As Eugen and I are still embracing each other, Akashi tries to get my attention. "Nya! Shikikan we still have to finish the tour!"

Reluctantly, I have to tell Eugen to let me go. "I'm sorry Strelitzia but I have to finish touring the base."

"Hmmm...Mein Kommandant, I've only had you back for a minute and you want to leave me again?"

'Oh Lord, she's already guilt tripping me.' "How about when I'm done, we can hang out for while?"

"Okay, I'll see you later...Mein Leibling." She says as I leave, the last part barely above a whisper as I'm halfway to the exit.


As we're walking to Akashi's shop she decides to start a conversation.

"Shikikan, I haven't seen Prinz Eugen that excited since the day she arrived here, nya! Are you her boyfriend or something, nya?"

'EEEHHH!? B-B-B-BOYFRIEND!' "I'm not her boyfriend! We're just best friends/partners from the academy!"

"Last I checked, calling each other 'partners' definitely sounds like a relationship. Just kidding, her affinity isn't that high yet, nya."

"What do you mean?"

"While Hood-san was explaining how the war room works, I made some modifications to your cellphone, nya."

"Is that why my phone kept going off at various times?"

"Hai! Take out your phone and I'll show you, nya." I open my phone and hand it over to her. "I downloaded an app onto your phone that I created, nya. On the app you can view the status of your ships." On the screen are pictures of the ship's on the island, she then clicks on her picture. "When you select the ship whose status you want to view, a screen will load with a larger picture of the ship along with her status. Included is the girl's affinity rating, which runs on a scale from less than 50 to 100, nya."

Realization then dawned on me. "Is that why my phone was 'dinging' around different ladies, particularly Eugen?"

"Hai! Let's see how you're getting along." She then backs off her screen and selects Belfast, the opens up a screen that gives a detailed breakdown on Belfast's affinity. "Not bad Shikikan, a 57. All new shipgirls that you add to your fleet start out at 50, 50-66 means that she thinks of you as an acquaintance, nya."

"What happens below 50 affinity?" She then gives me a really scary look.

"Let's just say, whatever you do Shikikan, under no and I mean absolutely NO circumstance should you ever allow a girl's affinity to drop below 50! Otherwise very bad things start to happen." Returning back to her normal appearance, she opens up Eugen's affinity stats.

"Nya! Prinz Eugen is already up to a 70! Well, considering your history together I'm not surprised. A 67-82 and she thinks of you as a friend, nya."

"What's next after that?"

"You can find out for yourself, nya. Next up is 'Juustagram' which is your fleet's social media platform. The R and D department were given the clearance for this by the high council for the ships to feel closer to the rest of humanity. I also added all of the girls' phone numbers to your contact list, nya. Now it's time to show you my shop, nya!"


Akashi's shop is about the size of a warehouse. Various machinery is scattered around the place for different projects, in the middle of the back half is a part flooded entrance that opens out to the ocean. "Shikikan, welcome to where all of the magic happens." We walk towards the front left corner of the building. "This is my personal store, where I sell special items for a good price, nya!"

'For some reason I highly doubt her claim that the prices are that good.' The advertised items look like seasonal alternate uniforms for my ships, exiting the store she guides me to a big machine next to the pool in the back. To the side is a computer, next to the computer is a chamber with a plexiglass door attached to the ground, and surrounding the pool are shipbuilding equipment. Near the computer is a large storage trunk.

"Shikikan, this miracle worker here takes wisdom cubes and consumes the energy to build new ships to add to your fleet, nya!"

"So if I wanted to build the Iowa-class battleship USS Wisconsin, I can?"

"Unfortunately, we haven't been able to set the construction parameters specific enough to build specific ships at will. How it works is you select how many and of the type of ship to build. On the computer here, the classes are split into three categories. Selecting light will build a destroyer or light cruiser; heavy, builds heavy cruisers or battleships/cruisers; special, builds carriers and submarines. Want to try building some now, nya?"

"Sure, how about 5 lights to start?"

"Hai, Shikikan! Just stand back and let me handle the rest." Akashi takes five wisdom cubes and inserts them into the machine, she then selects 5 light builds on the computer.

"Alright Shikikan, light builds typically don't take very long, so how about I show you the rest of the place and then we'll see what we've built, nya."

We walk around the pool entering a door on the other side. "This is the R and D department, here we work on projects for prototype weapons and ships." Around the room are several yellow birds working on projects.

"Birds?!" I ask.

"Shikikan, these aren't just birds, they're the manjuu. These little guys help me with my technology research projects, the canteen also has several that work in the kitchen to cook meals." We then exit the room and come to an area back near the front. "This is where I repair the Carriers' damaged airplanes, naturally for me to do this my shop has to be as large as an airplane hangar just to do airplane maintenance. My job here is to build new ships and weapons, by selling the girls new clothes, this is how I can afford to do all of the research, nya. The big rolling doors in front open up to the airfield."

Smiling at Akashi I give her a head pat and then say "Repair ship Akashi, if you don't mind I am officially assigning you to be my fighter's airplane handler and mechanic!"

Akashi's face brightens up before responding with a salute, "Shikikan, thank you for this assignment and you can leave the maintenance of your fighter to me, nya!" Then a loud horn goes off. "Sounds like the new ships are ready, nya."

We go back to the large machine and find three white haired girls, and two blonde girls. "Well, this probably explains how the ships were built so fast, nya." One of the white haired girls, and one of the blondes approach us, probably to introduce themselves on behalf of their sisters.

"Bulin? It seems like we can help your fleet get stronger, Bulin!"

"Purin! The fleet's herald of good luck has arrived! Are you excited? Hai, raise your hands and follow me! Purin, Purin!"

"Well, it looks like Vestal and I finally have some helpers to assist us with ship repairs and retrofits, nya. Shikikan, let me introduce to you the Universal Bulins and Prototype Mark II Bulins."

"Hello Purins and Bulins, I hope that I can trust the well being of my fleet to you." I then received a chorus of "Buli!" and "Purin!" from them.


After leaving Akashi's workshop she then proceeded to show me another store. At the counter is a girl with black hair, red eyes, bunny ears wearing a black yukata with a flame print on it.

"I am Shiranui, second ship of the Kagerou-class destroyers...I humbly ask for your kind treatment Shikikan-sama."

"Nice to meet you Shiranui, what do you sell here."

"Weapon crates, weapon enhancement blueprints, and books to help the fleet improve their abilities, all of various quality. I guarantee you they are all at a better price than that baka-neko."

Indignantly Akashi responds, "Nui! I told you that my clothes are special, I can't sell them for much cheaper, Nya!"

Just then my stomach began to rumble. "Shikikan I guess it's time to show you the last stop before the canteen."


The last building was the fleet merchant, essentially the base's bank. Akashi explained that every day we get a supply convoy that delivers more oil, money and supplies that get delivered to the depot, bank, and Shiranui's store.

Entering the Canteen, I find that it is a giant mess hall: numerous tables, a serving line and a soda fountain. I go up to the serving line and find all of the metal food trays are empty, the head chef manjuu beckons me to join him in the kitchen. Once back there, the manjuu tells me that him and his kitchen staff have been waiting for me so I can create the menu to my liking.


- 30 minutes later -

I ultimately decided that we're going to be having burgers for lunch. For some appropriate background music I pull out my phone and set it to play: (Cheeseburger In Paradise by Jimmy Buffett).

Eventually Eugen walks in the door and sees me singing while putting the burgers together. "I see you still like to sing while working on something."

"Hey Strelitzia, are you getting hungry? I made teriyaki burgers with cheddar cheese and fries. The rest of the toppings I left out for you and the rest of the girls to put on whatever you want."

"Ja! The food looks delicious." As she grabs a burger and begins to fill up her plate.

Eventually the smell of the burgers emanating out of the kitchen window leads to the fleet filing into the Canteen. When the maid corps gets to the front of the line Belfast is surprised to see me in the kitchen.

"Master, what on Earth are you doing in the kitchen? As your maid I'm supposed to be servicing you."

"I know, Belfast but you and the maids were busy in the dorm so I figured that I'd cook lunch today. Besides, I know my way around the kitchen."

"Mmmm...fine, but only when you're not busy."


A little while later after lunch I'm back in my office unpacking when Eugen walks in.

"Mein Kommandant, can we hang out now?"

"Sure, I already promised you that we would anyway, have a seat." We then sit down on the couch.

"Is that my model over there?" Referring to the plastic production type model of KMS Prinz Eugen.

"Yeah, I found the kit in a store that had models of ships. I also have the USS Enterprise and an Iowa-class battleship too." As I point to the other models on top of the bookcases, Prinz Eugen on the left, Iowa-class behind my desk, and Enterprise on the right.

Giving me a half-lidded look that makes me nervous, she says "Did you miss me while you were in the Union Mein Kommandant~? Hmm..."

'Oh gosh, why is it every time she says it like that I become an emotional wreck!' "Of course I did, when I was building the model and eventually painted it with the colors that yours has I thought of you." Trying to change the subject I ask, "What did you get up to in the Iron Blood while I was gone?"

"After we graduated, I became the flagship of the Iron Blood vanguard fleets, eventually becoming Fraulein Bismarck's escort."

With a sudden rush of courage I tell her, "I must be sitting in the presence of Iron Blood royalty then, Mein Fraulein."

Liking my compliment, Eugen gives me a smirk before asking, "Hmm...? Aren't you going to kiss my hand? You know it's customary when a man addresses a woman like that to do so."

Just like the proverbial pin puncturing a balloon. Eugen's question puts me back into an internal frenzy again as my brain blocked out the word 'hand'. 'K-K-Kiss Strelitzia!!? Nein! I can't do that! Can I?!'

Eventually Eugen's expression begins to flatten out, she then tells her story. "That was until Fredrich der Große beat Bismarck in our flagship elections. Initially it was alright, she treated us all as her daughters. But eventually she became power hungry, no longer fearing the Sirens ways, forming the Crimson Axis and started forcing siren technology on some of us. She even tried..." as Eugen began to tear up "experimenting...wi-with my Schwester!" Eugen is now crying, "I managed to save Hipper but had to, in Große's eyes, commit treason! Along with Königsberg, Karlsruhe, and Köln, we broke Hipper out of the lab, but knowing that she'd be safer laying low we left her with Bismarck, Z23, Gneisenau and Scharnhorst; while the four of us sailed over here to be the Iron Blood's representatives in Azur Lane. You were all that I had left of my Fatherland, I was so scared that when Belfast announced that you were coming here I secretly didn't believe it. Now that you are, I feel like we can bring my home to it's former glory again!" I hugged her, pressing her head onto my shoulder as I allowed her to let it all out.

After she settles down a bit, I gently lift her head back up and look into her eyes "I'm not going anywhere, and I promise you we will turn this world around." Eugen then wraps her arms around me and using her weight, pushes me into the couch cushions as she takes a nap.

A few hours later I'm woken up by the telephone on my desk ringing. Still sleeping, Eugen says "five more minutes, Leibling..." I slowly lift her off of me, get up, then lay her back down before answering the phone.

"Azur Lane Samoa Base Commander Sparks speaking. Who am I talking with?"

"Good afternoon, Commander. This is Enterprise calling to let you know that we'll be arriving in a few minutes."

"Thanks Enterprise, I'll meet you and the other Eagles at the harbor." I then hang up the phone. "Strelitzia, I'm going to the harbor to greet my fellow Eagles. Could you bring everyone over to the briefing hall please."

"Jawohl Mein Kommandant!"


As I'm walking down to the harbor, I hear the screech of a bald eagle before one lands on my right shoulder. "What the? Hey there big guy, what are you doing way out here?" I slowly extend my left hand out to the eagle, he then nuzzles the top of his head into my palm. He then looks up and gives a softer screech. I look in the same direction as the eagle to find a silver haired woman with purple eyes, wearing a sleeveless version of the female Eagle Union officer's uniform. Her jacket is half off of her shoulders, a black tie wrapped around her neck, and a black skirt with a thin gold stripe at the bottom. She is also wearing mid-calf height black boots with mid-thigh high black socks 'Holy cow! She must be the most beautiful woman I have ever seen, an absolute Angel!'

"I am the second of the Yorktown class Aircraft Carriers, USS Enterprise reporting for duty. I go all out against the enemy not holding back. Such is my way."

In absolute surprise 'She's the Enterprise! Definitely an angelic gray ghost. Gah! Shut up and answer her already!' "It is an absolute honor to meet you Enterprise. I look forward to working with you."

"Same here Commander. Oh, I see Grim Reaper has already taken a liking to you."

" So that's his name. Named after the famous Fighting squadron 10, then I take it that he's your eagle?"

"Yes, Commander."

"I'd love to chat with you all afternoon, but I've scheduled a meeting with the entire fleet in the briefing hall after you and our fellow Eagles arrive."

"Alright Commander, I'll let them know." Enterprise then turns to the approaching Eagle Union members. "Attention please, girls! The Commander has requested that we assemble in the briefing hall, head over there after introducing yourselves!" Enterprise then leaves, Grim Reaper launches off of my shoulder and lands on Enterprise's left arm.


The first group to approach me are Enterprise's escort ships: leading the group is a blackish purple and blue haired woman with green eyes wearing a white bikini top with matching white shorts and red gloves, the Eagle Union Navy logo is tattooed on her left leg. "Hey Commander, I'm USS Northampton. If you can predict where I'll be then we'll probably be in sync together. If only Hornet and I could too..."

"Nice to meet you Northampton."

Next is a green haired young lady with a side ponytail and blue green eyes, wearing an open white shirt and a pink mini skirt. "Commander, I'm the heavy cruiser USS Salt Lake City. I'm exposing too much? I have to keep an eye on my figure you know?"

"Whatever works for you, Salt Lake City, nice to meet you."

Next is a blonde hair girl with blue eyes wearing a blue sailor uniform, she is also carrying a camera. "Nice to meet you, Commander! I'm USS Gridley, I once escorted Saratoga~, she's so cute!"

"Likewise, Gridley."

Next is a purple haired brown eye girl wearing a similar outfit to Gridley, but this one gives off a cheerleader vibe. "Second of the Gridley-class destroyers, USS Craven, reporting in. Leave the halftime cheering to me!"

"Nice to meet you Craven, I had a feeling that you might be a cheerleader of sorts."

After Craven, is a girl with hair that is similar in color to the previous two, her outfit is as well, she's eating a popsicle. "Hello Commander. I'm USS McCall. I like sleeping, daydreaming, and popsicles. Please assign me somewhere quiet?"

"Hi, McCall. I'll see what I can do."

The last of the first group looks like she could be Gridley's twin. "I'm USS Maury. As a track runner I hold the Union speed record of 42.8 knots. But I won't do marathons."

"Very impressive Maury, glad to have you."


The second group is led by a pink haired woman and who looks like her younger sister. The pink haired lady is wearing an idol uniform and black stockings that hug her long legs. "Good day, Mr. Commander~ I am USS Lexington. My name is from the first battle of the Revolutionary War. As an idol I need a big heart, right?"

"Good afternoon Lady Lexington, that would make sense to me."

Lexington's younger sister, wearing a similar uniform introduces herself, "Hey there, good day Commander! I am Lexington's little sister USS Saratoga~."

"Hello Saratoga, happy to have you along with your sister."

Next is a blonde hair with twin drill curls and blue eyed woman dressed similarly to Northampton. "So you're the Commander? I'm USS Chicago. You're looking at me almost as if you want me to feel you up."

'Um no thank you, just listening to you makes me feel like I'm cheating on Strelitzia. Where did that come from!? WE'RE NOT EVEN IN A RELATIONSHIP!' "Welcome to the fleet Chicago."

Next is a silver haired woman with blue eyes wearing a blue jacket hanging off of her arms revealing her black bikini top underneath, and a black mini-skirt. 'Are those hearts in her eyes!?' "Nice to meet you, Commander. I'm USS Portland, Indy's big sister. 'Who's Indy?' It's a nickname for my dear sister Indianapolis."

'Oh no! Don't tell me she's one of those sis-cons!' "Nice to meet you too Portland."

Last in Lexington's group is a tan skinned young woman with one blue and one bronze colored eyes, her hair has a similar stray curl to Portland's. "I'm USS Indianapolis, second of the Portland-class cruisers, my nickname is Indy. I'm sorry for anything my sister caused. Nuclear bomb? What's that?"

"Nice to meet you Indianapolis, your sister hasn't done anything yet though."


The final group, being the largest consists of the Pearl Harbor survivors. First up is a fire haired woman, with bluish gold color eyes. "Are you the Commander? I'm USS Phoenix. That's right, the legendary Phoenix. I hope you have what it takes to lead me."

"Nice to meet you Phoenix, I'll try to prove to you that I do."

Next is a whiteish pink haired girl with red eyes wearing a blue sailor uniform that appears in some school slice of life anime. "Greetings, I'm USS Aylwin. I'm very talented when it comes to navigation, so allow me to guide the fleet."

"Hello Aylwin, I guess it couldn't hurt to sortie with a designated navigator."

Next is a brown haired young woman with red eyes and blue glasses wearing a sleeveless version of Aylwin's sailor uniform. "I'm USS Raleigh, an Omaha-class light cruiser. I hope we'll make a great team from now on, Commander."

"Welcome to the fleet Raleigh, the feeling is mutual."

Next is a blonde haired woman with gold eyes wearing a brown and white top with a black skirt. "Are you the Commander, young man? I'm USS Nevada. I'll be working with you from now on."

" Hello Nevada, you look pretty good for being attacked a couple of days ago."

"Thank you Commander, I was lucky. Shortly after Arizona was hit I managed to start getting away, as I was at the end of Battleship Row. Unfortunately, I was eventually jumped by the bombers as well. I was forced to beach myself as I neared the entrance."

"I'm glad you're doing better, and hope you get back to working condition soon."

After Nevada, is a beautiful black haired woman with green eyes in a blue working mini dress and white stockings. She is being pushed around in a wheelchair by a silver haired woman with greenish blue eyes in a black nurse's uniform. The woman in the wheelchair introduces herself first, "I am the second of the Pennsylvania-class battleships, USS Arizona. This time, I won't let that tragedy repeat itself..." Seeing that Arizona is about to start tearing up, I kneel down to her level and give Arizona a hug. "Commander, I'm sorry if my emotions bothered you..."

"No Arizona, I read the reports of the damage and after reading what you went through, I initially thought we had lost you. Seeing you in person is a miracle in of itself, and I thought you could use a hug."

"Thank you, Commander. I feel a bit calmer now..." I then hug Arizona for a few more moments before letting her go to acknowledge the woman behind her.

"Greetings Commander, I am the repair ship USS Vestal. I worked exclusively for Enterprise at one point. I'm happy when everyone's healthy~"

"I'm glad you're here Vestal, I don't know how you managed to escape undamaged being docked next to Arizona. Anyway I already have a feeling that you're going to be an important part of this fleet."

"Thank you Commander, and when the time comes to decide on using our battleships for a mission. I suggest waiting until I start clearing them to do so."

"Will do Vestal."

"Next is a blonde haired woman with blue eyes, wearing a white Union officer's uniform shirt. "You're the Commander? You look like you have potential. I'm convinced to help you. My name is USS Tennessee, memorize it."

"I thank you for accepting me, Tennessee."

Next is a white haired woman with blue eyes, dressed similarly to Nevada. "Commander...Ah..Sorry! I became distracted by looking at you... Nevermind..Nice to meet you, I'm USS Oklahoma."

"Nice to meet you too, Oklahoma." 'Is it possible for a ship to like me from the getgo? No, Akashi said they all start at 50 affinity, I guess there's a difference between attraction and affinity.'

Following Oklahoma is a woman who looks like Tennessee's sister. "Hello, Commander. I am USS California, I don't mean to brag, but I'm pretty strong, you know. I look forward to working with you."

"Hello California, I also am looking forward to working with you."

Next is a black haired girl with orange eyes wearing a dog tag and an EU Navy T-shirt. "Hello, Commander. I'm USS Cassin..." She then walks off. 'That was different, I guess Cassin likes to keep to herself?'

Turning around, I see a girl whom, except for the same orange colored eyes, appears to be Cassin's opposite in every sense of the word, White hair and wearing a white EU Navy T-shirt. "Hey! Are you the Commander? I'm USS Downes, nice to meet you!"

"Likewise, Downes. Was that your sister just now?"

"Yeah, she likes to shut everyone out at first. However, once you get to know her she is actually pretty nice."

Next is a confident looking woman who looks like she could be Arizona's older sister. She's wearing a similar blue working mini dress except the top half is unbuttoned. "I'm USS Pennsylvania. You can call me 'sister Penn.' I've sortied hundreds of times, so you can count on me to get the job done."

"Nice to meet you Pennsylvania, surprisingly you didn't show up on the damage report."

"I wasn't docked on Battleship Row. For some reason Vestal and I ended up getting switched around, with me berthed next to Cassin and Downes near the entrance to the harbor. By the time it was my turn to get bombed Nevada was miraculously under way and attracted the attention of my would-be attackers."

"I'm glad you're doing well, Sister Penn."

'Hmm I wonder if I can call Arizona, Ari? Not this again! You're only supposed to give them nicknames once you're great friends or if she says you can call her by a certain name!'

The last young woman to arrive has sky blue hair, purple eyes and wears a white and navy blue backless mini dress. "Nice to meet you, Commander. I'm USS Helena. My best ability is enemy recon. Please...Lead us to victory."

"Nice to meet you too, Helena and I will do my best." With the introductions finished, I make my way up to the briefing hall.


Getting off the elevator after returning to my apartment to check one last time that my uniform is in order, I hear the voices of the girls in the briefing room. As I open the door I hear Enterprise shout "Commander on Deck!" Walking in the room all of the girls are standing at attention. The Union girls in the left quarter rows, Royals in the sections next to them, on the right half in the first row from left to right are Eugen, Königsberg, Karlsruhe, Köln, Akashi, and the three submarine girls Akashi mentioned earlier.

"At ease ladies, please have a seat." I say as I walk up to the potium. "To the ladies that I have only briefly met today. I am Azur Lane Commander Matthew Sparks of the Eagle Union. I will take this moment to formally welcome you to the Azur Lane base on the Eagle Union island of Samoa. To the Royal Navy, Sakura Empire, and Iron Blood members of this fleet, most of this speech will be towards the Union members, however this is only because I want to wait until your nation's representatives arrive. At those times I will be giving similar speeches aimed at your individual factions. To my fellow Eagle Unionites, as we all know our country was attacked at Pearl Harbor a couple of days ago. That afternoon, local time, after I landed back on USS Shangri-La following a successful test flight at Joint Naval Air Station Pensacola, I was notified of the attack and in a few hours was sailing on my way over here aboard the SS Francis Scott Key. To the survivors with us, after reading the reports I was just as shocked and pissed-off as every other Unionite. However, knowing that I wasn't there, I understand that words can't even begin to describe the hell that you went through, and that you're probably even more angered than I am. I would also like to express my relief that you all are alive. Taking Vestal's advice, I have decided that I will not sortie any of you who are still recovering from your injuries until you and Vestal feel that you are back in top fighting condition. Now, as this is a multinational fleet, we will undoubtedly at times eventually be taking on missions one right after another. I will try to balance the workload so that no one group is overworked, feels put upon, or that ships who are waiting a while don't feel that I'm picking favorites for multiple sorties. However at the same time, until we get more hands there will probably be a larger number of you who are sortieing consecutively. Therefore if you ever feel fatigued after multiple consecutive sorties don't hesitate to notify me and I'll give you a break so you can get your strength back. I also understand that I'm supposed to have secretaries helping me with daily operations, by the same reasoning previously mentioned I am going to select one member of each nation to be my secretaries. The Sakura secretary I will wait to announce until we have more members here. For the-" I'm interrupted by Belfast raising her hand. "Yes, Belfast?"

"As your personal maid, I would like to request that I be your Royal Navy secretary, Master."

'Why am I not surprised that Belle was going to ask. Well at least with that ability of hers to read my mind, I might be able to zip through paperwork more efficiently.' "Are there any objections from the Royal Navy ladies?" Receiving none, I give the position to Belfast. "In that case, Belfast I select you to be my secretary from the Royal Navy. From the Iron Blood, I select Prinz Eugen. Karlsruhe, Königsberg and Köln, in case you are wondering why I am deciding now, Prinz Eugen and I are classmates from our time at the Academy and were paired together. We achieved the highest scores of our class together, and as such there isn't anyone else from Iron Blood that I would want more to be my secretary. Finally, from the Eagle Union, I select Enterprise to be my secretary as well. As she is the most diligent and pays the most attention to detail, Enterprise is the best choice from the Union to be my secretary. Now, are there any questions?" Receiving none, I finish my speech. "Then, thank you for trusting in me to lead you through this war. I will work as hard as possible to keep your trust in me alive, and may God protect us as we fight to save our way of life from the sirens." Ending the speech I received a standing ovation from the girls. "I have my own personal fighter plane parked in hangar 4, Anyone who is interested in seeing it, I'm going to show it to you."


After a couple of minutes of walking, we arrive at the hangar. Gesturing to the navy blue painted fighter with three pairs of black and white alternating stripes running parallel to the fuselage in the middle of each wing, with the white star framed by two white rectangles on both sides of each wing and fuselage, and two white polygons horizontally opposite of each other, connected at a single point by one of their corners, creating two vertically opposite blue triangles painted on the vertical stabilizer. Also painted on under the glass canopy is the number 12 in white, lastly painted under the exhaust pipes in cursive white is 'Blue Strelitzia'.

"Ladies, allow me to introduce to you my 'Seahorse' modified P-51H Mustang, Blue Strelitzia." 'With the time that I had before sailing out here, I decided to name my fighter. What exactly, I wasn't sure. Then I remembered reading somewhere that the name of the Strelitzia flower translates to 'bird of paradise' and since I was about to be sent to the Pacific, the name stuck. Also, secretly keeping up the tradition of some pilots naming their planes after his favorite girl back home, I may have named it after Eugen as well.'

Enterprise asks, "So you're one of the pilots involved in the Seahorse Project?"

"Yes, my Mustang is modified with an arrestor hook tucked underneath the tail, and a small omnidirectional radar antenna."

Enterprise and Akashi's eyes light up as if they've received a surprise toy for Christmas, as Enterprise is thinking, 'I've always wanted to have a Seahorse Mustang squadron ever since I first heard about the project! For my next sortie, I'm going to ask if he wants to use my Carrier as his flagship to fly off of my deck, before someone else does! Where did that last bit come from?'

Continuing on, I talk about the various specs. "With the supercharged Merlin Engine, she's fast enough to catch a siren jet fighter and agile enough to turn with a zero, thanks to the modified design so she can handle carrier landings, she's as rugged as a Wildcat too. For weapons, she's equipped with six Browning AN/M2 50 caliber machine guns in the wings. Underneath she can also carry either two 500 lb. bombs, or up to 10 five inch High Velocity Air-launched Rockets, or lastly two drop tanks that will allow her to fly up to 1500 miles, or a radius of 750 miles, before needing to refuel."

Hornet is next to ask me a question. "So you're telling us that your plane takes the bomb load of a Dauntless, rockets of a Corsair, and the long range of a P-38. Then wraps it up in one neat little package?"

"Pretty much, yes." All of a sudden, the faces of Long Island, Bogue, Saratoga, and Hornet are now lighting up like Christmas trees. Lexington looks intrigued, Yorktown has a calm smile on her face. Formidable is thinking, 'The Master has a trusty noble steed. I can't wait to tell my sister Illustrious that he's a knight!'

All while this is going on, Eugen's mind is fixed on one thing. 'Leibling, you never cease to amaze me. You even named your plane after me! Just you wait until everyone has left...'

I then ask, "Are there any other questions? The Canteen should have dinner ready about now, dismissed!" As the ladies are leaving, I go over to the wall of the hangar to turn the light off. Just as I'm about to flip the switch, I hear a voice that gives me a chill up my spine.

"Mein Kommandant...~"

'She's in that mode again, okay let's calm down before turning around because we both know that as soon as she thinks I'm getting flustered, she's going to lay it on thick.' I tell myself before turning around to see Eugen with her arms resting on the trailing edge of the wing. She's leaning her back against it with her left foot lifted up, resting on the landing gear and her face turned towards me, a smile on her face while winking. 'Is she giving me her permission to paint her on my fighter?!!'

"Hmm...by any chance, did you name your plane after me?"

"Th-That's just a coincidence! I named it after the 'bird of paradise' flower that just happens to share the same name, since we're on a Pacific Island!" And I failed miserably.

"So you named me after a beautiful flower then?"

'Why didn't I consider the possibility of this loophole in my explanation! Now there's no way I can get out of saying that it's named after her! In her mind, she's probably traced it back to when I first gave her the nickname!' "I..well..um.."

"Hmm..? I can't hear you Mein Kommandant."

(I take a deep breath) "Yes, I did somewhat name 'Blue Strelitzia' after you. Mostly though of the flower, because she really is a Blue Bird of Paradise."

With a faint blush on her cheeks and a smile, Eugen gives me a hug and says "Guten nacht, Mein Kommandant." before leaving.

'Was she blushing just now?' I pull out my phone to see where Eugen's affinity is; the number jumped to 77. Turning the hangar light off, I close the doors and head up to my apartment, make myself some dinner and go to sleep.


-Meanwhile at the canteen-

Prinz Eugen walks in to have dinner, the rest of the fleet is already eating. Grabbing herself a plate of grilled chicken and rice, she then sits down with her fellow Iron Blood.

Karlsruhe asks, "What took you so long Eugen?"

With a bright smile on her face, Prinz Eugen says "Oh nothing, was just talking with Herr Kommandant about his plane."


My college is on Spring break this week, so hopefully while I'm farming for the Northern Parliament ships in the game, I'll find time to get the next chapter out this week as well. Thanks for the reviews and favorites/follows everyone, they are appreciated!

Azur Lane belongs to Yongshi, Manjuu, and Yostar.