We all step into the research lab, Enterprise at my side as we follow the two fox sisters. Akagi had still not said a word to me, barely able to even hold my gaze. Even now, both of their ears and tails drooped with sadness, no life to them whatsoever. My heart twisted with sorrow for the poor foxes. I was determined to get my memory back, then sink that god-forsaken siren to the depths of the ocean where she belonged.

It was that last goal which had led us here. Bismarck's research lab. She wasn't always here and maintained another lab back at her homeport in Ironblood territory. Luckily for us, she was indeed present, and she greets us with a smile, but her expression quickly saddens when she sees the expressions on both of the kitsune's faces.

"…My condolences, meine freunde. I hope that I can help in anyway I can." She tries to reassure them while shooting me an inquisitive glance. She already knew of our situation, and why we were here as we had called ahead.

I had tasked her with analysing all the data we had collected on Archiver and devising a solution to her apparent resistance to our weapons some time ago, and she had been working on it ever since. She excitedly gathers us around a workshop table, which is full of various tools and assorted equipment. She gestures to a large shell taking up almost the entirety of the table.

"This is a shell fired by USS Sims upon our first encounter with Archiver, it hit directly, as reported by Simms. It is only a small calibre, so would do little damage to a Siren regardless. Yet… Do you notice anything odd about it?"

The snow-haired fox next to me leans in for a closer look, then immediately replies. "There is no damage."

Bismarck nods and smiles. "Eugen always said you were sharp. Yes, Kaga is correct. The round bears no marks whatsoever, it looks freshly fired. No scratches from a ricochet, no damage from a non-penetrating hit. A little odd, don't you think? Do you realise what that means?"

Akagi speaks bitterly for the first time in ages. "Stop with the foreplay! We get it, you're smart… No need to lord it over us… Not now. Get to the point." Bismarck looks vaguely annoyed that her little show has been derailed but her pity for Akagi gets the better of her and she nods politely.

"Simms insists the round struck their mark. Even scuffed Archiver's armour slightly. Yet all evidence points towards the round missing completely. I followed this avenue with several other ships involved in the assault. All the same. Leading me to one conclusion."

She breathes deeply, and while Akagi has already scolded her, she is still clearly pleased with displaying her intellect to others. "None of the rounds ever hit. Not a single one. Sirens are tough, they can take a hell of a beating sometimes. But nothing is that impervious. She survived 2 full salvos from renowned battleships, and then a brawl with an entire fleet with barely a scratch? No. Not even a Siren could manage such a feat."

I'm a bit confused… what did she mean the rounds didn't hit? Ships reported landing their shots?

…wait…

That's it… isn't it. Bismarck grins at the revelation brimming in my mind. "I think the Kommandant may have figured it out. Even in his current state. Impressive." She flicks her blonde hair behind herself, readjusting her cap.

"Archiver made them think they had hit. It was an illusion. An elaborate one. She edited their perception of her position, so the rounds would fly just short, never landing. Yet, she would make it appear that they did, with fanciful effects and explosions streamed straight into your heads."

Kaga pales at this news. "Gods…" she mutters.

Bismarck agrees with a nod. "I know. It might have been better for her to just be one hell of a tough bitch. Controlling the perception of an entire fleet, their thoughts, by such precise measurements all at once, barely breaking a sweat. It is… impressive, I must begrudgingly admit.

"Is there a solution?" I ask, my heart already prepared for the answer I expected, a resounding no.

Yet Bismarck smiles confidently. "I cannot do anything about her mind-bending antiques. Neither can Shinano. But missing shots, that's something I can work with."

She pulls some black covers off a huge object next to her. It's a shell, multiple of them. Large ones, battleship sized. They are bigger than Bismarck herself. But these are different than normal shells, the tips are all hooked up with Siren tech, practically glowing with otherworldly energy.

"Magnetized homing shells. Very difficult to make, very time-consuming. I only have enough for 2 salvos. Even though whoever fires them will inevitably aim incorrectly and miss, due to Archiver's abilities, these will adjust mid-flight to hit her actual position."

"That is… amazing Bismarck." I compliment her sincerely.

Kaga runs a hand up one of the shells inspecting it. "I assume this technology cannot be implemented into my bombs?" Bismarck shakes her head sadly.

"Sorry. Too small. And I wanted to use a weapon with the greatest chance of disabling or killing Archiver in a single salvo. There's no telling what she will do when she realises we have discovered a way to hurt her. Not that a direct hit is guaranteed to work regardless, she is still a strong Siren. I've seen some sirens take multiple salvos from me and Tirpitz before finally sinking. But it certainly helps if you can actually hit the bitch at least."

Kaga nods sadly but raises her head with a raging fire in her eyes. "Pity. I wanted to be the one to end that Siren's life. Make her squeal with pain and anger as she sinks. For my Sister. For myself. And for my Husband."

She glances over at me and flashes a smile. "Almost makes me wish I was still a battleship…"

"You were a battleship?" I exclaim at the news. Not that I knew anything about my supposed wives, thanks to Archiver. But she had introduced herself as a carrier, and her sister was also a carrier, so I was a little confused.

"Yes… I was converted. It is a long story. Back then I was young and naïve… full of energy, but a fool. I could not fathom becoming a carrier… such a thing was a disgrace to my honour… But as I said, I was young, inexperienced. An idiot…"

She continues with a melancholy. "…I remember… you used to joke… about re-converting me. Getting to know a younger feistier me. Then I would scold you… and you would apologize and say that I was plenty feisty enough as I was… and that you wouldn't have me any other way…"

Tears are forming in her eyes… and she quickly looks away in an attempt to preserve her dignity, wiping her eyes. I feel utterly crushed. God, she was hurting so much, but there was nothing I could do. Akagi doesn't say anything, but simply walks up to her sister and takes her in a hug as they silently share their pain.

Bismarck and Enterprise avert their eyes awkwardly, not sure of what to say or do. I steel myself. I needed to channel this sadness, this bitter feeling of guilt, into something more productive.

"So, who will fire the rounds, you?" I direct the question at Bismarck.

She smiles back but shakes her head. "My speciality is durability. My guns are strong, but I must admit, I lack the accuracy at long range for this sort of task. While the shells will guide themselves, it is only by the smallest degree, they still need to be on target to where Archiver's illusion appears. You need someone with the experience to land that kind of shot at an incredibly long-range, enough that Archiver won't be able to anticipate it coming. I've compiled a list of candidates that are currently stationed at this port."

She grabs a sheet of paper from within her coat and hands it to me. I scan down the list of Battleships, not that it's much of a list. Bismarck must have chosen only the best marksmen for the job. Massachusetts, Jean Bart, Erebus, then finally Warspite.

Immediately I know which one I will pick. I knew that both Massi and Jean were great shots and while Erebus was also good, her lack of armour could be fatal if things went poorly. Besides, there was only one Battleship I had seen never miss a single target.

"Warspite." I give set the form down on the table and Bismarck hums approvingly.

"Good choice Kommandant. I shall talk to the queen immediately about requesting her assistance."

I nod. We didn't have long till the meeting with Archiver. We had no idea what she wanted, only that she wanted us to turn up, and if we did, she promised she would return my memory. Whether any of that was true, we don't know.

Why would she even bother taking it in the first place if she was just going to return it? But then, when did anything Archiver did make any sense…

I was standing on Akagi's hull, looking out into the distance. The weather was drab and cold, but at least it was dry. Akagi had opted to manifest her ship for me to travel, rather than the experimental rigging I had been given before, due to the biting wind.

This way, I could relax inside a cabin for the journey. It was a sweet gesture of her but hampered our combat effectiveness. But then, we couldn't hurt Archiver anyway, so it hardly mattered.

We had Warspite for that. The plan was admittedly simple, considering we had no idea what we were heading into.

We would meet with Archiver, and hopefully, through whatever deals or events she had in store, retrieve my memories. As soon as I had my memory fixed, we would signal Warspite to fire the salvo and keep Archiver in the same position for the few seconds required for the shot to land.

Kaga walks up from behind me, coming to my side. "You shouldn't be out here… you'll catch a cold…"

Even now, when she was nothing to me, she was so caring, so concerned for me. The more I think about it. The more I want it. My memories with them. To remember her care, Akagi's love. I want it… I need it.

I smile sadly at her. "Sorry. I just knew we were getting close."

She scans the horizon, ears twitching, trying to discern any Siren presence. "Hmm… maybe we are early?"

I check my watch, which coincidentally was an anniversary present from the wives I had forgotten. The time displayed shows we are on time, if anything, we are slightly late.

Before long, Akagi and Enterprise both appear on the deck. Enterprise has a stoic façade on her face, her expression serious as she too scans for Archiver.

Akagi on the other hand already looks like she's given up. She glances at me, then without saying a word, stands next to her sister, tails drooping behind her.

Kaga turns and gives her sister a hug, trying her best to cheer her up.

"How cute. I do wonder… where did all that bite go, mutt? The Akagi I knew would never just give up… allow grief to swallow her whole. Is not having your precious little commander too much to handle? Aww…."

Archiver's voice rings out from the prow in a teasing, demeaning tone. She seemed to appear from thin air, her silver ponytail is swaying in the wind. Her rigging looks… different. A large globe on the back is alight with purple energy.

When I turn my gaze to her, she smiles at me maliciously, her purple irises lighting up with glee.

"Hello. Commander. Enjoying your new memories? It's all courtesy of my new upgrade." She motions to her slightly different rigging. "No more pesky interference from that ridiculous dreaming fox"

Her grin widens. "Your memories. They're an improvement, are they not? Surely you don't want to actually remember these pathetic mongrels?"

I stay silent, not willing to let her play with more, not wanting to give her the satisfaction. She narrows her eyes at me in annoyance. Then, she raises her hand, and snaps her fingers for effect.

The second she does, Kaga cries out in pain, legs buckling as her knees hit the deck, hands going to her ears as she wails. Akagi immediately dives to her sister, checking her over worried.

"Answer. Or she gets it far worse… I do not like it when vermin resist their rightful masters."

Immediately I answer, my eyes focussed on Kaga who is squirming in pain, letting out whimpers as she struggles with whatever Archiver is doing to her mind.

"Yes. I want them back." I keep my answer short, still resisting the sadistic Siren in my own way.

She smiles and clicks her fingers again, immediately Kaga's suffering stops and she shakily stands up, glaring at Archiver.

I remember her promise from before. That she would make Archiver feel every pain on this earth. I wanted nothing more than that right now. She was a monster, other Sirens had been bad, but some had at least had even a drop of compassion. None had been as cruel, sadistic or insane as Archiver.

Archiver chuckles at our hateful glares. "Oh please. It's not my fault. It's simply rude to not answer a lady's questions."

"What… did you do to her?" I ask bitterly.

Archiver shrugs her shoulders nonchalantly. "Nothing much. There are many ways to produce pain. Emotional pain. Physical pain. But it all comes from one place…"

She taps her forehead theatrically. "Pain is just a concept, a signal in your stupid heads. Oh so easy to replicate. Although I do find emotional pain is far sweeter, and hurts for so much longer, don't you agree?"

I remember what happened last time I didn't answer, so I mutter half-heartedly. "…yes."

Enterprise speaks up strongly. "Stop with the games Archiver. We came here for something that you promised. You should deliver."

Archiver looks surprised at Enterprise's boldness, then laughs delighted. "Oh, how could I forget. The wife. How is married life? Enjoying your new commander? Surely you don't want me to fix his memories?"

Enterprise grits her teeth and answers. "I do. Why did you even do it? Why bother?"

Archiver just grins in return. "It wasn't my idea, darling. My new pet suggested it."

Then, a shadowy figure emerges from behind Archiver. It takes me a second to register what I'm seeing. It's Akagi. But she looks… different. Her outfit is almost completely black, none of her traditional red, and she has a katana sheathed at her side. Her eyes glow with an intensity, and it frightens me.

Archiver continues. "This one wanted me to wipe his memories… free the other me as she termed it. I told her it was pointless. She would never appreciate it. But I do like to dote on my loyal pets. And I admit, I was mainly curious to see what kind of pain it would cause, so I opted to replace them instead. It's been so much fun watching your reactions…" She chuckles.

The other Akagi, the dark one, she's staring intently at Akagi. "I did it for you… You are free of him. Don't you see? He was holding you down, belittling you. You could be so much more… for the glory of the Empire."

Akagi looks horrified at this. But before she can react, Archiver has turned around and slapped the dark Akagi hard. "Mutt! Did I give you permission to speak?!"

The dark Akagi whimpers, tails bowed and ears flat against her head. "Sorry…" She whispers.

I'm stunned. What was going on here? I was clearly missing something because of my altered memories. There was another Akagi? And one who was subservient to Archiver?

Archiver turns around. "Sorry. My pet is still a work in progress. Observer gave her me to train. She needs discipline now and then. Perhaps I dote on her too much… perhaps I should be more… strict." The dark Akagi flinches at that last word. The intensity in her eyes is gone, replaced with meek subservience to her mistress.

"Now. I shall restore your memories. But first…"

She calls me with a finger. "Come… on your knees before me. Worm."

My chest tightens. She planned to humiliate me. Well, whatever. It didn't matter. Not to me. Anything was worth getting my memories back. Getting my wives back.

I obediently walk up to her and rest on my knees looking up at her, defiance in my eyes. She chuckles and brings her hand to my head.

Then, Akagi speaks for the first time. "Don't you touch him… I swear…" She mutters angrily.

Archiver's grin just widens. It's exactly what she likes, the resistance, making them squirm. The more her prey struggles, the more upset and angrier they are, the better.

"Oh my. The mutt does speak. Have I not crushed your will completely? Splendid."

Akagi growls and takes a threatening step towards us. Archiver tuts disapprovingly.

"I wouldn't… if I were you… Just because you have currently lost him, doesn't mean you cannot lose more… How would you like to forget him entirely? Some would consider it a mercy. But I get the feeling you would not, my dear mongrel."

Akagi immediately loses any fight she had within her as she simmers down, horrified at Archiver's threat. It's quite clear she would not consider that mercy at all. She might grieve for her lost husband, but not having the memories to grieve over, that is an even worse fate, to lose those precious times they had together… that would be a fate worse than any she could imagine.

Archiver's hand continues its journey, settling on my head and rubbing my hair like I was a pet. It was demeaning, and I hated it. She just chuckles at my reaction. Her hand travels lower, her touch repulsing me.

She caresses my cheek, then grips my jaw harshly, hoisting me up onto my feet. I grunt at the force she uses as I'm painfully forced to stand. She brings her face close to mine, grinning playfully the entire time.

Then, I'm taken by surprise as she kisses me. It's quick, but it's horrible and I feel physically sick. The feeling of her lips pressing on my own against my will. I squirm, but she holds me with a vice-like grip.

She releases me and pushes me away with a laugh.

"I… will kill you for that…" Kaga growls angrily.

"Can't fault a girl for wondering what all the fuss is about, can't say I understand. He's hardly a good kisser…" She switches her gaze to me.

"What? Did you not like it? Do you not lust after my body? It's still humanoid… luscious and soft…" She runs her hands down her body licking her lips.

While it is true her appearance itself is appealing enough, knowing the sadist within only makes me sick to my core and despise her utterly. Her very presence is revolting.

"Well… I've had my fun. I suppose I should restore your damn memories…"

The dark Akagi speaks up suddenly her voice full of indignation. "But, you promised! You said it would be permanent!"

Instead of reprimanding her, Archiver simply laughs. "Oh… my dear naïve pet. First rule. I lie. I was merely satisfying my desire for some fun, and treating you at the same time, I did as you asked, did I not, my pet? Secondly, I couldn't possibly leave him like this… even though I desperately want to…"

Her tone slips into an annoyed mutter. "…I would never hear the end of it from Observer… She'd be all like… don't mess with the subjects… especially the key… it affects the data, you deserve punishment for your transgressions… blah blah. God it's all so boring…" She mocks Observer's voice in a high pitch.

She fixes me with a twisted smile. "So. It's your lucky day." Then, she snaps her fingers once again.

Immediately I cry out in pain. My head feels like it's being microwaved. Memories fly back and to, so fast that I can barely register them. They re-organize within my mind. Slotting in and out and confusing me. This continues for a few seconds. Then, blackness. Nothingness. Silence.

I wake with a startle. Fuck my head hurts. I start to get up and hear a familiar voice call me. "Husband?"

I reply groggily, my vision blurry. "Akagi?"

Then, a blow to my chest sends me tumbling to the ground and I'm enveloped in fluffy tails. As my vision clears, I see Akagi's face close to mine, her eyes shining with tears. She has leapt at me, knocking me to the floor and taking me in a tight hug.

"Is it you? Dear Husband? Do you… remember?"

I nod. I was beginning to remember what had happened. I remember waking up in bed, screaming at them, afraid. I remember my wives faces, horrified and scared. Oh god…

Poor Kaga… Poor Akagi… I remember Kaga's forlorn expression, trying to keep herself together for her sister's sake. I remember Akagi's grieving visage, so utterly defeated and lost.

"It's me. I… I'm here. I… god. Akagi… I…" I don't know what to say to my wife after all she had gone through. But before I can say anything she buries her face in my chest, her ears tickling me.

Then, Kaga's face appears in view, and I'm surrounded by a mix of brown and white fluff.

"I'm so sorry. Both of you... I…" Akagi pulls away slightly, enough for Kaga to also give me a hug.

I close my eyes, just clutching them close as their tails writhe around us in happiness.

Then, a hear Archiver, making mock gagging sounds. I stand slowly, my two wives staying close by my side. "It's enough to make you puke… See…my pet. This version of you. She is weak, pathetic. Take note that you never become like her."

Then she switches and talks to Enterprise. "What do you think darling? Does it burn your chest? Do you hate watching them so happy?"

The second she takes her eyes off me, I dig my hands into my pocket and click the communications device three times, sending out the signal. Archiver just needed to keep talking for a little bit longer…

"Shut up!" Enterprise grits her teeth and yells at the Siren.

Archiver ignores her, her gaze finally settling back on Akagi. "…and you. The poor wife… who cannot be without your beloved, for fear she will break… and become her old self… Why? Why bother? Why put him on such a pedestal?"

I count the seconds in my head, waiting for the shot to land… just a little longer… thank god Archiver was a pretentious bitch and loved monologing.

She chuckles. "All he does is keep secrets from you… true... he loves you; he loves both of you. But oh so many secrets, does it make it hard to breathe Commander? Do you feel like you must watch what you say around them? Asclepius will be failure you know? Your wife will just suffer again, and it will be all your fault. And that thing with Akashi… I almost feel sorry for the mutt. All of your secrets are for nought."

She pokes and prods at me. Those secrets, they were for Akagi's sake… not my own… I couldn't tell her about Asclepius… not yet… it wasn't ready. And her fertility treatment… it still wasn't tested… I was looking out for her…

Archiver laughs loudly. "Oh… Commander, justify it how you want, a secret is still a secret, I thought married couples shared everything with one another?"

I give her three words as I expect the shot to land anytime now. "Go to hell."

She smiles wickedly. "Commander… You hurt my feeli…" She's cut off as two large battleship rounds fly straight by her, missing by hears breadth. But then, the air shimmers and my eyes adjust to this odd phenomenon. Archivers body blips, it vanishes for a millisecond, then appears again, but in its proper place. In the path of the salvo.

A loud explosion rings out and the air is knocked from my lungs as the shockwave pushes me away, luckily Kaga and Akagi keep me steady, supporting me. Archiver screeches in pain.

"YOU BRATS! HOW!" My heart sinks as I realise, she's still very much alive. The smoke clears, and I behold her damaged from. She has scars and gashes all over her skin, and her knee is bent at an unnatural angle. Parts of her rigging have been straight up demolished, lying destroyed in the sea. The parts that remain are sparking, burn marks and scratches covering the otherworldly material.

She is not in good shape and is certainly not in any shape to fight back. She raises one of her only working cannon at me and snarls. "FUCK OBSERVER! I'M GOING TO SQUISH YOU LIKE A RAT!"

Before she can fire a shot, she's hit by an ethereal blue plane, shot straight from Kaga who has the look of a vengeful demon summoned straight from hell. Her eyes are shining a bright blue in anger. She snarls and strikes again. Then again. Archiver takes each hit painfully, clearly, her abilities are no longer functioning due to her damaged rigging.

"Siren Wench! I will end you. And then I shall spit on your corpse. You dare attack me! You dare torture my sister! You dare touch my husband!"

Then, a golden arrow flies from the side, hitting Archiver square in the chest, causing her to squeal further in pain. She falls to the deck, not dead, but close. Enterprise walks up to her and raises her bow, then thinks better of it, looking at Kaga.

"I… think you should be the one…"

Kaga nods gratefully, then turns to Akagi, who is still clinging to my side, not letting go. "Dear sister, do you wish?" Akagi shakes her head, it's clear she doesn't care about being the one to perform the grisly act, she only cares about one thing right now, me.

Kaga wastes no time, walking up to Archiver, summoning one final ethereal plane. She pauses, relishing the moment.

"Into the depths with you, demon."

Then, suddenly, Archiver vanishes. No effects, no visual trace. She just blinks out of existence. She was in no state to escape herself, so it must have been some outside force that had not revealed itself to us and whisked her away to safety.

Kaga screams in rage, swearing in Sakuran and flinging multiple ethereal projectiles into the hull where Archive had lain.

"Siren Bitch! You better run!" Kaga calls out. She breathes raggedly, trying to calm herself.

I sigh… It was over, for now… thank god. I hold Akagi tighter as her ears twitch happily.

For now… was the part which worried me… but at least Archiver would hopefully re-consider any plans she had, now she knew we could hurt her, defeat her. I had my memories… my wives back, I should focus on that…

Kaga walks over slowly and the look of rage on her face gives way to a precious smile. "Sorry… I lost my composure… I… Dear Husband… I… missed you…" She blushes slightly as she says it, god knows why at this point. Nonetheless, I open my arms and embrace her, giving her a slight kiss on the lips as well.

"And I missed you… both of you. I remember, what I did. What it was like for you… I don't know what to say…"

Akagi speaks up. "You don't need to say anything… just…" She snuggles even closer.

"…stay…" I smile and pull them both closer. I notice Enterprise looking on in awkwardness and shoot her a smile. She gives me a sad smile and looks at the ground, away from us.

Finally… it was over.


Two Days Later…

I was sat at my desk, working away on paperwork. It would have felt like any other day if it wasn't for the presence of my wife, Akagi sat in a chair at my side. She was currently helping me with paperwork, her tails idly swishing about, occasionally brushing me.

I would normally shrug off such an action, it was something she did occasionally, stroke me with her tails. But right now… I knew better…

My chest tightens at the thought… God… I wish I could do something… anything for her. What she had gone through… It might not have been visceral as the torture she had been put through in the past by Archiver. But it was real. She had lost her husband. He hadn't died in her arms in some illusion, she had truly lost him, at least in soul. She had lost… me, in reality…

She wasn't idly brushing me with a tail just out of affection, she was doing so to check I was still here. She had barely left my side for the whole 2 days after I had retrieved my memories. The first day, we had all taken a day off, and rested at home, recuperating.

Both of my wives had said very little during that time. But they didn't need to. I fully remembered their pain, their grief. They had stayed by me in bed, simply content to hold me close, smothered in white and brown tails.

And this is what had led to Akagi currently being by my side. I had been forced to return to work, issues were piling up, and a new Siren offensive meant I needed to coordinate with other ports. They had experienced great trauma and were allowed as much time off as required.

But when it came time for me to head to work, Akagi had followed, demanding that she would help. She simply wouldn't leave my side, she dared not look away for a moment… I don't even think she had even slept, for fear of waking up to me shouting at her, memories plucked out once again.

I would be lying if I said I wasn't scared of the exact same thing, but we had destroyed Archiver's upgraded rigging and proved we could hurt her, kill her. I hoped that would make her cautious enough to not attempt anything too bold, but only time would tell.

I stop scribbling away at the paper in front of me when I feel one of her tails brush me again and lean over to my wife.

"Akagi…" I say softly, running my hand round her back. She stops her writing, flashing me a smile.

"I'm still here… you know that right?"

"…I know…" She nuzzles into my shoulder and I close my eyes, resting my head atop hers. I hold her tight, rubbing her shoulder comfortingly. We stay like that for a while, but eventually, Akagi pulls away.

"Thank you… for that, dear husband… I promise… I'm ok… It might just… take some time, to settle back down. I have maintenance soon… I will not drag you along… I shall simply be as quick as I can…"

"Are you sure? I can come with… if you want… or need me to."

A sad smile forms on her lips. "No… it's ok. I… it's something I need to do. It would be bothersome for you…" I nod in understanding.

"Before you go… I… about what Archiver said… about secrets."

Her eyes widen in surprise, her crimson eyes shimmering before they relax once again and she smiles sadly. "I… In all honesty dear husband… I'm just happy to have you back… So much so… that I do not care… I trust you have your reasons…"

I nod carefully. "I do… and… I want to tell you, but I don't want to hurt you… in anyway. But I promise… as soon as I can, I will."

And I mean it. The second Alcepius or Akashi's tests came back, I would let her know… that was the whole idea. I simply didn't wish to traumatize her more than necessary. She nods, aware that I'm telling the truth.

"Well… I should be off…" She stands up, turning and giving me a loving kiss before heading for the door. She falters, looking back at me, then proceeds out the door. I knew how hard it must be for her. God knows what I would have done in her situation, but it's quite clear that I mean a lot to her… and that losing me… in any form, is weighing on her mind.

I'm surprised when the door opens again, and Enterprise pokes her head into the room. I smile at her. "Enty… I mean Enterprise. Hello." I beckon her inside.

She smiles and enters the room but doesn't sit down. "Enty is fine… really. I don't want to take up much of your time… I just wanted to confirm what I've heard… you remember, don't you?"

It's abundantly obvious what she means, and I feel my cheeks heating up slightly. Nonetheless, I nod my head and answer. "I do. I remember all the memories from that morning. But not the replaced ones… they're… fuzzy. Like… I vaguely remember thinking you were my wife… but I can't remember why. Does that make any sense? But… yes, I remember what you said."

A blush runs straight up her neck and to her cheeks and she brushes a piece of her silver hair out of the way. "Ok… well… I don't really have anything to add… Everything I said… it's still true. You should focus on them, your wives. And we should…"

Her words cut off as she trails off. "we should… I… I don't know… where do we go from here?"

"I…" I answer hesitantly. "I think we should stay as we were… before things got… complicated… and maybe, with time… Akagi and Kaga may come around to you… I…"

I sigh.. god this was tough. I really did like Enterprise… and she liked me… But I also loved my wives. Completely and utterly. I was faithful to them till the end. While I technically had two wives… they sort of came as a package, truth be told. Warming them to the idea of a third… did not seem likely.

"I love them… Enty. So… they come first… and… they may accept you eventually, but they may not… I'm sorry. I can't expect you to hold on to hope like that… it's cruel…" I expect her face to break, for her to be upset, but instead she smiles at me.

"Of course. That is the answer I would want. As I said before… focus on them. If you were willing to chuck your wives aside so casually… then you would not be the type of man I fell for… We… can just wait and see… I don't mind… and who knows… maybe I can find someone else…"

She says it in a light-hearted tone, but I can tell she doesn't quite believe that last bit, she's trying to make herself feel better. Nonetheless, I'm glad she fully understands my commitment to my wives, and is willing to wait, possibly indefinitely.

I try and lighten the mood by chuckling. "I hear Belfast is rather fond of you… maybe I should put in a good word." I tease her, and her face grows a brighter shade of red.

"R-really? Bel… I don't know…" She stutters out.

"Easy, I was joking, although I'll be honest… that is what rumour says. Do you… actually want me to talk to her?" Her ears are practically steaming… god she looked so cute when she was embarrassed.

"God please no… Having you involved would just make things weirder… I… I do like Bel… I guess? Arghhh…. This is so complicated… We'll see… I'm in no rush… and I'm glad that you are committed to them… really." I breathe a sigh of relief, she seemed to be speaking from the heart, she was genuinely pleased I had chosen them, and had simply left the door a tiny bit open for her…

She gives me a wave and leaves the room. She was right about one thing, it certainly was complicated… I imagine her and Bel as a couple… Hmm, they would be pretty cute.

...but could me and her really just dismiss our feelings for one another like that?

I wipe my head of the thoughts, it was hurting my mind thinking about such emotional matters… I needed to get home… I wanted to check on Kaga too… That was far more important currently.


I return home, shedding my coat and bag in the closet. Akagi would probably be home soon from her maintenance, she had said she wouldn't be long. I call out for my snow-haired wife.

"Kaga?" I don't get an answer, but I do hear loud sounds coming from the dojo, so I cautiously walk over and slide the door open.

Kaga is clad in a sports bra and shorts, her tails still as ice behind her as she strikes the punching bag in front of her with superhuman force, then again, and again. Her body ripples with muscle and glistens with sweat from her workout. She looks incredibly tired but is continuing regardless, pushing herself as much as she physically can.

She swears in Sakuran loudly, then strikes again. 1. 2. Strike. 1. 2. Strike. Barely giving herself time to recover. She hasn't even noticed my presence, an odd occurrence for the naturally observant fox.

"Kaga…" I call out. She breaks her pace to look at me, offering a forlorn smile before returning to her strikes.

"Kaga… you should rest… How long have you been at this?"

She answers without stopping her strikes. "Since… You…. Left."

"Come on… Kaga… That's way too long, you'll hurt yourself, that's plenty for today." I'm concerned for my wife. She was focused solely on the punching bag, taking out her anger, her frustration on it.

I slowly walk towards her as she continues her strikes, she ignores my words, calling her to stop. Eventually, I get close enough to touch her, and I go to take her in a hug.

Then suddenly she turns to me, tears in her eyes and shouts loudly into my face her expression full of anger, grief and pain.

"Don't you get it! I was weak! She escaped! The bitch escaped! I had her right there, in my hands and she fucking vanished! …I was this close to killing that damn siren…" Her voice loses its anger and she continues at a whisper.

"After everything she did… to my sister… to you and…" Tears start dripping down her face as her blue eyes shine into mine in sadness and anger. "…me… what she put me through… being without you…"

I run my arms around her and take her in a loving hug as she cries into my shoulder. I stroke the back of the fox's hair while I speak. "It's not your fault… It was never your fault… She just vanished… there was nothing we, or you could have done. You were so strong… you were strong for Akagi, without me… you kept her together… I know it was tough… be proud of that. You are strong, Kaga, I promise. I've never seen anyone as strong-willed as you…"

Her cries grow less until she's just snivelling into my shoulder. She stays there until even they stop, and she wipes her eyes clean. "I… I barely kept it together… when you had lost your memories… The only thing I could think of was my sister… and getting your memories back… My sister is not the only one who relies on you…"

"Without you to come back to after a long patrol… your comfort after an arduous battle… I don't know… what I would do… I kept it together for my sister's sake… but I came so close to collapsing, are you sure I was that strong?"

"Of course… In your position… I would have given up… immediately. I wouldn't have been able to face you, look you in the eyes. You did all that. You were fantastic. Truly… thank you."

She finally smiles slightly and it makes my chest tighten in happiness. "No… thank you. Dear Husband… You always find a way to piece me back together, don't you? Your words… they bring me such comfort…"

She rouses herself and gives a full warm smile. "Well… sorry about that… I suppose I should get some food cooking, I suppose you're hungry?"

I shake my head. "I am, but you don't need to cook… Besides you look exhausted… we'll get takeout."

Kaga looks like she'll protest for a second, but she smiles and nods her head. "I… yes, I think I need some rest…" Her expression is still sad, but there's a glimmer of hope, of happiness in there too.

I smile happily as her tails begin to move about behind her once again. I hear the door open, and Akagi calls out for us. We both head for the door, arms around one another comfortingly.

Archiver's manipulations… they had cut us deep. They had hurt. But cuts heal… and pain is temporary. We just needed to be patient… And who knows… maybe we would get the opportunity to sink the bitch yet…


UNKNOWN LOCATION – TIME: UNKNOWN – DESIGNATION: ARCHIVER

Archiver screeched with pain as the machine reset her leg. Her eyes watered at the pain as it worked away, fixing the broken sinus and bone, fixing the scars scattered across her body from that blasted salvo.

Sneaky pests, an ambush… using some unknown way of bypassing her personal defences… It shouldn't even be possible…

"Arghh!" She shouts annoyed. If only she had that idiot Commander's memories still… she could traipse through them… see if there was any clue as to what weaponry they used…

Observer watches from the shadows. "Learning your lesson, Archiver? Never be too cocky. Never underestimate the subjects. Playing your games was foolish, childish."

She belittles Archiver as she would a misbehaving dog. Archiver hated it. She was so high and mighty… she didn't know how it felt… the pleasure… the rush… of making the idiots dance to her little tune. Torturing them however she pleased… Making them suffer… was such a sweet feeling.

Observer continues. "The only reason I haven't had you re-assigned… or even destroyed for your idiotic behaviour… is your admittedly useful abilities…"

The machine finally releases Archiver, and she hisses at the ache it leaves behind. Her rigging had been completely obliterated, irreparable… it hadn't been built for endurance... the idea was that they simply would never hit the damn thing.

So she had been forced to equip her old rigging… similar weapons capabilities… simply with less powerful manipulation technology… the only thing that made her work so enjoyable.

"Are you listening, Archiver?!"

"Not really… your highness…" Archiver replies snidely and immediately gets jolted with electricity for talking back to her superior.

She breathes heavily. "Fine! What?"

"You are not to interfere again, I will not save you next time… in fact, I shall see to it that you are sunk… permanently. Do I make myself clear?" Observer narrows her eyes at her sadistic compatriot.

"Yea, yea. Whatever." Archiver waves her hand at Observer nonchalantly.

"You should take matters more seriously... Arghh, why am I even bothering? You've been warned."

She leaves the clear threat hanging, before leaving the area.

Archiver sticks her tongue out after her superior. Stuck up bitch. She'd show her. No one hurt her and got away with it. Azur Lane would pay… she would make sure of it.

Observer could go shove it. There were plenty of potential timelines, potential Commanders. Observer had plenty of datasets… But only one of them had dared strike her, and she would make sure that favour was returned in full.

Archiver rubs her hands together with glee. "Come pet. There's work to do." The dark Akagi silently appears head bowed to her mistress as she follows her out of the area, to begin preparations.