I sigh peacefully, snuggling closer to the warm body in front of me, the contact of our skin bringing me comfort. I was lying on my side in bed, relaxing while I could. I had a late start to work, so could afford a bit of a lie-in.

The body I am spooning with twitches lazily as she lets out a small yawn before her nude form presses against me with more pressure, purring in contentment as she shifts her back against my chest.

I slide my mouth to the side of her neck, giving the pale skin a loving kiss, electing a small mewl of appreciation from the fox, before burying my face in her pristine white hair.

She smells fantastic, a tinge of lavender permeating through her natural scent. Both of my wives kept good care of their prized tails and fur, frequently washing and brushing both their hair and tails to a shine.

I hold her closer with my arms, hugging her lovingly, cherishing her body heat. A blush is already rising up her neck slowly at the contact, but I can tell she's happy, an unseen smile playing across her lips. Its times like these when I truly appreciated what I had.

Me and my wife just enjoying each other's company, feeling each other's heartbeat, cherishing one another. She lets out another yawn and stretches her body out, tails moving around my feet as she does so.

Quickly the scent of her hair is replaced by the wetness of her lips placed upon mine as she turns her head and gives me a morning greeting. Her blue sapphire eyes shine with joy and contentment, and it sets my heart aflutter to see her so happy.

"…morning… dear husband" She gives me a slightly embarrassed smile along with a light blush as she pulls away from the kiss.

"Morning beautiful" I give her a peck on the forehead in response. She blushes deeply as I compliment her.

An annoyed sigh slips from her lips as the feeling of her warm body pressing into mine is quickly replaced with lonely coldness. She moves away and sits up on the corner of the bed.

She immediately sets to work dressing herself and I glance over at the clock, she was due for a day patrol in 20 minutes. In turn, Akagi had been on night patrol and was due back in a couple of hours.

I return my gaze to my wife getting dressed, captivated by the sight I had seen hundreds of times, but never tired of. Her naked form, so pure and beautiful as she slowly slides her traditional dress over her shoulders, hiding the handful of combat scars that marred her otherwise flawless skin.

She could have them fully healed by Akashi, should she wish, but she always liked to keep them, as a reminder of when her strength failed her, or so she said.

Kaga notices me watching and smiles warmly at me. "See something you like, Shikikan?"

"Oh, I more than like it…" I compliment her and she blushes yet again. She finishes tightening her sash before waltzing over to the bed, leaning on it as she bends forward, giving me a goodbye kiss, as well as a generous view of her cleavage.

"Well… if you like something…. you should take it…" She grins, teasing me. "But not now, I am afraid I must depart. I wish you a pleasant day" She waves me goodbye and exits the room.

I slump back down snuggling into the now lonely bed, cherishing the warm patch that her body has left next to me.

It had been a week since that Siren had re-entered my head and gone snooping. Kaga had returned that morning, she apologised, apparently, she had got caught up with some of the Sakura girls after the patrol and spent the night drinking with them and had lost track of the time.

We had doubled patrols around the area in an effort to find the Siren. Bismarck said she had run into some snags with the tracing device, and that she wasn't sure when it would be ready, if ever. Siren technology was a fickle thing.

The situation was a nightmare, and what was worse, I was at the centre. But, if I'm honest, it wasn't the Siren invading my head that I worried about. Rather, it's fascination with my wives could lead it to target them, start poking around their minds, or worse. The thought terrified me.

I try and banish the idea from my mind, no good came from worrying about it. I still have an hour before I'm due at the office. I close my eyes trying to get a quick nap.


…4 Years Earlier – Eagle Union Alliance Port – Commander's Office

I sit at my desk, looking over patrol routes and the most recent Siren activity. I'm trying to discern a pattern to their attacks. I think that they are probing the area, seeing how close they can get to the port before being spotted by patrols, but I'm not sure. I sigh, annoyed with myself, before taking a sip of coffee from the mug on my desk, which has long since gone cold.

As I do so, I look down at the fancy silver watch on my wrist to check the time. It was a recent gift, a very luxurious and expensive one at that, from Akagi and Kaga. I had been dating them for just over a year, and the watch had been an anniversary present of sorts.

I fiddled with it and smiled. It had been odd, and at times, still was. Akagi was as eccentric as ever and Kaga was incredibly headstrong. But, when they were together, they seemed to cancel each other out.

I cared for them, I knew that much and truly valued their company when we were together. At times, it could be difficult, the public prejudice against the Sakura girls had led to some awkward date nights. Akagi caused many upsets herself, bickering with her supposed allies, even causing fights on occasion. Kaga refused to rely on me for anything, seeing it as a weakness to lean on her lover for support, be it emotional or otherwise.

Just last month, I heard that she had broken down crying in the Sakura dorms, with rumour stating that she felt guilty. When I had confronted her about it, to get her to confide in me, she had pushed me away vehemently, not speaking to me for a whole week.

She eventually broke, apologised and talked to me about it, admitting that it was true, and she did feel guilty about the way she had treated people in her past, people who were now her current allies, friends even.

We had talked about it for hours until she started to feel better. It was nice that she confided in me eventually, but I had known her a year, I felt that I deserved her trust by now, as both her Shikikan and as her lover. But I suppose, a year in the grand scheme of things was no time at all.

I sigh, annoyed at myself for dwelling on such thoughts, indeed, along with the bad, had come the good.

Lovely date nights, where they regaled me with fantastic stories from the Sakura Empire, over glasses of wine as the sun sets across the ocean. Passionate nights and cosy mornings. Akagi's soothing and caring side, whenever I was ill, she would drop everything to take care of me. Kaga's adorable blush whenever she got emotional.

I smile at the memories. I hoped there would be many more to come. I start to fantasize about the future…

My thoughts quickly come crashing down as there is a loud knock at my door and Hornet suddenly appears. "Commander, they're at it again…" She looks to me imploringly. My heart immediately sinks, just when I was thinking about such nice things as well…

I grab my commanders cap from my desk, fitting it onto my head before striding out of my office, following Hornet.

Before long we enter the cafeteria, Hornet shying back letting me take the lead. Various shipgirls are standing around the edge of the large room, cautiously watching the two figures squaring off in the middle.

Those two figures were Akagi and Enterprise. Both of them were in aggressive stances, and while they hadn't yet summoned their rigging, it looked like they were not far from it, and it was clear that Akagi had slapped Enterprise, judging from the large red mark on her cheek.

None of the other girls in the canteen dared intervene, Akagi and Enterprise were some of the most powerful ships in the port, and only a handful of the others could take them on as equals. Getting between the two of them would be asking for trouble, hence why Hornet had called me.

This was far from the first time they had clashed, in fact, it was the second this week.

"That's enough! Stand down immediately!" I shout, gritting my teeth in anger. Enterprise immediately relinquishes, her stance softening, although her eyes are still focused completely on the Sakura carrier in hatred.

Akagi on the other hand simply growls in annoyance. "This pest deserves…"

I cut her off. "Akagi…." I utter her name in an annoyed tone.

She looks conflicted but does soften her stance before muttering out a Sakura swear word and complaining. "She…"

Again, I cut her off with stern words. "My Office. Now." She shoots me a look of anger before complying, spitting at Enterprise as she leaves.

I then turn to Enterprise, who is still eyeing Akagi with rage as she leaves. "And I will deal with you later. Understood?"

She gives a sharp nod, not looking very apologetic, as she turns and leaves.

I follow Akagi up to my office and close the door behind me as I enter. I quickly sit down as Akagi sits opposite. She watches me, annoyance and anger mixing in her ruby eyes. I open my mouth to speak, but this time, she is the one to cut me off.

"Shikikan, why would you not let me punish that wench appropriately!?"

I speak firmly. "She is not a wench, nor a pest. She is your ally, a valued member of this port, this fleet and, as it happens, a good friend. So, you better explain yourself, quickly. That is the second time this week. I cannot abide fighting in the port."

She narrows her eyes at me. "I see, how it is… you would value her more, a mere friend, over Akagi. Your lover, your soulmate, your everything…" Her eyes are filled with anger and passion.

"Akagi, that's not…." I sigh in exasperation. "I do not have the patience to go through this. You must explain why you struck her, otherwise, I will be forced to reprimand you. Understand? As your Commander, I do not have a choice."

She sneers at me. "That… pest was rude, disrespectful and she doubted Akagi. For that, she deserved it. I did it for me, yes. But also, for you. For she also doubted you. I was simply defending our honour from that insect." She leans back in her chair giving me a coy smile. "Really, you should be thanking me…"

I shake my head. "Akagi, please, you are not doing yourself any favours. I want to understand, but please lose the attitude. Talk to me, if not as your Commander, then as your lover, your friend."

I take the commanders cap off my head and place it on the desk as a symbolic gesture, to try and get her to open up.

Her eyes soften and her shoulders lose their tension. "Fine… Fine… Apologies… She just got under my skin…"

"What did she do?"

"She approached me, questioned my commitment to you, my sister's commitment. Said we were misguided, a corrupting influence. That I should not be seeing you, that I would hurt you. Our gift to you was simply a bribe. It was none of that pest's business, doubting my love for you so, therefore, I struck her in anger. Can you blame me?"

I try my best to absorb this information. Enterprise had approached Akagi and had started the argument. She should know that mentioning me would rile Akagi, and my love life was certainly none of her business. She was probably just being considerate of me, but after a year of courting them, I knew what I was doing and what my heart wanted.

Enterprise had initially appeared fine with the fox sister's presence in the port, and with them dating me, even saying she was happy for me. But it had very quickly turned sour. I had no idea why, but she now took every opportunity to antagonize either of them, and the fox sisters did likewise with her. Although Akagi was significantly worse than her sister, who tended to simply sneer at Enty and move on.

"I'm sure she meant well; she's just looking out for me. But nonetheless, she was in the wrong. I will deal with her appropriately." Akagi's lips form into a sly smile at my words.

"But… you did strike her, and that was also wrong. I'm afraid I have no choice. You can spend the next 3 days helping Akashi with stock and repairs. No sorties. That's your punishment. You understand I don't have a choice, yes? As your Commander?"

The smile leaves her lips, but she gives off a serious aura as she nods in understanding. "And, Akagi. Can you make an effort, please? For me? Stop calling her names, avoid her if you have to, if you really cannot stand her. It puts me in a very difficult position when you fight..."

An annoyed look flashes over her features before conceding and nodding in agreement once again. "Very well... but only because it is my beloved Shikikan who asks it of me."

I get out of my chair and give her a quick hug to try and offset my serious tone as her commander. It was hard sometimes, being both their commanding officer, yet also their lover.

"Will… I still see you tonight?" I ask, unsure of the answer after today's events.

She licks her lips sensuously before standing. "Of course, dear Shikikan. Akagi would never miss it. You would truly have to do something truly terrible for me to consider otherwise… In fact…" I feel her hand reach around me as she moves closer, our noses almost touching.

"…tonight, you could take a more… hands-on approach to punish Akagi…" She winks coyly at me before leaving, strutting out the door as her tails swing happily, before turning and closing it behind her, blowing a kiss as she does.


Present Day – Eagle Union Alliance Port – Commander's Home

I wake groggily, rubbing my eyes as I do. Was that… a memory? I never heard the Siren speak, but it's possible that she simply didn't see a need to. Maybe it was actually just my memory this time. It was becoming hard to tell the difference… Hmm, to this day, Enty didn't really get along with my wives, although they more just glared at each other these days, they hadn't actually fought in a very long time. My thoughts are quickly pushed aside as I look at the time and realise that I need to move, quickly, unless I want to be late for work.

My hand moves swiftly as I sign my name on the dotted line. The form itself is just some generic resource request form for the port, but each one needs my signature before it can be authorized. It's boring work, but unfortunately necessary to keep the port running smoothly.

I chuck the finished form in an ever-growing pile of paper and my secretary, HMS Dido, gives me an apologetic smile as she immediately hands me another to fill out and sign.

We had been going on like this for hours, it was already 2:30. I let a tired sigh slip from my lips in weariness. "Ahh… Master! I'm so sorry, do you tire of the work and of me? I beg your forgiveness…" She looks down at her feet respectfully.

Dido was one of the timider ships in the maid core, and would constantly apologise and fret over her work. It was an adorable aspect of her personality, but it did mean there were times she would blame herself for no good reason.

"It's fine Dido, I'm just a bit tired, these forms can be quite troublesome. You're doing absolutely fine, in fact, you're a fantastic secretary." I quickly reassure her. She beams at the praise. "Oh, Master! Thank you so much for your kind words. I simply do my job as your loyal maid."

She gives a rushed curtsey. It's clear she does not have the skill or refinement of someone like Belfast, but she makes up for it with her heart and soul, and she truly was a good secretary. I had experienced much worse… my mind flashbacks to the admittedly short time that I had assigned Deutschland as my secretary…

As I reminisce, I hear my PDA buzz angrily as a loud and sharp alarm rings out from the device's speakers. My stomach immediately drops and my heart starts pounding so fast I hear it in my ears. That was the notification for a serious incident. I quickly grab my PDA and open the automated message, my hands shaking slightly.

/EMERGENCY_REPORT_START /

SIREN ACTIVITY RECORDED IN SECTOR D BY PATROL #4

PATROL PERSONNEL:

CV: IJN KAGA

CV: IJN SHOUKAKU

CL: IJN NOSHIRO

CA: IJN TAKAO

CA: KMS PRINZ EUGEN

DD: KMS Z23

PATROL #4 ENGAGED BY MULTIPLE SIRENS

UNKNOWN WEAPONRY REPORTED

PERSONNEL RETREATED TO PORT SUCCESSFULLY

ALL PERSONNEL SUFFERED MINOR DAMAGE – REPAIRS SCHEDULED

IJN KAGA SUFFERED SERIOUS DAMAGE – SENT FOR EMERGENCY REPAIRS

/ EMERGENCY_REPORT_END /

As I near the end, I drop the PDA, my hands unable to hold it any longer, and it clatters to the floor, smashing on impact sending glass shards everywhere. But I don't care.

My mind is focused on a single thing.

Kaga's name…

Dido gasps at the sound of the broken glass, covering her mouth. "Master!?" I stand swiftly make for the door, grabbing my overcoat and roughly pulling it onto me.

"I… I… Have to go Dido… sorry…" I mumble as I pass her, pulling the door open and running out the office, not looking back.

I run to the ship repair yard as fast I can. Multiple ships greet me along the way, but I ignore them, blood pumping in my ears, my heart tearing itself apart with worry.

The report did not mention how badly she was hurt, just that it had been serious enough to warrant an emergency repair. My mind can't help but immediately assume the worst possibility's as I near the building.

For all intents and purposes, the repair yard is basically a hospital, it's simply named as such due to the nature of Kansen.

I enter and run straight to the desk, trying to speak even though I'm out of breath. The receptionist looks up at me and gives me a strained smile. "Ah, Commander… She's in repair bay 2, room 5."

I nod my thanks quickly and immediately launch myself towards the stairs taking me to the second floor, which housed what was essentially the second ward. I slow myself to a quick stride, my chest starting to hurt from running everywhere.

I spot room 5 and my heart sinks even lower as I spot Shoukaku sitting outside. As I approach, I see tears running slowly down her face along with a distraught expression. She looks up at me apologetically. "I'm… so sorry Shikikan…. I couldn't help her…. It just came from nowhere…. I should have known better…. It should have been me…. Not Senpai…."

I ignore her. By this point, I just don't care, I just need to see my wife.

I go to open the door, but before my hand can reach the handle, it opens from the other side, and someone steps outside, closing the door behind them.

It's Takao, she looks distraught, and while she isn't fully crying, tears are clearly brimming in her eyes.

I try to slip past her and get inside. Suddenly her arm lashes out and grips my wrist, holding on tight and stopping me from opening the door as she shakes her head.

"Shikikan… No more visitors… Vestal's orders, sorry…" By this point, I feel I'm about to break, my mind is screaming with my need to see her, to know that she's ok.

Tears start to slowly fall from my cheeks and splash onto the ground as I grit my teeth in anger, shaking. "Takao! Let go of me. This instant. That is a direct order from your commanding officer!"

She immediately releases my wrist, and I start to lower the handle. Then, suddenly, I feel her push my shoulders roughly, forcing me backwards with her strength, as she positions herself fully in front of the door.

She gives me a sad smile. "I am sorry Shikikan, but no visitors includes you. Trust me, you don't want to be in there… I wouldn't do that to you, you don't want to see her like that."

I clench my fists, fully prepared to try and force myself past Takao using force if necessary, not caring if that was impossible. Then suddenly the door opens briefly as Vestal pops out.

Immediately my attention switches to her. She slowly walks towards me, sadness in her eyes. "Commander…" I feel my anger flaring up again.

"Let me in… let me see her…. Now!" She shakes her head as Takao eyes me cautiously from behind.

"I cannot, Commander, sorry. But you need to calm down." I try to calm the pressure in my head and take a deep breath, my body still shaking with worry.

"Is... Is she….?"

Vestal gives me a strained smile. "She's alive… at the moment, I cannot let you see her as it is a very delicate procedure, and we're having to move as quickly as we can, I'm sorry."

My heart starts to lighten. "So… she'll be ok?"

She tries to hold my gaze but ends up looking at the floor, unable to look at me. "I'm sorry… It was a direct hit to her wisdom cube with Siren weaponry… She's holding out for now… but we don't know for how long, we are doing everything we can… but in all honesty, you should brace yourself for the worst. It… could go either way…"

My knees buckle and tears start to flow yet again from my eyes as I start to sob.

If she… I can't think about it…

I couldn't bear it.

My mind immediately recalls our brief moment this morning, a morning like any other. Her scent, the feel of her body against mine, her adorable light blush as she flirted with me.

That can't be the last time, it can't…

I lean back against the wall, sitting on the floor as I lower my head into my hands, continually sobbing. I feel an arm stretch around me and hold me. I lean into it, cherishing the warmth and comfort. A quick look tells me that it is Takao who is kneeling in front of me.

We stay like that for some time until I run out of tears, only able to cough, my mouth dry and my voice hoarse. I thank Takao and start to try and straighten my mind. There's a chance, there's always a chance. I need to focus on that.

Takao gives me a sad nod along with an attempt at a smile and walks down the corridor and out of sight.

I slowly manage to get back onto my feet, my bones creaking. I stumble over to the bench where Shoukaku has remained this entire time, silent. I take a seat next to me and she mumbles a sad apology to me again for not being able to protect my wife.

This time I admonish her for it, although I doubt my croaky, tired voice holds much sway to her thoughts. "No… it's ok, it's not your fault. Damn Sirens…."

She nods silently before resting her head on my shoulder and I rest mine on top as we sit there, just taking comfort from each other's company.

Eventually, I work up the courage to ask. "Do you mind if I ask… what happened?" She sits up straight, her eyes a bit clearer and her face having slightly more colour.

"We were on standard patrol, nothing out of the ordinary. Suddenly, fog all around us closed in and our coms were jammed. It seemed to be a small localised mirror sea. Mass-produced sirens started pouring out at every angle. They weren't too much trouble, and in fact, didn't even seem to be aiming to hit us, more just keep us pinned."

She pauses as her eyes start to water at the painful memory.

"That seemed odd, but nonetheless we kept fighting. Before long, Kaga said she heard a voice from the mist, taunting her, saying all sorts of stuff about her, you, Akagi. But… we didn't hear anything. Then all of a sudden, a big laser just fired straight out of the mist from long range. It was pinpoint accurate, and incredibly powerful… it hit Kaga directly…then… nothing… the mist just dispersed and the Sirens disappeared, allowing us to retreat…"

My mind races, quickly trying to put together pieces. Kaga was targeted, that much was clear. If they had a weapon like that, and only used it once on her before allowing our forces to retreat.

But why? Because she was my wife? That made some sense, but surely a faction leader or even Enterprise herself would have been a more effective target strategically?

I hear heels tapping away as someone approaches from down the hallway, I look up to find Akagi, my other wife, walking quickly towards me, worry clear in her eyes.

I stand up and she swiftly embraces me. Her body is trembling and I can feel her start to cry. I try to stop myself, to be strong for her. But I quickly cave as I cry alongside her and we share the pain.

Shoukaku quickly excuses herself, muttering another apology to Akagi as she ventures to the canteen downstairs. Me and Akagi sit down on the bench, holding one another, not saying a word, letting our tears slowly fade.

We stay like that for a while, wallowing in our grief and pain until eventually, Akagi turns to me. "Shikikan… what happened?"

I quickly explain what had happened according to Shoukaku. Akagi's expression turns from one despair and sadness to anger and rage as it becomes apparent that Kaga was deliberately targeted.

"I… think it was most likely the Siren that has been searching my mind, it would at least make some sense. Although I still do not understand the end goal." I confess my suspicions to her.

Akagi suddenly stands up, her ruby eyes aflame with anger. "Shikikan, we cannot mope around here. My sister is in good hands, there is nothing we can do for her, we must find this…wench and make her pay… dearly!"

While I did not believe that anger was the answer, I could not deny the logic of Akagi's words. And I would have been lying if I said I didn't want to see that damn siren bombed into oblivion.

I nod my assent. Akagi immediately grabs me by the wrist and starts pulling me along. "Then let us go, and rain fire down on that pest this instant, how dare it lay a finger on my dear sister!"

"Akagi, wait! We need to find its location first, then assemble a fleet, make a plan of attack. We need to be smart about this. I know you are angry, so am I, but we need to think first." Akagi turns to me, anger still blazing away as she snatches her hand away from me.

"The pest needs dealing with…. Now! Do you not care for revenge? Do you not care that your wife was injured? Possibly killed? What kind of husband do you purport to be? She is my sister! I shall leave nothing but a smouldering husk!"

She immediately strides off, her words stinging me as she leaves. I know it's the grief talking, but to have her speak to me in such a way makes me feel like a kicked puppy. I start to worry that she's going to do something rash, but she has already disappeared. I decide to head to the command centre and coordinate a response.


Enterprise gives me a sharp salute when I enter the room. It's a large space, filled to the brim with large monitors, operatives working away and a large holographic map displaying the NA Ocean in the centre.

Enterprise breaks the salute and walks up to me, placing her hand on my arm and rubbing comfortingly. "Commander… I'm sorry to hear about Kaga, anything I can do?" She gives me a pitying look. I nod thankfully.

I can feel my eyes sore for crying, and I can only imagine what state I'm in. Enterprise looks on at me in sadness, she never liked to see me upset.

"I need a strong fleet ready to sortie ASAP, and Akagi's last known position." She nods professionally before setting to work, giving people various orders as the command centre buzzes with life.

Before long, I am handed a PDA detailing Akagi's position. As I feared, she had set immediately off towards the location where Kaga had been hit, by herself.

My heart starts to pound again, Kaga was badly injured, if something was to happen to Akagi as well… Both of them…

I start to tear up, but shake my head and banish the thoughts. I needed to lead. I needed to be a Commander now, that was how we were going to get through this.

I quickly look over the fleet that Enterprise has assembled, making minor alterations for diversity's sake.

/EMERGENCY_FLEET /

PERSONNEL:

BB: HMS PRINCE OF WALES

BB: HMS MONARCH

BB: KMS TIRPITZ

CV: USS ENTERPRISE

CV: IJN ZUIKAKU

CV: IJN SHOUKAKU

CL: USS SAN DIEGO

CA: USS BALTIMORE

CA: USS BREMERTON

DD: IJN AYANAMI

DD: USS SIMS

/ EMERGENCY_FLEET /

It was a strong fleet, although it certainly lacked some consistency. A lot of our ships were still out on patrol, although none in the vicinity of Akagi unfortunately. Shoukaku had insisted on sortieing herself, demanding a chance to help, clearly still feeling guilty about Kaga.

Before long the fleet had been prepped and briefed. We immediately set out in pursuit of Akagi. Enterprise tried to have me stay behind, citing my safety as the top priority, but I refused and she eventually allowed me to come, only after arguing about the matter for some time though.

While I loathed leaving Kaga in the state she was, there was nothing I could do for her, but Akagi was in danger, and I could at least be there for her.


Within 30 minutes we are in the AO where Akagi was last spotted, and approaching Kaga's ambush site. I myself had some custom rigging equipped. It was a minimal affair developed from siren tech and did not have any weaponry. Essentially for all intents and purposes looking like a fancy belt.

However, its main purpose was to allow me to float above the water, similar to all the Kansen, so I could accompany them in battle without them fully manifesting their rigging as full ships, which severely handicapped them.

Enterprise sails to my side and stays next to me, scanning the horizon, her recon planes buzzing overhead.

"Hmm… no sign of her yet." My heart clenched at the news. I refused to acknowledge that I could lose both of them. It wouldn't happen. I wouldn't let it. My hand clenched by my side as my face takes on a pained look. Enterprise clearly notices and wraps an arm around me, taking me in a short hug.

"We'll find her, I promise Commander. She will be fine." I nod, painfully aware that there is no way she can guarantee that but grateful for her kind words.

I had known Enterprise for a very long time, much longer than all the other girls. She was my original charge, and we had been through much together.

We weren't just Commander and Kansen, but friends, good friends. She did not get along with Akagi personally, but I knew she would try her hardest to find her for my sake, and the sake of the fleet.

Another 5 – 10 - 15 minutes pass with nothing but the sound of the ocean waves and the rustling of Enterprise's cloak. Then all of a sudden, Enterprise tenses up. "Fog…" She mutters, and I quickly scan the horizon, but I don't see anything.

I'm just about to reply when suddenly the world goes black for a second, then fog appears instantly from nowhere. "Enterprise?" I call out for her.

But get no reply…

We couldn't have got separated so quickly surely? Besides there were many ships in the fleet, I should be able to hear or see someone?

I quickly realise that we must have entered a mirror sea, and it seems to have scattered our locations, perhaps at random, perhaps deliberately. The rest of the fleet may still be together... I was simply plucked out from under them.

I start to get a sinking feeling, mirror seas were a strong element of Siren tactics, and something we still did not fully understand. But if it could truly mess with our fleets this much, it was a problem, a big one.

I can barely see a couple of meters ahead of me as I keep sailing in a straight line, trying to find someone, or even better, find Akagi, my worry for her increasing by the second. She had entered here alone, there was no saying what had happened… I steel myself, trying to push the dark thoughts away.

Before long, I see a silhouette in the fog and I breathe a sigh of relief, thank god, I'm not alone.

"Hello?" I call out desperately. "Enty? Akagi?" The silhouette turns to face me, and I begin to recognize it… wait... isn't that? My heart begins to sink.

Isuzu steps out of the fog looking petrified. "Shikikan?" A smile crosses her face as she leaps at me taking me in a short hug before letting me go.

My mind struggles to keep up, my standard reaction upon seeing Isuzu doesn't help, immediately recalling the horrid memories of the past. I try and move past them, and my shock at seeing her.

I knew Sirens could imitate Kansen at times, especially in a mirror sea. Not to mention that Isuzu was meant to be on patrol currently, why would she be here?

I eye her wearily and accuse her. "You're a Siren…"

Her face immediately turns sad as her eyes look to her feet. "Shikikan… how could you say that… I was on patrol and responded to a distress call. Before I knew it, I was engulfed in this fog, I lost contact with everyone! I… I thought… there might be ghosts in this mist…" She lets a scared squeak.

No…No… that's not right, Isuzu's patrol was nowhere near this sector…

I feel pressure start to build in my head… No, maybe I was wrong… maybe it was…

A full-on migraine starts to form and I hold my head in my hands.

"Shikikan, are you ok?"

I wave her off as it starts to clear, I couldn't even remember what I was worried about now. All I know is that Akagi is my priority.

"Isuzu, have you seen Akagi anywhere?"

A sharp smile starts to distort the small cruisers features. "Why of course… she sunk… just over there…"

Isuzu starts moving towards me a menacing expression on her face as I start to back away slowly, my heart pounding and my skin crawling.

"She died… 6 years ago…. Just like me…." She reaches me, and suddenly I find myself unable to move. Isuzu's face suddenly returns to normal and she smiles at me, but her words are still twisted.

"Don't you remember Shikikan?" Then in a flash, the world spins around me. I see Enterprise, her eyes glowing, an expression of pure fury on her face. I see her direct dive bombers from her deck towards another figure.

My eyes widen as I view Akagi, in an aggressive stance, a feral look on her face. She growls as she launches fighters to counter, but is unsuccessful as Enterprise's bombers begin their descent and shower Akagi in bombs as she cries out in pain.

I try to call out, reach for her, anything, but I can't move or speak.

In seconds it's over, Enterprise approaches Akagi, victorious, as the fox lies on the sea, barely holding herself on her knees with her wounds. Blood mixes with the ocean water and she screeches in pain as Enterprise kicks the downed carrier.

I can't bear to watch and try to close my eyes, but some unseen force holds me still, forcing me to keep my eyes open. Enterprise draws her bow, a shining projectile appearing as she mutters words that I cannot hear.

Suddenly she releases the string, and the projectile hits Akagi directly in the chest with a crunch. Her wisdom cube is immediately destroyed and the fox gasps one last time as the life leaves her eyes.

Inside I scream. I cry. I curse Enterprise, I curse myself for being powerless. The logical side of my brain try's its best to fight back against my grief at seeing my wife ruthlessly murdered.

We're in a mirror sea, I'm just being messed with… That wasn't Enterprise, she would never…

And Akagi, that Akagi… didn't she feel, different? I didn't really recognize her, not really. That wasn't my wife, my Akagi. Something about her was… wrong, that feral look… I had never seen Akagi like that.

I try to speak again, and surprisingly find myself able to. "SIREN! YOU BITCH! SHOW YOURSELF!" All I hear is a faint giggle from afar before my head starts to spin yet again, and the world goes black for a second.

Suddenly, I'm holding a gun, a sliver Colt 1911, standard issue. I look around and see Isuzu in front of me, on her knees sobbing. She looks at me, tears streaming down her face, snot forming as she cries and cries, begging me.

"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." My head is reeling and pain has started again at the back, thudding away. No… this isn't how it happened… it wasn't me.

Isuzu looks up at me, her tears and sobbing immediately stop in a creepy façade as her face goes blank. "Yes… you did… you killed me. 6 years ago, I sunk… and you never atoned for it…" Tears start to form in my eyes, the guilt starting to way down on me.

No… no, I had gotten past that, Isuzu was fine, I was fine. It had all worked out.

"You don't believe that… not deep down... even after your wives waved it off as a past mistake… you felt you deserved punishment, didn't you? You knew it was wrong… yet you did nothing." Isuzu continues in a monotone voice.

Then, as quickly as she had started, she reverts back to sobbing and begging for her life. I feel the handgun way heavy in my hand and it starts to point towards her, my arm moving by itself, I cannot control my body…

I thrust the Colt against poor Isuzu's forehead as she looks at me, her begging now just devolved into resigned sobbing. I desperately try to stop my finger, but it inches closer and closer to the trigger, tears start falling down my face as I call out.

"Please… please… I don't want to…" but I get no reply to my appeal for mercy. Then all of a sudden, my finger violently pulls back, pulling the trigger.

My world goes black for a second as I hear the gunshot, then I'm immediately assailed with image after image, of Isuzu dead, on the deck of Enterprise 6 years ago. The sound of the cannon blast, the moment Minneapolis's shells hit the petite Sakura girl, replayed in painful slow motion, over and over. I scream in pain, my mind at its breaking point after seeing so much death.

Then… nothing. Suddenly I'm back in the ocean, with fog all around me, no Isuzu or Akagi to be seen.

I hear slow clapping from in front of me as a silhouette slowly appears before revealing itself.

"My… I thought it would be harder to break you… Jeez… but at least it was fun to watch you squirm…"

A Siren slowly emerges from the fog, her bright purple eyes alight with glee.

She's wearing what appears to be a white skin-tight latex suit underneath various pieces of black jagged armour, positioned around her shoulders and crotch. The skinsuit clings sensuously to her pale skin and accents her medium-sized assets.

Her black rigging is modest in size, but clearly powerful, white high-tech cannons straddle each side of her, along with torpedo tubes, the closest approximation would be a cruiser class rigging. A small but powerful-looking device sits on her left shoulder, the source of the weapon that hit Kaga perhaps? A large sensor array is attached to her back and purple energy glows from her armour and her rigging, humming with power.

Her silver hair is tied up in a long ponytail which drapes across her right shoulder. She could be considered attractive if it wasn't for the completely sadistic expression on her face and demonic aura that surrounded her.

She giggles as she approaches slowly "Like what you see?" I don't answer, instead backing away from the siren.

She pouts at me and mocks a sad face. "Awww… darling… you're meant to say, Oh, I more than like it…" I start to realise that she is referencing my conversation with Kaga this morning and clench my fist in anger.

"Your pet mutt did ever so enjoy your company this morning… she really did treasure you… shame how it ended for her? Isn't it? Gah, mind you, she had so many feelings running around that mongrel head of hers… I think putting her down was for the best, don't you?"

"You…" I stand my ground, eyeing up the Siren. It was this bitch that had invaded my head, and shot Kaga, and was now tormenting me about it.

"Yes, yes… It was me… I wanted to see how you would react, thought it would be fun… I was so very bored on this assignment, I wanted to spice it up a bit. You can't blame me? Can you?"

"You…Bitch… I'll…"

"You'll do what exactly? Scold me? Please, if anything it's your fault, delving through that dull mind of yours got me so bored… Although I have to say, I thought you would keep better control of your sluts. I never expected for the other mongrel to just turn up and hand herself to me on a silver platter. Two for the price of one! Then, you turn up as well, how fantastic!" She laughs delightfully.

"Where is Akagi!? What did you do to her!?"

She eyes me, enjoying my desperation before answering. "Well… I couldn't have that much fun with your white-haired mutt, she had a full fleet with her after all, I only hoped in her head for a short while. So, I relished the opportunity to play with my food a bit more this time…"

Suddenly pain spikes through my skull as multiple images of Akagi fly through my mind. Images of her in pain, images of her body writhing, her screams piercing my ears. The Siren just laughs the whole time.

"Oh, how I've missed playing with you… You see, proximity is a factor. You may have had your mind warded against my manipulation, but when you're this close, it simply makes no difference… I can play with you to my heart's content…"

She continues "Fun fact, that vision, the one with your lovely friend, Enterprise isn't it? Killing your beloved wife. That one wasn't even fake, not really. Just a different continuum, that means she's fully capable of it, deep inside herself… I wonder, will you ever look at your precious Enty the same way again?"

She grins at me as multiple images of Enterprise kicking Akagi beam into my head, images of her firing the arrow, the *crunch* as it hits Akagi's wisdom cube.

I grit my teeth, attempting to blot out the images as I just repeat my question. "Where is she? Where is Akagi?"

The Siren sighs in annoyance. "Fine… I suppose you can see whatever remains of her…" She motions with her arms and the mist parts to the left of her, revealing my wife.

Akagi is curled up on the surface of the ocean, some unseen force just keeping her afloat. Her face is scrunched up in discomfort as her body twitches occasionally, clearly being racked by pain as she whimpers occasionally. Her eyes are what stand out though, they are misted white, glazed over, she is experiencing a vision, and it's clearly unpleasant.

I immediately run towards her, as the Siren simply looks on, making no move to stop me as I crouch by Akagi running my hands through her hair and calling her. "Akagi! Akagi! Can you hear me? Akagi…oh my god…"

The purple siren approaches slowly, stopping just before us, grinning down on me. "Oh… your mutt cannot hear you… in fact, she may never hear you again… I fear I might have actually gone a bit overboard… even by my standards… my bad, I was just enjoying myself so much…"

I continue holding Akagi's body close, stroking her as her she continues to quiver in pain, her ears permanently flattened against her head. "What… What did you do to her!"

The Siren raises her hand to her chin, stroking it for effect. "Now let's see… Well… she watched her dear sister die about 50 times; each time more violent than the last. Then I made her re-live the moment her other sister Amagi died from her memories about 100 times… That one really broke her… think it's a bit of sore point for her… some very rich PTSD there."

She pauses, flashing me a sadistic grin. "Then…. Uhhh… what was next… ah yes, my masterpiece, I made her watch you die, over and over again. And the best part, I made sure she is responsible for your death, she really does feel horrible. I made sure it was gruesome, you die in her arms, real slow, real bloody, you curse her the entire time, telling her you hate her, you never loved her and that she is evil through and through. It's real dark stuff. I think she's currently on viewing number 72?" She chuckles to herself, applauding her own torture methods.

I begin to feel sick down to my stomach, I can feel Akagi writhing beneath me, clearly enduring all those horrific nightmarish scenarios. Tears start to form in my eyes, falling down onto Akagi's body as I start to weep for my wife.

I look up at the Siren, anger brimming in my eyes. "Stop, stop this now! Let her go!"

The Siren just smirks in return. "Oh, I don't think so… how about we jump in there instead?"

She immediately clicks her fingers and my world goes dark.

I'm greeted with a horrible scene. It's our home, Akagi is kneeling on the floor sobbing over what appears to be my corpse, blood covers her body, presumably mine, as she keeps crying calling out my name in a pained hoarse voice. I try to move towards it, say anything, but I cannot. I'm not a part of it, it's just taking place in front of me.

I use my mind to think. "Let me see her, talk to her, anything… please…" I get no reply.

The scene plays out once again in front of me, and all I can do is watch. The facsimile of me coughing up blood as Akagi carries him into the room, her clothes stained from the wound in his chest.

She is crying but trying to reassure him that everything will be all right. And that's when it starts.

He screams at her with the last of his energy, curses her, insults her. She just takes it, sobbing the entire time, until eventually he breathes his last breath and she lets out an ear-splitting wail as he goes limp.

Then it restarts.

Again.

And again...

...and again.

I start to grow numb to it, almost tuning it out. But I manage to meekly beg with my mind again. "Please…. please… let me go to her…"

However, this time, I get a response. "Beg for it. Worm."

I quickly swallow my pride. "I beg of you. Please. I'll do anything." I grovel.

"And what are you?"

I grit my teeth in anger as the Siren humiliates me, but answer nonetheless. "A… worm."

The siren lets out a deranged laugh at my response.

"Oh, I am loving this. But I can be merciful too. Make sure you take note of that!"

Suddenly, I'm there, Akagi is in front of me wailing over an extremely accurate representation of my body. I quickly move to her, moving her aside, away from the corpse. "Akagi? Akagi? It's me, I'm not dead, its fine, everything's fine, it's not real!"

She looks at me with unfocused eyes, blood covering her beautiful face. "Shikikan? But… you are dead? You died? You blamed me? And… you were right… It was my fault… I should never have loved you…."

I take her in a deep hug, relishing the contact after so long of seeing her in pain, finally being able to embrace and comfort her.

"No, never. It wasn't your fault, it's fine, I'm fine" She still stares at me blankly, her mind clearly struggling with the amount of horror it had experienced. "You are... alive? Truly? My beloved? And... you don't hate me?"

She pauses, then shakes her head and pushes me away roughly. "No! It isn't you! It cannot be! I deserved it, I deserve your hatred!"

I immediately take her in another hug and hold her deeper, swearing to never let go, not as long as I live. "I'm alive, and I love you, so much. I would never hate you. Never! You are my anchor, my home port, my wife."

I repeat the words she had said to me not that many weeks ago. The tension starts to drain from her and her eyes start to slowly clear as she hugs me back, tears still falling, but now in happiness as her beautiful glossy ears start to regain their life and rise from being flattened on her head.

Suddenly the real world returns around us, and Akagi remains hugging me, now awake. The Siren makes a disgusted gaging sound. "Urgh… I think threw up a little, you two need to cut it out…"

She eyes me playfully. "Although… you did say you would never hate that mutt… shall we test that theory?"

Suddenly I'm assaulted with memories. Akagi's memories. She's bombing towns, killing civilians, executing soldiers. And… she looks happy, not a care in the world. Bloodlust is clear in her eyes as she holds a small girl up by the throat, enjoying the screams of terror the small body produces. The girl's clothes and stature immediately lead me to believe that she is a Dragon Empery Cruiser, but I do not recognize her. Akagi herself is young, her body is the same, but her eyes tell a different story. This is long before I even met her.

I'm sucked back into my own head as I feel Akagi leaning on me for support as she staggers up, clearly still weak and her mind still reeling from her torture as she stutters. "Shikikan… that's… that's not me… not anymore… I... I regret those actions…" Akagi has clearly guessed what the Siren showed me or possibly saw herself, but it doesn't matter. I try and shake the memory's away.

The Siren grins at me amused. "Really? Going to discount war crimes that quickly? Forgive your dear beloved for such horrific actions? But… I suppose your two peas in a pod really, aren't you?" Immediately images Isuzu come flooding back, assaulting my mind. I try to block them, but they come thick and fast.

The Siren just laughs more. "Your almost as much of a monster as her, you know that? Yet, after all she has done… you still love her? That mutt, in the end, did far worse things than you…"

The image of Akagi strangling the unknown cruiser returns, replaying in my mind, each more vivid than the last. Then, the small girl is replaced, by an even smaller girl, a destroyer, again in the distinctive garments of the Dragon Empery. A different setting, a different time, but Akagi still throttles the life out of her glee as the destroyer struggles for her life.

Akagi must be seeing these images, as her knees buckle and I have to use all my strength to hold her up as she begins to sob, repeatedly shaking her head, denying the images. "That's not me… I didn't enjoy it that much… I did what was necessary… for the Empire…"

The Siren guffaws at Akagi. "You just chose to remember it like that, it was never necessary, you never hated it, you just wished you had. In reality, you loved it. Relished it. You just chose to forget that... Don't get me wrong, I understand… you're the same as me… You loved the thrill, didn't you? Feeling them squirm… "

Akagi's face turns to rage. "NEVER! I'm not the same as you, Siren, I will never be the same as you! That was an old me… She was a disgrace… She had no honour… I buried her, for the good of the Sakura Empire… "

For the first time, I see the Sirens face fall from a smile, replaced with annoyance. "Hmm, I was hoping for more sobbing… Let's try this…"

More images assail my mind, of both Akagi, Kaga, Isuzu all mixed into one. So many that I start to grow numb to them. The pain starts to turn to a dull thud, and I try to block them out. Taking my mind back to Akagi and Kaga. Our first date, our first night together, our marriage.

Slowly, the pain eases as I retaliate to the Sirens attack on my mind by focusing on the happier moments of my life. Celebrating a victory with Enterprise with some beers, playing a drinking game of hanafuda with Souryuu and Hiryuu, my first kiss with Akagi, becoming engaged.

Next to me, Akagi holds her hands to her head as her ears flatten against her head and tears roll down her face, clearly in distress as her she is assaulted by her past, having much less success than me at holding the attack at bay.

Nonetheless, I hear the Siren scream in annoyance at my resistance. "WELL FINE, IF I CANNOT PLAY ANY LONGER, IF YOU'RE JUST GOING TO BE A PEST, I GUESS WE'LL DO THIS THE OLD-FASHIONED WAY!"

I turn when I hear her rigging start to power up as her cannons turn to target us. Akagi immediately pushes me behind her weakly as she tries to summon her rigging, but she fails as it dematerialises, she lacks the strength to sustain it.

The Siren's weapons reach a high pitch and I see energy start to form around the barrel and she grins in delight, about to wipe us both off the face of the earth.

Akagi looks back at me over her shoulders, her eyes look into mine, and we say all we need to say to one another with that one glance in our final moments.

Then, at the last second, before the Siren can fire her salvo, multiple dive bombers suddenly clear the mist, descending and releasing their payload in one fell swoop. Explosions cover the Siren and Akagi immediately reacts, grabbing me and diving away.

Then, with a loud BANG, multiple salvos of large calibre shells fly out of the mist at high speed, hitting the Siren directly, as she screeches in annoyance.

Me and Akagi quickly retreat back, and we swiftly find the source of the volley. Tirpitz and Monarch, standing there in aggressive stances, guns still smoking. They both nod politely, the curt women acknowledging me.

Before long Enterprise sails up to me, quickly checking me over. Her face is one of deep worry, she even looks like she might have been crying. "Oh, thank god… Commander, are you ok?" I nod quickly. She continues. "Sorry it took so long… The second we entered the mirror sea you disappeared. My recon planes had trouble finding you in this mist."

I feel Akagi slump in my arm and I turn to look at her. She's clearly exhausted, mentally, but also physically. I hold her closer, cherishing her. Enterprise quickly checks her over as well and produces an emergency repair kit, repairing her rigging. "She needs rest. We'll deal with the siren from here."

The minute she finishes speaking, I hear an angry shriek as a laser pierces the mist, flying into the sky coming from the direction we had just run from. Then, the mist immediately clears and I can see the state of the battlefield.

The Siren stands enraged, surrounded by our fleet. It's clear she has been hit many times, yet her rigging still looks to be in almost perfect condition, with only a handful of scratches showing any damage.

I see San Diego and Sims already lying in the water, rigging destroyed, although Ayanami quickly recovers them, moving them away from the fight. Baltimore is clutching her arm, blood clearly showing through her fingers as she grits in pain.

The Siren is clearly tough and is not going to go down easy. Enterprise quickly rushes towards the Siren, taking control of the situation.

She stops just short, addressing the inhuman women. "Siren… name yourself!"

The Sirens eyes narrow as she appraises her new opponent, losing her wild-eyed aggressive stance. "Huh… the Grey Ghost in the flesh… very well… you may address me as Archiver."

She gives a mock bow. "at your service…"

Enterprise ready's her bow, an arrow of pure light immediately forming attached to the string. "Retreat now, Archiver, you are outnumbered."

Archiver just grins in response. "I might be outnumbered… but I'm hardly outgunned… I could squash you all like the bugs you are… or even better… what's going on in that head of yours…"

Enterprise immediately drops her bow as she clutches her head letting out a grunt of pain. Archiver just laughs as more salvos bounce around her, doing nothing to damage her. "Oh… interesting… lots of juicy thoughts in here… especially about that Commander of yours… I do wonder… but alas, you already bore me…"

I hear her shoulder laser start to charge up, aiming directly at Enterprise, but there's nothing I can do…

Then all of a sudden, a loud voice seems to resonate all around us. It's full of authority and rage. "ARCHIVER, WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS!"

The purple Siren immediately stops charging her weapons and looks down at her feet like a scorned puppy. "I… was just having some fun…"

The loud voice replies, the sound reverberating around us, with no clue as to the source. "YOU HAD A SINGLE ASSIGNMENT, INTERFERING WITH THE SUBJECTS WAS NOT A PART OF THAT! I HEARD THAT YOU FATALLY INJURED A KEY SUBJECT, IS THIS TRUE?"

Archiver continues to look down at her feet respectfully. "I… I… did… but the shot was non-fatal, I can assure you, I ran the simulations many times, I was precise, the mutt will live… I was just bored…"

The loud voice makes a *hmph* of disapproval. "YOU SHALL BE PUNISHED APPROPRIATELY, TELL ME YOU GATHERED THE REQUIRED DATA. IF YOU DID NOT…" The voice trails off, leaving the threat hanging in the air.

Archiver finally raises her head proudly. "Why of course I did, I'm not that much of an idiot. It's just that all work and no play is dull... I have all the data you requested. Transposing a subject with it should be possible with the available coordinates and data."

The loud voice shrieks in annoyance. "YOU IMBECILE, DO NOT DISCUSS THAT HERE! RETREAT IMMEDIATELY! AND I SHALL SEE TO YOUR THOROUGH PUNISHMENT! ARGH! YOU FRUSTRATE ME SO MUCH!"

Then, in a flash Archiver is gone, and the sea begins to settle to calm, signalling the end of the mirror sea.

My mind races with the events that had just transpired. I was trying to make sense of it all, but I was very tired, and poor Akagi was simply clinging to me, completely drained herself.

Enterprise approaches me, shaking her head clear of Archiver's probing, a serious expression on her face. "Commander, I believe we should head back to port."

Looking at her face, my mind cannot help recall what Archiver showed me. Her eyes glowing, not a hint of mercy inside as she executed Akagi, blood flowing from my wife's body into the sea.

I try my best to ignore it before nodding my approval, I wanted to get Akagi some rest immediately, and I wanted to be there for Kaga. Archiver seemed pretty sure she would live, and I was pinning my hopes on that.

As for everything else, I couldn't make head nor tail of it. The Sirens have always been a mystery, but with any luck, this was the last we'd see of Archiver… she was a real piece of work…

I slowly stroke Akagi's head, remembering all the things she had put her through.

Actually… no.

I did want to see that damn Siren again… I wanted to see her sunk, at the bottom of the ocean, where she could never hurt Akagi, Kaga or anyone else ever again…