Ryuho smiled confidently as she looked over her students. Her eyes lingering for a moment on Saratoga. Mentally she suppressed amusement. The arrival of the lone American Kanmusu had caused some controversy among the senior members of the fleet, particularly the veteran carriers of 1st and 2nd Strike Fleets. To Ryuho, it had been an opportunity.
"The six of you will be the heart of 3rd Strike Fleet. You will learn to coordinate. You will know each other as well as you know yourselves. But you each will be assigned a partner. Your Division mate. The two of you will react as one. As these assignments are based on convenience and are subject to change as I see fit, you will receive a letter to designate your specific division instead of a number. Division A will be Amagi and Kasagi. Division B will be Unryu and Katsuragi. And Division C will be Saratoga and Shinano. For now, Amagi will be senior ship."
The students turned to their respective partners. Then Saratoga caught the mischievous gleam in the eye of Ryuho as she also caught Ryuho's little joke.
Two sets of twins along with a would be battlecruiser and battleship. I'm sure we'll be well tested to measure up to Ryuho's boasting.
"Saratoga?" Ryuho said looking her sternly in the eyes as she opened the case beside her desk.
"Yes ma'am?"
"I understand that you... as yet... have no weapon."
"That is correct ma'am."
Ryuho lifted a hand wrought and well polished bow from its case. "You will use my bow until your permanent weapon is assigned. Damage it and I will damage you. Am I understood?"
Saratoga bowed sharply in acceptance of the honor bestowed upon her. "Hai!"
"Very good. Now... The first part of today's training will be an endurance run. A warrior with a weak body is almost as useless as a warrior with a weak mind or spirit. We will drive that weakness out! Two lines! Division A Senior ship on the left, junior ship on the right. Division B... Senior ship on the left, junior ship on the right... Division C Senior ship on the left, junior ship on the right. Follow me!" Ryuho led them out with a grin.
Blues eyes watched fondly as Saratoga and Shinano followed the others out of the building. She watched the old veteran briefly before heading to make a phone call. There was some special kit that was just waiting to get used and now seemed like a good a time as any.