Unmei Force Solitary Legends: Azure Seas, Black Space
Chapter 5: Union, Charge!
The group soon returned to see that things had calmed down considerably since their departure, as most worlds were now under control again, leaving only one world left to rescue: The Yggdra Union world. But first, a breather for most, to ensure they were truly prepared to go into that battle.
However, Nitori informed the group that a new wave of ship-girls were coming, although Nitori had a feeling that this batch of ship-girls aren't likely to be on good terms with each other. Richard immediately told the Gensokyo residents to settle in while Richard personally greets the group of shipgirls, as Siege followed him to the break room where the ship-girls were, only to be met with a scene that Richard felt like was going to happen eventually.
Richard noticed that there were two active combatants, as they were clashing blows with each other, although Richard could see that they did damage to the room, evident from the various bulk-heads that were sealed over the holes on the walls, and the soot marks of explosive shells hitting the walls. They found that the other ship-girls were backing away from the fight, as two of them were cowering, and there was the other two, who were guarding the cowering shipgirls. Richard immediately recognised the two ship-girls who were fighting with each other, as he cleared his throat.
"Both of you, CEASE!" Richard bellowed the order to the fighting ship-girls, as the two immediately stopped, and turned to face Richard as one. "Alright, there better be a good explanation as to why the HELL this just happened…!? You two, over here now. I won't ask again. I will drag you both here MYSELF if it'll stop this nonsense!"
The two ship-girls immediately obeyed, as they slowly approached Richard, although that didn't stop them from giving each other a glare.
"Identification. NOW." Richard answered back with a very angry expression.
"I am IJN Hiei, the first Kongou-class battleship of the Sakura Empire." The first of them spoke, as she had long black hair that flowed down her sides, as well as white curved horns on the side of her head. She also had a flower ornament on the left side of her head, and yellow eyes. She wore a white officer dress, with long sleeves, and white long boots. In her hand was a long katana.
"Mhm." Siege said at her introduction, displeased himself as he turned to the other ship-girl in question. "And you. Identify yourself."
"Yat Sen of the first Fleet of the Dragon Empery." The other ship-girl responded back with a stoic expression, as she had long black hair, styled short on her forehead, with a white peony on the left side of her head, as she was dressed in a chinese oriental white dress, and black stockings in black heels. She had a closed parasol in her hand, something that Siege and Richard took notice of.
"Alright, now that the pleasantries of introducing yourself is over…" Richard answered back, before he then stepped towards. "Explain this. I better have a reason for all of this, or you're both going to be confined for endangerment of the base."
"Endangerment of the base? Commander, what are you talking about, I have not-" Hiei tried to argued in outrage.
"...Those holes on the walls aren't yours?" Richard gestured towards the soot-covered holes on one of the walls, with a scowl on his face. "Do you think me dim, IJN Hiei? I know ship-girls from the head to the toe, those holes are made from HE rounds, and I know that you and Yat Sen are the only ones fighting at the time I arrived. And all the other ship-girls were either cowering or backing away."
Hiei immediately fell silent, before Richard then swivelled over to Yat Sen, who calmly accepted Richard's chewing out of her. "And you, you're not free from this either. You're fortunate that these walls are reinforced with bulk-heads that seal when damage is done in an instant, or you'll be responsible for the loss of many lives in this base. Too many for you to justify anything but capital punishment."
"What do you mean?" Yat Sen asked back.
"I do believe that you wouldn't realise this, since you two were so focused on your fighting, but you are in a base in outer space. That's right, you're not on Earth anymore, and for that reason, your actions almost had serious consequences." Richard growled.
"Sigh Richard, let me handle this…" Siege said as he knew that clearly, Richard was unable to get through to them both, considering that Richard was quite livid. But Siege would. "Now then. Tell me, what in God's name, brought you two to a pointless squabble, that had it poured out of this room, could have cost us HUNDREDS OF LIVES!?" Siege said in an authoritative tone that even made Yat Sen lose her demeanor momentarily.
"...It was the fact that this Dragon Empery harlot dared to mock my very kin." Hiei answered back. "She told me that we were nothing but fools led by a childish ship-girl. She insulted Nagato herself, who earned her position through great effort. To mock that is an insult I cannot allow to pass!"
"So you, in response, thought it wise to just open fire and begin a small scale war?" Siege asked with a raised brow.
"Commander, I know that I'm wrong, but I cannot-" Hiei argued.
"IJN Hiei, if you want to remain in duty and not shame your sisters further, I suggest you don't talk back." Richard hissed back, prodding his finger on the collar of her neck. "What you did was not justified. Sure, I would be miffed if you went to fists about it, but no, you had to go for the guns. What about Amagi would think if she saw that one of her own did this kind of thing. What do you think she'll be like when she knows about this!?"
"I… Amagi is here?" Hiei asked back, as she was lost for words.
"You'll see her soon, if you properly clean up your act. I'll tell you, you lost a lot of honour falling for that provocation." Richard responded back. "You're going to stay confined within your quarters alone, until I've discussed matters with Amagi regarding on how to deal with you. Oh, and you said Nagato…? She's here on the ship, so pray to your gods that news of this won't run to her, or she will be most unpleased."
Hiei was silent, as she looked down on the ground, before Richard then turned to Yat Sen.
"As for you, Yat Sen, I am most disappointed about what you have done. The fault of this lies on your shoulders as much as Hiei does, for provoking her." Richard scowled. "And as the first Dragon Empery ships that I have had, you have made a very, VERY bad first impression on me. So you better hope that you too will fix yourself up, because you're not going to get far unless you earn my respect."
"Commander, with all due respect, do you know what the Sakura Empire-" Yat Sen argued back.
"I do, and I could give less of a care." Richard answered back with a cold glare. "Right here, past grudges don't matter. Just ask the Eagle Union and the Royal Navy ships, who have reason enough to cause problems with the Sakura Empire, and yet they still kept their dignity and eventually learned to shake hands metaphorically for a truce, UNLIKE YOU. You will learn to get along well, or there will be no place for you on my fleet, or Siege's. We do not take kindly to extreme discrimination."
Yat Sen was silent, before she then fell to her knees, with a repentant expression on her face. "...If that is your wish, Commander." She answered back quietly. "Then I will accept my punishment, and not stain what remains of my own dignity."
"...I truly hope that you'll change your act." Richard muttered under his breath, before he then pulled out his communicator. "MP, we got a situation here. Come to this location, and escort these two to their designated quarters… and make sure they stay there unless for certain emergencies."
After a while, several oni and wolf tengu officers came in, dressed in the uniform of military police in the base, as Richard gestured for them to apprehend Hiei and Yat Sen, as they didn't resist at all, before they were escorted out of the room. After that was done, Richard placed a hand on his forehead with a pained expression.
"Oy, this is not going to be fun at all…" Richard answered back. "I never expected something like this to happen at all…"
"Hold on, Richard." Siege said. "MP! Bring those two back!"
The oni and Wolf tengus did as told, as Hiei and Yat Sen looked at Siege.
"While Richard may be right about you two being in trouble, I am a generous Commander, that and you two being apart in this turn of events can only go badly. I propose a chance to redeem yourselves." Siege said.
"...What is that, Siege?" Richard asked back, fairly curious about what Siege had planned.
"Well, Yat Sen said what she did because she believes something that is certainly not true. So, if Hiei can respectfully do so, would you like to introduce Yat Sen to your brethren?" Siege would ask Hiei.
"This…" Hiei responded back. "Are you sure that-"
"...If I'm going to have to meet them eventually… I may as well do so under these terms." Yat Sen responded back with acceptance. "You have my word that I will not cause any provocations that will result in a repeat of this incident. I am not ungrateful to spit at the hand that would spare me."
"Very well. Now, allow me to summon two others who can keep you two in line and make sure this is going smoothly." Siege said, before pulling out a communicator and gesturing for the oni and Wolf tengus to leave. "Flamebearers, do you read me?"
"This is Yae Sakura of Flamebearers. You request us, Siege-san?" Sakura asked from the other end.
"Yes, and bring your partner as well. Get here, ASAP." Siege said.
"Hai." Yae Sakura said, as the call cut off. Not a few moments later, Sakura and Amagi walked into the room.
"Siege-San, you requested us." Sakura said as Hiei and Yat Sen soon saw their guides, one being Amagi.
"Indeed, Sakura. Hiei wants to show Yat Sen around and introduce her to the Sakura Empire ship-girls we have here. Be sure that the two don't cause trouble, since there is bad blood between these two, and they've done such a good job of holding it in." Siege said, as Richard remained silent, the two exchanged a look, knowing that Siege wanted to build morale of these two, not demoralize.
"Yes sir." Sakura said, soon walking up to Hiei and Yat Sen. "Well, if you are being so respectful, Hiei-San, why not start with your brethren next to me, Amagi-san?"
"A-Amagi!?" Hiei exclaimed, as she was shocked about Amagi's new appearance, and even more, how Amagi looked quite fit. "How are you… Did a kami possess you!?"
"Not quite." Amagi smiled back. "It's been a while, Hiei. I would be happy if your sisters were here with you, but I suppose that I have no dominion over who comes here. Even so, to answer your question… It might be better to say that I have become a kami myself. I'm sure that Nagato would be surprised to see me like this as well. Mikasa as well."
"I… I see…" Hiei responded back, as Yat Sen was slightly surprised, as she was potentially surprised at how cordial Amagi was, before Amagi turned to her.
"May I ask who you are?" Amagi asked Yat Sen.
"It's Yat Sen. Yat Sen of the Dragon Empery." Yat Sen responded back.
"...Ah. I see." Amagi responded back, as her expression dimmed with sympathy and regret. "...Yat Sen, if I may ask you a favour…? When you have the time, come and speak with me, I think that we need to talk about importance, things personal to each other. As the acting flag-ship of the Sakura Empire girls here... I believe I have the responsibility to help clear some… past grudges."
"Oh… I see." Yat Sen simply responded back, looking dumbfounded.
"Sakura-san, let us take these two around." Amagi responded back. "I'm sure that Yat Sen would be happy to see some well-behaved Sakura Empire ship-girls."
"Yes, let us go, Hiei and Sen-san." Sakura said, as she and Amagi led the two out of the room.
"There. That way, Yat Sen won't start developing more grudges since she would blame Hiei for her being isolated." Siege said. "Now, let's see about those other ship-girls, who are probably still in a bit of shock over the recent… explosive interaction."
"Yeah, and none of them seem like they have any problem as big as the two did." Richard remarked. "I guess I have you to thank for finding a more sympathetic solution to this. I guess I'm lacking empathy recently."
Richard then approached the lone Dragon Empery ship-girl, who was one of the ship-girls cowered in the fight, as she was smaller than Yat Sen, with short black hair, and a golden hair-band on one of the bangs. She wore a white dress with a leather belt around her waist, and a metal chain band around her shoulders, with a red ribbon on her collar. She had a white plush snake wrapped around her right leg, and she wore brown boots.
"Are you alright, you looked a little spooked from the fight." Richard told the little ship-girl, who slowly turned to Richard, showing her purple eyes, which looked fairly timid. "What's your name? Don't worry, I won't shout at you like I did with Yat Sen."
"Um… I'm Tai Yuan, fourth ship of the An Shan destroyer class." The ship-girl introduced herself. "You look like that you're a person from the Dragon Empery… Have you seen any of my sisters here?"
"Afraid not." Richard shook his head. "Like I told Yat Sen, you two were the first Dragon Empery ship-girls I have met here. Were you scared from the fighting? I suppose that with how intense the fight was, you had good reason to cower."
"W-Will the Sakura Empire girls treat me gently? I'm scared of what they might do to me." Tai Yuan asked with a slightly afraid tone.
"There is no need to be afraid, the Sakura Empire ship-girls here are willing to mend bridges with people like you. I'm sure that they'll treat you nicely." Richard assured Tai Yuan with a smile. "If they do anything bad to you, know that I am a Commander that treats all ship-girls under me equally."
"Really? That really soothes my heart…" Tai Yuan responded back, placing a hand on her chest in relief. "Should I leave? I need some time to settle down here… And I hope Yat Sen won't get into more trouble."
"You can leave, I'm not the one with control over what you do." Richard nodded back, as Tai Yuan left.
Richard then walked over to the Sakura Empire ship-girls, as he saw another young ship-girl, being soothed by a more mature ship-girl. The younger ship-girl seemed to belong to the class Mikazuki and Uzuki belong to, with how she was dressed in a blue school-dress and had a yellow beret on her head. She also wore brown boots, and black socks inside of them, and she had blue hair underneath her beret, with small rabbit ears drooped under it, as she had a sakura hair-clip on the right side of her head, and yellow eyes. The other ship-girl was dressed in a white Japanese officer dress, with golden buttons on her belly, and golden linings on her sleeves, as well as stockings and white heels. She had black hair and a pair of wolf ears on top of her head, and yellow eyes.
"Shh, shh…" The older ship-girl cooed to the younger ship-girl, gently stroking her hand across the frightened blue-haired ship-girl's head. "It's alright, big sister is here to keep you safe."
"Ahem, may I ask who you two might be?" Richard asked them both, as the mature ship-girl let go of the smaller ship-girl. "Sorry to interrupt your soothing of the younger ship-girl over there, I know that you mean well, but I should know who you both are, so that I can clarify a few things."
"Oh my, Commander is quite handsome for a harsh leader." The lady chuckled. "My name is IJN Atago, the second of the Takao-class heavy cruisers and flagship of the second Sakura Empire fleet. Many of my fellow sisters followed my banner to battle, so you can be assured that I'll take good care of those here."
"It is nice to meet you, Atago. Sorry if it had to be in such… tense circumstances." Richard responded back, tilting his head to look at the damage in the room.
"...I guess I should have stopped Hiei before all of this happened." Atago remarked, before her smile faded. "I was offended by the words of that Dragon Empery cruiser, but I knew better than to cause problems for my dear Commander. Besides, the problem was solved in the best way for everyone."
"Hmm.." Richard hummed under his breath, before looking down at the smaller ship-girl. "By perchance, are you part of the Mutsuki-class destroyers."
"How did you know!?" The other ship-girl exclaimed with surprise.
"Just a hunch. Mikazuki and Uzuki are here, so you should see them quickly." Richard answered back with a smile. "Before you go, what's your name?"
"It's Minazuki! I'm one of the best pranksters in the Sakura Empire! But don't worry, I'm serious when it comes to my missions, especially if they're transport or escort missions!" The ship-girl responded back, playfully sticking a bit of her tongue out. "Anyways, see you later!"
Minazuki quickly left the break room, to look for her fellow sisters, while Atago turned to Richard with a warm smile, as she left as well to search for her fellow kin.
Siege, meanwhile, walked over to the Eagle Union ship-girl who had stepped up to defend the Dragon Empery ship-girl, as she had long white hair, which had several long locks around her head, with a large frilly white hair-band on her head, as well as a pair of cat ears. She wore a black and white maid dress, with a tie around her neck that had the US flag on it, and she wore grey boots with long dark-red socks. She turned to Siege, with her green eyes looking directly at him.
"I must commend you. You stepped in for someone who was from a different country than yours. If I had an award, I would give it to you." Siege said. "Tell me your name, honorable one."
"Hammann. It's USS Hammann, of the Sims Destroyer Class." The cat-eared ship-girl answered back. "I have to respect your authority, when you take hold of the situation. And the fact that you were lenient enough to let things end in a better note. I don't need an award, especially when I have an actually good Commander this time around. As for why I helped that ship-girl? Because I may be a bit bitter towards Commanders, but I keep an eye out for our allies. That's what the Eagle Union standard is."
"A standard I can get behind. Perhaps more like you here, we can reach peace with Sakura Empire and Dragon Empery both. With Azur Lane growing, we could put a quick end to the Crimson Axis should they try anything against us and the allies we took from them." Siege said.
"Well, at this point, there won't be a Crimson Axis at all… If you manage to convince the Iron Blood girls here." Hammann crossed her arms, before she then blushed slightly. "And please don't praise me so strongly, it triggers… unsavoury tendencies in me."
"Oh, I apologize." Siege said. "As your Commander, I apologize for bringing up your… unsavory tendencies."
"Yeah… I don't mind praise from time to time, but just not too much at once." Hammann answered back. "Either way, I should look for the other Eagle Union girls. I might feel a sense of comfort if any of the commanding ship-girls are here."
She then left the break-room, as Richard let out a gentle sigh with a relieved smile. "Never thought even Hammann would have a time where she wouldn't be so obsessive tsundere-ish…" He muttered.
"Hammann is a tsundere?" Siege asked after Hammann left ear shot.
"Well, maybe that's the unsavoury tendency she might be talking about." Richard answered back. "She's the kind to chastise her Commander and call them a idiot or pervert. And the chances of pleasing her would be as much as a snowball's chance in hell. Even fulfilling the dere side of her with some love won't overpower her tsun tendencies. If she was like that, the worst she could give you is a migraine from her irritating nature, she's still good with fighting and talking with other ship-girls. But that problem isn't there, so I see no reason to worry about her."
"I suppose if you say that tendency isn't there then I truly don't have anything to worry about." Siege said in relief. "Good, the last thing I need is to worry about a tsundere. Now then, I heard more from Gensokyo came here?"
"Mhm, including Kaguya, and Rachel." Richard answered back with a nod. "I might introduce Kaguya to the ship-girls, she seems good enough to act as a co-commander for them. Rachel might already be honing for Allison already, I predict."
"Knowing Rachel, she probably is. Also, Kaguya and you, at some point you are gonna tie the knot, right?" Siege would ask.
"Of course, it might take some time, but we'll make it together." Richard nodded. "Just some more time, sooner or later."
"Fair enough." Siege said. "But if you do find time for that, you let me know, kay?"
"Alright, I'll make sure it's known." Richard nodded back.
Speaking of Rachel, Allison finally had a break from manning the scanner, when she spotted Rachel from afar. "Wh-what…!? Rachel!?"
"Sup, Allison, you seem like you've seen a ghost. Come on, does my arrival really warrant that much surprise?" Rachel grinned back.
"I'd say it does! I thought you were too busy defending Gensokyo?" Allison asked.
"Well, I've recently been relieved of those duties, and I just caught up with the latest batch of residents to get over to this side." Rachel responded back. "Isn't this just great?"
"Ha! You bet it is! Now we're finally able to have some girl time together!" Allison said with a bright smile.
"Now that I can't wait to have!" Rachel laughed with joy.
"Well, that is, after we deal with Demigra, of course." Allison said. "Scanners are showing he's moving all his assets to the Yggdra Union universe, and without any updates as of recent, there's a good chance he isn't gonna move them anytime soon."
"So we basically deal with that problem ourselves? Good! I've been waiting for opponetns other than the local youkai. It gets tedious over time." Rachel responded back with a eager grin.
"Well, Siege and Richard are still trying to decide on a final lineup. Demigra has everything riding on this, the Herrschers still with him, plus a few new enemies he has up his sleeve. With all the ship-girls we have been getting, it seems like we have many things to deal with at one time." Allison said.
"Ship-girls?" Rachel remarked, tilting her head to the side with confusion. "I'm sorry, I don't quite get what you mean."
"Ehm...have you ever played the game Azur Lane?" Allison would ask. "The characters in that game are referred to as ship-girls."
"Oh… I understand now." Rachel nodded back. "I might meet them later. But first, a world to save, right?"
"Yep. Let's see who Richard and Siege have for the lineup." Allison said, as Siege and Richard walked in, with quite the gathered army.
Sakura and Amagi were with them, having finished with the tour for Yat Sen, as she was now on friendlier terms with Sakura Empire. Alongside them was Kiana and Mei.
"Rachel, Allison, you dynamic duo you two, you ready to kick some ass?" Siege asked Allison and Rachel.
"Hell yeah I am!" Rachel screamed with excitement, drawing her spear.
"Let's do this!" Allison said, drawing her own spear.
"Alright… and lastly… Hm, Remilia and Patchouli should be sufficient to finish our team, would you agree Richard?" Siege would ask.
"Good point, it would be helpful." Richard answered back, before he then opened a sukima, entering it, as he came back soon with the two girls in question. "Sorry, but we need your help to take care of some demons."
"Do not worry, this is a simple request. Now then, shall we show the enemy the terror of the Scarlet Devil Mansion?" Remilia remarked, summoning her glowing red Gungrir to her hand.
"Alright." Patchouli responded back, readying her grimoire of magic.
"It's time then." Siege said as the group in question prepared. "Everyone, Advance!" Siege called out, as they all charged for the Yggdra Union universe, where Raiden, Kenshi, and Fujin already were in action.