AN: I want to apologize for the long time since I last posted. I got injured and could not properly use my hand to type for nearly two months, and most recently I got ill for several weeks. I hope that the longer chapter makes up for the lack of content recently. I also plan on getting another chapter out this week, as we approach ever closer to the mock battle between the Sakura and Eagle Union forces.

Thank you for reading and reviewing, I really appreciate each and every one of you!


Nanami thought hard about her conversation with Tirpitz during their walk to the office. However, as soon as they arrived, she removed the thoughts from her mind and focused on issues currently affecting the fleet.

The pair arrived at the office to see that everyone was seated in the large conference room as requested. Tirpitz took a seat next to Enterprise and Dunkerque, and Nanami froze for a moment. If she didn't know better, she would say that En and Tirpitz were sisters based on how similar they looked. She smiled a moment as she took her seat at the head of the table.

Belfast quickly swept in and asked Tirpitz how she took her tea or coffee. At the same time she brought Nanami her normal cup of tea. Nanami began the meeting and they ran over a laundry list of new items that would be important to easing the new groups into the dorms.

As the meeting stretched on, they came to the topic of the office and how it ran. With more and more women coming in to the fleet, Nanami and her current secretaries were bound to become overwhelmed.

Tirpitz came up with a solution, "Commander, I would like to suggest that each fleet provide a secretary to the office to assist. It would speed up administration of the joint fleet, and provide you with at least one individual who knows each fleet's intricacies." Nanami nodded at the suggestion. It was good, but the office would get crowded. She thought for a moment and remembered the unused room that was connected to her office.

"We will run with that solution, but we need to prepare the room next to my office as the Secretaries' Office. We will rotate the secretaries within each fleet, both as a way for all of you to get proper rest, and as a way to help me get to know each member of my fleet better," Nanami laid out the plan for moving forward.

Once that was decided, they decided who would be the first secretaries from each fleet that was currently represented. Essex would continue to work in her role as Eagle Union's representative. Likewise, Shoukaku was the Sakura Empire's secretary. From the Royal Navy, Hood laid claim to the role. Because Sardegna, Vichy, and Iris Libre only had one representative there each, Zara, Dunkerque, and Émile Bertin were pressed into duty. Finally, in a move that earned her a lot of respect from Nanami, Tirpitz volunteered herself instead of forcing Z23 into the role.

With all the pressing matters decided, Nanami set about leading the group in establishing the new Secretaries' Office. Belfast proved exceedingly useful in the effort with her expertise in cleaning and organization.

As the group worked moving boxes and desks in and out of the room, Nanami began to get warm in her uniform. Without thinking, she unbuttoned the jacket and removed it, placing it on a hook on the wall. She sighed in relief when she felt the cool breeze that came through the open windows on her skin. The sound, and sight of her in a tight fitting, slightly see-through white shirt made several of the women stop in their tracks.

Tirpitz saw her like this, and looked down at her own uniform. Nanami, oblivious as she was to the stares of the others, crossed the room to her new right hand from Iron Blood.

"I promise you none of us will tell anyone if you wish to dress down as we work. I know you mentioned it was warm here in the spring, so you must be hot right now," Nanami encouraged the woman.

Even with the push from her new Commander, Tirpitz hesitated. She was expected to lead with proper decorum at all times...she couldn't possibly do this. But then she looked at Nanami and saw the expectation in her eyes, and it broke her resolve. Tirpitz took a deep breath, and removed her gloves first, the jacket following closely after. Much to Nanami's delight she sighed in relief as the breeze streamed in.

"See, that feels so much better! Besides, you and I can not always be so formal. It is part of why we are regarded the way we are. We need to allow ourselves time to relax occasionally," Nanami pointed out as she grabbed the battleship's hands and stared up at her.

Tirpitz's face felt suddenly warmer and she nodded slightly, agreeing before she knew what she was doing. When Nanami let go and turned around, one of Tirptiz's hands went to her face to feel the unfamiliar warmth. It took her a few moments to regain herself and by that time the rest of the room had already returned to work.

Outfitting the room took most of the day, but when it was done and ready, Nanami smiled in satisfaction and praised the group, " Good work ladies! I am very happy with all we accomplished today. We can call it here for the day, and I look forward to seeing you here in the morning." Nanami remembered she wanted to speak to Zara about her past, but she decided that was something that would have to wait until they were closer, or Zara might feel she was being too pushy.

The rest of the day went by in a blur, as did the following two days, until finally Thursday had arrived. Nanami's arm had finished healing in that time, much to Vestal's surprise.

The arrival of Thursday meant it was the day before the mock battle, the same day the main force of the Royal Navy and Iris Libre were slated to arrive. Nanami mentally prepared herself for the meeting, knowing it would be much more formal than the previous meetings had been. When she arrived at the office Hood was already there, waiting to talk to Nanami.

"Good morning Commander. How are you feeling today?" Hood greeted her with her characteristic grace. Nanami noted that she somehow looked even more put together than normal, a feat she thought impossible. However, there was a hint of tiredness in her gaze that wasn't normally there. The arrival of the Queen must be weighing on them all.

Nanami wearily replied, "Truthfully? I am a tad tired. How are you?" Hood let herself a light smile at her Commander's truthfulness. This woman who was normally so guarded felt comfortable enough around her to let down her guard if only for a moment.

"I too am tired dear Commander. With the Queen's arrival, things will be slightly different around here, but the most hectic time is past us. Now we must simply meet her at the docks this morning, and attend a tea party this afternoon. Are you ready for that?" Hood admitted in return. Belfast entered with tea for the both of them as they sat down around the coffee table.

"I am. How do you want to approach this? Shall I allow you and Belfast guide them in to harbor?" Nanami asked, attempting to get a plan in place. This was something they probably should have done before now, but it had not crossed her mind.

"I do believe that would be for the best. Our Queen can be strong-willed, so having someone familiar with her temperament to meet them alone will be our best course of action," Hood affirmed. As they spoke, outside the room Enterprise had just arrived.


Belfast was moving about busily cleaning as Enterprise arrived in the break room. Despite how fluid her motions were, Enterprise noticed they were slower than normal, and the look on Belfast's face hid a tiredness that had slowly built since she had arrived two weeks earlier.

Thinking on what Nanami would do in this situation, Enterprise nodded her head and moved toward the head maid. Belfast, hearing footsteps, looked up from the table she was absentmindedly cleaning for the third time that morning.

"Ah, Enterprise, good morning. Please allow me to get you some coffee," Belfast began. But as she moved toward the coffee machine, she felt a hand on her shoulder.

"Belfast, please sit down. I can get my own coffee, I'll get you some tea while I'm at it," Enterprise insisted. Belfast opened her mouth to protest, but Enterprise had already turned to the coffee machine and the tea set.

Belfast saw there was no arguing with this woman as usual, and sat at the table she had just been cleaning. Enterprise quickly came back with the drinks and instead of sitting across from Belfast, she sat down right next to her.

Though Belfast did not expect much, she was pleasantly surprised that Enterprise had made her tea perfectly, exactly as she like it.

"I must look quite foolish to you right now," Belfast said after they had sat a few minutes in silence. She continued, " I lectured you so heavily on the first day about caring for your health, and I've forgotten my own as we prepared for the Queen." Enterprise shook her head.

"You had a reason to work hard. You just let yourself get carried away. I understand that better than most," Enterprise replied, staring down into the maid's blue eyes. Belfast blushed a bit at the sudden attention from Enterprise, but she used the current atmosphere to push her luck.

"Well, if you insist I relax a bit, just stay there and allow me to rest a moment," Belfast told the carrier before she leaned to the side and rested her head on the taller woman's shoulder.


The office slowly filled up as the secretaries arrived, and soon everyone that was to be attending the arrival of the Queen was there, except for Belfast and Enterprise.

"I wonder where Enterprise and Belfast could possibly be. Belfast was here, and Enterprise has never been late," Nanami wondered aloud. Amagi, having seen the pair in the break room, smiled.

"They are in the break room Commander," she notified Nanami before going back to the document she was looking over. Nanami tilted her head, wondering what the pair could possibly be doing in the break room. Ultimately she decided it could very well be some final etiquette lessons, but she would need to interrupt them to gather everyone for the arrival of the main Royal Navy delegation.

Nanami stood and went to the break room with Hood in tow. The sight that greeted her was a head maid fast asleep on her adviser's shoulder. Nanami felt something ugly well up inside her at the sight. Something that told her that Belfast was taking something from her. What that was, she wasn't sure, but instead of allowing that emotion to come to the surface, she smiled. The smile didn't reach her eyes.

"While I am glad the Head Maid finally took a moment to rest, we do need to be headed to the docks any moment Enterprise. So, if you would, wake your charge and join us in the office," Nanami ordered coldly, spinning on her heel and leaving before Enterprise could respond. Hood, sensing something was wrong, reached out to Nanami as they left the break area.

"Commander, do you need to talk?" she inquired helpfully. Nanami looked at her for a moment, her jaw set as she mulled over her words, but ultimately she shook her head.

"No Hood, thank you for the offer though. There is nothing that needs to be talked about," she denied, but Hood didn't believe her. So when she went to walk away, she stopped her again.

"Nanami come here," she quietly requested. Nanami gave in to the demand, stopping right in front of Hood. Hood leaned in to close the gap, and before Nanami could stop her, she planted a kiss on her cheek.

"Jealously is unbecoming for one such as yourself Nanami," Hood chided and Nanami's cheeks flared red as she blushed. Jealousy? Is that what that feeling had been? She had been feeling it much more frequently as of late. If that was the case, she would have to get it under control, as she did with any stray emotion.

Nanami apologized, "You are right, I am sorry. I will conduct myself better in the future. What I did was not fair treatment to Enterprise." Hood giggled at the suddenly contrite commander in front of her. This woman for as guarded as she was, was incredibly easy for her to read.

After a few moments to cool off, Nanami returned to the office with Hood at her side. Enterprise and Belfast entered shortly after, and with their group now all there, they began walking to the docks.

Nanami walked beside Hood and Amagi. with Enterprise and Belfast trailing right behind. The rest of the group brought up the rear. Takao was slightly irritated at being even ten away feet from the commander, but she understood why it had to be this way.

When they arrived at the docks, Belfast and Hood separated themselves from the group. They entered the water and manifested their rigging, sailing away at a decent clip. After only a short time, they returned with a large fleet in tow. The majority of the fleet broke off and headed for their assigned moorings, but what could only be the Queen's retinue was led to the waiting welcoming party.

Belfast was the one to begin the introductions, "Introducing Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth, first of the Queen Elizabeth class battleships, and leader of the Royal Navy." Queen Elizabeth stepped forward, and analyzed the group in front of her. Her eyes finally met Nanami's, and she knew this was the Commander based on everything she'd been told.

Nanami meanwhile looked over this Queen, she looked quite young, with sky blue eyes and long, blonde hair that ended in ringlets. Her crown sat ever so slightly askew. She was rather tiny for a battleship, but Nanami had met Lady Nagato, so this was not overly surprising.

Nanami moved forward and bowed her head in respect. Though the joint fleet was hers to command, each fleet had its leader, and each leader must be treated with the proper amount of respect.

"Good morning your Majesty. We are honored to have you. I am Commander Nanami Winters, Commanding Officer of Azur Lane," Nanami introduced herself as she looked the Queen in the eyes. She needed to establish here and now that she was the one in charge if she was to manage the royalty.

"Well, we are not sure you could possibly command us properly, however we are benevolent enough to give you the chance to become our servant," the Queen responded haughtily. Nanami was not amused, but had been warned in advance that this was just how she was. Instead she ignored it, and moved on with the introductions.

Looking to the Queen's right hand, she saw a woman who looked very similar to the Queen. Short of stature, modest proportions, blonde hair, purple eyes, and ear and tail of a corgi. She also happened to wield a rather large sword. Takao had seen this and stepped forward to Nanami's side.

With the Commander's eyes on her, she didn't back down, the younger looking woman stepped forward and spoke, "I am Warspite, Queen Elizabeth Class battleship and the Queen's loyal knight. I hold the record for longest ranged hit on a moving target. It's an honor to meet you Commander."

Before the Commander could respond, Takao cut in, "I am Takao, first of the Takao-class heavy cruisers, and the Commander's loyal bodyguard." Sensing kindred spirits, the two stared one another down. Nanami smiled at the display. These were two proud warriors, they would get along well.

On the other side of the Queen was a stunning blonde who carried with her a massive flag of Iris Libre. She too wore a crown upon her head, however hers was more reserved. Her eyes were a striking violet, and she had an intensity to her gaze that Nanami could not shake.

"I am the Cardinal of Iris Libre, Richelieu, the lead ship of the Richelieu class battleships. I failed to protect my homeland during the war, this time, I will protect everything that is dear to me. Iris Libre has faith in this endeavor, and will follow you to victory Commander," Richelieu gracefully introduced herself.

"A pleasure to make your acquaintance Cardinal. I imagine the church leadership on base will be ecstatic to meet you. And thank you for sending Émile Bertin to us. She reminded me of my love for singing. She has a gift for bringing out the best in others," Nanami responded with a slight bow of her head.

After only a few more introductions, the Queen yawned slightly, and excused herself to the dorms. Taking this as an indication they would continue with the introductions at the tea party, Nanami and her party returned to the office, but they did not remain long. Many of them were invited to the tea party, and as such had to change to fit the dress code of the event.

Nanami went home, bringing Hood along with her, and changed into a flowing white dress that the fashionistas had picked out for her. The bare arms of the dress revealed her scars, a fact she was surprisingly slightly self-conscious about suddenly.

When Hood saw the scars, her fingers lingered on them for a moment before her questioning gaze found Nanami's eyes. Nanami explained how they came to be as succinctly as possible.

"Nanami, I am honored that you shared such a private story with me. I shall keep it in confidence," Hood spoke solemnly. With that out of the way, Nanami's hair was put up into a more intricate bun with the help of Hood.

"Well then, shall we be off?"