So before I start this I would like to apologize things have been hectic. I'm sincerely sorry for taking so long so let's get back to the commander. Which brings me to my next point. There have been a few complaints with the 2nd person so I'm switching this one up and I lost the original file so I can't repost it unfortunately. So this will be first person instead. Well be jumping in the boots of Lieutenant Sullivan...son of a gun it's been how long now? I am extremely sorry for the amount of time this has taken me. I've been getting writer's block a lot and I'm extremely sorry it's taken so long, but just a heads up there are a lot of references in this to make things a bit more interesting, let me know on my discord if you find em all there may even be a prize. Happy hunting! The same story still applies and I sincerely apologize again for this switch but I hope this makes you guys happy as much as I am for

this without a further adu…

Chapter 3

I'm shaken awake suddenly. I had no idea I passed out on the mountain of commission reports.

"Thank you sorry I'll get back to work." I said.

I looked up and immediately hated how I just set the standard. It was Warspite.

"Thank you, sorry about that welcome to the office. Um this is my desk yours is right there.

You can decorate it any way you would like. I don't judge, do you have any questions?" I said.

"Negative none at this time sir." She reported.

"Sounds good, rest up for tomorrow its going to be a doozie." I said

"But I came here to work tonight." She said

"I know but trust me it's going to be a struggle, words blend into a sedative that will knock you out for hours. Have some fun tonight." I said

She simply nods and bows out. Sheffield walks in and reports that a commission has just reported back in. She hands me the report and all I think is here goes another 3 hours...at 1900 hours, I have 2 more to do so I take a deep breath and get cracking. I flip the first one open on the packet...wait a dang second did i send her home earlier? Am I slipping up again?

"Sheffield?" I roared

She comes running in a slight panic, I still can't determine if this woman will be the death of me or not.

"Didn't I tell you to go home for the night?" I asked

"Well yes sir but Belfast said to keep working." She replied.

"When you see her let her know I want a word. Go home and relax. I need you ready for tomorrow. If she has a problem with it then she can come pick a bone with me." I ordered.

"Yes sir. But do you know where your room is?" She asked.

"Of course I'm already here." I said.

"No I mean where your shower and bed are." She said

"Then I dont remember screw it write it down then I'll figure the rest out." I said

She shot me a look I can't really figure out. It shoots a cold feeling down my spine. How can you both be cute and terrifying at the same time.

She makes me feel like the middle east is relatively safe. Note to self DO NOT piss that woman off. She will eat your soul. She hands me the note 5491 Missouri Road room 90. I nod and thank her to send her on her way. I'm pretty sure the whole Belfast thing will bite me in the ass

sooner rather than later. She leaves and I get back to work.

So the commission designated Coastal Defense Patrol- Mission Length 6 hrs. Fleet: USS Indianapolis, USS Helena, USS Lexington, HMS Icarus, and HMS Matchless. Everyone came back alive, payment received. I turn the pages and it continues to get more and more boring until Matchless goes on and on about a seagull she saw apparently its name is now Jake. It was fun to get away from the mundane reports. I needed that. Then after about 45 minutes I hear footsteps coming from the hall. I feel myself ready to get chewed out by the head maid herself Belfast.

"COMMANDER COMMANDER DO YOU WANT TO PLAY WITH US?!!" A red haired girl screams.

"I'm sorry have we met? Also I can't right now." I ask

"No not yet! I'm San Diego your choice for number one!" she screams.

Oh dear freakin God no please no make it stop! SCREW IT INDULGE IT! IT MIGHT GO AWAY!

"Oh? and why is that?" I ask trying not to give away me not giving a crap.

"Because I'm simply the best! In World War 2 I had the most battlestars of any cruiser!" she said energetically.

"Listen sweetheart I have about 2 more reports to go through after this one if you're still up tonight, sure. If not we can play basketball or something on my day off." I said.

She nods and walks off...lord help that air head. Well, back to the boring crap. I pop up the commission report and turn to the last page I was on. I read for what feels like forever. I set it down and put it next to my notes. Holy dear god it's 21:45 hrs. I hear more footsteps, she's back isn't she...maybe if I turn the lights off and stand completely still she won't bombard me again please God let it not be San Diego!

"Commander did you order one of my maids to go home?" A woman said in a proper British accent.

Well, at least I somewhat saw this one coming. I put the second commission on my desk, then looked at her trying not to be condescending about it. Sheffield will be busting her butt for me in the coming days and she should get a good night rest for it.

"Yes Ma'am, I want her to be properly rested for tomorrow because its going to be weird for her. I'm the new CO and she doesn't really know what my expectations for her. It'll be a whole new MO for her. So I want her to be rested up and ready for the day." I explained.

"Understood but why didn't you come see me for this?" She asked

"I was busy with commissions and honestly didn't think about it until you brought it up. I will certainly keep that in mind for next time." I said

"Thank you commander."

"Is there anything I could help with?" I asked

"Yes tomorrow I would like you to meet the rest of the Royal Navy. We have some girls who would like to meet you."

"Sounds good I may have to make it short. Unfortunately the commission reports alone are taking about 3 hours a piece to file and understand.

But could you please let Warspite know what's going on if you see her before I do?" I asked

"Of course sir. How do you feel about your current secretary and primary maid?" She asked

"Well Warspite is beautiful and hard working from what I can tell with an impressive record. Sheffield in my opinion has seen enough to make her nearly emotionless will get the job done at any cost without question. That both makes me feel at home and encourages me to do much the same."

I feel something tearing. I move my hand to where it is while trying to listen to her response. I have to pull this damn thing off! I tore it off and there's an audible thud. I can't help but clench up, I must have torn some skin off or something. Belfast gives me a confused look, as she tries to move closer to the desk to see what the ruckus is. I can't help feeling ashamed. I'm supposed to be an indestructible figure to them but now some of them see that personal problems are getting in the way of fatigue, prosthetics, what the hell is next. I close my eyes and hold up the leg so she doesn't have to see the blood I feel dripping on my uniform painting it a deep red. Thank God I have multiple uniforms for something like this. I exhale, remember to breathe idiot.

"So I'm guessing you may have some questions." I say while opening up the drawer for bandages. "Ask me what you may while I do this please."

"Excuse me being blunt but, are you alright?" she asked

I nod and shoot her a quick smirk.

"No worries I'm fine. Just a reminder to always try my best." I said

"Well what happened if you don't mind me asking."

I look up to her trying to make eye contact so as to not seem vulnerable even though I clearly am, and take a deep breath. It feels like it was just a minute, I didn't want to think about it let alone talk to someone about it. I hate that I couldn't be with the ones that remained. I was their leader and I should've died their leader.

"My convoy was ambushed. I was too dumb to figure out how to die. Three of the people in my Humvee were killed yet all I get is a nub. It ain't right I lost my new soldier. He was supposed to come home, and although he did it was in a state issued pinewood box." I look up at the ceiling, trying to fight the urge to weep. "Next question."

"I'm sorry, I had no idea." She says in a low voice.

"Let me make you some tea. Vent if you need to."

"Thanks but I prefer coffee, is there any whiskey here?"

"Yes at the local commissary." she says with a confused expression.

"Thanks, forget the coffee. About maids, do you know a maid that has a problem fitting anywhere else?" I ask

"Yes why do you ask?" she said just as confused as before.

"I want to have someone who needs me just as much as I need them. I tend to perform better that way weirdly enough." I say.

"That reminds me her sister works for our security detachment. Her name is Sirius, I'll send her in tomorrow along with Dido. Dido is the one who doesn't feel like she fits in anywhere. She's easy to feel anxious and always feels like she fails." She said.

"Sounds good. I look forward to meeting them both. However, is it okay to tell them when they can go home? I'll personally consult you beforehand...which reminds me how do I reach you?"

"Walkie talkie dear, use the one that Sheffield has on her hip. She always has it on her." she says.

"Sweet thanks!" I said.

I finish cleaning the blood and peeled skin off the wound, I take the prosthetic and make sure the same crap doesn't happen again. Blood is hard as hell to wash out, especially in this amount. I look up at her, trying not to show any emotion.

"Is there something else I could help with?" I ask

"One last thing, Enterprise will be over after the meet and greets with the Royal Navy. She wants you to do another one with Eagle Union." She says

"Too easy let her know I'm looking forward to it please."

"Will do sir. Thank you for your time. I'm here if you need to talk. Bremerton from Eagle Union is also a good person to talk to regarding personal issues."

I can't help but chuckle a little bit.

"Thanks but if I told anyone all my problems...it would put them in a psych ward. This world is ugly but we have to put a little makeup on it." I said with

a smirk.

She stares at me in a very concerned manner. I think I scared her a bit but, I should also have a slightly human side. I'll be brutally honest with her but with everyone else I have to be light hearted. It's going to make me a bit two-faced but sometimes you need to be, and I don't know what it is, maybe it's her accent, maybe it's her caring attitude. I can't put my finger on it.

"Thank you for your time sir." she says as she bows and leaves the room.

Crap I'm going to have to learn so many damn names. For now I'm going to just quickly half-ass these reports and hope for the best.

Hours pass

I have to be up at 0700 hrs...its 0100 hrs...that gives me 6 if I sleep here, which I can't do because of the blood on my pants and that would be one hell of an introduction...'hey I'm the new commander that's not ketchup its blood'...which sounds crazy but at least they'll all remember me...well time to get a short nights rest. CRAP I FORGOT THE...oh yeah thats right she wrote it down for me...5491 Missouri Road room 90, sweet! I turn off the lights and start to

head home. A full moon lights up the streets, which is a relief, black out conditions in case of enemy attack. It provides an unsettling feeling in my gut. So many people live here yet, it feels like I'm alone. I wonder how Moore is doing with this. I haven't seen him since lunch? As I'm about to go toward the final turn to my barracks entrance I see a figure. A wave of panic sets in, I don't have my gun! I start to have a shiver go down my spine. What am I supposed to do to throw my pothestic leg at em'? Limp my ass over and beat them with my leg? The figure turns to see me. I'm screwed.

"Hello?" A woman says.

It snaps me out of my trance. I shake it off.

Hey who are you? If you don't mind me asking." I blurt out.

"USS Enterprise. Are you the new commander?" She asks.

"Affirmative." I said while holding my arm up for a hand shake.

She shakes my hand. She has a firm grip, and stares into my eyes trying to get a read on me in the moonlight. She then looks down and shows a confused look.

"Yes, its blood. Don't worry, old wounds." I said without skipping a beat.

It catches her off guard. It's painfully obvious.

"Right...uh, I'm supposed to meet with you tomorrow. Why are you up so late?" She asks.

"I refuse to leave work unfinished. There were 3 commission reports I had to complete. I work until it's done, anything else is failure in my eyes."

She smiles. "That's what I like to hear."

"I'm just getting warmed up. What's on your mind Enterprise." I ask.

"Excuse me?"

"I know the look. Something is on your mind, so vent. If you hold on to it for too long, it will lead you to blow your brains out. 22 a day, I know how it works."

"The nightmares won't stop. My sister lost her legs in the war and she will recover but I worry about her." She says.

"Don't, that's not what she wants. I'm telling you this from experience." I look at her as she looks at me and I lift up my bloody pant leg and chuckle.

"Well at least hers grow back with time. Thank God for Vestal." She says softly.

"Are you going to be okay?" I ask.

"Shouldn't I be asking you that?" She asks.

"Hey I just got a new weapon. Worst comes to worst I could club the enemy with my prosthetic." I say and lightly chuckle.

She looks at me disapprovingly and then smiles.

"You have a point. However, isn't that a little dark?" She says, her smile running away from her face.

"That's the way I cope with the pain. It oddly enough works. But, we could both use some sleep. I'm in room 90 when the night gets too dark. I don't care what time it is, we're in this hell together no need to work alone." I say.

"Thanks I'll keep that in mind."

I head to my room. I throw my bloody uniform in the hamper. Hopefully I can clean that, but maybe optimism has gotten the better of me. I slip into my

pajamas, finally. Sweet sweet sleep.