Chapter 12

I was laying somewhere. A stream was gently flowing nearby. The sun shone on my face, warming me.

The humming continued as a soft hand ran through my hair. My entire body seemed to relax at the touch.

"Wait." I spoke as my mind started to clear. I had fallen asleep onboard the Javelin, not in some field.

I went to rase my head only for whoever was with me to place a hand on me and gently lower me back down. The soft feeling made me realise my head was resting on their lap.

"Shh, it's ok. Your safe here." A soft feminine voice spoke. I didn't recognise it at all.

"Who are you, where am I?" I tried opening my eyes, only to be met with an almost blinding light from the sun, even after blinking a few times my eyes couldn't properly adjust.

"Please do not fret, you are still onboard your ship, this is all within your mind. As for Myself, well… I'm not entirely sure who I am. I merely felt your presence and reached out for it." I felt her free hand move to my chest, right to where I had been injured. I expected to feel pain when she touched it but instead felt warmth radiate out from it.

She continued "I was able to see just the surface of your memories, I wish to thank you for recovering me from the university."

All I could see was her rough outline, my eyes started to feel fuzzy if I tried to focus on any distinguishable features. "The university? You're from the cubes they had. But when I held them, I couldn't feel anything."

"Yes, I am within those cubes. As for why I didn't come forth, well… I don't know exactly but for some reason I can tell fate wishes me to remain hidden for now." I felt her arm move up to my shoulder. "And anyway, after this I won't have the energy to awaken for a long time."

I began to feel the same warming sensation on my shoulder from her arm. Though I noticed as the feeling grew, the light around us started to dim. "If doing this is draining your energy, why are you?"

"Because without my intervention, you would be dead"

"Wait, What!" My mind raced at her words, the ground beneath us shook slightly.

"Shh, please try to relax, I'm almost done. I am sorry for startling you." She continued to run her hand though my hair while my mind calmed.

"Why would I be dead? I remember seeing hood off and then going to get some rest. I can't think of anyth-" I remembered coughing up blood. "Oh."

"You had a cracked rib; it was cutting into your lungs and you were beginning to drown. I felt your body begin to weaken, for some reason I was able to draw your mind into me. I've almost finished with your chest and have moved onto your dislocated shoulder." she giggled. "May I suggest, next time you need to catch someone, use both hands."

"Oh, thanks. I will try to be more careful." I felt a pit form in my stomach as I realised without her intervention, I would already be dead. "No matter what I decide to do it always seems to be the worst option."

"Don't worry yourself too much, your still young and have much to learn. The girls around you are willing to put their trust in you, so try to believe in yourself." The world around us begun to dim again. "Ah, it seems that my energy is almost spent and our time together is coming to an end."

Her silhouette started to fade, yet the feeling of her arms and legs remained. "Wait, if your energy is gone, what will happen to you?"

"I will be fine. It will merely take me some time to recover, for now I ask of you to keep my cubes safe and hidden. I believe the day will soon come where I will sail the ocean again. But for now, I'm afraid the risk is far too great." She slowly begun to hum a soft melody.

The world fully darkened and the feeling started to wain. However, I could still hear her humming.

The feeling of the bed below me slowly appeared and with a blink I was back onboard the Javelin. I went to move, only to feel something in my hand. Sitting up I noticed the two cubes were in my hand, instead of my coat pocket. "When did I grab you?" They had lost their usual glow, apart from a dim light in the centre, they looked like two plan glass cubes.

I felt my chest, the pain was completely gone. My breathing even felt better. I tried rolling my shoulder and found it had completely healed. "Guess I have you to thank for that." I gently ran a finger over the cube, it was cold to touch.

"I don't know if you can hear me, but thanks for everything. I'll do everything I can to keep you safe." I put the cubes safely away in my pocket and looked out the porthole. From the sun it looked to be mid-afternoon. The hunger in my stomach reminded me that Hood would still be away for over a day.

I left the cabin and begun to wander around the ship. I thought about going to the sick bay, but decided against it. Instead, I started searching for a certain submarine.

I eventually found her sitting on top of the rear turret looking out to sea with a solemn expression on her face. She seemingly hadn't noticed my presence and jumped slightly when I called out to her.

"Ah Kommandant, my apologies, I didn't notice you there." She slid off the turret and walked over. I was surprised when she proceeded to give me a salute. "Is there anything you request of me?"

"Why did you just salute me?"

Her face went slightly red in embarrassment. "Ah, did I do it wrong? I only know how we do it in the Kriegsmarine. I didn't realise the Royal Navy did it differently.

"No, that's not what I meant. I've been wondering why you keep referring to me as kommandant, and now why you salute me."

"Well, I can call you commander, but kommandant just feels more comfortable for me. As for the salute, miss Hood and instructed me to do so."

I rubbed the bridge of my nose as I imagined her giggling to herself when U-556 had believed whatever she had told her. I had only met Germans a few times in my life, but everyone knew how serious they were. "I don't know what she told you, but I don't hold any official rank. There's no need to call me anything nor is there a need for a salute."

"You lead this fleet, don't you?"

"And look where that's gotten us." I thought. "Well, technically yes. But."

"Then it's settled." She cut me off. "And a proper leader needs a proper title. So kommandant it is then." Placing her hands on her hips she gave me a wide smile.

I leaned against the railing. "I've been meaning to ask. Why are you sticking around? Don't get me wrong, you're more than welcome, but I would have expected you to want to go and check out your home nation. If you're here than that means there's bound to be other Iron blood ships knocking around."

U-556 rocked on her feet before moving next to me. She looked eastward at a small island she had been looking at from the turret. I tried to see what was there but all I could distinguish was some old concrete buoys and broken piers. "What do you know about the people of my home nation?"

"I've only met a few but I know you guys are very straight forward and serious. Hell, I've been told even your humour is a no laughing matter."

She chuckled at my joke. "Ja, that sounds like us alright. But there's more to it than that. Since our nation's founding we have suffered naught but strife and hardships, most of which were caused by our own hubris. Yet we would always endure and come out stronger for it." She fiddled with the iron cross on her jacket. "Our pride makes us willing to do anything in order to further our nations goals."

Turning around she looked at me. "Miss Javelin told me of what transpired at your nation's capital. I fear an even worse reception would await me upon my arrival." Placing her fist against her chest she stood as tall as possible. "Which is why I have decided to formally request a permanent place within your fleet."

"Eh? While I don't mind you tagging along, why do you want to stay with us."

"Well, I was thinking about how you acted when we first met. Even with the sour history between our nations you argued with that scary Dreadnought to stop her firing at me. I'm sure that if you weren't there, she would have sent me to the deep. So, you obviously care for our kind no matter the nationality, and if you're willing to show the same grace towards my fellow kin if we meet them, then I'm more than willing to be a part of your fleet." I was starting to believe I had some sort of knack for getting ships to follow me.

I offered my hand. "Well, my offer to you will be the same I shall give to all your kind. No matter the nationality you will all have a home within this fleet and be treated as equals." She took my hand and despite her small size she gave it a rather firm shake. "Though I don't know what to do about how your treated by your fellow countrymen. My current plan is to hopefully get strong enough that nobody can mess with us. However, if a bunch of royal navy ships were to throw their weight around in your country, we may inadvertently cause a national issue."

"Don't worry about it, I can still serve my nation by serving within your fleet. The sirens are the enemy of all mankind, heh and I guess ship-kind now. As for going home, if we find enough kriegsmarine ships then we can also show our strength and be treated as equals. But that will be for the larger ships to decide, I don't mind as long as I can keep sailing the wide-open sea."

For my entire life I had been told to fear the sea, that it was filled with nothing but death and misery, it strange to hear someone actually want to be out there. "Well, I look forward to working with you. Though I have to admit I really don't have much in the way of a plan right now. I was thinking about just transporting cargo to make ends meet, but there's been some rather unsettling developments since I made that decision. And it seems with every passing day, the world is starting to get more and more dangerous."

She took a few steps backwards and climbed onto a metal container and placed her fist against her chest again. "Don't worry about it, no matter what you decide to do. I U-556 hereby pledge before Neptune that I will brave any danger, face any foe and endure any hardship that may come from being within your command."

I helped her back down. "Was the ceremony really necessary? The handshake was more than enough."

"You have much to learn, ceremony is what gives stuff like this meaning. Now Herr kommandant, what are your orders?"

I scratched the back of my head. "You have a room?" She shook her head. "Well, good sleep is important, go find a cabin that isn't occupied and make yourself at home. Once you've done that I want everyone down in the sick bay, we need to establish a watch rotation."

"Right away." With a salute she turned and promptly went inside the ship, I realised I probably should have warned her about picking a room that was already taken, but it would be too late now.

Leaning against the railing I looked to where U-556 had been staring, despite her interest in the area there really wasn't much to see. Though I couldn't help but feel a slight sense of unease come over me.

"Guess I've stalled long enough." I spoke to myself as I turned away and started making my way inside. My feet felt heavy as I walked through the ship, but I continued onward until I was standing in front of a door, after a few minutes I finally entered.

Walking into the sick bay I took a glance around, the mystery girl was still fast asleep though it was apparent that someone had given her a few more pillows and another blanket to keep her comfortable. "Is there a situation?" Javelin asked, she sat on a chair next to the girl's bed.

"Nothing serious. And if there was, I'm sure you would be the first to know. How we doing in here?" I looked over at Warspite's bed. While the blankets and some of the bandages had been changed, she had blood and soot on her hair and face. It was a relief to see the slow rise and fall of the blanket as she steadily breathed. A chair had been left next to her bed, there was a small damp part of the blanket next to it. Elizabeth must have been here recently; it was saddening to know she was crying again.

"Why did you just stand on the other side of the door for a few minutes?" I remembered that Javelin is able to tell exactly what happens on her ship, meaning she knew that I had just stood on the other side of the door while I built up enough courage to enter.

With a sigh I grabbed a chair and sat next to her. "You know when you walk into a room and then you... Well, you probably haven't experienced that yet. But basically, your mind goes bank and you forget what it was you were supposed to be doing. Yeah, Just as I went to enter, I had the feeling that I had forgotten something." I looked to see my ruse had completely failed.

"I've only had this body for about five days, but I can tell when you're lying." She looked over to Warspite. "it's her, isn't it?" she placed a hand on my lap.

I hung my head. "I'm really that readable? Yeah, it's her, Whenever I think about it, I just get this pit in my stomach. I start going over what happened and everting I could have done defiantly. Maybe if I had been more assertive and we had all gone together, or when she ran off, I had instead gone and signalled for you guys to come." I looked at her again, there was an overbearing sense of guilt as where she was now heavily injured, I had barely even a scratch on me. "Warspite said I was too inexperienced, she was right."

"Nobody gets everting right straight away." She rested a hand on my shoulder. "With time will come experience."

"I know, but it's a bit different when a simple mistake puts someone's life on the line."

Javelin let out a heavy sigh. "Were warships, this is the type of life we can expect for ourselves."

I moved my hand to lightly rub her head. I tried to think of something to dispute what she had said, but I came to the grim realisation that she was right. The sea was full of dangers, every day we spent out here would be a gamble. I remembered the First day I had met Javelin and the fight with the siren ships. It had been a roll of the dice when she got hit, had the shell gone into her ammo stores, neither of us would be here today. "You girls have already been through so much, you deserve better."

A thought came to mind. "My family has a large estate down in Norfolk. If we really wanted to, we could go there. It's safe, secluded and there's more than enough space for all of us. Yeah, it would take some explaining, but we wouldn't need to worry about anything anymore."

She slowly rocked her head, enjoying my hand atop it as she thought over what I said. "It sounds nice, but I don't think a life like that would be good for us. Despite these body's, the sea is still our home. Would you deny a bird the sky or would you be willing to never step on land again?"

We were both silent for a while, the only sound in the room was a faint whistling from the wind outside.

"Ah she's back, I hope she was able to find what she needed." Javelin looked over to the doorway just as it begun to open.

Elizabeth walked in carrying a bucket of water, a small amount of steam could be seen coming from it. She also had several cut pieces of cloth over her shoulder. A look at her eyes showed that she had been crying recently, but they also had regained their usual look of pride and determination.

I caught a look of jealousy directed towards my hand on Javelin's head, but she quickly moved her attention to me. "Ah James, it is good that you are here. Warspite's bandages need changing, and we must see to removing the grime from her. No sister of mine will be left in such a dishevelled state."

"Yeah can do. In the meantime," I looked at Javelin, it was easy to tell she hadn't properly slept these last few days." Javelin I sent U-556 to find a cabin to sleep in, could you go grab her for me."

"Yeah, I was wondering what she was up to after you had met on deck, she wandered into a cabin and has been laying still on a bed for a while now. Probably fell asleep testing how comfortable it is."

When Javelin left the room, I noticed Elizabeth's shoulders relax slightly. I went over and started to help her in removing some of Warspite's bandages. "While I do not take kindly to allowing my sister to be seen in such an unclothed manner I understand the necessity, just please try to refrain from looking too much." Her tone was different from when Javelin was in the room. It felt less formal and more casual.

"Sorry, we had to remove most of her clothing to get at some of the cuts." It was a relief to see that a fair amount of her injury's had started to heal, but there were some small cuts that had yet to start healing. I started to change the bandage around her shoulder, being careful not to move her too suddenly.

"There is no need for an apology, you did what you had to do. Though, I would like to know where her clothing has gone, that too will need cleaning." Elizabeth started using a damp cloth to carefully clean the blood from her sister. Her touch was delicate, as if she was touching paper thin glass that would shatter if she was too forceful.

"I think hood took them, they were pretty torn up, we will probably have to get some new clothes for her when we reach port. Tough with the way you girls dress, I have no idea if we would find something that she would like."

I lowered the blanket and started on the Bandage on the side of her chest. Elizabeth quietly whispered a "They're bigger than mine."

"Huh, you say something?"

Her face went bright red. "N-nothing. On the subject of new clothing, you must try and convince her to at least wear a skirt. Heavens know I've tried but she just keeps on saying it's for the sake of speed. But we both share the same top speed, so I think she just enjoys walking around with her posterior exposed." We both shared a laugh. "Though I'd be willing to allow her to wear nothing if it meant I could be with her again.

I saw her mood begin to sour again. "Hey, don't worry about it." I put my hand on hers. "Her wounds are healing and there's already more colour in her face. It won't be long now until she's up and about again.

Elizabeth looked away, her face turning bright red. After a few deep breaths she turned to look at me. "Thank you for the kind words, they still prove to be a healing balm in these trying times." As much as my words helped her, I found the deep blue of her eyes to have a similar effect on me.

I don't know how long we stood there for. It wasn't until the door to the sick bay swung open that we returned to our senses. "Sorry kommandant. Say what you want about your ship building, but you Tommie's sure do know how to make a comfy bed and uh... Why are you both groping Warspite?"

U-556's sudden entrance made me realise where I had stopped Elizabeth's hand. With a cough I went back to Her bandages while Elizabeth Resumed washing her sister, albeit now with a heavily blushed face. "Just showing Her majesty how to check for a pulse. I'm surprised you girls don't know more about first aid. All of your ships would have had doctors onboard."

"Eh, whatever." U-556 walked further into the room and jumped onto of a free bed her legs swinging in the air. "So, what was this about a watch rotation?"

Javelin had followed her inside; I caught her give Elizabeth a rather strange glance before moving to stand at the end of Warspite's bed. "Yeah, she filled me in as we were walking back. I don't really see the point in one, I can keep all my instruments running through the night. If anything comes close, I will know."

Finishing up I moved the blanket back over Warspite. Elizabeth had also finished and was now affectionately funning her fingers through her sister's hair. "It's less to deal with stuff outside, but I more want to keep an eye on the girls here. If Warspite was to move in her sleep she may reopen one of her wounds, and as for our mystery girl. Waking up in a strange place without anyone around might be rather stressful."

While there really wasn't all that much to do during the day, I thought it best to try and have everyone keep a semi-regular sleep cycle. "With the four of us we can take two hours each, I've taken watch rotations since I signed up so it's up to you girls when you want to do your stints."

"I can take the last few hours." U-556 eagerly volunteered. "The early hours are the best times for submarines. I can assure you noting will be more alert than I at that time."

"I would like the first watch; one needs to get proper sleep. Constantly getting up would be bad for my skin." Elizabeth had returned to her usual royal way of speaking, I wondered why she only spoke normally with me.

"Well that just leaves the middle of the night. Javelin, when do you want to be up? I can just take the other stint."

She fidgeted slightly. "Um, well I can have the later watch. That way we can spe- Uh! I mean I can spend some time checking over my radar, and making sure no problems have arisen during the night."

I had a feeling I knew what she meant to say, but I decided not to push it. "Right, I will have the shift after her majesty then. Now for when it is the night, I assume you all know about light discipline, keep bright lights to a minimum, this area shouldn't see much naval traffic but in the unlikely event some ships do pass by its best we are not noticed."

Everyone nodded in agreement. "Good, Now I would say it's time to get some dinner on the go, but unfortunately until hood returns we are fresh out of supplies." I felt another weight on my shoulder as I felt responsible for these girls missing another meal.

Javelin seemed to notice my mood and moved to give me a pat on the back. "Don't worry, that breakfast you made for us yesterday was more than filling. In fact, I don't even feel hungry."

"Quite right." Elizabeth added. "And one needs to watch her figure anyway."

U-556 tilted her head. "I don't know what you girls are spouting, I'm starving." Both of them gave her a threatening look. "B-but that's none of herr kommandants fault, hehe." When the tension in the room still didn't dissipate, she slowly started to walk backward out of the room. "Anyway, I'm going to go and continue the nice dream I was having and get some rest before my watch. If anyone needs me you know where I will be." When the door closed, I could hear her quickly walk down the corridor.

I laughed and gave both the girls a pat on the head. "You girls don't hold that against her. That's just how people from her nation act."

Elizabeth looked to enjoy the headpat but then moved away in embarrassment, Javelin made no move to show she wanted me to stop. "She's also agreed to take on a more official role within this fleet, so I guess you can consider her a sister in arms, so try to treat her as you would wish to be treated."

"Sorry." They both replied.

The next few hours went by without incident. We spent a bit longer in the sick bay together. Mostly the girls asking me about my previous experiences on ships, though Javelin's questioning did seem to become more serious and lean towards any relationships I may have had, but I just took it as her being interested in human relationships.

We left Elizabeth to start the first watch and begun making our way to the ships cabins. To my surprise Javelin continued to walk down the hallway. "You going to be alright? Sleeping on your own. You know I really don't mind." I was worried that she might have a nightmare again like the first night we spent together

"I'm not a child, I am able to sleep on my own. I will see you when it is time for my shift." She rather coldly spoke before walking into her cabin.

I could tell something was on her mind, but I decided not to pry. I felt a twinge of disappointment from Javelin not want to share a bed. While I was concerned about her having nightmares, I was also worried without her I would probably have them as well.

Laying down on my bed I tried my hardest to get some decent rest but to no avail, the previous few days kept going through my mind. It was only when a hand shook me on the shoulder did I come out of my half-asleep state.

"Ah, my apologies. I didn't mean to startle you." I heard Elizabeth's voice though the darkness. "I tried to call your name but you didn't wake."

As my eyes adjusted, I was able to spot her standing beside my bed. "Don't worry, I can be a heavy sleeper sometimes. What up?"

"The two hours have passed; I have come to wake you for your watch." she let out a yawn. "Now if there is nothing else you require of me, I shall retire for the night. I found a timing clock inside of the bridge and moved it to the sick bay, you can use it to keep track of time." With that she left and went to find somewhere to sleep.

After giving her my thanks, I got up and made my way over to the sick bay. Beside Warspite's bed was a small clock and a jug of clean water. I had no idea if the clock was accurate, but at least it could tell me how long I had been here. "Well, it's just me and you two for now." I sat down and started making myself comfortable. "If you two need anything just let me know." As expected, neither of them gave a reply.

I had left the main light off, leaving a small lamp to illuminate the room. While it was bright enough to be able to see the general layout of the room, I leaned over to get a better view of Warspite. I spoke with a quiet whisper. "I don't know if you can hear me but, I just want you to know Elizabeth is safe. She worries about you constantly, we all do. So, you can just rest and get well soon. I'm holding up my end of the promise, please keep yours and come back to us."

In the past I had spent watch duty on a ships bridge, which gave an endless number of tasks to do. From checking and adjusting the ships heading, to watching the horizon for any other ships. However down here the boredom quickly begun to creep in. I had to occasionally get up and check over the girls just to stop myself from falling asleep.

I looked over the cubes to see if there had been any change, a small amount of light had returned to them, but it was obvious it was still going to take some time. Next, I went through my pockets to occupy my time. It was mostly ruined paper that had become wet and unusable, spare nuts and bolts I had picked up while working on the endurance and a bunch of other random items I had put in my pockets and then promptly forgotten about. Finally, I took out my captain's old pendant, I held it up to the light to see if there was any distinguishable features or engravings, but it really was just a bit of metal with some wood inside. After making sure that sea water hadn't made it begin to rust, I put it back safely around my neck.

Even with everything I had done, barely any time had passed. I felt like slamming my head against something solid.

Just as I was contemplating finding something to take apart and risking Javelin's ire it was time for the watch change. I started to get up to go and wake Javelin, only for me to hear approaching footsteps and the girl in question walk into the sick bay.

She gave off a yawn. "Morning, it's time for my watch." first I thought that she hadn't slept the entire time, but from the look of her hair it was obvious that Javelin had only just woken up.

"Didn't know there were clocks in the cabins. How did you know how much time had passed?"

Javelin tilted her head. "Timekeeping is easy, I knew that it would be four hours before my shift, so I only slept for that long. It's just like keeping my radar running while I sleep. "

"Huh. well Javelin, you never fail to amaze me." She started to blush. I looked over at the clock Elizabeth had found. If Javelin was able to keep the time, then it was probable she can too. "Had she gone to find the clock just for my sake?" I thought to myself.

"Well, I will leave you to it then. Just rase the alarm if anything happens."

I started to leave the sick bay. "W-wait." Javelin called out. Turning I saw her looking towards the floor, twisting the ball of her foot. "I... I was wondering. W-well I wondered if we..." She shook her head. "No, it's noting. Go get your rest."

She continued to stare at the floor, her face was now bright red. I felt sad that she had once again closed up to me, when there was obviously something troubling her. But I knew I would only make things worse. "Ok, I will. Just whatever it is, please don't keep it bottled up for too long. Supressing emotions can make you feel sick inside. I will always be here for you." with a nod I left her alone and went to find my bed.

Thoughts of what was troubling Javelin continued to plague my mind as I lay in bed and in a way helped keep the more negative thoughts away as I drifted off to sleep.

"James... James. I would like to have that talk now." the words speak out as I was roused from my sleep again. This time my cabins light had been turned on. Javelin sat on my bed, one hand on my shoulder, but she wasn't shaking me like Elizabeth was. "Don't worry it's not an emergency, and U-556 has already taken over for the night."

The fog of sleep cleared from my head and I realised what she was talking about. "Yeah, I meant it when I said I'm always here for you. What is it?" I sat up as Javelin shuffled further down the bed.

She tapped next to her. "Could you sit here, please."

I moved to sit where she wanted, the entire time she tapped at her knees and swung her legs. She finally spoke again when I was up and next to her.

"I'm sorry for acting weird recently. I've been having this strange feeling lately, and have struggled to understand it." I raised my hand and went to speak only for her to shake her head. "No, please let me finish, I need to get this off my chest."

She continued. "It started at the university. When you held me in your arms, I wasn't able to think properly back then, but I remember feeling this burning sensation in my chest. And now, whenever I'm around you I feel it. I was worried there was something wrong with me, but when I asked Hood about it, she just laughed and said it was perfectly normal." Javelin swallowed and looked at me. "When I see you with the other girls this feeling gets worse. And when you went to explore that place with Warspite, you had so much blood on you. And... And... I." tears begun to stream down her face.

I felt my heart breaking at the sight in front of me. "Javelin I'm sorry for- Mmmph!" I was cut off as she suddenly grabbed my shoulders and pulled me into a kiss.

(A/N)

Sorry that this chapter has taken longer than usual to come out. as I said last time that the last few weeks were going to be hectic, and boy were they. though I haven't been idle, I've taken the time to study writing so hopefully the quality of these chapters should start to improve.

I also went through nearly all the story cutscenes from events and all the operation siren files and added a bunch of notes to a large cheat sheet I have for this story. Though I won't be saying anything more about it as that would be spoilers.

As always, thanks for reading.