Isaac's first stop after leaving the medical bay was the bridge of the Norfolk. Norfolk herself was sitting in the chair, going over documents she had procured from the Port Master regarding communications outages.
"Norfolk." Isaac said, causing her to look up from her work and look over at him.
"Isaac. How is Hood doing?" Norfolk asked.
"She is well. She apparently was indoctrinated by the Sirens into resisting us for as long as possible. The moment I went in there, you saw her face."
"True. maybe the... incident... is being used against us. They could easily doctor the video to show anybody in that chair, Isaac. In a sense, our psychological warfare might be backfiring on us in the sense that all captured Kansens will be seeing someone they care for in that chair as opposed to Oceana." Norfolk said.
"You mean to say that we gave them the best possible tool against our recruiting efforts?" Isaac asked.
"Precisely. That's not to say it will be impossible to recruit people and ships, but if I have to sort through that video every single time we want to show them the truth, I'll go mad." Norfolk said as she looked sternly at Isaac.
"Got it... no more recordings. At least of that nature. Anyway, Tonight, you and Odin are going to have the port. I have to meet with Nimi, Mainz and Friedrich and discuss our plans for a few commissions while we wait for Warspite, Zeppelin, and our newest vessels to finish being built or rebuilt." Isaac said.
"I see. I'm sure the rest of us will be briefed once the idea is ironed out?" Norfolk asked.
"Yes. Until then, how is the progress on K-9?" Isaac asked.
"I provided her with a cloak to wear in port, that way if the RAN comes looking, she won't be spotted outright. As for her vessel... we are going to have to put her up for reconstruction. The vessel has been too poorly maintained for it to ever be usable without great material expense to us. Using a wisdom cube to rebuild her hull would be the fastest, cheapest, and most efficient way to get her back on the water." Norfolk said.
"I am assuming that she has already been notified of this?" Isaac asked.
"She seemed to be content with us doing it as opposed to the RAN. I guess her knowing that you wouldn't hurt her, and that we would be rebuilding her vessel from scratch, made her a bit more comfortable with the prospect of her letting the old thing go. Vengeance also told her that with the construction of her new vessel, she would have the opportunity to enhance it any way she liked so long as it doesn't impede the construction process." Norfolk said.
"I see. Well, that's good. I think I'll check on her later. How are you feeling?" Isaac asked, remembering what Zeppelin had told him earlier.
"I feel fine. Still upset that you left me in the med bay to go run off with Friedrich... but I guess it was for a good cause, so I can't stay too upset." Norfolk said as Isaac walked over and gave her a small kiss on her lips.
"I'll make it up to you." Isaac said right before Norfolk pulled him back into another, deeper, kiss, their tongues moving about and tasting one another before pulling away.
"There. Now I'm happy. I forgive you, Isaac." Norfolk said with a smile as she wiped her mouth and winked at him.
Isaac turned away, hiding his embarrassment as he straightened his uniform.
"I'll probably be coming back here tonight after dinner with Friedrich and Nimi." Isaac said.
"I'll let Friedrich and Nimi handle you... I'm still a bit sore from last night." Norfolk said as she rubbed her leg.
"Just thought I'd inform you, I doubt we'll be in the mood for such activities tonight anyway. Friedrich's cooking puts me to sleep not long after eating." Isaac said.
"Don't let her hear you say that, she'll never cook again." Norfolk said with a chuckle as Isaac nodded.
"You're probably right about that." Isaac said as he looked out over the port.
"Going to do rounds?" Norfolk asked.
"You guessed it." Isaac said.
"Have fun. Try to avoid Penny, she's been upset for a couple days now." Norfolk said.
"That sounds... unlike her. Do you have anything on it?" Isaac asked.
"Sounds like she's jealous that her sister have been getting more attention, but refuses to show it when her sister is present." Norfolk said.
"Ah... that could do it. I'll go talk with her while I'm about." Isaac said as Norfolk sighed.
"Your funeral." Norfolk said as Isaac chuckled.
"Alright, I'm off." Isaac said as he walked to the door, heading down Norfolk's deck and into the port.
"Have fun, Isaac." Norfolk said to the empty room before returning to her work.
Isaac looked around the port. His eyes fell on Pennsylvania first. While he wanted to ensure his wives were all okay, he still had a job to do.
Isaac walked over to Penny, who stopped and saluted him the moment she saw him.
"At ease. Walk with me, would you?" Isaac asked. Penny nodded.
"Did I do something, Commander?" Penny asked.
"Not at all. I just know I haven't been the best at getting around to everyone when I do my rounds. So, here I am to check up on one of my most important battleships." Isaac said.
"You're just saying that. Friedrich, Bismarck, and Elizabeth are far more important than someone like me." Penny said pessimistically.
"Not at all. You hold the same level of importance as they do." Isaac said.
"How so?" Penny asked.
"You are the second most Senior Union Battleship in this fleet. You outrank North Carolina, Washington, and even Arizona. The only one who stands as more senior, by only 3 years, is Texas." Isaac said.
"So? I'm an old boat, Commander. What's that have to do with anything?" Penny asked.
"Well. This fleet gets bigger by the day. Hell, Vengeance and I-13 will be coming in the next 2 weeks at this rate. Bismarck has been chosen to lead Ironblood. Elizabeth has been chosen to lead the Royal Navy forces in this fleet. I want you for the Union. You tend to be more straight-laced than Texas, who knows she'll be around forever. But you have more experience than the Union's newer battleships. You're exactly what I want as the flagship of the Union forces." Isaac said.
"Wait... really?" Penny asked, surprised by the sudden shift in the conversation.
"Yeah. You know how we do things here. And I trust you implicitly. So what do you say, Flagship Pennsylvania?" Isaac asked.
"If... that's what you want, I'll do it." Pennsylvania said softly.
"Excellent. I'll be relying on you a lot more now, Penny. Make me proud." Isaac said as Penny smiled a bit.
"I'll do my best, Commander." Penny said as she noticed his refusal to leave.
"Is there something more you needed, commander?" Penny asked.
"Not really. Just felt like hanging around for a bit. Would you like to join me on my rounds?" Isaac asked.
"Sure. I don't have anything else to do since my vessel just finished being repaired. Where are we off to?" Penny asked.
"Well, we need to visit the dry docks. I already visited our wounded, and Macarthur and Nimitz can handle their men without me. So now I need to check up on our construction projects." Isaac said.
"Alright, shall we go then?" Penny asked.
"Ladies first." Isaac said as Penny smirked.
"I know you're trying to butter me up, Commander..." Penny said as she walked next to Isaac as they made their way towards the drydock.
"What? No... I would never do something like that. I honestly do trust you to be able to accomplish this." Isaac said.
"Not about that. I know you're serious about that, and I will do my best. You have to have seen me as of late for you to be taking such an interest in keeping me occupied." Penny said.
"I did. You've been acting different when you think nobody is looking. I figured that you would enjoy having something to do, other than watching everyone fawn over your sister." Isaac said.
"I get it... she was brought back from the dead. I will be eternally grateful for that. But... I have a good history with the Union too." Penny said.
"Yes you do. And it's sad to see such a fine warrior being overshadowed. But you have a fan in me, Pennsylvania. Your work during the war was exemplary." Isaac said as Penny smiled a bit.
"Thank you, Commander. I guess I was just being a bit jealous. Being the only Pennsylvania class ship after Pearl Harbor made it a bit easier since I knew they were talking about me. But now... they almost always talk about Arizona." Penny said as they arrived at the dry docks.
"Penny. I understand how you feel. Being compared to your sister can't feel good. But you know your accomplishments. And I know of your accomplishments. So you have no reason to be as jealous as you were. And now, as Flagship of the Union forces of Azur lane, they'll talk about you even more." Isaac said as Penny finally smiled fully.
"No wonder you have so many of those girls wrapped around your finger. You could win over just about anyone." Penny said as she looked at him.
"I don't necessarily try to..." Isaac said.
"Well, I appreciate it, Commander." Penny said as she looked over at the dry docks.
"Good Lord, Commander... what are you building?" Penny asked as she saw the nearly completed hull of Vengeance's vessel.
"That... is the Hull that will house Vengeance. A hybrid battleship who will be able to provide air cover without relying on the carriers." Isaac said.
"She'll be with us?" Penny asked.
"Yes. Her abilities to completely control her vessel and her shields will be a good asset to have up front. She will also serve as my forward command ship when I need to lead from the front, like during the upcoming invasion of the Philippines." Isaac said.
"You gonna be on the ground again, Commander?" Penny asked.
"You bet. You girls aren't going in without me there. I won't allow anyone else to command you." Isaac said.
"The incident with the cubes back in New Guinea?" Penny asked.
"That made me very angry. So I will no longer be passing command of my forces, namely you girls, to anyone other than Odin or Norfolk." Isaac said.
"That makes me happy, Commander. Such a brave man you are to throw yourself into this war on nothing more than principle." Penny said.
"I also get to enjoy times like this, speaking with women that are so far out of my league, it inspires jealousy in everyone around." Isaac said with a chuckle.
"I guess if you put it that way, you'll have to work to get a girl like me in the sack with you." Penny jabbed as she nudged his side with her elbow.
"Don't say things like that, I might take it seriously." Isaac said as he shot a playful glance at Penny, who was now blushing fiercely.
"Stop playing around, Commander." Penny said as she looked away.
Isaac laughed as they looked back at the dry dock.
"And what is that?" Penny asked.
"We are building an I-400 class hull to try and retrofit 13." Isaac said.
"The Carrier Submarine?" Penny asked.
"Yup. This one is bigger than her previous hull, and I have requested that the materials be alloyed with Siren plating to provide strength. Her hull had many flaws that caused it to be lost in Pearl. So I want to avoid that by increasing the durability and sealing capabilities." Isaac said.
"Does it ever hurt your head, thinking like that?" Penny asked.
"Yeah. Why do you think I sleep so much?" Isaac asked.
"I thought you picked it up from Shinano." Penny jabbed.
"Ha. Ha. Ha. Funny. That said, I have to head over there now to continue my rounds." Isaac said.
"You do that, Commander. I'll go look after my new subordinates." Penny said.
"Good luck." Isaac said as the two parted ways, with Isaac heading towards the edge of port to get a ride over to the Shinano.