[Author's note]

Out of character for a bit, I just wanted to thank all of you for reading this. I don't like putting something directly from me into my work, but it's the only way I can communicate. I'm saying this because, at the time of this writing, we passed ten thousand and eight hundred views. That is a lot more impressions than I thought I would ever be able to make at this stage in my life.

So, if you'll excuse the interruption from the usual story, I wanted to say just one thing: Thank you.

Thank you for taking your valuable time out of your life to read my story; My story that began out of desperation after I sat inside my uncle's house for too long, jobless and with no creative or social outlet. Suffocating in the absolute tarpit that is online schooling taught me that there are many things in life that cannot be taught inside a classroom. Thank you for reading this somewhat original piece of work that too-often gets finished and published at two in the morning because I don't want to explain to my nosy extended family how a triple 381mm artillery gun can be described as "sexy". Thank you for keeping your interest, despite this project turning into something very different from what it started as. Thank you for putting up with my continuous references and jokes, and thank you again for sticking with this little hobby as I just pull it out of my ass and pretend it smells like springtime.

But I'm not trying to bring down the standard for this story. This is one of the very few things I'm doing in my life right now that I genuinely enjoy, and I want to make something of it, too. Treat it like any other. For those of you who respond, know that I always listen, and I can't thank you enough for the human response I'm desperate for right now. Getting an email notification of a review(positive or negative) makes my day. For those who just read and drift by, you are also important. You've given me the chance to say my piece, and for that I'm still grateful. To you who have stuck with this until the thirteenth chapter: You may know a lot more about me than I do you, but you still do mean a lot to me. I hope what I've made puts at least an equal amount of delight into you as much as it gave me making it. Apathy is death, man. Do something, anything. You will be all the happier.

Okay, I'm done. Let's get on with it.

[AIGHT LET'S TRANSITION OUT OF THIS MESS]

The morning sun peeked over the horizon in a moving shade of crimson. The light reflected off of Wichita's hair, which was a similar color. However, she had no interest in this morning red sky. She was trying to organize a cluster of trainees. They were the future, after all, and damned if she was going to let a bunch of runts get to her. However, she had to juggle them returning from the bathroom, loading up on supplies, and lining up in order for roll.

"Hiei-chan, put the goldfish away. Save the snacks for later."

"But if I don't eat them, Akagi will steal them from me."

"Put them in your galley. She can only steal them if they're in your hand."

"Oh, right."

Hiei closed the bag and put it behind her back. When she returned her hand to her side, the bag was missing.

Eventually, Wichita was confident they were all present. She called them all to line up. They did so after some bickering. Roll began with Wichita's voice.

"Akagi!"

"Hai."

"Bel!"

"Present."

"Clevelad!"

"Yep!"

Wichita snapped, "Put that damn candy bar away!"

"Okay…"

She continued, "Hiei!"

"Hai!"

"Illustrious!"

"Hello."

"Renown!"

"My blade is yours!"

Wichita stopped and said dejectedly, "Just say hello."

"Sandy!"

"Heya!"

"Lena!"

"H-h-h-h-h…"

Wichita sighed and figured that counted. She looked back at the list. "And finally, Zeppy."

"Ja."

Wichita gave a look of genuine surprise, realizing that they were all where they needed to be. Maybe this would be much easier than she thought. She barked, "Okay, runts! We'll be performing exercises to the east of this island! We're going to be doing this for the next few weeks, so you better get used to the sight of water and fire."

Clevelad asked, "Which way is east again?"

Wichita responded, "Is the sun coming up?"

"Y-yeah?"

"Steer toward it! ...and a little to port."

With that, the group made way and spent their next few days running around, yelling at each other, and shooting captured illegal fishing and smuggling vessels.

[===================]

"Does anyone else feel uncomfortable?" I ask this as I am up to my elbow in fox tail fur. Oh, not a singular tail. I meant nine.

Takao responded, "I know for certain it fell behind Akagi. I can't find my hair tie anywhere else."

Irritated, I asked, "I thought you wore a bow."

"That's part of my uniform. This is for off-duty."

"What color was it?"

"Brown."

Classic needle in a haystack situation, except I had no magnet, the needle is the same color as the straw, and the straw is making noises. Akagi sat on the main deck while I knelt with my face obscured by fur. Kaga, Takao, and Ayanami stood around us. We were nearly done with our nearly week-long voyage. Sea travel in Azur Lane was different in that there wasn't much of a choice in interaction. I either spoke to the ships or myself. The latter wasn't an option, so this resulted in shenanigans as we had to entertain ourselves. As I dug through, I asked Akagi, "Do you feel it anywhere?"

She answered, eyes halfway closed, "I feel exquisite."

"Not my question."

Another minute of cold sweat, and I found the lost accessory. I handed it to Takao with a tired look on my face. Akagi said, "A shame. I was so close, too."

I cringed, stuck my hand down to the root of her tails, and shook it. I said, "You guys would not last five minutes in the actual navy."

A very unprofessional noise exited Akagi's lips at maximum volume, startling everyone. She fell forward and smacked her head against the deck with an audible "Thump". My brain immediately blanked and all I could say was, "Woah."

Kaga asked, "What were you expecting?"

"Not that. Why is she like that?"

"She and I are the same, and yet I still do not know."

"The same?"

Kaga nodded yes. I nodded as well and said, "Well, regardless…" I bent over until there was only an inch of distance between my lips and a fuzzy ear. I whispered, "She likes it anyway." This garnered a quiver from Akagi. Meanwhile Takao's face contorted. She whined, "Akagi-sama, why… why my deck? That's-that's just… someone has to… I will retrieve the fire hose."

Oil spillage cleaned, we made our way and occasionally course-corrected Akagi as she… recovered.

The rest of the trip was uneventful, and we made our way to Onahama port. I stood on Takao's bow and looked onward to the mainland. Takao also stood there. However, she struck a very formal post with her blade in front of her, the point of it touching the deck. Her hands were on the pommel of it, and she looked stiffer than usual. I noticed this and asked what was so different.

Takao pointed toward the pier and said, "Them."

I squinted and saw a cluster of people in casual clothing. I asked, "Civilians?"

Takao corrected, "Reporters."

"What the hell is the media here for?"

"You, of course. Do I need to remind you that you oversaw our first offensive operation against the sirens?"

"B-but that was just days ago."

"Word travels fast. I suggest you look sharp."

I hate the news. Actually, no. I just hate being interviewed, but it's news reporters that are the worst. I immediately get the idea of my stupid face being broadcasted to a lot of people, and my brain immediately shuts down. I have never once watched a recording of myself on the news. Takao chuckled. I asked what was so funny.

"Oh. I thought it was funny that you can brave violent aliens and the more aggressive of the ships, yet crumble in front of a camera."

My face strained, "Don't push me here. You know how bad this is for me."

She leaned toward me and said, "Almost as bad as a bread joke."

I quickly turned to her with wild eyes. "You'll be cleaning grease traps for-"

Takao backed off and replied, "I joke. I joke. Look. Here come the tugboats."

I often feel Atago occasionally rubs off on her sister.

I walked down the gangplank with Takao behind me and found myself in an entirely new environment. The Sakura dockyard was bustling with activity. Despite being a military/industrial area, it featured much flora.

A woman in what can be described as a formal "power suit" was already there at the end of the gangplank. She said, "It is good you have finally arrived. Did you have a safe trip?" I was used to the Sakuran accent and dealing with occasionally broken English, but her speech was impeccable. She had no accent whatsoever, and it unnerved me a little. I also wasn't used to talking face to face with humans. I actually hadn't met a human for months now.

"It was. I almost believe the sirens are going to take their loss with no response."

The woman chuckled. "The sirens are not known for their swiftness in making decisions. Rest assured, their revenge may not be swift, but it will be devastating. I suspect they are checking their notes now."

"Probably."

We walked down the pier and I was accosted by half a dozen reporters halfway. I'd like to describe it, but I have no memory of it. It's just a blank spot in my head. One second I am approaching them, the next I'm walking away while performing some relaxing breathing exercises. Our guide walked us into the restricted area. I asked the woman, "What of the other ships?"

She responded, "They'll be checking in with the dockmaster and registering for their retrofittings. Takao will also do this after she is done escorting the both of us. After that, they will all come to the building I am taking you to. We have much to talk about."

I laughed and jokingly asked, "What? Do you have an entire itinerary planned for me?"

She did not take the joke. Instead she handed me a sheet of paper. "Oh, I actually do. Thank you for reminding me. Here it is."

As I read the paper, my face gradually became one of horror. I found many places to be, the times to be in there, and very little space in between those times. One thing stood out to me, and I audibly made wheezing noises. I asked, "What's this about a flotilla?"

The woman's spirits lifted when I mentioned this. She cheerily said, "Oh, a little military parade outside of Tokyo. It's going to be wonderful. An excellent morale boost. Even Yorktown decided to participate while she was here as a gesture of Union goodwill. I believe it will increase public confidence in the warship girls, especially among the more conservative population." She flipped through a clipboard.

Thinking about all those people staring at me made me nauseous. Suddenly, I realized something. I asked, "Wait, are you just openly displaying them?"

She looked at me and spoke while still walking. "I forgot we are the only nation to do that. Yes, we are more open about our ships having spirits. Certainly cuts down on casualties. There's even friendly competition among the civilians on who is the best. They call them… something starting with a 'W'. I'm sorry, I've forgotten. Oh, speaking of: Miss Takao, what do you think of a little fundraising raffle? The winner would spend a day with you."

The look from Takao was so caustic, it could rust stainless steel. The woman turned around and said, "Perhaps later."

Just then, another individual walked around the corner of a dockhouse. She looked somewhat similar to Kaga, with grey fuzzy ears on top of her head and many tails behind her. However, Kaga didn't have a greyish-blue color to her hair, nor was she head and neck taller than the doorframe. The woman was massive to a degree that it put our other battleships and carriers to shame. She wielded Sakuran carrier rigging, but with more armor and mass than I thought possible. The only person who compared was Freidrich der Große. Around her was this blue aura that flickered like a flame.

I quietly asked Takao, "What is that?"

Takao whispered, "That is what seventy-three thousand tons of Sakuran flagship looks like, commander. I suggest respect."

"Is she a PR ship I didn't hear about?"

"No, she has existed for quite some time. After retrieving her from ideas and dreams, she's been performing sea trials ever since."

"The heaviest vessel in the world and nobody told me about her. Who else knew?"

"Akagi and Kaga did. Noshiro was there. Oh, second carrier division participated as well. Kii and Kashino also-"

"Does everyone know this?"

Takao smiled. "Yes! It was actually a big deal for Sakura. We had to perform some refitting, but we recently finished."

"Wait, was this during your big "Dream Expedition" a while back?"

"Yes. I know you dismissed it when you thought it was going to be some superstitious ritual, but it actually produced great results."

"I am suddenly much more superstitious."

The kitsune stood in our path and waited for us to approach her. When we reached speaking distance, my head was raised at least forty-five degrees to look at her face. She wore a tired expression. She said, "Hello there."

I replied, "Hey, I'm-"

She interrupted, "I know who you are. Were it not for you, this one would not exist."

"And who are you?"

She bowed slightly. "I am Shinano, an aircraft carrier of the Sakura Empire. I have been in this world for a little bit of time, but I was out of it for much longer. I am thankful for this chance to make change."

"How do you plan on making a change?"

"Mmmmm… I do not know. So many possibilities. So many theories. However, I will be under Azur Lane command from this point forward. I am very… eager."

"You look exhausted."

"I was moreso at first. That is just… That is just how I am. It is how I must be, for now. Let us continue."

We continued onward to a building. Shinano went inside with the woman, but I was instructed to wait in the small front room before the lobby. Takao immediately exited and jogged away.

[=================]

Night fell upon the group of training ships. There was no rest, as Wichita declared it was the perfect time to practice night ops. However, their exercises were interrupted occasionally by enemy air traffic flying over the horizon. They were always just barely in sight range, and never approached.

Bel reported, "My air radar spotted another siren gunship squadron."

Clevelad asked, "How many are in a squadron again?"

Wichita's face changed to one of concern. "Three in a squadron. That's the fourth siren air unit we've seen today, and they have to have seen us at this point. Something's wrong, I can feel it."

Hiei voice betrayed the slightest hint of fear. "Hey. We're… we're gonna be okay, right? Right, Wichita?"

Wichita paused. She couldn't be as honest with these tenderfeet as she was with the rest of her comrades. She said, "Obviously. Bel, send a message to port. Ask how they're doing."

"Of course."

Just after she sent it, they all heard the sound of anti-aircraft fire. Wichita was the only experienced one in the group, and she distinctly recognized the sound of the flak guns positioned outside the port. Also as an instructor, she knew the difference between exercise fire and the desperate spray-and-pray of an actual attack. This was the latter. All of the little ships gazed at Wichita. Bel said, "Oh. I received a message from the port."

Wichita asked, "What does it say?"

Bel cleared her throat and then said, "'Shut Up. Shut Up. Shut Up. Shut Up.' Message ends."

Wichita read the room and realized morale had taken a nosedive. She had to make a decision immediately, or they had a good chance of breaking. She made one: "We head northeast and stay within sight of the coastline. Maybe we can get behind them and do some damage or avoid the attack altogether. Let's move. Radio silence, otherwise it'll reveal ourselves to the sirens." However, she knew that just one stray transmission was all the sirens needed.

However, any hope of that was immediately stolen as they all spotted two eldritch silhouettes on the horizon. The two shapes headed toward them with all speed.

[===================]

I sat waiting for a little while. I almost dozed off into a nap when the front door opened.

Akagi, Kaga, Uranami, Ayanami, Takao, and Atago arrived nearly around the same time. I asked them what was going on. Akagi said she knew, but wasn't going to ruin the surprise. Kaga simply gestured to open the door. I did so.

I was immediately met by a cheer. The lobby was filled with Sakura party paraphernalia. A cart with some snacks and drinks was parked along one of the walls. A lot of people in officers' uniforms were there, along with a few in civilian clothing. They wished me congratulations on humanity's first offensive against the sirens, and a successful one, at that.

Sakura parties are more subtle, similar to Royal ones. They are also big on etiquette. It was a very nice one, but that's all I can say about it.

I was presented two gifts. Akagi proudly handed me a wooden box. Inside was a very small cloth bag on a string. She said, "It's an O-Mamori. A protective charm. I made it myself with Chitose's help."

I said, "It's very nice. I'll keep it in my pocket."

Yorktown gave me another box, this one much heavier. She softly said, "This was my sister's idea. It's also a… protective charm, of sorts."

Inside was a ridiculously large hand cannon. I'm not a gun nut, but I was later told it was a Python revolver. I lifted it out of the box and said, "I can guess which sister." Inspecting the immaculately polished weapon, I also found cleaning materials and… bullets? I asked, "Is this thing loaded?" Everyone backed off a little. Turns out, it was.

Yorktown commented, "I suppose it has more of a punch than the standard issue one you have in your desk."

I replied, "I'm more likely to punch myself with it than anyone else. Still, tell Hornet I'm very thankful." Yorktown nodded.

The party lasted a little longer, and then some of us moved upstairs. We entered a conference room with an open and powered laptop at the end of the table. On the computer was a live video feed of Akashi back at port, smoking a catnip blunt. That was certainly not something she got from CIF. She smugly looked at me, knowing that I was an ocean away from her scrawny little neck.

"Oh, you're finyally here! I was bored, nya. I hope you're ready."

I asked, "Ready for what?"

She replied, "Weird things, nya. I guess I'll start. With some research help from the Unyan and Iron Blood, we've learned a bit about mirror seas. They might nyat be a problem much longer."

Ironically, my curiosity was equal to the cat's this time. I told Akashi, "I thought mirror seas were impenetrable. You might as well scream at reality."

Akashi blew smoke out of her catnip blunt and replied, "Not a bad anyalogy. I feel Shinano can explain it better. We learned of this because it's almost a second nyature to her."

I turned to the gentle giant. She said, "Mmmmm… Akashi overstates. I would not describe it as screaming. You lead. Do you understand the power of words and the butterfly effect?"

"I am."

"Mnnh… The right word in the right place, at the right time, and spoken in the right way, can change anything."

"Yeah, I guess theoretically. You'd need to have intimate knowledge and enormous amounts of calculating power to pull it off, but yeah. I thought those butterflies you summoned were just decorative."

Shinano's usually neutral face turned into a comforting smile, like a wise monk whose teachings have finally borne fruit in a novice. She said, "I am what you would call an avatar of that butterfly effect. I am in an unusual position, in that I have achieved a perspective through more natural ways that the sirens have achieved through their technology. I see the branching of possibilities as they do, but I am still only one person. That is why I must remain in a half stupor, for if I were to awaken and see it all, I would be overwhelmed. For now, it must be this way." That particular burst of speech seemed to have tired her.

I asked, incredulous, "What are you then?"

She inhaled and summoned a second wind. She smiled and said, "I am a mirror, whose purpose is to show you what your own eyes cannot yet see. Because of this, the sirens cannot observe me. It would be like trying to identify a singular ant amongst an entire colony. I am nothing for their clairvoyant eyes, no doubt this causes them great frustration. Also like them, I see many possibilities and potentials. Unlike them, for now, I cannot choose the one I want. But, we have learned something." She turned to Akashi and then closed her eyes.

Akashi smoked a little in silence for dramatic effect. Finally, she said, "If a word has power, what about a song? What about a chant? The crazies over in Iron Blood spent their time on improving their technology, but Sakura's been up to something different, nya. I don't understand it much myself. Maybe the best way to win against the sirens is to not beat them at their own game, but to play an entirely different one. Got to think differently, nya. Anyways, we came up with something."

I asked, "And that is?"

"We've been calling them Myantras. Ehh… Mantras. They are words that do not speak to any person, but the universe itself." She gestured to the ceiling with her hands. "They're just requests, but half the battle of making money is asking the correct way."

"Who knows them? What can these 'mantras' do?"

Shinano sighed, "These chants come naturally to me, so after months of constant practice on tone, inflection, and dialect, only I can do anything consistent with them. I feel that the others may also do the same, but they require more time. For now, this chant is not one of creation, but one of neutralization. Specifically, it counteracts Siren mirror seas. It's like a counterpoint in an argument against their manipulations of reality. Yes. Compare it to that. Nothing constructive at the moment."

"Why don't we just go around the world and sweep up all mirror seas?"

"And that is the difference between intelligence and wisdom. We cannot play our hand and speak of hope so frivolously. We are in a cage, shikikan. Never forget that, lest we are slammed back inside the moment we escape. We will need the momentum once we are outside to have a chance of staying free."

"I see. Are you high? Is this all just a joke?"

"Yes and no!" Offscreen, something on Akashi's desk caught her attention. She sat upright with a curious look on her face. She said, "I like playing with your mind, but I have to do something. Catch you later, nya!" She hung up.

I muttered, "Whimsical cat."

[=============]

Akagi-chan looked through her binoculars and said, "Appears to be an Explorer and Chaser class."

Wichita looked through her optics and saw the same. She confirmed the Chaser class because it was already firing it's weapon. Chasers had a theoretically infinite engagement range. With the sirens' superior communications, a Chaser could open fire with it's unrelenting armor-piercing autocannon on any target that was within the sight of another siren unit. The reported accurate firing range increased almost constantly in Azur Lane's records. The explorer fearlessly charged forward, backed by air support. This was not Wichita's first encounter, nor did she plan it on being her last. She took command immediately and ordered, "Circle formation as the planes come in. As soon as they finish their run, spread out. Zeppy, Akagi, and Illustrious: launch planes. Renown: cover them and try to target the Chaser. Rest of you: after the planes finish their strike, spread out and sink that Explorer as fast as possible."

They all did so, and the beginning of the battle was signaled by Renown firing her weapon with a rangefinding shot.

But first, a little bit of perspective. Unlike Wichita, the rest of them were green. They had no combat experience and very little practical training as well. They were all, relatively, scared little children. They were all very much on their own, with no precedent to work from.

But these were not ordinary enemies to fight. Sirens were very good at what they did, and that was making the situation seem hopeless. Maybe, in the grand scheme of things, it was. The little ships gazed at the alien thing approaching them at top speed and wondered just what it was. The more they looked, the more uncomfortable they felt. Perception became less solid. Their eyes played tricks on them, and told them what they saw was merely mockingly taking on the human form. Whispers wandered about in their ears, all telling them to dance along to a twisted little tune. Ants crawled under their skin as intrusive thoughts waltzed around inside their heads.

"You are alone.", they said.

"You are afraid.", they said.

"You are lying.", they said.

The infinite abyss stared at them and said they were very, very small. For a moment, their hearts stopped. Their souls dimmed. Their guns were silent. They were candles drifting in the vacuum of space, and the frozen void simply asked why they were so determined to burn. They were constructs with constructed spirits, no different from homunculi, doomed to fade away as soon as their builders forgot them. Some of them never had a chance to experience the ocean as ships. What were they?

As they all slowed down as dread and depression consumed them, like the pressure of the bottom of the ocean. They were all children playing a game far bigger than them. Wichita turned around to see them on the verge of tears of despair. She yelled, "The hell's wrong with you?!"

Illustrious asked, "W-why? We can't win. We're trapped."

Wichita screamed as the blue enemy projectiles reached their halfway mark. "Like hell we will! It doesn't matter how tough your cage is! You rattle the bars! You scream at your jailer! It doesn't matter how small your chance is or even if you have none at all! You're guaranteed to lose if you don't try! Earth will be free or I will die trying!"

With that, a bolt careened past Wichita's face and struck the water, spraying steam everywhere. A stream of smaller bolts came after it, some striking her. Raising a battlecry and flipping the Chaser the bird, she opened fire on the Explorer. The ink retreated from the little ships' vision and they suddenly found heart. Defeat turned to discontent. Compliance was replaced by confidence. Indifference changed to insult. How dare the sirens invade their homeland? It was a wrong that would be rectified at any cost. They all raised their voices in kind and opened fire on the incoming enemy aircraft.

Zeppy's Messerschmitts finished off the last of the fighters, and the little ships' dive and torpedo bombers took advantage of the uncontested airspace. After the last enemy plane exploded in the sky, the formation broke. Wichita led the charge on a direct course toward the Explorer. This suited the enemy melee specialist destroyer just fine. As soon as she got rid of the drill instructor, the trainees would break and be easy pickings.

The Explorer launched a salvo of torpedoes, but were dodged. Wichita closed and threw a haymaker at the siren. With one shielded arm, the Explorer blocked the shells. With the other, it took Wichita's blow. The two ships rejected traditional naval combat with a brawl. As the larger ship, Wichita was slower, but the weight behind her blows couldn't be stopped forever. The Explorer stuck with it's agility, sneaking in blows and gunshots whenever it could. Every time Wichita faded a strike and fired her guns, the Explorer would already have it's shield up. However, both of them noticed the siren's crumbling armor and the odds of who would win the long game.

The siren disengaged under another hail of fire from it's ally. The Chaser knew it's time was limited, as it's odds were not good it would survive the bombers. It put all of it's focus into Wichita with a stream of cripplingly accurate miniature shells that penetrated her armor. The Explorer took hit after hit as it accelerated with wild abandon. Renown's eyes widened with horror as she realized she had no time to maneuver. The siren rammed her with all speed, sending her sprawling across the surface of the ocean and there was this horrible metal-on-metal screeching noise. As the Explorer staggered to her feet, this gave enough time for Wichita to get behind her. The Explorer turned around just in time to have Wichita's gun slammed into her chin. Wichita fired at point plank, and the Explorer disintegrated head first.

With everyone distracted, a squadron of siren dive bombers managed to get the drop on them. Akagi pointed and called out, but everyone's fighters were busy escorting the other bombers. They all poured everything they had into the siren bombers as they made their dive at Wichita.

Flak struck one and it exploded in the sky. The second also spurted smoke and uncontrollably drifted off course. The third was more difficult to hit, but halfway down, a flak shell exploded next to it's wing, tearing it off. The plane attempted to correct as it tore itself apart mid-air. Neither the aircraft, nor Wichita had any time to maneuver. All ships desperately tried to tear the bomber out of the sky, but they couldn't land another hit. Everyone was helpless as the bomber slammed into Wichita's face, along with it's payload.

Her humanoid form disappeared in a ball of fire. In a flash of light, she was replaced by her warship form. It towered over everyone else, the bridge masked in a pillar of flame. Glimpses at the control center only made it look even worse. Time stopped for everyone else as they looked on in despair. The silence was broken by the bombers annihilating the Chaser. The siren disappeared with a smug look on her face. Her job was done.

Wichita radiated palpable waves of panic as she uncontrollably moved ahead at full speed. She was blind, dazed, and heading east. The little ships yelled up to Wichita, but she said nothing in return. Her only response was the fire suppression system kicking in and the blare of alarms.

Akagi-chan was the first to regain her composure. All of that classroom time she'd been subjected to would be insulting if it went to waste. She took command and said, "Clevelad and Bel. Come with me and we'll check the bridge out and try to stop her. The rest of you will form around her and protect."

They did so. Akagi-chan, Bel, and Clevelad leapt up to the main deck of Wichita. The fire alarm was deafening. They all looked up to see the flames subsiding, but smoke still poured out of the citadel. They ran up the steps to the remnants of the bridge, now with the smoke drifting away, was a disheartening sight to behold. The entire thing was blackened from fuel fires and the front of it blew away, destroying all of the delicate instruments inside. Nothing of the enemy bomber remained, but the hole where it rammed and then exploded was obvious. Bel pointed out that the ship's wheel had been completely destroyed. Clevelad commented that it might be important.

Just then, Little Renown radioed, informing them all that she spotted land approaching in front of them on the horizon. Bel replied, "Well, that certainly puts us on the clock. Perhaps there is another way to steer before we run aground?" They all racked their brains, and realized that the wheel was connected to another pump. That pump controlled the rudders. Where the pump was, how it worked, and if it was even possible to operate were unknown. However, they all had control over almost every aspect of themselves. Maybe Wichita knew.

Clevelad asked, "How? The intercom system here is broken! She's blind and deaf!"

Bel thought for a second. She said, "But she isn't deaf."

Akagi-chan glanced back. "But what?"

"Remember when the Master talked about ship spirits? It was the time he said he had to be careful who he slept onboard."

"Yes. He said he'd never stay onboard 'nee-sama again. I don't know why you see him as your master."

"He said that if you listened, you could hear the ship talk, even if she was asleep."

"I'm not one to talk with ghosts."

"That would make you a ghost, miss Akagi. My point is that you in Sakura are good at the more supernatural. Maybe those fox ears can hear something we can't. Maybe you can talk to her."

"Ugh, fine. I don't see how some superstition of that slave in officer's clothing is going to help us here. It's all we've got, though."

As Akagi-chan marched her way down the stairs, Bel said, "I shall remain here and signal our actions to the group." The little carrier marched her way down to the sealed door leading belowdecks. She threw it open and walked down the stairs with a grimace on her face.

At the base of the stairs, she was greeted by the galley. She scowled at the echoing noise, and eventually threw a reduced-payload bomb at the fire alarm, silencing it. She sat there with her ears twitching, and had no real clue as to what she was supposed to be doing. She yelled, "Stupid Union ship! Talk to me!"

Nothing. Nothing more than the background noise of a warship.

Akagi-chan thought of her older sister and her leadership ability. She was the one with all of the experience and modernizations. Of course, she was the one with all the glory and powers of subjugation and seduction. What was her little sister? Somebody who showed up even later than the people who still thought in terms of the last century. The little ships were supposed to receive "Normal Society Training", but it kept getting pushed back.

But, they weren't the same. Far from it actually. She cursed her sister's foolishness in trusting the sirens. They were a practical monkey's paw. Just as she cursed the Union for foolishly leaving their back exposed to the Sakura.

Akagi-chan paused. That last thought wasn't hers. She never participated in that war, so why were the images in her head? Why did those images look like they were from a newspaper that wasn't even in her home language? It dawned on her and she immediately tensed up. She was not alone in her own head. She felt the presence of a blinded and panicked soul. It immediately went on it's guard and challenged anything nearby as it backed itself into a corner.

Akagi-chan had also heard the commander speak in the past of how he handled the ships. He spoke of what they were, and how he treated them. Akagi-chan paused and thought about this. Most of the time, she thought of her big sister and how she did things. She simply forced her will upon others through her charisma and power. They both were the same person, after all.

But, Akagi-chan paused. She lacked the experiences and training of her sister, so she was a cleaner slate. She was suddenly reminded of one of the few memories she did have, to one of Shinano. Akagi-chan met her soon after she appeared after Akashi's unsanctioned experiment. The floor was replaced with powdered snow. The stairs behind her turned into a snowdrift. The metal bulkheads were replaced with trees, while the ceiling disappeared into a black sky. The fire alarms faded away into the silence and serenity of a frozen forest.

The air was cold and wet as flurries drifted around. Akagi-chan, having only existed for a few days, had gotten herself lost. She wandered through the ice, hating it. Every time she tripped over a rock, she would hate it even more. Her bitterness simmered as her frustration grew. Were she on water, she would have been able to run up and down the coastline, looking for home. Unfortunately, the only form of travel for her on land were her short little legs. She didn't mind the cold, but her rigging was far from complete. It provided no navigational aid. A boat on dirt was far from useful.

She nearly began to scream at the sky and carpet-bomb the wilderness in fury, until she felt something. It was a warm feeling, like a campfire. She followed the energy, until she exited the underbrush and beheld a massive drydock. She walked across the cement ground and found the trail's end at a utility shack. She opened the door.

She expected nothing more than some pipes, electrical parts, and machinery. She did not expect stairs down to a cozy suite with a crackling fire. The room emanated warm vibes and beckoned. Akagi-chan entered instinctively without saying a word. In front of the fire was a large padded rocking chair. The size was the one of great luxury, excessively large for even the most claustrophobic of humans. However, it fit it's occupant snugly. Akagi-chan noticed a pair of silver fox ears and tails extending from the sides of the chair. A voice said, "Come, young one. Sit."

Akagi-chan came, sat, and beheld the occupant.

She gazed up at the silver kitsune woman and wondered who she was. She felt wonder, intimidation, and comfort all at the same time. It was like gazing at the moon itself. The woman sleepily stared at the crackling fire for some time. Eventually, she asked, "Mmmmm… So, what brings you to my home?"

Akagi-chan replied, "You called me."

Shinano smiled, "Oh, I did not call you. You simply listened." She sighed. "That was always one of Akagi's failings."

"Oh, you know nee-sama?"

"Mmh, only through her actions. We have spoken little. However, I was not expecting you here and now. You feel just like her, but younger. Less wise, but also less desperate. Where… or when, actually, are you from?"

"I came here after Akashi did her experiment on wisdom cubes. Last I remember was being converted from a battlecruiser, then I showed up here. Stupid cat! I should strafe her later!"

"Yes… she certainly is a curious one. Do you feel robbed?"

"Yeah! She stole my glory! I was going to be in the honorable first carrier division! Now I'm stuck here."

"'Stuck' is a very uncharitable interpretation. I am also 'stuck' in this room. I cannot be revealed, or our enemies will make plans. However, before I came to exist here, I was also 'stuck' at the dockyard, doomed to never exist. Even now, I am still not complete, but I would prefer it every time over the past. Even you do not know me, for I did not exist until much time later. It is arguable if the same Shinano existed at all."

"What's your point?"

"My point is that there is more than one perspective over your own. Wise leaders try to see from as many angles."

"That takes too much time! All under me will accept my strength and follow me! It's what my sister would do!"

"You have described a champion, not a leader. Your sister has made many mistakes. Some weigh her down even today."

Akagi-chan scowled. "Then how am I supposed to control? Force is the only guaranteed way. Threat of violence is the ultimate authority, under which all other authority comes from!"

Shinano sighed, "You read, but all the same books; All the same lessons. You may control their bodies that way, but you will never have their hearts. Your cause will fail as soon as you do. To truly move the masses, you must know what to say, when to say, and how to say it. But, most importantly, you must know your people."

"Why should I care what the rabble think?"

"Because they outnumber you. Domination is not achieved through raw power. It is done by propelling the events you choose into motion. It is done through teaching, through example, and through conviction. The greatest victories are simply awakening others to your truth. In order to do that…" She leaned toward the small carrier. "...you must listen. This is a lesson your 'enslaved' commander has already learned."

"Then… What… What am I supposed to be listening to?"

Shinano looked up at the ceiling, shrugged, and said, "I don't know." She chuckled. "But, words are distractions. Let us be silent."

They were both quiet for some time, then Akagi-chan realized she was hearing the sound of Shinano snoring. She climbed up into the chair and curled up in Shinano's lap.

The memory ended as abruptly as it started. Akagi-chan returned to the galley, which was still just as much a scene of chaos as she left it. Bel politely informed her over the radio that they would need to regain rudder and engine control soon, or they may run aground on shoals. Akagi-chan's first instinct was to bark commands in steadily increasing volume and threat until she got what she wanted.

But much of a person is the summary of their experiences. At that moment, Akagi-chan, despite being the same as her sister(if a little behind) took her first step down a different path. She stood still and tried her hardest to ignore the alarms. She put her hands over her ears and, ever so slightly, opened the gate in her heart just a crack, and gave out a wordless query.

At first, nothing.

Then, something answered. Akagi-chan's initial reaction was hostile, but she stopped herself. The presence didn't speak in words. Instead, it was just feelings, tone, and simple thoughts. Akagi-chan asked, "Can you hear me?"

Confirmation. A question of location.

Akagi-chan said, "We're still out to sea, but there's land approaching. Can you steer?"

A negative. A brief burst of panic.

Akagi-chan put as much will as she could into her intentions, and asked, "No crying! Is your steering broken?"

Another positive. Akagi-chan suddenly had an image of a cable running between the steering wheel and an electrical box. The cable was broken under the pilot house. She wondered if there was a backup.

Wichita's presence was more crisp now. Still wordless, she explained there were redundancies. The panic left her. She was in control of herself now.

Akagi-chan clapped her hands and said, "Excellent. Obviously, they all voted me into command in case you were wounded, so we're going to make way towards the coast."

Agreement.

Akagi-chan victoriously walked back upstairs onto the deck and jumped off. She called to the other two in the bridge to disembark as well. All of the little ships convened to discuss.

Hiei-chan whined, "I wanna go home."

Zeppy dejectedly said, "Home's probably under a raid. We can't go or both sides'll shoot at us. Probably shouldn't radio them, either."

Akagi-chan griped, "Then what? The nearest dockyard I know of is San Francisco. I don't feel like sailing all that way. Clevelad, you're the only Union ship here. What's to the east of us right now?"

"Uhhhhhhh, a bunch'a civvies, I guess?"

Lena said nothing. Li'l Sandy stared and said, "I'm right here."

Akagi-chan turned. "And what's the chance you know more about geography than her?"

Li'l Sandy was stumped, and kicked the water while pouting.

Bel asked, "I do not understand the tactical advantage of landing. Our ability to evade would be almost zero."

A gleam formed in Akagi-chan's eye. "Sure, we'll have to walk everywhere, but the Union must've had some fortifications set up somewhere. It's the mainland, they must have more than even us on the port."

Bel questioned again, "Do you know anything of the mainland?"

Akagi-chan shrugged, "No, but do you have a better idea, or do you want to get constantly air raided?"

"I do not. Let's be off."

There were two more air raids against them before they made it to the mouth of the bay. Only Li'l Renown received a dive bomber hit, disabling one of her AA turrets. She whined that she was the only one getting bullied. However, the steady sounds of battle still continued to the west. Wichita managed to re-manifest in her human form. However, she had a nasty head wound and an angry gash across her eyes. She constantly blinked and flinched. She also had difficulty keeping coherent thoughts and spoke little. Regardless, they took their chances as fish out of water, rather than fish being bombed out of water.