I AM BACK! You thought I went missing! Nope! I was just playing a LOT of games. that was all! Anyway, enjoy 9000 words of goodness. And read to the end. because there's some information about what Azur lane is up to and Iris's bio!

Another thing. You can still interact with and influence the story itself.

For example in the review. "Have Little enterprise go and look for Tester beta. Maybe she exists" or "Rather than flee from Bismarck. fight her and show her why you are the Grey ghost".

Ever wondered why i put up these planning chapters and told you in the last chapters to leave your voting choice for which decision? It was with the interaction of the audience. but the story would have progressed if there was nothing to prevent a hiatus. just that I would have defaulted to something. There are no wrong actions and choices. but something like killing Illustrious or trying to irritate Observer alpha would have had effects like making the other Illustrious-class sisters angry and vengeful and in Alpha's case. simply telling me if i wanted some rest. As such, Your votes and actions in the review section can change the history of the story itself. especially if you end up introducing a new plot point.

Anyway. Blast on!

There was something about education, school. military school or not that made me just grit my teeth and put up with the boringness. In my classroom, it was a mix of reservists returning to active services. shipgirls who needed refresher training. new shipgirls constructed from... what i suspected to be cubes and random number generators for a blank state, and a few of my colleagues were in here with me like Kiyomi and Izumi, The chirping of birds broke out like a certain primitive music. it was relief to my ears because without any modern comforts. I was reminded of why in my today state, i hated having to drill myself through lessons in education so much.

I looked around the classroom from my desk. The students and trainees were looking over their desks in concentration, The room was chatty. but was otherwise not interesting to listen to other than my fellow classmate's thoughts about the history of the Cold War and what caused the two World wars. I could tell that the newborn shipgirls were struggling here. and even with my attempts to rationalize my interest about history, it was still tiring and a chore to sit through all of this.

'Mistress. Kiyomi really seems to be slacking off.' I heard Reinforce chirping into my mind telepathically as her consciousness rubbed up against mine's. making me acutely aware of a phantom presence to my right.

"She's cheerful and a ditz. Rein-chan. Even you know I don't quite like school myself." I replied in my head. I had been on Active service these last two weeks. and though I was only deployed for hunting down confirmed targets (Much to my rage through. most. if not almost all of them tended to slip away in one form of another. especially the submarines), I had made sure to not slack off on my learning skills unlike some of the reservists around me.

'And I thought she was finishing her lessons. She should have had some last minute practice, right?' I knew Nanohaverse Magic was based on math and drawing your magic from energy fields and processing it using your Linker core. but even I felt a bit annoyed at Reinforce Eins, My eyes scanned the pages that were about Reagan and the post-soviet era.

"Rein-chan. That's not really how things work around here, and I am really sorry. Rein. But you're distracting me, and they are not giving me any breaks." I sent her a feeling of empathy but with firm resolve behind it as I got the impression of Reinforce being sorry.

'I apologize. Mistress.'

I looked around the room again, but the scene didn't change that much. On my right was a destroyer discreetly looking up something on her phone. To my immediate left was a heavy cruiser reservist who had just given up on the class as she was preparing to sleep. Even the more hardened veterans around me seemed to be having attention issues, and their eyes... were sort of glassy. like they were just nodding over to the tick-tocking of the clock. At least there was no math in all of this, because if it did... Then I would have cried all day.

'Is this really the state of education in human and shipgirl society. Mistress?' I heard Reinforce voicing her thoughts. I didn't blame her, She was entirely artificial and there was a good chance even her soul was artificial down to the last level. She was born with all the knowledge and memories she needed as the Master program for the Book of darkness without any mother of father. After all, It must have looked inefficient to her when with Belka's technology they must have had access to something like Neuragear.

"Yes. that's how it is. Rein-chan, Enterprise is not exactly great at math myself. either..." I replied back to her psychically again. and Reinforce gave a impression of putting her hand on my shoulder as I felt her curiously looking at my history books and my written comments about Reagan. mostly calling him a 'jackass' for shoveling the poor to the rich and a bunch of comments about Hong kong.

'Mistress. us Belkans mastered Calculus millennia ago. Would you like some help?'

"What? No, I am not going through a headache and i don't want to think about Vita-chan gleefully making my head spin with lessons about the Ancient Belkan system."

'Technically. No more than the person to your right. Mistress.' Sighing outwardly. I took a glance toward the destroyer and saw that, she had a pen in her hand and a phone in the other. I just stared like a deer in the headlights before turning back to my book.

"Rein-chan. It's best to not train myself halfway to death. but still. thanks for the offer." To show that i didn't dislike what she said. I sent her the impression of happy noises which was answered by phantom arms being wrapped around my upper chest before disappearing. It reminded me of my happy old days. maybe too much... Or what could have been with Yorktown-Oneechan or Hornet-chan. At the same time someone passed a note to me. Glad to have anything, something to take my mind off this useless drive. I checked it andddd.. I wish i didn't. Almost all of them asked the same questions, And I decided to dig into my memory to give my personalized answer.

Yes, I really was a shipgirl that had the ability to use Magic. No, I was too busy to go hang out with anyone other than just several. Yes, Life in the Americas and on what was a United Nations base is a lot different than here in the Homeland. No, Random Siren Destroyer/Scavenger #78. I will not put in a good word with Observer Alpha just so you can slack off from active duty. I sighed, Even If i had gotten away from being seen as just wife-material or hell just had the ability to speak up for once without getting that 'look' from men. I still had people whispering in the quiet about 'that mysterious heroine' and wanting me to just sing even so much as a snippet of some random anime song. Of course, my experiences in Elementary school had been of the "Regular run-of-the-mill silent kid" variety. I didn't have any friends. and If i did, then i must have forgotten them over the decades other than that one time that a girl and her family came over to Grandpa's house for a party.

I had been almost as painfully shy as Shinji when it came to romance, Now? I was one of the most talked about and famous girls in Active Duty. with the attendant difficulties that followed.

Now that I had taken care of any messages bothering me, and the teacher was still drumming on about South East Asia during the 1970s. I pulled out a pencil and a notebook, Making sure everyone was ignoring what I was doing. I began to doodle and colorize playgrounds (Once. I had gotten a S for that) and poorly draw the Iowa-class. I had filled a entire page with sketches of Yorktown and Hornet nee-chans. Komeijis, Usagis and Super deformed-like imitations of people in class. I stopped as I realized that I had drawn a sequence of part of the battle with Bismarck's historical death. Why had I drawn it? Was it because of Enterprise's lingering ghost in me. or was it because I wanted to go back and see the destruction of the actual Bismarck for myself?

Things fell silent once again, Whatever made me decide to draw the last battle of Bismarck? There was hardly anything to do except watch the others around me stroll through the day, Although. it felt like Reinforce was curious about my environment in the classroom. and If it helped her break out of her stoic shell. all the better. I barely heard what the teacher said anymore, It was afternoon on a lovely day. I directed my attention toward the flowers outside the windows swaying in the wind, their little red and white and yellow petals all fluttering and dancing in pattern. just like a team of synchronized ballerinas showing off for an solo audience.

"You think that carrier is the reason we're been seeing enemy activity drop?"

"Magic Exists?"

"Why would she defect? She looked like she had a good life in the Eagle union, why did we manage to turn her to our side?"

"How does she have a few roommates running around in her mind without dissolving into a hivemind?"

"Oh, Look at that smile...!"

"I think..."

Feeling several gazes flicker from me to others, I ignored the gossip around me. PE wasn't really a part of shipgirl education. through If i remember, I didn't have any PE back in my time as a elementary student. at least anything i can remember, But still. I counted the clock down as I was just a few minutes from getting out of here. I wiggled the notebook around on my desk. glancing down at it often enough so I could pretend i was more concerned with what I made rather than listening to the others. I watched Kiyomi starting to swing her legs around and stretch, her face taking more and more of a anticipation look as she counted down the seconds. Vita sleeping peacefully like a cute girl in my mental landscape. '3 minutes. 2.5 minutes...'

Today was a special day since I was going to go out with Iris, and I didn't want to spend anymore time in this classroom than I had to. We all had places to be and things to do, and the last thing on everyone's mind was humoring this teacher. Reinforce was giving off the impression of curiosity behind a slight level leaking a desire to learn.

Ever since I had made the decision. I was impressed with the impact that my experiences with Azur lane, and currently the Sirens was having on my assistant. Kiyomi's and Alana's presence combined with chatting in private was beginning to cause a shift in Reinforce's stony. if caring personality that had began during the battle with... Kaga, or was it earlier? Either way. I was sure that she would always be quiet, but maybe she'd at the least would smile more. Vita was-BRING-BRING-BRING-BRING-BRING-BRRRINGGGG!

Saved by the damn bell! Class was over, finally. and despite the teacher shouting about taking these lessons to heart. she had no more influence over us, I got my trademarked hat on my head and piled out of the room with everyone else. eager to enjoy the rest of this lovely day if we weren't attacked in a disruptive raid(Which was incredibly difficult because of the numerous screening and patrol squadrons on active alert around).

"Hey, Enterprise-chan." Izumi said, waiting just outside of the classroom for me. There was something hilarious about a cruiser being in a classroom with children and others nearly as old as her, I even thought that with her appearance and story-teller personality. she might fit for a Bremerton or a Baltimore role. but I squashed the uncomfortable thoughts. "So I see you've going out with Iris tonight? I thought that at the least, we could come over and play some playstation."

Tempting yet caring, but unfortunately. I had places to be and I was not cancelling my appointed hangout with Iris. "Sorry, Izumi. I told Iris I would come over today after several days of patrols." Izumi's face soured.

"Enterprise..." She said, putting a hand on my light shoulder. "We're good friends. right?" I nodded. "And friends listen to each other, like you said?" Another nod as Izumi pulled herself close with a concerned voice. "I am in no position to tell you what you should be doing, but I think you should rest. get some healthy sleep and teach others about your achievements. okay? I am worried you are pushing yourself too hard here." Of course Izumi was going to be the caring oneesan here and Reinforce gave me the impression of a mixed opinion.

I laughed and gently brushed Izumi's hand away. "Oh, come on. Izumi-chan. You're still unhappy that I beat you at that game one time." Izumi's eyebrows furrowed and she blushed a little. She may be a cruiser still suffering from the culture shock of being just suddenly transported to the modern days. but she was nothing if without her dedication whenever she got fixated on a task. "Honestly." I said, throwing my hands up in a shrug. "I know what you're saying. but you shouldn't be so overprotective with me. You haven't hung out as much with Amari-chan and the others. too!" I put in some emotion into my mostly stoic voice, Izumi lowering herself so we could see each other eye-level with that same oneechan vibe.

"Listen, Enterprise." Izumi said with a frown. "I know you want to be strong one day, But... I think you should get support for your mental health issues first. Enty-chan, Lack of sleep won't be good for you." She wasn't wrong about that one as I felt some sorryness welling up in my heart.

"Izumi, I be fine. I'm still struggling with my memories about my days in Azur lane. and sometimes, well... I get teary-eyed about my sisters but so what? and I don't see anyone telling me not to sortie because I cried again. after all." I wrapped my arms around her, feeling her return the embrace. She didn't find it as light-hearted.

"Listen, Enty-chan. Just... try to watch yourself. okay? And visit me when you have the time. I don't want to worry." I smiled at her a little. letting go before stepping down the hall, waving at her to which she returned. After that. I turned around and began running out the doors toward something I had in mind.

Something I noticed about my personality is that, Everytime Reinforce Eins is... awake. My personality becomes more sort of... isolated? Shut off? Unresponsive to the feelings of others? It wasn't so severe as to be very noticeable, but when I was talking with others. It was there, It was like my earlier days when I was more... kuudere. It was just like... I refused to show what my expression was showing or anything that could give away my emotions. Where as in contrast, everyime Vita was around and Reinforce was sleeping. I got more bold. emotional and aggressive as well as energetic. I've been trying to find a reason as to why and so far I haven't gotten any single answer.

Was I imprinting on Reinforce or Vita because I was still a young Magical girl in terms of operational age. learning from Artificial mages and master programs that were centuries old in their canons? Was it because they were the only ones I had left, and I started trying to follow in their image. sort of like how I wanted to follow in dad's steps? Or was it because their minds were leaving a imprint on mine's like how I can still feel some of Enterprise's personality influencing my decision-making and thought patterns? I didn't have a concrete answer, but given that I noticed I also got stronger during the daytime wtih Vita and at nighttime with Reinforce. I was willing to bet that I was modelling myself after them and partly there was influence from them. I had no ideas as to how to feel about the situation. since on one hand I was happy but on the other, I did want to find a answer at some point eventually.

But I think about that later, For now. I have a appointment with Iris. and besides, my personality was always changing in response to my environment around me and both of them were in a technical term mentors given their canonical ages. Either that, Of maybe I was done being human enough. Then again, If i can live with Enterprise's personality remnants in me. Why wouldn't i be able to do the same with Reinforce's or Vita's influence on my psyche?

If my memory is not trying to pull a trick on me. Iris said she would be there sitting on a bench, not far away from where i was studying on the path I was going to be taking to go home. It was not what i might have wanted since I don't like staying outside in the hot sun for too long. Most of the destroyers and cruisers on their ways back seemed to be all inexperienced or either were just summoned - Shipgirls who didn't see their first combat deployments yet. and while they had a headstart over Azur lane's shipgirl due to being essentially a blank state. they still had to grapple with culture shock from being shoved forward into time, If some of their gossip was any hint. They all tended to be quite close to modern day high schoolers. but hey, some shipgirls are truly that naive and still so unused to the modern world.

While recalling where Iris was. I decided to ask Reinforce a question, When I first woke up. Reinforce was very confused and clueless and from what i gleaned about her at the time, it... sounded like she had the memories or her A's. or her movie self. Same went for Vita. I had no idea if the redhead too had her StrikerS memories but it didn't matter soon enough. Because they found out shortly thanks to the miracles of modern internet and given they were both characters from a work of fiction... Well, you can guess how that went for both of them.

Without knowing what might happen to them if i ended meeting my end. and seeing as they had no physical bodies anymore beyond being a ghost, both had agreed to work as my partners. even if i winced at the usage of 'master' and told them to try referring to me as Mistress or just my name instead. to some extent. It wasn't because like Hayate. I didn't see them as mere tools... Given their ability for emotions and general intelligence... It was only right to treat them as people in their own right,

Maybe the fact they didn't look like starfish scary aliens or some incomprhesible Master AI all helped as well.

"Rein-chan?"

'Yes. Master?'

"What if you were dead, and there was another one of you as a copy?" We had both asked this question many times. it was natural when you just woke up from what felt like your death thanks to self-destructing only to be pulled from the void at the last second even when you were supposed to die, to be destroyed. If you also counted the fact that she only knew who I really truly was behind my enterprise exterior...

'...Mistress...' Reinforce's tone was stoic. but behind it i detected a hint of questioning and philosophy. "Did you not say that even if the original Reinforce is dead. I am still Reinforce in a statement?" That was the crazy part, The Tome and Vita had asked this many times before. and the answer I came to was that even if Reinforce was dead, Then her copy was Reinforce. AND Reinforce was still herself, still alive in the flesh and the same one. That was how mind boggling it got. It was true and false at the same time.

There just wasn't the correct language for this sort of thing. A duplicate was the same as the original. such that they were the same thing, and it was difficult to decide which one is which. They both were the original just like that. And that was the wonder. After all. if Reinforce's body and her connection to the book of darkness were to be destroyed. yet she ended up being transplanted into me as a host body. Then she was the same one, yet her body dies. so she was the same person and yet she died... and did not die. but survived. Somehow.

"I think that's correct, Rein-chan. You couldn't have survived self-destructing otherwise without losing a part of yourself. right?" Getting a sensation of puzzlement beyond insufficient details for my answer. I bolted around the street and fired up my sixth sense. letting it take me to where I felt the blonde-haired sniper to be. and braked to a stop without any pomp, This was a park and judging by the design. a playground suitable for what passes in my guess to be most shipgirl physical ages. from adorable bundles of destroyer energy up to cruiser bite-size. The trees and benches reminded me of my old childhood days and especially Tag.

"I'm hereeee!" I announced. swinging my sling pack to rest on my shoulder and sweeping my background for any blonde ponytails. Iris was sitting on the edge of a... leisure chair made out of stone. again, another piece of city architecture i was very familiar with back in my old home. her focus mostly on the newspaper i recognized as Inquirer. a philippines-based filipino newspaper, It was getting outdated. but even enemies of the globe do have to get their daily source of entertainment and information from somewhere. The essence of a busy woman working in a Private military company where she had a distant relative, if the page explaining her backstory was right for Material sniper.

I leapt onto the bench. practically tackling her side, Not much about her changed. She didn't even... no. she was not in her pink. white haired+red dress or her french maid costume. A few girls noticed us as I detected some jealousy from them before getting distracted shortly by destroyer gossip again. The newspaper was reading out the usual Philippines news with advertisements and commentary about power rates going up. Then again... about the other girls... Well, Who wouldn't be jealous when one of the most famous ships is with someone who isn't even a famous veteran and wields actual magic?

"H-hey. Enterprise-chan." She said tersely, her hands adjusting to keep my body in contact with her, her fingers swiftly moving over to the next... page I guess? more information about current events. the occasional celebrity in there of two, It wasn't my style and if she was anyone else. I would have gotten bored quickly. I used to look at what dad was reading back then but... That was replaced with flash and Java games. then minecraft and tank MMOs. It just didn't feel like the same without being in Fallout to challenge the dumb AI into entering my killzone. I saw her visibly relax a bit to glance over at me. shyly smiling. "So how was school today. Enty-chan?"

"Ohh, You know. Geez." I said with some exaggeration of my exasperation. laying my head against her side with my arms stretched wide before I pulled them in. She felt warm in the daylight. her green cotton jacket giving me just the right balance of 'onee san' and 'typical anime high schooler' without one of the other being too much for me, and i closed my eyes to relax against her. "Some teacher. who i don't even know the name of taught us about the history of the Vietnam war today. and I don't really get how that's supposed to be helpful for me? I don't get why we can't just look them up on the archives..." I said with a unhappy huff.

Iris shook the newspaper again to realign it, the familiar sounds of destroyers and cruisers playing with swings echoed through the park. I heard someone crying out and being excited with something like a beaver. and again it brought up more memories of my past in my times at the playground. "You know, Enterprise." She said. turning her face toward mine's as green eyes stared at light purple. "I can help you with that? I haven't had to take refresher training ever since I was put on home territory defense. But I'm not so forgetful I couldn't figure out what's making you bored. Maybe I could make learning fun for you?"

I let myself linger on the idea, While I had adjusted to my school life soon enough. it was still very hard for me to concentrate without getting distracted by stray thoughts or simply finding it too iresome to continue. For whatever I was learning. I needed something fun to make it engaging. After all, Children really are quick learners when they take interest in something. do they not?

I sat back up and tried to lay down my head on her lap, feeling her lift the newspaper somewhat to make room for me. and like that. i simply laid there, resting peacefully in the sun and sounds of ambience. It felt a lot like when I would be held by Yorktown-onee. or maybe it was Admiral hipper taking care of me like she did with chibi bismarck. Minutes passed and when I noticed I was able to nap off. I suddenly shot back up again to shake myself awake. "U-Uh?" Iris grunted out at my sudden burst of activity.

"Nothing. I-I was just feeling sleepy. that's all." I shook my head gently again before resting against her. I had wanted to ask her more about her history, but I noticed the change in her actions. she starts to read the newspaper differently. too, in ways I don't even think she notices. She's giving each line more thought rather than just skimming over the details. she takes things slower. Not skipping past anything.

Though I can think of one thing I don't want her mindlessly charging into. I began asking her simple questions. getting responses from her until i finally decided to venture into her backstory. Putting down her newspaper, she started to tell me slowly. I felt Reinforce's Mind again grinding into mine's. so I could tell she had took a interest.

"I've been around shortly ever since the war began. Just a new recruit at the time, even before I completed basic training. I scored very high on Gunnery and marksmanship points. as well as excellent performance in fleet cooperation and physical tests, They actually called me when I was just out of training to prepare for combat operations, Even through we were so unorganized and... rabbling rather than being a proper military force. We were more motivated back then. I was attached to a Flotilla that was above average in terms of training and quality, Our superiors there were good and skilled girls." Excellent marks on ballistics and knowledge of artillery. as well as team coordination and surprisingly great physical attributes and part of a fleet that was fairly skilled for its time. No wonder she got the easy end of the war and stood where others would have died in her place.

"You scored high on physical tests?" I said. i looked at her with my trademark little enterprise expression. getting a slightly confused reaction from her before she continued telling portions of her story.

"Compared to my peers, I ran much farther than my peers. yeah." Stern endurance. huh... I didn't expect something like that from her. seeing as she looked quite light compared to some of the nastier shipgirls like Washington or maybe these ship-boy AL OCs. like outright fictional World of warships Tier X ships. "Someone remarked once that If i was a human. I could have won a Gold Olympic medal in a marathon challenge. Hehe... If only she didn't see what I became when one of my missions went wrong." Went wrong? I began to swing my legs faster out of worry as my head tilted. hopefully It wasn't anything too bad.

"Went wrong? Whatt happened?" The blonde's lips stirred for a moment but hesitated. before her eyebrows knitted together and she stared out at the scenery. like she was longing for something or contemplating her path.

"My Flotilla was skilled. right? The Shoukaku sisters and I had a bit of history. We were one of the many fleets that actually posed a direct challenge to even some of the most dangerous things Azur lane threw at us. We often encountered entire Sakura fleets in skirmishes, sometimes one of us was severely damaged... But more than often they were the ones usually off worse." Iris looked down at her knees as I was eager to continue hearing more from her. "At some point... They caught us in a maneuver that left us outclassed."

"Outclassed? What could be so dangerous to have a maneuver...?" I didn't continue for lack of word. my tone taking on a soft lacquer of softness. Reinforce again kept listening, her stoic facade maintained.

"We were attacked by several submarines. Typically we were already used to the threat of submarines by this point, and we were skilled in spotting torpedoes in the water. But it left us tired and unprepared for what happened next," I saw her being restless and her face looking sad, like someone who had saw a wild ferret be run over by a car. "Did they tell you that carrier airpower was powerful in its own right? While we were capable of repelling large-scale bomber attacks. It wasn't enough when we saw the Akagi and Kaga cooperating with the Shoukakus, using their numerical superiority to outnumber our carrier aircraft before surrounding us in a pincer maneuver with two offensive battlecruiser and mildly inflexible torpedo destroyers and cruisers. Even Hood herself and a few RN supporting elements were there, too."

I continued listening, Since I wasn't around during that time. These were some serious and skilled commanders who knew where Iris's fleet was and prepared together a change in tactics and a plan to take out a skilled siren fleet. After all. you don't try to kill veterans or pros by sending in noob idiots into a obvious and blatant pitched battle. "We were trying to hold them off, but they were exploiting their Long lance torpedo advantages to the full extent. as well as being careful to not rush in over-aggressively. They kept pressure on us from three sides and with their air superiority and battlecruisers were fully preventing a retreat, I think we had to have been spotted by recon aircraft at some point. I believe they couldn't have caught my flotilla in such a hammer and anvil maneuver otherwise..." If i understood right. Siren Major flotillas and task forces were fairly heavy on surface firepower. but somewhat lacking in carrier elements which in Iris's case proved critical. It being the early phase of the war likely meant there were just too many carriers spread out along fleet units as well.

"Didn't you fight your way out?" I asked. Iris scoffed before continuing, her face narrowing and then relaxing as I again felt a hint of sadness and... caring for her.

"We did, But it was very hard. You see. My fleet was lacking in any real way to deal with the battlecruisers, since we had lost air superiority in that battle and what was left of our bombers and fighters were not punching though the screening ships. and our heavy cruisers and battlecruisers were under attack from their own battlecruisers and dive bombers as well, meaning we had to ignore the aircraft. or split our attention." I rested my head against her arm. Iris putting down her newspaper to wrap her arms around me as I felt some sympathetic pain at her description. "We began a retreat, but we had to push our way against one of the pincer hammers while we were getting pinned down and hammered by bombers. torpedoes and capital ship gunfire that was so intense it felt like Jutland... We made it out, but not without losing a carrier. several cruisers and destroyers, all of our battlecruisers were practically wrecked hulks."

"Did you lose... someone?" I said shortly. Iris facing me to give a answer before looking away again.

"Juba Itsuko. Emerald Cruiser. eccentric but kind hearted and worried too much about us, Average in her performance but dedicated and didn't hesitate to put herself in harm's way to protect others. She was trying to fend off a entire Sakura destroyer squadron all by herself when we lost contact with her... When we all looked back, She was just... Like she was already gutted by long lance hits and dive bombers as well as cruisers who had concentrated their fire on her to make sure she didn't pose a threat to the big ships." Iris finished there. leaving it at that, I stayed silent in understanding. not wanting to push the topic further. Even if i distanced myself from my emotions. I still couldn't help but feel sorry at the amount of people that. idiotic or not ended up being ripped off by promising leaders. or just were dealt a straight-up bad hand in the life lottery jackpot (God help you if you were born in the Rust belt!).

"Iris-chan..." I said quietly. softly and slowly turning myself around to quietly hug her as she wrapped her arms around me in return. While I had took the lives of many others and my heart was hardened and crystalized. Made of stone from being friends on the internet only to suddenly lost contact and the idea of taking vengeance on a town sending a hunter's drive within me. I still couldn't help but be saddened, my chest growing heavy as we held each other for a while.

The past self and hardened Kuudere part of my personality told me to let go. That I was being a idiot and a fool by being open to her, and that if she perished later now. it would hurt me even more later. But the other part of me. representing my more idealistic side with a moral compass and the Little enterprise side of me said to comfort her instead, After all. I was like her just once. and I didn't exactly learn... about the world by closing my heart off in my younger days. and that if my other friends were to be sunk... Well. I would have noone to cry my tears out to.

In the end, Kindhearted Dandere part of me won. I promised myself mentally that she wouldn't be hurt if i could help it. and Siren or not, She didn't deserve to perish like Sasa yuuki and if i lost my interest for swimming all because of that. Then I wasn't able to make myself lose complete interest in striving for something... She didn't have any living relatives. did she?

"Mmuhh." I looked up at her face gently. feeling better now. "D-Do you have a sister? Like I did?" Iris's face. looking heavy and forlorn was replaced with pondering. Her arms let go of me and I got back to sitting next to her. still feeling sad but not as bad now.

"Uhmm... No, I don't have any sisters. At least from what i remember." She said softly. I wanted her to continue with my face still looking down at my knees. "You don't have any?" I inquired as to why.

"I've asked them to do tests before. I don't have any living relatives." I nodded silently. "But, who knows. Maybe I do have a sister out there. After all, they keep constantly discovering that every new shipgirl ends up being related to another. usually older and more experienced veteran. So I might have a sister who I don't know of yet like you do. Enty-chan." I smiled gently at her. I remembered how my brother and I... didn't like each other too much in our later days. I hoped she didn't repeat that mistake now and in my heart. some portion of me did like incestful sister yuri relationships.

We sat like this. lingering and not saying... Iris was a skilled marksman, right? She had to have been awarded something like the US battle stars or the Iron crosses. And if she was prestigious-then that meant she had clearance above mine's. It was a crazy thought, my fingers clicking and clicking my thighs. I had been curious about the history of the Sirens for some time and knowing the lore in the game. I was sure there was something about their past they didn't disclose. Especially if my story about them being out of control weapons were correct.

Could I risk it, however? Some joked that The Creator never existed... but I knew she had to have been the first. After all, if you put away the whole white hair color and gold eyes. Sirens and Kanmusus/Kansens didn't look so different from each other. hinting that there was a progenitor to them or that they all. in fact were the same sub-species and not so different from each other. But why would they hide all of this? Things like this had to have psychological operations effects. now that i thought about it.

Sure, Someone like Colorado wouldn't hesitate to sink other Sirens on sight. right? But that all assumed they were viewing them as lesser monsters. not human at all just like the true and tried method of getting soldiers to shoot other enemy soldiers dressed up as devils and snakes. Colorado wanted a sister, right? What if she knew that she was effectively killing her own kind under orders from the same race that created her and she had no relations to?

What if she was told she might have a Siren sister? My mind began to brim with ideas, Perhaps what the Japanese did with their surrender cards to entice allied soldeirs into turning theirselves in? Not to mention Maury... After all she pretty much followed me around, What if she could be 'turned'? And given Siren shipgirls could and were related to other fellow sirens regardless of class... Did that also imply I had other Eagle union sisters i might not be aware of. Like being related to Tirpitz or someone? You didn't need to use custom shipbuilding methods. just use standardized and common methods as well as armor steel and grades that didn't differ from other countries that much... Combined with foreign workers and likely coinciding components. Then that meant as crazy as it sounded, There was a rare. but still there possibility i might have a slight amount of Zuikaku's DNA in me for all i knew.

'Mistress?' Reinforce's voice shot me out of my trance as I tried to solidify that connection. trying not to open my mouth to talk out aloud.

"Yessss?"

'If I had a new sister like Zwei. hence my name Eins. what would you name her?' A odd request from her. but one i was still obliged to answer.

"Hmmm..." Running through my list of random japanese names... I had to settle on something... "Rika. as in Rika."

'A nice... name.' The Tome telepathically told me before skittering off into the depths of my soul. I would inquire more about the origins of the sirens and the idea of 'Turning' Maury to join us. but there was a question i needed asking.

"Iris-chan? Can i ask you something really important?" That got her attention, as I put the emphasis on 'important' on my tongue. She tried to ask me but I continued. shutting her up. "It's really important. You can't tell this to anyone. Will you? It's for Enterprise's sake." Iris looked like she wanted to ask me why i wanted that. but otherwise she nodded.

"Oh... What is it that's so important?" Iris's ability to view classified information might not be as great as say. one of the senior officers around here and of course people like the Testers. I also didn't know if Louise had her elevated status as well.. But it was one worth trying, Other than Alana Ayuri-she was one of the few girls I could trust without so much as a thought.

"...Iris. I need you to get secret information. About our deeper past and true origins." Her eyes widened. failing to get out so much as a word for a moment... before she spoke up.

"I... What..!" She prepared to shout only to lower herself to a whisper. "Why would you want me to do so? I know it's secret and confidential but... Why would you need to know?"

"Because..." I gave her my best charismatic and puppy eyes look i could. "...Ever since I arrived.. I've been asking myself questions. Questions as to why we were all created. Why this war started and, Who exactly are the shadow councils at the very top of command... desiring to view the entire world as a experiment playground for them." I was keeping my voice low. If caught, there was no telling what might happen. "I don't agree with them and i am sure you don't... But i believe there's something more to us than we thought behind official history... Can you do this for me. Iris-chan?"

"U-Uhm. M-maybe I could go in and ask Alana if she can slip in what you're looking for...?" I slightly shook my head. I had something different in mind.

"No... Just... a full document from her, everything about our history." I told her. exaggerating my words as to how much i truly desired to dig into the secrets of the Kanmusus. "If you can, Ask Alana if she can show me in-person our true history... Look. I can even tell you what she finds. okay?" My sixth sense felt her being worried and fearful. Of course it was obvious that if you were going to be trying to view these sort of things without permission then bad things would happen. "And once i am done... I have Reinforce memorize all of this and then put it back to Alana for her to store without looking out of place. okay? We forget that we did it."

Her eyes looked at me with a mix of doubt. fear and shock. before she let out a resigned sigh and shook her head in disapproval. but otherwise she would accept my request anyway. "Alright... I am going to go and ask Alana, but remember. it's going to take time. I don't want to be caught doing something dodgy. Okay? I ask around when i can. But after I get these documents to you, we won't do anything weird. It's just too dangerous and I don't want Alpha grilling me alive." I nodded in understanding. gently rubbing my hand up and down her thigh. Even if Alpha was kinder here, there was no telling what might happen if she really wanted to prevent classified information from leaking. Good of not.

I could wait weeks. after all I had all the time in the world so long as Iris or my other friends weren't so wounded as to make me request leave just to stay by their side. I would often spend entire days watching anime and gaming for hours on end, and while I may be Impatient... When it came to MMOs and even higher stakes like this situation that involved my very life at risk. I knew not to be rash.

However, If Shipgirls and Sirens weren't really so different from each other... Then it should be possible to turn other shipgirls into our cause. Roon may not care, but the Takaos and the Essexs? Losing them would mean a serious blow and loss of intelligence and confidential information as well by getting them to fight for our unified cause. And while they may not know it yet. already I had a bad. if crazy idea coming up in my mind about broadcasting a statement as to why i defected. and a request to all shipgirls to join me and fight on the other side.

Well, no matter what. My heart already began to grow giddy as I thought about ways to do it. from using my E-2 Hawkeyes as radio relays to simply sailing alone. taking the risk and broadcasting it myself alone. Perhaps some shipgirls would turn to save theirselves from me. maybe others would do so out of sympathy for my cause or simply idolizing me. It looked like a solo mission was in order...

In all of my mental scheming and planning like some kind of supervillain. I didn't notice Reinforce Eins watching me quietly in my mindspace. I hadn't known at the time, but my actions toward the Tome herself had began to make impacts i didn't know yet. Reinforce was starting to be more... caring, Kinder. more concerned for my safety beyond the usual Master-servant relationship. Maybe it was genuinely a desire to care for me. Maybe it was because of my childlike appearance, it had awakened some sort of big sister instinct within her artificial psyche that her creators didn't design for. driving her to protect me from the dangers of the war itself.

She still was very devoted and bonded to Hayate. but now she had found herself in the position of the onee-chan that gave her little sister-or her master- advice. and with it her protective desires were slowly growing knowing there was a good chance she would never be able to return and search for her former master. stuck in the carrier's body as she was.

Reinforce mentally spared a glance toward her Master. the Grey eagle that still hadn't shed her down feathers yet. She still watched where she had returned after skittering away to give her master some breathing room with a blank look that included just the hint of a smile. and her hand on her cheek. Little Enterprise barely noticed when Reinforce spoke mentally.

"Good luck. Mistress Enterprise. I will lend you my assistance. dangerous it may seem."

Deep in one of the United State Navy Bases. Voices spoke up. No faces can be seen, but we may be able to tell them apart.

"That was unexpected. She wasn't even aware of these bombers and yet she sensed them coming and by the time they arrived, she was opening fire with full efficiency. good thing there's enough assets to keep up with all the stuff this thing keeps pulling off."

"That's... What. the 10th time we've tested her through? Possibly a new ability. Think we need to push her true limtis even further?"

"We need to see if her tactical and extra-sensory abilities extend to Combined fleet tactics, So far it's just been lots of carrier engagements. Let's see how she deals with a protracted battle with all the advantages gone."

A blue-haired woman sails around. finding herself part of a team of shipgirls who were under orders to not speak a word of this to anyone. The air teemed with danger. and already their opposing fleet was on the move.

Destroyers. Cruisers and whatever they could spare in secrecy moved on to siege the blue force fleet. while having their usual Red force air parity.

"...They want them to enter service by the end of two weeks or a month. So we need to round them out with as much training as possible."

"That's impossible! I mean, yes. The current prototypes we've created so far based on Little Enterprise's data are generations ahead of our current forces with abilities that only exist in fiction. But we can't meet that deadline reasonably?"

"We can meet it. gentlemen."

"Director! we didn't hear you come in like that."

"The Latest experimental units were well received. They've ordered them to enter full service and expand on the conceptual paper-ship program. Use whatever we have right now and upgrade them as much as possible with our latest equipment, We train them. put them through their paces and their sworn oaths. and send them."

"Is that wise Sir? There are multiple problems and issues. First. We know that Enterprise is using sorcerer-like and magical abilities, we've done our research on the Magical Girl Japanese fantasy media and critical analysis. but we don't fully know yet as to how she is wielding her abilities and what kind of energy we're analyzing here. We do not know how their powers are weaker and less ambitious than Enterprise herself and they do not show any signs of... other abilities. The replicated shipgirls are going to be weaker on a average, and will not have carrier capabilities."

"Then make sure they can operate efficiently and with maximum lethality against a Destroyer squadron or against heavier cruisers and battlecruisers. Run new tests and gather data, These seven units go out at the end of the deadline. That is all."

"...He is being unreasonable."

"No disagreements there. I suppose we will start putting them through accelerated and intense training?"

"May as well." The designs of these specific shipgirls. some of them who didn't even exist like Ibuki seem to have much more advanced capabilities on the original paper rather than the current ones. There is no cruiser-carrier ability to speak of. nor is there any kind of 'clarivoyance' detection radius and no spellcasting ability. They must have been heavily toned down from the original optimistic specifications.

Darkness Level:2-4% "Your Field generator crystals remain a sparkling blue, You're pure!"

Reinforce Eins just underwent a bonding session with her Master. She will tend to show more kind emotions and will have a easier time working as a team.

Iris's Affinity toward Little Enterprise has increased. In addition some of her past was revealed.

Secret (Sekrit) Classified documents will arrive in a few weeks to a month in-story from now. possibly shedding new light on the unspoken portion of Shipgirl history and their creation story.

The Grunts will be touched on. Or you can force a targeted battle to occur instead. Vote in the reviews and leave your audience debates there!

I am also sorry if i procrastinated like hell.. But I was playing a lot during that time. I did work up the will to finish this in 1 hour with a burst of 3000 words through. So go enterprise-me!

Iris's history:A girl who scored ahead of her peers in accuracy and performance testing. But who has been put on homeland defense assignment instead of instructing others or fighting on the frontlines herself.

The reason for this strange place of affairs is that she was close friends with Alana Ayuri. who rose through the ranks holding the command equal of a Major/Lieutenant Major (USN) at the time gifted with considerable strategic and tactical capabilities and who she turned to when Juba died. They like each other a lot and might have pretended to be cousins at one time. However, there is no blood connection at all.

In front of Iris. Alana lives life lightly. But she is quite a person, in particular. Alana has a wide range of connections in strategic command posts and tactical planners.

Summary. is that she lost her best friend and lives alone by herself (Unlike her flash game version in which her private military company did have distant relatives). Excellent in endurance and on land. leg strength.

It is said that she might be better to aim for a marathon medal rather than being a sniper.

Of course. cruisers. especially the ones who hang back and fire from afar need patience and ability to adapt to the changing battlefield situation and scouting ability. Jumping. bouncing and running. or in her case always moving at top speed and constantly changing directions. although the basis of fast attack crafts-is not the job of a support cruiser.

In other words. she is said to be "Bambi with a cannon". and there is a slight difference between what she's thinking and what she is doing. if you have that good of a scouting ability to the point of near-superhuman clairvoyance without having a affinity for Magical Energy. You should make use of them. and something is wrong with Bambi who aims standing in the open.

Ship Class:UNKNOWN. She is said to be a Light cruiser more often than a heavy cruiser. Her abilities suggest she is of the Duca degli Abruzzi or the Clevelands and the Town Edinburghs. As a Heavy cruiser. She is likely to be a Baltimore. Takao/Tone or Zara class. She is not likely to be a Alaska-class due to tonnage. but the possibility exists.

Well. I will see you in next chapter soon and in Tricolore of the stars! What do you want Iris to be? Until then next time as my mind goes rocketing off with some more crazy and other horrible ideas!