I slowly inch the door to the bedroom open, trying to be as quiet as possible. It was rather late and my wife, Akagi, had decided to head to bed earlier while I stayed up and completed some paperwork that I was behind on. My other wife, Kaga, was away on a visit to the Royal Navy's alliance port to discuss anti-Siren strategy and was due to arrive back tomorrow. I tip-toed to the bed, keeping a close eye on her sleeping form. She lies on her side, eyes closed, fluffy ears twitching lazily on occasion, tails completely still. I quickly undress and slip in next to her, trying not to disturb the mattress too much.
I turn onto my side, facing her, admiring her sleeping visage, how peaceful she looks. A smile starts to spread across her features, and her bright crimson eyes snap open in the darkness. I must have woken her when I entered, I apologise in a hushed tone.
"I'm afraid, dear husband, that I could hear you breathing softly in the other room, never mind the ruckus of opening the door, and your adorable attempts at stealth. But please, do not blame yourself, blame these ears instead" Her hand reaches towards the pointed fox ears twitching on her head, stroking them gently before settling back down into the bed. "Sometimes they are a blessing, sometimes a curse, but alas." She inches closer to me, snuggling into my body, our noses touching.
"Regardless, I can never sleep easy until you are at my side, poor Kaga suffers the same you know? I imagine she is awake now, wishing she was here" She gives me a light kiss, then closes her eyes, clearly attempting to get some much-needed shut-eye. I to do the same, quickly falling into unconsciousness as Akagi drapes her tails over my body like a warm fluffy blanket.
…6 Years Ago – The Pacific Theatre – Zone C – Fleet Alpha
The rain was coming down hard as I peered into the darkness, looking for any sign of lights. Thunder occasionally rumbled in the sky above. I was stood atop the famous Eagle Union carrier, USS Enterprise, or at least, the manifestation of her rigging as a full-size carrier. The soul, or at least, that's how I perceived it, of the great carrier was actually represented as a human female.
She stood next to me, her bright white hair whips around behind her in the wind her eyes serious. If she was human, she would undoubtedly be considered an extremely attractive young woman. Her black overcoat flaps around her, hiding the curves of her form, but her face was still one that could lead to many men vying for her attention. But alas, she was not human. I had tried not to let that fact bother me, I had been introduced to the idea of ship girls several months ago, but in all honestly, it still felt weird.
At first, it had felt inhumane, weapons of war, designed to kill and conquer, taking the form of beautiful young women, some just girls even. And then, to add insult to injury, they had feelings and human emotion. What mad-men would conceive of a such a weapon, then expect admirals and commanders to use them, like they would a firearm or a vehicle?
Those thoughts were short-lived when I witnessed the destruction these weapons could bring. Whole towns obliterated in seconds, normal fleets of good men, well-trained men, gone in an instant. The weapons would sometimes bemoan their existence, resenting the destruction they wrought, some would indulge in it. But in the end, it didn't matter what they thought, they were simply necessary.
After seeing this I too had come to think of them as simple weapons, with which I was expected to destroy my enemies. But over the past months, I had struggled internally with that perception. Would a weapon celebrate a victory? Would a weapon weep at their fallen sisters? Would a weapon question the very nature of its existence? These questions hounded me as I had commanded the fleet assigned to me.
Of course, no matter my personal thoughts on the matter, HQ designated them as assets, weapons, to be used and disposed of as I saw fit, till victory was achieved, and so, that's what I did, and continue to do. It benefitted me to simply keep viewing them as weapons, but there were times when I doubted myself, but I quickly squashed such thoughts, for war is no place for doubts.
I turn, and start walking towards the command deck and Enterprise follows obediently. "Recon planes spot anything before the storm hit?" She nods her head as we enter the dimly lit room, water dripping from us onto the dry floor.
"Yes Sir, Unidentified target, suspected Sakura contact about 30 minutes out. My best guess would be a lone cruiser, not sure what they would be doing out here by themselves though." I look at the map spread out before me, not looking at her as she hovers behind me, awaiting orders.
"Have the fleet hold, wait for the storm to pass, then we find that target, we cannot allow the Sakura Empire to know of our location." I hear her quickly move towards the radio, relaying my orders before stopping, awaiting even more. It was something that irked me, they always simply waited for orders, like good little soldiers, good weapons. Yet at times, they acted so… lifelike, so pure, it felt like two sides of the same coin.
"…Dismissed." trying to keep my irritation out of my voice and failing.
"Is something the matter sir?" I turn towards her and see her expression full of concern for me, and it infuriates and confuses me more.
It would be so much simpler if they acted like the weapons they were meant to be, the more they acted human, the more I felt guilty and the angrier I got.
"I said, dismissed!" I say at her, my voice raising unintentionally. Her eyes immediately sadden and turn towards the floor as she mutters an obligatory 'yes sir' and leaves the command deck, her face downcast.
Again, I immediately begin to feel guilty for my behaviour, and yet again I spiral into confusion and anger. I hit the table, hard, my fist sore from the strike. "damn these Kansen, why do they have to be so damn human."
…Present Day – Eagle Union Alliance Port – Early Morning
My eyes open groggily as I recall the unpleasant dream I just had, no, not a dream, memories. Old memories of someone I almost didn't recognize. A lot had changed in 6 years, and I was grateful to be the man I was today, but the road I took to get here was one I did not wish to re-tread. I briefly wonder why I had been recalling such memories, ones that I had buried long ago, but quickly brush it aside. The mind is a fickle thing, and I didn't wish to dwell on those memories, any more than I wished to dream about them. I instead focus on the beauty before me.
Akagi, pears at me with one eye open, the other mashed into the pillow, a smile spreading across her sculpted features as she rises slightly, only to snuggle back down closer to me. I can feel her tails winding around me, brushing my bare skin, giving off a comforting yet somewhat ticklish sensation. "Good morning…" she pauses, taking a deep yawn, her large vulpine fangs shown in their full glory for a second. "…dear husband…" She practically purrs in happiness pressing her body further into mine as her hand travels under the bedsheet, caressing my chest before taking me in a deep kiss.
Our tongues dance with one another while her hands suddenly dive further down. I had come to expect this morning treatment from Akagi and I truly had no complaints. She breaks the kiss, then her hands reach my crotch, quickly diving inside my underwear as she cups my morning glory gently and my hips buck expectantly as I let out a whimper of need at the sensation of her palm.
She bites her lip seductively then laughs. "You may want to think with your mind…. before your manhood, dear husband." Her hand then tightens into a grip while one her tails brushes the inside of my thighs and my hips buck yet again at the additional pleasure, and I let out another pathetic moan. "We could certainly stay like this, or for example, you could use your mind to think about…. perhaps the time?"
Immediately my mind clears as I understand her words, she was teasing me, the vixen, I quickly look at the time, and start panicking as I realise that I'm due at the office in 5 minutes. Akagi pulls her hand away, laughing wholeheartedly, wiping tears from her eyes. "Sorry, dear husband, but I simply couldn't resist, you were just putty in my hands, my sincere apologies."
I quickly leap out of bed, chucking what looks to be a vaguely clean Commander's uniform on to myself as my wife watches me intently from the bed. "I have a day of leave today, so I'll be remaining here and I promise I'll think of…" she pauses for effect. "…methods to apologise." I quickly forgive her, it was entirely my fault for focusing on…other matters, rather than what time it actually was, although the promise of an apology definitely brightens my day.
I give Akagi a rushed kiss on the cheek as I barrel out of the door, striding towards the office at a brisk pace.
I chuck my coat aside as I launch myself through the office door, a quick look at my watch informing me I am 10 minutes late. Souryuu is stood by my desk, looking incredibly unimpressed. She was my secretary for the week, although slave driver might be more accurate.
She narrows her eyes at me as I sit down in my chair. "This sort of timekeeping I expect from a third-rate captain, Shikikan, not one as high ranking as yourself, try and keep a closer eye on your schedule, so as to not keep me waiting in the future."
She pushes her glasses up her nose before continuing. "Nonetheless, while I waited for you, I sorted all the paperwork on your desk, I would highly recommend you start completing the forms left to right, and once you are done, I shall assign you more, understood?"
I nod in compliance. While Souryuu took the work incredibly seriously, perhaps too seriously, I couldn't deny that much more work got completed under her watchful eyes.
The time passed slowly, and the paperwork just seemed to keep coming, and before long it was approaching midday. Souryuu, keeping an eye on me, eventually spoke: "I suppose it is about time for a break, I'm going to head down to the cafeteria, care to come with?"
I reject her offer, I'm quite frankly exhausted and I have seemed to have contracted a headache which has got progressively worse throughout the morning. I ask her to grab me some food while she is down there, and she heads off purposefully.
Before I know it, I feel my headache intensifying into a migraine, the pain shooting through my skull, piercing my brain as I blackout.
…6 Years Ago – The Pacific Theatre – Zone B – Fleet Alpha
I slowly sip at the bottle of water in my hand, slouched in my chair, looking out of the small window in my quarters, nothing but ocean for miles around. The storm had just passed, and we had immediately given chase to the Sakura cruiser, scout planes had spotted her, and we were currently approaching her position, gaining on her swiftly, it would appear that her engines were damaged somehow, which worked in our favour.
The knock on the door I had been waiting for finally came, and I swiftly stood to answer it. A tanned, scantily clad ship girl greeted me, USS Minneapolis if I recalled. Her body was toned, her sweat glistening down her body along with water droplets from the sea.
It held a certain appeal along with her more, primal nature, and my thoughts are swept away, wondering if her animalistic nature would be reflected in her lovemaking. She catches me admiring her body and speaks up. "Sir unless you would like to become the target of my next hunt, I suggest you stop eying me like I am prey."
I quickly disperse the thoughts, clearly, my time away at sea had gotten to me. Fantasising about the ships I command was ridiculous. Yes to the eye, it appeared that I was surrounded by beautiful young women and the only man in the fleet, but I must remember, I am the captain, they are the weapons.
I mutter an apology and push past her, knowing full well what she had come to inform me of, she follows behind and I can feel her angry eyes drilling into my back, but I pay her no heed.
Out on the carrier deck, the rain has stopped, but the sky is still dull, with many dark clouds above. I spot what I presume to be the Sakura cruiser on her knees, with Enterprise, Portland standing each side of her, keeping a watchful eye on her.
She has two small horns protruding her head, a clear sign that she is from the Sakura Empire. Along with a collar with the Sakura emblem on it. Her amber eyes are tinged with despair.
I stride up to the group as Minneapolis moves to the side of me, glaring at our prisoner. I cut to the chase, wanting this to be over as quickly as possible. "Why were you out here?" The unnamed Sakura cruiser looks up at me, tears in her eyes.
"I got separated from my fleet when Sirens ambushed us, I thought they were ghosts at first…but… so many of my friends…. The Sirens… they…" she starts sobbing, recalling the clearly traumatic memory. And my stony façade starts to break.
The Sirens truly were a horrific species, whenever they attacked, it was a bloodbath, and they revelled in it. I begin to feel sorry for the traumatized girl before me, but I quickly try and stomp the ache in my heart out.
She was the enemy, nothing more, nothing less. "Where was this?" She gives co-ordinates, not offering any resistance to my questioning. I make a mental note that there has been Siren activity in the area, and to skirt around it.
Minneapolis walks up the girl, yanking her up by the scruff of her damaged clothing, the girl, too tired to offer up resistance does nothing except let out a pitiful squeal. "And how do we know you're not lying, all this crying and sobbing, a Sakura ploy, to make us think you are prey, when in fact…" She brings the terrified girl closer to her face, her eyes truly the stuff of nightmares. "…you're the predator, the trickster."
I put my hand up. "Minneapolis, I have not finished my questioning."
The huntress practically snarls before suddenly letting go of the cruiser, letting her slump to the ground in a heap. I continue "And did you manage to inform Sakura command of our presence, think about your answer very carefully…" The girls face turns from scared to petrified at my words, and I feel the kick of guilt in my heart again as she starts speaking rapidly.
"No…no….no…. I didn't sir, please, the storm knocked out my radio equipment, so I didn't, and I wouldn't, if you let me go, I won't tell…. please sir." She stops, looking hopefully at me. My heart starts to sink, as I already know there are only two possible actions we can take.
Minneapolis looks to me, a look of aggression plastered over her face. "Sir, you know full well we cannot do that, so unless you are willing to hand her over to me so I can play some cat and mouse, I suggest we execute her immediately, the risk is too great, and our operation must succeed, it is imperative to victory. If a few lines must be crossed, so be it."
The small girl whimpers at the word 'execution' waiting for my response. However, it is not me who responds, but rather Enterprise, turning to Minneapolis, horrified by her suggestion. "Absolutely not, we are Eagle Union, not barbarians, executing a captive is not how we do things, I will not allow it."
Internally I sigh in relief, glad that Enterprise took the decision out of my hands, but then I hear a small voice speak up, one I had forgotten about. "We should kill her. We don't know who she'll tell if we let her go. And we cannot afford to keep a prisoner at such a vital stage in the operation. So… we should kill her"
Portland speaks up, having remained silent and watched our exchange for several minutes. Her face is passive, but there is a great rage behind her eyes. I could guess as to the source.
Her sister Indianapolis had been badly damaged in an operation nearby a week ago, and news had only reached us yesterday. She was hanging unto life by a thread, but the repair staff were unsure whether she would make it.
Enterprise turns to her at a loss for words, then she turns to me for help. "Sir, you cannot possibly consider this a viable option?" A feeling of dread descends upon me. Practically speaking, I agreed with Portland and Minneapolis, the risk was too great, and keeping a prisoner could slow us down and endanger the operation.
Besides, she was just a weapon, and I should take this chance to rid the Sakura Empire of it, benefiting us. It wasn't equivalent to executing a human being.
I keep telling myself this as I looked towards the snivelling girl who is looking towards me, shaking in fear. I quickly look away, trying to steel myself for what needs to be done, but the image of the Sakura cruiser still burns itself into my brain.
"Commander…you can't be considering…"
I silence Enterprise with a hand as I manage to stutter out my sentence "Do…" I take a deep breath, steadying myself and praying to God to forgive me. "Do… what you have to do, make it quick."
I walk away, not having the nerve to see the very thing I have ordered through to the end.
Internally, I scream, I regret my words, and I already want to rush back, hug the cruiser, tell her everything's going to be ok. But it's too late now. And I didn't even know her name…
A loud cannon blast goes off behind me, as tears flow down my face.
Sometimes, I think humanity is just as much of a monster as the Sirens.
…Present Day – Eagle Union Alliance Port – Midday
I jump awake at the sound of cannon fire. Are we under attack? Have the Sirens finally made their move? No, no that's not it. I was dreaming… memories again. I recall the sound of the cannon fire and the cause of it, as tears swell in my eyes.
"Dear Husband? Can you hear me? What is the matter? Shikikan, talk to me, please? I beg of you." Somehow Kaga, is there in front of me, on her knees, holding my head in her hands. I feel incredibly groggy as I raise my head as my dear wife hugs me deeply.
"What… what happened?" I ask, struggling to keep my mind still. "I… I had returned from my trip, so visited the office hoping to see you, but I found you out cold on your desk, then suddenly, you just jumped awake, tears in your eyes and pain in your voice. Were you dreaming? You were murmuring words I could not make out, I tried to rouse you but could not manage to, is everything ok?"
Her face is full of concern and worry, and it breaks my heart. "I'm fine… I think… I must have fallen asleep, just bad dreams, nothing to worry about." Kaga decides not to push the subject as she gives me another hug and a sweet kiss before standing back up.
"Hmm, going off your expression, it must have been a ghastly dream. Perhaps you should speak to Shinano some time if they persist? It is her speciality after all." I nod distractedly, bits and pieces of my dream coming back to me, the image of a Sakura Empire cruiser on her knees, tears streaking down her face as she looks up at me, the one who decides her fate. An image that I had attempted to make my peace with long ago, and consequently buried.
Souryuu returns and bows deeply upon seeing Kaga, her respected elder. Kaga looks to me, then at Souryuu with an air of superiority. "Souryuu, I will be borrowing the Shikikan for the rest of the day, he is clearly suffering from exhaustion, so, therefore, I shall make sure he rests at home, I trust you have no objections?"
Souryuu most certainly does and looks like she is about to tell Kaga where to shove them, but decides against it, her respect for the elder carrier getting the better of her.
"Of course, no problems, I will finish off the remaining work, it's no bother." She fakes a smile, clearly looking annoyed. Kaga motions for me to follow, and I am about to offer up objections about leaving my secretary to complete half a day's work by herself, when Kaga gives me a stern look, one I have seen many times, and I quickly acquiesce. It's a look which does not take no as an answer. I pack my bag, put on my coat, and obediently follow her out.
Kaga saddles to my side, putting an arm around my shoulder as we walk towards home. "Enjoy your trip?" I ask her, she looks to me smile playing across her lips.
"If I'm entirely candid, not especially. It was boorish. The Royal Navy were gracious hosts, but they already know full well about the most effective means of combatting Sirens. I mostly spent the day getting pampered by them, and while that was nice, I would of much preferred to be here..."
Her grip tightens on my shoulder as her body presses closer to mine as she pauses. "… I missed you." A blush rises up her neck slightly, even after all this time, she was still embarrassed to voice her feelings. I grin, and hold her close, thinking about how lucky I was to have such an adorable wife.
She quickly changes the subject, her voice growing more serious. "So, dear husband, are you going to tell me what has gotten under your skin?" The image of the doomed cruiser flashes through my mind again as she speaks. "Quite frankly, you look like hell dear. Something is clearly gnawing at you, and when something is troubling you, it troubles me."
She rests her head on my shoulder as our pace slows, her ears tickling the back of my neck. I stay silent, afraid of voicing my guilt. She sighs, as she guides us to a halt, moving round to face me, taking my hands in hers. "I cannot force you to share whatever burdens your shoulders, all I can do is offer my own to help lighten the load. As your wife… and as your friend. Promise me that you will not allow it to consume you? Please, if not me, then at least tell someone, if it gets too much. It is too easy to get lost inside one's mind, I should know after all…"
Standing there, imploring me to confide in someone, her eyes shimmering with tears of worry for me, I have to tell her, at least something. Her past had haunted her similarly for some time before confessing to me, before we were married. "It's just my past… It seems to be on my mind these days" She nods understandingly, not pressing me for any details before taking me in a hug, whispering in my ear.
"I know that both of our pasts are sordid, and it is not something either of us wish to relive. But if you ever want to talk about it, I'm here, ok?"
I practically melt into her hug, thanking her for the understanding. Both Kaga and Akagi knew snippets about my past, that I had done regrettable things. But not any specifics. Similarly, I knew of some of their actions during the war, I had even visited the aftermath of some ports and towns they had raided, but not specific details, as it was something all us would rather leave in the past. Kaga knew and respected what I was going through, and her understanding truly touched me.
"Come on, let us get you home," She says with a warm smile, before pulling me along.
As we enter our home, Akagi comes out of the main room, wearing what would traditionally be called a 'virgin killer' jumper in red, which was slightly too long, therefore somewhat hiding her modesty as she was not wearing any clothes on her lower half, except the silk black panties that peak out on occasion when the jumper rises up too high, making for a rather distracting sight.
"Dear sister! Welcome back, I hope the trip was not too distasteful, and what is this, dear Husband? I did not expect you back so soon. This is brilliant, we can start on your apology early."
She starts slowly prowling towards me, her hands delving inside her jumper, slowly lifting it up as Kaga watches on, confused as to the context, blushing deeply, but unable to look away from the sight of her sister sensually stripping.
Just then, a sledgehammer hits the back of my skull, or at least, that's what it feels like, I keel forwards, unable to control my body. Akagi immediately stops her teasing display, the fear clear in her eyes, as she moves swiftly to catch me, screaming out my name. My eyes roll into the back of my head as I see both Akagi and Kaga's worried faces above me, calling out to me.
…6 Years Ago – The Pacific Theatre – Zone A – Fleet Alpha
It had been a week since I had been responsible for that reprehensible action. I had locked myself in my personal quarters for several days afterwards, taking out my guilt on the walls, the floor, the ceiling, my knuckles were sore and bloody and my eyes red from crying.
After I had eventually left my room, Enterprise refused to speak me, forcing me to speak to Helena, another cruiser in our fleet, to relay my orders to her. Even Helena would often give me dirty looks when she thought I wasn't looking, making me feel even worse.
Of course, others thought it had been the only option, Minneapolis and Portland continued on, as if nothing of consequence had happened.
But now it was time to put that aside, my guilt did not matter, my thoughts on the very Kansen I both commanded and fought was of no consequence. The goal of our operation was in front of us.
A top-secret Sakura manufacturing facility, augmented with Siren technology, able to repair and build ships even faster than the industrial might of Eagle Union could manage. If this facility remained operational, it would offer the Sakura Empire an advantage that had previously lay with the Eagle Union and could well shift a long-term war in their favour.
The attack had already begun. Anti-Air fire flashed in the night sky aimed towards Enterprise and Hornet's bombers, which were raining explosives down on the large facility. We had engaged a rather small defence fleet, but it had not been long before they had realised they were outgunned and retreated.
As far as HQ's intel was aware, no other fleets were in the area, and it would take the Empire at least 3 hours to sortie a response, by then, the facility would be in ruins, and we would be gone, like ghosts.
I smile, revelling in the simple victory, before the face of the damned cruiser flashes across my mind, and I feel nothing but guilt and sadness.
She had been so scared, so petrified of the Sirens, and I fully understood why. Even back at the Eagle Union, the Sirens were ravaging the west coast, the home fleets only able to offer a pitiful defence. We should be there, helping to defend our own people. What was the point of fighting this pointless war, against other humans no less, when such a large threat to all of us existed? Would it not be better to join forces, wipe the Siren scourge off the face of the earth?
But I had my orders, and I had to see them through. Who am I to question the logic of my country? Decade-old grudges are not easily forgotten, not by us, not by the Sakura Empire.
Just as I was pondering the pointlessness of this endeavour, my world suddenly spins, as a body barrels into me and shoves me halfway across the deck as gunfire ricochets all over.
…Present Day – Eagle Union Alliance Port – Afternoon
I startle awake, the feeling of the wind being knocked out of my chest in my memory's following me to the real world. I manage to open my blurry eyes, my head pounding to see both Akagi and Kaga at my bedside. I appear to be in the port's hospital, in the private ward. As soon as my wives see that I am awake, they rush towards me, their mouths moving, but I cannot hear them, I start to panic and then another spike of pain hits my brain, the strongest one yet. I can't help but yell in agony, and I can see my wive's reaction is immediate, yelling over their shoulders at someone, tears in their eyes at my condition. Then, among all the pain, I hear a voice, one I do not recognize.
"You are a slippery one, aren't you, I'm not done with you yet… show me more, more of them…"
Then the pain intensifies even more, and before I can scream in pain, I immediately blackout.
…6 Years Ago – The Pacific Theatre – Zone A – Fleet Alpha
I look up to see Enterprise is on top of me, having grabbed me and leapt out of the way of an enemy strafing run.
Even in this ridiculous situation, her beauty is truly stunning, and I can feel her warm bosom pressing into my chest, her heartbeat so close to mine.
I try and keep a blush from rising, but fail. She looks down at me with a disgusted look on her face. "Pervert…" She mutters before clambering off me and offering me a hand to help me get back on my feet.
"Where the hell did that Zero come from?" I shout at her, trying to make myself heard over all the gunfire and explosions.
She points eastward. "Enemy fleet, closing fast, not large, but enough to be a problem…" She pauses for a second, seemingly to decide something internally. "…sir"
I smile at the recognition of command, and move closer to her so I can speak normally "Enterprise…. I'm sorry, I will never let anything like that happen again. It's something I will have to live with, and I will never be able to atone for it. And I will make sure that my superiors are informed, and that I face the consequences of my actions when we return."
She looks at me silently not saying anything, then her eyes lose their hostility and she offers me a nod. "Ok, but for now we have bigger problems." I agree, and I start ordering the fleet into a defensive formation.
The battle is long and arduous, even though the fleet is smaller than ours, they fight tooth and nail, with some truly skilled ships. Occasionally I catch a glimpse of what I presume to be their flagship, A beautiful, sculpted woman if it weren't for the two large brown fox ears atop her head, and many tails behind her back.
She dives in and out of combat, deploying planes strategically, dominating the air around her. Even Enterprise has trouble getting any aircraft near her. Occasionally she is joined by another similar looking woman as they fight back-to-back. Except this one has shorter white hair and is drabbed in white and blue instead of red and black.
They both seem to revel in the fight, enjoying it immensely, the expressions of their faces a mixture of glee and bloodlust and it disturbs me seeing their truly beautiful features twist in such a way.
Going off the intel I know, this has to be the famous 1st Carrier Division, Akagi and Kaga. Some of the Sakura Empire's most powerful ships. How HQ's Intel could be so wrong about their position, I did not know. Luckily, with Hornet and Enterprise's combined might, along with our sheer numbers, we were pushing them back slowly.
The battle eventually finished an hour later, their forces too damaged or exhausted to fight on, most had already fled, but the two carriers I had noted earlier had fought till the bitter end, until their rigging had finally dissipated fully, leading to them now lying exhausted on Enterprise's deck in front of me.
Enterprise herself stands by my side, with large gashes marring her typically flawless skin, and she walked with a slight limp. Clearly, the fox sisters had not gone down easily.
The dark-haired one speaks, sneering at me. "Barbaric westerner, what do you plan to do with us, hauling us here after our defeat? I can see you are a simple man, perhaps you intend to have your way with our bodies as a celebration? You look idiotic and barbaric enough to try such a thing." She goes to stand, but fails, merely managing to get unto one knee, practically spitting her words at me. "You dare sully my body with your corrupted touch and I shall chain you up like a good little pet, and flay you alive, bit by bit"
I hold my hands up in a peaceful gesture. "I intend nothing of the sort, but I could not allow the infamous 1st carrier division to just escape, you understand."
She laughs at me in derision. "So…what? You plan to execute us?" The image of that cruiser flashes through my head for the 100th time, but I push it away. No, never again, not that, not ever.
I remember the many times that Enterprise had laughed at something I said, celebrated a victory, sobbed at the loss of comrades. I keenly remember the beat of her heart as she was pressed against me. A heartbeat, a real, human heartbeat, a slight blush on her cheeks from the contact, a completely human reaction. They were not weapons. They were soldiers, people, women. It had taken me long to which this conclusion, too late to save that girl, but I finally understood.
"No, not at all. We have accomplished our operation, so you will be taken as prisoners of war, I can assure you that you will be treated fairly, and no harm will come to you while under my charge."
The fair-haired one, Kaga, who up until had stayed silent then chuckles at me before her eyes turn to me with deep-seated hatred. "Truly? An enemy lies before you, weakened, and yet, you will not strike? You show weakness, compassion, it's pitiful!" She pauses, looking me up and down. "...to lose to someone as weak and pathetic as you, truly, how we have fallen. You do realise, that if I was in your shoes, I would rip your throat out without a second thought, yes?"
"I would hope the Sakura Empire would have a deeper sense of honour than that, but if that is truly what you would do, then so be it. It does not change my decision, for my decision is my mine and mine alone. What you would do in my shoes is irrelevant."
Akagi has managed to hobble to her feet now and is viewing me inquisitively, the malice suddenly gone from her eyes. "How… interesting, such a weak, plain male. And yet… hmmm." Her eyes continue to roam my body, to the point that I feel I'm being assessed for some reason, and start to become a bit self-conscious, heat rising in my cheeks.
Akagi immediate spots this and laughs delightedly, putting her hands together. "How cute, come, dear sister, lets us take this…. boy, up on his offer, I find him, alluring."
Kaga clearly unhappy with the interest Akagi has suddenly shown in me offers a protest, but is quickly shot down by her sister. "Now, by all means, show us to the brig, and I trust your word that no harm shall come to us?" I remain incredibly confused by the quick 180 of her behaviour towards me, from hatred to interest, but I nod my assent as I lead them to the cells.
The world suddenly turns black, and I hear that unknown voice again.
"How…. dull, truly, that is how you met your pet mutts? You simply let them live? Hm, how far they have fallen. They used to be strong, independent, fearsome, at least for Kansen. And now? Now they are weak."
The voice pauses for a second.
"I wish to see more, how you truly came to love these mongrels, how they came to value your opinion and trust you, marry you, it's an unquantified parameter that needs addressing. But…"
The voice pauses again, I can almost sense it smiling.
"I was never told I couldn't play around with my food a bit…"
The pain comes racing back as I'm assailed with image after image, playing almost like a video in my mind. They are images of meeting Akagi and Kaga, me grinning maliciously at them as they eye me with hatred, as I order their executions, their expressions ones of pure hatred and fear towards me.
Me watching with joy as Minneapolis fires a salvo straight into their body's, blood splattering the deck as they scream in agony, their beautiful faces contorting in ways that I never wanted to see. Then, they go limp, expressionless as the life fades from their eyes, nothing but hollow corpses.
"No, no, no, no, no" I shake, my mind blurring events "That's, that's not what… happened" My heart breaks and I weep at the sight of my two wives, lying dead in a pile, like discarded junk, blood pooling out of them, eyes glazed over.
"Perhaps…. perhaps, but it could still happen, you know that? They could die any day, anytime? Besides, it did happen to one poor unlucky girl..."
More images fly into my head, this time, ones that did happen, I just didn't have the guts to look. Images of Isuzu, the Sakura light cruiser, whose name I didn't know at the time, of Minneapolis firing yet another salvo into her. Her wisdom cube blown clean out of her body, reduced to splinters.
I shake my head, struggling to contain the thoughts being beamed into my mind. "Yes, that happened. But I regretted it, I do regret it, and it's what I work every day to atone for."
I grit my teeth against the pain, speaking to the unknown voice. "And while I didn't deserve it, Isuzu was ok, eventually, they reforged her wisdom cube for the alliance, she had no memory of her past life, but she was ok, despite my mistake. Every time I look at her is a reminder of my sins, why I pushed for the formation of this alliance, and why we fight together against a despicable enemy, against you. Siren."
I hear theatrical slow clapping. "Oh please, not that hard of a deduction to make, don't get too big for your boots. Who else would want to scamper around this hellhole you call a mind?"
"I must be off, I have a lot of data to analyse, thanks to you, but don't worry, I'll be back, I guess I want to see your dull story continue. But I will leave you with one more present…"
It feels like lightning has hit my body as I arc in pain, another image of my dead wives being seared into my memory, this time, they are at home, on our favourite sofa, but in the same limp state, eyes glazed over, their blood splattered over the furniture, with the words: 'THEIR FUTURE', written on the wall in what I can only presume to be their blood.
…Present Day – Eagle Union Alliance Port – Afternoon
I wake up, screaming, my mind racing. I try and focus on a face in front of me, but its blurry, unfocused, and I can hear a voice, desperate, but muffled. Slowly, my mind settles, and my vision starts to clear. The face in front of me slowly morphs into that of my wife Akagi, my very much alive wife.
One look at her face clearly shows that she has been crying. I cough as I try and call her name. She looks at me tears brimming in her eyes. "Shikikan? Your awake?" I nod and take her in a weak hug. "Thank the gods, oh dear husband, I…I…" She trails off as she starts sobbing in relief.
The dreadful image that that Siren had put in my head returns to me, and before I know it, tears are flowing from my eyes too. The image feels so lifelike, just like a memory, not just a photo, it radiates sadness, grief, despair. And I cannot forget about it, or push it aside, no matter how hard I try, it's so real.
Akagi notices my tears, stroking my cheek and wiping my eyes. "What is it, dear husband?" I try to smile, but cannot manage it, instead every time I look at her, I see her corpse reflected in my mind.
"You are alive? Aren't you? I'm not dreaming?"
She gives me the brightest smile I have ever seen. "Yes, both I and Kaga are perfectly fine, we are alive, thanks to you" Just as she says this, Kaga, who must have gone for a drink, enters the room, immediately runs to my side checking me over calling my name in worry.
"I'm fine Kaga, for now, I think." She too gives me a deep hug and smiles in happiness as tears flow from her face.
I regain my strength, and try and put the present that Siren gave me to the back of my mind, although it never stays there for long.
I explain what had happened, A Siren had been traipsing around my head, through my memories, by forcing me to relive them, presumably to gather data. And that it had a specific interest in them, I considered hiding the details of Isuzu and the gruesome images of their deaths from them, but in the end, I felt I had to tell them, they were due at least that much.
Kaga just sidled closer upon hearing the details, making sure her tails were wrapped around me comfortably. Akagi listened carefully to every word until I finished. "Hmm, I always wondered what had happened to that silly cruiser, but there is no point reflecting on the past, dear husband, what is done is done. I certainly am not fit to judge you for it. Besides, she walks around these days as happy as anything"
Kaga nods her agreement "Indeed, dear, we were all very different people back then, it's who we are now that counts. The fact that you regret it, that you feel so truly awful for it, that shows that you made a mistake and that you acknowledge it" I thank them for their understanding. "Kaga, I'm sorry, I want to ask, back then, you said that if you were in my position, you would execute me on the spot. Is that true?"
Kaga looks incredibly embarrassed, looking down at her feet. "Truly? I do not know. At the time I was angry and annoyed at a loss, and was merely posturing. But… the old me… if it had actually come to it…. I'm not sure… It would have been highly dishonourable… yet her rage often knew no bounds…"
She looks up again at me, a spark in her eyes. "But it's exactly that, the fact that I cannot resolutely say no, that makes me resent my old self, and love who I am now, for you, for the port and for the Sakura Empire." I thank her for her honesty and take her in another hug kissing her on the cheek, and she blushes slightly at the sudden affection.
I quickly call for Shinano and Bismarck, one an expert on the mind, and one an expert on Siren technology to try and solve the issue of my brain being used a data gathering hub. Their analysis was swift but rather glum.
Shinano was able to remove that horrific vision, which I was grateful for, and said that she could make it so the Sirens intrusions were less painful, but that she could not outright stop them.
Bismarck provided a theory, that the Siren was based somewhere, most likely nearby, possibly shrouded in a mirror sea, and was using a high-tech sensor array to somehow gain access to my mind from there.
The only way to stop this incursion would be to locate this Siren and eliminate it. She said she would immediately start construction on a device to trace the Siren the next time it gathered data from me.
So, all in all, not great news. There was nothing that could outright stop the Siren, as of yet. Whenever it had finished processing the data it had collected, which would hopefully be a while, it could enter my mind at will, although at the very least, I shouldn't end up in a hospital bed next time.
Akagi and Kaga were furious of course and vowed to decimate the Siren that dared mess with their husband's head, but I made them promise not to do anything rash until we had the device from Bismarck and a proper plan in place.
We left the hospital once my mind had begun to feel normal, and the pain had subsided, walking slowly home, arm in arm.
I hold each of them close, valuing them as much as I can, as I remember the Sirens warning that they may well die someday in combat. I try to discard the thought, the Siren is just an enemy, trying to worm its way into my head, seeding doubts.
I hug my two wives closer as their tails wrap around me, nuzzling me slightly, and almost acting like a fur coat out in the cold night. Akagi turns to me. "Shikikan? If you are feeling up for it, I still have not got around to my apology?" She licks her lips. I nod in agreement, I would certainly take her up on that offer, for it had been one hell of a gruelling day.
