Today was a good day for anyone on the port. The sun was shining, the waters were calm and the wind occasionally breezed by. But even such good days had at least some fault to them and that fault was how hot it had become. Being a port out in the ocean away from the mainlands meant storms and unbearable heat were more often. Thankfully, at least from the Pacific Ocean, the chance of storms was less than the Atlantic. If the Sirens didn't have a hand in messing with the weather, like they normally do.
For Gabriel, a hot day was the most miserable time to be alive. Days like these were unbearable to work in the office or even stay indoors. Despite the luxury of air conditioning, he would rather be outside under the shade of a tree than being indoors. Could he be at the beach and enjoying the cold water like a good portion of the base? Sure, Gabriel could do that but he didn't want another fiasco like the last time that happened. Today was pretty much a day off with these heat.
As a result, Gabriel went into the little town on the island to keep himself busy. Wearing more loose fitting clothes such as a white t-shirt and cargo shorts, there was only one destination that could help. Passing by the several shops and restaurants, the Admiral made his way to a little shop tucked in the corner. A gust of cool wind greeted him thanks to the indoor conditioning but that wasn't the main reason he was here. It was really the cold treat that awaited him.
When Gabriel opened the door, a small bell rang to alert the shop owner. "One moment please." The voice sounded familiar but she must be somewhere in the back.
"Take your time." Gabriel replied back, taking a seat at a nearby table. But he wasn't the only one awaiting service.
That person being a certain green haired battleship that noticed Gabriel's entrance. "Ammiraglio, are you here to also avoid the harsh sun?"
"That's to put it simply, Littorio. I thought you would be used to hot weather like this," Gabriel answered back with mild trepidation. Considering his prior conversations with her, anything could happen. Surprisingly, she was not wearing her long cape or her tiara.
But that hardly changed what kind of woman Littorio was, especially as she sat next to him. "Even someone as I have limits to the heat. Make no mistake, I am also here to enjoy Signorina Dunkerque's famous parfaits." With that, Littorio leaned closer, "It seems you are having an effect on Cesare since the opera, hm."
"I seem to have an effect on more women than just Cesare from where I'm sitting." Gabriel thought to himself, the sudden move he made during that event changing his relationship with the dreadnought. "If I recall, you had a hand in that."
Littorio merely giggled at the mention, "All I did was give you a push. But, I should humbly take some of the credit if you so desire."
Gabriel rolled his eyes but had to admit she was right. Had Littorio not given him that rose and the little bit of advice, his relationship with Cesare would be strictly professional at best. Speaking of which, how was she doing since he got back? "Thank you, Littorio."
"Oh? What's this?" The Italian battleship asked bemused, "Did that injury of yours do something to you?"
"Other than make me remember how fragile I am? No, I don't think so," he responded firmly. Then he remembered what Eugen said to him earlier in the week but hadn't asked anyone else about it. "Littorio, humor me a bit. Do I seem different compared to the trip in your country?"
Littorio dropped her usual demeanor to examine the man closely. Although, to an outside observer, it looked like she was looking to kiss him. As a kansen looked him up and down, she did feel something amiss about the man. "You have changed. I can't explain it but you do seem to be much brighter than before. That makes me a bit more envious that you are shining more than me."
"That's not what I meant," Gabriel muttered in annoyance, giving Littorio a deadpan expression.
It looked like Littorio had a response for him if it weren't for Dunkerque showing up behind the counter. "Admiral? Good to see you, I have the perfect thing just for today." The woman ducked back to create one of her masterpieces. Such a thing that could make this day a lot more bearable than waiting out the heat.
Gabriel looked back to Littorio to see her smugly smiling at him. "I know what you are about to ask and no, I have more self restraint than you think and my schedule hasn't been all too kind to me lately."
"I was merely just impressed by your selection." Littorio absentmindedly crossed her legs as she peered into his eyes. "It's not everyday that I see Cesare be a bit more aggravated than usual."
"Because of our relationship or the fact the banquet was cancelled?" Gabriel questioned
Littorio shook her head, "More than that. Those Parliment girls have been reminding her of some uncomfortable memories. One of them referred to me as Italia…"
"Your post-war name when Italy surrendered," Gabriel muttered. His time at the academy had taught him a good amount of history around the ships before the women were even conceived. "I'm not too familiar with what happened to Cesare after Malta."
"You would have to ask her yourself. She doesn't like to talk about it and I won't say what it was." Not wanting to let the mood get anymore sour, Littorio changed the subject. "Let's not discuss history that has already passed but enjoy the present. That present being an extravagant cold desert to forget the outside."
Gabriel relented on further questioning the battleship on the previous events. If her intention was to sow wonder into him, she was successful. What did happen to Cesare, her ship specifically, after the end of the war? If she wasn't very keen on speaking about it, then it must have been tragic just like the fates of some of the others. Thankfully, Gabriel wouldn't need to think long as his attention was placed elsewhere.
That elsewhere being a sizable assortment of ice cream in front, courtesy of Dunkerque. "You came in at a good time. Everyone from the beach will be here soon."
"And the destroyers will be your first customers." The thought of a long line entirely made of destroyers was too grueling to think about. There wasn't even the factor of other girls joining in that line.
"And that is why we are here first, Signora." Littorio happily took a spoonful of the frozen cream, mirth flowing through her face. "Ah, you have outdone yourself again."
Dunkerque reciprocated the compliment heartily, "Thank you."
"Actually," Gabriel began, "I was here for something important other than ice cream. I just need to talk to Dunkerque about something important."
Littorio's brows rose before being replaced by a mischievous smirk. "Oh? Now that you've recovered, you're back on track with the compromise? Let me leave you two to your discussion."
"Wait, that's not.." Gabriel tried to explain before the battleship had left the building with her dessert. If there was one thing he needed to get used to, it was Littorio's teasing. However, now that he had Dunkerque alone, there was the real conversation to bring up.
Naturally, Dunkerque turned to him for clarification. "What is it you wish to speak to me about?"
"It's about Jean Bart."
Back at the bluffs, Gascogne continued to look at the waves beating against the hard rock of the cliff. She had her gauntlets removed, feeling the heat bear upon her naked skin while water droplets from the crashing waves occasionally hit. Since linking with her Maitre, there had been some changes that she began to catalogue. Her behavioral core seemed to have been affected in some way that she had yet to discern…
"Out here again?" Gascogne blinked as Jean Bart had seemingly discovered her. "You're not going to the beach like everyone else?"
"Negative, Gascogne does not need to experience activities on the beach as several errors have been experienced recently."
"Such as?" Jean Bart asked
Gascogne watched the droplets fall around her, her yellow eyes peering the arc of each droplet as they crashed onto the grass around. The sound of the waves crashing against the rock being reduced to numerical decibels yet...it was strangely soothing. The heat bearing on her skin made her mind think of the fahrenheit and celsius measurements instantly but it seemed unsatisfied. There seemed to be something missing amongst all these simulations of her nervous system. "Gascogne performed a linking with Maitre."
Jean, to no fault of her own, narrowed her eyes to a glare. "He what?"
"As a result of new hardware being implemented into systems, Gascogne required answers to unknown reactions occurring within. Therefore, linking with Maitre was necessary." Gascogne turned to her sister with her pale cheeks having a rosy hue. "Unexpectedly, Gascogne was also able to peer inside Maitre's memories to decipher cases known as feelings."
"I do not need to know that!" Now it was Jean's turn to blush, shaking it off quickly. "You're telling me that the Admiral violated you because you were curious how feelings were?"
"Negative...Maitre did not perform sexual relations with Gascogne. Link was established via physical contact of the sensors," Gascogne answered back. Her head tilted slightly as she noted Jean's current reaction, "Why were you blushing Jean Bart?"
"Because the way you phrased it made me assume you and the Admiral had...that...so you could understand how to function a bit more properly." Jean growled, "You don't talk about someone's intimacy like that and please be careful how you phrase things."
Gascogne nodded, "Feedback accounted for. Implementing a new speech pattern for better transparency."
"Good," Jean Bart sighed. "So you formed some sort of bond with the Amiral? I don't know how you did that since you two barely know each other."
Gascogne looked back to the crashing waves as her sensors twitched to the noise. "Muse system has caused several variables within Gascogne to erupt. Establishing a link will allow for efficient analysis of variables. Maitre's experiences can be analyzed and sorted so Gascogne can fully understand."
"There's only one problem with that. Those are his experiences, not yours."
"...Clarify."
Jean Bart took a seat next to the prototype, her eyes leveled towards the unending sea as droplets of water fell upon her. "Look at it like this, you can see whatever he sees all you want but it won't ever be your experience. You have to learn and try things for yourself or you will simply be copying a person."
Gascogne let the words trickle through as her sister explained. Having linked with the Admiral, she peered into all his memories to get a sense of understanding emotions. Jean Bart was right to point out how flawed the idea was. "What process should Gascogne attempt then?"
"Just live." Jean Bart turned to her, "Like I said before, try new things and see what you like. Can't be looking at everything from the Amiral's perspective. Men think and feel differently than women do."
"That is logically correct." Gascogne looked over to the beach, barely able to hear the sounds of the many kansen enjoying themselves. "Gascogne wishes to try experiencing activities on the beach."
"Then you're going to need a swimsuit," Jean Bart replied.
"You want to repair Jean Bart and Richilieu's sisterly bond?" Dunkerque asked, her eyes set on the ice cream on the table rather than Gabriel. Her voice seemed to stray between hopeful and hesitant and her expression did not help. She hadn't expected him to ask for her advice on the situation ever since the Cardinal had returned.
"I know the history, from both of their perspectives." Gabriel had a hard task ahead of him but he wasn't going to just solve it overnight. He reasoned it would be best to keep separate until Jean Bart let the past go. "I understand this won't be done soon. But, I'm simply being the open door for both of them."
Dunkerque nodded, "Good, I know Jean very well and I do not believe that she will simply forgive Richilieu. But, there is more to Jean's anger than just Richilieu."
"It's toward herself." Gabriel recalled the battleship explaining herself and she didn't deny his conclusion. "She doesn't simply see Richilieu siding with the Royal Navy as a form of betrayal."
"She was made into the leader of the Vichya forces immediately afterward." Dunkerque added, frown evident and eyes stern like those of a hardened warrior. "It is one thing to lead others with support of your sibling, but it is another to lead solely on your own."
Gabriel's face softened with this info giving more of a bigger picture. "Did you try to help her as best you could? The stress from being in that position must have overwhelmed her."
"Oui...I did my best." Dunkerque slipped a small smile through when she looked through the window to the wandering kansen on base. "You should have seen her, Amiral. Before everything, she was a bit of an introvert but enjoyed all the little gatherings we had. Richelieu would get her out of bed when she tried to sleep in late."
A chuckle came out of Gabriel as the image of a lazy Jean Bart being dragged out of bed went through his head. How different compared to the sour-looking corsair of today, "I do have a small little card that might change all that. Gascogne, the priority ship."
Dunkerque had a spoonful of ice cream in her mouth when Gabriel uttered the name. Her eyes shifted over to him with modest confusion, "Gascogne? Forgive me, I am not very familiar with her. I never met her until she arrived in port during the banquet. How does she factor in fixing Richilieu and Jean's relationship?"
"Considering Gascogne is technically a sister of both of them, she might have a way of softening Jean Bart a bit." Gabriel smirked a bit, neural cogs turning with plans formulating around Gascogne's earlier request. "She requested in helping Jean through the counseling sessions so I'm assuming she's trying to form some sort of relationship."
Dunkerque's eyes brightened with a more natural smile following. "That explains what has been keeping Jean out of the dorms. She normally never leaves her room unless she has to but she has been acting different as of late. If this works, then maybe Vichya and Iris could reunify once more."
"Time and patience; that's all we can rely on. I've already informed Richilieu on this plan so she knows to keep her distance lest it gets any worse." Gabriel let a sigh come out when his attention turned back to the dessert confronting him. "I don't mean to be disrespectful, but I do not think I can finish this."
"This wasn't just for you, Amiral. Say ah," Just like that, Dunkerque had taken the only spoon and presented it. The same spoon she had just used a few moments ago.
"I've seen enough romance flicks to know where this goes." Feeling there was no way around it, Gabriel simply accepted the offered spoon and was met with an explosion of flavors. A rainbow of flavors harmonically dancing with one another on his tongue. For the moment, a feeling of pure bliss completely overridden any prior thoughts.
What neither noticed just outside their window were a couple pairs of eyes watching them. One of which was Takao and the other, Shoukaku. "See, Takao-san, the easiest way to win over a man is to go for his stomach."
"I see," Takao whispered as she watched the scene unfold inside. Dunkerque knew her craft well and it was showing itself. Moreover, the heavy cruiser's cheeks flushed as she noted that they were using the same spoon, an indirect kiss of sorts. The battlecruiser was lucky to not have any competition among her faction but this could not be an excuse. Adapting and overcoming were going to be necessary in this race.
Shoukaku, on the other hand, was not worried about the whole situation. "As of right now, Teito-sama can only marry one member of each faction. Unless something changes, I have to be sure Akagi-senpai doesn't win easily."
The Royal dorms had been mostly quiet following the events in England. Having dealt with the political trouble that ensued afterward, Queen Elizabeth was not in a particularly good mood. Not only had someone caused a panic within her country, made a daring infiltration of her palace and wounded her own servant but also smashed any plans in motion. Everything had gone perfectly so far but it all ended up crumbling on a single night. It didn't help she hadn't formerly conducted one of her tea parties.
"Your Majesty?" Sheffield's voice broke through the battleship's thoughts. "Belfast has gotten intelligence from one of our patrols in the northern region."
Queen Elizabeth hummed in acknowledgement, "Good. Make sure everyone is looking out for unidentifiable aircraft. In the meantime, how can we salvage this travesty? I was planning to make the Admiral's wedding a special one."
The maid was ahead in this regard. "Very few options I'm afraid. With the Ironbloods taking him to their home country in the following weeks, it would have to be soon or be placed after. The only option is to have his family attend."
"Excellent work, Sheffield." Elizabeth's triumphant smile shined brightly, "I will have to make some calls and ask for some favors. We do not know her name but the High Command should have her files."
"And the other factions, Your Majesty?"
Elizabeth's smile mellowed since she was not dissuaded by the other factions being involved. "It should be no trouble. It would be wrong of us to exclusively invite the Admiral's mother and not have her stay. It opens other opportunities in the event he marries more than one member per side."
Sheffield merely closed her eyes and wondered how vague the compromise was but she would not argue against it. "If he does decide to expand his roster, who would you suspect to reach his heart? As it stands right now, his interactions with Howe and Eagle have not shown anything nor has anyone else expressed interest."
The small queen now rested her chin within her hands to think. The maid made an astute observation from their short time back home. Although Howe was on friendly terms with Gabriel, she didn't look charmed at all. Eagle was too straightforward and not even George bore any fruit. So who would it be? "I don't suppose you have any ideas, Sheffield?"
"I'm afraid not, Your Majesty." Sheffield answered
Down at the beach, the hot weather had made it a beautiful time to enjoy the waters. Volleyball games only got more competitive when more kansen had arrived on base, especially the newer priority ships. As for the Northern Parliament, they acclimated to the difference in climate rather quickly. Either it was their iron resolve or avoiding the direct sunlight that made them able to bear with the heat. It did help that everyone was welcoming of their new comrades.
On the other hand, Jean Bart and Gascogne kept their distance from the others; more so on Jean's nature and Gascogne simply following her lead. The prototype battleship was looking at her exposed skin with more befuddlement than before. It was one thing to lose her armored gauntlets in favor of something else, but she was now reduced to less clothing than before.
"Skin exposure to sunlight increased, state reason for such measures," Gascogne said
Her battleship sister answered, "We're enjoying the beach. Nobody wears their normal clothes when they go out like this. Try to speak more like an actual person instead of sounding like a machine."
Gascogne replied, "Vichya has always explained Gascogne to be a weapon, nothing more. Crucial components missing have impeded combat performance against joint forces, leading to shut down until awakening years later."
Jean Bart, who had changed appropriately, grimaced at the mention. "I wasn't there. Nobody told me you were activated prematurely during the war to slow Richilieu's assault. I was told there was an attempt but it didn't last."
"Jean Bart was also not fully completed when utilized against Eagle Union forces. Perhaps Vichya lacked necessary materials to develop Gascogne correctly." Gascogne mentioned as she picked up a small amount of sand, feeling the hot grains radiate against her skin. So similar yet so different in how they were used.
This did not go without Jean displaying her anger. "They shouldn't have done that. I expected better out of the Vichya government than a bunch of cowards willing to sacrifice their newest battleship. I'm glad you weren't damaged but for them to shut you down until after the war temporarily concluded, that was despicable."
Gascogne blinked as her mind looked towards the mud left behind by the retreating waves once they tired themselves. Instantly, she began to gather the surrounding mud and form it into something. "Mud is similar to snow as structures can be formed. Gascogne will attempt to build a castle."
"At least you figured out something to do. Let me help you out," Jean Bart said. This would be something more of Vauquelin's taste or maybe Algerie but they weren't here. It was just her and her prototype sister on the beach without anyone else to bother them.
In only a few moments, a small amount of sand would turn into a small building with little notches dotting the outside. Thankfully Jean had brought some equipment for the trouble as Gascogne began another structure. Minutes bled into an hour as their little project suddenly became a two foot tall castle with impressive walls keeping the ocean waters at bay. Small openings for windows and doorways were visible on every piece with a familiar round head on the tallest building. A familiar icon that Jean Bart couldn't ignore as she observed their work.
"The Basilica. I had forgotten what it used to look like ever since I went into a coma." A frown began to form on the battleship, "Not much good came from it anyway. It was just a fortress disguised as a religious symbol."
"Gascogne only remembers the Basilica during shutdown. Whispers were the only company and they spoke of Maitre." Gascogne explained, adding a few tiny details without causing any sand to loosen. "Even after the destruction, Gascogne continued to listen until awakening."
"What kind of whispers?"
"Unknown. Source of communication could not be traced but Gascogne has not heard them since."
The waves came in and crashed against the fortified walls to no avail while the sisters observed their work. Jean doubted they could hold all day since they were just sand, "Well, we have a few hours left until I have a grand talk with the Amiral. Nobody in the Vichya taught you how to swim in case your rigging was too damaged, did they?"
Gascogne shook her head, "Negative."
"Then let me teach you. Let's first get you in the water," Jean stated firmly, leading the prototype into the ocean waves. Not that Gascogne had any reason to deny the lessons as she knew very little.
Watching from afar, Richelieu observed her two younger sisters with some fond memories surfacing. Memories of the past before the war, but that was for nought. Thinking on the past would only upset her more than being hopeful for the future. Whether Jean was doing this to replace her or simply cope with all those painful memories, she didn't know.
Hours past and the heat lessened its intensity for the benefit of all. It was just past two o'clock when Gabriel stepped back into the office to prepare. There wasn't much to prepare since this would be a matter of words rather than writing but setting the atmosphere would help. To do this, he put the radio on and tuned it to something a bit more soothing to the ear. The fans were on full blast to keep the room from being stuffy and he pulled the blinds down halfway to suppress the light somewhat.
Gabriel leaned back on his chair and let his thoughts roam freely to how he should approach this. Getting on Jean Bart's bad side was not an option so talking about the past could only be discussed on her terms. Gascogne should be here to help but he was unaware of what activities they had been up to since then. That left only small talk as a viable option unless Jean brought up something on her own. Except, that wasn't like her to open up.
His thought process would be put to the test when he heard his office door being knocked on, "Come in."
On cue, Jean and Gascogne entered the office and took a seat across from him. Expectantly, Jean crossed her arms and directly looked him in the eye before speaking. "I hear you have a connection with Gascogne."
"Her idea, not mine. If it helps her get a grasp at how emotions work, then I'll gladly help her." Gabriel answered straight and truthful to the statement, feeling that Gascogne must have been the one to inform her sister. It wasn't necessarily a secret but why did Jean bring it up?
The answer to that followed. "I appreciate that it does, but she also mentioned getting a look into your head. I'd rather have her learn on a personal level rather than trying to go through your head."
"I understand," Gabriel began, unaware that Gascogne had access to any of his memories. That could explain why he froze temporarily when he first established the link. It now bothered him that she could then look back on all his experiences to try and form her own emotions. If she began to see the times of his deceased family members….He would rather not live those again. "Gascogne, don't access any of my memories until further notice."
For both of their sakes, Gascogne affirmed, "As you command, Maitre."
With that out of the way, Jean spoke again. "I was expecting Richilieu to be here as well. Is there a reason why she isn't?"
"I spoke to her yesterday and felt it would be better to simply speak to you both separately," Gabriel replied back. "We wouldn't get anywhere if you two got into some argument."
"Fair enough. It doesn't look like the Vichya were much better with how they treated Gascogne."
Gabriel raised a bow and turned to Gascogne for confirmation. "I wasn't leading any of the forces near France when that took place. I thought Gascogne was never constructed."
Gascogne shook her head, "Negative. Gascogne was rushed to production after Jean Bart was disabled. Objective was to stall Allied forces until necessary materials were evacuated even if Gascogne sustained heavy damage. Shut down followed afterward."
"I'm sorry they did that to you, Gascogne. It's honestly disgusting they used you like expendable muscle rather than build you correctly." Gabriel felt his anger rise as he let his imagination create the scenario. No wonder Gascgone was incomplete, she was purposely designed to be patchworked kansen for last resorts at best.
"It is no matter, Maitre. Gascogne has had most of her major components rebuilt and fitted correctly thanks to Azur Lane. Although the emotional processor is incomplete, Gascogne is learning to be fully realized."
Jean spoke up, "Another thing is that Muse system. Whatever is put in the making of it is giving Gascogne a lot of issues."
Gabriel was going to retort on that being the basic reason Gascogne even linked with him in the first place, but he stopped. It felt very unnatural for the French battleship to suddenly bring up all these concerns. Not that it was impossible for her to care but Jean kept more to herself. "Looking out for your little sister, aren't you?"
This caught her off guard but she kept her emotions in check. "I'm being the older sister that I should be. Unlike Richilieu, I'm not going to leave her to figure it out by herself."
Gabriel saw an opportunity to pursue it further but he had to be careful. One little slip could make the whole thing a lot harder in the future. "War does that to families. Tears them apart. You're doing the right thing looking after Gascogne and stepping up to that role."
For a moment, Jean seemed content with that answer. It was evident when she relaxed into the chair but this was far from over. "I'm glad you see it that way. The war may be over for now, but I'm constantly reminded of it everytime I think of Richilieu."
"What about the war does Richilieu make you think of?" Gabriel asked carefully although he already had the answers thanks to Dunkerque. The hard part was getting Jean to acknowledge them if there was any hope to fix this. At least Gascogne was attentively listening to the whole discussion.
Jean's answer was surprising to say the least. "Uselessness. I was supposed to be one of the most powerful battleships created but I couldn't even be finished in time to prove it. My only chance to prove myself ended in being comatose until after my home had lost a second time. I try to make my unfinished ship a source of pride...yet it haunts me. How could I ever measure up to Richilieu when I was handicapped from the beginning?"
Gabriel nor Gascogne said anything as Jean continued on. "When the others looked to me for guidance, I felt some genuine honor in that. At the same time, I felt the pressure in leading without the aid of my sister or half of my friends. To be knocked out so easily because I was unfinished...It made me lose any hope I might've had. Richelieu reminds me of all that, of how I could've been that strong."
When the corsair had finished, she let out a held breath and any intimidation she had was lost. Jean looked towards the floor and her shoulders sagged as if she finally let go of a heavy weight. Gabriel had gotten to the root cause of it except his job was only going to be more packed. Gascogne was a perfect candidate to help the battleship go through her own self.
Feeling confident that this could be resolved with time and effort, Gabriel spoke. "I'm glad you were willing to come to me about it. My only advice to give to you as a person, not an officer, is to focus on what's ahead of you. Don't think about your past life or what memories you recall from your ship. You have a chance to make something out of yourself so don't waste it. I'm going to go ahead and let you two go back to the dorms to rest."
Both kansen stood up and began to leave without another word. Jean Bart not feeling in the mood to speak further and Gascogne looking after her. Progress was made today and Gabriel should feel proud about getting somewhere. In a way he did, despite the fact that Gascogne had been looking to his past. It wasn't that he had something to hide, but nobody likes having anyone peep into what they were thinking.
The clock ticked back and forth to measure the length of time passing every moment. Gabriel looked towards the clock and figured a quick examination with Vestal would be needed. After all, he was technically supposed to be taking it easy on his arm even if it hadn't been in pain lately. At least Vestal could grant the all clear.
He just needed to wait and see what Valentine's was going to bring him.
Azur Lane Outpost Delta
Commander Adams gave a content sigh as he read through his daily paper. After the Admiral had taken a couple of his kansen, the base was a lot quieter. Much to his relief, Admiral Harper was even requesting Cooper to be sent over as well. The only reason why she hadn't arrived at their port and stayed at his base?
It was Enterprise and Cleveland's arrival that made her stay a bit longer. "I should've sent her packing before they arrived."
Even so, Cooper wasn't that bad. She just had a fondness for cats, which Adams was allergic to and needed a daily shot to be sure he didn't suffer an allergic reaction. Animals shouldn't be on the base anyway. There was no explanation as to what brought the cats here besides Cooper possibly smuggling them in. Sadly, there was no evidence to suggest the fact since her ship had been in dock this whole time.
The phone ringing allowed Adams to break from his reading. Picking it up, the Commander answered, "This is Commander Adams of Outpost Delta."
"Adams! Just the man I needed to hear from," the gruff yet friendly voice of Admiral Martin greeted the younger Commander. Not that he was that young, being more in his thirties compared to Martin.
"What can I help you with, sir? Is the rear admiral having a little issue with the girls I sent him?" Adams quiered with a joking grin
"Not at all. I called you because I have gotten a request from the Royal Navy for someone to be sent over to Harper's station. You still have Cooper cooped up there don't you?" Martin explained
Adams swore the old man's jokes were for people of a different era, not this one. "Yes, she hasn't left yet. I've given her the approval to head over but she has been spending time with our two new arrivals."
"So I heard. In any case, I need her to make a trip for someone. I want Cooper to head to Hawaii to pick up a VIP and then head over to Harper. You think you can do that for me?"
Was the Admiral serious about a simple request? How important was this asset if they needed a kansen to escort them? "Consider it done, sir. I'll send Cooper immediately and it shouldn't take her too long to get it done. By Valentine's the latest."
"Fantastic, I'll leave you to it." The phone line was cut shortly afterward with Adams putting the head back in its place.
"I wonder who it is." Adams only muttered, turning back to his paper.
Hey all! Got to finally forcing myself out of laziness and writing this chapter. I now have more time to write so I will be during evening hours, especially after finishing my seasonal second job. As much as I enjoy having more money, the lack of time to write and my exhaustion left me procrastinating. That's life.
I got a special Valentine's treat for you all. I'm in the brainstorming process already and I will begin writing shortly to hopefully finish by then. If not, it will be a late present. Thank you for reading and have a blessed day
