I don't own Azur Lane or Halo

After the defense of the base the girl's morale was low. But who could blame them, it nearly was a crushing defeat . How did Crimson Axis could attack them without anyone knowing.

Medical Bay 1 day after the attack

Some girls were discussing about the past battle others were close to their sisters looking at them with worry eyes. But all had the same thinking in mind 'what to do after this' most girls didn't know how or when but they all wanted a payback on the Axis...

"Hey Sav." Autumn said to Savannah who was in the bed beside her also thinking the same as the girls of Azur Lane.

Savannah noticing Autumn was awake turned her head to Autumn "Hey Autumn what is it, are you okay do you feel bad?"

"I'm okay Sav, is just... I've been thinking about what are we going to do after this." Autumn noticed Savannah's eyes looked a side of her after focusing in her again "You're doing the same don't you?"

Savannah can't deny it. She's been thinking the same after the battle. But given their situation a quick retaliation will result in an absolute failure. It was their combined effort that drove away the attackers "Yeah, I didn't think you would be thinking the same Autumn. But given your battle record..." She hesitated in the last part "You leave little to no doubt 'bout what your response would be."

Autumn was lost in her memories before opening her mouth to said something but closed it after a few seconds.

There was a silence between them before Autumn decided to look up at the ceiling. Remembering all the battles she was in before coming here. All of her crew, the first ones that ever aboard her, then their replacements after the first battles. The latter crew that served with her until her last battle above instalation 04 and her captain Jacob Keyes...

It seemed as if everyone formed a part of her now, their bravery, their courage...and their spirit. It felt odd, now being in the same situation as them. Don't miss understand, she never thought she would be given a human body and become a shipgirl. After everyone she lost inside her corridors and hangars, her crew even in death was giving her all of their strengths, she only hopes that their fears do not cloud her mind...

Savannah after noticing Autumn's silence tried to think on something so she could break the odd silence after her question sink in Autumn's mind...

"Listen Autumn i'm so-" Before she could finish she noticed a few gasps behind her. Some of the other girls who were in other beds suddenly, got significantly close to them. The looks in their faces said more than words some of them showed curiosity, others were amazed of seeing such advanced kansen. Others were muttering from their beds their gazes shifted between Autumn and her. ("Now I feel like an animal in the zoo.")

Conference room a few minutes later

Six was overhearing everything inside the conference room. He was waiting outside, he was expecting good news. But most of what he was hearing was arguing about a topic him. ("It could be something good or bad. But why are they arguing about me.")

Six knew he has been the conversation topic for more than 10 minutes now. But he couldn't hear exactly the last part "We know you all ready hesitant about this, girls. But this is the best solution we and high command thought to resolve all of this. Lieutenant Noble Six will be the nex-..." Admiral Lucian was cut before he couldn't finish. The beeping of a phone could be heard

Admiral Lucian gasped exasperated. He needed to end this conversation and return home. It was his orders, but now he had to answer a damn call from the phone which it's solely purpose is to receive direct call from high command "This better be good." A-Lucian thought annoyed... "Hello?"

The girls kept silence, not wanting to overhear the call. But given their kansen nature they cold hear everything high command told A-Lucian. Some even gasped at this but kept relatively the silence, some even frown at what has been said to him.

After hanging the phone. A-Lucian returned to the girls. Their faces said it all, they obviously heard that too. "Okay girls. I don't need to pass what high command told me to you, right?" The girls said nothing but nodded slowly some even where a bit embarrassed for this but who could blame them. Kansen were extraordinary by themselves, having better senses than the average human was already known to most people. It wasn't a surprise if they could heard everything in the call

"Ok. Back into business." A-Lucian thought about the topic, he then gazed to his companion whom also was gazing at him. A-David didn't know what Lucian was thinking he tilted his head in confusion, Lucian kept his gaze on him. David didn't know what he wanted to say, until he saw how Lucian pointed at the door exasperated. "You could've just said it man."

A-David walked to the door, he opened the door and could see Noble Six. He was there looking at the wall of the hall. After a few seconds Six didn't notice him so he cleared his throat this proved to the trick after Six turned to greet him with a salute he did the same and gestured him to come in. Six seemed hesitant but he walk in...

The girls kept their poker faces even when Six entered the room. The tension was palpable, but not a bad tension. It was awkward for the girls but all kept the composure. Six saluted A-Lucian and the girls did the same. There was a silence but not a bad one Six hoped. "You can sit son. The chair will handle the weight." Six hesitated a bit but sit afterwards.

Something was happening, but Six couldn't figured what was. He already have a few scape routes planed if things go south. "Ok, I take that as a good sign son." Six looked at him in confusion. "I don't understand sir."

A-Lucian let out a hearty laugh, but Six was even more confused now. "You are always alert. Even when there's no enemy forces close. You remind me of someone that is always alert too." He glanced at Enterprise now, she only ignored it. "Son. I know we just met yesterday. But given what high command told us, we don't know anything about you. If you could be kind to tell us something more explicit it could help."

"It could help. No disrespect sir. But, most of my missions are classified. Being an Admiral surely you know why some mission are better covered in black ink." Six was cautious. He trusted his allies, but not to much to just tell them something so important just yet. The girls kept their motionless expressions, A-Lucian and A-David too. "Damn. The kid is good Lucian, he will fit the position just well." A-David finally said very content with Noble Six's response. He wasn't offensive nor aggressive. "Look kid. Like my colleague said. It you can tell us something more about you or your background it could help. But not in a bad way. It will help to get to know you better, not just us but for the girls too"

Now all the eyes focused on Six. He held his ground. But after all, he need to gain access to his allies resources if he ever want to return home. While he was thinking about this a few minutes passed and no one said a word. After seeing his indomitable resistance everyone seemed disappointed even the admirals. Before any other topic could begun Six raised his hand to say something. A-David and A-Lucian exchanged looks, before A-David gave him a nod.

Noble Six rose from his chair and cleared his throat. "I was trained to complete any mission that is given to me no matter the cause. And to take any important information to the grave." Six said in his monotonous voice. "But given the situation a little exchange can be done. In order to repay your kindness of taking care of me and my... comrades."

Almost everyone was shocked by this. He hesitated the last part but he was willing to share after all "Ok kid. I know it's difficult trusting someone specially in this world, specially considering the nature of your first contact with the kansen of Crimson Axis. So, let's start with the beginning. Hi, my name is David Roadland. I'm Admiral of the Eagle Union Navy." David said with a friendly formality.

"I think as my colleague said, a proper introduction is needed. Hello. My name is Lucian Thiberius Drake. I'm an Admiral of the Royal Navy." A-Lucian followed the example of his friend. Then he gestured the girls to do the same. Beginning with the ones of Royal Navy "Hello sir. My name is Prince of Wales and I am the second ship of the King George V class of battleships, pleasure to meet you." PoW said with gallantry as you would expect of a real prince

The next one was Illustrious who followed suit. Then the Eagle Union girls who were Enterprise and South Dakota. While they appreciated Six's effort in defending the base they were still warry of his Siren implications but also presented themselves.

Now all eyes were on Six again. He wasn't expecting this type of formality, of course proper introductions were needed but he would be more content with just giving his rank and designation not this 'meet the stranger and present yourself' but he let it pass. "Hi everyone. My name is Noble Six, and I'm a Lieutenant of the Unite Nations Space Command or UNSC for short." Noble Six ended with a salute, not that was needed but he decided to do it.

After his words everyone exchanged glances before sit down. Six also sited down and let everyone ponder his words.

"You see, it wasn't that difficult. Now, we have a proposal directly from high command. I know you still are getting acquainted with this world. So, in all of high command wisdom after seeing the reports of your first encounter as well as the defense of this base. They decided that you would be more than apt to fit the position of Commander for this base." A-David said with a confidence that could convince a priest to become a ladiesman.

Everyone anticipated this moment. Since the very moment Noble Six entered the base. High Command was oblivious to what he could do, but after watching the reports of the shipgirls it was decided that he will be the next Commander. It was rushed of course, but the war situation wasn't at their favour. The recent attack of Crimson Axis to the main operations base in the Pacific demonstrates that the lack of a proper Commander in that base makes the shipgirls less effective in combat.

Of course they're good at combat and during combat they can do more than a practical ship with crew on it, but they can be deceived and fall into traps, in other words the shipgirls are good for combat operations but not much in the tactics. That's why a Commander is needed, but given the separation of Azur Lane and the creation of Crimson Axis by their two old allies the IronBlood and Sakura Empire. The position hasn't been occupied by a proper Commander, there was one that meet all the expectations but he was to head-front and ended up dead for being in the front lines. Which ended up in a blow to the girl's morale.

But now Six arrived and in less than a week he was able to fight hand to hand with more than 5 elite shipgirls from Crimson Axis, he almost ended up fighting the ones of Azur Lane too. It was almost as if David words were a prophecy after the last Commander died "There goes our most recent Commander. He was first of his class and ended up with a lot of medals during his service but he was stubborn and had rage tendencies. He was the best not counting the IronBlood one in the early days of Azur Lane. He didn't deserve to die like this. With the IronBlood raids back in America and the Sakura Empire taking most of the Pacific our only hope is that a new Commander falls from the sky..."

And he was right. Well more or less.

Now it was turn to Six to be in shock after this proposal. Of course he wanted to help his allies in order to gain the necessary resources and return home to help in the war against the Covenant. When he left the war wasn't going well for humanity...

"I'm sorry sir. I don't think I heard the last part... You want me to be the base Commander? But I'm a soldier sir not a sailor. I know most of the terminologies of the navy from where I come from but not yours, I know my arrival was 'crazy' to say the least. But..." Six hesitated he had no need for this kind of responsibility.

Now it was turn for the Admirals to be shocked. "Son, please hear us out. We are fighting a war out there that's costing us a lot of lives and resources. Our enemies has the advantages of having conducted experiments with dead Siren and attacked us first with little to no remorse. And they are using that same advantages to fight against us and they are achieving it." A-Lucian was getting worried tha Six might not take the position so he decided a different tactic. "We may have rushed this decision but what other choice do we have? Our people is getting worried and the morale is low, the new recruits are either very cowardly or very fearless. We are wasting time and resources as our enemies seem to get stronger by the day."

This proven to be ineffective. Since Six barely moved from his chair or showed any positive response.

"But you showed us what we haven't seen in a long time. Someone that's able to keep his head during the adversity with little to no odds of succeeding. Yet you did. It might be a sign or not. But I really think you should consider this." A-David sounded calm but a hint of persuasion was in his voice.

By this time both Admirals didn't know that else to offer. Of course everyone was very warry about this, but as Admiral Lucian said the new recruits would take long to even be suitable for being Commander. Even both Admirals were a bit suspicious of Six but decided to play as High Command said. Besides what other choose they have?...

Six pondered everything as everyone gazes were on Six as in previous minutes. But he showed no emotion if his armor made difficult to read his body language his helmet made it even more harder to read him, but gave a mystery to how he looked like.

("This isn't going as planned. I needed them to be cooperative but they are desperate. It seems a lack of proper commanding of their forces made them lose more than they expected. It reminds me of the first battles against the Covenant. But here they are fighting against each other as the wars of old. And those Crimson Axis, it reminds me of ww2. I could ask a lot so that they refuse to give me command. But... if I command the forces I will be more than close to return home after I help them, but how many time will take to go back home? If we return what assures me that there will be a home to return to?")

All of this unnerved Six, he could be the perfect soldier. Point a direction and he will go, select a priority target and he will take it down. Give him a rebel militia and he will make them dissappear with no trace. But now these people want to make him a commanding officer, someone that don't go into battle but orders others to do so. He trained to be a soldier not an officer, he leaded Marines and ODST's to many battles of course but they were squadrons not entire companies like the generals do.

But after all, he never thought or even imagined he will end up in this type of situation. Back home Spartans are made to be in the frontlines to fight the Covenant or other enemies of humanity. But now he is given the choice of become an officer and leave the field for others...

Seeing that everyone has been staring at him for several minutes he decides what is best for him and his companions. He just hopes is the best for all of them. "I know I'm not exactly the person you expected for this position. But I think I can learn in the way. And I'll try my best to be the leader you all expect me to be. Or at least at the best of my capabilities. If you are willing to give me such a confidence vote I will do the same. Just with one condition." Six hesitated again but decided is the best...

"And what will be Son?" Said an now relieved Admiral Lucian.

"You and your organization will help me and my companions to find a way to return home. If you can't or don't accept it then I'll have to refuse your offer." Six said back in his monotonous voice but more sternly this time. A-Lucian and A-David exchanged glances. A-David opened his mouth to say smething but didn't. He just returned the glance to Admiral Lucian with a nod. "Well. Geez. You really put us between a rock and a hard place. But I guess is just natural... I think that will be what we needed to discuss with you kid." A-David retorted

Six saluted them and both Admirals returned the gest. Both approach Six and ended up shaking hands with Six. Before leaving both gave Six some forms that needed to be filled fist before accompanying him to his new office. All of this happening with the 4 elite Kansen from both navies following them. They were warry of Six but decided to keep that feeling at bay. Besides he already demonstrated that he can command them in the field so they should not worry about his Siren implications... for now.

I think that's it lads. Wow, I forgot to upload this in the morning. But you know what I thought that I already did, just now I'm aware that I didn't. Like I said I'm returning and this time for real. Next update in two weeks, so stay in touch.Again tell me and point me for any corrections and changes that benefits all of us.

By the way, how you feel this chapter, I think I did well, also there will be things as this in the future between the battles. I know this kinda slowed down the plot but hey, I couldn't just make all action and guns blazing xd. Another thing, should I change the name of the Admirals or its okay?

I think the app is having problems, I'm updating this from the PC and see if it changes