Nanami returned to Amagi and Nagato after hanging up.

"I am very sorry, but it seems I must beg Lady Nagato's forgiveness and reschedule our tea. The sortie team we sent to respond to a Siren fleet is nearly home," she apologized to Nagato.

Nagato smiled and answered, "You need not receive my leave to manage the operations of this alliance. Though I appreciate your consideration. I will take you up on that offer of tea another time. If not here, then in the Empire some time." Amagi stood during the exchange and bowed to Lady Nagato again.

"Lady Nagato, tomorrow Hiei is hosting a banquet for the Sakura Empire fleet to meet the Commander. That may be a good time to have your tea with her. Thank you for having us," she suggested as they left.

Nanami turned back right before leaving, "Do not worry about the paperwork for the escort team Lady Nagato. It will be beneficial for me to become better acquainted with the process by doing it myself."

"I thank you again for your generosity Commander," Nagato replied politely. Finally done, they pair left the Shrine. On the way back out they bowed before the gate and then headed back down the hill.

As they again walked in a mutual silence, Nanami noticed Amagi had not let go of her arm after they descended the hill. She didn't mind, but she had not realized that both sisters were clingy to different degrees. When they ultimately reached the Office, Amagi let go and Nanami opened the door for her.

"Well Nanami, I guess our impromptu date ends here. Even if it started for an unfortunate reason, it was nice. Next time we'll play some chess ," Amagi teased.

"Date?" "Ch-chess?"

Nanami turned around to see a strained smile on Akagi's face, and Kaga stared into the distance, eyes wide. Before they could reply, another voice spoke.

"I suggest we leave your infidelities until after the debriefing Commander," Enterprise commented from behind Akagi and Kaga.

"Infidelities?" Nanami asked bewildered.

She shook the confusion and added, "In any case, I agree, please head inside." As she stood and held the door for the other girls, Nanami finally noticed Enterprise had a fourth at her side.

This must be the scout, she realized. The girl had long blue hair and light purple eyes. She seemed distracted, but considering she had just come from combat, Nanami did not find that particularly odd.

Once they had all arrived back in the office, she immediately sat everyone down and began the debriefing. First she needed an introduction with the new girl.

"I am Commander Nanami Winters, I will be leading Azur Lane for the foreseeable future," she introduced herself perfunctorily. After a long pause the girl snapped out of a trance.

"Oh I'm sorry Commander! I was...thinking about something. I am Brooklyn-class Light Cruiser Helena. My reconnaissance skills are my specialty. Please...allow me to help protect everyone," Helena returned the introduction. She spoke in slow, stilted manner that made it seem as if she thought over every word.

Nanami smiled at the girl and praised her, "You did well today in finding the enemy. I will be sure to rely upon you as you seem exceedingly capable." With the initial pleasantries out of the way, they got into the actual debriefing.

The force had not been large, but it was not small either. It was a standard mix of production ships, but that was it. That made it odd.

"A fleet with no leader. A humanoid Siren is probably in the area," Enterprise offered up.

"We should send out search and destroy fleets Commander, eliminate this pest before it becomes a problem," Amagi suggested.

Enterprise nodded her head, "For once we agree." Though the two sortie leaders agreed, the strategist seemed deep in thought.

"Amagi, your thoughts?" Nanami inquired.

Amagi looked up and said, "They may be trying to lure us away from the base. Sending out search and destroy missions would simply be playing into their plans if that were to be the case." After hearing Amagi's point, Nanami stood up and went to the map across the room. She picked up a siren fleet figure and placed it on its side where they just destroyed the fleet.

That was fairly far away from the base, far enough away that another similar stunt could leave them in a bad position if she sent everything she sent this time.

"Could you have dealt with that fleet separately Akagi, Enterprise?" She asked to clarify her idea. Both Akagi and Enterprise answered with affirmatives. With that potential problem solved, she put forth her plan.

"We will not be sending out hunter teams. Instead we will increase frequency and strength of the reconnaissance patrols. Enterprise and Akagi, you will be Flagships of two Quick Response Fleets, I will need a recommendation of 2 more ships, one Sakura and one Eagle Union, to head additional QRFs." she explained to the assembled ship-girls.

Nanami continued, "You will take 6 hour duty shifts. If an enemy fleet is found by the patrols, the on duty QRF will respond. The next QRF will be the backup. The backup QRF will activate and wait for a potential second enemy fleet or if reinforcements are needed. Any objections?" She finished strongly, opening the floor for any opposing views. However, when she looked around, she saw that none of them were going to object. Though she was in command, having their trust despite her lack of experience was comforting.

"Now then, who would you recommend for flagships?" she asked seriously.

"Yorktown from the Eagle Union," Enterprise offered immediately. Amagi looked at Akagi who, begrudgingly nodded.

"Shoukaku from Sakura Empire. We can replace her as your secretary with Takao," Amagi explained. The Commander took a moment before nodding.

"Very well then. You did a great job today. Get rest, and if you took any damage, go see Vestal. Kaga, Helena, if you wish to leave, you are dismissed. As for the rest, call for Takao and Yorktown please. Once they are here, we will explain the situation to Yorktown and the four of you will establish your QRFs together," Nanami explained to the group.

Then she turned to Shoukaku at the desk, "Did you hear all of that Shoukaku?"

"Yes Commander," Shoukaku chimed. Her lilt was almost musical. As they waited for the two new members of the group to arrive, Helena managed to quietly leave without being noticed.

I am going to have to check on her, Nanami thought when she noticed the girl was gone. She seemed very much like Nanami had immediately after Puget Sound, and that wasn't good for a girl her age. Putting that aside for now, she decided to quietly talk to the only person in the office whom she had only greeted. She pulled up a chair to the desk that Essex was working at.

"Essex, thank you for your work today. Especially since it was shoved onto you at the last moment. This office could not have run without you," Nanami praised the younger carrier. Essex looked up to her with a pained smile.

Oh no, what happened? She questioned herself. However, right at that moment, the door opened and Takao entered.

"We will talk once everyone is embroiled in their work," Nanami assured Essex, putting a hand on her shoulder. Once she got a nod from Essex, she turned to the new arrival.

"Commander, I am Takao, first of the Takao-class heavy cruisers. Please allow this one to offer you her strength, little as that may be," the heavy cruiser introduced herself with a deep bow. Nanami looked her over before answering.

She had jet-black hair put up in a long pony tail, held in place by a white bow. On her head were a pair of floppy dog ears covered in black fur. Her eyes were a golden brown, and she had a sword at her waist. Her form fitting white uniform certainly accentuated her...ample...figure.

Nanami went through her standard introduction, and Takao cocked her head to the side. Nanami had to suppress a light smile thinking about how dog-like the action was.

"Nanami?" the heavy cruiser asked reflexively.

"I am half Sakuran," Nanami explained, thankful that was what the woman had been confused about.

She added, "Now, you will be taking over one of the secretary positions from Shoukaku for at least the next week. You were recommended for this position." Right as she finished, Yorktown entered the office.

Before greeting her, Nanami turned to Shoukaku, "Shoukaku would you please get Takao up to speed on the duties of her position?"

"As you wish Commander," Shoukaku responded lightly. With that, she turned to Yorktown who had crossed the room in the interim and was petting Grim. The relationship between Yorktown and Enterprise was very evident in their similar look. Yorktown's hair was shockingly white, and flowed freely down to her mid-back. Her eyes were the deep blue of the open ocean. Yet again, like all the others, she was a beautiful woman.

When Nanami compared herself, she just didn't add up to the beauty of these women. Her long, raven hair normally reached to her mid-back in a single braid. However it was pinned up in a bun when she was in uniform. Her own...assets...were slightly below average, leading her to have an overall very slim figure. She was above average in height, but at 5'8" she was still easily 8 inches shorter than Enterprise, Kaga and Akagi. The only thing others frequently commented on her whole life was her eyes. She had icy blue eyes that, according to some, were set in a hungry, imperious stare.

"Good Afternoon Commander Winters. I am Yorktown, lead ship of the Yorktown-class carriers, named for the Revolutionary War battle," Yorktown shook Nanami from her thoughts with an introduction. The Commander once more gave her standard introduction before asking Enterprise to catch her sister up.

"Akagi, Shoukaku, you cannot use the girls on this list, they are going on an escort mission," Nanami notified after remembering the group being sent to protect Nagato. She went to hand them the scroll and realized she didn't have it. Amagi was already on it, producing the scroll from one of her sleeves with smug look at Nanami. Nanami silently thanked her and let the group get to work. Next she went to Essex.

"I need some help picking up some documents. Would you mind assisting me Essex?" she asked the carrier-girl. Essex nodded silently, and stood up to follow. Once they were out of the room, Nanami searched and quickly found another empty room. After the door was closed, Nanami did what her uncle always did when he thought she was sad, she held her arms open.

Essex's face screwed up, before she finally gave in and leaned down into Nanami's embrace. The tears began to flow, and Essex silently cried for a short while as the Commander held her. After a while Essex pulled away, the tears done, but still on her face.

"I'm sorry Commander. I'm acting like a spoiled child," Essex apologized. Nanami gave her what she thought was a soft smile.

"Essex, what is wrong?" she asked the distraught carrier. Essex seemed reluctant to speak, but ultimately decided to go with it.

She admitted, "When I heard you were asking for new flagships for the Quick Response Fleets, I had hoped that Enterprise would recommend me. But I must not have made enough of an impression on her. She never seems to notice me after all." Nanami thought she understood where the girl was coming from.

"Essex, why do you think Yorktown was chosen? I do not think Enterprise is the kind of person to engage in nepotism. Yorktown was chosen because she has plenty of experience in leading similar sorties as flagship. Additionally, do you know who recommended you for the position of my secretary? It was Enterprise, it was without hesitation, and she specifically mentioned your hard-working nature," Nanami told her. Essex was going to speak, but she wasn't done yet.

Nanami added, "I believe Enterprise wants you in this position because it will let you see how joint fleets are run. It will give you more experience of operating with some authority, because as my secretary you are often my voice. You handle a lot of communications on my behalf, and will be one of the first individuals I consult on any matter. If that is not trust in your abilities, I do not know what is." Essex suddenly started crying again. This time Nanami had no idea what caused it.

"Th-thank you so much Commander. I w-will work really hard for you, and to prove worthy of Enterprise's trust," Essex managed to get out between sobs. Nanami understood now, they were tears of happiness. Well, she understood the idea anyway. She had never cried like that before.

"I am simply doing my job in ensuring that my fleet and my girls are in peak condition Essex," she responded, eliciting a giggle from Essex.

"You aren't very honest with yourself Commander," she commented before leaving the room.

What did she mean by that?Nanami thought, but she could not figure it out. Shaking it off, she proceeded to pick up some of the paperwork that she actually did need, mainly for the escort fleet. When she returned to the office she found the group still hard at work sorting out their fleets for the Quick Response Forces. After handing a few of the papers to Takao to fill out, Nanami became irritated with her hair.

"None of you ever saw this," she warned before undoing the pins that kept her bun in place. Her hair quickly cascaded down her back and she shook it out.

"Ahhh, so much better," she sighed, running her fingers through her hair. When she opened her eyes again everyone in the room was staring at her, including an Essex who had just entered.

"Is something wrong?" Nanami questioned the girls, who immediately snapped out of some sort of trance. A few of them had red faces, but Nanami had no idea as to why. With all of that out of the way, she sat down to work. However she was quickly interrupted by hunger pangs, which she rectified with one of her ration bars. This was the second straight day she had eaten one, which wasn't great for her, but it was convenient.

After another half hour of work, the QRF group finished their work. However none of them left without first waiting for dismissal from the Commander. Even then, only Shoukaku and Yorktown took that offer. Seeing everyone waiting, Nanami decided to wrap up work after only a couple more hours. Most of the paperwork for all of the operations was done anyways, what wasn't done she could finish up by stopping in for a few hours in the morning.

"All right everyone. I think we can call it here for the day. Thank you all for your efforts. I am proud to have such a supportive and efficient fleet. Go home, and get some rest," Nanami announced as she stood up. The group exited together, she placed a page on her door. On it was her phone number in the case of emergencies.

As the group dispersed, Akagi, Kaga, and Amagi lingered behind.

"Commander," Akagi practically sang the word. Nanami knew she was going to regret what came next, but she also knew there was no getting out of it.

"Yes Akagi?" she asked, bracing for her response.

"Do you have a kimono for the banquet tomorrow? Surely you don't plan on showing up in your uniform,"Akagi mentioned pointedly.

Nanami quickly responded, "No I do not. Yes, I had planned on it, as I do not have any dresses or suits."

"Wonderful! That means we can help you tomorrow morning," Amagi chimed in. There was no way she could avoid this, so Nanami nodded.

"Okay, when do you want me to show up to the dorm?" she asked the three foxes.

Amagi thought for a moment, "11 AM will do nicely. See you there Nanami." Dropping her first name was clearly done to agitate Akagi, and it succeeded. Nanami could practically hear Akagi's teeth grinding.

Though Nanami didn't think that Akagi could be truly upset with Amagi, Amagi had the kind of personality that pushed someone's buttons purely for a response. She was even already quite effective at getting responses from the usually stoic Nanami.

With that out of the way, they all headed home, Akagi tried to go to Nanami's home, but Amagi stopped her. Once inside, Nanami immediately made use of the bath. As she relaxed in the bath, Nanami thought back on the events of the day. A lot happened, things that didn't make sense to her. Why did she lose her temper? Why did the girls trust her so much?

Then she realized that even though she had been trained on being a Commanding Officer, actually being one was different. As a Commander a lot of other titles fall under your purview if you are good at your job. You are leader, mentor, friend, therapist, and sometimes disciplinarian. Nanami hoped that she would never have to use that last title.

Tomorrow I must be their friend, but also show leadership...


A/N: So, you finally got a description of Nanami! Also, yes, Enterprise and Akagi/Kaga are crazy tall based on figure height and scale. In fact most of the girls are at the least above average height. I imagine Sovetskaya is an absolute giant.

I also apologize for any problems with the chapter. I have not been sleeping lately due to problems from my military service, so please point any issues out, and I shall fix them.