleeves and removing it, taking one of her fairies and resting her on the counter they were hiding behind. The cook standing there preparing some sort of meal moved two cans next to one another, providing the Fairy a hiding place from her would be target, the fairy raising a stubby arm in thanks to the man.

Man in question only offered a small smile, shaking his head somewhat as he continued on with his work despite the odd conditions presented to him.

The two fast battleships gathered with one another on the floor however huddled around Kirishima's notepad, the glasses adorning woman tearing it from the notepad and handing it to the woman. Immediately, Hiei went about folding the piece of paper in a perfect and precise manner, taking aim a moment, before letting it fly as she chucked it at the woman across the kitchen.

The staff only watched as the fourth paper airplane in the last ten minutes soared across the kitchen in a perfect arc, soon meeting the same fate as the other three.

Hiei poked down back below the top of the counter, once again settling next to Kirishima. "Do you think Washington-San is appreciating the instructions?" She asked her sister. Kirishima offered the most confident of nods as she pushed her glasses up.

"Of course! Washington-San is grateful to any help that could be given!" Kirishima declared. Hiei nodded confidently at that, accepting her sister's logic as sound. And as Kirishima ripped another piece of paper off of the notepad as Hiei already began to fold it rapidly. But as she did so, the two spied Liz approached one of the light panels to the Kitchen, the two blinking somewhat.

Hiei took her chance as she poked above the counter and tossed the fifth of the creations.

Just as Liz's voice rang over the kitchen.

"PAUSE." She called. Immediately the work in the kitchen stopped for only the briefest of moments as the paper airplane sailed on a direct course to Washington. Hiei watched in victory, her face splitting into a wide grin.

Just as the lights flicked off.

Only for the briefest of seconds.

And then light returned.

And the Airplane sailed right through where Washington had been standing only a second before, there now no trace of the woman.

Hiei's smile vanished from her lips as she suddenly looked around urgently, even before the airplane smashed into the cupboards where she'd been standing not even moments ago. The fast battleship missed the hastily covered smile that the woman held, now obscured by the form of her mug as she watched the aftermath of her decision.

Hiei ducked down behind the counter as she settled into next to Kirishima, where her younger sister was busy scribbling away. But Hiei put a hand to the woman's wrist, stilling her motion. When she did, Kirishima looked to her sister, Hiei tried not to let her rising heartbeat influence her words too much.

"She's gone." The fast battleship told her quietly and surely. Kirishima paused at that, her own sudden itch for a call to general being pushed from her mind. Taking her sister's word for what it was, the battleship took her own moment to poke up over the sight line of the counter, looking to where Washington had been.

And found only empty space.

Kirishima's nerves once again pushed for the call to General.

Hiei and Kirishima, the latter in particular, knew full well what it meant to lose sight of the Battleship Washington, Kirishima knowing better than anyone else in history.

When one lost Battleship Washington, people payed the price.

The two Japanese battleship's carefully surveyed the kitchen for any sign of the woman, for any sign of what some called the Stealthiest battleship alive, for what Kirishima knew to be true.

Their nerves were climbing and the urge to run for the front door of what had just become a silent hunting grounds was hard to resist, but they pushed it away. They would brave the unknown, they would brave the fear, they would brave-

"Thank you for the notes." A voice spoke from all but point blank next to Kirishima.

The next ten seconds were a cacophony of the two Kongou sisters screaming as they nearly jumped out of their skin, scampering away from the voice. Washington however, standing from the crouching position she'd been In just a moment ago, rested a hand on her face as she watched. "Perhaps I over did it." She asked with a quiet sigh.

Liz, all but appearing at her side, with the same mug as always, shook her head as she took a sip. "Mmmm." She hummed as she did so. "No, I think you got it just right." She told her.

Washington smiled pleasantly at that declaration as she approached the two downed battleship's and reached for Hiei first, taking the smaller woman by the waist and hoisting her to her feet. When she was sure Hiei would stand on her own two feet, she then moved to her downed Girlfriend.

Kirishima was a mess, splayed over the floor. Washington stifled a chuckle as she picked up the woman's glasses first, having been knocked from her face before she went for the battleship herself. She wrapped her hands around her waist as well and brought her to a standing level, making sure her feet were under her. But when the battleship was still out of her wits somewhat, Washington chuckled somewhat as she lightly pressed her lips to the battleship's.

The sound of Liz hastily slapping a hand over Hiei's mouth as the battleship's squeal threatened to break the sound barrier didn't go by Wash unnoticed. But she had bigger concerns as the color and heat began to flood Kirishima's face as the battleship began to return to the land of the living.

—/—\—/—\—

German Heavy Cruiser Prinz Eugen idly toyed with one of her pigtails, twisting the hair between two fingers as she waited for her sisters. She'd gotten up early to grab breakfast from the Mess Hall before a majority of the fleet, but her sisters had suddenly insisted on coming. Of course, she'd been wide awake and ready to go and her sisters had just crawled out of bed. She hummed as she switched attention to watching the clouds as she continued to wait for the two of them.

As she did so, standing at the entrance to the German and Italian ship girl dorms, footsteps behind her caught her attention. Turning, the German cruiser found her Admiral approaching her, Saradia offering a wave to the cruiser.

"Admiral." Prinz greeted with a nod. Saradia offered a nod of her own to the Cruiser as she stopped next to her.

"So what might you be up so early for?" Saradia questioned. "Going for a stroll?" She asked.

"Breakfast." She told her. Saradia nodded at that as she peered into the Hallway for a moment before looking back to the cruiser.

"It's good to see someone taking advantage of the expanded breakfast times Liz is offering now due to the fleet's size. Are you waiting for someone? Sisters perhaps?" She asked. Prinz nodded at the question, offering a smile to her admiral as she peered towards their room.

"Yes." The cruiser said with a nod. "It's just I was ready to go when they woke up.  They're taking their time." She said with a sigh before looking to her Admiral. "Do you have sisters?" She questioned. Saradia shook her head at the question.

"I grew up with two older Half-Brothers." She said. "I've never known what it's like to have sisters and after some of the things I've seen or caught wing of while on base among you girls, I count myself both lucky and a smidge disappointed." She offered with a small amused smile. Prinz cocked her head at the information, tapping her chin with a gloved finger before looking to her Admiral.

"Half...?" She questioned slowly. Saradia nodded, understanding the cruiser's confusion.

"Half in the sense that we share a parent, in this case being that our mother is the same. But their father was American where as mine was German." She said. "My mother divorced her first husband after he made some poor choices. It was during that process in which she met my father. A few months later, she and the boys moved to Germany." She told her. Prinz nodded at this, taking in the information a moment before looking to the woman.

"Is this why your accent sounds a little off?" She questioned. Saradia nodded at that.

"Learning German in school but speaking primarily English at home was an interesting mix to be sure." She said as she looked down the hall again, peering to Prinz's door before looking to the cruiser. "Your sisters seem to sure be taking their sweet time." She observed. Prinz Eugen sighed, her hands going behind her back as she rocked on her heels. But as she did so, her stomach made it's discontent known, growling heartily enough that even Saradia could hear it with ease.

Prinz Eugen frowned at her tummy and Saradia only chuckled somewhat. "Tell you what. I'll let your sisters know what's up and you go on ahead. Wouldn't want a mutiny on our hands, would we?" She questioned, looking to Prinz. The Heavy Cruiser glanced down the hallway at her room one last time before sighing. She turned to the woman, offering her a nod and a smile. Saradia smiled in return as the heavy cruiser turned for the door to the German HQ, soon walking into the early morning air.

She paused a moment, blowing into her hands, her breath visible in the morning light before she looked around. The base was still largely quiet at the moment, but as Prinz looked to the Water's edge, she found another of her fellow German ship girls stand there. Two in fact.

"Prinz?" Koln questioned as the cruiser looked to the heavy cruiser. Prinz nodded as she approached, her eyes traveling from the cruiser to the battleship next to her, this coming in the form of Scharnhorst. The battleship offered the cruiser a nod as she approached the both of them.

"Are you two up for breakfast early as well?" She asked them. The two of them nodded somewhat at the question as Koln fully turned to the cruiser.

"And you?" She asked. Prinz opened her mouth to reply, only for her stomach to answer in her stead, it growling unhappily. Prinz blinked in surprise before stifling a giggle with a gloved hand. Koln chuckled as Scharnhorst only shook her head somewhat at that, the battleship turning her gaze to the cruiser.

"That answers that rather quickly." She said with a chuckle. Prinz Eugen nodded at that as she looked to cruiser first.

"So what are the two of you doing up so early?" She asked, looking to Koln before turning her gaze to Scharnhorst. Koln shrugged at the question as she crossed her arms.

"I woke up earlier and didn't bother trying to go back to sleep." She admitted with a shrug. "I figured I'd go get some breakfast, but then I ran into Scharnhorst." She said, gesturing to the battleship. The Woman chuckled somewhat at that as she nodded, Koln putting a hand on her hip as she looked to Prinz. "And since then we've kind of just been chatting about various things." She said.

"That about sums it up." Scharnhorst agreed. Prinz arched her brow at that as she looked between the two.

"What have you guys been talking about?" Prinz questioned.

"Really everything here and there." Scharnhorst answered her. "I've largely been asking Koln how she's been settling into the base and it's day to day life." She told her. Prinz nodded as she casted her gaze to Koln, who simply shrugged somewhat.

"Well enough I guess. It's still odd thinking that we're apart of such an expansive fleet, and that it's continually growing like it is." She admitted. "I'm sure it's quite original at this point, what with me being so late to the party, but it's still mind boggling. Half of the ships present back then, my first thought would have been is this going to be my last fight. Not asking how they've been and what they like to do." She explained. Prinz nodded at that.

"Just think at how ships three months down the line will feel about all of this. Surely, the fleet is going to grow further, especially with the British and French aiming to be in force by that time as well." She said. Koln grimaced at that, even Scharnhorst's lips curling into a frown.

"Honestly, the idea of us being in such a close proximity with their fleets is not a comforting thought." The battleship admitted. Prinz nodded somewhat at that as Koln sighed.

"As much as I want to say otherwise, I'd agree with that." She said. "I'm not looking forward in to being such close quarters with them. I'm not even looking forward to being such close quarters with the heavier Capitals of the Italians." The cruiser revealed. Prinz looked to the girl a moment.

"They were our allies." Prinz said.

"And the second they surrendered we sank one of their ships. Honestly, I wouldn't even be surprised if those of the Japanese had A problem with us at some point in the future." She said. Scharnhorst only chuckled somewhat as she looked to Koln.

"The year's still young after all." She said. Koln snorted at that as she looked back out over the water's surface a moment before looking to Prinz.

"I've a question for you, Prinz." She said. Prinz's brows arched a moment at the question before casting her glance to the light cruiser before her. "So, out of all of the girls on base that you could've gotten with, why Saratoga?" She questioned. Prinz paused a moment, processing the question for a second.

The heavy frowned as she finally realized what Koln was asking.

"I don't... understand...?" Prinz questioned. Koln chuckled somewhat.

"I'm just asking why Saratoga. Look, I understand that you see something in her that maybe the rest of us don't and all that, but here's the basics. She's not at all approachable, she's not really friendly from what I've seen, and she's kind of a... well, you know." She told her. Scharnhorst sighed at that as Prinz frowned further.

"Don't start this Koln." The battleship pushed. Koln only shrugged at that somewhat as she put a hand on her hip.

"It's a valid question. Look, I'm not saying you made a mistake, or that you're wasting your time, because I'm not. I don't have the experience in life or loving someone to claim I do. It's just, at the surface level, Sara doesn't seem like someone I would want to spend all of my time with. She just seems unpleasant in my eyes." She shrugged. Scharnhorst sighed in relief somewhat, now that she knew Koln wasn't asking the question of spite or annoyance. But she still cautiously glanced at Prinz, who'd gone quiet at the questions. But after a moment, the heavy cruiser simply offered a smile.

"I couldn't tell you." She admitted, offering a grin to the cruiser. Koln paused at that before scratching her head.

"Can't tell me or won't tell me?" Koln questioned. When the heavy cruiser only offered a wider grin, Koln only shook her head. "Fine. Keep your secrets." She said with a laugh. Scharnhorst shook her head.

"Already knee deep in the memes are we?" She asked. Koln only grinned at that as she looked to the battleship a moment, nodding somewhat.

"Of course! There's so much to learn!" She practically all but squealed. Scharnhorst sighed somewhat at that as she looked to Prinz.

"We'll see you at Breakfast." She said before she and Koln turned to head towards the Mess Hall. Prinz watched them go a moment before following them a ways. Of course, she knew her sisters were fixing to show up at some point, but she wanted to make another stop she knew as she caught sight of the top of the American dorm buildings. Humming to herself, as she approached the American HQ, she turned right, making way for the path to the back.

Prinz had never attempted a visit to the American dorms this early in the morning before. She wasn't even sure if any of them  would be awake at the moment. Honestly, with what she knew of the Americans she served day by day with, Admiral Johnson was the enigma in terms of sleeping schedule. And speaking of the woman, as Prinz stepped into the courtyard between the buildings, Admiral Johnson entered from the other side. Upon spying the Heavy cruiser, Anya offered a quiet wave but made no stop to halt her run as she ran the distance of the Courtyard, vanishing around the corner of the far dorm building.

Turning her attention back to the front and foremost dorm building, she realized that she'd never been inside before, and that made her a tad bit nervous if she was being honest with herself. When she thought about it, she wasn't sure that there were any American girls who had an active problem with her, but she doubted that held up with interrupting their sleep.

As she approached the front door of the dorms, her hand instinctively went for the handle waiting there. But a sudden vibration from within prompted her to stop, her hand hovering just before it.

Just as the blade of a saber tore through the door, coming to a stop so close enough that Prinz had gone crosseyed as she focused on the tip of the blade.

The color drained from Prinz's face a moment as the blade was pulled from the other side of the door, just as Prinz caught wind of someone screaming.

"MIDWAY, I'M SORRY!" Someone screeched. Prinz lowered her hand somewhat before taking the handle once more, turning it as she hefted the now damaged door open. Wearily eyeing the damage Mark a moment, she turned her attention inside as she caught the glint of a sabre traveling up the stairs. The heavy cruiser wearily watched the stairs a moment, clearly being able to make out rushing footsteps and cries for a halt.

And what sounded like an entire door being slashed in half.

The color did not return to her face.

Prinz carefully and quickly sped away from the stair case of shouts to knock it off and shouts of vulgarities sprang from upstairs, including who she was sure sounded like Enterprise and Constitution. Keeping an ear out, she'd intended to make way for Sara's door, but found herself stopped as Langley's door opened instead, both she and Wasp peering into the Hallway. But as they did so, their gaze landing on Prinz, Langley chuckled somewhat.

"I raise doubt at the idea that you are the culprit, Prinz Eugen." Langley offered with a smile. Prinz paused a moment at that, as if trying to let her mind catch up, before nodding at that with a smile as some of the color returned to her face somewhat.

"I- yes." She agreed with a sigh. "Who... who has made Midway this upset?" Prinz asked carefully. Wasp poked her head out the door somewhat as Langley sighed somewhat, listening to the distant thundering of pounding footsteps and excited screams.

"We aren't entirely sure at that, as Midway was set off when we weren't paying attention, we aren't exactly sure what happened to set her off." Langley admitted to the heavy cruiser before stepping back, making room for Prinz as the pounding footsteps grew louder. And just as Prinz stepped inside the doorway, who she quickly recognized as Pensacola jumped down the bottom flight of stairs, stumbling somewhat just as Salt Lake City came barreling after her. The cruiser hit her head somewhat against the wall, rubbing it somewhat, but when she looked back behind her, she slunk to the floor just as the same sabre Prinz figured impaled itself to the hilt in the wall just above her head.

Salt Lake City scrambled out of the way for more reasons then one as she ran for her sister at the bottom of the Hall as Midway jumped over the stairs, landing on the floor below. The building seemed to shake as the carrier came to a stop, but as more and more doors on the first floor opened, various girls peeking out of their rooms, some curious some furious, Midway wrapped her fingers around the hilt of the sabre in one cool motion, extracting the entirety of it from the wall in one fluid movement. She turned to the two cruisers, the blade held tight in her grip as she marched for the women before her, crimson eyes narrowing harshly as they focused in on the cruisers. Almost, almost did her lips tug down into a frown, but she kept it back as she made way for the cruisers before her.

Prinz cautiously stepped out behind Midway, as did Langley and Wasp, the two still pajama clad carriers carefully placing their gaze on the carrier, the sword at her side. But before Midway got even halfway down the hallway, a door swung open from within before her, Prinz relaxing at the sight somewhat.

The hallway of the dorms watched as Saratoga stepped into the hallway, between Midway and the apparent agitators, the Pensacola's huddled against the bathroom door. Sara took a moment, looking to the cruiser sisters a moment before looking to Midway, approaching her. Midway didn't even attempt to raise the sword against the carrier as she approached, standing face to face with her.

Prinz watched as the carrier leaned into Midway, speaking to her in a quiet, hushed tone a moment, Midway responding easily to whatever she was being asked. After she'd done so, Saratoga frowned a moment before reaching for the sword in Midway's hand, the younger carrier releasing it to her care within little hesitation. Immediately, Saratoga wheeled on the cruisers, approaching them. She didn't raise the blade at them, didn't make any intention to do so. But even that didn't help their nerves much as she stood over them.

"Where is it?" She asked in a simple and plain voice, Prinz unable to make out any further emotion or reasoning. But she also couldn't see the carrier's face, and as she watched her loom over the two cruisers now sitting against the bathhouse door, she supposed even that was enough to get someone to talk.

"W-where's What?" Pensacola asked in a shaky manner.

Or not.

Saratoga didn't move for a second at that, at Pensacola's apparent play at Stupidity. And then after a moment, after a few cool seconds, she only sighed somewhat as she readjusted her grasp on the handle of the Sabre, twirling it in her hand as she now held it properly. And immediately jabbed it forwards, the blade penetrating the door directly between the two's heads. Color drained from their faces faster than she thought possible before Salt Lake scrambled for her pockets, Pensacola quickly following behind.

Eventually however, it was Pensacola who pulled what she was looking for, immediately tossing up an item of sorts to the woman.

Saratoga watched them a moment, the blade held stone still between the two of them before she looked to her hand, between her fingers a ring. Connected to the ring was a little charm, consisting of a charred pink bear holding a heart. She looked over it a moment before turning away from the cruisers, allowing them their freedom, which they immediately took as they scrambled for their room.

Sara extended her hand to Midway, dropping the item into her waiting grasp. Midway nodded her thanks and retreated to her room, the door closing behind her. Saratoga nodded in satisfaction as she looked to go return the blade to Dreadnought's possessions. But she stopped when she found Prinz Eugen staring back at her. Holding a moment, she chuckled somewhat as she approached the heavy cruiser.

"Wasn't exactly expecting you here this early." She admitted. "How much of that did you see?" She asked.

"Midway nearly stabbed me through the front door." Prinz told her, widely gesturing to the door in question. Sara glanced at the door a moment before sighing.

"Sorry about that. Pensacola and Salt made a stupid idea worse by putting it into practice." She told her. Prinz nodded, idly glancing to Midway's door a moment before back to the carrier.

"What did they take from her? The bear charm?" Prinz questioned. Saratoga nodded in response to the question as she held the Sabre down by her side, as not to accidentally injure someone.

"They did." She told her with a shake of the head.

"Why... why is a bear charm so important to her?" Prinz asked. Saratoga nodded at the question

"It belonged to a eight year old girl named Samantha Serrice." She answered her as she looked to the heavy cruiser. As she did so, Dreadnought emerged from the upper floors, glancing worriedly at the mark in the wall and the door. But when Saratoga offered the woman her Sabre back, she offered a brief nod of relief before retreating back upstairs. "And I'm not expecting you to know why that name's important unless you've been studying the war up to this point." She explained. Prinz hesitated a moment before slowly shaking her head, Sara chuckling somewhat. "Didn't think so Pringles. Samantha Serrice was apart of the three hundred and seventy four people that went down aboard Midway when the Abyssals tore her hull apart." She told her.

The look of surprise and morbid realization that overcame Prinz's features made Sara inwardly frown.

Sara removed the cruiser's cap from her head as she brought a hand up to her head, rubbing it a moment.

"I... I didn't know." Prinz said with one eye open, glancing at the carrier as she made no move to halt Sara's motions. Sara nodded at that as she looked to the woman.

"It's alright. Midway doesn't make it a big point of sharing so you're fine. But the charm that you saw was pulled from the wreckage. And when Midway wasn't doing too hot after she crossed over, even after the arrival of her sisters, I slipped Admiral Johnson the idea of attaining Midway a keepsake. Something that belonged to one of them. Well, we got the charm in return, and a number of letters from Samantha's family and extended family members. Midway keeps up with all of them." She told her.

"Like pen-pals?" Prinz questioned. Saratoga nodded at that.

"Like pen-pals. Very somber pen-pals." The carrier confirmed. Prinz nodded somewhat before smiling somewhat, placing her hands behind her back, so much to the point that Sara arched a brow as she looked to the heavy cruiser. "Yes?"

"You're good people." Prinz said. Sara paused a moment at that before rolling her eyes, placing her cap back on the cruiser's head as she turned and closed her door behind her, the computer within going dark as it processed the recently recorded video.

"I don't think you know what you're saying, Pringles." Sara offered, looking to the woman. Prinz only smiled as the carrier leaned down to her, Prinz meeting her gladly as their lips met a brief moment before Sara pulled back. "Breakfast?" Has questioned.

The Heavy cruiser grinned at the idea, nodding her acceptance. Sara nodded in return as the two made way for the exit of the dorms, Prinz slipping her hand into Sara's as they did so.

As they did so, though, Sara frowned somewhat as her mind began to travel back to the song that she'd put on pause before she'd left.

The Devil went down to Georgia, he was looking for a soul to steal.

Sara's frown deepened as the lyrics continued.

He was in a bind 'cause he was way behind and he was willing to make a deal.

She seemed to be able to do nothing against their continuous onslaught.

When he came across this young man sawing on a fiddle and playing it hot

—\__/—

Enterprise flashed awake, her eyes taking in the sudden surge of dimmed light. Her mind racked itself for an answer as to where she was, as to why she was here. But when movement on her arm, the apparent other occupant of the room shifting on top of the limb, she remembered.

She was in Akagi's room, the two of them having gone down for a nap earlier. The woman reached for the clock that sat nearby, squinting her eyes as it's LED display flashed back at her.

5:47 PM.

Enterprise flopped back down on the bed, settling back in behind Akagi. The two had gone down for the nap at around one, and had only intended to sleep until about two. But here they were, just about five hours later. She sighed somewhat at that, taking a moment to stretch the one arm she could before she snuggled back against Akagi, the Japanese carrier none the wiser to her waking. Enterprise buried her nose in the carrier's hair, taking a small sniff as she did so.

I'm a disembodied voice in your mind and even I find that creepy.

Enterprise pulled back from Akagi as she scowled somewhat. Of course, she couldn't actually verbally answer or respond to anything that was said, but even then, she really wished that Ghost would-

Not even a chance. What? You'd have me look away so you can do something possibly detrimental to both your and my health? Not a chance in hell. Besides, whenever you kiss her, it gives me heartburn.

"I never asked for a talking migraine." Enterprise mouthed. But based on the scoff from the corners of her mind, she guessed that Ghost had gotten the message loud and clear in turn. Enterprise smirked somewhat victoriously at that as she-

I at least somewhat expected something of a hurtful comeback. That sounds like you just read the back of a cereal box.

Her voice came back as the image of a ghostly pair of scarlet red eyes flashed in the back of her mind, lit with amusement. Enterprise frowned deeper at that, Ghost's apparent unbreakable will.

It comes with the territory of being a nation's champion, not that you'd really know what that's like.

E grumbled to herself at that, her other arm still held up as Akagi used it as a pillow. She yawned somewhat as her body began to really fully awaken. She knew that soon enough, the fleet would be gearing towards dinner, and she needed to get Akagi up. They'd already over slept by a few hours at this point, so she knew it wasn't that big of a deal if no one had come waking them up in a frenzy. E went about carefully pulling her arm out from under the carrier, trying her best not to disturb her.

Oh yes, certainly don't disturb the murderer. We certainly don't want that for all our sake.

Enterprise further pushed the comment from her mind as she finally got her arm free from under the carrier. Placing a gentle hand on the woman's shoulder, she lightly rustled the carrier. "Akagi." She spoke, volume not so much of a concern as it was a courtesy. Though she didn't need to be quiet by any means, that didn't mean that Akagi wanted to be awoken to screaming.

Enterprise wasn't sure she'd want to either, all things considered.

I don't know. I feel like it could be useful for some scenarios here and there.

Enterprise arched a brow at that.

Okay, no. You've got me there.

Enterprise shook her head in the rare moment of amusement at the Ghost's expense before turning her attention back to the sleeping carrier at her side, rustling her shoulder once more, putting just a bit more force into it this time.

She was rewarded as the carrier next to her seemed to shift a moment before she slowly yawned, covering her mouth in a small fashion as she slowly turned onto her back, her sleep laden eyes slowly trying to process her current situation. And when she finally laid eyes on Enterprise, she offered a small, sleep induced smile. Enterprise smiled back as she leaned down, gently pressing her lips to the carrier's.

Oh yay. The murderer yet lives. What other wonderful disappointments will the rest of today bring us? Perhaps the Nazi's have returned? Maybe the US is now communist. Oh, maybe the Swiss have stopped making chocolate. What a world we'd live in.

Enterprise resisted the urge to frown as she pulled back from the carrier in the dimly lit room, the woman looking down at Akagi, each of them wearing her own radiant smile.

"We overslept Akagi." Enterprise told her.

"Oh?" Akagi questioned, her smile dimming somewhat. "We overslept? What time is it?" She asked.

"It's almost six. We overslept by a good five hours or so." Enterprise answered her.

And you had the audacity to continue breathing.

"Oh. That's... well that's certainly an issue." Akagi chuckled somewhat. "Given that we were both slated for practice today." She said in an awkward motion. Enterprise paused somewhat at that recollection before slapping a hand to her face.

"Shit. I knew there was something I was forgetting." She said. Akagi only smiled at that as she propped herself up on her elbows, looking up at the carrier in turn.

"I do not think that missing a lone day of practice will spell the end of civilization as we know it." Akagi joked. "Plus, it's likely in the Carrier range's best interest that we all don't show up at one time any longer." She told her.

Enterprise nodded at that for sure. The carrier range had been great when it had just been servicing the Japanese carriers, who relatively speaking, were far better controlled in their manners and the like. Enterprise was sure that the Casablanca class alone had more trouble in one of them than the entirety of the Japanese carrier force.

"Though that doesn't change the fact that our Admiral's may come asking around about where we were instead."

Spending valuable time on a waste of breath, that's what.

"To be fair, i'm pretty sure that Admiral Johnson could use some more sleep too." Enterprise told her. Akagi only smiled at that as she nodded, no doubt agreeing with the point that'd been made.

"Your Admiral could use a lot of things, Enterprise-San." Akagi offered in return. Enterprise smirked at that, not bothering to try and hide her agreement at that.

"Honestly, if Maryland doesn't make some sort of progress with her, a couple of us ship girls that are closer to her have been building a dating profile for her as a backup plan." Enterprise told her, much to the apparent shock of the Japanese carrier before her.

"Bold of you to assume that she can handle a relationship and the Fletchers at the same time." Akagi told her. Enterprise chuckled at that as she lightly brushed Akagi's hair with a hand.

"If I'm being honest, I'm more worried about they trying to handle her. She doesn't seem to be one to fall in with someone else's pace if I'm being honest. And meeting who I have of her family so far only reinforces that. Honestly, out of all of them, the only normal one of their family seems to be her father." She said. "That being said, I still haven't met her older sister or brother. So I'm not sure I can really talk." She said.

"Has anyone told you that you worry about the oddest things?" Akagi asked with a smile as she glanced up at the carrier.

Wow. Me and a jap have something in common. Jesus Christ, what kind of life are you living?

Enterprise smiled at the comment, forcing it to stay up as she willed the voice to fade, if only for a moment. Akagi, non the wiser to the internal strife within the American carrier before, finally sat up as she stretched somewhat.

"Shall we go to Housho's?" Akagi asked as she looked to the carrier. Enterprise arched a brow, willing herself to say something pertaining to the fact that Dinner was only a few hours away. But as she gave more and more thought to it, the idea of a parfait before dinner was sounding more and more like a very good idea. She eventually relented, offering Akagi a nod as she began to pull herself off of the bed, the Japanese carrier doing the same. Making sure they were presentable, their hair no longer a mess, they slipped on their shoes as Akagi made way for the door first, opening and holding it for the American carrier.

\__/—\__/

Arizona's eyes narrowed dangerously at the sight before her, her hands digging into her clothing and her hips further than that, threatening to tear the fabric.

The fleet was once again fully supplied and readily available for Deployment on sorties. But with that being said, there were always those that needed extra practice or lessons, refresher courses as it were.

And by all accounts, those that needed them the most, and most often regularly landed within the Destroyer population of the Grand Fleet. And that was fine, it really was. Arizona had no problem making sure that the destroyers got the practice they needed, the experience they required. As troublesome as some of them were, Arizona never wanted to see a day where not all of them came home.

But with that being said, Arizona did indeed have her limits with Destroyer shenanigans.

Especially when there'd been a mix up with the schedules, and instead of the Vanguard of ships keeping an eye on the antics while they trained, it was literally just herself, and the Yamato's. And none of the three of them were particularly fast or swift if they needed to be.

And especially when it was the three of them against ninety five Destroyers of varying experience, strengths, and speeds.

Of course, that alone wasn't enough to warrant one of her, what the destroyers had declared her secret ability, her patented glares. What had prompted that reaction however came in the form of at least a dozen destroyers of at least two nationalities covered in paint due to a 'malfunction' of Willie D's torpedo tubes. She'd loosed two fish straight into Shimkaze and Z-24. But the blasts resulting from it had encompassed far more than just the two of them, stretching even to include Willie herself.

Of course, had that been it alone, it probably wouldn't be the reason for the migraine the battleship could feel popping up. No, what had spiraled it even further than that when one of the destroyers, Arizona wasn't sure who, had apparently decided that Willie's case of misplaced torps had been intentional. So not even ten seconds after the dust had settled, they went off, further covering the three and even more in paint.

The sight Arizona was watching right now was outright chaos, sporadically cut screams and bursts of paint up and down their ranks. Normally, Arizona would turn Atlanta or Tenryuu loose on them and that would be it. But this was... could she still call it practice at it's current state?

Because the only thing getting practice at this point were their vocal cords.

As she watched paint overcome Shimakaze and Amatsukaze, the blonde destroyer in question apparently furious as she immediately flagged the closest cluster of her fellow destroyers with her torps, Arizona only offered a sigh, dragging a hand down her face in an exaggerated motion a moment before her Radio keyed up.

"Yamato. Musashi." She spoke over the channel they shared, separate from the one the destroyers were currently tuned into.

"Hai, Arizona-senpai?" Yamato questioned as her voice came back over the channel. Arizona paused a moment at the idea of Yamato calling her by a title of seniority, shaking her head somewhat. Sure, she was older than the battleship, but Yamato's overall armament outclassed Arizona's own by serious margins.

Shaking her head somewhat, Arizona rubbed her temple as she spoke. "You may fire at will." She spoke in a tone that betrayed her attempted calm.

"Of course." Came Yamato's reply.

"Affirmative." Was Musashi's reply.

It was only a moment that Arizona had to wait before she heard the telltale sounds of their eighteen inch guns firing. The effect was almost Immediate as the squall of destroyers scattered with even more screams thrown in. A second later, Arizona's guns erupted into their own hymn, further sending the destroyers into panic.

The practice today had originally been to work on their reflexes and ability to dodge or minimize the effect of enemy shells. But that was a moot point now given that at least 70% were coated or at least decorated with paint. She could vaguely make out the form of Willie D. Who at this point was all but covered in blue and white.

As soon as Arizona had fired, it wasn't long before another three shells came from Musashi, quickly followed by three from Yamato. Arizona sent six of her own after that, keeping them moving and on their toes. Eventually, Arizona noted, a large portion of the screaming shifted to laughter as the destroyers began to make a game out of their current situation.

While not the original plan by any means, at least they were enjoying themselves now, she noted quietly to herself with a huff. As her guns fired the other six waiting shells, quickly followed by another three from each of the sisters with her, she thought somewhat on her current situation.

If you have told her eight months ago that she'd be a crucial flagship to the order and stability of a fleet composed of eight various nations, Battleship Arizona would've called you nuts. But as the sounds of the two super battleships firing their third turrets into the mess before them, Arizona shook her head.

"Musashi, increase spread." Arizona requested.

"Hai, Arizona-Senpai." Came the battleship's response, filtering through the Radio. She recognized that the woman got the message, but the inclusion of the title after her name prompted her to frown somewhat, her eyes darting to the form she knew to be Musashi out further on the Bay. Now she knew something was up. Yamato calling her Senpai was one thing easily dismissed. But hearing the bronze battleship do the same thing was off putting. Sure, the battleship had never been quite to the same level that Zuikaku had been on, but she certainly wasn't fond of the American presence in Yokosuka.

Someone was putting them up to it.

Her thoughts were drowned away as Musashi's guns echoed over the water's surface once again, this time one gun at a time. Mixing up the interval had the desired effect, Arizona noted, as the destroyers scattered even further, regardless of the stray torp here and there. She took a moment before joining in the endless lead, her guns once again firing.

The Shell from her second gun, third turret was propelled into the open Japanese sky before it, starting it's climb as it rushed from the barrel. It climbed and climbed and climbed until eventually it's climax became and it's fall began towards the clustered pools of destroyers, it's fall ending as it detonated it's fuse, covering a combination of Shigure, Hoel, and Vampire in blue and white paint.

And then the other eight shells landed nearby, further splattering the destroyers clustered with one another in even more paint.

For a moment, Arizona briefly wondered to herself if this was even really training anymore. Most of the destroyers were already covered in paint, though those were due to circumstances that Arizona had never nor could she have seen coming. She knew that working with Willie D presented a new kind of danger that not even the Abyssals could properly copy no matter how hard they tried at it.

Her own guns firing barely even registered in her mind nowadays, it simply having become a new normal. As they fired, her crew was already setting the next firing angles as her guns dropped to their loading angles. Even still, she knew this wasn't effective as they'd originally planned. There was too much time between the salvos, given there was only three of them. They needed more effective firing speeds if this was truly going to-

Arizona's thoughts were dashed to pieces as the sound of a Battleship's full salvo registered to her ears, a good distance away from them. But it hardly mattered as the arcs proved good and the aim was true. But that wasn't it by a long shot as more and more blasted out of left field, at least three more salvos coming from seemingly no where. She watched as the shells began to fall amongst the DD's, prompting new rounds of screaming and laughter as they scattered even further.

As they did so, Arizona finally got eyes on those responsible.

She watched coming in first were Nevada and Oklahoma, Pennsylvania and Maryland each off to the side as they followed. After the four of them came Richelieu and Strasbourg, the two of them followed by Bismarck and Tirpitz. After the two of them came three of the Kongou sisters, Kongou, Hiei, and Kirishima. Arizona paused somewhat at that before chuckling to herself as Maryland and Pennsylvania split from the newcomers and made their way towards the battleship.

"I have to say, I wasn't exactly expecting more hands, what with the schedule mix up." Arizona said.

"Yeah and originally neither were we." Maryland said. "Largely because we thought it was just fifteen or twenty destroyers. But uh... that clearly isn't the case." She reasoned as she looked out over the mess of destroyers, only watching as the three Kongou class battleships fired into them, further scattering their ranks as paint flew directly for them. "How many destroyers-"

"Every one of them except for John Finn." Arizona answered.

"And they've already been covered with paint to this degree?" Pennsylvania asked. Arizona sighed as she rubbed her face a moment.

"Yes, but not by us." She said. Maryland nodded at that.

"I caught a glimpse of the carnage that had been ongoing. What happened, someone trade some words that weren't taken to kindly to?" She questioned. Arizona sighed at that somewhat before blinking as yet another salvo came from her right. "Sorry, we would've been out here sooner, but Mom wanted to test out the rigging her country sent." Maryland told her.

Arizona blinked a moment before glancing back to the are where the eleven had come from, Kongou rounding back as she did so. And as she focused on the twelfth battleship to appear, she found herself a little dumbfounded.

"Dreadnought?" She openly questioned over their channel. The British Battleship in question only smiled in turn as she looked to the Super Dreadnought, offering a polite wave as she slowly approached, Kongou holding position off of her stern.

"I do hope I'm not intruding too much?" She questioned as she approached, her guns having dropped to their loading angles. "By the way Maryland, I'm not appreciative of the comment you made." She said, glancing to the younger battleship. Maryland only chuckled somewhat at that, scratching the back of her head as Arizona looked to the battleship.

"It was to my understanding that you didn't want to sortie and wanted to remain apart of the Support portion of the fleet." She said. Dreadnought nodded at that as she looked towards the DD's a moment as the rest of the battleships began to get into position as the five of them discussed.

"A practice will the little ones is hardly a combat sortie, which is what I said I would not join. Stretching my legs is hardly something so important, and besides, this still technically classifies as support, does it not?" She questioned, her smile still ever so present. Arizona paused at the moment at that, thinking it over a moment, before nodding somewhat.

"Point." Arizona admitted.

"So what happened?" Pennsylvania questioned as she looked to the destroyer mobs once more. "Because it looks like a majority of them are already at least somewhat hit and I know I haven't heard near enough shots for that."

"Willie D." Arizona answered in one simple move. Pennsylvania and Maryland sighed at that information a moment as Dreadnought and Kongou curiously glanced at the pocket of DD's where Willie was supposedly located. But only for a moment as Kongou practically bounced to Arizona's side.

"Arizona-San, you've been requested, Dess!" Kongou exclaimed. Arizona blinked somewhat, opening her mouth to say something before Kongou practically grabbed both sides of the woman's face and pointed her gaze towards shore. And there, Arizona found Haruna standing alongside the shore. When she found the battleship looking to her, she waved with a smile, prompting a girlish giggle from Kongou as she pushed the Super Dreadnought towards her.

"Okay, okay." Arizona said as Kongou eased up, Arizona now making way on her own power. "I'm going." She said as she got underway, covering the distance between herself and Haruna in a short amount of time as salvos sounded off behind her, Maryland laughing as she did so.

"Dance for my amusement!" She yelled.

Arizona shook her head somewhat at that, finding the smile it brought almost impossible to push away. But as she focused in on Haruna, she stopped trying to suppress the smile on her lips.

"Haruna."

"Arizona-San."

"You know if you needed to talk to me, you could've radioed?" She questioned. Haruna only smiled at that as she nodded as in acceptance.

"We both know that's no fun." Haruna told her. "But, aren't you leading Practice?" She questioned. Arizona nodded at that, a hand on her hip.

"I let Yamato and Musashi know beforehand what the plan was if I became unavailable. But that's all a mute point with twelve more battleships now assisting." She told her. "But I'm surprised you didn't join your sisters when they came out on the water." She said. Haruna only smiled at that as she nodded, looking out on the horizon as she watched practice a moment before back to Arizona.

"I figured it was in well enough hand." She said. "And besides, I would assume it's only a matter of time until the wrong voices take control of the Destroyers, and suddenly it's the battleships on the receiving end. You do realize that you are out on the water with 95 of them, yes? And among them is Taffy 3, no?" She asked. Arizona seemed to take pause at that, briefly going over what she'd been told before glancing back at the destroyer pockets still gathered around a moment before looking back to Haruna.

"You may-"

"Scream for your lives!" Maryland yelled as yet another salvo sounded through the air. Arizona heard various battleship laughter over their channel a moment. Briefly weighing her options, she briefly keyed into the Destroyer's Radio channel a moment. And she was overwhelmed by the dozens of voices speaking at once.

"-But if we pincer her-" Came O'Bannon.

"-Can't dodge the bulk of-" Sent Z-25.

"-Can't hit Dreadnought or-" Claimed Vanessa.

"-The little fucker deserves-" Sneered Hoel.

"-The idea isn't to take her Sixteen's to the-" Reasoned Kagerou.

"Oui!" Shimakaze cheered.

Arizona rolled her eyes somewhat at that before a playful smirk toyed upon her lips as she answered them as she looked to them.

"Give me a second, I'll take care of it." Arizona told the DD populace, briefly startling them into silence as most if not all came to focus on the battleship for a second. But Arizona was already keying over to the Battleship channel, already devising what she was going to say. "Maryland, rotate North. Need to spread out the salvos more and more." She ordered.

Maryland didn't even question it, her guns turning away as she began to sail north somewhat, leaving her unknown safety as she began to enter her new position. Watching her a moment, she looked back to the swathes of destroyers and shot a thumbs up.

They blinked collectively.

Before their gazes turned to Maryland in a vicious manner, much to the oblivious Maryland.

"Arizona-San." Haruna lightly scolded from behind her. But the Super-Dreadnought was far more interested in seeing how this turned out as the destroyers began to form single file lines, five members to each. They began to slowly pick up speed, curving in and next to one another. She could see as each of them gave their torpedo tubes exploratory twitches, their gazes locking back to Maryland every so often.

Some of the columns were combinations of multiple nations, some of them solid flags. But as she watched the two Columns lead by Shimakaze and Amatsukaze respectively began to go faster and faster, Arizona glanced to Maryland, realizing she was about to turn back to the destroyers.

"Maryland!" Arizona shouted, prompting Maryland to turn her gaze to the older battleship.

That was all they needed as Shimakze and Amatsukaze whipped into action, Shimkaze leading Hatsuharu, Murakumo, Z-24, and Z-25 as Amatsukaze lead Vanessa, Vivien, Fubuki, and Shirayuki.

Already bringing up their rear was Leningrad, leading Akatsuki, Hibiki, Ikazuchi, and Inazuma. The four sisters silently cheered as Leningrad smirked, not a bottle of Vodka in sight.

The first two columns pulled wide, strafing from one another before pulling back towards one another, as if they were playing chicken. But they slowed enough that as they passed one another, the back line was spaced between the front.

Ten destroyers emptied their tubes at once.

And then five more right behind them as they cleared the space.

Arizona found it very hard to keep Maryland distracted as she watched what she could only describe as one of the text book pieces of team work. She watched as the destroyers went columns by columns until after only thirty seconds or so, all 95 of them had emptied their tubes in the direction of Maryland. Arizona almost couldn't believe it.

And then a Torpedo popped up in front of Arizona. And then another. And then another. Arizona found herself startled somewhat as she watched more and more pop up, all gunning directly for Maryland. And the Battleship in question had spotted them too.

"Oh come on Arizona! I thought you knew me better than that! Playing distraction for a Torpedo attack that I can plainly see coming? You really need to-"

Her foot bumped one of Shimakaze's torps.

What Arizona could only describe as a skyscraper of red, blue, white, gray, and black paint rocketed into the sky as the torps detonated on one another from the force of the explosions as one. She'd lost sight of Maryland in the first second, let alone those following.

And then the mystery torps reached Maryland supposedly, renewing their assault as a second, albeit far smaller tower of paint erupted.

"Nano!" Iku cheered from next to Arizona's leg before she crash dove, intending to escape whatever wrath was fixing to come from Maryland, quickly followed by giggles and more crash dives.

Arizona had been standing ontop of the Yokosuka Silent Service and she'd no idea.

That wasn't unnerving or anything.

She watched as the paint began to fall back to Earth, amongst the destroyer's cheering and laughter, high fives being exchanged as the carnage began to settle. And barely, through the mist of paint, Arizona could just barely make out the form of a person standing there, her hands balled into fists it looked like.

When it fully settled, there she found Maryland, standing stone still, covered in every color under the rainbow and more still. As she heard Haruna sigh behind her, Arizona only turned to the battleship in question and offered her a rare grin, reminiscent of when she'd first crossed over.

Haruna only placed a hand on her forehead somewhat at the sight, but even she couldn't help but return the smile, shaking her head slightly.

"ARIZONA!" Maryland screeched like a bat out of hell. As she did so, Arizona could make out the sounds of either resigned disappointment or disbelief escape Dreadnought.

"Was that really required?" Dreadnought questioned in an accusatory tone.

/—\__/—\

Vestal growled to herself as she stood in an empty dock, messing somewhat with the inner workings of the item, having removed the panel that sat above and behind it, revealing the inner workings for this particular dock.

Her fairies poked inside of the space deep, looking for anything wrong or out of place. It was a rare chance they had here, when there was no sorties currently going on. It was a rare chance for the Repair ships to preform maintenance on the place, and with Yuubari's lead, it was going well enough.

Currently, the docks played host to only six people, having been drained and emptied for upkeep. Vestal herself, her fellow repair ships, Dionysus and Akashi, and the Maintenance team, Yuubari, Monitor, and Merrimack.

Like Vestal, Monitor and Merrimack were messing with the internals of other docks she noted, briefly glancing their way before looking back to her own work. Dionysus was currently tinkering with Yuubari at the master control panel, seeming to be arguing over something. And Akashi was leading a deep clean team composed of nearly all the fairies the six had to give, the lot of them scrubbing given the shared bath a deep scrubbing before they moved onto the individual docks.

Vestal took another tentative glance at the Japanese repair ship before her attention was called back to her fairies before her, they apparently having found something. Sticking the end of her flashlight in her mouth a moment, holding it firm as she reached into the internals that her fairies were pointing out. Twisting somewhat, she locked her grasp to the small cylinder that came free. Pulling it into the light, she scowled somewhat.

The cylinder she'd pulled free of the back space was essentially the recycler for the dock's independent system. It recycled the water, recycled the healing properties about the water and the dock itself. But as she shook the canister, the water inside wasn't clear. It was a murky black, sticking to the inside of the canister somewhat as it went. A culmination of repair debris's and other factors. Vestal's face scrunched up somewhat at the sight as she removed the flashlight from her mouth as she turned to look at Yuubari.

"Yuubari. I need another Recycler." She said as she held out the one for Yuubari to see. The cruiser looked up and cringed at the sight of the canister, vanishing for a moment before reappearing from a storage room, trading Vestal the fresh and clean cylinder for the old, spoiled one.

"Honestly, sometimes I'm glad I don't sortie all that often for reasons like this." Yuubari said, holding the canister up to her level a moment, shaking it before shaking her head, presumably going to dispose of it. Vestal watched her a moment before looking back to the canister in her hand.

Sticking the flashlight back in her mouth, she adjusted her grasp until the top of it was in her hand, resting over the letters TAG, the three separated by an anchor in the middle of them.

Trockendocktechnik AG.

It was the name of the German company that had engineered the Dock technology that the fleet made use of. Of course, this wasn't the top of the line anymore, Vestal knew. Hadn't been for a while. They'd continually made improvements on their system and further than that, but completely tearing down the docks and building them back up in the middle of the war like they were wasn't an option.

TAG itself was one of five International Companies closely associated with the Ship Girl program as a whole.

This five Company title consisted of TAG, RNO, LA, IFS, TKC, the five of them generally grouped under KI, or Kantai Industries.

RNO stood for Royal Naval Ordanance, one hand in the machine alongside IFS, or Independent Fleet Systems, their American peers. The two companies worked alongside the various Navies to design and build the riggings the girls made so good use of battling against the Abyssal threat.

The fourth member of the public appointed title was Lancement Aquatique. They were a French company responsible for the Launching technology and launching chambers the fleet used every time they entered and left the water.

The last company of the five was TKC, or The Kantai Corporation. They were a Japanese video game developer that had been around a few years before the war hit, where they made it big when they published what most knew as KanCon, a game where the player takes on the role of an Admiral against the Abyssal threat.

They were world renowned by this point and their game known in all corners of the globe, even only still hosting a compliment of 60 despite the public openly knowing of Yamakaze by this point, the '61st' ship girl. She'd not been added to the game yet, much to the fan's chagrin. Most assumed that TKC was waiting for their upcoming yearly convention to announce it amongst other things come to the game.

There apparently was a rumor that they were going to introduce summer themed outfits for some of the girls.

Although not openly responsible for supporting the fleet in the same way that the other four were, TKC was a big part for the high war morale that had persisted. And a large portion of their funds went into making sure Yokosuka, and the JMSDF by extension, could keep the fleet fed and clothed.

Vestal carefully guided the cylinder back into it's space, the item slotting in rather easily. At that, Vestal began to secure it as she twisted it to secure it into place. When it was done, her two fairies alerted her that the light at the base of it had switched from red back to green. Verifying it for herself, she nodded as she once again removed the flashlight from her mouth as her fairies continued to poke about within the dock's internals.

But when a few minutes had gone by and they'd apparently found nothing else wrong or openly concerning to her fairies or herself, Vestal gave them the call to come on back, the two of them skittering up her sleeve as she did so. She grunted somewhat as she picked up the back panel from the ground, hefting it up and into it's spot.

Lightly pressing on the corners of the panel, it clicked back into place, once again blending seamlessly with the wall. Vestal looked over her work a moment before turning and stepped out of the dock, placing a hand on her knee as she pushed herself out.

When she was out of the dock, she turned for Yuubari and Dionysus when the sound of a bucket overturning caught her attention. She turned to the Shared bath, where she found a number of the mixed fairies being swept away by the sudden flood, Akashi sighing somewhat as she began to scoop them up in her arms. Vestal watched a moment as Akashi stood in the middle of the flowing water, rescuing as many fairies as she could. But it wasn't enough.

Sighing somewhat, rubbing her face, she hopped down into the bath as the two fairies she'd just picked up began to cast ropes down to the bath's floor as Vestal herself bent down, reaching for some of them and pulling back up with with a fair amount grasping onto one another, a fair amount of them thoroughly soaked to the bone.

"Hey!" One of the exclaimed, one of Yuubari's fairies. Vestal sighed somewhat as the rest of them began to climb up the rope ladders her fairies had casted down, ending up in various pockets and clinging to her sides. She approached the side of the bath where the water wasn't existent, where the other fairies that hadn't been caught up in the miniature tsunami were still watching and working.

They cleared a space for Vestal to put them down, most of them jumping ship when safety was apparent as Vestal began to put the last one's down, Akashi soon doing the same next to her.

"What happened?" Vestal questioned as she looked to the pink haired repair ship. Akashi sighed, rubbing the back of her neck somewhat at the question before sighing.

"I forgot where I put the bucket and kicked it over." And admitted. Vestal only stared at her Japanese peer, her eyes meeting the woman's for a moment, before an old and wry smirk overtook the woman's lips. Immediately, Akashi pouted at the sight as Vestal gave a hearty laugh as she worked on pulling herself out of the bath which wasn't really a challenge for her.

Even if she wasn't a battleship or carrier, she still had strength that would make a Normal human crumple under her if she became agitated. It was still a foreign feeling, being human now. Sure, she knew enough about them from her own crew. But if you asked the repair ship to identify why a human child was crying, or why someone was having internal pains, she wouldn't be able to even try to tell you what was wrong.

But it wasn't just Vestal. She, Akashi, and Dionysus all saw it as a weak point of their own. If Admiral Ishigara or Admiral Johnson or Captain Algerona or Admiral Herkunft were to come down with something bad or crucial to their health, they would have to rely on an outside source for their well being. And though in the overarching scheme of things, Vestal knew it was a minor point in everything, but it still bothered her.

Especially when her Admiral had a really bad habit of getting herself hurt.

Vestal shook her head somewhat at that as approached Yuubari and Dionysus after making sure Akashi still had everything under control, she herself working on cleaning up the spilled water while the fairies went back to their tasks. As she approached the cruiser and the repair ship, Yuubari noted her approaching and offered a wave in greeting.

Vestal returned with a smaller of her own, the repair ship popping her neck as she rubbed it somewhat. "Are we good to go?" She asked. Yuubari nodded as she looked at the panel before her, noting as Monitor and Merrimack were clearing up their docks as well, popping their panels into place as well. As they did so, the panel before Yuubari lit up with the last two on the list.

As each panel finally popped into place, it sent a signal that lit up a red light on the master control. Pushing those in turn, they switched to green. And when all 25 lights were green, Yuubari went for the master switch at the bottom of the panel. Flicking it with her thumb, she pressed it down and immediately the docks surged to life.

Small whirring noises sounded from behind the panel to each one before water began to seep from the wall and into the dock. Yuubari sighed in relief somewhat as the entire system, aside from the shared bath, began to once again fill the docks. Taking note of her sudden relief, Monitor glanced at the docks a moment longer before looking to Yuubari.

"Worried it wasn't going to start up?" She asked as she looked to the cruiser. Yuubari nodded at the question, scratching her head somewhat.

"I've Fucked this up a couple of times before and they've had to fly TAG engineers out here each time, both to give the entire system a look over and to run me through the process again. Given that I'm the fleet's maintenance ship, it's just a tad bit embarrassing in the grand scheme of all things considered." She said.

"I'd imagine it's an immediate thing for them though." Monitor replied. Yuubari nodded at that.

"Oh it totally is." She confirmed. "But that doesn't really make me feel better." She said.

"Do you know each of the companies that help the fleet?" Merrimack questioned. Yuubari nodded.

"I know a couple of the higher ups that are in four of them. But if you're looking for higher ups in TKC, your go to is either the Sendai's or Liz. I've never really bothered with them all that much. The only thing I've ever talked to them about was my concept art for KanCon. They just couldn't seem to get my hair color right." She sighed. "I even tried to get a flight out from Pearl to IFS's headquarters in Arizona, but I was shutdown." She huffed.

"They got new stuff too?" Monitor questioned. Yuubari shrugged.

"Largely just upkeep tools they've been working on. I've had to improvise some of mine over the fleet's history to fix some of the problems they've come back with." She told them. "All of that aside, the docks are fresh, clean, and ready to repair. Let's hope the cleanliness factor stays around for a while." She said.

Vestal nodded for sure at that statement. Overall, the maintenance and deep clean had been very satisfying to her. Sighing somewhat, she made way for the locker room to give it one last look over before they officially called it good. But as she entered from the docks, Admiral Ishigara entered from outside.

"Ahh, Vestal. Hello." He greeted with a nod of the head. Vestal stirred a moment in unknown before offering a greeting in the form of her own head nod.

"Hello Admiral." She greeted in return, turning to face him as her eyes quickly scanned the locker room for anything wrong or out of place. "Is there something I can help you with?" She questioned. Ishigara nodded at the question somewhat.

"As I recall, Dock cleaning and maintenance was to take place today, no?" He asked. Vestal nodded as she crossed her arms, nodding her head towards the entrance to the docks.

"We just got done with the individuals. Akashi is still cleaning the Shared bath." She answered. "Can I question why the sudden interest?" She asked. Ishigara nodded at that as he gestured for the front entrance, which Vestal made way for.

And she only stared.

"How many." Vestal growled as Ishigara stood next to her.

"All but John Finn. And her place is being taken by Maryland." He explained as the two of them looked over the sea of painted destroyers, with one very miffed Maryland standing near the back. Well, Vestal assumed she was miffed. She couldn't actually make any of the woman's features out aside from her eyes. The repair ship stood there a moment as more and more rows of the destroyers before her slowly began to focus in on her. After a moment, Vestal turned for the entrance to the docks.

"Yuubari!" She yelled. "How many can we fit in the docks!? Max!?" She demanded.

A brief silence.

"Probably no more then 40! Why!?" The cruiser shouted back.

"Tell Akashi to cut it short and to get the hoses out!" She yelled. Her demand was met with a brief silence in turn while she assumed they processed her request. It was at this point however that the five of them actually decided to come towards the entrance and see what had Vestal so uptight.

And when they laid eyes on the same sight they Vestal had been greeted with, Yuubari only slammed her hands into her face as she let out a hopeless groan. The repair ship quietly shared the sentiment as she stepped out of the locker room into the sunlight. Immediately following her almost was Akashi and Dionysus, the two repair ships only looking over the carnage in utter belief.

"I want the fletchers front and center right now!" Vestal hollered over them. Immediately, the sea of destroyers before them began to shift, the eleven fletcher destroyers slowly pulling themselves from the clusters of destroyers as they came to a stance before the three repair ships.

"Is this your doing?" Vestal asked immediately. Immediately, most of their reactions were to look at the woman with hurt or pained expressions.

"What do you mean?!" Fletcher demanded. "Just because something happens or goes wrong on base doesn't automatically mean it was us!" She cried.

"It totally was them." Murasame answered from one of the front rows. She giggled immediately as she retreated behind her sisters as the Fletcher class wheeled on her. Well, all except Kidd and Willie, the former looking at her sister worriedly as she refused to meet eyes with Vestal. When the repair ship finally took note of this, her gaze landing on the destroyer, she finally realized who she was looking at and sighed somewhat.

"Was it actually on purpose or was it on Willie's end?" She asked. At that, the other fletchers carefully glanced at their sister for a moment before they slowly looked back up to Vestal, some of them nodding in turn. The repair ship slowly nodded at that as she looked to the Fletchers. "I want the lot of you over here to the side." She said.

The eleven fletchers slowly and carefully nodded at the request as they began to make their way off to the side, away from their other destroyers. When they had, Dionysus approached them.

"I want any electronic devices you have on hand or anything you don't want getting waterlogged." She requested, holding out a hand. When the destroyers offered up a few hand held game consoles and other such things, Dionysus stuck them away within her storage. "You'll get them back after this all over." She said as she stepped back away from the eleven.

But they didn't have to wait long as O'Bannon and Fletcher were immediately hit in the face with water, and a lot of it.

The destroyer mob apart from the eleven only watched in some amusement as Vestal began to hose the eleven of them down, Dionysus soon joining in as her fairies fished out her Firehose for her. They could just barely make out the Fletcher class giggling at the feeling, some of them seeming to be enjoying it.

And that's when Yuubari and Akashi exited the docks as well, stepping off into the same direction the first group had gone. Fire hoses already in hand, Yuubari gave a signal to get things moving.

"I don't care if we do this by classes or what. But we've got work to do. Come on now." She called, trying to move the mob along. It took a moment for the request to process, but eventually things got moving when it came down to Shiratsuyu shoving Umikaze and Shigure forwards before walking along herself. When they were lined up as a class, their sisters having come to join them, Akashi offered the same brief service that Dio had before she stepped away and the two let it rip, immediately hosing the ten off, trying to remove as much paint as they could.

Yuubari sighed as she hosed off Yuudachi. This was going to be a long day.

—/—\—

"There's no place i'd rather be. Lingering in the ocean blue." Reno sang quietly to herself as she sat in the Courtyard, playing a game on her tablet as she waited. She hummed to herself as she attempted and willed the game she was playing not to fuck her as it had done so many times in the past. Honestly, she only needed a few more stars and that next World was hers.

But a sudden shift in how things were going, and her almost immediate loss as a result had her screaming at the item. It was all for naught though as the Game Over screen flashed up at her in a mocking way, better be that Reno tried not to take personally.

"Fucking bullshit." Reno huffed as she put the tablet on the bench next to her.

"Wow. Sounds like someone's having a fun time." Someone sounded from behind her. Reno craned her neck to see who it was approaching and found the sight of Cleveland waving at her. Reno offered a wave in return as the light cruiser began her final approach, making sure to pick up Reno's tablet before sitting down on the bench next to the woman, looking over the item a moment before handing it back to the cruiser. "What's got you so up in arms?" She questioned.

"Fucking KanCon." Reno answered. Cleveland arched a brow, opening her mouth to question it before she suddenly nodded.

"That's the game where like people can become an Admiral? Summon their own fleet right? Like it uses the Japanese fleet or something, right?" She questioned with a scratch of the head.

"That'd be the one." Reno said with a sigh. Cleveland arched a brow.

"So then why the bickering about another world?" She asked. Reno sighed somewhat as she picked up the tablet and hit a few buttons, pulling up what could be described as an overmap.

"Like the war, the game features multiple areas and operations that you've to take place in and command. Well, the first area, or starting 'world' as I called it are the waters immediately surrounding Japan. And because I can't get a decent carrier to save my life, I'm stuck using the nameless carrier they give you as stock." She sighed.

"Nameless carrier?" She asked. Reno sighed.

"It's placeholder ship so you're not fucked over by RNG early on the hame while you try to build your fleet. I'm stuck with it and the stock battleship they give you because the game thinks I need every cruiser and destroyer before it'll start offering me any capital ships. Seriously, my team has three level 15 Yuudachi's and she's one of the rarest in the game." She huffed as she tapped away at the screen.

"Is the placeholder carrier... bad?" Cleveland slowly questioned in turn, leaning into the cruiser as she watched.

"Technologically, Houshou laughs at her." She explained. "And the fight you have to beat to expand to the surrounding seas and expand the first area of operations features a carrier that most anyone who knows anything about Naval warfare from our time is a heavily modified Essex class." She huffed. "And this goddamn game won't give me a carrier. Even Ryuujou or Taihou would be a godsend, let alone any of the six."

"Is this a normal problem everyone has? Or is this a problem exclusive to you for the time being?" Cleveland asked with a tinge of amusement flavoring her voice. Reno rolled her eyes at that.

"Apparently just me. Even Oakland can pull carriers like no one's business and they don't have the trade feature in the game yet like they've been promising. So it's up to my luck to improve, and not to curse myself, but I don't have confidence in it." She said with a demoralized chuckle. Cleveland only offered a chuckle at that in response as she watched the girl a moment as she offered the woman a open hand.

"Can I try? I've been meaning to look at the game but i haven't been so sure about it just yet. It'd be nice if we had some representation in it." Cleveland offered. "And what better place to try it out than the first world." She said. Reno briefly let the thought of responding cross her mind, but she eventually shrugged her response away as she offered the tablet to the woman. Cleveland cackled to herself as she took the tablet, crossing a leg over the other as she focused on it. "So it's fairly simple right? Set up a sortie and go?" She asked.

"It's that simple." Reno offered in reply. Cleveland nodded at that as she went about doing just that, her eyes quickly reading over the information on the screen. But as she did so, her eyes never leaving the display, she spoke.

"Hey, Reno." She said.

"Hmm?" Reno asked as she looked up to the cruiser from where she'd been leaning against her somewhat.

"Are they really dating the Japanese?" She asked. Reno arched a brow at that for a moment, as if she was unsure if she'd heard the cruiser correctly. But when Cleveland offered no follow up, no addition to her statement, Reno only offered a small nod at that.

"They are, and trust me, you're not the only person who finds it weird." She said as she placed her hands on her lap. Cleveland nodded at that, tapping away at the screen of the tablet.

"I know E is dating one of their flattops. But how many of them altogether?" She questioned.

"There's Enterprise and Akagi, Arizona and Haruna, Washington and Kirishima, and whatever weird relationship Atlanta and Tenryuu have going on. But if I'm being honest, haven't seen them together in some time. Don't exactly know how well, if at all, they're doing lately." She told her.

"Are we all expected to find another ship girl to hook up with?" Cleveland asked her fellow light cruiser. Reno shook her head at that.

"Believe me when I say that is not what's expected at all. I know quite a few are waiting until war's end or a more varied population to go dating around. Like, I'm sorry, but I just can't see myself dating another ship girl." She said with a shake of the head.

Behind Reno, someone sneezed.

The two of them turned their heads to find Aoba approaching the two of them, the Japanese cruiser rubbing her nose with a finger before she stuck her hands in the pockets of her coat, offering a nod to the two of them.

"Sup." The heavy cruiser greeted as she approached the two CL's. Reno offered a wave as Cleveland only offered a nod of the head in her direction before casting her gaze back to the tablet before her. "What the two of you up to?" The pink haired woman inquired.

"Talking about the developing romantic scene of the base."

"Ahh, Yes, young love." Aoba said in an overly dramatic tone. Cleveland cut back a laugh as Aoba chuckled somewhat herself.

"I'm not really sure if any of those present fit the billet for Young. I mean, E's only a decade and some change short of being a hundred and the rest of them are spread near and far from that." Reno said as Cleveland nodded.

"Who'd we list?" The heavy cruiser asked.

"The Japanese-American pairings. So Wash and Shima, E and Akagi, Arizona and Haruna. And kind of left out Atlanta and Tenryuu." She said. Aoba nodded at that somewhat.

"What about Langley/Houshou and Missouri/Souryuu?" The heavy cruiser questioned. Reno furrowed her brow a moment at that.

"I mean, maybe I can see it with Langley and Houshou. But what are you on to suggest that Missouri and Souryuu even have something together, let alone to actually be together?" She questioned. Aoba arched a brow at that for a moment before she smirked, fishing around in one of her coat pockets before pulling out a small, hand held silver device. Reno caught a flash of it before Aoba tossed it towards the light cruiser, Reno springing into action to catch it.

As the device landed in the cruiser's hand, Reno weighing it in an experimental fashion, Aoba smirked in a devilish way. Such a way that Reno immediately knew the second she started messing with the recorder now in her possession, the second she did anything with it, she was going to be in possession of something that was going to get her killed.

"Press play." Aoba asked of her.

"Aoba..." Reno began, already starting to dread this somewhat.

"Just do it." She pushed again. Reno steeled herself, Cleveland even pausing the game she was in the middle of as she casted her gaze towards Reno's hand. Reno traded Cleveland an uncertain gaze for a moment, turning it on Aoba for a briefest if moments before she looked back at the device, her thumb hovering over the play button. Hesitating only a moment longer, she eventually brought her thumb down on it.

The crackling of the audio starting died away almost instantly as Reno was met with silence as she let the tape play in her hand, Reno's gaze still locked to the woman before her in a cautious manner.

All before a voice suddenly overcame the tape, Reno recognizing what short bursts of vocals and tone to be as Missouri. She sounded out of breath, sounded depleted. And under the tones, under Missouri's commanding presence in terms of the tape, she could just barely make out the voice of Souryuu, sounded even exhausted than Missouri did. But every so often, the carrier's breath would hitch, every so often she would inhale sharply. Reno briefly wondered if-

"Are they fucking?" Cleveland blurted out of left field. Reno went to say something in response to the outburst when the tape played the sound of Missouri chuckling briefly before she apparently moved her hand. And then came the overbearing sound of Souryuu squealing before it was cut off. Reno spared no chances after that, no risks as she immediately hit stop. She glanced around them just to make sure no one had heard anything, that no one knew anything. When she'd done so, she tossed it back to Aoba, who caught it with a victorious smirk as she quickly stashed it back within her pocket.

"Should I even ask where you got that?" Reno asked, putting her hands on her hips. Aoba simply shrugged at that, her smirk staying ever present as the woman watched the cruiser.

"I forgot it in the Dragon's room." She answered in simple fashion. Reno blinked at the answer a moment, her brain trying to process what had just been told to her before she furrowed her brow.

"The fuck do you mean you forgot it in the Dragon's room?" She questioned. The pink haired cruiser however simply shrugged her shoulders. Reno remained motionless a moment at that, as Cleveland watched the two, before the Atlanta finally sighed at that, rubbing her face a moment. "And just like that, we're suddenly in danger. Please don't tell me you're going to sit and wait for some stupid opportunity to try and blackmail them?" She asked. Aoba shook her head with a laugh thrown in.

"I'm not looking to die, Reno." She said. "It's just something to keep in the back pocket just in case a betting pool rolls up with their name on it, given that I'm so late to the current betting pool with Admiral Johnson and Maryland. Hey, by the way, how much is on that?" She questioned, her hands once again in her coat pockets. Reno tapped her chin at that a moment, mulling it over before scratching her head.

"Maybe... six-seven thousand?" She answered slowly. "But that was like three weeks ago and I haven't been around to check since then." She said with a shake of the head.

"Jesus." Cleveland said, her eyes widening at the mention of the money readily up for grabs. "Damn, now I really wish I'd been on base when those Christmas gifts were given out. That money you guys go would've been great for something like this." She sighed. "Damnit, first crossers always get the best stuff." She huffed.

"Looking at you Reno." Aoba said with a smirk. Reno rolled her eyes at that as she shook her head.

"I'm not by any means a first crosser." She said with a dismissive wave, looking to the two of them. "I came through in the third, technically fourth summoning. I can't say I hold Admiral Johnson's favor like my sister and the other six do." She said.

Cleveland rolled her eyes in that. "That's not a thing. Admiral Johnson isn't automatically-"

"She absolutely is, Cleveland. And if you can't see, you need your eyes checked." She said. "Aside from the Mother-Daughter role she's settled into with the Gleaves, you never see any of the original seven hesitate to approach her in any regard. Atlanta. Enterprise. Lexington."

"Well, I mean in their defense, they were Admiral Johnson's only ship girls for more than three months before the second summoning came through." Aoba told her.

"And it's not like she treats us any differently than them." Cleveland told her. "She's just friendlier with them, and them her, because they've been together longer. If you're trying to claim a bias here, it's literally a textbook example Reno." The CL told her. "And aside from that, why does it matter? If anything, her Bias towards Atlanta by extension effects you given that she's your sister." She said. "And aside from that, it's not like you have any room to talk, given that you decided to lock lips with her in the dorms out of the blue." The cruiser said with confidence.

Reno blinked before wheeling on the light cruiser, her hands going to her hips as she opened her mouth- only for Aoba's voice to ring through the air.

"Oh? How absolutely daring. I didn't think you had it in you, Reno." Aoba said with a devious laugh. "Making moves on your Admiral? Who is all but certifiably Maryland's domain at this point? Absolutely scandalous." She snickered. Reno rolled her eyes at that as she looked back to Cleveland.

"How do you know that? Who told you that?" She demanded. Cleveland only chuckled somewhat at that as she looked at the cruiser.

"Tell me Reno? Aside from you and Admiral Johnson, who mind you, is likely never going to recall that happening, who's the only other person to know about it?" She asked, humming as she finished her question, her eyes still locked to the tablet in her grasp. Reno hesitated a moment before shaking her head.

"Oakland said she wouldn't tell anyone." Reno stated. Cleveland nodded at that, finally looking up at the Atlanta.

"Of course. And she didn't." She said as she reached for her pocket. "But you left the camera with her after the fact and didn't ask what she'd done with it." She said as she pulled a small piece of what looked to be paper from her pocket. Flipping it around between two fingers, she grinned as Reno's face filled with dread. "Oakland made copies." Cleveland said, her tone dripping of smug. Reno frantically reached for the picture, only for Aoba to snatch it from Cleveland's grasp before she could, the light cruiser only chuckling as Reno switched her gaze to the Japanese CA.

"Ooo? Should I be jealous Reno? You really seem to be taken with Admiral Johnson there." Aoba cackled as she crossed her arms, holding the picture between two fingers. When Reno scrambled for it, Aoba flicked it back to Cleveland, who caught it with ease. Before Reno could react, the light stashed it away as she stood, handing the tablet back to Reno.

"Done. And done." Cleveland said as she looked at the cruiser. Reno paused momentarily a moment before looking down at the screen. Not only had Cleveland beat the level she'd been stuck on, she now had a Lv. 1 Kaga looking back at her, freshly summoned. Without a word, Cleveland began to wander off in a random direction, leaving the two of them alone a moment. Aoba watched her a moment before glancing to Reno.

"So the thing?" She asked curiously. Reno paused, unsure of what the woman meant before blinking in realization.

"Oh yeah. Shit." Reno said as she immediately turned for the American dorms, Aoba following along after her.

It wasn't long before she reached her room she shared with Oakland. Making sure her sister wasn't currently home, she let Aoba inside before closing the door behind her. Immediately, she went about settling down at the desk with a sigh. Locking her tablet, she moved it to the side as she focused in on her computer where she had her camera already plugged into.

"So? We're not expecting anything great right? Not like the picture I just saw?" Aoba asked with a laugh. Reno scowled back at the woman in response to the comment, something Aoba simply laughed at as she waved her hands in defeat. "I'm kidding. So, what've we got here?" She asked as she leaned over the chair, accepting the other ear bud offered to her as Reno stuck the first into her ear. Aoba hummed as she popped the second one in as she watched Aoba selected the Memory card file, watching as it took a moment to come up.

When it did, the two cruisers were presented with the still image of what looked to be a dimly lit room, no doubt the start of the photos. But when Reno went to mouse over it, she found that the image offered her a time stamp instead of a number of photos. Reno blinked a moment before she moved over somewhat, allowing Aoba to co-opt the seat with her.

"It's a video file." Reno explained. Aoba arched a brow at that, glancing to the cruiser a moment.

"Was that intended?" She asked.

"I don't.. know? I just kind of figured the fairies would've taken pictures and not just one... four day video, oh Jesus Christ." She shook her head at the sight somewhat. Aoba only chuckled next to her as she glanced back at the door, making sure it was closed.

"Well then we better get watching then. That's a lot of footage after all." She said. Reno rolled her eyes at that.

"I'll fast forward." She said. "I'm not sitting here and watching 96 hours of footage, Aoba." She said as she doubled clicked the video, soon enough it opening for the two of them. Aoba only chuckled as the two of them were presented with a still image of Anya just coming out of the bathroom, no one else in the room. Even if the camera quality wasn't great, which wasn't the case, the two of them could clearly see that the woman was naked and fresh out of the shower based on the towel over her head. "Not even five seconds in and I've already seen something I can never unsee." She grumbled.

"Oh come on." Aoba said with a roll of the eyes. "Of all of the things you could see in this life, Admiral Johnson in the nude is not the worst thing ever. I mean, look at her hips for-"

"Aoba, say anything else about my Admiral in this way and I will show you the door." Reno said, snapping her gaze to the woman.

Blue eyes stared down Bluish-Gray.

"Fine, fine. I relent." Aoba laughed as she once again put up a hand in a dismissive nature, Reno shaking her head somewhat as she tapped at the keyboard, putting the video into play and fast forward of the footage. Not expecting anything however, she found herself surprised when Aoba shook her shoulder not even a few minutes later. "Did you not see that?" She suddenly demanded.

"See what?" Reno asked, rewinding the video somewhat as she tried to find what had suddenly alerted Aoba like it had. When she'd rewound the video and played it at normal speed, during a scene when it found the Admiral in bed, with her being Maryland and a couple of the Gleaves. Watching a moment, expecting something to become obvious to her, it still wasn't clear what she was looking for when Aoba pointed at the screen.

Right at the Bathroom door.

Reno blinked in confusion for a moment at that. Right before she caught movement.

Right before she caught the movement of the Bathroom door creaking open, the audio coming over the camera's mic more than clear enough. Reno only watched a moment at that, watching the bathroom door slowly creak open before slowly closing before swinging open wider than it had.

Reno watched the door behave in this way for about seven or eight minutes before it slowly and finally stopped, the door slowly latching once more and all was still.

All to Anya's and Mary's continued sleep.

Reno blinked, not entirely sure if she'd seen it right, before she looked back to Aoba.

"Wasn't aware that your Admiral's quarters were haunted, Reno." The heavy cruiser claimed, giving a chuckle that clearly had some unnerved edge alongside it. Reno only slowly nodded at that, clicking back to the few minutes prior and watching for any sign that this was fake.

A sign that Sofia knew the camera was there and was playing a joke.

A sign that Anya knew the camera was there and she and Mary were doing it.

Anything would be preferable in Reno's mind to the opposite truth that the HQ building really was haunted. It filled her with unease as she finally let the clip try and fade from her mind. Only for it to be upended it once again as the footage exactly 24 hours later brought it back to the forefront of her mind.

Reno and Aoba only watched as once again, the next night's footage proved to be even harder on the nerves. They watched as the bathroom door slowly pushed itself open once again, pushing back and forth as if it was trapped in the wind that no one else could feel. They watched as still, Anya and Mary continued to sleep, still holding the destroyers to them, Reno and Aoba watched as one of the lamps in the room suddenly flickered to life, illuminating the room in a soft glow.

They watched, the audio completing the image, as the bathroom door swung back and forth, back and forth with not a care in the world.

And then the lamp flickered off.

Giving sight to the silhouette of a person standing in the doorway of the bathroom before the door closed as quickly as it had opened, cutting their line of sight from it.

Reno felt a chill go up her spine.

Aoba shivered at the sight.

The American HQ was definitely haunted.

Reno hesitated to continue with the footage, not sure if she should at this point. But after a moment of bickering with herself, after a moment of realizing that Aoba was still behind her, she pressed on as she once again tapped away at the keyboard.

When they reached the third night, to both their surprise and pleasure, nothing out of the ordinary happened this go round. In turn, Reno began to fast forward to the last night in the footage, night 4.

The video started off simple enough, simply recording an empty room. And then, Maryland pushed the door open as she entered the room. Reno wouldn't deny that the woman looked nervous, but why would she? They shared the room. Maryland was like the only one allowed to walk into that room at her own leisure maybe aside from the destroyers.

Reno and Aoba continued to watch the footage, watching as Maryland approached the light switch. They watched as she flipped it off, shrouding the room in darkness. But because of the levels of light coming in through the window, they could still rather easily and plainly see as Maryland began to strip her clothes off. It was at that moment that Reno suddenly realized, aside from the apparent supernatural stuff, what exactly they had in their possession. "Aoba, are you-"

"You realize we're dead if they figure out we have this, right?" The heavy cruiser questioned. Reno nodded absent-mindedly at the question.

"Maybe this isn't what we're thinking it is. Maybe this is all just a big misunderstanding on our part. Maybe we don't actually have what we think this is."
Reno rambled, suddenly trying to justify what she was looking at. Aoba only grinned at that as she brought her hand to the keyboard, fast forwarding exactly 15 minutes.

And the two cruisers were presented the still image of Maryland's face firmly planted between the Admiral's legs, the blonde's fingers gripping at the woman's hair.

Reno's face broke into a brilliant crimson.

Aoba's wasn't far behind.

"We're so fucking dead." Reno bemoaned, her face meeting her hands, even as it burned crimson. Aoba only slapped a hand to the cruiser's shoulder with a magnificent grin, one that only served to fill the cruiser with further dread.

"Not if no one finds out." Aoba suggested helpfully as she reached for the keyboard, fast forwarding a couple times. There, they were presented with the sight of Anya and Maryland safely sleeping, though they were still clearly naked. Breathing a shallow sigh of relief, Reno pressed the play button.

Immediately, once again, the bathroom door swung open, but this time it didn't budge, didn't move, didn't even slightly jitter. It swung open and stayed still.

Just as the lamps flicked on.

And then they flicked off.

The silhouette appeared once again in the bathroom.

The lamps flicked back on, it vanished.

They went off, it once again appeared.

But Reno recognized a problem almost immediately.

It had reappeared closer.

"Nononononononono." Reno said as she immediately exited out of the video, standing up and storming out of the room. Aoba only watched her go a moment before taking the earbud Reno had left behind, putting it in her ear as she reopened the video.

And she sunk into the seat as she began to watch.

—/—\—/—\—

She looked up from her notebook as the song she'd been listening to finally came to an end. Her gaze watching over the tide lapping at the beach her home sat on, she finally took a moment to herself. Closing the notebook splayed out on her knees, making use of the pencil she had to keep the page marked, she briefly turned to deposit the item on her bedside table before turning her gaze back to the window before her.

She watched the seemingly endless horizon as she pulled her earbuds from her ears and properly put them away, putting the case away within the drawer in the same bedside table that she'd put her notebook on before closing it with the back of her hand. Craning her neck somewhat, she found the time just turning on 2pm on the dot. Stretching somewhat, Olivia Parksons got up from the seat under the bay window in her room as she made way for her bedroom door.

Swinging it open from where it'd been slightly ajar, the sounds of Frank Sinatra filled her senses, mixing with the smells of cinnamon. Inwardly, Olivia smirked as she made way for the staircase.

Seemed her father was playing in the kitchen again.

Or, at least she hoped it was her father. If not, that meant her younger sister Marcy was doing the playing, and that had serious implications that she wasn't ready to face again. Not yet.

She hopped on the rail with a grin as she began her quick trip to the first floor, sliding down as she balanced herself. She knew her father hated when she did it, she knew he didn't like it. But it was so much simpler to get down faster this way.

When she reached the bottom of the stairs, her feet landing on the ground floor, she craned her neck into the living room checking for her father. When she found no traces of the man aside from a half empt bottle of water and a half finished book, she turned to her right and made her way that way, cutting through the dining room as she peered into the kitchen.

There she found the man she knew to her father, Nathan Parkson, or Mr. Parkson would be suiters for his daughter. But she hasn't been as quiet as she thought she had.

"What did I say about riding the stair rail down?" He asked, peering over his shoulder with a gaze that told her that he knew exactly how she'd gotten down the stairs.

"Don't let me see you doing that ever again." Olivia recalled, even waving a finger in an exemplary copy-cat style of the man. Nathan only rolled his eyes at that, checking back on the item he was experimenting with before turning back to his daughter, this time fully as he wiped his hands in the towel he had there before leaning back against the counter.

"And?" He asked, arching a brow at his oldest daughter. Who immediately offered finger guns and a cocky smile.

"Didn't see me do it." She offered, grinning wildly. Nathan shook his head, though the dim smile that took his lips said another story, as he crossed his arms.

"I told you, I don't want you doing that. What if Marcy tries to start copying you? You're dangerously good at it. If she falls, or makes a mistake? Olivia, your sister looks up to you and-" The Ex-Shipwright said, the burly man towering before his daughter. Olivia put up her hands in defense.

"Which is why I'm careful never to do it in front of her." She said. "I've done that much at least." She informed him. "So what gives? I thought you worked today. I figured you'd be gone for most of today." She said. "I was even gonna come visit." She said. Nathan nodded at that as he turned back to his apparent culinary creations.

"Twas the plan, yeah." He confirmed. "But the Boss called like nine. Offered me the day off. We're ahead of schedule on most of the projects at this point so she told me to take it easy a few days." He explained. Olivia nodded at that, shooting the man a thumbs up.

"That's good, right?" Olivia asked. Nathan shrugged.

"Suppose it is. If anything really goes wrong, I'm within walking distance. And my direct subordinates are no slouches either. Something does go wrong, I trust em to be able to handle or at least minimize the problems." He told her. Olivia nodded as she walked forwards, leaning against the man as she peered around her father.

"Watcha makin?" She asked.

"Snicker-doodles." He replied. "Or at least trying." He said. "Your mother would probably be laughing by this point." He said. Olivia snorted at that as she patted the man on the arm at that.

"Oh for sure. You in the kitchen alone was enough to get her giggling. I imagine she'd be guffawing by this point, seeing you in- oh shit, didn't even notice the apron. You know, I can only keep the ladies off of you for so long. Eventually, an eighteen year old rebellious daughter will be not nearly enough to keep em from lining up at the door." She said with a shake of the head. Nathan only scoffed somewhat at that as he looked to his daughter.

"I'm not exactly sure that's the biggest problem in the world." He answered her. "I'm capable of handing myself." He said.

"All of your Co-workers and subordinates are attention deprived and fun seeking ladies, Dad." Olivia contested. "Mom always said you were hopeless in the Matchmaker game, but come on now." She told him, tilting her head at him. Nathan only shook his head in amusement somewhat at that as he looked to his daughter once again.

"My apparent problem aside, what's this about going to visit? You going in today?" He asked. Olivia nodded at that.

"Gonna go check in with K today. That okay with you?" She asked with a hum, making her way to the fridge for a bottle of water. As she twisted off the cap of the water, her father nodded.

"That's fine. But make sure you take Marcy with you. She's been dying to go see Queenie last few days and I just haven't had the time to make it over there." He said. Olivia huffed at the idea of dragging her little sister along, but she couldn't deny it put the girl in a good mood whenever she was allowed to see Queenie.

"Fair enough." She told him, stretching somewhat for a moment. "She out playing on the beach?" She asked him. Nathan nodded at the question, Olivia taking the answer for it's worth. Turning for the door, she hadn't even taken a step before he'd called out to her again.

"Make sure you both take coats. I don't mind you going to visit them these days, but I don't want the two of you coming back with pneumonia." He said. She offered a thumbs up without turning her head as she made way for the coatrack by the door, taking a moment to slip hers on before she grabbed a hold of her sister's, throwing it over her shoulder as she swung the front door open, making her way outside.

Looking around, she didn't spy her sister playing in the grass. So she figured, as obvious as it was, she was somewhere on the sandbank. Swinging the door closed behind her, she bounded down the front steps a moment before glancing towards the beach. As she did so, she watched as what looked to be handfuls of sand seemed to be tossed up into the air a moment before coming back down. Smiling at the sight, Olivia walked for where the grass and soil dropped to the sand bank, maybe a foot below her. "Marcy?" Olivia called, her short black hair acting as subject to what little wind there was.

Her sister perked up at the mention of her name being called, looking up to her sister, her hands firmly buried within the sand, as if she was demanding what was being brought to her attention.

Olivia hefted the coat before her person, shaking it somewhat to get the point across. "Wanna go visit K and Queenie?" She asked, offering an arched brow in turn. Immediately, Marcy made a dash for the coat, but Olivia stopped her.

"Go wash the sand of your hands and then I'll give you your coat." She said. Immediately, Marcy made as mad a dash for the water as any seven year old could do. At first, Olivia wasn't sure if the girl wasn't going to just jump right in. But she slowed in time eventually, only sticking her hands in the water, scrubbing them clean before wiping them off on her shirt. Almost immediately afterwards, she wheeled and ran back for Olivia. The older of the two only laughed as she offered a hand down, to which the second Marcy took it, Olivia hefted her up the foot long drop and up to her level. With her sister firmly at her same level, she offered Marcy her coat, the little one frantically reaching for it in an ecstatic manner. Olivia watched her all but throw it on and dash in the direction they were meant to go. The girl watched a moment before chuckling, watching as her sister's hood bounced as she ran.

"Marcy. Come back here." Olivia called as she slipped her hands into her pockets. She watched as Marcy flipped around, the motion sending her fur lined hood bouncing a moment before it settled atop of her head. In all, the coat was oversized for someone like Marcy. But Marcy outright adored it and had since the first time she'd been given it. "You've gotta be careful Marcy." She said as the two began to walk up the hill, leading away from their home. Marcy only nodded at that somewhat, but Olivia could tell the girl was simply going to dash off once again given the chance.

And as they slowly made their way up the hill, that possibility only grew stronger and stronger against the sun baked grass and soil below their feet. In the heat, the coats were smothering them, building heat rapidly. But as they continued to ascend the small hill that lead down to their house, cool air began to seep into the air from seemingly no where, cooling then dramatically.

Eventually, they reached the top of the hill, the two of them presented with a seemingly endless path before them, the grass on either side blowing in the wind, the pathway itself singing it's own praises as the wind blew the sand along.

But Olivia took another step towards it.

All at once, the wind, the grass, the sand, the clouds in the horizon's sky all froze at once, a mechanical whirring overcoming their senses all before the pathway before them split right down the middle.

Nothing but a video on an endless loop.

It split further and further before pushing forwards and separating entirely, revealing the path before them to actually be a pair of automatic doors. A blast of downright freezing air greeted them, blowing Marcy's hood back and fluttering their coats as the daunting corridor before them greeted them in earnest.

But unlike the rest of humanity, Olivia, Marcy, and their father were not quite the same.

They'd been inoculated.

Against the cold.

Olivia shivered slightly, but it faded as her body adjusted. She hummed to herself as she and Marcy walked along, the light shifting almost immediately. Away went the sunshine, gone was the cloudless sky. Instead now, the pair was greeted by the luminescent blue of the ice that surrounded the tunnel on all sides, various fish and the like swimming to and fro from the various tunnels that decorated the ice packs.

Olivia watched as the water around them went on it's way all before echoing footsteps brought her back to the sight of her little sister now dashing like mad down the corridor towards the door at the other end. Olivia sighed as she walked along, her hands unmoving from her pockets. She could try and stop her sister, but she knew that wouldn't do anything in the long run. So she simply walked along like she'd been and watched.

She watched as the seven year old ran for the door, it eventually sliding it open for the girl.

And then Marcy met the brakes.

From an outside force.

Olivia watched as her younger sister collided with an Abyssal Princess.

The Abyssal Princess for all her worth slowly turned her gaze to the girl, turning somewhat as she focused in on the girl now seated firmly on the floor, looking somewhat surprised at the fact. The Abyssal Princess, her red haze stretching off to either side of her head, glanced up at Olivia a moment before back down to Marcy. Only for a moment before the Lycoris Princess bent down for the girl and slipped her hands under the girl's arms, standing the girl upright as a sigh escaped her pale lips.

"Marcy-dear, you simply must be more careful when running like that." The Lycoris, the two knowing her as Cori, reprimanded as she stood over the girl, her hands together before her as she leaned towards her. "What would you have done if it had been one of the bigger Princesses?" Cori asked with a tilt of the head, the red horns atop her head staying still despite the motion. Marcy only slowly looked at the ground, her hands meeting one another as she fidgeted in place under the Princesses stare.

"S-sooooooorrrrrrry Corrrrrrrriiiii." Marcy drew out. Cori in turn only smiled at that as she leaned down to the human girl and kissed the top of her head.

"That's a good girl." She said with a kind smile before standing to her full height. In turn, she wasn't much taller than Olivia. But the horns atop her head gave her an extra bonus as her gauntleted hands, dressed in black as a contrast against her largely snow white theme met one another, her fingers gingerly splayed out against each other as she looked between the two. "So? What might the two of you be doing out and about today?" She questioned.

"You wouldn't happen to know where Kara is, would you?" Olivia asked hopefully. Of course, she knew she could go scouring the base for the Empress. But even she hadn't been everywhere in this place. And even just finding her way to the Throne room, the supposed center of the base was a pain at the best of times. Cori mulled over the question as she brought a hand to her chin, a single finger tapping against the skin as she tucked her other arm under the first.

"I do believe my lady should be in attention to the Queen at this very moment. So I would dare say that she may be found within the Throne Room. Shall I lead the two of you there, or have you finally learned the way there properly?" Cori asked, pressing a finger to her lips. Though her question was genuine, it was a jab at the older daughter, and they both knew it. The Abyssal straightened out her outfit with her gauntleted hands, not meeting gazes with Olivia.

Largely because Olivia knew Cori sucked at holding a poker face.

"Help." Olivia said in a defeated tone. The sound of Cori snorting was immediately covered up to her credit, but Olivia still caught it.

"Whatever will we do with you?" Cori asked with a smugness in her voice that rarely beat out her normal personality. But when it did, Olivia knew the Princess could be insufferable. "Well come on then." Cori said as she began to turn. "Kara and Queenie will not wait on us all day." She said.

In excitement, Marcy immediately jumped for the Princess. Cori, who's reaction speeds simply couldn't be overtaken by a mere seven year old, only laughed as she scooped up Marcy and held her against her hip much to Marcy's enjoyment. With one hand firmly holding the girl in place, Cori offered her other hand to Marcy. "Coming Olivia?" She asked, glancing back at the girl.

Olivia nodded as she began to follow after the Princess, watching as Cori delved into her own conversation with Marcy, discussing various subjects such as how her homeschooling was going and the subject of Marcy's expertise on the mythical unicorn.

Olivia only smiled to herself somewhat as she watched, her situation all to clear to her.

The Parksons family knew better than anyone what it could cost someone for becoming close with Abyssals.

Originally, their family had lived on the east coast, down towards Georgia and Florida. And it had stayed that way for most of Olivia's life. But when she was sixteen, it all changed her sister had gone down to the beach. Of course, no one had thought anything of this. It was a normal occurrence, for Marcy to go play in the sand for hours at a time.

It only became different when Marcy walked back in the back door that day, all but dragging two Abyssal battleships along, their hands firmly in hers.

Of course, there were many ways to do what she did.

But dragging them in front of the rest of the family that had just sat down for breakfast was probably not the best. The chaos from that is what Olivia remembered the best, the two trying to beat a hasty retreat, her father scrambling for his gun, and Olivia herself unable to tear her eyes away from the two. They were so pale, so expressionless, she'd been rooted to the spot.

But Olivia's mother had immediately focused on the gash one of them had running down her side. Immediately, it became mass confusion she began to fuss over an Abyssal battleship. Looking back at it now, Olivia was never really sure why or what had compelled her mother to start fussing over an Abyssal like she had, but it had lead to an unlikely situation where for two months, Olivia was living with two Abyssal battleships day to day.

She'd refused to say a word to them, after all, who would? Everyone knew what the Abyssals had done, why should these two be any different?

But as Olivia looked to Cori, an Abyssal Princess who in all likelihood dwarfed the two's physical strength and capabilities, it made Olivia wonder just how her life had gotten to this point.

Living in an Abyssal base.

Walking behind an Abyssal who clearly had a crush on her father.

Olivia's life had gotten fairly strange in all honesty.

The three of the passed by various other inhabitants of the base, Princesses and the more human like Abyssal forces. Cruisers, battleships, carriers. Olivia wasn't quite sure just how many there were in and around the base if she was being honest, but she watched as Marcy passed by each one, they all took the time from their conversations or whatever they were doing to offer her a wave.

Olivia wondered if the world would ever see this side of the Abyssals, this side of the forces that burned so many cities to the ground. She knew of course that there were those Abyssals who'd done awful things for sure, but she also knew there were those who hadn't. Or who had refused.

Like Cori.

It had been intended for her to be at Atlantic's side during the opening hours of the war, but the second Atlantic had turned away, Cori had fled North, where she eventually met with Arctic's forces. The Princess before her was supposedly the first Turn-coat of the war and had paved the way for dozens more in the following years.

She watched Abyssal in front of her as she followed her, conversing seemingly endlessly with Marcy as they made their way towards the Throne Room. But as they did so, Olivia was stopped by another Princess, the form immediately pressing themselves to the girl. Olivia made a noise of surprise at the contact as she focused in on just who it was.

Media.

A personal favorite and right hand to Empress Greenland.

And with Greenland out of the picture for the moment, Olivia knew Media was on the prowl for fresh blood.

A personal danger that was, for her to be certain.

"Media..." Olivia tried. Media however purred at the use of her name as she pressed herself to the woman closer, almost laying her chin on Olivia's chest. The cold radiating off of the Princess before her was almost suffocating as Media brought up her sleeved arms, the cloth fluttering somewhat as her red eyes focused in on Olivia's blue.

"Won't you play with me?" She asked. The tone was innocent enough, but Olivia wasn't naive and wasn't new to base in any means. Innocent simply didn't exist when talking about anything Greenland related. And that included the Empress's own personal forces and command structure. Olivia opened her mouth to say something in turn, but Media intended to press her advantage, craning her neck up for a kiss only for someone to yank Media backwards by the hair, freeing Olivia from her hold. And by this point, Cori had taken notice of what was going on.

Media stumbled backwards, away from her potential gift for a moment. Lips curling in agitation, fists tightening to balls, the Princess wheeled on whoever dare and try to interfere. Immediately, the Princess was itching for a fight as she began to already enact that goal.

Only to have her will to fight smashed as she came face to face with one of the few Empresses that Arctic hadn't previously deployed. Her eyes met that of Kara's, the latter's ice blue haze flaring somewhat as she stood there with her hands behind her back, her sword still fastened to her side. "I figured I might come see what was taking so long, given I was expecting you. I should've known that someone would get in your way." The Empress said, her eyes wandering to the three before traveling back to Media.

Kara was an oddity amongst the Abyssals as a whole, given that she was sensibly dressed instead of opting for some gown and a criminally thin pair of undergarments. The only skin the Empress had showing aside from her face was the parts of her arms her sleeves didn't cover and her stomach. "Tell me Media, where are you supposed to be right now?" Kara questioned, stepping towards the Princess. Media. Media in turn only stepped towards Kara, pressing herself to the Empress.

"I don't see why you should be the only one to spend all the time in the world with dearest Olivia." Media purred, her eyes fluttering as she casted a glance in Liv's direction. The Mediterranean Princess pressed herself further against Kara, only for the Empress to pinch a part of the Princess's stomach in between two fingers, the pale flesh rubbing raw as Kara's lips twitched into a grin, the slimmest flash of teeth passing through her lips. Media let out a whine of pain as she went to pull away from Kara, only for the Empress to hold her firm.

"Tell me, Media, why would she want to spend time with you? You predate her country's civil war- no, their revolution. Tell me, why would she want to spend time with someone that equates to a bundle of spider webs and broken ice? Especially someone that's been so... well traveled?" Kara inquired. Media curled her lips in distaste at the jab at her age before rolling her eyes, pulling away from the Empress as Kara released her. There were others to hunt, ones that involved far less trouble.

Kara watched her go a moment before her entire being relaxed, shaking her head somewhat before she turned back to Olivia, Marcy, and Cori. Offering a smile, she hadn't even gotten a footstep in before Cori apologized, Marcy still on her hip.

"I apologize, my Lady. I should've been far more aware of just who was around us." She said. Kara dismissed her concern with a shake of her head.

"It's fine Cori." The Empress said, glancing back to the corner a moment, making sure Media was properly gone before pushing them on, Cori once again making way for the Throne room, Liv following after them. As she did so, Kara effortlessly fell step in step with her, the Empress sighing somewhat. "I do wish that Greenland would keep a tighter leash on her Subordinates." She huffed. Olivia only chuckled as she stood next to the Empress a moment as they walked along.

"I would dare say they're getting antsy without Green present." Olivia suggested.

"Which is fine." Kara said. "As long as they keep their hands from other people's stuff." She huffed a moment before blinking. "And other people." She added quickly. Olivia snorted at the last sudden add on, but didn't voice anything it as she instead looked back to the Empress.

"I find myself surprised that you were not too busy to be able to tear yourself away from Queenie's side." She questioned. Kara shrugged somewhat as she walked along, her hands behind her back as opposed to Olivia's which were at her side.

"Well, for the most part, there wasn't all that much to do. Aside from that point, Wander's back from the outer rings. She was in the middle of giving her reports to... Queenie." Kara said, playing with the nickname on her tongue. "And that was likely going to take some time, so I took my leave and came searching at the two of you. I am glad Cori found you first before Media did." She sighed.

"Actually, it's the reverse. Marcy ran into Cori. Literally." She explained. Kara blinked in surprise a moment before shaking her head.

"She really should be more careful around us. Cori and myself are one thing. But there are bigger among us that would end up trampling her if caught underfoot." She said. Olivia only smiled.

"You make it sound like she's an ant. Marcy's the same size as Nora and the other members of the North pack." She said. Kara hesitated a moment before nodding, albeit slowly.

"The danger is still there, but I see your point." She said with a slight nod. Olivia nodded at that.

"And aside from that, I would assume centuries old beings like yourself would be more than capable of stepping around a child." Olivia offered. But the grin that overcame her lips was evidence enough that knew she was pushing buttons.

"I am not centuries!" Kara replied indignantly. "I am not even a century old!"

"Oh, well you and your sister, Greenland are-"

"Laptev. My sister is Laptev. We're both around 40." She answered. "Young, I know compared to some of the others around here, like Chuchki, who's just shy of 1300." She said. Olivia looked smug in return, chuckling at the explanation.

"I'm just giving you shit, though I still can't believe that Chuchki's over a thousand years old. Is that why she's so grumpy all of the time?" She questioned. Kara mulled over it a moment before nodding.

"Somewhat. Another part of it being that like the rest of us, she has a sister too. But she's not been around in quite a while." She said. Olivia nodded slowly at that somewhat as she looked to Kara.

"Is her sister okay?" She questioned. Kara shrugged somewhat.

"Don't know." She told her. "Her sister hasn't been seen in decades, and out of contact just shy of that." She told her. "Between you and me, I think Chuchki misses her an awful lot, but I had to ask Queenie just to figure out this much." She said.

"What's Chuchki's sister named?" She inquired. Kara paused at that, as if she was trying to recall the name of the eighth empress a moment before snapping her fingers.

"Nordic." She said. "It's Empress Nordic. She's just, or should be just over 1000 years old." She explained, glancing at Olivia. "Wherever she might be." She told her. Olivia nodded at that as they walked along, now greeted in sight by the large double doors that made up the entrance to the Throne room. As they approached, the six Ru class battleships bowed somewhat to Kara before the innermost two of them began to push open doors for the four of them. Of course, the second Marcy caught sight of Arctic still atop her throne, she wriggled free from Cori's grasp, the Abyssal putting her on the ground as she dashed for the Abyssal Monarch.

"Queeeeeeeeeeeennnnnnnniiiiiiiiiieeeeee!" Marcy shrieked. Arctic looked up from where she'd been conversing with Wander and smiled as she found the little girl charging her down. Arctic smiled in a fond way as she stood, and just in time as Marcy collided with her. And by collided, it really meant that Arctic effortlessly scooped up the girl only to give her a hug, a gesture that was ecstatically returned.

Olivia watched as the Queen twirled around with Marcy in her arms, her sister giggling madly at the motion before Olivia focused back onto Arctic. The woman holding the throne was an enigma, even after more than a year of knowing her.

She remembered when her family had first been moved down here immediately following the loss of their mother, it'd been chaos. Her father had been edging closer and closer to the point of no return and he and she, Olivia that is, were getting in screaming matches almost every night. She wouldn't have been surprised if she'd been told that the entire base could have heard her at that point. But it'd only been when Marcy had finally started crying after one particularly bad night did anything change.

The next morning when she'd come down the stairs intending to make some sort of breakfast, that was the first time when she'd actually seen the so call Queen. When they'd first arrived, first directed to their quarters, she'd not been anywhere in sight. But as Olivia had stopped at the entry way into the kitchen, her eyes all but glued to the Abyssal adorning the apron before her, she hadn't even seemed to pay any mind to Olivia at first.

The loss of their mother had hit them all hard.

But Arctic, Olivia knew, was the only reason the three of them still resembled a family.

Arctic had spent weeks, cooking for them in the morning and then coming back in the night, making sure the three of them were doing ok. Of course, this quickly lead to a fast friendship between Marcy and the Queen.

It'd taken months for Olivia to want to even leave their home.

When she had, and she'd finally met Arctic outside of her home, she'd finally asked the question. Why? Why spend so much time helping someone she didn't know? Why spend so much time helping someone that didn't affect her?

A saddened smile had been Olivia's only answer.

That had stuck with the girl in a way she didn't think possible.

Watching Arctic a moment, standing in between Kara and Cori, Olivia turned her gaze to Kara. "So... have you talked to her about it at all?" She questioned somewhat. Kara's gaze landed on Olivia a moment before sighing, her head dipping down. Cori at that point casted her gaze over to the two, her heads held together in front of her.

"Dare I ask?" Cori inquired. Kara sighed, dragging a hand down her face as she pointed to Olivia.

"She wants a conversion bath." Kara told her. Cori's red haze flared in that moment as her eyes went wide somewhat before it returned to normal, she eventually looking to Olivia.

"But why?" Cori questioned, as she and Kara fully turned on the woman. Olivia looked at them like she'd gone crazy.

"What do you mean why? So I can help that much more? I don't understand what's not to get." She said.

"What you're not getting is that anything you could for us, I could have a princess do the same thing in half the time with none of the danger to you." Kara said, a hand on her hip as she looked to the woman. "Look, I know you want to help to the best of your ability, but we've got enough Abyssals right now as is. And we don't even know if the conversion bath works on a human." She said with a shake of the head. Olivia opened her mouth to say something only to yelp in pain as a needle pierced her neck. When Olivia whipped around, Chuchki was standing there with a vial of Olivia's blood, freshly pulled from the source.

Immediately, Kara surged to her defense.

"Chuchki, what the fuck!" She screeched. Chuchki crinkled her nose at the sudden surge in volume as she looked from the cylinder of blood before looking to Kara, easily slipping the cylinder away purposes later as Cori checked over Olivia.

"Whaaaaaat." Chuchki grumbled.

"Why the fuck would you-"

"What do you mean why the fuck would I?" Chuchki replied as she looked to Kara, the scientific Empress standing taller than Kara. "I am the only reason she and her sister can live here. If you'd remember, we live in sub zero temperatures. I would think you'd like me making sure she's not going to suddenly freeze to death in a moment's notice, no?" She questioned. When Kara finally realized that yes, Chuchki was right, her anger died away somewhat.

"You didn't have to-"

"She has a phobia of needles, you nitwit." Chuchki said in a deadpanned fashion. When Kara didn't return on that, Chuchki rolled her eyes as she turned towards the queen, slipping the vial away for safe keeping as she approached Marcy with a new needle. "I'd say don't get your panties in a twist, but that requires you actually wear them." She huffed.

Olivia immediately looked to Kara in surprise.

Kara immediately tried to melt into a puddle of her own embarrassment.

Arctic watched in amusement from her throne before she turned her attention back to Marcy, clapping her hands for the girl. In turn, it turned the thin layers of ice on her hands into snow from the force of impact, sending Marcy into a giggling mess as she watched the stuff flutter through the air.

——/—\——

She yawned, the power of it overcoming even her. She brought a hand to her mouth in turn somewhat, stopping as she allowed it to run it's course before her arm sank back down to her side, the destroyer blearily watching her path a moment before she wiped her eyes. It wasn't quite time for shut eye just yet as it stood and she was only a little tired. For her, trying to go to bed early really wasn't an option nor did it work.

Shigure tiredly rubbed her eyes.

Currently, she was making her way from the American portion of the base, where she'd stopped to give Arizona something she'd forgotten with Haruna back to her own dorms. The base wasn't quite quiet yet, and there were still more than a few groups of ship girls up and about.

Her sisters had long retreated to their rooms, no doubt she'd find Yuudachi and Harusame already fast asleep when she eventually returned to their room. But for whatever reason, Shigure wasn't tired, at least not enough to warrant turning in. Sure, the day was catching up with her in the worst of ways, but the idea of sleep sounded unappealing at the very moment to the destroyer.

Her mind was far too active to even consider it.

Not even a year ago, Shigure knew, it had just been her Admiral and sixty of her fellow Japanese ship girls. But now, if she so chose to do so, she could hold conversations with over two hundred different ship girls, of varying nations. If she was being honest though, the prospect of a continually growing fleet made the destroyer fairly nervous all things considered.

Shigure didn't want to see anyone get hurt, she didn't want to see anyone come home seriously injured. And she didn't want to see people fighting amongst one another.

The sight of Hipper laid out in the snow before Maryland still bothered her.

Even though she knew that Hipper had done something awful.

She didn't know a neck could become colors like the Admiral Johnson's had been.

Shigure rubbed her face as she walked on, back towards the Japanese side of Yokosuka, willing herself to be ready for bed. But as she did so, as she was walking along the base, her eyes wandered to the Mess Hall. At this time of night, it should've been quiet, the lights within off. At least visible lights from the outside. But Shigure could see through the frontal windows that this wasn't the case. Shigure tilted her head somewhat at the sight. The only one that should still be present should've been Liz, if not the last remnants of the Kitchen crew. Shigure paused as she stopped at next to the front doors to the building before pausing and making way for them, reaching for the door handle.

Tugging it open, even a door twice her size was no challenge for someone with her strength. Poking her head inside, the calm aroma of cinnamon and soft music filled her senses. She poked inside just a bit further only to find Liz sitting at one of the tables inside. Sitting at one near the entrance to the kitchen, the woman seeming to be writing something down in a book as she sipped from her mug. As she did so however, the noise of the door opening finally registered to her and prompted the woman to look up. When she spied Shigure, she offered the destroyer a kind smile as she closed the book, her pen keeping her place for later.

"Well hello there, Shigure." Liz greeted as she placed her mug on the table, now leaning forwards with both arms. Shigure offered the woman a small smile with a nod of the head.

"Hello Liz-San." The destroyer greeted in return as she approached, eventually coming to a stop next to her table.

"What brings you around the mess hall this time of night?" She inquired with a hum, her  gaze focused on the destroyer as she titled her head somewhat.

"I noticed that the lights were still on. And normally, they aren't. Not at this time of nights anyways." She told her. Liz nodded at that.

"And normally it's not." She offered as she reached for something that Shigure hadn't noticed at first, which in turn ended up being a plate and fork. And on the plate was one of the most delicious looking things Shigure had ever seen. As her eyes fixed on it, Liz arched a brow at that before following the destroyer's gaze. She chuckled somewhat at that as she took the fork and cut off a small piece, offering it to the destroyer. Shigure blinked somewhat at the offering before leaning forwards, brushing her hair behind her head as she took the bite that was offered. She immediately put two fingers over her mouth as she chewed a moment before her eyes lit up in glee. Liz smiled at that.

"You like it?" She asked as she took her own bite. Shigure nodded gleefully as she swallowed what was left

"What.. is it?" Shigure finally asked. Liz hummed in glee as she herself took another bite.

"Cinnamon Cheesecake." She told her.

"That's very good, Liz-

"I appreciate the compliment, Kiddo, I really do. But this time, even I have to bow in acceptance that I'm no longer the Queen of Sweets." She said with a smile as she rubbed Shigure's head. The destroyer blinked somewhat at that before looking to the kitchen door. At the motion, Liz nodded at that, urging her along. Shigure finally took her notion in full and poked her head into the kitchen.

Not all of the lights in the room were on, Shigure immediately noted. Only about half of them were on, and that was largely the left side. But it took her a moment to recognize that the left side of the kitchen wasn't completely vacant either. Watching a moment, she recognized McCalla and Mervine sitting there, facing her with their heads down. They seemed to be doing something at least, but of just what that was, Shigure wasn't sure. But then a third figure popped up from behind them.

"I've said this before and I'll say it again." The blonde ponytailed woman said as she leaned down between them. "Crayons are not proper artillery shells to use on your sisters." She said. Mervine and McCalla giggled madly at that, but made no move to look up to the woman. Anya, currently dressed in a T-shirt and pants, merely shook her head in amusement as she placed the last few crayons between them before she looked over the two at their apparent activities. "Mervine, I don't recall Arizona being armed with Laser guns." Anya chided.

"It's not my fault she's not cool enough." The destroyer replied. Anya only rolled her eyes.

"I didn't know we were bullying battleships." The admiral said as she rested her chin on Mervine's head, the destroyer not seeming to mind at the moment. After she did so though, Anya leaned down to Mervine and kissed the top of her head, amidst her blue hair before moving to McCalla and doing the same. The purple and pink eyed destroyers only giggled at the motion as Shigure continued to watch from the doorway.

"They can take it." McCalla assured her. Anya nodded slowly at that as she made way for the head of the counter, returning to her own seat.

Just as McCalla threw a crayon at Mervine.

Said object eventually rolled onto the floor with a solid clink as it hit one of the foot rests on the stool as it went down.

Anya narrowed her eyes at the two.

The quiet, yet incessant giggles all but exploded in volume. Apparently, the two destroyers thought it was the funniest thing in the world. And the giggling only grew louder the longer Anya kept her eyes on the two.

"I'm assuming you want me to get that one too." Anya said in a resigned fashion. That only brought on further giggling, Mervine's head at this point simply clunking against the counter as she giggled harder. Anya shook her head as she stood from her seat once again, Shigure watching as the woman once again ducked down behind the counter once more.

When Anya returned to her sight, she placed the crayon back on the counter as she stopped between the two of them.

"You're lucky. If Daisy was here, she'd eat your crayons." She offered the two of them. Mervine and McCalla immediately collapsed into more giggling, now McCalla's head meeting the counter as she did so. Anya shook her head as she went to fully stand, and as she did so, her eyes gazed over the doorway, where she met Shigure's watch. "Shigure?"

It took the destroyer a moment to recognize that she'd been spotted and slowly stepped away from the doorway, into the middle of the entrance.

"H-hai Anya-San." Shigure greeted in response, offering a small wave. Anya watched her a moment, seemingly staring in surprise, the two Gleaves still giggling somewhat amongst themselves, before she shook her head.

"Well come on then." She said. "No reason for you to stand over there by yourself." She reasoned, gesturing for the destroyer to come over and join them. Shigure hesitated a moment, her eyes wandering to the two American destroyers before landing on Anya once more, eventually taking the steps towards the three. Anya went around the kitchen a moment before coming back with a stool for the destroyer, placing it on the side opposite of the two Gleaves as she patted the stool for Shigure before settling down in the seat.

Only to have a crayon fly by her head.

Shigure watched the American Admiral shoot the two a dirty look, the two only collapsing into further giggles before she turned her attention back to Anya. She paused a moment before climbing up onto the stool, now sitting at the counter with the three of them as Anya looked to her.

"So? What brings you here this time of night?" She asked as she pulled out her phone a moment, checking the time. "Twenty two hundred hours." Anya said with a surprised nod. "The fleet should be in bed by this point." She said.

Shigure's only answer was to glance over at the still giggling destroyers. Anya only chuckled as she shrugged her shoulders.

"Fair point. But for real, what're you doing up so late?" She asked, genuinely curious at the fact.

"I had to return something to Arizona-San. She let me borrow a book." She explained. Anya nodded at that as she picked up the mug sitting before her, sipping at it somewhat. "But what are you three still doing up?" Shigure asked.

"Weeeeell, the last movie night I had with them and their sisters, these two weren't feeling the greatest. So on the condition that they get some sleep instead of staying up, I promised I'd make it up to them by letting them stay up just the two of them. So here we are, six Gleaves asleep, and the other two won't stop throwing crayons." She said, just as she snapped a hand into the air, catching a crayon in her grasp. She didn't even turn to look at the two Gleaves, they only continued to giggle as they slowly got back into their coloring. "Normally, I try not to interfere with their sleep schedules too much, but I did feel bad that they didn't get to stay up with their sisters. But, they don't have any immediate sorties tomorrow. What about you?" She asked. "As far as a I recall, you don't have any Sorties, yeah?" She asked.

Shigure shook her head at the question. "No. Most of my sisters do. But me and Umikaze don't have anything." She said. Anya nodded at that as she gestured to the pan sitting on the counter next to them against the wall.

"Want some cheesecake?"  Anya offered. But she had to hold back laughter at the way Shigure's eyes lit up at the question.

The woman knew she'd asked a lot of dumb questions in her lifetime, but she supposed that was one of the worst offenders.

Getting up, Anya turned back towards the pan sitting on the counter, making a move to grab a new plate and a fork before she turned to Shigure. "You want a small or big piece?" She asked, glancing over her shoulder at the destroyer. Before Shigure could even answer her though, someone answered for her.

"She wants a big piece!" McCalla declared, slamming her fists against the counter.

"You don't get to declare anything until you stop throwing crayons." She said, a hand going to her hip. Her answer was to watch as their blue crayon went flying across the kitchen. "I asked for that one, I will admit." She reasoned.

Shigure clasped her hands over her mouth as she giggled somewhat at the sight as Mervine pummeled on her sister. "I needed that one, Calla!" The destroyer whined. Anya casted a short glance to Shigure, making sure she was in high spirits before shaking her head, turning back to the cheesecake. Cutting a piece for Shigure and placing it on the new plate, she took a moment to grab her plate from it's spot and cut another piece for herself, albeit smaller than the one she'd cut for Shigure. Grabbing both after wrapping the treat again, she turned back to the counter as she placed Shigure's treat in front of her before settling back down at her spot. Shigure blinked at the piece she'd been given before comparing it to Anya's.

"A-Anya-San?" Shigure asked, suddenly unsure of herself. Anya arched a brow at the question a moment, already preparing to cut into her piece before suddenly realizing what the girl was getting at it. With an ashamed smile, she scratched at her head.

"This is my... fourth piece?"  Anya admitted sheepishly.

Shigure stared.

And Anya wasn't sure what exactly she was staring in.

Surprise?

Awe?

Disgust?

Shigure only stared in silence as Mervine clambered down from the stool she was seated on as she went hunting after the crayon that McCalla had tossed to parts unknown.

"Shigure?" Anya asked again as she looked to the destroyer.

"Four?" Shigure whispered in horror before craning her neck around the counter, looking down at Anya's middle. At that, Anya laughed as she rolled her eyes.

"Okay, you runt." She laughed as Shigure giggled one of her own as the destroyer finally went about digging her fork into the piece of Cheesecake she'd been offered, Anya following behind shortly. "So, I've never really had the chance to ask this I guess with all that's been going on, but how's it feel to have all your sisters on base?" Anya asked as she looked at the destroyer as she put a bite of her fork into her mouth, savoring the taste.

Shigure, however, was just swallowing her bite of cheesecake. "It's been... interesting?" Shigure questioned. "Of course, I'm happy to have all of my sisters on base with me again. But sometimes, I do kind of miss the days that it was just Yuudachi, Harusame, and I." She mumbled. Anya nodded at that in understanding as Shigure looked to the woman. "Does that make me a bad person?" She questioned.

"Not at all." Anya said. "Sometimes it's better to have things quiet, to be somewhat separated from the world. It lets you relax and it lets you think." She said. "Let me guess, that's all gone away since the other seven of them showed up?" She asked. When Shigure nodded at that, Anya smiled. "When I was growing up with my sisters, I loved them as much as I could, but even I needed a break every so often. It's a part of being human." She said. "Actually, I was going to ask that. Which of your class showed up first? At the start I mean?"

"Oh, that goes to Yuudachi." Shigure told her. "Not only the first of us, but she's the longest serving destroyer in the war at this point." She told her. "Then even tried to use her as a test to see if they could upgrade out riggings like if we were still ships." She said. "But it never went anywhere. At least anywhere meaningful for the rest of us." She explained.

"Is that why Yuudachi seems so much? I don't know, faster? Or stronger?" She asked with a brow arched. Shigure nodded at that somewhat as she looked to Anya. "Huh, never knew there was a refitted ship girl amongst us. Who knew. Why Yuudachi though? Who were the other first ship girls?" She asked. Shigure paused at the question a moment before answering.

"Well, Yuudachi was the easiest by far. Because otherwise, you had Nachi, Musashi, Ryuujou, or Iku." She explained. "Iku might've been a better pick, but they weren't sure how to use her yet." She explained. Anya snorted at that as she raised both of her hands like a scale.

"Shiratsuyu class destroyer orrrrrrrr Yamato class battleship." Anya reasoned with a small laugh. "Yeah, I can see why Poi boat was the go to. But they didn't try to continue with the program?" She asked. Shigure shook her head somewhat at that as she took another bite of her cake. "Well dang." Anya huffed before digging her fork into her own cake.

"I will say, when I first returned, I was kind of surprised to learn just how many destroyers your country fielded. I always thought my class was exceptionally big, always afraid I was going to forget someone or their name. But then Yuudachi and I looked through your Navy one day and we were just.. shocked." Shigure told her. "Anya-San, I think your country had a destroyer obsession." Shigure offered. Anya only chuckled at that somewhat as Mervine eventually found the crayon, returning to the counter. Anya watched her a moment before looking back to Shigure.

"And you better pray for my sanity should we ever come close to completing any of the American destroyer classes." She said. "Although I wouldn't mind if they made it easy, like the Gateway did with you and your sisters." She said.

"My sisters?" Shigure questioned, unsure of what she meant.

"Yeah." She said, gesturing to the destroyer's hair. "It made each of you equally unique. And to be honest, it makes it easy to know right off the bat of which of you I'm approaching." She said. "The gateway's kind of doing the same with the Gleaves somewhat, just with their eyes instead of their hair." She said. Shigure nodded at that as she took another bite of her cake, only humming in glee as the flavor settling on her tongue more so than it already had.

"Mmmm, this is so good, Anya-San." Shigure said. Anya smiled at that.

"I'm glad you enjoy it." She said. Shigure nodded at that as she went for another bite.

"Is this the only thing you know how to make?" She asked. Anya only chuckled at that as she shook her head as she finished off her piece, putting the fork and the plate to the side.

"Not at all. Growing up, my mother was always trying to teach her children to cook. Well, my older brother never had the time, my younger brothers were never interested. Daisy could never quite grasp the whole idea and Cynthia... well, I've never actually see the supposed skills in action, but Cynthia's ability in the kitchen would be at home right alongside that of the Kongou class." She said.

Shigure shivered at the thought.

"They're not actually that bad are they?" Anya questioned with a inquisitive eye.

"Kirishima once sidelined both Nagato and Mutsu for a week." Shigure Informed her before turning and pointing at the sign that sat at the wall bordering the Mess Hall, a large easily identifiable piece of what looked to be poster board. On it, Anya found, were the four silhouettes of the Kongou class, both as humans and ships, all four of them marked out. 

Below it, all it read was 'Think of the Destroyers.'

Anya laughed somewhat.

"I've never noticed that sign before. Really was that bad, huh?" She asked. Shigure smiled, nodding her head as she too finished off the last part of the cheesecake before putting her plate to the side. But as she went to say something further on the subject, McCalla dropped another crayon. Shigure glanced over to she and her sister as Anya glanced around the corner, watching a moment.

"You find it?" She asked as McCalla got down from her stool. McCalla said something that Shigure couldn't quite make out, but when she popped back up, something caught Shigure's eye.

Both of them, that being Mervine and McCalla, had their hair in braids. Shigure paused a moment at that before glancing to Anya. "I didn't know they wore their hair in braids, Anya-San."

"Hmmm?" Anya asked before glancing back to the two Gleaves. "Oh, they don't. They asked if I could braid their hair and that's one of the few things that I'm able to do without much issue. At least, I think I can." She said with a shrug of the shoulders. Shigure blinked at that somewhat before glancing at the destroyers again in turn, the destroyer seeming to pause a moment before she looked to Anya.

"A-Anya-San?"

"You want your hair braided too?" Anya asked immediately, glancing at the destroyer. It took a moment, it seeming almost as if Shigure was processing the question before eventually, she offered a small nod as response. Anya smiled in return as she got up from her seat as she approached Shigure for a moment before stopping. "Actually." She hummed. "I think it might look better on you if yours was worn in the front." She said. Shigure blinked at that but nodded as Anya pulled her chair closer to the destroyer. Reaching around, Anya brought more of the straight haired girl's locks in front until she had a fair amount to work with. Shigure stayed stone still, Anya flashing the destroyer a smile at that. "You can relax a little bit you know." She said as she began to get to work.

Shigure nodded just a little bit at that as her gaze traveled over the American Admiral sitting before her. She watched the woman focus on her task with the utmost focus, something so minor that Shigure had to keep herself from giggling at the sight.

It was another few minutes or so before Anya pulled back, tilting her head somewhat as she looked over the destroyer. Humming a moment, she looked over to McCalla and Mervine. "Thoughts girls?" She asked as she gestured to Shigure. The destroyer's eyes widened a little as she watched both McCalla and Mervine take their attention away from their so enthralling coloring and looked to Shigure.

The two destroyers took a moment to watch Shigure for a few tense seconds before they giggled with nods thrown in. Anya only rolled her eyes with a laugh at that as she picked up her phone and approached the destroyer, coming around her before she put the phone in front of the destroyer. "And now, the big reveal." She said as she opened her phone, opening her camera. When it opened on the frontal facing camera, Anya switched it, the phone pausing a moment before switching cameras. Eventually, Shigure found herself staring back at her.

And with it, her hair's new style.

One of her hands instinctively went for the braid, running her fingers over it as she played with it somewhat.

Watching her, Anya arched a brow. "Have you ever braided your hair?" She asked. "Or done anything with it?" She asked. After a moment, the destroyer's attention all but stacked on her new braid, eventually Shigure shook her head. "Well then a reason to mark the occasion." Anya said as she flashed a smile and her thumb hit the picture button. Shigure blinked as the noise notified that a picture had been taken, momentarily freezing before blinking, her hand still on her braid.

"Anya-San?" She asked, turning her gaze towards the woman.

"Hmm?" Anya returned.

"A picture?" Shigure questioned. "Why?"

"I mean, why not? It's a special enough occasion, and not only that, I figure my phone could do with a picture that's not one of the hundreds of the Gleaves that I already have." She said as she opened the photo album on her phone. "Besides, you were one of the first ship girls I ever met, that's reason enough isn't it?" She questioned as she began to go to scroll through her photos.

Only for McCalla to yelp in surprise as her stool tipped over.

Leaving the phone in Shigure's grasp a moment, Anya immediately went to go check on the destroyer. Watching Anya go for the other side of the counter, Shigure looked down to the phone where the photo that Anya had just taken was waiting. She looked over it a moment, her surprised expression and Anya's smile to her side before she scrolled to the most recent after that.

A picture of Anya and Forrest.

And before that, a picture of Anya and Turner.

Anya, Turner, and Thorn.

Anya, Bristol, and Mervine.

Anya, Ellyson, Forrest, Fitch, and McCalla.

Anya, Thorn, Mervine, McCalla, Bristol, and Fitch.

All smiling brightly. Inside. Outside.

Shigure kept scrolling, kept swiping photo after photo. All of them the same. The nine of them, all smiling, all happy. She continued to look over them, still scrolling, still swiping. As she did so, the lightest signs of a frown tugged at her lips as she looked up, watching as Anya check on McCalla, who was now giggling. She looked down at the photos a moment again.

Her thoughts were brought out of themselves as Anya placed a hand on Shigure's head, offering the girl a smile. "Sorry, Mervine thought it would be funny to push her sister over." She said. "Oh? You've found what I was talking about." She said. "Any time they see my phone, they've just gotta have a picture." She said with a chuckle. Shigure nodded a moment before handing the woman back the device, Anya locking it again as she settled back into her seat next to the destroyer.

"Anya-San... are you going to have a family after the war?" Shigure asked slowly. Anya paused at that somewhat, looking to the destroyer in question, before shrugging.

"Yes?" She answered. "I'm gonna be honest, I've never really given it much thought. Before the war, my focus was my career. And then when the war broke out, even that was pushed aside just to make sure I was able to see the next day." She explained. "I mean, there's certainly merit in having a family, and now more than ever there's kids in need of a loving home what with everyone this war's taken. But uh...." Anya trailed off. "I don't know for sure. I'd think it's to early to make that decision." She told her as she crossed her arms, leaning against the counter. "What about you?" She asked. "Not the family question persey, given you're too young to really consider that, but do you have anything you'd like to do?" She asked. "Sightseeing, world traveling maybe?"

"I... don't know?" Shigure offered, Anya nodding in understanding. "I guess actually go out and see Japan? Maybe? It's kind of silly, I know."

"It's not silly at all. I mean, Japan is your home and you actually have a chance to see it now." She said. "Better than you did anyways. But I guess your home thus far since you've returned has been largely the base, yeah?" She asked. When Shigure offered a nod, Anya nodded in understanding. "You'll get that chance eventually." She said.

Shigure smiled in return at the idea.

The back and forth continued, their conversation stretching on for some time. All the way until Liz entered the kitchen, her stuff in her grasp and her plate and mug stacked on top of one another. When she noticed the group was still present, she arched a brow with a smile. "Must be some good conversation, I take it?" She questioned. Both Anya and Shigure looked up to the woman, Anya offering her a smile.

"It is." She confirmed, Shigure nodded in support.

"Good enough that I guess you guys forgot about this little concept called time." Liz offered cheekily. Anya paused a moment before all but scrambling for her phone as Shigure's fairies scrambled within her for the nearest source of time.

The two of them paled immediately.

It was just now hitting 3 in the morning.

They'd been talking for five hours almost. Without a care in the world.

"Why didn't you say something before?" Anya asked as she looked to Liz. The woman shrugged somewhat as she did so, placing the plate and her mug down on the counter against the wall as she did so.

"The lot of you seemed to be having a grand old time. No need for me to interrupt, right?" She asked with a hum. Anya only stared at the woman a moment before her shoulder slumped, much to Liz's amusement. After a moment though, Anya sighed as she slowly stood from her seat, approaching the counter where the now covered pan holding the rest of the cake sat. At that though, Liz shook her head.

"Don't worry about it. I'll take care of that. You got just worry about getting to bed relatively soon." She said. Anya paused at that, turning her gaze on the woman.

"The same could be said about you." She returned. Liz only smiled at that as she shrugged.

"If I really must, ill sleep until Lunch." She said. "The plans are already made for meals, so I mean they don't need me on hand exactly. But that's not here nor there right now. Come on, chop chop." She said as she gave the four a moment to collect their things before shooting them out of the Kitchen. Anya only chuckled at that as the two destroyers stuffed their things into their pockets before the four of them made their way outside, Anya holding the door as she waited for the three destroyers.

When they got outside, the two American destroyers split to the left as Shigure angled to the right, all prepared to retreat towards their section of Yokosuka amongst the dim lights of the base. Immediately, McCalla yawned as she approached Anya. The admiral only rolled her eyes at that as she bent down and picked the girl up, resting her on her hip. "Where'd all your energy you had a moment ago go?" She asked.

"Tired." McCalla mumbled as she laid her head on Anya's shoulder. Anya only chuckled somewhat as she looked to Shigure.

"You can get to your dorms on your own right? Or would you prefer we walk with you?" She asked. It took a moment, but Shigure eventually shook her head. Anya nodded at that as she held McCalla, her other hand soon being taken by Mervine. "Then we'll see you later Shigure." She offered the destroyer before turning and the three began to make their way back towards the American portion of Yokosuka.

Shigure watched them go, her fingers subconsciously going for her new braid until she turned and began to walk for her own dorms, still playing with her hair.

She didn't stop until she'd fallen asleep that morning.

—__\__/__—

"Ascari, please!" Fuciliere cried, trying in vain to get her sister to stop repetitively poking her in the side. But Ascari only shot her sister a grin as she spun to her other side, jabbing her in her other side. Fuciliere screamed in frustration. Alpino glanced over at her sister in a worried motion before looking to Ascari.

"A-ascari, please! She's asked you to stop multiple times already!" She tried. Ascari threw her hands up in defeat at that.

"Ugh! Can't jump on people's shoulders! Can't poke people in the sides! Tell me, what else to life is there if it's not annoying the shit out of some poor soul?" She demanded more to her sisters than anyone else. Fuciliere only rolled her eyes at that, blowing air through her nose as Geniere only cackled at her sister's antics.

"Non sarà mai domata." She laughed. "Ascari, I do fear for anyone that catches you on a bad day." She said. Ascari pounded her fists against her hips as she nodded her agreement.

"And they should!" She declared. Artigliere sighed quietly to herself a moment, pinching the bridge of her nose before turning back to the four of her sisters.

"Can the four of you not behave like decent people for thirty seconds?" She questioned. In turn, the four of her sisters watched her a moment, blinking, all before Ascari and Geniere broke out in laughter at the apparent demand their sister had made. Alpino only looked between the two of them worriedly as Fuciliere only shook her head.

"I think that's a dead horse, Artigilere." She said. "A questo punto l'hanno già girato." She expelled with a huff. Artigliere only threw her hands up in defeat as she turned her back to them, her hands going to her hips as she did so.

Night was closing in and the sole members of the Italian destroyer population of Yokosuka were currently milling about outside of their shared dorms with those of the German Ship Girls. Lights off was fast approaching, and the five of them were were biding their time until they were expecting to be told to retreat to their rooms. Either by Admiral Herkunft herself, Pola, or one of the German Capital ships on base. Typically it was Tirpitz that filled the job if the first two were otherwise occupied, but sometimes it was Bismarck or Graf Zeppelin.

There'd even been one point where it had been Bismarck Sea.

The five Italian destroyers now treated her with as much respect as they did Admiral Herkunft.

The sight of Bismarck Sea dragging Ascari inside is a sight that would never leave them, not in this life time anyways.

Which was an enigma in of itself, given that Ascari should've easily overpowered the carrier five times over.

"Ohhhh what's wrong Artigliere?" Geniere questioned with her hands splayed out before "There's nothing wrong with a little bit of fun, is there? We are destroyers, are we not?" She questioned her sister. Artigliere went from have her hands in the air to crossing them as she looked over the water's of the bay instead.

"I just want an Admiral of our own here." She said. "I don't like taking orders from a German. Nor a Japanese. Nor an American." She said. "We should be lead by someone from our homeland, not someone born under a different flag taking pity on us." She said. At that, the other four sisters fully turned their attention to the fifth of their class, some of them trading weary glances with one another before focusing in on the girl.

"That's hardly fair, Artigliere." Fuciliere offered, crossing her own arms. "We all want a leader from our own country of course, but we've all been told the current state of things by multiple people. You know it isn't as easy as you say." She said.

"So then why here? Why does the Gateway pick Japan? Why not Britain? Or The US? Or France? Or even god forsaken Germany? Why does it pick the farthest place from our homeland?" Artigliere demanded.

"That question has no good answer and you know it. If we were in Germany? The Japanese ship girls would be asking the exact same thing." Ascari replied.

"So damn them." Artigliere replied. "Damn them all and let us go home." She hissed. Ascari rolled her eyes at that, crossing her arms as she sighed, drawing it out a moment before looking to her sister.

"You know, it's not very often that someone perfectly mimic the sound of a Warning siren, but you're doing a pretty good job." Ascari told her. "Wanting leadership aside, being homesick aside, we are guests here. They could've sent us to Italy, sure." She reasoned.

"And that would be-"

"Only to what? End up as another check mark on that Abyssal's kill list? Merda, you don't even hear yourself do you?" She demanded. "You're not thinking. Yay, we get to go home! And then what? We duke it out with the monster that sank New Jersey? Tell me, Artigliere, where is your armor? Where is your plan? You'd walk us into our own demise just so you can go home?" She said

"Do you know nothing Ascari?" Artigliere demanded, taking a step towards her sister. "Japan is not where we're meant to fight this war!"

"And who told you that?" Ascari replied, arms going wide as she looked to her sister. "Tell me Artigliere, what are we meant to do against a monster that laughed at New Jersey? A monster that sank one of the Americans most prized ships under our watch?!" She pointed. Artigliere clenched her fists at that, her teeth grinding against one another.

"How can you so easily assume that the monster is to be feared as much as we are giving it!?" She demanded. "Perhaps New Jersey just isn't as great as everyone says. Perhaps they put too much hope in one place!"

"That's hardly the point Artigliere." Ascari replied, crossing her arms. "Tell me. What are we made to do against a being so vicious and daunting, that it sank a battleship like New Jersey? Only to see a place that will still be there a week later?" She asked. But before her sister could respond in turn, they were interrupted.

"I'm not intruding, am I? Or is this a bad time?" A voice off to the side asked. The five of them looked to their right to find Z-26 approaching them from the dorms. In response, Ascari's hands dropped to her sides as Artigliere turned back to the water a moment. Seeing either of they weren't going to address the destroyer, Fuciliere sighed as she turned to address the girl.

"Yes, campagna?" She asked with a slight sigh as she looked to the destroyer, pushing aside the moment as Alpino went to Artigliere's side and Geniere to Ascari's side, making sure their sisters were alright. Z-26 looked to the two a moment before arching a brow, glancing to Fuciliere.

"Did I miss something?" She questioned.

"Nothing more than a friendly debate between sisters." She sighed. "What can we do for you, 26?" She questioned. The German destroyer cringed internally at just being called a number, now understanding where the subs were getting at before looking back to the destroyer before her.

"Was wondering if you were interested in passing the time." She offered. Fuciliere blinked.

"Me?" She questioned.

"All of you. You and your sisters." Z-26 replied. At that, Ascari glanced in their direction as as Artigliere turned ever so slightly. 26 had to press back a grin at that. She'd caught their attention.

"And just how would we be passing the time as you say?" Geniere inquired as she turned to look at the destroyer in full. Z-26 only offered a devilish grin.

"Some sweet mischief. Largely directed at our fellow destroyers under the British and French flags." She said. "After all, our nations were once allies before. Why not do so again?" She asked. Fuciliere grunted at that.

"That's... a bad choice of words, but I'll chalk it up to bad luck." She said. Z-26 stared blankly at the girl a moment before shaking her head, looking back to the class as a whole as Ascari finally addressed her.

"And this mischief? What exactly is it? Why do you need us?" She questioned. Z-26 shrugged at that somewhat, her hands resting at her hips.

"You all seem capable." She said. "And it was either check with you girls or check in with the Asashio's. And between you and me, Kasumi's kind of a bitch of the highest degree." She said. "So even going anywhere near their sisters is a serious security risk." She told them. Ascari chuckled at that as Alpino grumbled at the mention of the girl.

"She makes a convincing argument." Artigliere said finally as she too turned to look at the German destroyer. "So exactly what does this entail?" She asked.

"Ah ah ah!" Z-26 offered, wagging a finger. "You don't show the merchandise before having an offer! That's just bad business." She reasoned. Ascari arched a brow at that somewhat as Alpino stepped forwards, turning towards her sisters with her hands up.

"We could get in trouble!" She stressed.

"With who?" Geniere questioned as she crossed her arms. "As much as her point may irk some, Artigliere has a point. We don't have a commander on base. Why worry about someone who's not here?" She questioned.

"Okay, you can't simply pretend like the other Allied commanders simply don't exist." Fuciliere interjected with a a finger.

"Lalalalalala. I can't hear you." Ascari said, her fingers in her ears as she began to follow after Z-26. The German destroyer grinned at that as Geniere and Artigliere began to follow after their sister. Fuciliere only watched them go a moment before sighing, slapping her hand onto Alpino's shoulder.

"Well come on. If they go down in flames, it's our job to support them, isn't it?" The destroyer asked, offering her older sister a smile. Alpino however couldn't look more conflicted if she tried, and she really was giving it her best shot. Fuciliere only chuckled at that as she followed after them, eventually Alpino catching up as well. Fuciliere offered her sister a calming smile as the two of them brought up the rear of the six as Z-26 lead them towards the two rooms that the German destroyers claimed. Walking past the first room that Z-23 to Z-25 shared, they approached the door that she shared with Z-27. Taking a careful glance down the hall both ways, she opened the door and quickly ushered the five of them in before slipping in herself and closing the door behind her.

"Oh good, you managed to convince them." Z-25 offered in greeting.

"She didn't convince us of anything yet. We want to know what we're getting into before we just sign our fates away to a bunch of German destroyers." Ascari offered.

"Also a smart business strategy." Z-26 offered as she sat down on her bed next to Z-24. Z-23 crinkled her nose at that as she looked to her sister.

"And what do you know about business?" She questioned, looking up from the book she was reading.

"That it makes money." Z-26 replied in earnest. Z-23 only stared a moment at that, looking over her sister a second longer before she offered a roll of the eyes.

"So what exactly did you guys need help with?" Geniere questioned. That particular question was answered as Z-27 hefted a rather large, and very full bag from the other side of her bed placing it on the floor before them. The five Italian destroyers watched somewhat interested before Alpino frowned somewhat.

"Is that... bag moving?" Alpino asked, suddenly unsure of what they were getting themselves Into. Z-27 only smiled at that as she nodded, gesturing for the five to approach as she carefully loosened the bag, but not too much. She watched as the five Italian destroyers approached, each of them taking a glance into the bag.

And they blinked.

"Are those....?" Fuciliere began, but found herself trailing off.

"Snakes." Ascari answered for her. "Z-27 is armed with a giant sack of snakes." She said as she looked to the destroyer before them.

"To be more specific, Coronella girondica." Z-26 told them. Ascari and Fuciliere glanced at the girl a moment as Geniere looked to Z-27.

"So? Where'd you get them?" She asked. Z-27 shrugged at that as she looked at her in return.

"Was hoping you could tell us where they came from. These things are native to Italy after all. We don't have these suckers in Germany." Z-27 said as Geniere reached down into the sack, grabbing one of the larger ones. Immediately, it began to coil around her arm and hand as she looked it over.

"Actually, Italy, southern France, most of Spain, and the norther tip of Africa." Z-24 corrected her. "Also, should be noted not that it matters, not poisonous." She said as she leaned back on the bed.

"Venomous, not poisonous." Fuciliere corrected. Z-24 blinked.

"What's the difference?" The destroyer asked in return.

"If it bites you and you die, it's Venomous. If you bite it and you die, it's Poisonous." She explained with a shake of the head. Z-24 blinked at that as Z-27 shook her head, watching as Geniere watched the snake coiled around her arm a moment before Ascari looked to the German destroyers.

"So what exactly is the plan? The generic make a run in the middle of the night and drop these into their rooms and then make a quick get away?" She asked. Z-27 offered a nod at that.

"Got it in one." She said. Ascari nodded as Geniere looked to Z-27.

"Targets?" She questioned.

"The British and French destroyers are primary targets. Secondary, if we can work it in, are their cruisers." She explained. "Bellona and Royalist. And then Lemon and Primadonna." Z-27 told them. Geniere blinked at that.

"Who?" She questioned.

"I can't remember their names and Saratoga's nicknames popped into my head. Lemon and Primadonna." Z-27 admitted. But at that, Alpino stepped between them.

"This isn't a good idea! We're going to get scolded!" She insisted. Z-27 shrugged.

"If you don't want to handle the snakes, you can be our other lookout." The German destroyer offered. Ascari paused somewhat at that, as did her sisters as Ascari turned to look at the destroyer as Geniere put her snake back in the bag, Z-27 resealing it.

"Other lookout? Who's the first?" Artigliere questioned. Immediately, she received her answer as she pointed to Z-24. "Why?" She questioned.

"I still don't understand why we don't hit the American destroyers as well." Z-24 offered to no one in particular. Z-27 and the five Italian destroyers only stared at the girl a moment before Z-27 offered an open hand, as if that explained everything. Which it did.

None of them wanted to risk a bout with the Fletcher class, and even if they were successful, the Fletchers roomed right across from four Iowa class battleships. There would be no outrunning in that second.

And even if some god given reason they did escape the Iowa class, they still had the North Carolina's under them on the first floor. Not that their current targets were going to be any easier.

Ascari shook her head at that as she crossed her arms, looking to Z-27. "So. Assume we're in. What's the plan here?" She questioned. Z-27 nodded.

"When the proper time rolls around, we'll take the sack of snakes, or at that point, sacks of snakes, we'll approach the European dorms. With Alpino and Z-24 on lookout, we'll enter the dorms. Our intention isn't to disturb the Australian ship girls, so we go in light footed." She told them.

"Why aren't we hitting them too?" Artigliere asked. Z-27 shrugged.

"The chances of them not being bothered by some various animal suddenly appearing  are too high to try and make them a priority. If we have a few extra snakes when we're done, maybe, but that's on the way out. We have to hit the British and French rooms above all else. Richelieu and Strasbourg room with the Japs, Dreadnought shores up in the American dorms, and Ark and Argus share a room with Cossack. Do not under any circumstances go any where near Cossack." She told them.

"Are we just tossing the snakes into the rooms and going?" Ascari questioned. Z-27 shrugged at that as she leaned backwards on her bed.

"Maybe?" She questioned. "Not really sure. If you can find some interesting way to make it arguably worse for them, then be my guest. Otherwise, toss the snakes in and get out." She said. "We're holding on our approach until thirty minutes after one. That way, no one should be awake anywhere on base aside from maybe Ms. Hiroshi." She told them. Four of the Italian destroyers nodded at that.

"So what? We just go back to our rooms to wait?" Ascari asked. Z-27 shrugged at that.

"I mean, you can, or you can join us for a movie." She offered. "Saratoga let us have her tablet with Midway on it. It's a way to kill time. You guys wanna watch? Figured it's somewhere in the middle as it's not a war movie with the Americans trashing us or you. This time, they're thrashing the Japs." She said.

"That always makes for a good watch." Artigliere agreed as the Italian destroyer class began to settle in amongst those of the Germans as Z-23 went about setting up the tablet at a point where they could all see it.

But it wasn't until Midway was over and well into half of another movie did Z-23 get up and pause the movie for them, much to the complaints of both Italians and German destroyers alike. But when she minimized the video and showed them the time, just turning to 1:20, they all realized what was going on and went about getting ready for it.

A short time later, ready they were. Having ditched their normal outfits for the time being, each of the ten destroyers were dressed head to toe in black, including hoods that some of them were now pulling up.

"Am I the only one somewhat curious about the fact that we've just been supplied a bunch of snakes and appropriate outfits for a night raid?" Z-26 inquired as she looked to the other nine of them. "I mean come on, there's someone playing for keeps here and using us as the frontlines." She said.

"It gives me something to do and keeps me from being bored. Imma take it." Z-27 offered in reply. "Okay, remember, Alpino and 24 are watching the entrance. When we're done, we leave their dorm and along the left side. Under no circumstances do you step foot in the courtyard between the American dorm buildings. That's a sure fire way to have a interesting conversation with the Admiralty. And that's not one I ever want to have. Roger?" She asked. When the other nine, Alpino somewhat hesitantly, nodded in response, Z-27 offered a confident nod at that as she reached into the top of her hood and pulled down the mask that'd come with the hoodie, looking to resemble an Oni, likely an easily store bought accessory.

The other nine did the same, the lot of them soon entirely blacked out amongst the hallway of the German dorms. Among them, Ascari, Geniere, Z-26, and Z-27 were armed with bags of snakes.

"Okay." Z-27 came over their radio. "Our fairies will tell anything we need to over the channel. From now on, don't speak, don't even open your mouth. We can't risk any extra noise." She said. "We've dome practice runs at this just in case we ever wanted to get up to some trouble, the floors are sturdy but any extra steps or wild motions are gonna be frowned upon. Got me?" She asked. When the other nine sent their own affirmatives in return, Z-27 nodded at that them to march on as she turned with them, the ten of them making down the hallway and towards the front entrance.

Where they met their first challenge.

Amongst the quiet of the lobby of the German HQ building, one problem had already presented itself.

They could easily hear the noise of Admiral Herkunft's TV sounding off in her living quarters above them. Trading glances with one another for a moment, Z-27 looked to the others. "Quiet." She told them as she carefully began to walk across the lobby, the rest of the girls ever so carefully making their way towards the front door, listening for any sign that Admiral Herkunft was preparing to leave her quarters. When Z-27 had reached the door, slowly pulling it open, they relaxed somewhat as they quickened their pace ever so slightly.

Eventually, the ten of them reunited as one outside of the dorms, 27 ever so carefully closing the door behind her.When they were certifiably home free, Z-26 offered a sigh at that as they stood there for a moment before they as one began to move towards the allied dorms.

"This.. is kind of exciting?" Fuciliere questioned. "Being up this late is an odd feeling." She said. Z-25 snorted at that as she gestured to Z-27.

"This is nothing to her. Even with days where she has sorties the next day bright and early, she's always up until early in the morning." She told them. "It's kind of annoying when she's not quiet about it, but other wise." She said. The five Italian destroyers blinked a moment at that before Ascari looked to Z-27.

"How often do you do that? What do you even do?" She asked. Z-27 shrugged at that.

"Sneak into other people's rooms?" She answered in a questioning manner as if the answer was painfully obvious. Ascari blinked behind her mask at that as Artigliere arched a brow.

"Who's rooms.. have you snuck into?" She slowly questioned.

"Nearly everyone's?" She answered. "I say that, but i can't ever seem to get into Admiral Johnson's room and whenever I try to get up to the third floor of the Second American building to try for the Des Moines sister's rooms, I always somehow end up back on the ground floor. Even though I'm clearly making way for their floor. It's kind of spooky." She told them. The other nine of them filed away this information for later should they ever need it as they walked along the base, the American HQ just now creeping into sight. Immediately, they went on high alert just in case like them, there was someone who wasn't supposed to be awake.

Following Z-27's imposed rule, the group of ten did not take the easy way by cutting across the courtyard that separated the dorm buildings from the American HQ. Instead, the ten of them rounded the front of the building, coming up on it's left side, the ten of them approaching the targeted building with less than great intentions. But as the door drew closer, Z-27 gestured to Alpino and Z-24 to take their positions.

"23, with Ascari. 25, with Geniere. Artigliere, you're with 26. And Fuciliere, you're with me. We move two at a time through the Australian hallway and not a person more. These floors won't give you away if you don't push it, but there's a battlecruiser I'd rather not explain myself to." She said as she nodded to Fuciliere, who nodded in response. Z-24 carefully pulled the door open for the two of them, stepping out of their way as it gave them sight of the hallway the Australian's dormed in.

As the two destroyers stepped inside, the cool air of the building gently blowing over them, they waited a moment to see if any of the Australian destroyers were awake. When no one made any sort of move within any of the rooms that they could hear, Fuciliere and Z-27 pushed towards the stairs, the two careful to keep their noise on the low side.

After the two of them had to made it to the stairs, carefully making they way up, Z-26 and Artigliere went next, the destroyers careful to follow in the footsteps of the first two.

As they continued their way up, Z-26 and Fuciliere reached the second floor where their prizes were waiting. "We hold here and wait for the full group. One of us can't start without the others in position, because if any of them start screaming, we have to be gone." She told her. Fuciliere nodded as the two of them held by the stairs a moment as they waited for the other three groups to reach them.

When they finally had a few minutes or so later, Z-27 nodded as she began to point out the rooms. "Me and Fuciliere will hit the British cruisers. 26, I want you and Artigliere on their destroyers. Ascari and 23 on French Cruisers, Geniere and 25, on their destroyers. We clear?" She asked through the radio. Her compatriots nodded in understanding as they immediately went about splitting up. Already, Z-27 and Fuciliere had their target in their sights.

But amongst the quiet of the hallway, there wasn't any quiet to be had. After all, even a snake makes noise. And when you have well over a couple dozen of them in one place, even they can be heard. Z-27 kept this in mind as she and Fuciliere approached the door on the end to the left. The very end door on the second floor held the two British carriers and Cosssack, a room Z-27 refused to intrude on. But the room next to that is where the two British cruisers, Bellona and Royalist rested their heads.

Approaching slowly and carefully, Z-27 slowly pushed the door open and stopped, seeing if someone from within would speak, just in case they were awake. But when neither of the two cruisers sounded off from within and the light tones of one of them snoring returned to the two of them, Z-27 slowly but carefully pushed the door all the way open as she hefted the bag along.

If she was being honest, Z-27 didn't have all the many snakes in the grand scheme of things. A majority had been kept for the groups hitting the destroyers. Although Z-27's was still enough, it was a paltry sum all things considered. Carefully toting her way inside of the room, her eyes focused on the two sleeping cruisers, each nestled away within their own beds. Z-27 carefully put the bag on the ground as Fuciliere approached her.

Opening the bag, the two were presented with the sight of the snakes they'd brought. Reaching down, the two of them began to grab snakes, the animals coiling around their limbs as they did so. The snakes themselves seemed calm enough, calm enough that the two destroyers could use them as they pleased. And as Z-27 and Fuciliere approached Royalist first, the cruiser sleeping on her back with an arm resting on her stomach, Z-27's eyes immediately focused in on the pajama top that the cruiser was wearing.

And then she glanced down at one of the snakes in her hands, who only seemed to glance back up at her, flicking it's tongue back at her.

Z-27's grin could've sent an Admiral into a panic attack.

Nudging Fuciliere who hadn't yet picked up a snake from the bag, she gestured to the cruiser. Interest piqued, Fuciliere stood as she approached Z-27 to see what she wanted.

"Lift up the collar of her top." Z-27 told her. Fuciliere blinked somewhat before grinning behind the mask, seeing almost immediately what the destroyer wanted to do. Going about fulfilling the destroyer's wishes, Fuciliere easily but gently lifted up the neckline of Royalist's top up. Fuciliere averted her eyes though when it became apparent that the cruiser wasn't wearing a bra, but that was of little issue as soon enough, Z-27 offered one the snakes a new home, it all but taking the time to slip from Z-27's limb as it began to slide along Royalist's chest. The cruiser shivered somewhat in her sleep at that, prompting the two destroyers to monetarily freeze at the sight, before she ultimately settled back into her position.

Z-27 internally breathed a sigh of relief as Fuciliere held the hem of the woman's top up as the snake that now had made contact with the woman's body began to snake it's way down her shirt, slipping over the woman's chest. Fuciliere slowly lowered the hem of the cruiser's top back down to her body as she looked up to Z-27 with a confident nod, the two of them soon enough going about putting the rest of the snakes to use throughout the room, both on and off of the cruisers.

Once the bag was empty and the cruiser's room was adequately covered in the animals, Z-27 and Fuciliere quickly went about beating a hasty retreat out of the room, grabbing the sack as they went before Fuciliere quietly closed the door behind them. And soon enough, they watched as the other three groups slowly emerged from their targeted rooms, Ascari shooting them a thumbs up as she slowly closed the door she was just coming out of.

"An outstanding success if I do say so myself." The destroyer declared as they approached. Z-27 nodded at that as Z-26 approached them.

"We can declare shit later when we're not in the heart of enemy territory. If we're found now, after the fact? Well, Germany and Italy are gonna need new destroyers if that comes fruition." She told them.

"That's a solid point if I've ever heard one." Geniere answered in turn as she looked to the group. "Come on." She said as she turned towards the stairs. Almost immediately, the other seven destroyers with her followed the girl towards and down the stairs in a quiet yet hurried fashion. None of them fancied a lengthy chat with anyone ranked Captain or higher tonight. Taking a careful glance as they descended the stairs, empty sacks in hand, Geniere checked and re-checked the first hallway before dashing for the door, the other seven doing the same with barely contained laughter.

The eight of them busted out of the front door much to the surprise of Z-24 and Alpino, laughter sounding off over their comm channel. "Based on that reaction, I'm assuming the mission was a success?" Z-24 asked, though she already fully well knew the answer.

"Oh no." Alpino moaned as she planted her hands on her head. "We're gonna get in trouble! What are we gonna do?!" She demanded. And for the first time, members of both classes answered her.

By laughing.

"Alpino, you're worrying too much." Ascari told her with a pat on the back.

"Honestly, we got away free here." Z-23 told her. "There's not much to do but wait on the magic to happen." She nodded confidently- only to be startled a moment later by what one could describe as an ear shattering scream. It was only a second on until another scream broke the peace of the night. The destroyers assembled close to the entrance of the base only laughed at that, all except for Alpino. The current oldest of the Italian destroyers drowned a moment before looking back to her fellow destroyers.

"Why does it sound so clear...?" She questioned. However, before Z-27 or Ascari or 23 or Fuciliere could try to tell her it was just because of the time of night, it was 25 who revealed why.

"Oh, that's because I opened their window. It was so stuffy in their room and I didn't want the snakes suffering for it." The destroyer revealed. All celebrations or hints of celebratory nature died away instantly as Z-27 looked to her sister.

"You did WHAT?!" She demanded. But she didn't get an answer as Alpino made a noise of surprise. Turning to look at what had sent the destroyer to do so, Z-27 found panic settling within her quickly.

And for good reason.

Because Z-25 had opened who she assumed had been one of the French destroyer's windows, when the girl had screamed, it had carried further than Z-27 had accounted for.

And as Z-27 watched as a light flicked on within the American dorms, and another, and yet another, the destroyer suddenly realized that she'd made a bad choice in the lookouts.

"Run." She said immediately before dashing alongside the left side of the dorms. The other destroyers took a moment to recognize what she'd done before they followed after, Ascari just barely vanishing behind the dorm building as the sound of the American dorm's front door being thrown open filled the air amongst the screaming.

They didn't stop to figure out who'd come out.