p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"emspan style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"Eugen/span/em/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"emspan style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;" /span/em/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"Wales brought out a few magazines. Apparently, Akashi liked how Wales and a few others looked in the white race car attire she brought for us to test a few weeks back that she had them pose for a magazine release./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""My, my, how daring…" I commented. "Is this your sister?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"Wales took a glance at the magazine page and replied. "Indeed. It's my sister, Duke of York."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""Ah… I haven't seen her around quite often. I wonder why?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"Wales laughed out loud. "There's no way you would. My sister's quite a night owl, she is."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"I stared at her and smirked. "Oh? Then I assume she's a lot like you, eh Wales?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""Like me?" Wales raised her brow. "Whatever do you mean?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""Oh? Nothing." I giggled./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"Someone is knocking on the door. Wales paced towards the door she's locked and opened it to find a blonde woman in black attire staring coldly at her. Immediately, the proud Wales shriveled before the presence of our flagship./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""Hmm? Oh, it's you Bismarck," I greeted her. "Guten tag. Come in."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"Wales timidly sat on the couch as Bismarck approached me./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""So, the Royal Navy seems interested in the Iron Blood's affairs?" She asked Wales as she took the seat next to my bed. "I've been seeing you come in our dorm at night time, Prince of Wales."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"Wales recomposed herself and responded: "This matter is not one that the Royal Navy sent me on. This matter is one between friends."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"Bismarck smiled at Wales. "I see. My apologies."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"I spot Bismarck's eyes peering over the magazine I'm holding. I closed it out of instinct./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""Oh? Bismarck, if you want to look at this, just say so," I teased. "I never knew you were interested in such things."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""Hardly." Bismarck crossed her arms with her eyes closed. "I would like to speak to our heavy cruiser in private. If it is alright."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"I glanced at Wales and nodded. With this, she wordlessly left the room, closing the door behind her gently./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""Firstly, I am pleased at your performance. You did well in protecting the Commander," Bismarck held my hand. "However, I must warn you to never fall in battle like this again."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"She fixed her uniform as she sat straight. "As the Commander's secretary, it is not only your duty to serve him, it is also your duty to take care of yourself."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"I looked at Bismarck's eyes. They're swollen. "Hmm… Bismarck?" I called our flagship's attention./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""What?" She shot her eyes at me. "Are you unwell anywhere?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""I'm fine… but your eyes," I stared at her face. "Have you been… crying? For me?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"Hurriedly, Bismarck turned her face away from mine, all red in embarrassment. "Don't be ridiculous. Anyway, I have more to say."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"It seems this one is much, much more serious than simply telling me she's happy I'm alive./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""I want you to stop stealing information from the Commander."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"I shot my no-longer-bored eyes at Bismarck./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""You're serious?" I mumbled. "Then, have we confirmed that… the Sirens have our intel?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"Bismarck placed her right hand on her chin. "Two weeks ago, the Commander sent Graf Zeppelin on a secret mission."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"I began listening attentively./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""I won't tell you what that mission was but I will tell you that I did not allow her to leave without another purpose." She explained. "I told Graf to observe the Fatherland during her stay there. She was to visit the Bundestag* and see if there's anything amiss."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""And?" I replied. "Did Graf find anything?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""That's the problem, Eugen." Bismarck replied. "Graf found that there emis/em no record of what happened over last month."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"I frowned and sat up straight. "What do you mean there's no record of what happened over last month?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"Bismarck brought out a few sheets of paper. "Here is the summary of records Graf made after visiting the archives." She handed me papers and I began skimming through it./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""There's a huge gap… in between August 7 and September 6." I comment./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""Do you remember when Purifier attacked our base?" Bismarck asked./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""September 7." I replied./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"Scheiße./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""This secret is yours to tell the Commander." Wales' words rang in my head. How am I supposed to tell him that I almost got everyone killed… and that my faction is single-handedly responsible for all this…/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""It's hard to believe it's just a coincidence." Bismarck remarked as she retrieved the papers that I didn't even know I dropped. "Therefore, I decided."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""On what?" I probed./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""I shall take Roon and visit the Fatherland myself." Bismarck replied. "I would leave you in charge of our fleet, but in your condition and as the Commander's secretary, there's no way you'll manage."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""Graf Zeppelin will also be busy with air recons since Commander put all carriers in the base on rotation for reconnaissance." Bismarck smiled. "Therefore, I shall place Tirpitz in charge of our faction while I am gone."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"Bismarck turned to me. "Take care of her, Eugen. I ask this not as your flagship, or your superior, but as your friend."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""Hmm?" I replied. I am to take care of Tirpitz?/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""Of course, you won't take care of her literally. Just watch over her. I asked the same from Graf last night."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""Who am I to refuse?" I replied. "By the way, why don't you just take me with you? Like old times?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"Bismarck shook her head. "The Sirens already knows too much about us. However, I wasn't able to send the Fatherland details on the priority ships. They know nothing about Roon or Friedrich."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"It makes sense. I did find their files last./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""Friedrich is much, much stronger than even me," Bismarck said. "She's far too valuable an asset to risk losing on this mission. Roon, however, is powerful but not as valuable as her."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""Are you sure you'll be fine?" I asked Bismarck. "Don't you make this a repeat of Denmark Strait, Bismarck."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"She stood up. "I don't intend to die. I owe that to our Fatherland and to my sister."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""I see, then, alles gute, Bismarck of Iron Blood." I smiled at her. "Viel Glück, mein Freund."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""Danke." As Bismarck turned to leave, the door opened to reveal a haggard creature in a white, Naval, uniform./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""Please lay here, Miss Eugen," Vestal asked me to lay on a bed connected to some sort of white tube. "I need to take a full body CT scan."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"I glanced at the Commander who stared off blankly into the wall as if he was some sort of catatonic. "Maybe you should scan the Commander instead, Vestal."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"Vestal put her hands on her hips and frowned. "I can't release you without first knowing if you've fully recovered, Ent—I mean Miss Eugen."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""Hmm? Does Vestal miss Enterprise?" I giggled. "Perhaps that Union girl and I have more in common, huh?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"Perhaps Enterprise also gets into trouble from time to time? Maybe she injures herself or just doesn't take care of herself much for Vestal to say her name by instinct./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"Vestal's eyes furrowed even further as she stared at the Commander who didn't seem to respond to anything. I waived my hand in front of his face./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""W-Wha? Oh yes, where were we?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""Commander… I told you to not work so hard, didn't I?" I chastised him. "That is unless… you want me to tease you to death?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"The Commander let out a forced smile. "Just obey Vestal, Eugen."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""Seriously… it's like your mind is elsewhere," I mumbled. "You didn't go looking at any girls on your way here, did you?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""Of course not, Eugen!"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"I paid no mind to his response and simply obeyed Vestal. The Commander must be tired from all the work he's put in these past weeks without me./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"I found myself staring at the insides of a white tube./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""Looks fine to me," Vestal nodded approvingly. "You're fine, Miss Eugen. You can go back to your secretarial duties."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""Oh? But didn't I already say that before?" I giggled as Vestal signed my release papers./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"emspan style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"Commander/span/em/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"11:21 AM. "While my residence is still being renovated," I told Eugen as we strolled towards her infirmary room. "I'll be staying with you. Your room, unfortunately, went up in smoke when Purifier attacked, Eugen."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"I can't believe I lost this month's salary… Oh well, at least I was able to buy those nice outfits for—/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""Hmm?" Eugen stared blankly on her bed filled with the attire I bought from Akashi. "Are these my reward, Commander? Hihi~"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""Ah! N-No!" I ran and slammed my body on the clothes. I can't let Eugen see these; I won't be able to live through the night!/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"Eugen prodded her fingers on the bed. Nope. No matter how much you tease me, you won't get to try these on!/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""Commander~" She whispered to my left ear seductively. "Don't you want to see me in these?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""Definitely not!" I exclaimed. "You need rest, Eugen!"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""Hihi~ then shall I wear something else?" She grabbed her hospital robe and began slowly stripping it—/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""Just kidding~" Hey… why'd she stop? "Aww, were you expecting something, Commander?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"Eugen giggled as she pushed me off the bed playfully. "I believe this is my bed, right, Commander? Unless, perhaps, my presence gave you a fever."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"I retrieved the clothes I bought and shamefully packed them along my stuff. I was so distraught at parting with my salary that I forgot I now share a room with this woman…/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"I hear a knocking at the door./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""Master, it's me, Belfast," I opened the door to find the head maid with a tray of wonderfully cooked lobster. "Good afternoon, Master, Miss Eugen. After hearing from Wales about the secretary's awakening, Her Majesty graciously asked me to bring you lobsters for lunch. Until you and your secretary leave the infirmary, Commander, I shall henceforth be in charge of serving both of you your meals."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""This… this is the second-best thing that has happened to me today." I tearfully expressed my gratitude to the angelic maid of the Royal Navy. "Thank you so much, Belfast!"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"Belfast covered her mouth as she giggled full of grace. "Second-best, Master? Then, what might the single best thing to happen to you today be?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"I gulped and glanced at the bored Eugen who was flipping through the pages of some magazine./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""I see. Say no more, Master," Belfast smiled. "May I come in?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"br /Several hours passed. Eugen laid sleeping on her bed as I scanned through the report Nimi, Akashi, and Yuubari worked so hard these past few weeks on producing. Belfast is busy cleaning the room, making it look spotless and as organized as she possibly can./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"According to Akashi's analysis, the shell is not only designed to release the nerve gas on impact with a sufficiently hot object; it is also designed for limited flight control./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"Inside the shell is a chip that is capable of transmitting and receiving coordinates for over five kilometers it seems… If so, then the Sirens can launch these shells, no, missiles would be the appropriate term, from way further out at sea than I initially thought…/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"The missile even has air ports and retractable wings that allows it to control its altitude mid-flight. Amazing… /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"When I think about the technology Sirens have, it scares me. To think that another species has developed intelligence on par—or perhaps even greater than humans, it's honestly haunting. For so long, we humans have thought ourselves to be the apex of creation: the top of the food chain. But now, the Sirens are challenging our very existence as they vie for dominance./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"Actually, why are the Sirens even attacking us humans?/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""Master," Belfast tapped my shoulder lightly. "I'm finished here. Do you require my assistance?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"I shook my head. "Thank you, Bel but… I'm already asking too much from you as is…"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"Belfast shook her head in response. "Nonsense. As a maid, it is my duty to see that I satisfy my Master's needs."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"Well, if she insists…/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""Then please help me hide this…" I reached into my left pocket and handed Belfast a box smaller than the size of my palm./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""Why, Master, isn't this—" I covered Belfast's mouth to not rouse Eugen's suspicion./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""Please don't tell anyone about this yet, Bel," I requested. "Just hide the box. Eugen will definitely be able to wring this out of me…"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"Belfast smiled and bowed graciously. "Very well, Master. I shall guard this box with my life."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"I nodded. "You may go back to the Royal Navy dorms, Bel."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""At what time do you want your dinner, Master?" Belfast asked before leaving./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""Oh, please serve it at around 7 pm, if you please, Belfast."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"6:42 PM. I was typing something into my laptop when suddenly…/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""Commander~?" Eugen's soft hands covered my eyes. "It's past your working hours… do try to get some rest."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"I gently moved her hands out of the way and smiled. "I need to get these files updated, Eugen. You rest on your own."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"She stretched her arms and yawned. "Won't you shower with me first then, Commander?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""Absolutely not," I tried hiding my embarrassed face. I can see Eugen's boob mole as she raised her arms…/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"Eugen pouted and laid back on her bed./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""By the way… Eugen?" I stopped typing and called out to my secretary as I stared at my screen./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""Hmm?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""Remember… what you mouthed when Purifier held us at gunpoint?" I asked./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"Eugen remained silent./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""You said," I gulped. "Ich liebe dich."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"No response./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""You weren't teasing me then, were you?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"Eugen went silent for a good five minutes. I was about to let it go when suddenly…/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""Commander? Ich liebe dich." S-So she really does mean it… right?/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""Whether it's true or false, why don't you decide that for yourself?" She added./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""Eugen," disappointed, I tried salvaging the conversation "Can't you just tell me yourself?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"My secretary who had her back turned against me stood from her bed and approached me./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"She went closer…/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"and closer…/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"Until I felt something soft and hot touch my forehead./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""Figure it out yourself, my Commander~"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"I hear a knock on the door. Dinner's ready./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"emspan style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;" /span/em/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"Wales brought out a few magazines. Apparently, Akashi liked how Wales and a few others looked in the white race car attire she brought for us to test a few weeks back that she had them pose for a magazine release./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""My, my, how daring…" I commented. "Is this your sister?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"Wales took a glance at the magazine page and replied. "Indeed. It's my sister, Duke of York."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""Ah… I haven't seen her around quite often. I wonder why?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"Wales laughed out loud. "There's no way you would. My sister's quite a night owl, she is."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"I stared at her and smirked. "Oh? Then I assume she's a lot like you, eh Wales?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""Like me?" Wales raised her brow. "Whatever do you mean?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""Oh? Nothing." I giggled./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"Someone is knocking on the door. Wales paced towards the door she's locked and opened it to find a blonde woman in black attire staring coldly at her. Immediately, the proud Wales shriveled before the presence of our flagship./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""Hmm? Oh, it's you Bismarck," I greeted her. "Guten tag. Come in."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"Wales timidly sat on the couch as Bismarck approached me./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""So, the Royal Navy seems interested in the Iron Blood's affairs?" She asked Wales as she took the seat next to my bed. "I've been seeing you come in our dorm at night time, Prince of Wales."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"Wales recomposed herself and responded: "This matter is not one that the Royal Navy sent me on. This matter is one between friends."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"Bismarck smiled at Wales. "I see. My apologies."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"I spot Bismarck's eyes peering over the magazine I'm holding. I closed it out of instinct./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""Oh? Bismarck, if you want to look at this, just say so," I teased. "I never knew you were interested in such things."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""Hardly." Bismarck crossed her arms with her eyes closed. "I would like to speak to our heavy cruiser in private. If it is alright."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"I glanced at Wales and nodded. With this, she wordlessly left the room, closing the door behind her gently./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""Firstly, I am pleased at your performance. You did well in protecting the Commander," Bismarck held my hand. "However, I must warn you to never fall in battle like this again."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"She fixed her uniform as she sat straight. "As the Commander's secretary, it is not only your duty to serve him, it is also your duty to take care of yourself."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"I looked at Bismarck's eyes. They're swollen. "Hmm… Bismarck?" I called our flagship's attention./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""What?" She shot her eyes at me. "Are you unwell anywhere?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""I'm fine… but your eyes," I stared at her face. "Have you been… crying? For me?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"Hurriedly, Bismarck turned her face away from mine, all red in embarrassment. "Don't be ridiculous. Anyway, I have more to say."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"It seems this one is much, much more serious than simply telling me she's happy I'm alive./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""I want you to stop stealing information from the Commander."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"I shot my no-longer-bored eyes at Bismarck./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""You're serious?" I mumbled. "Then, have we confirmed that… the Sirens have our intel?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"Bismarck placed her right hand on her chin. "Two weeks ago, the Commander sent Graf Zeppelin on a secret mission."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"I began listening attentively./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""I won't tell you what that mission was but I will tell you that I did not allow her to leave without another purpose." She explained. "I told Graf to observe the Fatherland during her stay there. She was to visit the Bundestag* and see if there's anything amiss."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""And?" I replied. "Did Graf find anything?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""That's the problem, Eugen." Bismarck replied. "Graf found that there emis/em no record of what happened over last month."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"I frowned and sat up straight. "What do you mean there's no record of what happened over last month?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"Bismarck brought out a few sheets of paper. "Here is the summary of records Graf made after visiting the archives." She handed me papers and I began skimming through it./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""There's a huge gap… in between August 7 and September 6." I comment./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""Do you remember when Purifier attacked our base?" Bismarck asked./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""September 7." I replied./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"Scheiße./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""This secret is yours to tell the Commander." Wales' words rang in my head. How am I supposed to tell him that I almost got everyone killed… and that my faction is single-handedly responsible for all this…/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""It's hard to believe it's just a coincidence." Bismarck remarked as she retrieved the papers that I didn't even know I dropped. "Therefore, I decided."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""On what?" I probed./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""I shall take Roon and visit the Fatherland myself." Bismarck replied. "I would leave you in charge of our fleet, but in your condition and as the Commander's secretary, there's no way you'll manage."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""Graf Zeppelin will also be busy with air recons since Commander put all carriers in the base on rotation for reconnaissance." Bismarck smiled. "Therefore, I shall place Tirpitz in charge of our faction while I am gone."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"Bismarck turned to me. "Take care of her, Eugen. I ask this not as your flagship, or your superior, but as your friend."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""Hmm?" I replied. I am to take care of Tirpitz?/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""Of course, you won't take care of her literally. Just watch over her. I asked the same from Graf last night."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""Who am I to refuse?" I replied. "By the way, why don't you just take me with you? Like old times?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"Bismarck shook her head. "The Sirens already knows too much about us. However, I wasn't able to send the Fatherland details on the priority ships. They know nothing about Roon or Friedrich."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"It makes sense. I did find their files last./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""Friedrich is much, much stronger than even me," Bismarck said. "She's far too valuable an asset to risk losing on this mission. Roon, however, is powerful but not as valuable as her."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""Are you sure you'll be fine?" I asked Bismarck. "Don't you make this a repeat of Denmark Strait, Bismarck."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"She stood up. "I don't intend to die. I owe that to our Fatherland and to my sister."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""I see, then, alles gute, Bismarck of Iron Blood." I smiled at her. "Viel Glück, mein Freund."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""Danke." As Bismarck turned to leave, the door opened to reveal a haggard creature in a white, Naval, uniform./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""Please lay here, Miss Eugen," Vestal asked me to lay on a bed connected to some sort of white tube. "I need to take a full body CT scan."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"I glanced at the Commander who stared off blankly into the wall as if he was some sort of catatonic. "Maybe you should scan the Commander instead, Vestal."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"Vestal put her hands on her hips and frowned. "I can't release you without first knowing if you've fully recovered, Ent—I mean Miss Eugen."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""Hmm? Does Vestal miss Enterprise?" I giggled. "Perhaps that Union girl and I have more in common, huh?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"Perhaps Enterprise also gets into trouble from time to time? Maybe she injures herself or just doesn't take care of herself much for Vestal to say her name by instinct./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"Vestal's eyes furrowed even further as she stared at the Commander who didn't seem to respond to anything. I waived my hand in front of his face./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""W-Wha? Oh yes, where were we?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""Commander… I told you to not work so hard, didn't I?" I chastised him. "That is unless… you want me to tease you to death?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"The Commander let out a forced smile. "Just obey Vestal, Eugen."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""Seriously… it's like your mind is elsewhere," I mumbled. "You didn't go looking at any girls on your way here, did you?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""Of course not, Eugen!"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"I paid no mind to his response and simply obeyed Vestal. The Commander must be tired from all the work he's put in these past weeks without me./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"I found myself staring at the insides of a white tube./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""Looks fine to me," Vestal nodded approvingly. "You're fine, Miss Eugen. You can go back to your secretarial duties."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""Oh? But didn't I already say that before?" I giggled as Vestal signed my release papers./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"emspan style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"Commander/span/em/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"11:21 AM. "While my residence is still being renovated," I told Eugen as we strolled towards her infirmary room. "I'll be staying with you. Your room, unfortunately, went up in smoke when Purifier attacked, Eugen."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"I can't believe I lost this month's salary… Oh well, at least I was able to buy those nice outfits for—/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""Hmm?" Eugen stared blankly on her bed filled with the attire I bought from Akashi. "Are these my reward, Commander? Hihi~"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""Ah! N-No!" I ran and slammed my body on the clothes. I can't let Eugen see these; I won't be able to live through the night!/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"Eugen prodded her fingers on the bed. Nope. No matter how much you tease me, you won't get to try these on!/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""Commander~" She whispered to my left ear seductively. "Don't you want to see me in these?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""Definitely not!" I exclaimed. "You need rest, Eugen!"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""Hihi~ then shall I wear something else?" She grabbed her hospital robe and began slowly stripping it—/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""Just kidding~" Hey… why'd she stop? "Aww, were you expecting something, Commander?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"Eugen giggled as she pushed me off the bed playfully. "I believe this is my bed, right, Commander? Unless, perhaps, my presence gave you a fever."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"I retrieved the clothes I bought and shamefully packed them along my stuff. I was so distraught at parting with my salary that I forgot I now share a room with this woman…/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"I hear a knocking at the door./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""Master, it's me, Belfast," I opened the door to find the head maid with a tray of wonderfully cooked lobster. "Good afternoon, Master, Miss Eugen. After hearing from Wales about the secretary's awakening, Her Majesty graciously asked me to bring you lobsters for lunch. Until you and your secretary leave the infirmary, Commander, I shall henceforth be in charge of serving both of you your meals."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""This… this is the second-best thing that has happened to me today." I tearfully expressed my gratitude to the angelic maid of the Royal Navy. "Thank you so much, Belfast!"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"Belfast covered her mouth as she giggled full of grace. "Second-best, Master? Then, what might the single best thing to happen to you today be?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"I gulped and glanced at the bored Eugen who was flipping through the pages of some magazine./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""I see. Say no more, Master," Belfast smiled. "May I come in?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"br /Several hours passed. Eugen laid sleeping on her bed as I scanned through the report Nimi, Akashi, and Yuubari worked so hard these past few weeks on producing. Belfast is busy cleaning the room, making it look spotless and as organized as she possibly can./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"According to Akashi's analysis, the shell is not only designed to release the nerve gas on impact with a sufficiently hot object; it is also designed for limited flight control./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"Inside the shell is a chip that is capable of transmitting and receiving coordinates for over five kilometers it seems… If so, then the Sirens can launch these shells, no, missiles would be the appropriate term, from way further out at sea than I initially thought…/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"The missile even has air ports and retractable wings that allows it to control its altitude mid-flight. Amazing… /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"When I think about the technology Sirens have, it scares me. To think that another species has developed intelligence on par—or perhaps even greater than humans, it's honestly haunting. For so long, we humans have thought ourselves to be the apex of creation: the top of the food chain. But now, the Sirens are challenging our very existence as they vie for dominance./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"Actually, why are the Sirens even attacking us humans?/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""Master," Belfast tapped my shoulder lightly. "I'm finished here. Do you require my assistance?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"I shook my head. "Thank you, Bel but… I'm already asking too much from you as is…"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"Belfast shook her head in response. "Nonsense. As a maid, it is my duty to see that I satisfy my Master's needs."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"Well, if she insists…/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""Then please help me hide this…" I reached into my left pocket and handed Belfast a box smaller than the size of my palm./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""Why, Master, isn't this—" I covered Belfast's mouth to not rouse Eugen's suspicion./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""Please don't tell anyone about this yet, Bel," I requested. "Just hide the box. Eugen will definitely be able to wring this out of me…"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"Belfast smiled and bowed graciously. "Very well, Master. I shall guard this box with my life."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"I nodded. "You may go back to the Royal Navy dorms, Bel."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""At what time do you want your dinner, Master?" Belfast asked before leaving./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""Oh, please serve it at around 7 pm, if you please, Belfast."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"6:42 PM. I was typing something into my laptop when suddenly…/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""Commander~?" Eugen's soft hands covered my eyes. "It's past your working hours… do try to get some rest."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"I gently moved her hands out of the way and smiled. "I need to get these files updated, Eugen. You rest on your own."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"She stretched her arms and yawned. "Won't you shower with me first then, Commander?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""Absolutely not," I tried hiding my embarrassed face. I can see Eugen's boob mole as she raised her arms…/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"Eugen pouted and laid back on her bed./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""By the way… Eugen?" I stopped typing and called out to my secretary as I stared at my screen./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""Hmm?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""Remember… what you mouthed when Purifier held us at gunpoint?" I asked./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"Eugen remained silent./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""You said," I gulped. "Ich liebe dich."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"No response./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""You weren't teasing me then, were you?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"Eugen went silent for a good five minutes. I was about to let it go when suddenly…/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""Commander? Ich liebe dich." S-So she really does mean it… right?/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""Whether it's true or false, why don't you decide that for yourself?" She added./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""Eugen," disappointed, I tried salvaging the conversation "Can't you just tell me yourself?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"My secretary who had her back turned against me stood from her bed and approached me./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"She went closer…/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"and closer…/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"Until I felt something soft and hot touch my forehead./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;""Figure it out yourself, my Commander~"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 156.6pt;"span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"I hear a knock on the door. Dinner's ready./span/p