Chapter 4:
Presidential and Royal meetings
As promised Lt. Colonel James Doolittle arrives on January 5th. A few hours before landing, the Colonel calls ahead to notify me of his arrival with the big surprise being who was arriving with him.
I'm filling out the paperwork again when the telephone rings. "Azur Lane Commander Sparks speaking."
"Good morning Commander, this is Lt. Col. Doolittle calling to notify you that I will be arriving in a few hours aboard Air Force One."
"This is certainly a pleasant surprise for the President himself to be flying out here."
"After I presented to the President your proposal, he was very interested in it and wants to discuss the details with you personally."
"Thanks for the heads up sir, we'll be sure to give Mr. President the welcome he deserves, I'll see you at the airfield."
"See you then Sparks." I hang up the phone, then walk down to Enterprise's office and knock on the door.
"Come in" she says. I walk in to her office to see that it is a bit smaller than mine being half as long, the window behind her facing the courtyard. Similarly to mine the Azur Lane and Eagle Union flags frame the sides of the window. "Good morning Commander, what brings you to my office?" She asks with a smile.
"Doolittle is arriving in a couple of hours, along with the President to discuss our plan. Once we've welcomed him I'd like you to bring Hornet, Belfast, and Eugen to the meeting room."
"Alright Commander, I'll go to the Eagle dorm so we can start the preparations."
Exiting Enterprise's office I go up to the second floor where the command center is to use the base intercom, as she walks to the dorm.
I clear my throat before speaking into the microphone. "All hands, now hear this. The Eagle Union President Roosevelt is inbound to visit us in a couple of hours. I'd like everyone to do what they can to spruce up the base before his arrival. Fifteen minutes before he lands, we're going to meet up at the airfield to welcome him, now let's get to work!"
Over the next couple of hours, the base is buzzing as everyone is either tidying up the dorm common areas, cleaning the Canteen mess hall, or hosing down their ships. Forty-five minutes before the arrival, we return to our own dorms to shower and dress in our best uniforms. When the ETA became fifteen minutes, I walk to the spot where the plane will park, wearing my dress uniform again, all of the girls are waiting.
"Great job everyone, here's how we're going to form up. I want the Eagle Union ships to form two lines standing side-by-side and facing the opposite line, where Air Force One's elevator will lower the President to the ground at the front. At the end of the line facing Air Force One I'll be standing in the middle with Enterprise to my right, and Hornet to my left. Behind me to the right, Belfast will stand with the Royals in rows of five behind her. Directly behind me will be Eugen with Karlsruhe, Köln and Königsberg behind her. As you could guess, this leaves the Sakura on the left in rows of five as well. Everyone understand?"
I shortly receive a chorus of "Yes Sir/Master!", "Hai Shikikan/Milord!", and "Jawohl Mein/Herr Kommandant!" Soon after, the VC-54C transport plane lands and taxies up to us. When the elevator reaches the ground, I shout "Commander-in-Chief on deck!" All of the Eagle ships and myself stand at attention, Arizona doing as best she can while using her crutches now that she doesn't need her wheelchair, The Sakura, Royals and four Iron Bloods behind me standing respectfully as well.
The doors open revealing the white hair blue eyed President Roosevelt wearing a black suit jacket over a white dress shirt with a red tie and black slacks, his stemless glasses sitting on his face. The President is flanked by a 63 year old man on his right in an Admiral's uniform; Lexington has a nostalgic smile on her face while looking at him. To the left is a 45 year old man in an air force Lt. Colonel's uniform, this must be Doolittle.
Enterprise, Hornet and I approach simultaneously, stop in front of them and salute. The Admiral and Lt. Colonel salute us back before I officially welcome them. "Mr. President, it is my honor to welcome you to the Azur Lane base on Samoa." Roosevelt asks, "who are you?"
I respond, "I'm fellow Unionite and Azur Lane Commander Matthew Sparks, these ladies are the Yorktown class Aircraft Carrier Kansens USS Enterprise and Hornet."
The Admiral elaborates, "He was our transfer cadet at the Azur Lane Academy in the Iron Blood, graduated at the top of his class with his partner Kansen KMS Prinz Eugen. After graduation he came back and became one of the Seahorse Project's test pilots."
Roosevelt says, "So you're the Mr. Sparks that I keep hearing about, I like you son. How about we go inside to talk about this plan of yours." As we proceed between the rows of shipgirls with Doolittle pushing the President's wheelchair; Roosevelt notices Pennsylvania, Nevada, Oklahoma, Tennessee, California and Arizona. "Ladies, I am glad to see that you are doing well after reading what you all went through."
The battleships reply, "Thank you Mr. President."
Arizona then asks with a worried tone, "Um, Mr. President are there still any of my sailors trapped in my former ship?"
Roosevelt's expression turns somber "Regrettably, yes there are."
With tears threatening to fall, Arizona asks "Then I'd like to request my former hull be used as their final resting place. Vestal and Akashi are already working on building me a new one as my rigging is almost repaired."
Roosevelt replies "I think we can do that, and maybe even turn it into a national memorial."
"Thank you Mr. President!" Says Arizona as she cheers back up.
Further down the line we eventually get to Lexington. "Admiral King!" She says.
"Nice to see you again, Lexington. I didn't know you were transferred here." The Admiral replied.
"Do you know each other?" I ask.
Lexington says "Yes Commander, ten years ago the Admiral was my Captain."
Eventually, we make our way up to the meeting room. President Roosevelt sitting in his wheelchair at the far end of the table, to his left is Lt. Col. Doolittle, to his right is Admiral King. On my half of the table I sit opposite Roosevelt, to my right are Enterprise and Eugen, to my left are Hornet and where Belfast will sit when she comes back with tea for everyone.
Doolittle starts the meeting, "Mr. President, Sparks and I think we've figured out how to attack the Sakura Empire."
Roosevelt says, "Fire away son."
I proceed to explain the details of my plan. "Mr. President, all of the Kansen at this base and around the world on both sides have abilities unique to each of them. Hornet's ability specifically, is how we're going to do it." I then turn to Hornet.
"Sir, my ability allows me to launch an airstrike consisting of 16 B-25s from my deck, and yes they can be landed back onto it as well. If we had the luxury to launch them from typical carrier plane ranges, I could control them myself and sail as soon as tomorrow." Hornet then deferred back to me.
"However as we don't, I plan on launching them when 740 miles away from the Sakura Empire. Thus the bombers will have to be flown manually, leaving all 16 of them stacked on her flight deck." Just then, Belfast returns with the tea. She goes around the table handing everyone a cup; after passing one to Enterprise and I, she sits down as I thank her.
Doolittle begins his part, "I volunteered to hand pick crews from the 17th bomb group to fly the bombers for them."
Doolittle motions for Enterprise to speak. "With my sister's flight deck taken up, I will go along to provide fighter support in case we get attacked as she would be virtually defenseless."
I speak again to finish the presentation, "As you already know Mr. President, the Seahorse Mustang is the only carrier based fighter capable of escorting bombers at that range. Since my Mustang is the only one available in my fleet, I will personally be the fighter escort." Everyone in the room except for Enterprise and Hornet had a surprised look on their faces once I said that. "I know what you're probably thinking, 'You're crazy to think a lone fighter, even a Mustang, could take on the entire Sakura Air Force.' However I don't plan on doing that. Instead, we'll use the same surprise tactic as the Crimson Sakura, so by the time the fighters are scrambled, the bombers will already be on top of the targets or nearing them so I will only have to shoot down enough for us to fly back to the carriers and return home."
Roosevelt asks "I only have one question, Hornet would you mind giving us a demonstration?"
She replies, "Mr. President, I thought you'd never ask!"
At the beach we watch as Hornet skates out a ways into the water with her rigging equipped. She stops, closes her eyes for a second before announcing, "Finally, it's time to destroy my enemies 'Doolittle Style!'" A few moments later, 16 B-25s manifest themselves out of thin air over a period of 30 seconds 10,000 ft in the air flying off towards a ship in the distance used for target practice. A couple of minutes after that, the bombers release the payload with explosions bracketing the ship. As the bombers head for home, Hornet deploys her carrier, then the bombers proceed to land on the deck one after another disappearing in a blue flash. Shortly after landing, Hornet re-equips her rigging and returns back to the shore.
Roosevelt gives his answer, "Mr. Sparks, after such an outstanding demonstration I believe this plan will work. You have my permission to go forward with the air raid."
I reply "Thank you Mr. President, we won't let you down!"
Admiral King then asks me "Sparks I'd like to speak with you for a moment."
"Okay, sir." We then walk out of earshot of everyone.
"First, because the pilots will need to be trained in carrier take-offs and landings, Hornet will have to come back to the Union for a few months."
"That's understandable, I'll let her know."
"Lastly, there's a Sakura base at Wotje Atoll in the Marshalls that could be used for an invasion of Hawaii. Nimitz wants you to take care of it at the beginning of February."
"Will do, Admiral."
Two days later
On January 6th President Roosevelt, Admiral King, and Lt. Colonel Doolittle along with Hornet fly back to the Union. The next morning, Akashi and I are running maintenance on Blue Strelitzia. I sit in the cockpit as she is filling up the tanks when Eugen walks up.
"Guten morgen Mein Kommandant!"
"Hmm..oh guten morgen Eugen!" I say as I look down towards the left side of the plane.
"What are you doing up there?"
"Finishing up the routine maintenance of my plane."
Just then, Akashi finishes filling up the gas tanks. "Alright Shikikan, that should just about do it. Fire up the engine when you're ready, nya!"
"You're about to go for a joyride? Can I come with?"
"Not exactly...I guess I could take her out for a spin. Wait a minute, there's only room for the pilot in here!"
"Hmm~ so you don't like the idea of me sitting in your lap then? Surely if I did we could fit snugly in there."
"That's not the issue here!"
"Oh, come on. Don't be ridiculous." She says as she climbs onto the wing then swings her right leg up and into the cockpit, all before she sits in my lap. "See, I told you we'd both fit in here."
'I can't believe she just did that.' "How do you suppose we get strapped in then?" I ask with a hint of sarcasm.
"Like this." As she leans back against my chest, pressing me further in the chair. She then reaches over her shoulders loosening the straps out as far as they'll go one at a time clicking them into place between our legs. "See." She says looking back at me with a smug smirk. "Now show me how you fly 'Blue Strelitzia.'"
I start the Merlin engine which roars to life. Then I check all of the instruments to make sure everything is in order before turning on the radar scope. "Looks like we're good to go, are you ready?"
"Ja!"
"Akashi, would you mind running up to the control tower so I can talk to you in case something happens?" I yell out to her over the roar of the engine.
"Hai!" I close the canopy then taxi out of the hangar down to end of the runway before opening up the throttle. The tail gradually lifts off the ground as we speed down the runway, then I pull on the stick to takeoff.
A few minutes later
Eugen and I are now 2,000 ft up in the air flying laps around Samoa. "What do you think?" I ask.
"The view is beautiful up here, I see why you left to be a test pilot. Are you really sure about escorting the bombers?"
"Want to see what I meant by being able to out turn a zero?" I ask mischievously.
"Surrrrreeeeee!" She starts to say before turning into a screech as I pull a barrel roll then transition into a tight circle turn finishing with a full loop. "Hahaha, that was fun!"
"I can also turn this into a roller coaster ride if you want!"
"Try me!" For the next couple of hours I pulled off numerous tricks giving Eugen a flight that she won't forget for a long time. "I believe you now, I'll try not to worry too much."
Out of the bottom of my eye the radar began to show large blobs, I glance down at it to see what looks to be a large formation of ships approaching us from the northeast. "Looks like we've got company, we probably should check it out." A few minutes later we approach the formation, almost immediately Eugen recognizes one of the cruisers "That's my Schwester's cruiser!" Shortly afterwards a voice crackles over the radio.
"So, we finally get to meet Commander. I, Queen Elizabeth and my noble fleet have arrived."
"Welcome to Samoa, Queen Elizabeth."
"Mein Kommandant, want to pull a prank on my Schwester? She is the textbook definition of a tsundere, and I miss her hilarious reactions." Eugen asks, getting my attention.
"Okay, shoot."
"Do you see the blonde girl on the bow of the Hipper class cruiser down there?"
"Yes."
"That's my dear Schwester, Admiral Hipper. What we're going to do is from an angle out of her peripheral vision, make like you're going to strafe the deck but instead we buzz by it in front of her."
"Alright I have an idea, hang on." Hipper's cruiser is on the back right corner of the entire formation as the Iron Bloods are in the back half. We circle around the formation the long way slowly descending closer to the water. Once we're at 100 ft we come around the back side running parallel to Hipper from behind. As we near the point of entering her periphery, I yank the stick to the left and pull it back towards me to make a 90 degree turn. I then firewall the throttle as we straighten out to pass by Hipper making as much noise as possible.
(Hipper POV)
I lean against my forward main turret enjoying the breeze clearly not exited in any way to reunite with mein schwester as the Island we're being transferred to gets closer. All of a sudden I here the whine of an engine that reminds me of one of Zeppelin's Stukas making a run. 'What the? That shouldn't be happening!' Out of nowhere this navy blue airplane comes screaming by in front of me so close that I can make out Eugen's face inside waving at me. "AAAHH!" I scream while jumping and bumping my head on the bottom of one of the barrels.
(Sparks POV)
Eugen begins howling with laughter as we pass Hipper and I pull up to head for home. "I believe we can call that a direct hit on a heavy cruiser!" I say while chuckling.
"HAHA..Leibling..HAHA..you should have seen her face..HAHAHA!" Says Eugen while trying to calm down her laughter.
'What did she just call me!? I mean the last time she said that, she mumbled it in her sleep but was she actually referring to me?' A while later, we're approaching the airfield so I grab for the radio. "Stallion to tower, come in."
"Tower reads you Shikikan, nya."
"Alright Akashi everything is running great. If you don't mind, go grab the Royals along with our Iron Blood cruisers and send them to the briefing hall. Elizabeth's fleet has arrived along with some of the Iron Blood. I'll meet everyone there after we land and I take a shower."
"Hai Shikikan, nya!"
Afterwards, we land and taxi back to the hangar. Once I shut down the engine I open the canopy as Eugen unbuckles the straps before we climb down from the cockpit.
She then turns around to me and says "Mein Kommandant as much as I would love to give you a proper thank you for the ride since we're the only ones here in the hangar... I'll thank you later because you don't want to see Hipper when she gets impatient. I'll escort my fellow Deutche to the hall."
"Thanks Strelitzia, I'll meet everyone after my shower."
"Vielen Dank, also don't keep me waiting too long." As she winks and turns out to the port.
'I really have to build up a resistance to her switch before she's walking all over me.' As I watch her leave.
Shortly afterwards I hear "NYAA! Shikikan quit daydreaming about being her boyfriend and get moving nya!" as Akashi runs towards me still in the hangar.
"Gah! Oh, right...my bad." As I jog towards my apartment.
-30 minutes later-
After showering and getting dressed I head downstairs to the briefing hall in my khaki style uniform. I open the door to the hall as I hear a regal voice shout "Come to attention ladies!" I take note of the new members of my fleet as I approach the podium again. The left half of the room was taken up by the Royals with more members of the Maid Corps added to their ranks along with ladies who fit the description of British Royalty and knights. On the right the Iron Blood ships wearing uniforms of various shades of black, gray, white, or red.
"As you were," I say before everyone takes a seat. "To the ladies who've just arrived, welcome to the Pacific; I am Commander Matthew Sparks of the Eagle Union. To the members of Queen Elizabeth's Royal Navy I would like to thank you for sailing halfway around the world to assist us with the Sirens and Crimson Sakura over here while knowing that the Atlantic is still very hectic. I would also like to let you know that should anything threaten the Koala Republic of Australia we are very much able to rush help over there. To the Iron Blood ships, guten tag. As some of you may know I was a transfer cadet at the Iron Blood campus of the Azur Lane Academy and graduated at the top of my class alongside Prinz Eugen. Shortly after I arrived, Prinz Eugen told me her story of how she was able to come over here. Therefore I would like to personally thank the Bismarck sisters, Gneisenau, Königsberg, Karlsruhe, Köln, Z23/Nimi, and Scharnhorst for aiding in the rescue and escape of the two Hipper sisters." The aforementioned ships stand up as everyone including myself gives them a round of applause. After a few moments we settle back down and I continue. "Regarding my secretaries, I decided to have one from each faction. From the Royal Navy at her request is Belfast and the Iron Blood is Prinz Eugen. Those of you who sailed in earlier may have seen an Eagle Union fighter make a fly-by of your formation. That is my Seahorse Mustang 'Blue Strelitzia' that I welcomed Queen Elizabeth from over the radio. As I promised Prinz Eugen, I promise to you that we will bring the Fatherland to its former glory and to everyone, as we do what British Prime Minister Churchill once said, 'keep calm and carry on' we will do our our duty to God and our Countries; we will also find a way to bring peace back to our oceans." All of the Royals and Deutche gave a standing ovation. "Thank you, if possible I would like to meet the new members of our fleet on your way out. Starting with the Iron Blood before the Royals."
First to approach me is a green eyed girl with blonde twin tails dressed similarly to Eugen however more conservatively. "You're the Kommandant here? Is the war's momentum going so badly that anyone could be in your position?!"
"Ummm pardon?" Almost immediately afterwards comes Eugen to help me out.
"Sorry to burst your bubble dear Schwester but Mein Kommandant isn't your average officer here." As Eugen proceeds to hug my left arm while talking to Hipper. "Furthermore we already pranked you as he took me out for one of my first times."
I can see that Hipper looks ready to go ballistic so I attempt to cool her off "Hipper I'm pretty sure she means her first ride in a f-"
'I'M THE OLDER SISTER AND SHE ALREADY HAS A BOYFRIEND?!' "YOU MEAN TO TELL ME THAT THIS DUMMKOPF THAT ALMOST CRASHED INTO ME IS YOUR-!"As Hipper is redder than Eugen's uniform.
"I wanted to give you a warm welcome this morgen. Since we were already flying around above you I figured why not give you a surprise." Says Eugen now letting me go before starting to walk towards and behind Hipper with these next few words. "So relax, just because we were partners at the Academy doesn't necessarily mean I'm actually dating him. Not that you'd beat me to him, Frau Flachbusig."
"How many times do I have to tell you I was designed with an AERODYNAMIC HULL!"
"Obviously our shipbuilders realized that a curvier hull was best otherwise we'd be the same size." Eugen returns back to me and asks "Don't you agree that a curvy hull is better than an aerodynamic one, Mein Kommandant?"
"I'm not going to answer that." I decided erring on the side of diplomacy. 'Honestly I prefer the shape of Strelitzia's hull over Hipper's. Not that I could admit that out loud...'
Hipper then starts storming off as she says "Honestly Eugen, it's not like I'd ever want to hang around with such a DUMMKOPF as him or anything!"
"Mein Kommandant, that makes another critical hit, 2-0 us!"
"I didn't realize we were keeping score." I say as Eugen and I start laughing for a bit.
As we gradually stop laughing, a blonde woman dressed in all black whom if she was from the Union could be Enterprise's twin sister.
"Guten tag, I am KMS Bismarck. I've fought against many enemies in all kinds of situations. You may request my help whenever you need it."
"Danke Frau Bismarck for saving Eugen, It's an honor to meet the Iron Blood flagship. She has said great things about you. I am always happy to add such valuable battleships like you and your sister to our fleet." I say as a reach to shake her hand.
"Likewise Herr Kommandant, Eugen has told me many things about you as well. I enjoyed listening to how you both excelled in that Cruiser class at our branch of the academy on your way to being the cadet/kansen valedictorian pair of your class."
"Yeah, those were fun times, anyway are you related to Enterprise by any chance?"
"Ja, I'm her cousin after all. Is she here?"
"I figured as much, when I first looked at you I thought you might be twins but since y'all are from different countries that was my second guess. I think she'll be in her office downstairs if you want to say hi."
"I think I will, Schwester I'll be downstairs if you need me for anything." Bismarck says as she turns around addressing the second bit to a silver short haired woman in a white version of Bismarck's uniform, whom after acknowledging Bismarck turns to me.
"I've been imprisoned, cold and alone for so long away from mein Schwester, now you want me, KMS Tirpitz, to follow you? -sigh- Very well, I have but one condition, show me the world."
"Wait a minute, Eugen told me in her story that you and Bismarck helped with breaking out Hipper and hiding her."
"That's only half true, I was held in the same facility that Hipper was going to be operated on. I was Eugen's informant on the inside, and we escaped on my battleship and was also hiding out in mein Schwester's home."
As Tirpitz shared her story, I realized that a mere standing ovation wasn't going to cut it as a worthy thank you, because if Eugen committed treason, then Tirpitz would definitely be at the top of Der Große's most wanted list.
"Tirpitz, bring it in." I say as I open up my arms to give her a hug.
"A hug, Kommandant?" She asks in confusion.
"I felt that you could use one after listening to your story." I say as she comes in for a friendly embrace. "Therefore, as thanks for what you did back then I promise to show you the world."
"Danke shön, Kommandant" she says as we end the hug and she walks off.
Following Tirpitz is a pink haired woman with blue eyes, her left one covered with an eyepatch and dressed in a navy blue and red uniform with the bottom half of her top unzipped in a way that reveals the bottom of her chest. "I'm KMS Scharnhorst, the word 'retreat' does not exist in my vocabulary! Let me see what you've got Kommandant."
"I hope that I will be able to live up to your standards Scharnhorst."
Almost as soon as she finishes introducing herself a woman with similarly blue eyes, red framed glasses and pink hair of whom I can only presume to be her sister in a short white shirt with a navy blue and red jacket over it, and a mini skirt revealing her slim stomach approaches and stands next to Scharnhorst. "Guten Tag, Kommandant, I'm KMS Gneisenau. While mein schwester can be reckless, together we're invincible. I'd like to sortie with her as often as possible."
"I'll make sure to remember that and frauleins, danke for guarding the Hipper sisters."
"Gern geschehen, Kommandant."
Next is a blonde haired girl with blue eyes wearing a white mini-dress paired with a navy blue beret, she is also giving off an air of diligence. "Guten tag, Kommandant. I am KMS Z-23, you can call me Nimi. Let's work hard together and aim for the top!"
"Glad to have you Nimi, ambition like yours is what we're going to need to turn the tide. I hear that you're friends with Javelin."
"Ja Kommandant, is she here?"
"Yep, she's over with the other royals." To Javelin a bit louder, "Hey Javelin, there's someone here that wants to see you." Back to Nimi, "Laffey, and Ayanami are here as well although somewhere around the base." Javelin walks over and Nimi's eyes brighten up at seeing her friend. Javelin gives her a welcoming hug before they say goodbye to me and run off to find their other friends.
After Nimi leaves, a short silver hair purple eyed girl wearing a uniform similar to Nimi except that it's a shirt instead of a dress and with short black shorts. "Rejoice Herr Kommandant! Please allow me", KMS Leberecht Maass Z1, to take care of your problems from now on!"
"Glad to have Iron Blood's first destroyer among the fleet."
After LM is a brown hair blue eyed girl in a white uniform with a black fedora, "Hallo Kommandant~. I'm the singing and dancing destroyer KMS Z35! Pleased to meet you."
"Likewise Z35, seeing as you're also one of the destroyers that doesn't have a namesake; would you like me to give you one similarly to how Z23 is Nimi?"
"I'm willing to give it a try Kommandant."
"Alright, how does Voka sound?"
"That might actually work as my idol stage name. I like it, danke Kommandant!"
"You're welcome Voka."
Following her is a pink hair gold eyed girl in a uniform similar to Nimi's except that she has a black and red officer's cap on her head. "Zerstorer type 1936A, KMS Z25 reporting in. Please relax for I shall do my best in battle."
"I have no doubt that you will. For the destroyers and submarines in my fleet that only have code numbers I am giving them individual names. How does Hochner sound for you?"
"It doesn't really matter to me whether I'm called by my code number or an actual name, although it does sound nicer so I'll accept the name."
"Welcome to the fleet Hochner."
Next to appear are a few members of the Unterseeboot wolfpack fleet. First is a pink hair, red eyed girl in a navy blue one-piece swimsuit with a brown jacket. She starts with a mischievous smirk, "Hehehe, I finally have a Kommandant! I'm U-81, my favorite game is hide and seek so if you can't find me just say 'U-81 I surrender!' and I'll probably stop hiding."
"As we currently only have three Sakura submarines, the addition of your sister U-boats is greatly appreciated. Since all of you go by your code numbers, would Jagdsehund work as your name? I'd much prefer if all my ships had individual names as opposed to going by generic ones."
"I think it's cute as a puppy like me so I'll take it."
"Glad to have you Jagdsehund."
Next to follow is a girl in a black and white with red trim one-piece swimsuit, her hair and eyes make her look like a shorter version of Portland. "So...You're the Kommandant around here, eh? I'm KMS U-522, type IX-C Unterseeboot, reporting for duty. Anyhoo, I've heard that this base was going to be fun so here I am, eager to sink convoys and have a party. Heehee~"
"I'm not sure about any parties soon, but having convoy disruptors will definitely be helpful over here. If you don't mind, I'd like to give you a name. How does Spähen sound?"
"Sounds fun Kommandant, I'll take it!"
Afterwards is a Red eyed girl with short blue hair in a white bikini with a brown jacket. "Ahoy! Type VII-C unterseeboot U-556 here! Finally back at my home port! I'm also Lord Bismarck's personal submarine!"
"That's cool, don't remember Eugen mentioning that, anyway glad to have you here Percival, if you don't mind me calling you that?"
"Sure!" Before turning to someone else and saying "Little Schwester come here!"
Shortly afterwards, a hazel eyed girl with short pink hair wearing a two piece swimsuit walks up. "Type VII-C unterseeboot, U-557, reporting in. I'm a bad luck magnet, so feel free to forget about and ignore me...Mission wise I'll do my best."
"Nice to meet you, don't worry about luck since we have more than enough good luck here to go around. From now on your name will be Glück."
"Was?"
"I believe the first step to negating bad luck is to think positively of yourself. By doing so I figure would give you a clean slate to start with."
"I'll give it a try Kommandant, although I have my doubts."
Leading the Royal delegation unsurprisingly was a blonde haired girl in royal attire; notably a red crown on her head. "How despicable of you to have ME wait this long to introduce my fleet of knights!"
"You must be Queen Elizabeth, a pleasure to meet the flagship of the Royal Navy." I say as I extend my hand to shake hers. 'A girl with a Napoleon complex is the head of the Royals. Now I've seen everything.'
"I guess I can forgive you just this once." As she shakes my hand then motions to the line behind her. "My right hand and sister, Warspite."
A blonde with purple eyes in a classic royal officer uniform top carrying a sheathed oversized English broadsword. "Greetings, I'm Warspite. I hold the record for the longest hit on a moving target. I've also had to cheat death on a couple of occasions."
"Welcome Warspite, it's a pleasure to have the Royal Navy's sniper join the fleet."
"My Battlecruiser Knight, Renown" As QE motions to a blonde with blue eyes in an blue and white top with a navy blue skirt.
"Renown, Battlecruiser of the Royal Fleet, at your service. My guns shall aim where your sword points, Commander."
"I will make a point to put them to good use then."
"Now the two proud sister members of The Big Seven." The first of the aforementioned sisters, a blonde twin-tail woman with garnet eyes in a black-white garnet and gold uniform walks up first. "You're the commander? You don't look very capable to me, though. I'm Nelson. I'll be following your orders, for now."
"I shall try to show you how capable I really am Nelson."
Behind her walks up a light blue haired woman with similarly colored eyes in a white uniform with a navy blue jacket similar in design to Nelson's. "Hello, I'm Rodney. I shall be in your care from now on." She says with a kind expression on her face along with a wide smile.
"Nice to meet you Rodney. I believe the three Eagle members of you seven should be around somewhere. Also, we're going to try to get Nagato and Mutsu down here as well although it won't be easy."
"Thank you Commander! It would be wonderful to have all seven of us on the same side again. Please allow me to help in any way that I can."
QE then points to the next group of four "Now four of my Royal Aircraft Carriers."
First up is a short haired girl with red eyes in a navy blue dress. "Glory to the cards, my soul to the duel d...I mean flight deck! HMS Hermes, Commander I await your orders"
"Welcome, Hermes. I don't know much about duels but, I'll make sure to put your planes to use." 'So this is what an actual YuGi dueler looks like, huh.'
Next up is a raven haired woman with blue eyes. For some reason her smirk gives me a bad feeling... "Ark Royal, reporting for duty! I am confident in all forms of battle."
"A carrier with confidence is always a good thing to have, glad to meet you Ark Royal."
"Commander, there's something you should know about me. You see...uh well...I kind of...consider the destroyers very dear to me and..." Just then Laffey walks in to meet up with Nimi and Javelin now that the official meeting has ended. Ark Royal takes one look at her sleepy expression and all hell breaks loose. "SO CUUTE!~ You have to let me cuddle you to sleep little bunny!" As she runs over to Laffey and begins to smother her, QE seeing this runs over to get Ark Royal to back off. "Hey! How many times do I have to tell you to not harass the destroyers! Useless dd-con."
'This explains the bad feeling I had earlier. Honestly though, a destroyer-con of all things. At least there won't be a dull moment on this island.'
I am terribly sorry for the delays and long hiatus on the story. My college classes have taken up much more of my time than I originally thought. I'll try to continue as much as I can before the fall semester starts at the end of August. I already have ideas as to how I will cover the Doolittle Raid and Midway in the future.
Fair winds and following seas!
Azur Lane and its characters belong to Yostar.
