First chapter of 2020 and we're kicking off with the two furballs up to no good!
For real though, been kinda hectic this past month, what's with finals and house-cleaning and the like, then Arknights just got released not too long ago. Been having a blast with it btw.
Chapter 19.5: Interlude
"For your continued performance of outstanding actions above and beyond the call of duty, exemplary bravery in the face of the enemy of mankind, and unwavering devotion to the cause and ideal of Ironblood."
"To the KMS Grand Elite Fleet, today representing Central I have the honor to present to each of you the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oakleaves, Swords and Diamonds." After that longwinded speech, the officer sent from Central finally allowed Commander Burai to present the Ship Girls with their medal.
Last night, they really let themselves loose with partying but still managed to get up on time for the awarding ceremony. Perhaps because they're originally warships built by Ironblood with Ironblood's technique using Ironblood's metal that they all could drink even all the beverage in the world and still don't have to worry about hangover on the next day, except for maybe one Prinz Eugen.
When the medals were being presented and while others were trying to contain their excitement, Eugen alone was giving everything she has just to keep her steps steady.
After the final salute and the train returning to Central left, she instantly limped like a puppet with its strings cut and leaned entirely onto Admiral Hipper. Leaving the two sisters to their own device, most Ship Girls had already dropped the formal act and were busy admiring their own medal with others in their own circle.
"So this is a medal, the proof of recognition. It is my first time ever receiving one. Even while holding it now, it still feels strange…but in a good way." Holding up her medal with both hands, Tirpitz stared at it as if enchanted while muttering to herself. Witnessing this scenery where everyone presented is fawning over a pretty piece of metal, Graf Zeppelin with her usual cynicism held up her own and sneered.
"To think that this is what ours and the enemy's spilt blood ultimately amounted to, what a bad joke."
"That way of thinking is not entirely true, Graf. While they're exchanged at the price of blood, a medal is the physical manifestation of one's accumulated achievements, representing the degree of trust one's nation has in them. History is written with blood and bone, but is it not true that the reason we fight is so that our countrymen don't have to spill their blood?"
"We're all destined to end one day so a single token of recognition hardly matters. But, if Sir Fiize has said so…"
After a certain commission together where the they've gotten the chance to get to know the other's point of view, and after realizing just how polar opposite their views are, Graf Zeppelin and Z46 had developed a peculiar relationship where they could hold friendly debates with each other even when their opinions greatly clashed. And slowly the former had also began to refer to the latter respectfully as 'Sir'.
Already used to her cynicism at this point and after seeing just how easily Z46 managed to rein her in, Tirpitz could only laugh wryly. Her gaze then returned to the medal in her hand as the image of the sister she had never met appeared in her mind.
"Something like this, sister must have gotten at least a hundred of them. She is the esteemed flagship of Ironblood after all, unlike me." Feeling the negative thoughts plaguing her mind, Tirpitz quickly shook them off. Right after that, Commander Burai then clapped his hands twice to gather their attention toward him.
"Now that all the formal businesses are out of the way, the bottom line is that Central is very pleased with the result we have garnered and that Knight's Cross is the proof. You all should be feeling proud about yourself now more than ever, for this glory is well-deserved."
"However, the war is far from over. We cannot rest and shall not rest until every obstacle is removed. So ladies, time to get back to work."
"Sir, yes sir!" giving a salute, the Ship Girls then dispersed and returned to carrying out their daily routine with even more enthusiasm than usual.
"Tirpitz, a minute."
As Tirpitz was leaving, Commander Burai suddenly called out to her. Walking up to her, Commander Burai then took out a small box from his chest pocket.
"Here. From your sister." Upon hearing the mention of the person she had just thought of a minute ago, Tirpitz was in such a shock that she nearly dropped the box.
"M-my sister? Sister Bismarck?! But h-how…"
"She was at the awarding ceremony yesterday, as a fellow holder of Grand Cross of Iron Cross. We had the chance to talk and she asked me to deliver this to you, since non-official mail takes forever to go anywhere."
Even after he explained the situation, Tirpitz still couldn't believe it. A medal of recognition and a present from her sister, the two things that were like alien concepts to her are becoming reality one after another.
"T-this is…" slowly and gently opening the box as if scared of damaging something fragile, Tirpitz looked inside to see a pair of golden cross earrings similar to the one she has, along with a small letter.
"To you, my dear sister."
That single sentence was all that was written on it, but Tirpitz could see clearly traces of letters being written then erased over and over again to the point the paper was slightly crumpled. The writer must have put a lot of efforts into this letter, but was unable to decide on what to actually write and finally could only settle with a single line.
Holding the letter and the box close to her chest, Tirpitz could feel the warmth and thoughts put into this by her sister as she unconsciously broke into a smile. She then took out one of the earring and put it on.
"H-how does it look, Kommandant?" glancing sideway at Commander Burai, Tirpitz asked for his opinion to which he responded with a compliment and a hearty laugh.
"Hm, white suits you more, but gold doesn't look half bad. Hahaha, guess you two really are sisters after all!"
Around the same time, the Sakura Empire's naval port.
Carrying a tray of medical supply each in their hand while walking with light-footed steps, the nine-tailed fox sisters of the First Carrier Division made their way toward Commander Kasai's personal quarter.
After a hell-bent attempt at trying to eliminate Commander Valban of the Eagle Union, Commander Kasai only managed to inflict heavy damage while also suffered many injuries himself, the kind that even with an Armada's altered body would still have cost him his life if not treated immediately.
Arriving and stopping before the two large sliding paper doors with an elaborate painting depicting the Sakura Empire's landscape, Akagi and Kaga then knelt down and asked for permission to enter.
"Commander-sama, it is us, Akagi and Kaga. Please pardon our intrusion." The two then slowly pushed the sliding doors open, but the moment they looked inside Commander Kasai was not in his bed where he should be. Instead, he had collapsed next to the table with dozens of books and paper scrolls scattered all around him.
"Commander-sama!" the two hurried over as Akagi quickly pulled him up to check on his conditions. All of his bandages had become undone and several wounds had reopened because of that, but he's still breathing so at the very least there is good news. He must have passed out due to overexerting himself instead of staying in bed to rest like he was told to.
A quick glance at the books and paper scrolls scattered around him, all Kaga saw were reference materials of past major battles and the art of war, and on the table was a detailed draft of what seems like an all-out attack aimed to strike the Eagle Union at their very stronghold. Just what did that Siren Commander showed to him that could have possibly resulted in this?
The two carried him back to his bed where they undressed the top part of his yukata, applied ointment onto his wounds and replaced the old bloodstained bandages with fresh ones. It was one of the many rarely seen moments where Akagi isn't having any illicit thoughts even after looking at Commander Kasai's bare body. It goes to show that even with her overt obsession over the Commander, Akagi can keep a cool head whenever the time counts and her status as the First Carrier Division's tactical mind doesn't owe to just her seniority.
After placing him back into bed, the two tidied up all the scattered books and scrolls before leaving. Throughout the whole process, Akagi wears a tensed expression. Seeing Commander Kasai in such condition reminded her of a certain someone whom she held dearly.
"Akagi…"
A voice echoed in her ears as memories from the distant past, both the painful ones that she tried to forget but couldn't and the one that she cherished, flooded back into her mind.
"Akagi…"
As that gentle voice continued to echo, the silhouette of that someone became even more vivid before her eyes. Akagi wanted to run toward that someone and fall into her arms as she would embrace her tightly just like how it all used to be, at the same time she's scared for that same silhouette had haunted her for many sleepless nights.
"Akagi!" snapping back to reality, Akagi slowly looked around to see the familiar hallway and Kaga next to her, but the silhouette of that someone was nowhere to be found.
"You're making a very terrible expression there. Pull yourself together, sister. Now more than ever we must act and lead others in place of Commander."
"Yes…now more than ever, we must act…Kaga, come with me for a bit."
Half an hour later, somewhere in Zone 6, Deep Sea territory.
"Sister, just what exactly are we doing all the way out here?" following suit on Akagi, Kaga asked as the former suddenly just dragged her off on a so-called 'stroll'. Akagi then suddenly stopped which only gave Kaga even more questions as to what is her motive behind all of this. But before she could open her mouth to ask, Akagi had suddenly mass-broadcasted a strange signal on every channel, causing both hers and Kaga's radar and sonar detection system to go haywire.
Almost immediately after that, the duo was surrounded by an emerging fleet of Sirens.
"The technology that the Royal Navy used?! Since when was it perfected? No, more importantly, what is the meaning of this, Akagi!"
Quickly facing her back toward Akagi, Kaga readied herself for battle. However, the Sirens did not show any sign of attacking and simply remained idle, observing them from afar.
"Hehehe, calling me with such a repulsive method, aren't you a shrewd and also rude one?" a sinister laugh rang out as Kaga felt a menacing aura behind her. Turning around, she saw Tester Beta slowly emerging from underwater.
"Akagi, explain yourself! Just what in the world are you thinking!"
"It's simple, my sister. Just like how the Ironblood can easily master and assimilate Siren technology into their own, just like how the Azur Lane predict the enemy's movement and mobilize massive force at a moment notice, if we're to keep up with them the Sakura Empire too must find and obtain our own trump card."
"Wha-" not letting Kaga have even a chance to retort, in an instant Akagi had burnt down every single Siren in her sight with blazing fighters and walked toward Tester Beta.
"So Siren, let's make a deal." She said with a domineering tone. Seeing the nine-tailed fox before her haughtily demand her cooperation, Tester couldn't help but cracked into a wide grin.
"Why, of course. After all, we've been watching you lot for a while now and this was all within our predictions. No…" She then spread both arms wide as the very fabric of space was torn apart and the area they're in were transformed into a Mirror Sea.
"It'd be more accurate to say, this outcome is destined to happen."
So, now that the Ironblood is all fine and dandy, shit about to go down for the Sakura Empire. Stay tune.