The sun had risen over a long island in the Pacific ocean, the sea glimmering in its light.

Gigantic shipyards and docks could be seen lining its coast, though spaced in a way to leave room for several beaches, their white sand cluttered with umbrellas and sun chairs.

Inland resided several buildings. Placed in a circle around a grand park, a statue in its center. One depicting an anchor resting on the seafloor, its golden color glistening brightly. Under it laid a stone tablet, surrounded by flowers. Displaying a message, a vow.

'For times of peace shall we fire our guns. To protect earth's children shall we stand strong. To serve humanity and fight the siren menace until they are all gone.

We are Azur Lane, this is our promise!'

Despite the strong words, their eternal promise, walked girls around with smiles on their faces. Some could be seen running around in groups, while others were in pairs, talking quietly amongst themselves. A few lone souls walked on their own, not particularly minding their situation, enjoying the peacefulness that it brought. However, there was one thing that united them all. The way they stopped to greet one individual. A man, wearing pristine white clothing. Donning a navy cap, as well as several medals fastened to his chest. A man whose air of authority was unquestionable.

"Good morning, Commander!"

Several voices rang out from a group of sakura girls, all small in stature. Though that could be said about nearly every destroyer class girl on the island.

"Good morning to you all as well, especially you, Mikazuki. You did a splendid job in the exercise yesterday. Keep that up and I'll treat you to the best Taiyaki I can get a hold of, promise."

The Commander Replied in turn, his happy nature contrasting the dark circles under his tired eyes.

The girl in question quickly raised her arm in a salute, her light cyan hair swinging slightly from the sudden movement. Emotion piercing her otherwise monotone voice as the warmth of pride filled her chest.

"Th-thank you, Commander. I'll try my best!"

Seeing her like this, a small girl looking like a proud soldier, made the Commander feel an irresistible urge to pet the small girl's head. An action he sadly never got to fulfill. Because as his hand neared its target came a small cough from behind, halting its travel with a small jerk.

Looking away to its source, he sighed quietly to himself, knowing he had a schedule to keep. A schedule that sadly did not include talking to a group of sakura destroyers in its time frame.

"I'm sorry, Belfast. You're right."

Turning back towards the group, he gently started to shoo them down the path with his hands.

"Everyone, I'm sorry that I have to cut our conversation short, but if I remember correctly your class should be starting soon. And I wouldn't be able to protect you from Nimi's wrath if you were for some reason late to it. We can't sour our relationship with the Iron Blood by angering their only representative on the island, now can we?"

The group quickly began moving at the reminder of class. Mikazuki seemed to be in a slight daze however, needing an extra push from one of her friends. Though she quickly regained herself once they started to move down the small road towards the schoolhouse. Muttering silently to herself, she reached up to touch the top of her head and rubbed it slightly.

"So close… Perhaps I'm still dreaming."

With the group leaving stood the Commander now alone in the grand park. Its population completely dwindled as the ones using it for transportation had all reached their destinations. Leaving only the woman behind him, Belfast, to keep him company.

The Commander was the first to speak of the two, a more professional tone gracing his tongue as he did.

"Shall we get going then?"

"With pleasure, Master."

Was the courteous reply from the woman.

The frills on her maid dress swayed lightly in the breeze. As the metal collar around her neck reflected the sun grazing her otherwise fair skin. She tucked a single strand of hair behind her ear and began walking, following the Commander closely.

She was quick to strike up a conversation however, a question on her mind that needed answering.

"Why did you compliment Ms. Mikazuki specifically, Commander? If I remember correctly, her score on that particular exercise was a low 63, below the fleet average."

The Commander glanced back at her, a neutral expression on her face, not meeting his own. Choosing instead to inspect the flora around the path they walked.

"Belfast, you're too dutiful remembering even that."

The Commander replied, a single chuckle escaping him.

"But yes, that would be correct. Fleetwide, she is still below average in her performance. What is important however, is that compared to her fellow sister ships, doing excellent. exceeding them all, in fact. Having improved drastically since joining Azur Lane. Though that could be said about every shipgirl. You girls never cease to amaze me about what you're capable of."

Belfast gave no reply, perhaps content with the answer the Commander gave. At least he hoped. He knew that her strive for perfection knew no bounds. And him complimenting a girl scoring below average could certainly hit a sore spot. But her strive for perfection should never hamper the others and their developments. Nor should she be unhappy that her standards couldn't be applied to everyone else. Every shipgirl had their quirks, every shipgirl was their own person. A thing the Commander thought that the shipgirl beside him sometimes forgot.

They soon left the park behind them as well. Following a road leading up to a lone building, gray and green in color. Its two giant metal doors standing slightly ajar, revealing its cluttered insides. It was void of any extravagant details. But the size of it still managed to make the building quite impressive overall.

As they both entered, its huge open surface undisturbed by walls welcomed them. Something the Commander couldn't help but take in.

It wasn't the first time he visited this place, nor was it anywhere close to being his last. But to enter it every time and see its gigantic open space, filled with a wide array of technology on display. Some of them seemingly ripped straight out of the War of the Worlds, perhaps even beyond. Was something that never failed to impress him, no matter how many times he saw it.

This was the Azur lane's research hall, a place of science and ingenuity. The place where the so-called shipgirl was born, great warships in the form of human girls. Where humanity managed to do the impossible, to give themselves a fighting chance against the sirens.

Yes, when the Sirens first appeared stood humanity no chance against their forces, losing almost every battle. A few of them were stalemates however, even fewer victories. And in the wreckage of these battles did they discover something that would change the wind of war forever.

Cubes, transparent and blue. With a glow that silently throbbed. Artifacts of power that finally put the Sirens and humanity on even footing. They would soon be known as Wisdom Cubes, the ones who brought the shipgirls into existence.

With them, and their powers. Emerged humanity victorious and the sirens pushed back. Disappearing for nearly two decades as an era of peace and prosperity began. In that time had the original Azur lane disbanded, then called the Azure league. Its purpose, to limit any country's domination of the seven seas.

It was this goal, combined with several naval treaties signed in the Eagle union's capital, that made dissent grow with time. Several members, Iron Blood and the Sakura empire especially, who sought to integrate high amounts of siren technology into their fleet. Something the treaties forbid in its entirety, broke away. The two nations chose to instead create their own league. One which sought and valued power more than anything else. One who took the name, Crimson Axis

The differences in ideology between the two factions grew by the day. And soon, it became too much to bear on either side. In the end, a war declaration by Iron Blood, with the Sakura Empire joining soon after, destroyed any and all international cooperation and plunged the world into war once again.

However, it soon became apparent that larger forces were at play. That not everything was as it seemed. In their strive to obtain power had Iron Blood taken aid from the sirens they once fought. Liberally using the technology given to them to bolster their own ranks with outworldly might.

The Ironblood and Sakura empire did well at first, soon getting the aid of the Sardegnians. Dealing tremendous victories on all fronts against the remainder of the Azure league. A success that would've likely continued, if not for the Siren's stab in the back.

When the crimson axis seemed to be at their height, a force no one could stop, did the Sirens make their own move. Casting them aside and taking advantage of the chaos now created, returning stronger than ever.

Except they weren't the only ones who would return. hostilities quickly ceased between all nations. Their goal to once again combat this foreign threat. The day the sirens truly returned, so did Azur lane, humanity's greatest strength.

In this facility, much of what Azur lane was capable of was created. Spearheaded by one particularly energetic sakura girl, Akashi. A girl whose features still puzzled the Commander. Two cat ears could always be seen resting on her head. Something that was shared by most other sakura shipgirls, with others sporting more canine features or even demon horns.

As the Commander scanned the room, his eyes went over several half-finished weapon systems, human-sized vats of water to makeshift power sources. Small girls in white clothing scattered about, all carrying various forms of gigantic tools in their hands. Happily chirping away as they worked on their projects.

His eyes stopped at one particular makeshift medical bed, Akashi's furry ears seen twitching behind it. However, the person on it drew his attention as well. It was a smaller shipgirl, one with an appearance strikingly familiar to the one beside him. A scientific breakthrough in their research of the wisdom cubes, Little Bel. He began to move towards them immediately, the purpose of his visit now in sight.

Akashi was quick to notice his approach, unlike Bel, who was too busy watching the antics of the catgirl beside her.

"Welcome, Commander Nyaa~"

Because of this, was Akashi the first to greet them, loud and cheerful as always. Perhaps too loud, as Bel jumped slightly by the sudden salutation. She was swift on the uptake however, turning towards the approaching pair and giving them a greeting of her own.

"G-good morning, Master- Ms. Belfast. I hope you both had a pleasant night's rest."

She bowed to the best of her ability, but sitting on the medical bed seemed to make it quite difficult and just a bit awkward, ending with a curtsy far from Ideal. Lifting her head, she put both her hands together in her lap. Lightly rubbing them in her white gloves as a small smile rested on her face.

"Good morning to you too, Bel. I hope the check up is going okay. If so, this will be your last right?"

Bel simply nodded with Akashi giving a much more enthusiastic answer, raising one of her arms as she began to explain. The long sleeves on her shirt still managing to hide her hands by some untold miracle.

"That's right, nyaa! I've already gotten approval from Vestal as well, with all of Little Bels' tests showing green. I just need to finish with her here and she's free as a cat!"

"Well, that's certainly good news. Isn't it, Bel? Free as a bir-"

"CAT, Nyaa!~"

Akashi interrupted, correcting the Commander. Something he only waved off.

"Yes, yes, free as a cat…Now, Belfast has already gotten permission for you to join the maid corps. I know she's been taking care of you until now, and if you don't have any objections, then she'd like to continue being your guardian as well. I know she herself would be more than delighted if you gave her the chance."

At the Commander's news, went Bel's smile just a little bit strained. Not seen by either the Commander or Akashis untrained eyes. But to Belfast, it was clear as day. Her sight sharp from countless nights of fighting and cleaning in the dark.

"Yes, I do think that's for the best."

Belfast was quick to answer in the place of Bel. Joining her side by the bed as she laid a comforting hand on her shoulder.

"She will fit perfectly in with our maid corps, I will train her personally to assure that. And, Commander… It is quite embarrassing to admit, but her sharing so much of my appearance has awoken some of my maternal instincts I believe. The small time we've already spent together has made me see her more as a daughter than a fellow sister ship. It would be most pleasant if we were able to create a perfect little family together."

Yes, it was true, their appearance was similar, identical really. It was only their ages that separated the two, Bel being much younger. It wasn't completely unexpected for Belfast to see her as a daughter.

"Oh? Well, what do you say, Bel? Want to start a little family? If you don't want to then we won't force the matter. But I can tell you would be accepted with open arms."

A bright blush appeared on Bel's cheeks, eyes quickly glancing from the Commander to Belfast. The older shipgirl only waiting, head in a slight tilt. With a smile that contrasted the narrow slits for eyes that were staring back towards her.

Looking back to the Commander, his attention squarely on her and no one else. Oh, how it made her feel warm inside. But she needed to focus, to put on a show. She knew what would happen otherwise, they had all made sure she would.

Putting on a trained smile, she closed her eyes. Preventing any emotion from leaking out. Giving her answer in the most gentle of tones.

"Yes, that would be lovely, Commander."

As the last of the checkups reached completion, gave both Belfast and Bel their goodbyes. Bowing to the Commander and Akashi alike as they left through the gigantic metal doors together, hand in hand. A view that made the Commander swell up in happiness.

"You've done a fantastic job, Akashi. We've uncovered something new about the wisdom cubes once again thanks to your help. How could I ever repay the service you've done for humanity?"

The Commander spoke from the heart, truly elated at the progress they were making. Though as soon as the words left his mouth did he realize the mistake he just made.

Yes, at those words gained Akashi a dangerous glint in her eyes, a deep hunger evident in them.

"Payment, nyaa~~?"

She began to approach, dragging out her mew as slow as she could, looking ready to pounce on him at a moment's notice. A risk exponentially increasing as he bumped into a table behind him in a failed attempt to escape. Something that would seal his fate to the hands of the girl before him.

Seeing her opportunity she quickly closed the distance between them, letting her body rest against his as she put one of her sleeved covered hands up before her chin.

"Well first, nya, my price is quite steep you know? I'm an expensive cat, Commander. But perhaps… nyee, eight hundred gems for this little experiment will do this time, Nya! Researching wisdom cube coordinates is quite hard on my paws you know? It's only fair, nyaa."

she was nearly balancing on her toes at the end. Getting as close as she could to the Commander, staring into his eyes. Of course, making him in turn feel quite self-conscious about the whole situation. Something she took notice of quite quickly, her serious business face gaining a mischievous smile.

Pressing her body just a bit harder against his, she continued;

"Of course, nya. If the Commander still felt that the payment didn't match the service, then I could accept other methods of payment…"

The Commander stayed silent for a few seconds, collecting himself. Afraid of the answer to the question he had to ask.

"A-and what would that be, Akashi?"

Her smile grew into a full-blown grin as she pushed herself off him, an arm held in the air as she burst out;

"Ear scratches, Nyaa~~!"

The Commander only stared at her stunned, finally forcing out his words.

"...Ear scratches?"

"Ear scratches, Nya!"

Was the immediate response, the green haired cat girl nodding to herself in her repetition.

"Nnnn, I'll give you a discount of 50 gems if you give them to me whenever I want."

At the green Cat's antics slumped the Commander's shoulders, rubbing his forehead as they did.

"Nyhaha? What's the matter, Commander? Did you hope for something else? Perhaps finally realizing how charming I can be, nya?"

"You'll have your payment first thing tomorrow morning, Akashi…"

A sigh escaped his mouth

"Thanks for your help yet again."

"Nyew problem, thanks for the patronage, nya~~!"

Dusting himself off in a slight attempt to regain any sort of professionalism he had earlier, began the Commander to continue their previous conversation.

"So in your own personal opinion, seeing this success with Bel in the study of Wisdom cube coordinates. Would further authorization into this field be something that you would want?"

Her nod came almost immediately, eager to continue the research.

"Of course, nya. Bel is only the beginning in all of this. Nnh, nnh."

She nodded twice now, vocalizing it at the same time. Eyes closed as she thought about the project.

"Nnn, With how we currently think the wisdom cubes work, their coordinates being more about compatibility than anything else, nya. We can currently use cubes close to the shipgirls own as a form of limit break, elevating them to new levels of power. But with the creation of Bel using a wisdom cube nearly identical to Belfast's. Then I can only theorize that we are perhaps capable of producing several types of the same ship girl… nnn, perhaps even reviving dead ones nya."

She opened her eyes as she started to wave her hands around, the long sleeves on her clothing flailing wildly. All in an attempt to emphasize her next words.

"Think about it, Commander! A fleet, several times larger than this one. Hundreds of shipgirls ready at a moment's notice to drop a few coins down at my shop! It's a dream come true right? It couldn't be better right? Think of all the gems I could make, nya! Perhaps enough to lower the interest rates on some of your loans hmm, Commander?"

The last sentence was accompanied by a smug expression, making the Commander stiffen. It was true that he had accrued several loans from her, some services being far too expensive to pay the whole amount in one go. Gems were a rare resource mined out at sea, only found in a literal war zone. As well as the catalyst for several experiments worldwide, not only for the wisdom cubes, but other fields as well. All this made them an expensive material to possess, let alone to give away thousands of.

Coughing, and feeling just a bit sheepish, bypassed the Commander her question with one of his own.

"How about the equipment I have already paid for in full? Will it be ready for Operation Siren?"

Akashi stopped at the question, thinking silently to herself, her previous smugness gone for pure business. If there was one thing you could always trust her in, it was her professionalism in getting something done. As long as you paid the appropriate amount of course. A thing the Commander used in cases when she became more than a handful to control.

Pulling out several papers after some searching around one of the nearby desks, she began recounting the progress, seemingly mostly to herself.

"Shell and rigging upgrades with state of the art radar for both Littorio and Tirpitz to be sent overseas… And concerning the home front, nya… all new aircrafts have been introduced to the Yorktown class with extra fuel tanks as well, nya."

She paused slightly scribbling something on the paper, muttering.

"Nnn, engine upgrades to all of the Colorado Class ships and minor upgrades to several others. Including hydraulic steering, AA-mounts, and radar. All done and dusted, Nya! Installations on some are still waiting but that should be no problem for this little cat, nyahaha!"

Crossing her arms, she held her head high, clearly proud at once again succeeding at her work.

"Then I'll leave it to you, Akashi. If this operation is successful then we can finally open up our trade routes in the Atlantic again, possibly even removing most of the siren presence and their blockade… Let's both work hard to make that a reality."

The Commander placed a hand on her head, giving her ears a few scratches. Akashi's proud expression becoming one of pure satisfaction as he did.

"So about that discount… let's say a hundred gems, okay?"

Akashi only looked at the Commander, opening one of her eyes as the smile she sported gained a bit of mischievousness again, failing to hide it with one of her hands.

"70, Nya. Only because you're a valued customer, Commander."

She laughed softly, seeing the Commander's expression fall just a bit, not giving in to his pleading eyes.

Shaking his head, knowing that he wouldn't get a better offer, accepted it without further bargaining.

"Well then, Akashi. As I said before, I'll leave this to you. Sadly, I've got several more things needing my attention today so I'm going to have to say goodbye for now. But I'll see you later, okay?"

"Yes yes, Commander~~. Stay safe… And be sure to visit me in my shop any time, nyaa~~!"

As the Commander left, leaving Akashi alone, discounting the small feathery Bulins running around, could she be heard humming a happy tune to herself. Taking out a paper and looking it over almost ecstatically, adding text to its already overfilled pages. It was notes on the loans and payments the Commander had failed to pay on time, its number increasing yet again. She knew he wouldn't be able to give her the gems tomorrow morning, probably not even in the near future. But that wasn't the point. No, for once Akashi couldn't care less about earning her well deserved gems. Instead, aiming for something much more precious to her.

"To win a man's heart you must go through the stomach, that's what they say, nya. No… I will ensnare him with his wallet, bind him to me with his debts. A lover's peonage, what a romantic dream, nyaa~~."

The green cat eared shipgirl began to lightly laugh to herself, hugging the paper.

"And to think he's walking right into it all on his own, nyaa~~."

At the same time across the small island had both Belfast and Bel reached their destination. The bigger shipgirl turned to the smaller, a sweet smile gracing her features.

"Now, my little Bel… You know the procedure, I'll be waiting for you in my room until you're done. See to it that I don't need to send you out a second time today."

Belfast went inside, finished speaking, no further explanation needed. Leaving Bel outside alone with the gentle breeze from the sea and unease in her eyes.

She needed to find a stick both strong and elastic from one of the dorm's nearby bushes. If Belfast deemed it inadequate, she would be sent out again, continuing until it was satisfactory.

After some time she found one she was satisfied with, her long walk to Belfast's personal quarters beginning. A walk adorned in silence, the dorms nearly vacant.

She was standing outside Belfast's door before she knew it. Staring down its wooden design. Simple and elegant, just as its owner. She spotted Belfast immediately as she opened it. Standing in the middle, beside a small table and chair. Eyes sharply looking over Bel, judging her.

Foregoing a greeting, Belfast simply held out her hand, clearly signaling what she wanted. And as soon as the stick came into her possession did she start to evaluate it. Bending, twisting, and giving it a few test swings in the air.

"This will do. Great work, Bel, I'm satisfied. Now, would you be so kind as to sit down? I want to inspect your hands before we begin."

Bel simply did as she was told, sitting down and removing her gloves, revealing countless cuts on her otherwise perfect skin. Whilst some had nearly faded, others looked quite fresh, barely healed at all. Belfast gently looked them over, examining each and every one with utmost care.

"They are all healing quite well, wouldn't you agree, my little Bel? It would seem that another round of education is possible."

As Belfast finished her sentence was a loud crack heard throughout the room, followed directly by a muted yelp.

"Now… what have you done this time, Bel?"

Bel took a second to recollect herself, the pain in her hands throbbing. Though quickly giving her answer.

"I failed to greet the Master properly as one of the royal maids, shaming their name."

Crack.

Another strike was issued.

"I stammered, talking in a way unbecoming for a lady."

Crack!

And another.

"I hesitated, showing uncertainty in an important decision."

Crack!

Another.

"I made mistakes!"

Bel almost shouted, tears forming in her eyes.

CRACK!

A final strike, this time hitting the small table instead, just an inch from the young girl's hands.

Belfast put a single finger under Bel's chin, her cold eyes staring down the small girl's form.

"It seems my little Bel can learn after all. It's just such a shame it took so long, you've already sullied my image."

A small pause, Belfast removing her finger. In turn, also removing the single warmth the girl could still get from her.

"Yes, you made mistakes. It does not matter what or where, how or when. You failed to give me perfection, to give the Commander perfection."

She paused.

"One thing you MUST understand, my little Bel… Is that you're not only wearing the maid uniform of the royal navy but MY face as well. Anything you do will reflect on me. Any mistake you make will be used to put me down. And when you do these things in front of the Commander… Tell me my little Bel, do you want to get me angry?"

Bel only shook her head as a single drop of blood escaped her hand, dirtying the table under.

Belfast saw it immediately, freezing in place. Her hand tightening just a bit around the stick she was still holding. In the end only letting out a small sigh, rubbing her forehead.

"My goodness, Bel. You should've told me if you were hurting that bad. It would do me no good if you were put out of commission because of this. Come here, I'll fix it right away."

Putting the stick away and pulling out a first aid kit from one of the nearby closets. She slowly began to apply alcohol to the open wound. All the while continuing to talk, never letting the room fall into silence.

"I want to marry the Commander, Bel."

Was the first thing Belfast said, making it Bel's turn to freeze.

"I want to be his perfect maid… warrior… and lastly, wife. I want you as our perfect little daughter, a girl just too cute to handle. I want us three to be a perfect family together. And I can't have that until you learn how to act like a proper woman."

Bel only gave a blank look, still frozen from Belfast's previous statement as her mouth opened slightly.

"Ms. Belfast… You do know you're not the only one with aspirations concerning our Commander right? Even I, one who has only spent a month at this base, can tell that."

At that, gave Belfast only a knowing smile, nodding.

"Yes that is true, everyone at this base is vying for his warm embrace. But now I have something they will never be able to offer him, a child."

Bel stayed silent for a while, letting Belfast treat her hands without distractions. Though finally speaking when it seemed that Belfast was nearly done.

"Even though I've barely been with the Commander, barely been alive at all, I still yearn for him. When he asked me if I wanted a family, it felt like he wanted me for his own. I had never felt such happiness, Ms. Belfast. If I could have that every day… Then I'll happily call you mother."

Belfast gave a warm smile, finishing the treatment on Bel's hands with a small band aid.

"Then let's continue training, my little Bel. For the future where we'll be together with the Commander… Forever."