The Eternal Sleep of USS Laffey
By RandyRob
─•~:~•
There was only one question I had to ask myself when I took the job of Commander.
Why is Laffey sleeping all the time?!
I couldn't figure it out. It was a mystery without end. One of my first rules was that everyone had to get a good night's sleep, at least eight hours between sorties. The Manjuus spent weeks building a new barracks for everyone.
And everyone loved it! Even Bismarck came up to me and said, "Kommandant, these new quarters… are very comfortable."
But Laffey still kept falling asleep. As I toured the barracks with the Iron Blood's grandest battleship at my side, we discovered Laffey sprawled out on a couch.
Gently, I leaned down and placed my hand on her shoulder, "Hey, Laffey. This is the wrong barracks. The Eagle Union is over on the other side of the fountain."
She blinked once, and then stirred awake. Sleepily, she replied back, "Oh, sorry. I'll move."
As we watched her get up to leave, and turned to Bismarck, so wise and experienced, and asked her, "Why is she always sleeping? I don't get it."
"I wouldn't know. A peculiarity of Eagle Union destroyers, maybe?" She replied in a shrug, "Perhaps she needs a firmer hand, Kommandant. I know I would never permit my own destroyers to sleep all day. Try tightening up her schedule."
I took her advice to heart, and over the next several days I instituted a new daily schedule for the Eagle Union, with Enterprise helping me. To avoid making it seem like we were targeting Laffey personally, the new schedule applied to the whole Eagle Union.
Studying in the morning, lunch, sports in the afternoon, some more practice in the evening, and finally straight to bed at nine o'clock sharp.
I was confident as I watched the Fletchers file into Ranger's class, but once again, Laffey was no where to be found. Enterprise was watching too, and I asked the Grey Ghost, "Where's Laffey? Have you seen her?"
"Nope," Enterprise replied, shaking her head, "I don't get it either, Sir. She promised me she'd be on time today. We better go find her."
She grabbed my hand and all but dragged me through the halls to Laffey's room. Together we opened the door, and buried in a mountain of stuffed animals, Laffey was gently snoozing away on the first day of school.
"Laffey!" Enterprise shouted, "Wake up! You're already late!"
Once again, Laffey slowly woke up and looked up at Enterprise, "Huh? Enterprise? Why are you in my room? What time is it?"
"It's eight. You should be at class already Laffey," I added quickly.
"Oh. I forgot that was today. Sorry, I'm going."
Laffey quickly dragged herself out of bed, threw on her pink hoodie, and walked down the hallway to make it Ranger's lessons.
As we looked around at the state of her room, Enterprise sighed, "I don't get her. She tries her best when it counts, but I swear we couldn't wake up Laffey with a gong some mornings. Sorry Sir."
"Don't worry about it," I said to the Grey Ghost, "But her room is pretty messy. I'll get the maids to come by and clean up. But I'm out of ideas. And I still can't figure out how to make her wake up."
"Maybe Bel has an idea. She's got some pretty stiff teas," Enterprise said.
Perfect! That was the solution. A good blend of tea.
That afternoon, I sat patiently at my desk and filled out more endless reports and mission briefings. Belfast, so graceful and elegant, rolled her cart of treats and tea, with the pleasant aroma easing all my stress away.
"Good day to you, Master. We have a wonderful new blend of green from the Dragon Empry today. I hope you find it to your liking."
Bel took a bow and gently poured the blend into the teacup, set on a saucer made of the finest china. She placed the saucer on my desk and stood at the side with her hands folded, waiting eagerly for my review.
As she had taught me to do, I raised the saucer to my chest and took a sip, with the pinky extended of course.
"Oh, that's really good! It's actually a little sweeter than I expected," I replied to the head of the Maids.
Belfast smiled at me, "It has a naturally sweet flavour, the result of the drying process. I am pleased that you like it, Master. If I may be excused however, I have to look in at the kitchens and see about your supper."
"Wait a minute," I said, waving at her to sit down, "You know as much about tea as I do about anything Bel. What kind of tea can we give to someone who sleeps too much?"
She giggled at me, "Ahh, so you've decided to listen to Miss Enterprise's ideas, have you? I suppose I shouldn't be surprised."
"Come again?" I asked.
"She came to me for help about Miss Laffey's problem some weeks ago. It is indeed a mystery. However, I believe I may have a solution."
She calmly walked to her cart and placed a leather pouch on my desk, "This a blend of black from the shores of my home of Ireland. I daresay this is the strongest blend of tea one could possibly drink. Have a sniff, Master."
I opened the pouch and took a long sniff, and instantly I felt my senses sharpen and my wakefulness increase.
"Wow!" I said in shock, "Yeah, I think this might do it. Let's get this brewed up and give it a try. I think I might know where to find Laffey."
Using the station she had built in my office, Bel and I brewed the tea, boiling the water gently, placing the leaves in the carafe, and sealing it gently to steep the brew perfectly.
We walked outside, and as I predicted, Laffey was snoozing away on a shaded bench just a step away from the fountain. We poured a cup while Bel gently shook the little destroyer awake.
"Miss Laffey," Bel said with such elegance, "Myself and the Commander have brought you a spot of tea. Will you have a cup with us?"
Laffey picked herself up, nodded, and brought the tea to her lips. With luck, I expected her to suddenly find a new energy and go bounding off.
But instead, Laffey drained the whole glass and simply replied, "Hmm. Good tea. Thanks. I'm hungry now, I'm getting something to eat."
We watched her walk away at no more speed than usual, and simply sat on the bench in shock, "That didn't work either! This is getting tough; I just don't have any more ideas."
Bel joined me on the bench and took my hand in hers, "A most distressing problem, Master. Perhaps the issue is not so much in her energy as it is in her motivation. Some discipline may be in order."
A new idea burst in my head, "That's brilliant, Bel. I've got just the girl in mind."
A few hours later, I woke Laffey up in the mess hall and led her to Takao's dojo. She was one of the strongest warriors of the Sakura Empire, and she trained endlessly to perfect the art of the katana. If anyone knew discipline, it would be Takao.
She bowed before us, "Commander-Sama, greetings. I am told that you wish to learn the ways of the sword?"
"Not so much me, I think Sheffy still wants me on guns. But I was hoping you could help out Laffey here," I replied, pointing to Laffey who simply stared on.
Takao nodded, "I see. The Eagle Union produces fine warriors, but have you decided to expand your horizons, Laffey?"
"Sure, kinda looks fun," Laffey replied.
Takao walked to the wall, grabbed a pair of kendo sticks and tossed one at Laffey. Surprisingly, Laffey caught it perfectly.
Takao had to be surprised, as she hesitated. But she found her composure, and instead took an appropriate stance, "Defend yourself!"
Takao swung with an overhead blow, but Laffey simply raised her wooden sword and blocked it away. Takao stepped back, and swung again with another cross, "Kiyah!"
Laffey swung to the left, and deftly parried Takao's attack. Clearly, she wasn't expecting her opponent to be this good.
Undeterred, Takao began a furious attack, stepping and swinging and moving with all of her training and skill. Laffey however simply blocked each attack, swinging her kendo stick with seemingly little effort.
Takao again stepped back, panting and dripping sweat down her forehead, clearly trying to come up with a new plan.
Instead, Laffey walked forward. Takao swung hard again, but Laffey instead rolled underneath the wooden blade and stood up inches away from Takao. She then raised her stick, and poked Takao in the chest.
"Gotcha," Laffey said with a wink, "I win."
It was unbelievable. Takao practiced endlessly, for hours at a time. Sometimes, I had to drag her from the dojo just to make sure she got to supper in time. And Laffey had just defeated her with all the effort of a lazy snail.
Takao, clearly frustrated, threw her kendo stick away, "Well, it appears you have some skill with a blade. Perhaps I was wrong about you."
"Naw, I don't practice like you do. I just saw your patterns. It's pretty easy," Laffey explained.
Takao crossed her arms, "Hmph. I shall have to study this more closely. There is more than combat to master. You must achieve a state of Zen. We shall now learn to meditate, and focus our minds."
Takao pointed at me, "You too, Commander-Sama. You may find this useful."
All three of us sat cross-legged on the Dojo floor, as Takao continued her lesson.
"Close your eyes. Allow your mind to go quiet. Focus only on the calmness of your breath. Feel the air travel in and out. Slowly, take in the senses around you. Think of nothing else but your breathing. In, and out."
I followed Takao's instructions to the letter, and I actually found myself in a state of calming peace, understanding the idea behind Zen. But before long, I felt a strange gentleness on my lap, interrupting my meditation.
I opened my eyes and looked down. Laffey had passed out cold, and was using my leg as a pillow.
"Oh for," I started to say, but Takao interrupted me.
"That is not Zen, Commander-Sama."
"I'm sorry Takao. But it looks like this didn't work either. This problem is seriously damaging my calm. I just can't figure out why Laffey sleeps so much!"
Takao rose, "If one does not understand something, One must seek an expert in the matter. In this regard, I believe I am ill-suited to aid you."
I rose an eyebrow, "So what, I have to find an expert in sleeping?"
She nodded, "Correct. I believe such an expert is just down the hall. I will look after Laffey until you return. Please take care to not interrupt her dreams too much."
Gently, I placed Laffey's head on the floor and left the Dojo to visit the so-called sleeping expert.
Shinano came to us a year ago through a long, complicated process involving ancient Sakura Empire rituals that I still don't fully understand. On top of being one of the strongest carriers in my fleet, she had the ability to see the future through dreaming.
As a result, Shinano slept almost as much as Laffey. I carefully opened the door and walked quietly inside her room. She went for the sunken bed style and had Hipper build it specially for her. As I walked over, she shifted to look at me with one open eye, and I realized suddenly that Shinano must have been waiting for me.
"Hi, Shinano," I said quietly, "I uh, I hope I didn't wake you up."
She shook her head, and instead waved at me to join her. As I leaned in closer, she suddenly reached up and pulled me down into bed with her, and cuddled me up close.
Wrapped up in her arms and tails, I was almost overwhelmed by softness and warmth. But I had a job to do, so I decided not to lose myself.
"I was wondering, you're uh, you're kind of an expert on sleeping. Do you know why Laffey sleeps so much?"
Gently, she squeezed me closer to her, "Do you feel at peace, Commander?"
"I do," I replied, almost losing myself.
With her eyes still closed, Shinano smiled, "Good. This is one of the few times I feel at peace. My dreams are endless, Commander. I see things that were, things that are, and some things that have not yet come to pass."
"I see many things in my dreams. I saw you come here today, to ask me such strange questions. But I feel at peace."
I gently patted her head, "Well, I'm glad you feel peaceful, Shinano. You're an important part of our fleet. But that doesn't really answer my question."
Shinano turned away, taking care to keep my arms wrapped her. I had to confess; it was very peaceful being in her arms.
"I don't know. My dreams haven't made it that far. Maybe you should ask her."
I sighed. On one hand, she wasn't wrong. But why that option hadn't occurred to me before, I couldn't say.
Gently, I eased myself out of Shinano's bed and patted her on the shoulder, "Well, I guess I'll try that. Thanks. You have a good sleep, Shinano."
She curled up under her blankets and replied, "You too, Commander."
That night, I found myself yet again up late in the office, trying to plough through the mountain of paperwork that never ended on my desk. Everyone had already gone to bed on the base. Bel told me a few hours ago that I should get some rest myself, but there was too much to do.
Suddenly, there was a knock on my door, and I answered back, "Come in."
Laffey walked into the office. I suddenly found myself nervous. I hoped that she wasn't upset with me.
"Hi Commander," she said peacefully, "Why are you still awake?"
I smiled back, "I've still got a lot of work to get done Laffey. My job never ends. What about you?"
"I couldn't sleep yet. I had to ask you something first. You seem really worried about me, why?"
I sighed, and decided to be honest, "Well Laffey, I find that you sleep a lot, and I just couldn't figure it out. I was worried there was something wrong with you, or that you had a problem."
She shook her head, "Nope, I'm okay. I guess you want to know why I sleep so much, right?"
I put my pen down and listened intently, "Yeah, I would."
Laffey climbed up into my lap and put her arms around my shoulders, "I'm catching up. Before I was a ship girl, I didn't sleep a lot. I had to go on patrol lots, and go back and forth across the ocean. I couldn't afford to sleep. I had to be on alert for submarines, and planes, and enemies."
"So I was really tired. But then I had my last fight. Kirishima and Hiei snuck up on me, and they were gonna beat up on San Francisco. I could have run away, but instead I decided to fight."
I smiled at her again, "That was really brave of you, Laffey. A little destroyer fighting two battleships? You shouldn't have had a chance."
Laffey smiled back, "I was close enough that they couldn't lower their guns enough to shoot me. I wasn't gonna beat them, but I could buy time for Frisco to get away. So I used my AA guns and shot up Hiei's bridge. She was really mad at me, still is."
"We're all friends now. But sometimes, I still get scared about that night. But I can sleep here. Because everyone is my friend. And I know that Commander will keep me safe."
Laffey yawned, and rested her head on my chest, "I'm going to sleep now. You should go to sleep too, Commander. Laffey will keep you safe."
And just like that, she fell asleep in my arms. Realizing I wasn't going to get back to my room without waking her up, I instead leaned back a bit in my chair, and decided to sleep right there.
After all, Laffey would keep me safe.
•~:~•
The End.
