I stood on the docks, trying my best and failing to remove the crease from my brow as the worry I felt consumed me entirely. I had dispatched Belfast, Edinburgh, Warspite, and Illustrious hours ago to the last known location of Sheffield and Gloucester. Their emergency distress beacon had activated, and we scrambled to put together a rapid response team to rescue them.
Belfast insisted upon going despite my initial reservations, and after a couple weeks with her I knew just how capable she was. I agreed and watched them depart… and I had yet to leave the same spot from where I saw them off.
Pacing back and forth was about all I could do, and even though the rational part of my mind insisted upon reminding me I was in fact unable to affect the outcome of that engagement from here, I still recounted every possible variable and scenario in my head, working myself into a lather until I saw the distant shapes of the fast-approaching figures of my shipgirls.
"Oh, thank…" My sigh of relief was cut short as I saw the much larger force of Sirens pursuing the six figures. I pulled the blackbox out of my pocket and punched in my auth code. A moment later the sound of old air raid sirens pierced the stillness of the port, and mere seconds after the alarms began blaring the base came alive.
Shouts rang out as dozens of shipgirls entered the water, the battleships taking aim and firing as soon as they were outside of the exclusion zone, the coastal batteries coming to life as enlisted men manned them.
The Siren force was formidable, but so were the bases' defenses, the AA fire filling the sky with pitch-black flak, supplementing the already formidable defenses the kansen possessed.
I stood on the pier, ready to receive the six kansen who had, likely out of desperation, fled from the overwhelming force pursuing them so relentlessly.
Personally, I am glad they did. There was no Siren force in existence that could break through the defensive line, and even their elite units fell quickly when tasked against our coastal defenses. The main fleet was mopping up what was left by the time the six kansen of import reached the pier.
Sheffield and Gloucester looked like hell, their uniforms in tatters, a thin line of blood coming from the corner of Sheffields mouth as she grimaced, though that was her usual expression and as such I was unable to judge her true condition.
Gloucester, on the other hand, looked ready to keel over as the air raid sirens finally wound down. The slap of footfalls behind me alerted us to the arrival of Hermione and Perseus, each carrying a stretcher.
I was about to comment on their premature concern when I turned back only to see Sheffield collapse, Belfast withstanding her weight. My secretary ship eyed me, and while she looked worse for wear, I was grateful her condition was not reminiscent of the two rescued cruisers.
"Master, Sheffield protected Gloucester as we arrived, taking the brunt of the Siren's assault as they found their cover. The force they sent… they did not intend for anyone to survive. Whatever data they collected…" Belfast was cut off as Gloucester succumbed to her exhaustion, falling face first into Illustrious' soft bosom.
I could think of worse places to pass out.
Perseus shouldered past me, setting the stretcher on the ground and directing Belfast to assist her with Sheffield. Hermione did the same with Illustrious and Gloucester, and I fell into step beside Warspite as we made our way to the port hospital.
"You brought back quite the party. I am grateful our reception was as swift and well-executed as it was," I said, more than a touch glib.
Warspite was nonplussed, "Yes, well, far be it from me to attempt to engage a force ten times our own. That was what was left, by the way. For every one I sank, two more would take their place. Illustrious and I just need a couple days of rest… but you should see to it that Belfast and Edinburgh have a proper break."
"Not to mention Sheffield and Gloucester," I muttered, concern darkening my features.
"Didn't think it needed to be implied," Warspite said, unusually catty.
"What did you see out there, Warspite?" I asked, trying to break past her unusual lack of candor.
The diminutive battleship sighed, her exhaustion and age showing in that moment. She shone with youth, her compact form only reinforcing incorrect suppositions of inexperience or childlike tendencies.
We were approaching the hospital when she finally spoke, "I'm sure the data will tell you everything you need to know. Suffice it to say that… Sirens weren't the only enemy I faced today."
Her mouth set into a firm line, and I rested a hand on her shoulder. She looked up at me and chose to favor me with a small smile, "Commander… I will be ok."
"Then get some rest. Take the rest of the day and tomorrow. I'll handle Liz," I promised her. She nodded gratefully, and I waved to Illustrious as they set off towards the dorms. I turned my attentions back to the two stretchers, Belfast shooting a glance over her shoulder, questions dancing in her eyes.
The admission process was quick after initial triage, and while Gloucester slept soundly in the bed currently hidden behind the curtains, Sheffield's head was raised, regarding me as I entered. Belfast came up to me and curtsied, "Master, Sheffield needs to rest, so please keep things brief. I shall join you once Perseus has had her way with me as well."
"Bel, you need to see her posthaste. You and Edi…" I chided her. She accepted my suggestion in good humor, recognizing my genuine concern for what it was. If she wanted to tell me about the battle, she would, but in the meantime…
"Understood, Master. Please excuse me…" She said, but as she passed by me she slowed briefly, letting her hand grasp mine for a brief moment, her head resting on my shoulder. Then she was gone, and I turned my attentions to Sheffield. The drugs were beginning to take effect, and wakefulness was a battle she would lose very soon.
"Sheffield… you performed amazingly," I told her. She shook her head.
"We got caught…" She murmured.
Always the obstinate one… "Shef, you held out against a force it took half a fleet to take down."
She nodded, "Very well, I shall accept your commendation. Here, take it…" She handed me a small parcel, which I held as though it were a small child. She smiled, a rare sight indeed, just before she succumbed to sleep, muttering a single word, "Heh… Belfast…"
I lowered her backrest to a more comfortable sleeping position, turning to see a stern-faced Perseus shooing me from the room. Her pink eyes warning me not to disturb her patients further.
Leaving wordlessly, I hurried back to my office, opening the hutch with the computer in the corner, pulling my chair over and taking a seat as I opened the satchel and pulled out the data drive. I inspected the connection and saw it was SCSI, so I pulled the appropriate cable out from next to the computer and attached it, making sure to attach the terminator as well.
The cheat sheet I had taped next to the monitor certainly did come in handy. I booted the machine and turned on the monitor, the grinding of the hard disk as it tracked across the platters followed by a single beep as the computer counted up the RAM. The picture was strangely warped, and a light smack to the screen produced no results, so I sheepishly checked my cheat sheet and pressed the 'degauss' button, which fixed the issue momentarily.
The familiar, mournful Windows 95 boot music played after I input my credentials, and I was finally able to peruse the contents of the drive. I hated using this stupid machine, so I queued the entirety of the drive's contents to the printer, and waited until the noisome, temperamental thing finished spitting out the near ream of paper required. I shut down the computer and closed the hutch, returning to my beautiful teak desk, a leather desk pad and leather bound planner being its only current occupants.
I pulled the top drawer open to find a bottle of whiskey rolling around in it. Oops, wrong drawer. I turned to my left and pulled open that drawer, removing the stationary set from within and setting it on my desk, removing the pen I knew to have red ink in it and setting to the business at hand.
After a couple hours of furious scribbling and circling, certain papers discarded while others found their way into various piles on my desk, a rather unpleasant picture was starting to form. Northern Parliament troops were being trained at an alarming rate, amassing in camps well within their borders, but the data was clear…
They were near every single key entrance point into Europe, and reports showed they were ready to mobilize at any given time. Then I saw the pictures. They weren't the best, but I could see what I suspected to now be our former allies outfitted in rigging that looked like nothing I had ever seen… at least not on our ships.
Pictures of Kirov, the Sovetskaya sisters, and even Avrora… their rigging was not as I had remembered it. It was smooth, curving, decidedly alien… and even in the grainy photographs I sensed something… wrong… with their eyes.
I poured over everything as the tea I had made went cold, forgotten under a mound of discarded papers as I narrowed my search, trying to find anything to explain this madness. Had the Sirens… had they won in the North?
My mind raced as numerous possibilities, most of them unpleasant, filled my thoughts. Desperation took hold as I realized I was the first to see this threat for what it was, and panic drove me to reread things over and over again, searching for a hidden meaning when the data itself was as clear as day.
The Northern Parliament had fallen to the Sirens, and the proper war had yet to even begin…
I mumbled something incomprehensible as I felt a slender hand shake me awake. Groggy, I lifted my head, my back stiff and my eyes crusted over. I wiped at them, any strength I had exhausted by this simple act. I felt… exhausted beyond anything I had ever experienced. A cool towel was pressed into my hand, and I rubbed it against my face, slowly coming to.
"You know, Master… I almost couldn't justify waking you up. Finding you asleep at your desk was far too cute~," Belfast chuckled, smugly grinning as she pressed a hot cup of tea into my hands, setting the saucer on the one tiny area not covered in papers.
I blinked a few times, sighing into the cup as I drank the nectar of the gods. After a moment, I found the presence of mind to speak, "Cute, eh? I could have used five more minutes…" I spoke, my voice coy. She just smiled and shook her head.
"Now, now… that posture is terrible. I'm sure your shoulders are aching. I could give you a massage, if you're keen," She said, rubbing her hands together.
A massage from Belfast? Surely indulging in such decadence would lead to divine punishment… but I was more than willing to take that chance.
"That sounds heavenly," I said, the ache in my shoulders turning into a dull throb. Belfast nodded and gestured for me to lie down on the plush rug in front of the sofa. I got up and did so, and felt a certain heat jolt through me as I felt her form settle on top of me.
"Now, if it hurts, let me know so I can be more gentle, ok Master? We need you at your best if we're going ot find a solution to this," She whispered into my ear, her warmth against me quite pronounced. I was blushing furiously, digging my face into the rug as I fought to contain the sudden surge of emotion.
Any need of that went out the window about two seconds later as her elbow dug into the knot below my right shoulder, eliciting a cry of surprise from me as brief pain was met with a cascade of relief.
"Oh my god… Bel! How did you… haa…" I sighed in relief, and then was taken by surprise again as she targeted the other knots in rapid succession, the cycle of pain and relief leaving me near to tears as she rubbed my back gently, her fingers working the muscles back into their proper places.
It lasted around ten minutes, but it seemed to be over far too quickly. When I stood up, I turned to see that grin of hers, and I hugged her. It was… not just because of her amazing massage. I just needed a damn hug after everything, and she happily obliged.
"That was wonderful, Bel… thank you so much," I said after we broke apart, and her slight blush only enhanced her beauty as she reached up to caress my cheek, her intuition spot on.
"I saw the papers on your desk. It is late, and Edi is resting in the dorms, but why don't I fix you another cuppa and we can go over it together," She said, busying herself at the teapot as my stomach growled. She turned, "Ah, yes… I have taken the liberty of ordering dinner for us as well."
"You really are the best, Belfast…" I said, smiling as I gathered the papers at my desk. I paused, frowning, "Shouldn't you be resting as well?"
"I am quite well, Master. A few scrapes and a bruise that will heal by the morning," she said, the soft clatter of a lid settling onto a teapot giving the statement a certain finality. I would not argue with her, even if Perseus was going to give me a stern lecture.
As I finished gathering what I considered to be the most relevant documents, Belfast was pouring the tea in the sitting area. When I sat on the couch, I was surprised to see her take a seat next to me, sipping on her own tea as I did the same.
"It is much quicker to sit together, don't you think? Sitting across from each other would only waste time," Belfast said at my appraisal.
I choked a bit on my tea, "Bel, I would certainly never object to your presence by my side."
"Ah…" Her face lit up as her smug smile grew nearly imperceptibly, "I see… that is wonderful to know, Master~."
I blushed a little, but took the photos off the desk, showing them to her first, "Look at these riggings… Sire tech, I'm sure of it. And…" I began.
Bel cut me off, "The eyes… oh goodness… the eyes are so wrong…" Belfast shuddered, and I handed her the diagrams I had drawn up on troop movements.
"Ground troops for the Sirens, almost guaranteed," I said as she studied them intently. I searched for another piece of paper I had set aside, finding it after a few minutes of tense silence. It was an intercepted message from the Iron Blood that never made it to the Northern Parliament. She snatched that one, brow furrowed as she read it, then re-read it multiple times.
She shook her head, "From what you've told me, I find it hard to believe that they had no part in this. This alone absolves them, however… don't you think it's far too convenient?"
I shook my head, "Look at the seal, the digital stamp… for once, I feel that Bismarck and her minions can truly be trusted." A rueful smile crossed my face as I shook my head. She studied it, then nodded, though I could sense her reservation.
"Bel… I think the Northern Parliament did this to themselves," I said, and she raised an eyebrow in question. I continued, "They send a message some time back before dropping off the grid. They found something, and they tried to use it themselves. Whatever we see here… isn't the Northern Parliament. Worst case yet most likely scenario… they were wiped out."
I sat back heavily; the thought leaving me nauseated. I had fond memories of spending time with the kansen of our onetime allies… but I had my own fleet to consider, and my secretary ship… I turned my head to find Belfast regarding me with a strange expression on her face. Her mouth hung slightly open, brows turned up with worry.
"Master…" She began, but I held up a hand to silence her.
"This is a war. Entire nations can fall. I just find it strange that I have memories of drinking vodka with these girls when our fleets met for exercises in the North Sea. Laughing and joking, talking about how we were going to kick some Siren ass…" I trailed off.
She rested a hand over mine, "Well, let's not assume the worst, ok? If anything, it would be their leaders that would make such decisions. The rank and file… such as myself…" she winked as she said it, "follow those we believe in and trust."
"I appreciate the vote of confidence, Belfast, but you haven't seen my command a major operation yet," I reminded her.
"Still, your service record speaks for itself. Oh, don't give me that look… I was curious," She said, her smile turning briefly coy.
She had a good point, and I conceded it gracefully as dinner arrived. The day's events had left the both of us exhausted, and soon we found ourselves at the central plaza. The fading light of dusk dashed across the sky in purplish-blue hues, and the only illumination came from the gentle light of the lampposts spread along the path.
It was near one of these that we stood, the glow casting shadows along the lovely contours of her visage as we exchanged our farewells for the evening.
"I need you to promise me something, Master~," Bel said, her tone at odds with her gentle smile, "You musn't dwell upon the past."
I nodded, her unspoken words speaking volumes, "I'll avoid any vices this evening, save for your company."
Her smug smile returned, "I'm afraid you've already had more than enough of that, though if I catch you sleeping at your desk again there's no telling what mischief I'd get into~."
I laughed, "Hmm, that Abercrombie has been spreading her influence again, hasn't she."
We shared a short laugh before I took her hands in mine. We pulled each other into a hug, the warmth of her embrace eliminating any need for an evening apéritif.
When we broke apart, she looked in the hospital's direction, "They'll be discharged tomorrow. Sheffield and Gloucester…"
I hugged her again in relief, grateful that she shared the last piece of news I truly needed to relax. We found our way to a bench, neither wanting to leave the other's side quite yet. No words were needed as I wrapped an arm around her shoulders, pulling her close as Belfast laid her head on my shoulder.
I was still thinking of that moment as I closed my eyes, my bed suddenly seeming so large and empty as of late…
It was one of those days. There was so much to do, and so little time to do it. I felt as though I was racing against a clock I didn't know existed, and that was counting down the seconds far faster than it had any right to.
Edi was the first to bring up the need for cooperation, "Commander, perhaps it would be wise to involve the other powers… it would be foolish to attempt to counter our former allies alone."
"Former allies?" I said, my mind somewhat addled due to the immense workload suddenly placed upon it.
"Ah, yes… Belfast was kind enough to give me the details this morning over breakfast," Edi explained. I nodded as Belfast filled my teacup quickly before returning to her own work.
I thanked her, and she nodded, her trademark smile flashing across her face, "It wouldn't do to have you anything but alert, Master. We have much to do today, and little time to do it."
"Of course, Bel. However, perhaps a meeting between the powers without something more concrete… well, it would be rather difficult to sell them on the corruption of an entire nation," I said, smiling apologetically at Edi.
"It's quite all right, Commander," Edi said, smiling, "No need to look so guilty."
Belfast cut in, "Better yet, we have evidence of increased Siren activity. The attack on the base has already been reported around the world and would be the perfect reason to request a joint task force. The politics of this are… much more complicated than we have time to explain right now, but suffice it to say that we will have little problem getting them to agree with it."
Her logic was sound, and despite the power plays obviously at work behind the scenes, irrefutable proof of the loss of the Northern Parliament would be the only thing to convince the European powers.
"Wonderful idea, Belfast!" Edi clapped her hands together, and with surprising speed we put the plan into motion. We made specific requests for kansen of specific qualities. Experience in the theater of operations, speed and skill, and, most importantly, an operative skilled at intelligence gathering.
I turned to Edi, "Edi, I know you've primarily served as secretary, but your keen eye eclipses even that of Sheffield. I'll need you and Warspite as the core members of this joint fleet."
Belfast agreed, "He makes an excellent point, Edi. You possess an aptitude for subterfuge that is not apparent, and thus you are most valuable."
Edi blushed, but nodded, "I understand, and will do my best."
We prepared missives stating our requests, and who we would prefer within the joint fleet. Scharnhorst and Leipzig would comprise the Iron Blood detail, the former having historical experience within the North Sea. Vauquelin's capabilities as a destroyer set her apart within the Vichya Dominion, and her scouting abilities, combined with Bearn…
Belfast approved of my choices and began making final preparations. When Edi left to bring back a late lunch for the three of us, I pulled Belfast aside. We hadn't relaxed all morning, and our embrace was the first time that day I felt anything approaching comfort.
"Bel… what if they truly are gone?" I asked, concerned that such a fate could spell disaster outstripping even my worst predictions.
She rested her head against my chest, her hand slowly sliding along my back as she comforted me, "We will prevail, Master. More than that, we are so much more than the Northern Parliament ever was. Trust in your fleet, we are yours to command." I nodded as we separated, then handed her a small envelope. This was strictly between us.
She opened it and read it before folding the paper back up and placing it back into the envelope, "Master, I understand and will arrange for their provisioning."
"Much obliged," I said, grateful she understood. A shadow fleet, known to only Bel and myself, would ensure the safety and cooperation of the joint task force. They would operate in secrecy, and it was vital they weren't discovered.
Lunch was hurried, but we ultimately finished the missives by day's end and sent them via courier with all due haste to the leaders of our allies. I found it difficult to relax, but Belfast saw to it that I was given an extra round of cider. No one dared question the head maid despite the rationing order in effect.
It did the trick, and as Edi excused herself to attend to the evening needs of the Queen, Belfast and I began our ritual evening stroll. We found ourselves looking across the channel towards the country of our onetime enemy and now staunch ally.
"Asking for Vauquelin herself may have been too much," mused Belfast absently.
I shook my head, "I believe they will see the necessity. They may not get along terribly well with the Iron Blood at the moment, but ultimately that would be an issue for their land armies to hash out, and their historical strengths and weaknesses have no meaning in this new world."
Belfast nodded, "Nonetheless, I have faith in you, Master. We all believe in you, and trust you to lead us well."
I turned to her, placing my hands on her hips and pulling her to me in one smooth, delicate motion. I could feel her breath against my lips as I spoke, "Bel… I've been meaning to say something rather important. I feel the world will change very shortly, and if I were too pass on this chance…" I trailed off as she favored me with a smug grin, though there was something rather soft about it.
"While I lament the circumstance we find ourselves in, I do love this troubled look of yours, and I…" She paused, tilting her head slightly upward. My heart pounded as her expression changed to something I hadn't seen before. Something… earnest. It took but an infinitesimal movement for her lips to press to mine.
Her kiss set butterflies alight in my stomach, and I allowed myself the softest of returns, not wanting to seem baroque, yet desiring to reciprocate.
Her lips were impossibly soft, but her delicate kiss seemed to end so soon with nothing more than a soft chu. I smiled like a half-wit, as her usual smug grin returned, and we basked in our precious moment for another minute or two.
"Bel… no matter what, and in spite of these… interesting times we find ourselves in… I am glad to have you by my side," I confessed, and she giggled softly.
"So am I, Master~. I'll be here for you to rely on… and I trust I can rely on you as well?" She winked.
"Naturally," I said, and with one last embrace we bid farewell, though I did not immediately leave. I continued to stand watch over the channel, bringing my hand to my lips, fingertips brushing where she had so recently kissed me.
Hi there! Hope you've been enjoying the fic~ A big thank you to my supporters, and if you'd like to know more about my discord server, feel free to reach out to me on discord at delusionalcookie#1414! You can also find me on reddit at r/ or u/delusionalcookie~