JAPANESE NAVAL HEADQUARTERS
1000 Hours, 23/07/1995
MEETING HALL 1

"Right, if there are no more questions or concerns, this meeting is ajourned!" The Japanese Minister of Defense says as he stood up. Around him, the assembly of the world's ministers got up to leave. He sighed as he felt the pressure of delivering leave him but tensed up once more when he noticed someone walk up to him. "Yes? How can I help you?"

"My name is Malcom Jergon, I am the Secretary-General of the United Nations Security Council. I need to talk to you, minister. In private, if you will." The tall man said as he gestures to the door.

"Of course, General! Please, follow me, we can talk in the private meeting room!" The minister replies as he begins his brisk walk to the room. Malcom just followed with as much ease and speed.

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"Take a seat, General." The minister says as he gestures to chair as he sat at the opposite side. "Now, what is it that you wish to talk to me about?"

"Straight to the point, eh? It's simple, we, the UNSC are willing to support this operation with our own fleet. A small one, to be sure, but a fleet nonetheless. We, the UN are a peacekeeping force and im sure you know this well. We wish to keep the peace between us, humans and the Abyssals. My fleet will, no doubt try to prevent the fighting more than they will try to fight. They are trained that way. They will try a diplomatic approach before a suppression tactic so I ask that you be patient with them." Malcom replied crisply. He knew that the minister could not refuse as they are part of the UN themselves. It was just a precaution after all, Japanese Admirals were known to scrap fleet girls who were even slight inefficient.

The Japanese Minister nodded in understanding. "Yes. I will get it done. The Admiral-in-charge of the Shigan Naval Base shall be informed."

"Another thing, minister, tactical command of the UN ships will go to the UN Fleet Commander, but standard sorties will still be under the stationed Admiral." Malcom said, slightly threatening.

"Can do, sir. We will see your ships within the week?" Minister replied with as much calm as he could muster.

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SHIGAN NAVAL DISTRICT
0700 HOURS, 25/07/1995
NAVAL BASE MAIN GATE

3 people walked into the base. From their faces, they aren't very impressed. 1 male and 2 females. The male was tall, around 1.8m, with a large frame. The females were both in the shorter ranges, about 1.5m with small frames. All 3 of them wore a white Naval Uniform. The females had a single gold bar on their shoulder pads and 4 medals pinned. The male had a single silver star on his shoulder pads and on his hat.

"Looks like we've finally reached. Lets head over to the Admiral's office." The man says as he begins walking into the compound. The 2 girls behind him flanked him and continued the walk. The man stopped when he noticed another man walking towards them. This man was wearing a similar uniform but he had 4 stars instead of 1.

The trio stopped and saluted at the man. "Sir! I am Charles Hood, nameship of the Charles Hood-class Swift Aviation Battlecrusier. Reporting as ordered!"

The 2 girls followed suit. "I am Kerry, Nameship of the Kerry-class Special Destroyer!"

"I am Corus, Nameship of the Corus-class Missile Cruiser."

"At ease. I am Admiral Hoshio, I will be your admiral as per orders. Don't worry, admiral, I wont try to undermine your command. Just know that I am still your superior officer here." Hoshio replied in turn with them. "Now, do you prefer to be in a single room? Or do you wish to stick together?"

The trio looked at each other briefly and agreed that they would get a single room. "We'll take the one, sir."

"Excellent! If you will, please report to my secretary, she is currently at the parade square assembling the ships." Hoshio says as he begins walking away.

Saluting, the trio quickly walked over to the parade square. Upon arrival, a lady with a clipboard asked them, "Oh hello! Welcome to Shigan Naval Base! Now, which country are you from?"

"We are from US but we are representing the United Nations Security Council." Charles replied.

"Oh! Of course, please forgive me, I didn't know. Please, one line this way, next to the US representatives. I am Nagato, by the way." Nagato said as she points to the currently assembled ships.

Nodding, the trio lined up and stood at attention. The line next to them was long, consisting of 10 people, 3 of which were male. The one up front talked to Charles. "So, US ship? But I don't know you… are a special?"

"I am, in a way. The only one of my kind." Charles replied ridgidly.

"Oh? What's your class? And type? Im Iowa, by the way, Nameship of the Iowa-class Battleship. My USN rank is Captain." Iowa asked.

"My name is Charles Hood, nameship of the Charles Hood-class Swift Aviation Battlecrusier. My rank is Rear Admiral. You can call me Charles though." Charles replied.

"Oh, im sorry sir, meant not disrespect when I questioned you openly." Iowa said as he turned to salute him.

"It's ok, you didn't know. Besides, im not your CO anyway. The Admiral on-base is. Think nothing of it, captain. Relax and wait for your orders. Just do that and we'll get along just fine." Charles said as he returned the salute.

They both snapped to attention when they noticed the fleet secretary, Nagato, standing up on a podium. "Right! As you all know, I am Nagato, the fleet secretary of this naval base. I know that a few of you may be of higher rank but please bear with me. Today, I welcome all of you from around the world to the Shigan Naval Base. From today on, this base shall become your home until the operation is over. I expect each and every one of you to respect one another and hopefully even consider each other as family. Now, the sleeping arrangements have been made and the sign will be posted up on this board here."

Nagato took a deep breath before stating out the next part. "And here's the hard part…" she muttered before continuing. "Now, here is the roster for your sorties. Please follow them as they have all been thought out by each of your admirals. I understand that some of you may be dissapointed but please understand that these are all set according to your skills. Thank you for your time and rest up. We have a big day tomorrow." With that, Nagato ended the assembly with a salute. The rest of the assembly returned the salute before dispersing to check the board.

Charles nodded as Iowa waved him good night. The trio walked to the foreign ships dorm and got to their room. Opening the door, they looked in. The room was simple, beige wallpaper and an oak floor. Bunk beds stacked on the left side corner of the room and a small rise in the middle of the room for food, meetings and such. A door on the right lead to a bathroom complete with a shower, a toilet and a sink. A small desk in the room appeared to have a small hamper filled with sweets and fuel. Charles turned to the 2 girls and released them from duty.

He walked into the bathroom and changed. Looking into the mirror, he sees scars, past and present, physical and mental. Shaking his head to clear his thought he mutters, "Tomorrow is a new day…"