Ayanami handed me a message slip, but I would need to go to the MILNET relay to receive the entire method. Priority 1, too. Suruga was out on a sortie against a small Siren logistics outpost Sheffield had successfully scouted a few days ago. I checked the sat chart and saw that I'd have a few hours to send a reply.
I thought back to the Iron Blood offensive a few months prior, rubbing my temples. Victorious gave regular reports, but it seemed like Tirpitz was just taking care of Bismarck. They reinstated a human as the leader of the nation who worked alongside Tirpitz, now the de facto leader of their navy.
Ah, and we gained a couple new kansen… one of which surprised the hell out of me. Friedrich, after she underwent extensive repairs and had her implants removed, approached me with an offer.
"Kommandant… they built me for war. I do not care who it is with, but I must fight, defend, anything you need…"
She was so fucking terrifying! Suruga was aghast at the idea, but we discussed it and reached the conclusion that it would be so much better to have her fighting beside us than against us. She was out with Friedrich right now, evaluating her. Azuma and Izumo joined her, as well as Ibuki and Drake.
Friedrich likely knew she was surrounded by the JNOF's most powerful ships, not for her safety, but for their own. I was initially against Suruga going, but she was right, she was the joint Commander, after all.
Ah, right, so we came up with a compromise there as well. Suruga balked heavily at being the Commander. She accepted that her skill superseded my own on the battlefield, but still refused to accept the position of absolute authority.
Now we ran the base together, really the same setup as before, but we now hold the same title. She refers to it as a formality, but I'd like to think it's an acknowledgement of her impressive accomplishments!
A knock on the door.
"Come in," I said. A moment later, Nagara walked in.
"Shikikan, I've brought lunch," she announced, and I raised an eyebrow.
"You don't have to…" I said, but she cut me off.
"I'm just a weak light cruiser, but I got so much better thanks to you. Come on, I made it myself," she said, and opened up a massive bento that made my mouth water.
"Suruga is so much better at making tea, but I'll see what I can do…" I said, but she shook her head.
"I got it, Shikikan!"
We ate together and chatted. She was one of the earlier, and admittedly weaker vessels in the fleet, but she was still a light cruiser, and now, with her premium equipment, she was a force to be reckoned with.
She loved talking about Abukuma, and the two were thick as thieves. Portland and Indianapolis often hung out with them, an example of cooperation I found heartwarming. When we finished our lunch, my stomach fit to burst with sushi, maki, rice, and tamago. She excused herself and I took the message note from my desk.
Usually Suruga was with me when I went to relay, so it was somewhat strange to be sitting in front of the terminal alone, the amber cursor blinking, waiting for my auth code. I opened my well-worn leather folio, fishing out the years old sheet and typing it in.
Sure enough, there sat two messages. Both from Yamato. I opened the first and saw a detailed analysis of Eagle Union movements and news. The nationalism in the country had reached a fevered pitch, and there were calls to use its naval might to dominate the world.
Confirmation of two nuclear-armed kansen were present as well. Iowa and Montana both had the capability to fire nuclear shells. This was actually Northern Parliament intel, but recent cooperation between the Sakura Empire and the Royal Navy caused the Northern Parliament to loosely ally itself with them thanks to the increasing threat of the Eagle Union.
The second message warned of an imminent attack on Europe and requested that I deploy all forces to the Atlantic to prepare for its defense. As such, a number of kansen would be transferred to my command.
They included Amagi, Akagi, Kaga, Hiryuu, Soryuu, Kii, Noshiro, and Naganami. My eyes widened at her generosity. She must take this seriously! I prepared a reply and spun it up to the queue before logging off. The kansen would arrive within two days, and I was certain it would thrill Suruga to see her sister.
"No way!" Suruga had a big smile on her face, and it was infectious. I gave her the full list, and she shook her head. "I'm excited Kii is coming but… this is a lot of fleet power. Noshiro alone is poof she's scared, but two Kii class in one fleet? That's… damn…"
"I see your confidence has improved," I teased. She scoffed.
"Kohiko… I'm shy, not dumb."
"Self-aware too."
I pulled her against me, "I missed you," I said, kissing her.
"Missed you too, but I'm all sweaty," she complained.
"Oh, how awful," She snorted at my overly facetious tone. "Anyway, Amagi will keep the carriers in line, and we'll begin preparations to set up a FOB in the Iris port. Enterprise will probably put her plans into motion if she sees us deploying, so we must operate without fire support again."
"I agree, we'll need to talk to the Eagle Union shipgirls tomorrow morning, make sure they understand the situation."
"We will… but it's late, and we need to eat… and then there's dessert!" I joked.
"Jeez, Kohiko… do you ever think of anything else?"
"No."
She laughed, and off we went.
Vestal cried soft sobs as I relayed the report to the assembled Eagle Union ships. Colorado shook her head, looking up at me with conviction.
"We don't need to go over this again, Commander. We're with you. We know why Enterprise sent us here, and we don't like it. You and Suruga have made us feel welcomed and an important part of the JNOF, but Enterprise sent us here because she considered us trash."
Independence furrowed her brow, "No carriers… she hates Kohiko for whatever reason, and we have Vestal."
"Vestal was part of the agreement," I explained, then turned to the morose repair ship, "You may join her, if you wish."
"She is leading so many to their potential deaths… I cannot, Kohiko… she is not the person I once knew. Her mind has been poisoned, and now we must fight," Vestal said. Portland and Indianapolis promised their solidarity as well.
"I'll go with whatever Indy chooses!" Portland vowed.
"Well, Kohiko and Suruga are much better than Enterprise…" Indianapolis said. So that settles it. I explained that I would have them play a more defensive role in protecting the carriers, but that they should expect to have to fire upon their onetime allies.
"We understand, Commander," Colorado reassured me.
Suruga stepped forward, "Now, are there any questions? We'll have a tactical briefing on the plane. We have a bigger one this time. You have 36 hours until we depart for the Iris Port."
I felt my heart flutter in anticipation. Kii would be here shortly, and it had been a long time since I had seen my big sister. Kohiko stood with me, but when she arrived, I rushed forward and gave her a big hug.
"Kii onee-san! I've missed you," I said, and she smiled.
"Public displays of affection? You have changed. I've missed you too, my little tanuki…" she kissed my forehead, her arms around me as well. I'd always been a little jealous of her, taller and more well endowed in both breast and butt…
Yet, I was happy with how I looked, and I knew how much Kohiko liked what I offered. He wasn't blind, but he never looked at anyone else the way he looked at me.
She released me and turned to Kohiko, "Have you been taking good care of my little sister?"
He nodded, "I have, though she's been taking better care of me. Those guns of hers are quite impressive!"
Kii laughed, a smile crossing her face, "I've read about what happened in the English Channel. Suruga, or should I say, Shikikan Suruga," Kii smiled, and I felt my face flush.
"It's nothing…" I insisted, but she shook her head.
"I respect and applaud Kohiko's decision. Plus, I can see through the both of you. Why do you not yet have a ring on your finger?"
"Kii onee-san!" I gasped, "t-that's not important! One shouldn't tempt fate, anyway…"
Kii snorted, "You keep telling yourselves that. Does he at least know?"
"Yes."
"Oh?"
"Kii…"
"Hehe, ok, Suruga. I believe you. I still wonder why you're not a kitsune."
I didn't want to be just another kitsune. I liked who I was, even though I hid it. Kohiko had shown me the value of my true self, and for that I would be forever grateful.
"Shikikan! Akagi has returned! You can be rid of…" Akagi saw how close we were standing. Amagi put a hand on her shoulder and Akagi's eyes went wide, "I mean, I look forward to serving again."
"See, that wasn't so hard," Amagi said, eyes flashing. Noshiro was up next, and while we caught up, I watched Naganami approach Kohiko. The destroyer was short, stacked, and just adorable. She had this innocent expression on her face, and a voice as soft as velvet.
"Shikikan, you… smell good," she said.
"I smell good?" Kohiko sounded confused.
"Yeah, you smell like a good person," she smiled, and I saw him look from her ears to me. Well, yes… my tanuki ears were similar to hers, yes… the big difference was the impossibly bushy black tail with a white stripe running through it.
"Ahh, my tail… is it ok?" Naganami smiled.
"Why wouldn't it be?" Kohiko asked.
"Would you like to touch it?"
"Yes."
Kohiko discovered just how ridiculously soft her tail was, and I'm pretty sure I heard Akagi's consternation as she complained about having better floof and whatnot.
I excused myself and joined the two, giving Naganami a hug while stroking her tail as well.
"Suruga, can we keep her?" Kohiko said, only half-joking.
"Oh gods, Kohiko…" I shook my head. It was impossible to not love Naganami, and I'll admit even I harbored feelings for her. So did everyone else.
Why Yamato would send her… oh well, she was a capable shipgirl and rather innocent and oblivious to the effect she had.
We got them settled in, and then I turned to Kohiko in the port office, "You know, Naganami is like that with everyone."
"Hm? Oh, I figured," he buried his nose in Noshiro's dossier.
"Wait… you seemed smitten with her."
"So were you," he said.
I blushed, "W-well…"
He smiled and got up, "She's adorable though, I hope I have a little girl like that one day."
I froze, "W-wait… what?"
"You heard me. I'm not going to bother you about it, but when the times comes, wouldn't it be nice to have a family? I already know the answer, so don't worry about it. In the meantime, let's focus on keeping everyone safe. Don't you have plans with Kii?"
"Ahh, yeah…" I said, shaking my head.
"Then go, I'll see you later tonight," he got up and hugged me. We shared a kiss before I left to meet Kii for dinner. He saw Naganami as a… daughter? Like Yukikaze and the others… Ahh, damn… now I felt foolish.
A somewhat morbid atmosphere had settled over the shipgirls as we approached the Iris port. The briefing had wrapped up hours ago, but no one was joking, the looks Suruga and I got as we walked along the massive cargo place were of conviction.
Maybe they sensed our misfortune.
"Commander to the flight deck, Commander to the flight deck," The speakers blared as the red emergency lights illuminated.
I turned and sprinted, hauling myself up the stairs and through the finished section of the aircraft, throwing open the door to the cockpit. The aircraft commander addressed me, the pilot and flight engineers looking nervous.
"Commander, we received a hail from Fleur-De-Lis," He said, and patched me in.
"This Kohiko of the JNOF calling Fleur-De-Lis, what is your situation, over," I called out.
"JNOF, auth codes," They responded.
"Two-Nine-Nine-Alpha-November-Six-Eight-Papa," I responded.
"Thank god, it's you! We're under attack by hostile Eagle Union Kansen, rigging only," the responded, the edge of panic in their voice.
"We arrive in ten," I replied, "Is the airstrip clear?"
"Heavy AA, they sent their airspace control specialists," he sounded defeated.
"Wait one," I replied, then switched channels, "All Kansen of the JNOF, prepare for drop! We're going in hot, so be prepared to deploy rigging. Contain the threat, disable only, I authorize no kills."
I turned to the aircraft commander, "bring us low and slow, stay away from the AA. Orbit until you hear my all-clear, understood?"
"Got it, Commander!" He said, and the flight engineers began to feverishly work, compensating as the aircraft slowed and descended.
"Fleur-De-Lis, you still reading?" I switched back.
"Tell us you have a plan, Commander."
"Keep them busy, and check your fire! We're flanking them."
"You crazy son of a… godspeed, over and out."
I nodded to the flight crew and rushed down to the hold where Suruga was coordinating a flurry of activity. I grabbed a parachute and threw it on my back, securing it and smacking the button to lower the ramp.
"Kohiko! Are you sure about this?"
"The landing strip is suicide! We have to insert here," I explained.
"You need to stay on the plane! I can handle things down there," Suruga insisted.
"It's fine!" I waved to a loadmaster, "Cut the RHIB loose!" I said. He nodded, and I primed the chute.
"Damn it, Kohiko… fine, but I'll be covering you with Azuma," she called the big cruiser over and I watched as we descended, the waves inching closer. Training was one thing, but… no time to think!
Light: Green.
RHIB: Deployed.
Jump!
The wind rushed past me, terror giving way to exhilaration as I pulled my chute, the pitch black waters below me lit by a small beacon showing the RHIB. It had deployed, and I navigated myself onto it.
Heh, not bad! Suruga and Azuma struck the water, their rigging already deployed as they rushed towards me.
I watched as dark shapes poured from the dark silhouette of the plane. I turned to Suruga, "Suruga, you need to coordinate them, Azuma can take care of me."
Suruga gritted her teeth, "Just… stay safe. Azuma, don't let anyone near him!"
"You've got it, Shikikan," Azuma took up a defensive stance as I started up the RHIB and pulled out my NV binocs. Suruga tore off towards the distant lights of the Iris port, and I started up the motor, getting behind the wheel and taking off after our fleet.
I held up the binocs with one hand, and soon the sounds of battle sharpened as I identified the flagship. They couldn't have made it more obvious…
"Suruga! You read me?" I called over the shortwave.
"I read you, we're almost in engagement range," She responded.
"Take out Washington! She's the flagship! Watch for South Dakota, if Washington's here, she's skulking around…"
"Understood, encircling almost complete…"
The thundering of the JNOF's guns lasted only a few minutes until everything was still and silent. Azuma perked up and spun around, her guns lighting up the night and exposing a lone cruiser, shocked the big cruiser had noticed her.
She took enough damage in that first salvo to throw her hands up, her rigging disappearing as she surrendered.
"Identify yourself!" I yelled.
"M-Montpelier, Cleveland-class light cruiser," she replied, her look of shock replaced with one of annoyance. She had gotten caught and wasn't happy about it.
To be fair, no one would be.
"Azuma, escort her back to her fleet, I'll be right behind you."
"As you wish, Kohiko."
I kept a distance between myself and the big cruiser, and we closed the distance swiftly, Suruga rushing towards me when she saw Montpelier.
"I'm sorry, Aniki!" The cruiser wailed as she looked at another of the shipgirls, who was one of a few light cruisers siting under the watchful guard of Kii and Noshiro.
Azuma brought her over there and closed the circle. I turned to Suruga, "Outstanding work!" I told her.
"We had a ridiculous numerical advantage, Kohiko… but please don't ask me to jump from a perfectly good plane again."
"Oh shit, the plane," I picked up the shortwave and dialed into the C-5's frequency.
"Papa Bear, this is Kohiko," I said.
"We read you Kohiko, are we clear?"
"Yep, go ahead and make your approach. Iris ground crew is waiting for you," I informed them. I quickly switched frequencies again, "Fleur-De-Lis, this is Kohiko, have a ground crew standing by, threat neutralized."
"No one will ever believe this, but fantastic work. The girls are coming out to you now," the operator responded.
Suruga and I met Richelieu and Saint Louis, the two of them looking battered, "Thank god you arrived in time. You seem to have a knack for that. Did you really make your shipgirls jump from that plane?"
"Well, that's going to get added to the list of things I'll never get away from…" I sighed, but chuckled.
"What will we do with these ones?" Suruga swung her arm to indicate the captured Eagle Union forces.
"We have holding cells prepared. Didn't expect to use them so quick, but they've got suppression fields in them," Saint Louis chimed in.
"Thank you, would you mind directing my fleet to secure the prisoners?"
"Not at all," Saint Louis said and took off, going to the group of light cruisers first.
"We'll take care of your equipment, you should get your girls settled in, Kohiko," Richelieu said, winking at Suruga. "Oh, you two will have your own quarters."
"Ahh, that's…" Suruga went pink.
"Oh please, we're Iris, our language is the language of love, unless Kohiko is free?" Richelieu batted her eyes at me to tease Suruga.
Suruga's arm gripped mine and I snorted. As if I'd ever betray her trust. I patted her reassuringly, and she relaxed.
"Didn't think the Cardinal would be so funny," Suruga said.
"Suru, relax," I said, and shook my head, "your blood's up, and I understand your frustration, but people were bound to figure us out!"
"Kohiko, I'm not embarrassed about our relationship, but you should know by now…"
"I know you're an intensely private person, Suru, and I respect that, but don't worry so much, everyone looks up to you," I reminded her.
"Well, I'm glad we get our own quarters…"
"That's my Suru," I said, and nuzzled her, kissing her forehead. She accepted my affection, and we began directing the JNOF to their barracks.
I could see that this kansen was normally confident, but now she seemed dejected, as though she dreaded not this, but something else. Kohiko instructed me to have my rigging deployed, and so I agreed.
"I'm not going to try anything, Suruga…" Cleveland sighed, "Nothing you can do now anyway… when Enterprise hears about our failure…"
I stowed my rigging and sat down, suddenly curious, "You're the leader of that AA group, aren't you? Montpelier, Denver, and Columbia are your sisters…"
"Don't be too harsh with Monty, please…"
"She went after Kohiko?"
"Y-yes."
I made a note. I was furious that they would try such a dirty tactic. Yet, I would leave that matter up to Kohiko. I was right to leave Azuma there, however!
"So, why were you here?" I asked.
She seemed hesitant, "Intel marked increased activity at this base, and increased communication between the Sakura Empire and JNOF. It made sense to send a scouting party. We expected token resistance, but that was not the case, and then you showed up."
"That's it?"
"Yes…" Cleveland hesitated.
The door opened and Kohiko walked in, grabbing a chair and having a seat, "You seem more worried about Enterprise, what's up?"
"Look, there're some kansen who really believe in her… the carriers especially. A lot of us though… we don't share her beliefs," Cleveland kept wiping her palms on her skirt, eyes darting nervously, her adrenaline spiking.
"Suruga, cover the exit?" Kohiko asked me. I looked at him, a little unsure of what he was planning, but nodded. I blocked the door, deploying my rigging. Cleveland gripped the table.
"She'll kill me, you understand?" Cleveland said, standing up, leaning forward, her eyes wild with terror.
Kohiko leaned back, acting completely unfazed. He pulled out a small notebook and flipped through it. Was he… no way…
Was he trying to recruit the enemy right now? That notebook… I watched him write 'Cleveland' on the top of a page and set it on the table, pen sitting on top of it. Cleveland looked at him, her confusion cutting through her adrenaline rush. She sat back down and just stared at Kohiko.
Eventually, Kohiko spoke, "Seems like you're in a tough spot."
"Excuse me…" A voice from behind me. I turned to see Vestal and stepped to the side, letting her in. She walked in and sat in the chair next to Cleveland, looking at her, inspecting her for harm from the battle. "Cleve… you and your sisters need to see me, there's some damage."
"Vestal…" Cleve teared up, "Enterprise is… she's a totally different person! She drives us so hard and punishes us for the slightest mistake."
"Shh… it's ok, we'll take care of you. The Eagle Union girls here can tell you about the JNOF."
"We were told… you were all traitors…" Cleveland looked to Kohiko, then to me. "There's a kill order out on the both of you."
"So Montpelier would have killed Kohiko?" I said, my anger spiking.
"No, capture! Please, believe me," Cleveland said, looking at Kohiko, eyes wide with fear. He took a note and Vestal spoke up again.
She laid a hand on Cleveland's arm, "Cleve… join us. Your sisters look to you for guidance, and Helena will surely follow you, bringing the others too… we aren't your enemy."
"It's true, you know. We don't intend to harm you. Your sisters can attest to life in the JNOF. Join us, and you'll no longer need to live in fear of Enterprise. We only ask for one thing in return, to assure your loyalty," Kohiko made his offer.
Cleveland looked around, but stayed silent.
Kohiko looked at me, "Grab Montpelier, would you?"
"With pleasure, Kohiko," I said, and stowed my rigging as I walked off towards the cells, the sound of Cleveland's sobbing clear until the door was closed. I was sure he wouldn't hurt Montpelier, so why drag her in.
I got to her cell, and when she saw me she scurried back, pressing herself against the back wall.
"I was just following orders!" She defended, but she knew she stood no chance against me. She was a cute little thing, and Cleveland really loved her. She was sobbing, and I held up my hand.
"Come on, we're not going to hurt you," I said. Her violent shaking seemed to disagree with my statement. I inserted the key into the lock and opened the door. I turned off the inhibitor and spread my arms.
She tentatively stepped forward, her eyes locked to mine.
"You've had Cleve for a while, what are you doing with her?" She asked, suspicious.
"You're going to go see her," I said.
"Hmph."
"Just… walk in front of me, turn when I say so," I ordered, pointing down the hallway. She began walking, and I followed behind her. It somewhat surprised me when she tried nothing, and when we reached the interrogation room, Cleve was still crying, begging Kohiko.
I opened the door, and Vestal was still there. Cleveland had her face on the table, sobs wracking her body.
"Ah, thank you. Did she resist?" Kohiko asked.
"Not at all," I said.
"Montpelier, have a seat, next to me," he said. I deployed my rigging once more and stood by the door.
Montpelier was shaking, and when Cleveland raised her head to see her sit in the chair next to Kohiko, she stared at him, her tear-soaked face miserable and her voice breaking, "P-please… Commander Kohiko…"
He looked to Montpelier, who refused to meet his eyes, then looked back to Cleveland.
"Cleveland, why are you so worried?" He asked. "I'm not going to hurt Monty."
"Why is she here, then?"
"Fact-checking."
"She doesn't know details…" Cleveland insistent.
Kohiko brought his fist down on the table, the bang startling everyone, including me! "Don't lie to me! I know she's your lover, there's not a single thing you'd keep from her."
"B-but she's my sister!" Cleveland insisted. Montpelier's face reddened as she lowered her head, trying to hide her honestly.
Kohiko grinned, "Seems like I was right. Now, Cleve, I can promise you, and Monty here, and everyone else who joins us… I can provide you safe harbor from Enterprise, but you need to give me something in return."
"Our betrayal wouldn't be enough?" Cleveland scoffed.
Montpelier looked at her sister, "Cleve… you know what Enterprise will do to hurt you…" She was on the verge of tears.
"What do you want," Cleveland said, sounding resigned.
"The entire attack plan, movements, ships…" Kohiko said.
Cleve's eyes widened, "Impossible! Even I don't know…"
"Then you'll tell me everything you know, and… ah… right," Kohiko turned to me again, "Avrora should be here shortly." I turned to see the Northern Parliament cruiser smiling at me. I let her pass.
"Oh, no…" Cleveland sighed as Kohiko stood and motioned for Vestal to leave. He took hold of my arm and smiled.
"We're done. Azuma is on the other side of the glass," he explained, 'Why don't we go grab lunch?"
My stomach growled, "That sounds great, I just want to get out of here. I don't really understand a lot of what the fuck just happened, but…"
We were on our way to the canteen before he responded, "To be honest? I sat with Avrora and she taught me certain interrogation techniques. The Northern Parliament has given us all the intel we need, but this is just proof of their willingness to switch sides. If they give us bad intel…"
"Kohiko…"
"I'll turn them over to Enterprise. I'm giving them the choice."
"I don't want to see them harmed," I said, stopping and turning to him, looking up sternly.
"Nor do I, Suru," he said, "Cleveland knows the Northern Parliament basically invented the art of espionage. Why do you think she's in there?"
"You aren't worried about them betraying us?"
"Hmm, not especially. Not when they see how happy our own Eagle Union shipgirls are."
We continued on, his point made. They barely even acknowledged me, however… was their indoctrination more thorough than we had initially considered? Seeing Monty cower in fear like that… I hated it!
I'd be facing Enterprise directly, while Kohiko went with Kii, Friedrich, and Howe, along with Repulse and Renown and his attendant destroyers. The Iris and the Vichya put aside their differences in the face of the Eagle Union's assault, and Saint Louis led their combined fleet alongside Algerie. They would operate independently, but would follow our battle plan.
We had time to prepare, and the entire recon force of Eagle Union cruisers and battleships joined the fleet after sitting down with the Eagle Union portion of the JNOF. Cleveland was the lynchpin of that effort, and her intel proved to be not only accurate, but provided new insight.
"Shikikan," Noshiro sailed up next to me, "Scout planes have spotted the Eagle Union task force with Enterprise in the lead one hundred miles to the Southwest."
"Excellent work, full deployment?" I asked. She nodded. I sighed, "Damn, Saint Louis and Algerie in position to flank?"
"Moving there now. Eagle Union lost their intel when their scouting party turned, so there's no chance of them being spotted. Northern Parliament sent a message as well. Sovetskaya is on her way and wants to have a word after we beat Enterprise."
"Confident," I said, shaking my head, "Inappropriate."
"I agree, but we'll need their support," Noshiro reminded me.
"True… I need to go check the carrier group," I sailed towards the cluster of carriers and their attendant light cruisers. The Cleveland class was there, along with the others. Nagara and Abukuma waved at me as I approached, and Vestal was speaking with everyone.
Shinano sat at the very center of the formation, with Eagle, Formidable, Akagi, and Kaga protecting her. The outer circle of carriers comprising Independence, Bataan, Princeton, and Centaur.
The heavy cruisers supported our battleships, with the destroyers and remaining light cruisers serving as a vanguard.
I addressed the carrier formation, "You know how the Eagle Union operates. To our new arrivals… I pray to the gods you are sincere. They will send everything they have at our carriers. Our CAP will not be enough, so keep your AA primed and firing at anything not belonging to the JNOF."
I took a breath, "Our fleet will keep their surface attacks at bay, but you must support them! Don't just focus on the carriers. We can eliminate those at a distance with our battleships after we take care of their surface fleet. Focus on weak points, they may have their hulls, but that means they've brought bigger targets! Also… leave Enterprise to me," I finished.
"Aye, Shikikan! (Commander!)," the assembled shipgirls acknowledged, and I turned to join the front line of battleships. Washington gritted her teeth as I approached.
"Hope you weren't blowin' smoke, Suruga. No, I'm not calling you Commander, you're a battleship like I am," she pre-empted.
"You'll follow orders," I reminded her.
"Yeah, I will. You better stick to your word, is all I'm saying," she said.
"My honor has never been in doubt," I said, feeling offended. This is why I hate dealing with people. Gods… I just wanted this to end. How I longed to just be preparing the battle plans instead of executing them as well.
It wasn't long before the sky was blanketed with the carrier group's CAP, and I could see the Eagle Union planes screaming towards us as they launched their devastating first assault.
"Amagi!" I called out, and she turned to smile at me, "indirect fire, slow their advance!"
"As you wish, Suruga," She began targeting the direction the enemy aircraft were coming from as the CAP swarmed above us, dogfighting tying up a significant portion of the CAP as our own planes set out in retaliation.
The other battleships joined Amagi, and then I began taking more careful shots, plugging the holes they missed. I paid close attention to Washington and South Dakota, but they were willingly taking part in the bombardment.
Drake and Azuma sailed beside me, itching to join in, Naganami soon joined me as well, and the various vanguard groups formed up in front of us as the enemy vessels appeared on the horizon.
"Battleships, check your fire! Vanguard, advance!" I ordered, and they set out, breaking apart and encircling the enemy fleet. An explosion rocked the carrier group, and I turned to see Bataan collapse. Vestal was already heading to her side, but a lucky bomb had caught her.
Enterprise…
I felt a rage boiling inside of me… Lucky E will not leave her without answering for her transgressions.
"Enterprise! I know you can hear me! You're done! You think your gambit will work? You want to take all our futures, our hopes, our dreams? Just because we're kansen doesn't mean all we must know is war!" I cried out, pointing at her carrier and firing a full volley.
The vanguard assault teams took off, heading off the Eagle Union vanguards.
"Suruga! Focus!" Amagi appeared by my side, and I took a deep breath, realizing my shells weren't damaging her hull at all, and as she approached…
"Oh gods… Amagi, look at her!" A temporary shock overcame me as I saw the heavy armor and green-blue accents along her uniform.
"Hmm, matches reports of Iowa and Montana… she could be nuclear, but she's still sporting the same planes as always. Doesn't matter though… she can operate almost indefinitely now," Amagi sighed.
"Target everyone but Enterprise! Take out her support fleet," I ordered, and yelled out targets, taking them down one by one, their battleships sinking as the kansen collapsed on the surface of the water.
Heavy cruisers… they were quick, but they couldn't run forever, not with our bombers harassing them!
Soon all that was left was that carrier group. I took a moment to take stock. We'd lost carriers, but Shinano, Akagi, and Kaga were still hurling bombers and maintaining their CAPs. Amagi had pulled back to protect them, and we were tightening slowly into a defensive knot.
Their carrier group would be the end of us if we lost any of our remaining carriers.
"Someone call for reinforcements?" Richelieu called over the shortwave, flanking them with even more ships in tow… the Royal Navy!
"Her majesty sends her regards," Belfast called out, a small strike force behind her.
"You still won't win, Suruga! You and Kohiko… I am destined to be the leader this world needs! Bismarck was weak, relied on the Sirens… but I am not so weak… after all, the Eagle Union is the greatest country that has ever existed!" Enterprise laughed mockingly.
Thunderous firepower, everything we had left, the Royal Navy, the Iris/Vichya Alliance, and the JNOF, every plane… targeting everything but Enterprise.
I rushed forward, screaming as I tore past what little defenses either of us had left, drawing my saber and leaping onto the deck of her carrier, throwing a left hook that connected with the surprised carrier's face, dropping her to the ground.
Her eyes glowed, a malicious green tint to them as I swung my saber, stopping it just short of her throat.
"You're as crazy as that fool you claim to love, Suruga… a human, really? A fucking human? Pathetic little Sakura battleship. The Sirens will kill you. Bismarck wanted to betray them, but me? Oh, I was going to wipe them out!" Enterprise spat, careful to avoid the sharp edge of my saber.
I laughed, "You fool, look around you! Your carrier group is gone… because we worked together. You cannot always be the hero, but I don't believe you ever were. Maybe once you had honor, but now you willingly led so many to their potential ends… look around you! These shipgirls… they don't deserve this…"
"Heroes are for… children and weaklings… I do what must be done," Enterprise said, "I would've rid the world of that menace, but you just had to screw it all up… but… I'm taking you with me!"
Her grin turned savage, and she glowed brightly. I pulled my saber up and stabbed it into her sternum, not stopping until I hit the tarmac beneath her in a desperate attempt to avert losing everything.
She gasped, her body returning to normal as she struggled to breathe. I pulled my saber from her, but there was no blood, only iridescent blue wisps that floated up from within her.
"Enterprise… I can promise you one thing. The world will forget about you and only remember something much better. You will be reborn, as a true leader!" I shoved my hand into the widening hole as she took her last breath, pulling from her a cube of pure, blue light, the crystalline outer structure revealing an infinite expanse of possibility within. A wisdom cube… a genuine wisdom cube. I held it with reverence, barely taking notice of the ship beneath me reverting to its original form.
I turned to face my fleet, victorious. I held the cube in my hands, close to me, as though it was as precious as my own child.
Belfast sailed up to me as I jumped off, stopping me before I could rejoin my fleet, "Commander Suruga, I am deeply sorry about taking as long as we did, we had to take care of a small flanking force aiming to take out your carriers."
"Then you have my deepest gratitude," I said, and smiled.
"Do come by when you're in London again, we'll make you feel right at home~," she curtseyed and left to rejoin her fleet. I saw her and Algerie grin at one another as Belfast passed the Iris fleet. I would need to speak with them later.
For now, I approached Vestal, "How many?" I just wanted to rip the bandage off. I handed the cube to Amagi, knowing the kitsune would appreciate it for what it was.
"None. Some will take quite a while to recover, but those Eagle Union girls protected the carriers. I had to drag some away before they got themselves killed."
I smiled, a sob escaping me at our good fortune. Not a single kansen lost… now I just prayed Kohiko was making out just as well.
Looking out over the horizon, I saw it. A massive beast that would bring nuclear fire should we fail here today. Friedrich, Kii, Howe, Repulse, Renown, Hiryuu, and Soryuu surrounded me, with Ayanami, Laffey, Nimi, and Javelin protecting the core.
Montana stood before us, flanked by Iowa and Georgia. They stood on the bow of their respective ship, and I used my binoculars to get a close look at them.
Montana and Iowa seemed nearly as tall as Yamato, and Georgia was the odd one out here. I could already see her lag behind, likely to cover the other two from flanking attacks. They had no attendants; it was just them. They bristled with enough weaponry to outfit a fleet each, and their guns were massive.
Nuclear airburst shells, if Sovetskaya's intel was accurate. I shuddered, the patrol boat lent to me suddenly seeming more like a coffin than any sort of platform I could lead from.
"Hey, future brother-in-law, chill," Kii said, "We're gonna kick their asses!" Ever the optimist…
I picked up the shortwave and sent out an all-call. To my surprise, Montana picked up quickly.
"You planning on a quick surrender? That way you can live to see your little fleet again, at least until we're done with you," her voice was mocking, insulting.
"You don't need to do this," I told them, realization dawning on me I never stood a chance in hell of recruiting them.
"You filthy foreign scum don't deserve to live!" She snarled. Friedrich readied her own formidable weapons, Repulse and Renown taking a combat stance as well. "Well, the first shot is free, behold!"
A single shell shot forth from one of Montana's four turrets, the explosion unlike anything I had ever seen. It landed far off in the distance, but if something had been there, it was certainly so thoroughly erased from existence that it might as well have never existed.
The chaos that ensued gave me a sudden appreciation for firm, dry land. Montana's guns were massive, she had four triple turrets, and she seemed to fire them faster than a goddamn machine gun!
"Load AP!" I ordered Kii, who turned to fire at Montana as we entered Iowa's blind spot. The look of madness in their eyes as they fought made me realize that these kansen had truly been born only to wreak havoc, and I felt so sorry for them…
Ridiculous AA kept away our planes, and it was all the battleships could do to even land a hit. Their armor was beyond thick, but there was always a weak point…
"Aim for one of her turrets," I ordered, and Kii adjusted her aim along with Friedrich, the two focusing fire on her upper-middle turret.
This caused her some consternation, but a development that left us shocked and in utter awe occurred. Minor explosions began pocketing Montana as her magazines exploded, setting off a chain reaction that made me feel sorry for her, I could see the terror in her eyes. They taught her that she was the strongest, the best, but we all have our weaknesses…
"Retreat!" I yelled, knowing we had precious little time to stop and stare. Fortunately, we had been engaging them at a distance, but the explosion was still deafening. The pressure wave pushed us forward, the destroyers shielding me as they used their kansen strength to absorb the blast. A second blast joined the first, and I knew that Iowa was gone as well.
When we were far enough away, we turned to find…
Nothing, absolutely nothing. It was as though Iowa and Montana never existed in the first place. Georgia, however… surely we would have heard a third explosion?
I set up a search pattern and waited to see whether she survived those horrific explosions.
Richelieu stood over Enterprise's husk, carefully holding the wisdom cube in her hand. I had told Kohiko what had happened when he returned, and he told me that his own engagement was far less exciting, over before it really even began. A detonation effectively erased the Iowa and the Montana from existence.
"Vaporized," he said.
"Sublimated," I corrected him.
"What?"
"Vaporization is turning a liquid into a gas. Sublimation is turning a solid into a gas," I explained.
"You nerd," he said playfully.
"Your nerd," I corrected him again. He snorted, and I felt the tension and stress leave me.
"Are you two quite done?" Belfast gave us a stern look, and Richelieu returned to speaking.
"As I was saying," she began, holding out the wisdom cube, "I believe this cube will birth a new Enterprise soon. It should be with someone special to her."
Vestal smiled and accepted the cube, her tears flowing silently as she held it, "Enterprise… I loved… no I still love you, with everything I am and will ever be. I will be here when you come back into this world, and will hold you while you are still scared, unsure… I will guide you, and I hope you will have me again as well."
She brought the cube to her lips, kissing it tenderly as it pulsed.
She turned to us, "I can stay with you until she comes, but then I must return to the Eagle Union with those who do not wish to stay with you. I feel they need to witness a miracle to cleanse them of the corruption they have taken into themselves."
"Vestal… I understand completely," Kohiko smiled, and I nodded in agreement, trying my best to hold in my emotions after seeing Vestal's pure love for her charge.
Richelieu and Belfast didn't stick around for long, and within a week it was clear the Eagle Union fleet that had been beaten simply wished to return home. Vestal saw to them all before they left, and the JNOF Eagle Union shipgirls spent a considerable amount of time with them, trying to impress upon them the importance of cooperation.
I wasn't sure where we stood when we parted, but on the day they set sail for home, I understood that it wasn't as a defeated enemy, but as the other party of a budding yet fragile alliance.
We didn't even wait this time, sneaking back to our quarters at the Iris port and tearing off our clothing. Suruga's left her lingerie on, spreading her legs on the bed as I pressed my face into her crotch, inhaling the scent of her sweat and musk.
It sharpened slightly, and I looked up to see her ears manifest. She blushed and looked away.
"Ahh… Kohiko… don't stare…"
"Heh, I can tell just by your scent, Suru…"
Her blush deepened as I pressed my nose against the semi-transparent fabric, her tail resting on my back. I stuck out my tongue, pressing it against the crotch of her panties. The taste of her sweat mingled with her juices as her lust grew.
If she switched that quickly… well, I knew it meant she wanted me to take control. She leaned back as I pulled the fabric aside, running my tongue along her labia, teasing her clit, flicking it with my tongue as she panted.
She was quickly getting wet, her arousal filling the room with her scent as she completely gave in to her desires. Her desire turned animalistic, her back arching as I thrust my tongue deep into her wet cunt, her pussy squeezing back as her hands gripped my head.
"Yes, yes! My cunt is throbbing, Kohiko… oh gods…"
I felt my desire reach new heights, the stress and uncertainty of battle driving us to an emotional high when we were together. It was a form of stress relief… a release we mutually understood but would never vocalize. The last time Suruga surrendered herself to completely to her desires was after the battle with the Iron Blood.
Her juices covered my face as she came, her scent sticking to me as she pulled my arm, using more than a little of her Kansen strength.
"Fuck me, Kohiko… put your dick inside me!" Suruga begged, her voice sultry and low as she grabbed my cock and pressed it against her soaked slit, rubbing it against her. She wrapped her free arm around me, kissing me urgently as I thrust into her.
I could feel the fabric of her panties against my cock, but her breast was still so soft beneath her lace bra, my hand invading between the fabric and her soft, pliant skin. Her delicate nipple was still against my touch.
She wrapped her other arm around me, but I broke away after a few minutes. I pulled her up, lifting her hips and fucking her like that, her tail beating against me rhythmically.
"Yes, fuck yes! This is great! You're so fucking… tight… today!" I moaned, her cunt gripping me as though she was desperate to milk me for everything I had.
"I need you… to fill me up! Every last drop in my womb! I want… I want… haah… ahn!" She moaned as she came again. I immediately climaxed as her insides massaged me, I was so into it!
"Fuck! Yes! Ahh… ha…" I moaned as my seed filled her, fucking her like I was trying to get her pregnant.
She moaned, her back arching before she collapsed, causing my cock to come out of her, the last of my cum landing on her stomach, a little making a mess of her lingerie.
Suruga played with the cum on her stomach, letting it coat her finger before bringing it to her lips, licking it sensually.
"Delicious~, ahh… Kohiko…" she got up and sat on the edge of the bed, motioning for me to stand up.
I did so, and Suruga grabbed my butt, pulling me closer and pushing her breasts together, engulfing my cock between them, her juices and my cum making the inside of her breasts slick as my tip poked out from between them. She leaned her head down and kissed it, giving it a little lick as well.
"Ahh, your breasts are so soft, and warm! It feels amazing~," I said, panting a little as she massaged my dick between them.
"I'm happy you like it, Kohiko~, maybe I should suck it a little too?" She said, and put the tip into her mouth, her tongue teasing me while her lips created a seal. She looked so sexy…
I unhooked her bra, and she grinned, taking her hands away and letting it fall. I caught it, bringing it to my nose and inhaling. She blushed, but went back to sucking on me, pushing her breasts, her fingers stimulating her nipples while I titfucked her.
"You smell so good… I love it… I love your scent so much!" I moaned, inhaling sharply, her nipple sweat erotic, intoxicating.
Each time I sniffed, a brief pulse of excitement swept through me, bringing me closer t5o my climax. I licked it, tasting her, near shaking from desire, my excitement peaking.
She maintained the seal as my cum filled her mouth, looking up at me with those lovely eyes of hers, swallowing it and sucking me clean. She smiled, standing up and pressing herself against me.
"Kohiko… sniffing my bra… that's very lewd," she said, grabbing my still-erect cock and stroking it, "this guy still doesn't want to calm down?" She got down on her knees and sniffed my member, my balls… she did nothing but sniff, her hot breath teasing me.
"Kohiko's scent… the scent I crave… haa…" I reached down and fondled one of her ears, and she looked up, smiling.
"Here, let me give you these…" She stood up and pulled off her panties, handing them to me as she got back down, inhaling my scent deeply, teasing me with her tongue at the base of my shaft if she wanted.
I pressed her panties to my nose, inhaling her pure musk. Suruga's tanuki scent was sharp, desirous… it filled me with a need to match her own, soft sounds escaping her as she let my cock rest against her face.
"Incredible, Suru…" I couldn't get enough… I could never possibly have enough! When I pressed my nose against where her anus rested… oh god… I thought I would die of pure bliss.
"Kohiko's is really amazing too… do you like my tanuki side, Kohiko? You seem to always go a little crazier when I'm like this… this desire, too, you better take responsibility, Kohiko," she moaned, taking one last deep sniff and standing up, her eyes filled with an ardent lust that threatened to overwhelm us both.
Our sweat mingled as we stood there. She turned around and pressed her ass against me, wiggling it suggestively against my cock.
"Go ahead and dominate your tanuki, Shikikan," she said pressing herself to the wall, pushing her ass out, "my ass needs you…"
I pressed her up against that wall, taking her lips as I guided my cock against her anus, pressing into her as I wrapped my hands around her, grabbing her breasts as I buried my cock deep in her rectum.
"Yes! Right there… fuck my ass, Shikikan! I'm just a lowly shipgirl, use me as you please… haah… haa…" She squeezed her ass tightly as I thrust deep into her, my breathing labored as I fought against the desire to cum quickly.
"You love it in your ass, don't you? You're just a naughty little tanuki, aren't you?" I teased her.
"Come on, Shikikan… show me who's boss, I need to know who the alpha is…" she moaned as I bit her ear, gentle as always, though the act itself filled me with such excitement! "Yes, that's it!"
The wet sound of my cock thrusting into her rectum and the sound of my hips slapping against her ass filled out quarters, our heavy breaths and her cry of pleasure as she came the only thing breaking it up.
I squeezed her breasts, pinching her nipples without letting up. It was impossible to stop. My heart was pounding, this ardent, passionate love tearing through me as she begged me to cum in her ass, to mark my territory, to make sure my scent covered her.
I bit down a little harder as I came, her soft ear pliant between my teeth as my cock buried itself as deeply as possible inside her ass.
I pushed her tight to the wall as I came again, my nut spraying from me and painting her insides white, filling her bowels and leaking out as I gave her everything I had left, my hips moving slowly as a shivering delight swept through me.
I released her ear, but continued to hold her against me, her body tight to mine as we both lost ourselves in our respective climaxes, and in each other.
Cleanup was kind of a blur, I just couldn't take my eyes off her as we bathed together, as though she would disappear if I stopped looking at her.
Even as we lay down, she wrapped her arms around me and pulled me against her again, letting me relax in her bosom, kissing my forehead.
"Kohiko… I'm not going anywhere, I promise…" she said, "though, I didn't think I'd ever call you Shikikan like that."
I chuckled, "You know what you like, your tail sure wanted to keep me against you, too… you'll always be my tanuki, and my oni!"
"Our lovemaking is so intense after a battle… it's like, I have to take charge and lead, and either that leaves me wanting to lead you, or to completely submit myself and trust you…" she said, her tone thoughtful.
I made a noise of acknowledgment, but I felt so tired…
"It's ok, just sleep… I'll be here," Suruga promised, "sweet dreams Kohiko, I love you."
"Love… you… too…" I muttered sleepily and then fell asleep on the pillows of heaven.