There was no cheer or mirth today. Today was a day of paying respect to those who had gone on ahead.
Three days ago, James approached Alec and told him that he wanted to suspend any activities with the fleet. That meant no training exercises, no regular meetings, the Resistance were meant to give the fleet a wide berth today.
When asked why this sudden change, James told Alec about the yearly tradition. In the human world, the day had many names, Memorial Day, Day of the Dead, All Soul's Day, etc. It was a similar event in their world too. A day dedicated to remembering the fallen.
Once he said that, Alec understood. It didn't take him long to get the news to Whitney, who did not voice any complaints. Once it went to her, the news spread to everyone in the Resistance. Though there were people like Curtis who wanted to help, James was clear in his decision.
There was to be no outside interference today.
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On the appointed day, the girls assembled in the courtyard. Speeches were given by the faction leaders while James, Alec and Alexis watched from a distance. The trio saw the looks on everyone's faces and had mixed emotions. Alec felt endless guilt well up in his chest. Here was a race who lost many against an enemy and here he was asking them to lose more in order to save his species. James understood why the girls strongly emphasized the importance of familial ties over all else.
Many lost their sisters, many were the only ones left in their family. Many saw their friends go off to never come back.
Instinctually, he caught sight of Tirpitz, Friedrich, Akagi, and Kaga. He wondered if there was anything he could say or do to help alleviate the pain they felt, but knew that was arrogant of him. Today was not a day meant for heroics, today was a day of remembrance and mourning. And he would honor that.
Queen Elizabeth was the last one to give her speech. Completely contrary to her usual haughty and uppity tone, this time she spoke with melancholy and reverence. She recalled her past interactions with Hood and how her actions saved them during the second war, despite the costs.
James too had his own bit of pain in his chest. After all, Hood's last act during the Second War was to save him at the cost of her own life. Though she never held it against him, James always wondered what would happen if he were a little bit faster or better prepared.
The speech came to an end and the girls dispersed. Now came the time for everyone to head to the cemetery.
James turned to Alec and Alexis and nodded. The couple did the same and he left.
The cemetery was located on the other side of the base. One of the things James did after the war was over was build monuments in memory of the girls who died during the first and second wars. The saddest part was that these monuments and tombs were all empty. After all, there was nothing left to bury of the girls who died in these wars.
It wasn't long before he met with the others. He came to Akagi and Kaga who said nothing waited for him. As he joined them, Akagi clasped his hand and he could feel the pain she felt. Kaga did the same.
They soon reached Amagi's tomb and lowered their heads. Then, the put their hands together and started praying their own prayers.
'Dear big sister,' thought Kaga 'please, watch over me and this family I love."
'Dear sister,' thought Akagi 'please protect the people I care about.'
'Hello sis,' thought James 'thank you for giving me a wife and a sister. Please give me the strength to protect them and everyone else.'
Then, the siblings raised their heads and looked at the line carved into the stone. "A sister to two, a hero to many."
"You should go James," said Akagi softly "we're not the only ones who'll be needing you today."
James looked at her, hesitant to leave but then felt Kaga's hand on his shoulder. She nodded in agreement to what Akagi said and he left.
He then went to see Illustrious, standing at the memorial built for her sisters Formidable and Victorious. To her left was Unicorn, the unofficial little sister of the Illustrious family. From the look of things, the older woman was holding her emotions in check but when he saw James, she started to weep uncontrollably.
He put his hands around her and she wept into his shoulder. Unicorn, who knew that no word could reach her, simply held Illustrious' hand and waited. She looked at her older brother and saw the understanding on his face. For a small moment, the little girl wondered how many people he said goodbye to. How many brothers and sisters did he bury?
Then, Illustrious finally let go. When she did, Unicorn and James saw the mess on her face and the latter offered her a handkerchief. Illustrious took it, used it to wipe her face and asked James to continue. She too said something similar to what Akagi said, in that everyone would be needing him today of all days.
James now came to the memorial built for Bismarck and found Tirpitz and Friedrich. The two saw him coming and greeted him with a pained smile.
"Son, are you here to pay your respects?" asked Friedrich to him and he nodded. James lowered his head and as he started praying, Tirpitz couldn't help but compare him slightly to her sister.
She wondered if Bismarck was happy or sad that someone from another world was carrying on what she started. She even wondered if Bismarck would approve of him being part of the Ironblood. Then, it looked like he was done saying his peace as he raised his head.
"James," said Tirpitz before Friedrich could speak "could you stay here a little longer?"
James said nothing, but nodded in agreement. Tirpitz and Friedrich stood on either side of him, each one accepting the truth in their own way. They looked at the line written on the memorial which said "The defiant lion."
Tirpitz took another look at James and came to a conclusion. He was someone her mother and sister approved of. As the leader of the Ironblood, she resolved to protect him from the Sirens, Omega, and anything else. She said goodbye to enough family and friends. No more.
"Thank you for coming here James," said Tirpitz while Friedrich nodded "if we need anything, I'm sure mom will come and steal you away."
Friedrich didn't reply to the joke, instead smiled warmly at James. The latter nodded to her, then Tirpitz and departed.
Next, he came upon the group of Saint Louis, Richelieu, Cleveland, Monteplier, Denver, and Columbia. They were all gathered around the memorial built for Jean Bart. He understood why Richelieu was here, but not the others.
"My liege," said Saint Louis, immediately rising up to greet him. She was about to bow, but James raised a hand to stop her.
"I'm surprised to see you and your sisters here Cleveland," he said, coming to the group.
"Jean Bart is something like a mentor to me and my sisters," said Cleveland, lowering her head.
"That's right," said Denver "she was the first to call big sis a 'Knight of the Sea.' Since then, she's been carrying that name with pride."
"Oy, s-stop saying things like that out loud Denver," said a flustered Cleveland.
"Jean was a boisterous one when the moment called for it," said Richelieu "she was crass, hot-tempered, and could drink Gangut under the table."
"But, she always rose to the challenge. When Bismarck came recruiting, she was ready to join because she wanted to protect her sisters and the world she loved."
James was slightly confused by Richelieu's statement but chose not to say anything. Columbia though, noticed it and opted to clarify things.
"Jean Bart often called us her sisters too," she said to him, and he nodded quietly.
"There are time I think to myself if I'm doing enough," said Cleveland, lowering her head "sometimes I wonder how big sis Jean would react if she saw me now."
"You are not the only one Cleveland," said Richelieu "My sister casts a great shadow and at times I too wonder if I can measure up to her. Her courage and bravery, valor and duty, when I think about all she did, I often get overwhelmed and…"
But she stopped when she felt a hand on her shoulder. Cleveland too noticed a familiar had on her.
"It's alright to keep comparing yourself to her," said James "but don't let your shortcomings get you down. I'm sure that Jean would be proud of who you are."
"Really?" asked Cleveland, almost unsure of the words.
"I may not have met her, that's true. But when I see you, Richelieu and the others doing your best every day, I'm sure Jean would be proud of you."
It was as if those words had lifted a heavy weight off their shoulders. Saint Louis saw how the girls became relaxed, happy and thanked James. Even the typically averse Monteplier was grateful to hear him say that.
She looked at the line on the monument that read "the one-punch woman" and smiled a little herself. If there was one thing many forgot about Jean, it was how her guns often tore through Siren armor with one shot. She and James then said goodbye to the group of Richelieu, Cleveland, Monteplier, Denver, and Columbia and headed off in another direction.
The two soon came upon Zuikaku and Takao standing by Atago's monument. This was a uniquely special one in that it was a tribute to a member of the Azur Lane and the Takao sisters.
Saint Louis had other work to do and so she left her liege with the other two girls.
Takao saw him and immediately wiped her face then bowed.
"Apologies James," she said "I didn't know you were coming here."
"I thought it was a good idea," he said "after all, I should pay my respects to my seniors."
"Thank you Commander," said Zuikaku.
They watched as the Commander put his hands together, lowered his head and said a small prayer.
"I wouldn't be here if it weren't for Atago," said Takao "it was my job to protect my sisters and yet, they were the ones protecting me."
"Chokai, Maya…." But she could not complete the sentence. She choked back a few tears and James placed a hand on her.
"Atago's legacy lives on in all of us," said Zuikaku, momentarily looking at her sword "everyone that uses a sword, draws on her skills, knowledge, and experience."
"I'm sorry James," said Takao, lowering her head "I know I'm supposed to be in control but…"
"You have every right to cry over them," he said, stopping her "let it out as much as you want. Today's the day for that."
"You too Zuikaku," he added, turning to the other girl "you're Atago's first student outside the family."
As the two mourned the loss of Atago, Maya, and Choukai, James looked at the line written on Atago's memorial. It simply read "Sword Maiden." And she was indeed that, the first sword user in that world.
The pair of Takao and Shokaku seemingly cried out their pain and thanked James for staying with them. Then, they went back to the base while James moved to the next place.
There, he saw Rossiya and Tashkent standing before the memorial built to Avrora. As he neared, he also spotted Gangut coming to the group. Contrary to how the others were, the girls here were less solemn and downcast.
"Greetings comrade," said Tashkent, waving to him.
"Ladies," he said giving them a small bow "I came to check up on how you're all doing."
"We all promised ourselves not to weep when we came to visit her," said Rossiya "after all, we don't want our Granny to feel sad looking down on us."
James noted how Gangut and Tashkent chuckled a little at the mention of Granny. Truth be told, he knew next to nothing about Avrora or the Northenr Parliament as he mostly assumed the whole faction was wiped out during the Second War. Hence, he had no choice but to ask them for clarification.
"Avrora was the oldest member of our faction," said Rossiya "she took care of us, trained us, and was ready to protect us from any threats."
"Her fight with Littorio was one for the history books," added Gangut and turned to James "I'm sure Richelieu has a whole record of that encounter."
"And so in honor of everything she's done, we choose to remember how she lived," said Rossiya "she taught all of us a great many things and we'll be carrying those memories with us going forward."
"Sorry James," said Gangut, "that all sounds a little cheesy doesn't it?"
"Not at all," he replied "everyone has their own ways of dealing with loss and tragedy."
"Comrade Harper," said Tashkent "we're going to meet up with the remaining NP girls at Neptune's bar and have a few rounds. Care to join us?"
"Thanks, but I'll have to decline," he said "there's one place I still haven't gone."
The girls nodded and he left.
As he made his way to the sixth and last memorial, his footsteps grew heavy. The closer he drew, the heavier his heart got. He kept thinking to himself, beating himself up, and cursing himself for not being ready.
There were plenty of excuses running through his mind. He was discharged from the Navy and had no future to look for. He was suddenly whisked to another world. He had no idea what was going on. He didn't have enough time to adjust.
Yet, when he came upon the sight of Queen Elizabeth, Warspite and Z23 standing at the final memorial, all those excuses and arguments meant nothing. In the end, it was still his fault.
Queen Elizabeth was down on both knees, her head lowered and her hands clasped together in prayer. Beside her was Nimi, who also had her hands together. Behind them was Warspite, with her head lowered.
As he approached the trio saw him. James in turn came to greet them and each responded in kind. The line he wrote for Hood was "Steadfast and courageous till the end."
Perhaps it was his own guilt weighing on him, but he could see the pained expression in Queen Elizabeth's face. He could see there was a part of her, a small, almost unknown part of her that blamed him for what happened. After all, if it weren't for James, then her friend would still be alive right now. She was the only one in the Azur Lane to survive that terrible war and now, she gave it up to save some unknown.
That lump in his throat grew heavier as James also joined them in prayer.
"You had nothing to do with this James," said Queen Elizabeth, her statement catching her leader completely off guard.
"The Queen is right you know," said Nimi "I saw it the moment you came here. That look in your eyes. It's the same look I've had for a long time now."
Queen Elizabeth rose up now and turned to speak to him.
"What happened was something completely out of control. Omega caught us off guard and that's a fact. If it weren't for that damned Siren then Hood and a lot of others would still be with us right now."
"So if you want to blame anyone, then blame her," she said, her expression shifting to cold determined "and this time, when you put her in the ground, make sure she never gets back up again."
"That's the only way our worlds will finally be free of her."
"That's the only way our dead will finally be at peace," added Nimi, to which Queen Elizabeth and Warspite nodded.
"Thank you Queen Elizabeth," said James, not referring to her as Elizabeth as he usually did "that helped."
With that, he bowed to the trio and left. The girls watched him leave and waited till he was out of sight.
"Do you think he's going to listen?" asked Nimi.
"I doubt it," replied Queen Elizabeth, sighing "that's the downside to being a leader Nimi. When your inability to do something ends with others getting hurt or worse, it weighs on you."
"That's what happened with Akagi, Tirpitz, Friedrich… even me," she added.
"But, you're all fine now," said Nimi
"Well that's because we've had someone to rely on, someone to make the decisions for us," replied Elizabeth "I just hope we don't reach the point where making those decisions becomes too much for him."
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As James made his way to the base, he was intent on going to his office room. He was sure that Akagi and Kaga were here by now, but there was something important he needed to confirm first.
He went into the main building, up the stairs and reached the office. He opened the door and found Alec, sitting on the couch with no sign of Alexis.
The fleet strategist noticed him almost immediately and rose up. The expression he had confirmed what James was thinking.
"We found Omega," said Alec.