This is a work of fiction that follows real historical events. This does not seek to promote anything about war and is just a what if kind of scenario. Any similarity between people, living or dead, are purely coincidental. Some aspects have been changed to form a better story.
"My Führer! What is the meaning of this?!"
I barge straight into the Führer's chambers without a second thought of what the consequences of that may be. I furiously slam down a piece of paper, a letter, onto his desk and restrain myself from slapping him across the face.
"Well you certainly got here quickly."
"Explain yourself!"
"I do not have to explain anything to you, my good commander."
"I believe I should at least have the right to voice my objection."
"Your objections have been voiced, my opinion remains the same."
"My Führer, I don't think you understand the consequences of going through with this."
"We can no longer focus all of our resources onto a navy that fails to perform, commander. It is the right decision which is held in my beliefs and the beliefs of all the others that it is no longer necessary to have a large fleet force. Our submarines have produced outstanding results unlike our surface fleet."
"That may or may not be true, but it is completely unnecessary to scrap the entire fleet!"
"We need the steel, we are losing far more tanks and planes on the Eastern front than anyone cares to admit."
"With all due respect, this is a complete mistake. Even if we get a few more tanks or planes from the metal it will do no good if we cannot even defend our own borders."
The Führer tries to speak but I do not allow him to do so.
"Technology is advancing, my Führer and we are being left behind. We need our surface fleet or the Royal Navy may find a more effective way to hunt submarines. We also especially need an aircraft carrier, we cannot afford to lose Graf Zeppelin if we wish to continue this war westwards."
The Führer thinks for a moment, I knew I hit him where it hurt. He is too prideful to make any sacrifices to his "great vision" including losing on technology and not being able to conquer. He sighs as he looks deeply at the map and each and every capital ship located on it. Even the Graf Zeppelin is on the map even though she is not complete. He moves a couple of ships around before looking back up at me.
"You're right, I wasn't thinking clearly. We cannot afford to lose all of our capital ships, however a significant decrease is in order. All construction will be placed on halt for the time being so we can relocate resources to the Eastern front."
"But sir-"
"That is all commander. You have got your carrier, for now."
I look at him as he stares right back at me. I bite my tongue before I say something I may regret. I nod quickly and turn away.
"Commander… I wish you good luck. Hail Iron Blood."
I nod. "Hail Iron blood."
"How did it go?"
Graf Zeppelin sits at her bow, dangling her legs off of it and allowing her hair to flow freely behind her. She looks at me with her beautiful pink eyes as I grow closer to her. Almost two months ago we arrived at Kiel for her final phase of construction. Visibly, she looks finished. However she is ot yet sea capable. I'm afraid of what she might do if I tell her what happened.
"He… changed his mind. He is not going to scrap the capital ships."
"For some reason you still don't sound very happy."
I hang my head.
"He paused the construction of all ships, including yours…"
Graf Zeppelin looks at me intently as I twiddle my thumbs, hoping she would not be too mad. I am surprised by her answer.
"That's to be expected…"
"Y-You're not mad?"
"Honestly, I realized something. I have never been one to believe in fate, but if meeting you was also predestined... Hmm... How ironic. For the gods to have given me the worst past but also the best future... what purpose does my hatred then serve?"
She leans her head on my shoulder and sighs deeply. I pet her long white hair as she looks out over her hometown. The stunningly beautiful sunset sets a very nice mood as she snuggles closer to me. I decide to take this chance and kiss her delicate lips, something she is not opposed to. We let our passion take over as things quickly escalate from kissing to more intimate shows of affection.
I can't remember when, but at some point she buries me into her bosom as I quickly take the opportunity to feel her. She lets out a feminine moan. I take this as the go ahead when she takes off her jacket and seductively lets down her bra.
If I had to give it a name now, I would definitely say this is love. It has gotten to the point where I can't even stand to be apart from her. I indulge in her on her flight deck, I know that I love her and that she loves me. I look back at where we started, from when she threw her hat at me after I touched her hull, to the special moments we had spent together as Secretary and Commander. I cherished all of my memories with her, the good in the bad. If that's not love, then I don't know what is…
The news in the paper is getting drastically worse. The battle of Stalingrad has completely shifted the momentum of the war as suddenly we are on the defensive. While we suffer far fewer losses, we are losing our ground as our army is continually pushed back. My suspicions that the Eagle Union would be too tied up with the Sakura Empire continually prove to be correct as the main threat remains the Royal Navy.
Graf Zeppelin and I had moved three times since January until we finally settled back here in Stettin. By now, she was able to function under her own power and could travel the world on her own. Another peculiar thing began happening at around the same time as well. Graf Zeppelin had begun to eat far more often than usual. She was also far more tired all the time which left little time for us to enjoy each other's company.
She was not used to such abilities and it drained her both physically and mentally.
I have no idea how long we are staying here but it was nice to visit old places we used to back in the day.
"Darling, I'm hungry…" Graf Zeppelin shyly tugs on my sleeve as we travel around the city.
"Again? We just ate."
"I-I know…"
I look at her as she grabs my hand. I cannot say no to her.
"Alright, we can get another meal but I'm already broke enough as it is."
"I-I know. Thank you darling."
I take her to another restaurant, the quality of which has gone down significantly as I can no longer afford the fancy places we are used to eating at. Graf Zeppelin did not seem to mind as she ate the same crazy way she always has. I've begun noticing little things she does when she eats. When she really likes the food she will cross her tight clad legs and touch her face as she savors the food. If she's hungry, she places a finger between her lips in order to attract my attention.
My favorite of all though, is when she tastes something new she smiles brightly, regardless of the taste. She wears that same smile as she eats with her legs crossed. I smile dumbly at her as she blushes in embarrassment. That does not stop her from shoveling the food into her mouth though.
"This reminds me of when I first met you."
"And why is that?" She says between bites.
"You had never tasted food before so it was kind of funny watching you shovel it into your mouth like you are now."
"W-well, it's just so good. I can't help myself." She says turning away in embarrassment.
"It's alright, it's always been cute to watch you eat." I tease her.
She tries to ignore my tease by continuing to eat, but I can see her blush from beneath her uniform cap.
"How long do you think we're going to be here this time, commander?"
"I'd say at least until the lift on construction. Though I hope not too much longer. It is kind of nice to just relax with you though."
"It is."
I look deeply into her eyes as she eats, she looks back into mine.
"H-Hey, there's somewhere I want to go when you're done…"
Graf Zeppelin looks intrigued. "Oh yeah?"
"Yeah. It won't take too long, I promise."
"Fine by me. Not like we have anything else to do anyways."
"Thanks."
By the time she is done eating, the sky had turned a perfect blue with only a couple of clouds dotting the expanse. I take her to a cathedral, the same one she had climbed on top of during our time here almost two years ago. She looks around inside.
"I didn't know you prayed, commander."
"This is not what I'm here for. Follow me."
She follows me as I climb the ladder leading into the bell tower. Luckily, it had already rung for the hour or else we might have been in for a rude surprise.
"Why have you brought me back up here? Not that I don't admire the view."
"I wanted to show this to you. I also wanted you to remember that day when you made me climb all the way up here because I was worried you might have done something rash."
"You made that decision on your own, I didn't make you do it." She says with a teasing smile.
"Regardless, It was here where I decided that there may be more to our relationship. Much more. I-I know it's not anything special but…"
I dig a small ring out from my back pocket and hold it out for her.
"If you wish to, I would love for you to become my wife…"
Graf Zeppelin stares at me blankly.
"Please…"
Her eyes begin to water but her facial expression does not change.
"Why..?"
"I've known deep within myself that I've loved you for a while now. I can't put an exact reason on it, the only thing I can think of saying is. Ich liebe dich."
"C-commander…"
She rushes up and hugs me, it takes all of my strength not to drop the ring. She cries into my shoulder.
"As long as you are here, the world does not feel so insipid and detestable. Even if the world was to become your enemy, I would happily fight by your side. As a matter of fact, I eagerly await this day."
"Me too Graf. Now could you let go of me, you're crushing my spine."
"O-Oh! I'm so sorry."
"It's alright, I still have to give you this."
I slowly put the ring on her finger. As the metal slides up her finger, she keeps wiping her eyes. When it fits in place, I passionately kiss her. She kisses back and the two of us enjoy our time together, alone at the top of the world.
I wish this moment could last forever. Just the two of us, the only ones in our world, together like this forever. I break away from the kiss and caress her red cheeks. Her pink eyes yearn for something more. I laugh.
"Why don't we take this back to the carrier." I tease.
She nods embarrassedly. A complete opposite of how she acted in bed.
I look to Graf Zeppelin as she looks at me with tears in her eyes. "Oh no. It's happening."
"What is?"
"The baby."
"The-" I pause for a second to look over Graf Zeppelin's body. It has not changed a bit, she still looks skinny and perfect. "How!? You only told me a couple of months ago?!"
"As far as I know, Kansen have never had children. I don't know how long ago she was conceived. It could be entirely different from huma-OOH!" She falls to one knee.
"A-alright, I'll carry you to the hospital. Do you think you can make it?"
"Just take me there!"
"Alright! Hold on!"
I jump off the Graf Zeppelin and hope Graf Zeppelin is not in too much pain to extend her legs. We splash onto the water as I quickly get back up onto the dock.
"Thanks."
"At least warn me."
"I will next time, promise. I'm just really stressed."
She clings to me harder as I run across the city with her in my arms. I had passed it hundreds of times before ever since Graf Zeppelin told me she was pregnant. I was nervous, I wasn't sure I was cut out to be a father. However, Graf Zeppelin reassured me that I was going to be great. I trusted her intuition, but I still can't help but feel nervous.
We arrive right in front of the hospital in record time. I bust open the door and shout out desperately.
"Is there a doctor!?"
"Yes, what seems to be the problem?"
"It's my wife, she's…"
She groans out in pain.
"I see. How peculiar, she doesn't seem to be pregnant but all the signs are there. I have a few questions but that can wait." He waves over a stretcher and I carefully place her into it.
"Thank you, sir."
They take her away on the stretcher, leaving me there alone. I want to follow her but I am stopped by one of the nurses. I was not allowed to follow her. It broke my heart but I understood it was a very intense process. I sit back down in the waiting area, looking at the clock as time passes slowly.
I bother the receptionist every couple of moments to see if Graf is doing alright. Her response was always to sit back down and wait for the doctor. I pace back and forth for several hours, biting the nail on my thumb until it eventually gets soggy from my saliva. The sun was beginning to set, I had been in the hospital for too many hours for me to count on my hand. I had seen people come and go in that amount of time. I begin to get worried. Finally, the doctor comes out. I rush up to him, desperate for answers.
"Is she alright?! What happened?!"
"Why don't you go see for yourself."
He didn't have to say so twice as I rush down the long hallway to Graf Zeppelin's room. My heart pounds in my chest as I reach the door. I stand in front of the door preparing myself by breathing deeply in and out. My hand shakily reaches for the door handle. I open the door and walk into the room.
In the bed is my wife carrying a swab of cloth. She smiles gently at the swab as I sneak my way closer. She looks towards me with her gorgeous pink eyes and waves me over to see what she holds. Words cannot describe the feelings in my head as I look at the small baby she carries in her hands. I grab Graf Zeppelin's hand and hold onto them tightly as I admire the creation of life.
"Isn't she adorable."
"She?"
"Yes, she's your daughter."
"My daughter…" I smile at the little baby as she lays in her mother's bosom. I kiss Graf Zeppelin's forehead. She blushes at the gesture.
"I'm sorry I couldn't be here…"
"It's alright, darling. The doctor explained why when I…" She blushes deeply and shys away.
"Well now you've got me curious."
"When I… begged for you…"
"Awww, my poor wife."
I hug her as she more or less purrs in my arms.
"What's her name? I didn't have much time to think of one."
"Zeppy."
I snort, trying to keep my laugh down. Graf Zeppelin frowns at me
"I-I'm sorry. It's a wonderful name."
We both look down at our baby girl and hold each other. It would be a couple more days before we are able to leave the hospital, by that time, Graf-Chan was already growing right before our eyes. It was impressive how quickly Kansen reached maturity. Graf and I have kept quiet about whether she is a human, Kansen, or some kind of mix, we didn't want it to turn into something we needed to worry about.
Over two years, Zeppy grew up quickly. Though she had spoken yet, she was about the same build as a six year old. Graf Zeppelin and Zeppy spent much of their time bothering me while I worked, not that I mind. Zeppy smiled much more than her mother, though their resemblances were identical. I could not see a single one of my genes in her except for her smile. It was close enough to Zeppelin's to give me a warm feeling inside but only the most perceptive of eyes could see my bright smile shine through hers.
During those two years, Graf Zeppelin and I have not moved a single time. We don't mind though, it is a great place to raise a child like Zeppy. What is increasingly worrying though is the news on the war. The Eagle Union had finally made it to Europe and liberated the Vichiya Dominion and Iris Libre. What is more worrying though is the increasingly desperate situation on the Eastern front against the Northern Parliament. This all seems like a dream away on the day Zeppy speaks…
…
"Good Morning, darling."
"Good morning, Honey, Zeppy." I greet both of them with a kiss, zeppy's on the forehead, Graf's on her delicious lips. She gives an extra lick as if she wants something more.
I whisper to her, "Later."
She smiles broadly and smiles widely.
Graf Zeppelin is wearing an apron while she tries to make some food, something she has tried more and more of recently. I tried to tell her I was alright making food for the two of them, mostly to save my own stomach, but she insisted. Now, she is a mediocre chef, but it's obvious to tell she makes it with love and that is better than any restaurant.
"What do you want, Zeppy?"
"The meat."
"Great, I can get tha-"
Both Graf and I look to each other first before double taking to Zeppy.
"S-She spoke!"
Graf and I both rush to our daughter and hug her, something she does not seem comfortable with.
"Don't just randomly touch me!" She complains.
"She sounds exactly like a smaller me!" Graf exclaims.
"M-Mommy, you're hurting me."
"O-oh, I'm sorry honey."
"So, you wanted meat? I'll get you the best meat I can possibly make!"
"T-thank you, daddy."
I feel a sense of pride swell up as my daughter calls me daddy. I take my time making the best meal ever for my daughter. I set the plate down in front of her, cautiously eyeing Graf Zeppelin as she licks her own lips.
"Of course I didn't forget my wife." I set down a plate for Graf Zeppelin as well. She gives me her own food which I passionately eat while they gush over my meal.
"Daddy's cooking is amazing!" She compliments me. I feel my heart skip a beat as I blush deeply as my daughter compliments me.
"That's right, it is little me." Graf Zeppelin ruffles Zeppy's head. Zeppy loves the sensations and leans deeper into it.
I smile at the two of them, just as something catches my attention from outside. An air raid siren goes off, followed by multiple more in succession. Graf Zeppelin look at each other and nod, grabbing Zeppy and making our way up deck. When we arrive, gunfire surrounds us on all sides as armies collide in town. An explosion rocks the cathedral as it collapses onto the ground below, crushing multiple troops at once. Both Iron Blood and Northern Parliament tanks tear through the city with little respect for the civilian population which is brutally slaughtered. Graf Zeppelin gasps.
"Mommy, what's happening?"
"Zeppelin, we need to get out of here."
Just as I finish my sentence, Graf Zeppelin's boiler fires up and she begins to make her way out to sea. I look out over to the mouth of the port where several ships are waiting for us.
"Graf, friendly or unfriendly."
She takes a moment to respond. "Unfriendly…" She states, detached.
"Dammit, it seems there is no way out."
"Adol, you take Zeppy and make it out of here, I'll try and stall them as long as I can."
My heart sinks. "Absolutely not, you're coming with us."
"You'll never make it if I don't make myself a target."
"We can, your rigging should be enough to keep us covered."
"You know it's not likely we'll both make it out of this alive, I would like to save at least the two of you."
"You're coming with us, Graf. That is an order."
Graf Zeppelin debates in her head on what to do. I can physically see her fist clench as she comes to a decision.
"Alright, but we must scuttle my hull. The Northern Parliament cannot be allowed to get their hands on such technology."
"I'll start flooding the Kingston Valves."
"No need, I can do it from here." She closes her eyes for a moment, I can feel her debate on whether she should do it or not. If she did, that would be the end of her dream. If she didn't, her loved ones would be in even more danger. The sounds of the increasing fighting decide for her. I hear it first, then feel the results as Graf Zeppelin begins to sink in the water. I did not have time to grab the picture of my friends from my quarters. I'm sure they wouldn't mind in this situation.
"Alright, let's get out of here." Graf Zeppelins says as she motions for me to hop into her arms. I refuse.
"Zeppy first."
"Don't worry daddy, I can swim!" Zeppy jumps off the Graf Zeppelin without missing a beat.
"Zeppy!"
She falls into the water and makes a small splash. She skates around on the water for a moment, enjoying the sensation. I chuckle lighty.
"She really takes after you. I guess she is a Kansen..."
"I see you in her too, you know."
"Thanks, Graf. Let's get out of here." I tell her, jumping into her arms. She jumps off of her hull, splashing down into the water. We turn around to look at her sinking hull, just as it goes beneath the water.
"My clothing you bought me was in there…"
"It's alright, we can go shopping later."
"Let's hope there is a later… If you die on me, I'll never forgive you..."
"Don't worry about me. Just get us out of here."
She nods in acknowledgement.
She skates after our daughter who is much faster than Graf Zeppelin. She is huffing as she tries to keep up with her. The sirens continue going off as explosions, each more intense than the last, rock the city to its foundation. I've never seen more destruction in my life as flames burn the city. We make it to the shore just in time to see the Iron Blood armor retreating in front of us. Following behind them are the troops who are being cut down as if they were cattle. Graf Zeppelin summons her rigging and sends up an entire squadron of planes. Stukas and bf-109s take to the sky to rain hell down upon the Northern Parliament. The anti-aircraft that fires in retaliation are relatively weak and ineffective as they scramble to deal with the new threat. Graf Zeppelin chuckles as a few of her planes drop their bombs and blow up a tank and a couple of troops. Her fighters strafe the ground until enemy fighters cut them down. The Stukas disappear as she returns to her own body.
"I've stalled a few of them but it won't take long for them to catch up."
"Understood, let's get out of here." I pull out my luger and hold the front while Graf holds behind us.
"I can help too, daddy." Zeppy summons her rigging, nearly identical to her mothers. She launches several flights of planes. While she is detached from her body, I grab her and begin running with her on my back. A few explosions tell me Zeppy was successful in delivering her payload. However, her planes are immediately shot down by effective Anti-Aircraft and enemy fighters patrolling the area.
"That's my girl!" I pat her head as I carry her. She smiles brightly in response.
A hail of bullets scream around us as the enemy finds our location. Splinters of wood and dirt fly around as a machine gun tears at us. Graf and I break off and hide behind separate trees. She counts down, presumably to the point where the weapon will run out of ammo. Just on 1, the machine gun stops and we make a break for it. We are unhindered the rest of our run.
…
"H-Hold on! Let me catch my breath!" I tell the two Kansen who run far in front of me. They circle back around and help me regain my energy. The sounds of the battlefield are now distant enough to confuse them with fireworks. The spring wind helps with cooling me off, but it was starting to get much hotter outside. Despite that fact, Zeppy and Graf both wear thick coats laced with wool and black tights. Though, even thinking about her tights recently gets me worked up so I try to push that thought back.
"Come on daddy! We have to keep moving."
"I-I know, I'll be fine in a second." I gasp for air.
Graf Zeppelin picks me up and carries me on her shoulders. "Just until we can get safe…" She says embarrassed.
'I should be the one embarrassed here' I say to myself.
Graf Zeppelin and Zeppy take off until we reach the next town. As we run through the town, we let out our warning.
"Everyone evacuate! The enemy is here!" If it wasn't for our officer uniforms, our warning probably would have fallen of deaf ears.
Soon, the entire town is evacuating to the west. We use the town as a brief resting place as now both Kansen were just as tired as I am.
"Y-You did well… Graf…" I breathe deeply.
"You didn't… do too bad… yourself… Adol…"
"We.. can't run forever…" I say.
"Where do we go?" Graf Asks me.
I think back to our memories and try to find a place where we could potentially escape the war, at least for a time. A specific place comes to mind…
"I know just the place…"
We have been hiking for hours, without a vehicle, the climb up the alps is much harder.
"Are we there yet?" Zeppy complains as I carry her.
"Almost. You're going to love it." I respond.
"We're really high up, daddy. I like it up here. I can see everything!" She says excitedly.
Graf Zeppelin tries to keep her response to herself.
"That's great, you'll love it even more at the top."
We finally reach a tunnel that goes deep into the mountain. Inside it is freezing, but absolutely breathtaking. The lights flicker as their bulbs slowly age and die. We finally reach the end after a couple of minutes of walking. At the end is an elevator made of pure gold. I press the call button and it slowly lowers to our floor. It opens and reveals a detailed golden interior as well, exciting a small cheer of excitement from Zeppy. We step in and press the only other button in the elevator other than down. Up.
The doors open after a short ride and reveal the hallway leading out onto the top of the mountain. Zeppy exclaims in joy as she rushes to the railing, looking down upon the massive valley beneath them.
"Daddy! Mommy! I can see the whole world from up here."
"Yes you can, and you will everyday…"
"You mean?"
"Welcome home Zeppy…"
The End.