Kancolle
Unrelenting Anguish
Chapter 2
A few days later
"Do you not think it's sort of odd?"
Duke asked as the five sisters were walking down the corridor of the naval base.
"What is?"
Howe asked earnestly.
"It's probably something not worth mentioning."
Prince muttered, though Duke ignored her and continued on.
"We've been here for days and yet all we've done is to wait on standby. I mean, we aren't even allowed on practice runs."
"King-nee-sama and Prince-nee-sama have both been able to go on practice runs."
Anson pointed out, to which Duke sighed.
"And that is exactly it! While King-nee and Prince have been able to get their equipment ready, the rest of ours are still being sorted out? What do you mean 'sorted out'? What is there to sort?"
"Your equipments were not calibrated properly before leaving the factory as we were in a hurry, or did you forget that?"
Prince pointed out.
"Anson, did you not check our equipments?"
Duke turned to the fourth sister, who closed her eyes in dismay.
"I was informed of the possible delays to the calibration of our equipment, but I had not expected the delay to be this long."
"Do not push to blame onto Anson, Duke. And besides, with the admiral calling us, we may be gifted with some good news."
King added, although the doubtful expression on Duke's face said it all. The five sisters made their way towards the Admiralty and it wasn't long before they stood once more before the imposing door. King knocked on the door, and after hearing 'enter' from inside, she opened and step through the door. The admiral sat at his desk, the same as how they saw him the first time. However now there was another person standing behind the admiral. Dressed in a dark naval uniform with a coat over her shoulders, this person had tied her messy hair into a tail.
"King George V class, lead ship, King George V, reporting together with her four sisters as ordered, Admiral."
King said while her hand snapped to a salute. Her four sisters did the same in a line behind her. The admiral, leaning back in his chair, saluted back, and allowed them to stand at ease.
"I have some good news and some bad news."
The admiral said, toying with a pipe in his hand.
"The good news is, Duke of York, Anson, Howe. Your equipments are ready to be tested. The three of you will commence practice tests by tomorrow 0800 hours. Is that clear?"
The admiral asked, and the three sisters snapped to salute.
"Yes Admiral."
They said in unison. Duke and Howe were obviously happy, as evident in their tone. Anson was as stoic as always.
"Good, the three of you are dismissed. You may go down to the factory to get any final adjustments made."
With that, Duke, Anson and Howe left the Admiralty. When the door closed behind them, the conversation continued.
"And the bad news, Admiral?"
King asked, and the Admiral sighed, putting the pipe into his mouth.
"The bad news... is that we are now on a full scale war. As much as I would like to put all five of you through your paces, time will not allow me to do so. Duke, Anson and Howe will have to undergo a shortened sea trial, unlike you and Prince."
The admiral said, and King George V was obviously worried by these implications. While Prince did undergo her sea trials, the entire trial was not properly set the same as how King did hers. In otherwords, despite Prince having officially been tested, King was worried about how the tests were not done properly.
"You mean to say my sisters will not be fully ready for war, and yet you will still send them?"
"You are warships. The most advance battleships under his majesty's flag. While I do understand your worries, King, you and your sisters are still needed to defend the crown and his empire in these dire times."
The admiral reminded King, who could only bite her lip and hold her objections back.
"... For now, both you and Prince will be placed on active duty."
The admiral said, leaning forward and flipping through the documents sprawled out over his desk.
"The Atlantic convoys have been falling prey to the enemy submarines. This diverts our frontline from blockading their warships to deal with the submarine threat. This means that the two of you will be used to replace that gap in our blockade."
Prince seemed a little excited by this news, as evident by her fingers fidgiting. Something that King did not fail to notice. Prince was constantly anxious to into action, despite her words saying otherwise. They were warships, made for war. If they were not going to fight, then why were they made?
"Whatever the enemy, King-nee-sama and I will be able to repel them."
Prince said confidently. The admiral nodded to that statement.
"That is what I am counting on. First, King George V, you are assigned to aid the 6th Destroyer floatilla in Operation Claymore. The commander in charge of the Operation will brief you further. Report to his office tomorrow at 0900 hours."
"Wait, Admiral, am I not to go with King-nee-sama?"
Prince interjected, to which the Admiral looked at her with a raised eyebrow.
"Certainly not. Two of the most advance warships in the same fleet? We are fighting a war, Prince of Wales, not playing a game where everyone gets to choose where they go. You will be sent where you are needed."
Prince wanted to object, but seeing King's disapproval of her outburst, Prince kept silent. The admiral, seeing how Prince was now calm, turned his attention back to the documents on his desk.
"Prince of Wales, you will be assigned to guard our blockade. News of the enemy's newest battleship attempting to break into our waters has forced our hand to be stretched this thin. They must be stopped at all cost."
The admiral said, and though Prince was dejected at hearing how she will not be joining her older sister, there was some comfort in knowing that she may be able to face off with the newest enemy warship.
"For that reason, you will assigned under Hood."
"Hood?"
Prince dared to ask. At this time, the person who had standing quietly behind the admiral the entire time stepped forward. Prince now saw the person more clearly. With piercing bluish green eyes, the young woman had a sharp, and strong presence, which would beg the question why didn't King and Prince take notice of her better before now?
"This is the battlecruiser HMS Hood, the pride of our royal navy. She may be old compared to you two, but she is still a strong and steadfast ship."
The admiral said, and Hood sighed.
"Admiral, flattering me will get you nowhere."
The battlecruiser turned to the two newer ships and smiled.
"I am HMS Hood, despite what the admiral may say, I am still just simply a warship like yourself. I do hope we are able to get along well, Prince of Wales."
'Well' was not a word that could be used to describe Prince's mood at the moment. Her temper was quite obvious to all others as they steered well clear of the young battleship while she stormed through the corridor of the base.
"You might want to tone down on the murderous presence you are exuding, Prince. You are scaring the poor little destroyers."
A mocking voice stopped Prince in her tracks. She turned and saw Duke leaning by the wall, smiling mischeviously as usual.
"I am in no mood for your games, Duke."
Duke raised her hands up in a display of mock surrendering.
"Well, I have no games to play, Prince. However one does find it odd to see you in such a foul mood when you are assigned to be with the one they call 'the mighty Hood'. Surely it must be an honour."
"I care not for honours or fancy titles. Even more so towards those who hold them."
Prince growled, her eyes narrowing at her younger sister.
"And the hero of our navy has done you no wrong besides being decorated with a fancy title."
"That title was not earned in the fires of battle."
Prince muttered.
"Surely that cannot be the only reason for your foul mood. Being picky with who you are assigned with is not becoming of a battleship that carries King-nee's name... or so I recall 'someone' chanting that to me."
Duke sarcastically said, but Prince did not bother with coming up with a reply.
"I see no reason as to why I am not assigned together with King-nee-sama."
"I do not know what King-nee is off to do, however I am right to assume that your task is no less important. Or does your inner sister-complex drive your every decision as a ship?"
"I DO NOT HAVE A SISTER COMPLEX."
Prince snapped at Duke, who could only smirk.
"And so you say. Your anger is directed towards Hood only because she represents the order that prevents you from sailing with King-nee. Is that not what you would call... 'childish'?"
"You do not have to tell me that. I understand fully on how my own anger can be this naive."
Prince muttered, making Duke raise an eyebrow as her smile dropped. To Duke, to have Prince admit of her own childish faults was surprising, but at the same time frighteningly boring since Duke could not make fun of her any longer.
"So you are not as thick in the head as I thought... Ah, well I see that your new 'roommate' has arrived. As such, I will excuse myself."
Duke nodded in the direction behind Prince, before walking off in that direction. Prince turned to see Duke walk past the person of Prince's worry. Hood walked over to Prince with a slight smile.
"I am glad to see that you and your sisters are able to get along well."
Hood said with an elated tone.
"I do not know what you have heard, but Duke and I are not often on the best of terms."
Prince replied, averting eye contact with the battlecruiser.
"Oh, is that so? I do apologise if I have offended you."
Hood replied with a slight bow. Prince found it odd and irritating to find the battlecruiser to be this soft-hearted and meek. Sure, she has heard much about the legend that is 'the Mighty Hood'. Hood was given the title not due to her accomplishments, but rather because she was the most imposing and most advance ship before the start of this war. But war changes everything, and soon Hood was no longer as strong as the legends would hold. Still, Hood holds onto that title. Should she not at the very least act as such? The 'invincible' Hood. She acts no more than a timid rabbit who seeks a friend.
"... You have no need to worry, for there was no offense made."
Prince said with a sigh. Hood smiled, walking up to Prince. Their heights were not so different up close, yet from afar Hood always seemed to exude such commanding presence that most naturally thought of her as taller than most. Without warning, Hood raised her hand and patted Prince on the head. This earned both a surprised and stunned look from Prince, who was having trouble understanding what was happening to her. Hood merely stood there, smiling whilst she was rubbing Prince on the head in a similar fashion to how an adult would do to a child.
"You are certainly a kind and gentle girl."
Hood said softly, her eyes showing a slight hint of loneliness, but Prince did not see that as she batted Hood's hand away.
"I am not a child, nor do I need to be coddled like one. I am a battleship, and I ask that I be treated as such."
Prince replied curtly, but Hood did not seem to be unhappy by Prince's actions nor words. The battlecruiser only smiled.
"And you certainly are a battleship, worthy of your name."
Hood turned around and took a few steps away from Prince before pausing.
"Well then, I have heard much of your abilities, and since we are to be paired for some time, shall we use this time to practice?"
"Practice? For what need do we have to practice? We should be off patrolling the blockade."
Prince argued, but Hood shook her head.
"There is much that we do not know about one another. And as such, I believe that through practice, we shall deepen our bonds and make for a better team. Don't you agree?"
Prince wanted to argue, but as she was not the flagship, she could not disagree outright to these sorts of decisions. Prince, knowing that she could not say otherwise, sighed in defeat.
"... Fine. Do as you wish."
Prince of Wales did not expect Hood's idea of 'bonding' to include a multitude of things besides staying in the same room and going out for practice manoeuvres. What Hood had also decided to include were tea times, going out together to do shopping during their off times, and to have Prince's hair tail to be braided.
"I've always wanted to try this."
Hood admitted while she braided the long hair tail of Prince's. Prince was not too happy about having her hair being braided, as she already had one, and saw no need for a second, however the battlecruiser was rather forceful in a non-threathening manner and thus Prince was forced to have her hair braided.
"Then why do you not braide your own hair?"
Prince asked.
"Hmm, well, my hair is not the suitable type to be braided. And besides, it isn't about the braid itself, as it is so much about the action of it."
Hood's voice trailed off at the second portion of her sentence. Prince did not understand what Hood meant by that, but before she was about to question it, a knock came from the door.
'"Pardon me, Hood-san, Prince-nee-sama."'
A familiar voice came from door.
"Anson? Come in."
Prince answered, feeling a slight tug on her hair by Hood when she answered the door. The door swung open and Anson and Howe stepped into the room.
"I apologise if you are busy at the moment."
Anson quickly said, upon seeing Prince's predictament.
"No, it is fine to speak."
Hood answered quickly, her tone slightly strained, which Prince did catch on. After all, spending hours with the battlecruiser had led Prince to be able to pick up certain tones of her roommate. Anson nodded to Hood's reply, apparently showing no hint of her catching onto Hood's change in tone.
"Prince-nee-sama, we have come to report of our success in completing our sea trials."
Anson said with her tone being dead serious as usual, though her eyes did show that sparkle of excitement. Howe, on the other hand, was practically beaming with joy.
"We did it, nee-sama!"
Howe cried excitedly. Prince nodded with a slight smile.
"I see, that is certainly good news. What of Duke? Is she not with you?"
"Duke-nee-sama had decided to go and celebrate with some of the cruisers, citing that her celebratory mood should not be dampened by meager reports."
Anson replied with a slight hint of disapproval, but as Duke is older, Anson could not really say much about it. Prince sighed, shaking her head in dismay.
"That girl... She bears the name of royalty and yet chooses to behave as such. Well, I would love to congratualate the two of you on a job well done, however as you can see, I am currently unable to move at the moment."
Prince gestured to Hood, who was still holding onto her hair tail with an unabashed smile.
"You should report to King-nee-sama. I am certain she will be delighted to hear of your successes. She should have returned from her current task by now."
Prince said to Anson and Howe.
"We have already done so, Prince-nee-sama. We were on the way here when we came across King-nee-sama. She was with Rodney, and it would seem that they will soon be tasked together with guarding convoys."
"I see. Well then, if that is the case, the two of you should celebrate. However I would caution against celebrating wildly. Your missions will start tomorrow."
Prince warned and Anson and Howe nodded eagerly.
"Hood-san, are you available later? There are some things I would like to inquire about the shops you told me before."
Howe turned to Hood, who smiled and nodded.
"Certainly. I will be happy to oblige. And Anson, if you require some advice on the equipment services, you may approach me anytime."
"Thank you!"
With that, the two battleships left the room, and the remaining two fell back to silence.
"... You are certainly popular with the other ships."
Prince commented, making Hood tilt her head slightly.
"Are you referring to your sisters?"
"Not only them, but with the other ships in the base. Everywhere we walk, the other ships will happily approach you without any restraint."
Prince noted, to which Hood closed her eyes with a smile.
"The ships in the base are all gentle girls. Each with their own aspirations and their own personalities... A beautiful thing to behold... especially by one who holds none of her own."
Hood's words made Prince silent as the latter did not know what it meant, nor did she know how to respond at all. At times Hood's words would cryptic and vague, and Prince would not know what to say in return. Was there anything to be said? And so silence fell between the two once more as Hood continued to braid her hair.
"... It is nice, isn't it?"
Hood suddenly spoke up, making Prince raise an eyebrow.
"And what, may I ask, is 'nice'?"
"Sisters who would come to eagerly find you and tell you of their successes."
Prince paused in that thought. Hood was the only ship of her class. She had no sisters, although she did hear that Hood was meant to have three sisters.
"... Does it bother you, to be alone?"
Prince dared to ask, making Hood pause for a moment.
"... Not as much as you would think."
Hood finally said after a brief moment of tense silence. Prince was unsure of what to make of Hood's answer.
"And besides, I have you, do I not?"
Hood added, her tone changing back to its cheery old self.
"I am not part of your ship class."
Prince pointed out, but Hood shook her head with a slight smile.
"No, you are not. But is it wrong for me to see as such?"
Prince wondered about that. Was it wrong? Hood was often rather pushy when it came down to things. Was it her way of expressing herself? Or was it something she did to make up for the emptiness that surrounds her. Despite spending hours together, Prince still felt as though there was something about Hood that she wasn't seeing clearly, or understanding. There was something that Hood was holding back on, and to Prince this felt like a wall. Prince knew that she herself was also responsible for putting up that wall between them. Prince had often grumbled and complained about what Hood would get the both of them to do, but did Prince really hate it? She did not know or understand it herself.
"Hood-"
Before Prince could say any more, the sirens within the base went off, making the two ships pause in their actions and wait in anticipation for the broadcast message. And no sooner did they wait, did the broadcast play throughout the base.
'"Attention all ships of the Home fleet. Enemy battle group sighted. I repeat, enemy battle group sighted. All ships in the Home fleet are to set sail immediately to intercept."'
Prince attempted to get up from her seat in order to prepare, but stopped when she felt her hair still being held on by Hood.
"Hood?"
Prince turned to look, and noticed that Hood had a slightly hesitant expression on her. But just before Prince was about to ask, Hood's expression changed as she let go of Prince's hair.
"It would seem that we have work to do. Let us continue with your hair when we return."
Prince sensed Hood's reluctance, but said nothing of it. She only hoped it was not something Hood would regret not saying.