So I'm back with another chapter.
This one I've been thinking about writing for quite some time now, though I can only hope that can stick the landing once I put pen to paper as it where.
Speaking of which, I'm still looking for a beta reader. If you're interested in doing so, send me a PM and I'll credit you at the start of each chapter.
And with that bit out of the way, let's get on with the story.
And as always, all rights go to their owners as I own nothing.
"Nobody is innocent, there are merely varying degrees of guilt." Anonymous Inquisitor Warhammer 40K
Miles was currently starring at the report currently on the table. As if doing that would change what it said. But it wouldn't; as Alex knew that he had to accept what was written on the report. And what it meant personally for himself.
As he had to accept that his last remaining members of his family were dead. And that fact alone was like taking a punch to the gut and what hit him the hardest was the fact that he had some responsible for their deaths.
Because he had arranged from them to live there to ensure that they would be in reach incase anything happen. But it seemed that fate conspired against him in that regard. As Miles hadn't learned of the attack on the island until it was already too late to do anything about it.
So Miles simply sat there continuing to staring at the piece of paper, trying to come to grips with reality. All the while Belfast stood by and watched him silently. All the while wishing she could do something to alleviate the pain she knew he must be going through.
But she knew deep down that this was something that Miles had to come to terms with. So she remained silent, all the while Belfast studied the expression on his face.
Because from what she could read his emotions playing across his face. Belfast guessed that Master Miles was experiencing a mix of frustration, anger and most evident guilt at his seeming failure towards protecting his kin.
This continued for some time until Miles finally sank back into his chair.
As Miles was final forced to accept that he was the last living member of his family; it hadn't started out like this of course. But events had chipped away at his blood line until they had all been taken away from him through a combination of bad luck, war, or just plain old age.
Now leaving Miles alone with no one really close he could really turn to. And this time there wasn't anything he could do to change it.
"Damn it all." Miles muttered bitterly under his breath, as he finally flipped over the piece of paper.
As he knew that this wasn't the end of the bad news for him today. In fact he completely expected it; as the two events were completely interconnected. Because the city that his remaining family had been living in had not only been the lynch pin of his entire supple chain, but of the Union's defensive strategy in the Pacific as a whole!
Still Miles chose to focus on his most immediate problems. As he knew without the port Jade the only other open port that was available to him was the Union base at Pearl Harbor.
But considering the current statues of the ongoing war between the Eagle Union and the Sakura Empire; Miles knew that Pearl Harbor wasn't taking any merchant ships that weren't directly contributing to the war effort.
This meant that any convoys that Miles did charter to supply Azur Lane would be forced to make the full trip without stopping.
This could easily be a death sentence for many a merchant ships. Because there would be no where to shelter should they end up under attack before they reached destination. And this was before considering the fact that they might needed to such a stop over to either refuel or top up their fuel and deal with any mechanical issues that might suddenly pop up.
But what Miles was worried about the most was the increasing raids that were sure to follow the demise of Jade Harbor. As Axis and Siren raiding forces had been a problem in the waters around Azur Lane and Jade Harbor further south.
Honestly Alex could easily see this fitting into Sakura Empire's grand strategy regarding the southern Pacific. As the Empires position in the ongoing war was currently precarious at best. Mostly because they were run despite on certain resources that were needed to continue the war effort.
As such they would stop at nothing in order to secure the needed resources in order to keep their war effort going.
Needless to say this report was probably the worst news that Miles had received in the entity of this whole year!
But as if to add insult to injury the report also informed him that his supplies were being cut yet again. Leaving him with the barest minimum to keep Azur Lane up and running.
But he did foresee this happening; as such he did have some of the more important martial stockpiled in case of such an eventuality. Even so Miles was more than aware this, as their supplies wouldn't last him very long should he be forced into a long campaign.
This was most certainly to happen, once he hand was forced to deal with the raiders operating in the south.
Miles then rubbed his temples as he felt a headache coming on. As events moving too fast for Miles own liking.
"I-I need a drink." Miles stated as he then reached for where he kept the alcohol for such an occasion.
But before he could retrieve the bottle; Belfast reached in and snatched it from his grasp.
"Master Miles, if you're going to drink. At least see lady Amagi before you do so." Belfast said this as politely as possible.
All the while she kept the bottle of alcohol just out of his reach.
Then for a long moment the two of them locked eyes with one another; all the while Belfast held her breath. As she hoped that her Master didn't take this opportunity to lash out at her. But thankfully for the two of them this didn't come to pass.
As Alexander seemed to realize that Belfast was right, and with a huff he left her without saying a signal word.
Belfast waited silently until he had left the room. At which point she allowed herself to left out her breath she had been holding. As dealing with Miles when he was all worked up like this wasn't the easiest, or her favorite thing for her to deal with. But this was part of her duties as his personal maid.
Besides if she hadn't done anything it would've reflected badly on her and the Royal maid core as a whole.
Still Belfast was at least thankful that an argument hadn't taken place. As she could tell that Miles was looking for something to vent all his frustration and pain onto. Not that Belfast couldn't handle that of she became the target of his anger mind you.
But because Belfast knew that he would probably say something that he would probably come to regret later. And that was something that she wished to avoid if at all possible.
Belfast then sighed to herself, wondering what she could do to help. As it wasn't like she could us Royal Navy resources to help him.
Then again maybe she could…
No!
Belfast then remanded herself.
As her duty was here was first and foremost that of an ambassador of the Royal Navy. But more importantly Belfast was representing to only herself but that of the royal maid core and that of her majesty: Queen Elizabeth. As such her own feelings didn't matter when it came to ensuring that she fulfilled to both her queen and country.
Still… Belfast couldn't help but look at the bottle currently in her hand.
It was an older bottle and one she knew very well, as she had given it to Alex as a gift and with the promise that one day that the two of them would share it.
"What am I going to do with you?" Bell asked herself, as she suddenly felt tears fill her eyes.
For a moment Belfast couldn't understand as to why she was crying. Still she couldn't let this affect her duties! So she drew in a deep breath in an attempt to try and compose her. But Belfast only found that this action only made her heart weight more heavily in her chest.
Even so Belfast knew that she couldn't allow what she was feeling to distract her. Especially considering that she would have to pick up the slack for Miles today. Knowing what had just befallen him.
So it was with a heavy heart that Belfast started on paperwork. All the while she silently wrestled with the emotions that were churning madly inside of her young heart.
Miles was slowly making his way down towards the medical wing when he then heard something break further down the hallway.
For a moment he paused, as he tried to figure out who else might be in the building with him when a familiar voice spoke.
"Nicht wieder," The female voice came from further down the hallway.
Knowing who it was upon hearing their voice; Miles quickly made his way further down the hallway. Until he turned the corner and was greeted by a very familiar figure with silver hair, black clothes with red and white accents. It was Admiral Graf Spee, who seemed to be trying to clean up a mess she had made.
This wasn't the first time that Miles had come across Spee in such a state. As he had seen her in the exact same state since she had been returned to him from her last engagement between her and the Royal Navy.
During which her rigging had taken some major damage; which one of her arm then show cased as it was completely exposed from its rigging while the other was still in case. This current state of her rigging did inconvenience her a lot; as Spee did find it rather hard not to lose her balance most of the time.
Though she had managed to adjust to her current situation, as she continued to clean up the vast she had knocked over with her free hand.
Knowing that she wouldn't stop until she had managed to clean up everything; Miles approached her to offer his help.
"Need a hand Spee?" Alex asked once he was five feet away from her, less she turn on him suddenly.
Which she did, and thankfully he hadn't been standing in her way, As she nearly lost her balance due to her rigging, and if that would've happened then there would've been a good chance that he would've been injured by mistake as Spee tried to catch herself.
"Kommandant!?" Spee then cried out in surprise. "Wo kommst du her?" Her mind hadn't switched over to English when she had said this.
"Spee, you know I don't understand that." It was a half lie to be sure.
As during his tenure as Commander of Azur Lane, Miles had attempted to learn each of the member nation languages while commanding. As he felt that attempting to doing so would allow him to understand those who served underneath him a bit better. Though trying to learn at least five different languages at the same time wasn't really the best way to learn anything.
Even so Miles did have the ability to understand most of the languages spoken around base, if only barely.
But he did have a rough idea as to what Spee was saying; though it would be a lot easier for the two of them if they could talk in Miles native language. If only to avoid a misunderstanding in their conversation
"Ah, sorry Kommandant." Graf then apologized as her cheeks turned crimson with embarrassment.
For his part Alex wasn't sure what Spee was sorry about. As to whiter she was sorry about the mess or to the fact that she had said something he couldn't have possibly understood. Then again it didn't really matter in the end, as it wasn't any permit damage done.
As Spee hadn't done anything that would've broken the agreement that he had made with the Royal Navy. This was the only real success story that Miles could really claim; as he had managed to negotiate her releases from the Royal Navy forces blockading her in the port of Montevideo.
Though the conditions of her release were steep, as her her crew was to be detained and turned over to the Royal Navy. Mean while Admiral Graf Spee wasn't too released from Azur Lane to rejoin Iron Blood at large. And as a final insurance against such a thing from taking place Spee rigging be left as it was from the time of her capture.
Hence why Spee was in her current state; even so this didn't detour her from attempting to clean up the mess she had made. Even if she could only use her only free hand to do so, while the other that was still encased in its rigging tended to get in her way.
But this didn't bother Spee too much as she had gotten quiet used to this by now.
Even so this didn't mean that she didn't struggle with it; especially considering how unbalanced her body was thanks to her rigging. As Spee always had to make sure she didn't do something to throw her balance off, or else she would quickly find herself falling to the ground below.
This was something she would rather avoid for obvious reason.
"It's okay Spee, just what were you doing before this happened?" Miles then asked as he joined her.
As he did want to know as to why she was here in the first place.
Spee shrugged as explained. "I was going to meet Leipzig for a walk." She then shrugged again. "She said that she didn't want to do it alone, Kommandant."
Miles understood full well why this was. As when Leipzig had been 'returned' to him, she had been in a really bad shape. Fully malnourished and fearing for her life; it had taken him and Belfast sometime to bring Leipzig back from the brink. As such Miles didn't like the idea of Leipzig being left alone with someone that she didn't trust full.
He was just thankful that she still trusted her most of her fellow Iron Blood ships despite everything that had happened to her. But Miles was more than aware of how her feelings had changed towards her counties officer core.
As Leipzig now feared and loathed being around them, as she was half convinced that they would snatch her away in the night if given the chance. This had leading to many sleepless nights, as he and Belfast tired their best to comfort the poor terrified girl.
Still the fact that they had treated Leipzig in such a way made Alexander fear for the rest of the Kansen and how they were being treated by their respective navels. As during his time working with them during Azur Lanes hay day; Miles knew from personal experience that they expected to be ready to go at a moment's notice. No matter their personal mantel state.
This of course had lead to a couple of the Ship-girls simply snapping breaking down from the strain they were constantly put under. Especially in the early days before he had come here. As during those days they had been fighting against a seemingly unstoppable juggernaut, as cites fell daily during that time. So it was understandable as to why they might snap, especially considering that it seemed that they would loss no matter what they did at the time.
Still the worst part about this for Miles was that he had never really found out what had happened to those Kansen's that had been taken off the roster and 'returned home'.
Even so Miles had managed to gather hints and rumors as to what might've happened to them. And honestly Miles hoped to God that those rumors were wrong. But deep down in his gut, he knew the truth.
As such he was because extremely alarmed at the rumored now coming out of the Iron Blood. As he knew full well the exact situation they were in current in strategic.
Knowing this, Miles could only imagine as to what they may be doing to them. Especially considering the fact that he knew full well what Leipzig herself had been through.
Knowing this fact Miles was going to do everything in his power to prevent any of his girls from being sent home. Because Miles could only imagine as to what they might find if they did so. As such he wanted to spare them that pain for as long as possible. Even if he had to make some compromises to do so. As Miles wouldn't fail then as he had failed the other so miserably, knowing this fact only added to his to this conviction.
Still it was around this time that Miles realized that he had been quite for quite some time, as Spee was starting to look worried. Knowing that he had to say something, he said the first thing that popped into his mind.
"That's good to hear Spee. But be careful, as I don't want a repeat of that 'incident'." Miles said to her, and instantly wished that he hadn't.
The incident that he was referring to was still a sore spot for Spee, as it happened during her first few weeks back on base. As this had happened while she had been help him with some paperwork. But while making her way over to him, Spee had tripped on the carpet and a piece of her damage rigging had caught Miles arm, splitting it open like a knife through butter.
Needless to say, Miles was quickly rushed to the hospital where he to his arm stitched back up. All the while Spee was having something of a mental break down over this incident. Also this add to this was the bad news from her former Captain; who had suicide which didn't help matters in the slits. Thankfully however, Alex had been on hand to get Graf through it. As she didn't leave his bedside until he was allowed to leave the hospital.
It was needless to say that it had been a long week for the two of them. But they had managed to work through it, and once he was released, Spee was back to her usual self. Though she was more aware of what could happen if she wasn't careful. Still Spee's face dropped in shame as she remembered this fact.
And it also showed in Grafs voice, as she then mumbled out her reply. "Of course; Kommandant,"
Not wanting this convection to end on such a sour note, Miles reached out and ruffled her hair. This of course drew a reaction from Graf, though not a total unexpected one.
"Kommandant," Spee said as she started to get her voice back. "You're messing up my hair." Though Spee sounded annoyed by this, the small smile on her face said otherwise.
"Then, consider this your punishment Spee." Miles said in good humor as he continued.
Though he didn't really consider this a punishment, as Miles was doing this because it made him feel better; though he couldn't really explain as to why it did. There was also the fact that despite how much Spee may complain she did also enjoy this as well.
Even so she would be forced to go back to her room afterwards and fix her hair. But if she got Leipzig's help, then it would take less than ten minutes to fix. So it wasn't a complete loss for either of them.
"Kommandant," Graf sounded back to her usual self now. "I have to go. Leipzig is waiting." She then reminded him.
Because if Graf Spee was one thing, then that was dependable and kept her word to the few friends she had. Then, almost reluctantly Miles removed his hand from her head. As Miles then held her gaze, as he then allowed himself to remember a time before this. When all he had to worry about was the Sirens, back door politics and bickering admiralty board on a daily basic.
But regrettable those days were long past, and honestly Miles would've given anything to have them back.
"Kommandant," Graf voice invade his thoughts bring him back. "You weren't punishing me, were you?" Spee said in a knowing voice.
As she also knew him well enough to know that something was up. For a moment Alex stayed quiet, as he let the silence speak for him.
"I see…" Spee tailed off as if she was thinking about something.
She then took two steps forward so that was in arms reach of Miles, as she then whispered to him.
"Kommandant, though I might not know what I should say. If you need someone to listen," Miles then felt a light brush on his hand, and found that Spee was now holding it. "Please, don't haste in asking. It's the least I can do…" After everything that you've done for me, that part remained unsaid.
But it didn't need to be said between this two. As Miles had been the closest thing that Spee had for a friend for years since her birth, or whatever they called it.
Still that only serviced to twist the knife in Alexander's heart. As it was a reminder that he couldn't do the same with her or with anyone else considering some of the things that he had agreed to.
Even so; Miles looked into Grafs gleaming blue eyes, he wasn't even sure he could bring himself to tell her the true even if he wanted to.
As Miles was all too aware that Spee's sister: Deutschland was still active in the Iron Blood navy. As he knew if he told her what he knew to be happening in her homeland it might very well put Spee's sister in danger. All the while he would be forced to deal with a Spee who would be worrying nonstop for her sister safety.
That was the last thing that he wanted for her, so with a great deal of shame he hide this facts from her. If only to protect her in his own way, even so Miles would often wrestle with this fact each day as to whom he was protecting.
"Kommandant? Did I say something?" A hint of worry entered Spee voice as she asked him.
Realizing that he hadn't said anything in the last few minutes, Miles brought himself back to the present conversion.
"It's nothing Spee. I was just mulling over a report I got earlier." Miles half lied to her.
As this was technically true; but he wasn't about to tell her the full story. But then again Miles knew that Spee would see through any lie that he told. So he had to be careful if she asked any further, as he didn't want to burden her anymore then she already was.
"Oh," Spee said as she withdrew her hand from his, "Okay…' There was still a look of uncertainly on Spee's face.
For a moment afterwards a silence hung in the air between the two of them. As they both struggled to figure out what they could say.
"Please, Kommandant if there's anything I can do for you. Please just ask me." Spee offered once again as she unknowingly twisted the knife with her words.
Miles knew that she meant well, but he simply couldn't find a response to Graf offer. So he went with the only response he could say.
"I'll think about it Spee. Thanks." Though it wasn't what he originally wanted to say.
It was all Miles could bring himself to say. And it was at this point Miles knew that he had lingered here long enough.
As he needed to go and see Amagi, while Spee needed to go and meet up with Leipzig. Honestly this wasn't the note that he wanted to leave Spee with, but it wasn't the first time that this had happen to him. So with a sigh Miles looked Spee in the eyes and once again silently asked himself if he was doing the right thing.
"Anyway Spee, Leipzig is still waiting for you." Mile stated, as if he couldn't bring himself to talk about what he was doing.
Spee seemed to sense her Kommandant mood as she too kept it brief.
"Ja, so I'll see you later Kommandant?" Graf then asked him.
But Miles couldn't really answer that question; he himself wasn't certain of the answer.
"Probably Spee; if not then have a good walk with Leipzig." Miles said almost as if he didn't want to say anything else.
To which Spee nodded and she then replied.
"Ich werde. Guten Tag, mein Freund." Spree said as the two of them started to go their own ways.
But just as Miles reached the end of the hallway did Spee speak up.
"Also, Kommandant. Es tut mir leid für deinen Verlust." Graf said in her naïve German.
Miles then wiped around to look at Spee, only to find that she was already left. For a moment Alex just stood there, as he tried to figure out just how Graf had learned about his family's passing. As he had only learned about it less than an hour ago; as such no one else other then Belfast should've known about this.
'Belfast couldn't have told her? No she couldn't have, so who could've told her about this…' This question burned in Miles mind, as he continued on to the base infamy.
All the while trying to puzzle out just how Graf Spee had learned about his about his family's passing.
Dictionary: German to English
Kommandant – Commander
Nicht wider – Not again
Wo kommst du her? – When did you get here?
Ich werde. Guten Tag, mein Freund. - I will. Have a good day my friend.
Hane eninen guten Tag, mein Freund – Have a good day, my friend
Es tut mir leid für deinen Verlust – I'm sorry for your loss
That's all she wrote, I hope that you enjoyed this chapter even if it's a bit on the slow side of things.
Also let me know if you like the German I used for Spee. As I used an online translator to do this and I wanted to see what you guys though of my attempt to work such stuff into the story. So please let me know, so that figure out whether I should continue with this little experiment, or just stick to plane old English, as I might offend the literal grammar Nazis with the German.
Moving on swiftly, it seems Miles has found himself in a difficult situation. As his main supply chains gone up in smoke alongside the last remains of his family, poor man can't seem to catch a break. And you can only imagine the fallout if he learns Spirits part in the island sinking. But that's a bridge that well is going to be crossed, or burned later in the story.
Otherwise I hope that the way I'm writing Belfast is coming over okay. As I want to give her a person dilemma besides having her being the perfect maid while do her duty to her majesty. So I put her in this position that will test her personally, still I can only hope that I can pull of what I'm planning for her at any rate.
Also two more name drops in this chapter! And yes Leipzig and Spee are going to be in this story; also sorry I couldn't sneak a list or number of ships still under Miles command into this chapter. Still there are opportunities to do so in the later chapter so I'll try to figure out a place for it. Also yes; Amagi is going to be in this story. As to how she's still alive and what state she's in, will it be explored next chapter.
Now with all that out of the way let's get onto the reviews and the first one is edboy4925:
I'm glad that you enjoyed it. As I'm glad it stuck the landing, still I hope you enjoyed this chapter as well.
Next up is MarauderPrine12:
Thanks for the review; I'm glad you enjoyed the last chapter.
Following on from MarauderPrine12 is Spartastic 4!:
I'm still looking for a beta, but I'll tell my new system I'm working with now.
As I'm currently writing on my IPad, and saving new chapters to a folder to be edited in Microsoft word later on when I get a chance to use the computer. As of right now I'm working on chapter 11 of the story.
So I would say it's at least a two to three months between finishing and editing at the moment. Still I appreciate the suggestions as they lead up to this set up,
As for the civilian battle, it was something new I tired. So I appreciate the feedback as I wasn't certain as to how it was to be. So now what to look out I for next time.
Thanks for the review and the same to you and your endeavors.
Coming in after Spartastic is joeyginise:
First off thanks for the review, and I won't lie to you in saying that English is my first language. It's just my writing and grammar skills really suck as it was my weakness subject in school.
Still considering that I'm editing this in Microsoft word, it's not as bad as it could be.
As for your suggestion regarding Yamato, I'll think about it as it might require a lot of delays on my part to implement this change. So we'll see what happens at any rate.
As for the eventual UNSC/Azur lane contact, I still have some ground work left to lie sadly; though I do have a plan once they make contact with one another, as it will already be set up before hand.
But as a little spoiler, a shipgirl or girls will be on the Spirit as a part of the eventuality agreement. As to whom that's your guess.
Now onto the civilians attacking the UNSC, there is a reason behind that. I already have the chapter prepared to explain that, though I'm still trying to figure out just how to explain it.
But that's a rewrite/editing challenge that happens in another chapter in the future.
Next up is Guardian of Inheritance:
Thank you for the encouragement, I'll keep at it and put my best out for you all.
Second to last reviews is a Guest review:
I hope this holds you over till the next update. Cheers!
With the final review is Mad King C:
I'm glad you're enjoying the story so far. Even if it's a bit ruff around the edges, mostly due to the way I try to implement things and so on.
Anyway until next time have a good one