The tea was simply outstanding. Hood had greatly impressed the Sakura delegation by dressing in the traditional kimono and handling the pot with practised hands.

After a night of exotic food and a trip past Java, The Squadron made their way along the southern coast of Australia, where the final crew member would join them at sea.

'Look how wide this coastline is!' Repulse said, barely believing the stretch of land before her eyes.

Dauntless smiled, 'Australia is genuinely fascinating. This is no mere Island but an entire continent. More species of animals live here than in all of Europa.'

'Why so many?' Repulse asked.

'That's rather simple. The continent was once a prison island, where the vilest criminals were sent to spend their days. So much of the island was left untouched, and nature was allowed to flourish. That only the Royal Islands could be so,' Dauntless replied, sighing.

Hood sounded her port horn, and the Squadron turned to starboard and sailed into the port of Adelaide. All along the pier, Manjuus and people alike lined the docks to witness the glory of the Royal Navy.

Hood led the squadron through the bay, waving and smiling with perfect elegance and grace. A band on the Eastern shore played Rule Britannia, and Repulse felt almost like dancing.

From the mouth of the harbour, a flashy and new Light Cruiser joined the squadron, wearing a wide hat and bolo whip on her waist.

'G'day mates, Welcome to me hometown then. I be Adelaide, and we got ourselves just a beauty of a party planned for ya!' she shouted excitedly.

With the elegance and grace for which she was known, Hood bowed before their host, 'Lady Adelaide, your kind invitation is gladly accepted, and her Majesty the Queen sends her greetings and gratitude for your support in the war.'

Adelaide snickered, 'Ah, come off it, Hood. We're all just ship-girls here, ain't we? But I'm fair excited bout' all this. Did y'know I'll be the first Aussie ship built in Aussie to leave Aussie? Well, the lads insisted we have ourselves a right pisser of a show!'

Adelaide was about to turn when she noticed Repulse, wearing only her everyday halter and short, blue skirt, 'Crikey! You must be Repulse then?! Yer gonna get ya legs bit by the ol' crokas walkin around like that!'

'What the devil is a croka? Is it something I can shoot?' Repulse asked, preparing to load her forward turrets.

'Easy now ya big loff ya!' Adelaide said, slapping her barrels, 'Yew fire fifteen incha's in port here, and you'll blow half me town up. Sides, shootin the crokas makes em' right mad it does. Just keep ye legs out the swamp.'

Adelaide sailed ahead to lead her new squadron, 'Now let's get a leg out, girls! We got us some nice shrimps from up the coast, grilled dingo, and a pint of the good bitters from over in Kiwi. Ya ain't gonna eat this good in the Northern Parliament, lemme tell ya that!'

Repulse turned to Dauntless, 'Do me a favour? Find us a swamp after dinner. I want to try shooting these crokas of hers.'

Dauntless could only sigh, 'Lady Repulse. Gunfire in the harbour is not the pursuit of a proper lady.'

─•~:~•─

When the Squadron had taken their fill of shrimps and dingos, they continued along the southern coast of Australia for two weeks. Visits to Sydney and Newcastle drew even larger crowds and songs. At Brisbane, Hood was given a bolo whip of her own.

When the Special Service Squadron turned east, they followed the western coast of New Zealand for a week, visiting New Plymouth and Aukland, where Adelaide challenged the local Rugby team with Repulse at her side.

Despite never playing the game, the Battlecruiser triumphed with a score of 20-3, and waved goodbye to the island as the Squadron headed north to visit the Northern Parliament port of Arkangelesk, in recognition of the long alliance between them and the Royal Navy.

When they crossed the 39th parallel, Repulse suddenly found herself shivering in the cold waters. Renown was right. She should have brought her coat.