Ship Counselor Shenanigans

by ErnestTBass

Boats with feelings, what do?

14. Lost and Found

The troop of inexperienced ships made their way east. As the sun set on the opposite end of the horizon, the bombing efforts of the sirens doubled under the protection of darkness. They travelled into the strait, and Seattle remained true to form by raining on them. Relying on Lena's GPS navigational skills, they turned south and the coast turned urban. Wichita proclaimed that she couldn't go any further with her splitting headache. They all found a civilian dockyard and unceremoniously left Wichita there. The wound on the top half of her face was still angry and red.

The nine of them stood at the end of the dock in the rain under an orange lamp. Bel asked, "Do you suppose we shall have to pay the dockmaster?"

Akagi replied, "She's just laying down on the pavement. It's not like she's taking up a spot."

Zeppy contributed to the discussion by saying, "I'm hungry."

Hiei said, "You can have some of my goldfish if you want. Here." She retrieved a box of them from behind her and handed them over. Zeppy dug in.

Sandy asked, "So… where are we? 'Cause I'm lost already."

Akagi facepalmed and asked, "Clevelad or Sandy, this is your home country, isn't it? Do you know where we are?"

Sandy put two of her fingers together and looked on embarrassedly. Clevelad thumped her head a few times with her fist, but couldn't come up with anything better than, "Uhhhhh… It starts with a 'W'. W… something."

All of the foreigners slowly turned to look at Lena, who suddenly realized everyone was looking at her. She stammered, "W-w-what are you looking at?"

Akagi-chan, nearly at her wit's end, painfully asked, "Do… you… know where we are?"

"My map says Seattle, Washington."

Akagi-chan's exhale was audible by everyone. "There. Somebody helpful. What's in this city?"

"Civilian industry, I guess. I'm just using naval maps, so they don't have a lot about land."

Zeppy found the bottom of the goldfish container, looked up with orange-stained cheeks and said, "Well, go find some land maps!" Hiei and she then got into a scuffle, as Hiei had promised only some of her snacks to Zeppy, not all. While the two bickered, Lena whined, "But I'm not on the island's internet! Wichita said not to use anything or the sirens'll hear us!"

Bel remarked, "Right. Let's be off to find you a new map. Possibly, we shall also find a public phone. In the meantime, I still believe we should at least inform the dockmaster. Suppose they're still here?"

Zeppy added, "We should try to find snacks, too."

"...and snacks."

The yacht club building was closed, so that settled that problem. They picked up Wichita and put her onto a private boat, out of sight. They then promised her they'd be back. Satisfied with that, the troop walked north up the waterfront. Lena kept checking her rigging for networks, but had forgotten her big sister's tech tips in the stress. Everyone else had no idea what she was going on about, and were getting steadily more annoyed. Bel suggested the fish and chips establishment across the street would be a good place.

Business was extremely slow at the casual dining place. The employees were bored, but were suddenly surprised by nine new pint-sized customers entering. They bickered a little by the front door. Zeppy broke away and approached the cashier. He commented, "Nice hat."

"Thanks! I'm hungry!"

"Whatcha want?"

Zeppy pointed over the counter to one of the displays. "That looks like something potato. I want it."

"Number two? Sounds good. Got any money?"

"Do you accept Reichsmark?"

Akagi-chan's grasping hand was already an inch away from Zeppy's shoulder when the cashier asked, "What?"

Meanwhile, Lena had broken off to speak to a young hooded man sitting on a table, enjoying his late meal while smelling strongly of weed. She asked if there was a network nearby.

The man said, "Yeah, duh. Did you see the 'Free Wi-Fi' sign out front? Plus, this is Seattle. We've got all the nodes mapped out. I'm actually one of the people who maintain the map."

"You… mapped them out?"

"Yeah. You want internet here? Just drive around until you find one."

"Aren't you worried about people looking at you?"

"Yeah, but anybody who's at least a little bit serious gets at least a VPN. Can't be too sure nowadays with the government spying on us and all. You got a phone?"

"Y-y-yeah. Only the adults have them where I'm from. Requisitions won't give us ones. Mine's a hand-me-down from my big sister."

"Nah, the old stuff's still good. It's engineered obsolescence, dude. Look at this thing. You're gonna wanna jailbreak it as soon as you get the chance. If you think the government spying on you is bad, corporations are even worse, man. You got anybody back home who's good at computers?"

Half of that statement went right over Lena's head. "I… there's Gascogne, but she doesn't talk to anybody."

"Gascogne's a kickass name. Tell you what, I have a forum my buddies and I hang around. I know one of the admins who'll let you in. I'll write the name of it down on this napkin. You're also probably gonna want a few more things before you get on 'cus there's some shady folks on there. Don't click on any of the ads."

Lena was well past overwhelmed."Th-thank you. What about the network?"

"Oh… Oh yeah! Yeah, just download that thing I wrote at the top and just use this building's wifi. I know the owner and she hired me to put it in."

Lena's eyes opened as wide as they could go at the man. He was nothing like she'd ever seen, and yet he also seemed to be the inebriated voice of great wisdom. She was then introduced to the infinitely deep and tumultuous digital world.

Despite Seattle being a nice place(besides the weather), their luck would be far shakier after this.

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

Akagi asked, "So, what do you think?"

I leaned against the guard railing and considered the question. I could feel the noon sun on my shoulders. Staring out from her deck, I eventually replied to Akagi, "Onahama's nice. What do *you* think?"

She sighed, "It's not the place that I enjoy. It's the distance and time."

I was confused. "All right, explain."

Her eyes glassed over with a cocktail of emotions that I'd seen many times before. "We're sailing from Onahama to Tokyo. The hero and his menacing mistress."

"You-"

Akagi was too far into it to be interrupted. Her eyes widened. "In a glorious parade from here to there, constantly being cheered on by our loving subjects. Together, for all to see. Our bond is not only strengthened, but sealed! Mine! All mine! Ha! Hahaha-" Language failed her and her words devolved into incoherent laughter.

The hair on my body stood up on end and I stiffened. Eventually, Akagi became aware of her laughter, but couldn't stop it. She realized she was scaring me and tried to stop, but her hysterics were uncontrollable. Her fanged mouth simply would not close, and she desperately tried to cover it with her hands. Ever since she became self-aware of her psychotic episodes and realized that I feared them, she'd been trying to stave them off with mixed success. Like most people, it was true that I was afraid of being near someone mentally unstable. That being said, I also started to realize it was the good kind of fear.(Albeit the definition of "good" is up in the air.) The kind that I really should unpack sometime and see if it's just a fetish or something more. Good Lord, I may be just as messed up as she is.

Back in control of herself again, Akagi cleared her throat and silently looked at me. I said, "You're a lot better than you were."

The cold wind blew over the flight deck. I didn't mind, but I doubt Akagi even noticed. I continued, "Times've changed. Probably is weird for you that you can't get a lot of what you want anymore. I know that's also probably hard since this is the first time we've been alone together(consentually) in a while." She was still silent. I said, "Kaga's uhhh… She really looks up to you. Don't worry about you and her falling out. You both need each other, but still don't take her for granted."

Akagi said, "She's always precious to me."

"That's great. Actually, now that we're together for a bit, I wanted to say I'm sorry. What I said back at the dock… wasn't really nice at all. Actually, it was pretty terrible. I tend to get mad and say things. I've never burned to death myself, but I'm pretty sure it's an experience not worth joking about. It's really brave of you to harness that experience instead of running from it. I don't think I'd be able to do that."

I continued, "And… people really do care about you. We all know you made numerous deals and borrowed a lot of power from the sirens. A lot less of us know just how much you lost when you betrayed them. For that bit, I get you. A lot of the stuff you were was just held up by promises. That's pretty far from an unshakable foundation. Certainty can't blame you for desperately looking for something to cling to and the first thing you see is me. Still, you're a big girl, and can take on pretty much everybody. Just… remember that it's not weakness to lean on people every now and then, especially me. That's more than just my job. Everything we do doesn't have to be a trade or a sacrifice."

She quietly replied, "I just see things others do not. It always is reminding me of how we can fail every second. Shinano sees it. Nagato sees it. I don't know how they aren't all driven mad. I don't know how they all pursue everything they can as fast as they can. It's fleeting."

"Just because it's fleeting, doesn't mean it's valueless. That's what we have memories for. Hey, chin up. You and your sister are the best in your nation, and you're always at the top of my list for the toughest ops."

"Taihou can beat me, you know."

"I know. She just doesn't think she can. That, and you've got experience and that weird fire magic with you. Still, I think you'll get a lot better if you worked on convincing people rather than intimidating them. Imagine what Taihou could do if she did that and also wore underwear for once in her life."

"Pah. She's not going anywhere. It's not like you speak to her like you do me."

I put on a guilty face. She tensed up and said, "What? What happened?"

I sighed and said, "I have a very dangerous and unhealthy taste in women."

She blustered, "When was this? She's been on deployment for months! How far did it get? When could you have possibly had the time?! I thought the only person you had your way with was Roon!"

I held up a finger and said, "First of all, I didn't 'have my way' with them. They had their way with me. I just let them because a very dark and embarrassing corner of my mind likes it. Really is something I should address because it's probably not healthy."

However, Akagi wasn't doing well. She started quivering and staring out into space. She muttered, "I thought the whore was lying. I wasn't good enough. I failed. He chose them over-"

I whipped around and grabbed her shoulder, dragging her back into reality. I said, "Hey! This is nothing against you! The time just wasn't right! It wasn't right for either of us. You had personal things to sort out and I wanted to make sure you weren't after me just because you thought me to be some superhuman sugar daddy. Taihou just had an undeniable aggression and Roon's just fucking feral. This isn't a race. Even if it was, you still wouldn't be losing. Hell, you haven't kidnapped me in… months."

Her face was of shock. She asked, "You… weren't dodging me out of cowardice? You weren't rejecting me? All those things I did, all the enemies I killed, all the things I made, all the rivals I subdued; They weren't for nothing?"

"I never once rejected you. I just had to deflect and dodge until you grew a little as a person. Now you're… more approachable, reasonable(relatively). Now we're here. Congratulations."

"What… what happens now that I'm here? Must I do something? Must I get something?"

"Not a thing. In fact, I have something I'd like to give you. How about a response to your dedication? How about something you can brag to Taihou about?"

She sneered. "Onboard me right before a flotilla? I couldn't think of a more perfect time."

"For once, I believe we're thinking of the same thing, as bizarre as it makes me feel to say. However, there is a price. The price is a promise from you."

"Speak. I will remember and adhere to it for as long as I live."

"Chill out. Please."

She stayed silent for a bit and squirmed. Eventually, she said, "I will try."

We both walked toward the hatch leading belowdecks, both of us in considerably higher spirits. Akagi asked, "So the 'Bushmaster Incident' was real."

I sighed, "I thought we agreed to never speak of it again. But, yeah. I'll never look at an electric razor the same ever again."

I stepped to open the hatch for Akagi, only for it to open by itself. I shrugged and let Akagi in first anyway. As the door shut, she asked, "But what was Taihou planning on doing with your-"

I interrupted her. "What did I say about not fu-"

Fade to red.

[========]

The little ships were quite knowledgeable in tactics. Each of them had been instructed on combat, and were quite capable fighters, despite their inexperience. Their classes had taught them well on that. What they were not taught was what had happened to the world in a century. Quite a lot, as it turns out. That was a failing on the part of their teachers. Some of them had learned a little out of curiosity or proximity. Others knew nothing of the urban and alien environment they were in.

It wasn't just the land and the cities. People had also dramatically changed. Vast improvements in communication and transportation meant that groups of people of different backgrounds and creeds could meet for the first time en masse. With that, what was and what was not socially acceptable shifted quite a bit. But the only times the little ships knew about was a century ago and on an isolated island. This lack of perspective was the fault of the people they looked up to, and those people take full responsibility.

Therefore, Sandy shouldn't be blamed for innocently walking into a bar full of a cocktail of different peoples and loudly exclaiming, "Gee, there sure are a lot of [redacted]! Do they serve them around here?"

One barfight and chase later, the group found themselves next to a public water fountain. Zeppy sniffled, as she still didn't handle getting yelled at well. Bel desperately attempted to clean herself, but very little things can remove barbeque sauce out of white clothing. Akagi-chan tried to remove an unidentified sticky substance from her tails, but it simply wasn't happening with only water. Everyone else sat around a bench with a homeless man sleeping on it.

Sandy shakily said, "I'm sorry."

Akagi-chan silently brushed her tails.

"I really am-"

Akagi-chan snapped, "I heard you the past hundred times!"

"B-but you didn't say anything."

"Didn't feel like talking!"

"Oh. ...Do you feel like talking now?"

"No!"

Guillermo the hobo woke up to the sound of kids yelling. He opened one of his eyes and saw a cluster of them around his bench, completely ignoring him. Judging by their looks, it was way too late for kids their age to be out and about, especially girls. Their clothing was weird, and it looked like they were wearing costumes. Still, he'd seen strange, and heard even stranger. He feigned sleep and hoped they'd go away. One of them with short hair and horns on the side of her head said, "Do you think that man you struck is going to be okay?"

A blonde one with a(hopefully fake) sword said, "I should hope so. I didn't want to hurt anyone, but when he approached you, my chivalry training swooped in!"

A tall one wearing brown and red, and sporting fox ears on top of her head said, "It's just an arm. We lose stuff all the time. Thank the gods for replaceable parts. I still haven't heard anyone think of a plan better than mine."

The one with white hair and a frilly white dress gave up on cleaning a brown stain from her clothing and sighed. She said, "Attacking random strangers and businesses would bring attention, but the wrong kind. Master would be greatly embarrassed and scold us if he had to get us out of jail. It would also be a scandal to the maids if I were to be locked up."

"But you're not a maid *Little* Bel."

Bel appeared shaken. "I-I am in training, just like you are Akagi-chan! I will be in their ranks one day."

"All the maids were born into it, and they're a bunch of stuck-up wannabe secret agents! You think they're going to let you in? You can't even remember how to curtsy!"

Bel's calm exploded away and was replaced by blind rage. In a scream of indignation, she threw herself at her fox-eared friend, fists in front of her. Akagi-chan threw up her hands as well.

The next part Guierrmo couldn't forget if he wanted to. While Bel was mid-air, suddenly a pair of miniature cannons appeared at her side and exploded with a flash of yellow light and a shockwave that sent Guierrmo sprawling over the back of the bench. In that short period of time, the rest of the girls grabbed the two fighters and pried them apart, who were still attempting to attack each other.

The blonde one with the sword stood between them and both fighters realized they couldn't open fire without hitting her. She said, "Fighting your comrades is very dishonorable! It's treason! It's...it's bad! Stop it!"

Bel, still irate, yelled, "Take it back!"

Little Renown turned to Akagi, who was being held back by Clevelad and Zeppy. Renown said, "An apology could honorably settle this feud. I see no loss on either side. Akagi-chan?"

Akagi-chan thought for a moment, realized there were times and places for such fights, and that this wasn't one of them. She said, "I was mad and didn't think. The maids can be pretty useful, sometimes. I'm sorry." Renown turned to Bel and said, "Do you accept this?"

The maid in training flinched, but eventually said, "Yes." Both fighters were released. Lena added, "The police will probably respond to the gunshot. We should go."

They all agreed. As they walked off, Sandy commented, "We need to call for help because Wichita's hurt, but we can't phone home because Sirens'll know where we are! What are we supposed to do? Where's the nearest naval yard?"

Cleveland said, "Forget the naval yard, where's the nearest barracks? I'm sleepy."

Akagi-chan snapped, "We're all sleepy! I guess I'll find us all a hotel."

Hiei-chan perked up, "Really?"

"No!"

"Oh… Is there some kind of 'public rest place' or something?"

Lena said, "I didn't find one on my map."

Just in earshot, Little Renown said, "We should rest and start again fresh tomorrow."

After they left his sight, Guierrmo got up and ran off to tell someone, anyone, what he just saw.

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

Fate acted in a strange way, almost as if she was aware of conversations. It's believed all across Azur Lane that she has a sense of humor, and greatly enjoys making things relevant just at the cusp of coincidence and suspicion. The saying "Speak of the devil and (s)he shall appear." still has merit.

Taihou was in an absolutely delightful mood. She had spent the past few months cleaning house in the Phillipine Sea and sunning herself in Guam. Just as she arrived to dock in Kagoshima, she'd heard that the first carrier division had arrived for their long-awaited refit. She promised to meet them as soon as she could, but after the little detail came of her commander arriving with them, she dropped everything. Priorities, after all. Unfortunately, even with her unyielding determination, it was impossible for her to arrive in Onahama until evening.

With inquiries, the only person she could find was her elder, Kaga, sitting on a bench next to the waterfront aquarium. Attempts at removing Kaga from the premises failed spectacularly after she reminded staff who she was. Taihou had the same style. She ignored stealth and simply walked wherever she wished, practically radiating confidence. If she acted like she knew exactly where she was and what she was doing, then there would be no question. That, and gods help the poor soul that tried to break her stride.

As she approached, Kaga moved no muscle, but said, "Hello, friend." She continued gazing out into the sea, the sun illuminating her white hair and tails. Taihou asked, "May I sit?" Kaga answered, "Certainly."

They sat in silence for a while, but eventually, Kaga asked, "So, how was the Philippines?"

Taihou said, "Hot and humid. Otherwise, very nice. The people are pleasant and the food is passable. They have an unusual affinity with the Union over there. Regardless, do you-"

"I do not know where he is."

"Ah. A shame. It's been a while since he's seen me and even longer since he's seen my homeland. I wanted to leave him with a good memory. A shame he couldn't leave me with someth-"

"Please discuss another subject. You're such a… How does shikikan say it? Hornful. Please stop being so hornful around me. I'm not in the mood to listen to your fantasies."

"But they're not fantasies. They're a reality. However, he's a very clever man, keeping protection with him at all times. I will catch him off guard one day, though."

Kaga turned to look at Taihou. "And then what? Do you think war will simply stop and wait for you? Have you even considered what could happen?"

Taihou grinned. "I read, same as you. I think making more to fight for will give me greater strength."

"We are not them."

"But we're close. Besides, it's all unknown until it's tried. I'm a veritable pioneer."

"I respectfully request five minutes of silence for you to cool down and I to regain some semblance of peace from this ocean scene."

They both returned to quiet for a while, then Kaga said, "I heard that new warships won't use oil for fuel anymore."

Taihou's eyebrows raised. "Really? That's astonishing. Are we reverting back to sail?"

"No, we've gone from rocks, to liquids, and then to much rarer rocks. It feels like a very short time ago I burned coal. Iron Blood is leading the charge with the Union not far behind, but that's much like them."

"Then, what are we burning now?"

"Nothing."

Taihou squinted. "...Nothing? But, even that fishing vessel out on the water must run on something."

"Guns with no powder and engines with no smoke. That's how lady Nagato described it to me, but she understands it even less than I."

"Speaking of that commercial vessel, I heard that Azur Lane is quietly planning on becoming more independent."

Kaga very slowly turned and asked, "And what makes you think of this?"

"A little crane told me."

"Word to the wise: Be extremely careful of who and where you speak of this. There are ears everywhere, especially in this age of electric eyes."

"Of course, I just wanted to convey that I'm on board. In fact, I quietly made a few connections in my last weeks in the Philippines. They don't have many dockyards or factories, but their agricultural exports are amazing. It's amazing how many mangoes someone will give you if you save their life."

"I imagine quite a lot. I have a pair of naval and air design companies who owe me favors, as well as a small arms conglomerate. Granted, this guarantees nothing, but it is a much greater chance they will consider what I have to say. I'm sure my sister has vastly more influence."

Taihou looked at Kaga with a new perspective. "Kaga… I had no idea you could be diplomatic. Where did you get these favors?"

"I… took the odd contract in places where my presence could be denied and at times I wouldn't be missed."

"An aircraft carrier for hire. I have no idea why I didn't think of it myself."

"Just try to be subtle about it. Shikikan would probably not approve."

"I'm as subtle as...as a…"

"Charging rhino in heat?"

"You wound me, Kaga."

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

"Good morning, Shikikan. Sleep well?" I awoke from my slumber and turned my head to see a pair of red eyes gazing at me in the darkness.

"Aw, God. I slept, but all those nightmares. Funny you were the monster chasing me in most of 'em. Why is it still dark?"

"I haven't turned on the lights yet. I'm happy to hear you think of me, even in your dreams. I trust I satisfied you?"

"I rate you guys in therapy sessions with Vestal. I give you four months with two months of anti-anxiety medication. Well done. How about you?"

"Four months, I suppose." She leaned closer. "A shame you couldn't have made it nine."

"Truly, my sadism knows no bounds. Help me out of this bed. I can't feel my leg."

I was then unceremoniously shoved onto the cold metal floor. Around this time, my presence was returning. I noticed a piece of cloth wrapped around my head. I felt it with my hand, but couldn't discern what it was in the darkness. Akagi suddenly yanked it off my head and said, "Oh, those are mine. No souvenirs." My head collided with the floor again. I laid there for some time, contemplating my life choices and how much control I truly had over it. I decided it was very little, comforted myself with this, and stood up. The air was surprisingly warm.

The lights turned on at half brightness, still scorching my retinas. I walked forward, squinting hard. Akagi turned, miraculously fully clothed. She blushed and said, "Oh my. I almost forgot. Shall I get your uniform for you?"

"I got it."

"That's a shame. What about breakfast?"

"Mmmm-cereal."

"You know those flakes have nearly zero nutritional value. It isn't healthy for someone who exerts themselves as much as you."

"Don't care. I'll eat a potato or something later."

A fun little fact: As I formed bonds with the shipgirls, I realized that as I knew them as the second part of the word, I also knew them as the first. Aboard the ship, I became familiar with it. I knew what sounds were good or bad, I knew where everything was, and I knew the status of the ship by simply being aboard it. It was very bizarre, because it acted like experience that I'd never earned, or maybe I had in a different way. If I had an intimate relationship, it was the same as any sailor who'd spent years onboard. I could walk around with my eyes closed and arrive exactly where I needed to be. Somewhat similar to a car, if I cared for it, it would care for me, but far more than an imagined ghost in the machine.

A little later, I finished waking up eating my malnourishing flakes with milk in the galley. Akagi, still trying to get her way, put a little fruit in the bowl as well. She really was the best. My phone buzzed on the countertop. A number I didn't recognize was calling me.

Akagi leaned over from the other side of the counter. "Looks like those people who try to sell you things."

I said, "Maybe. Graf Zeppelin always shows up as 'Unknown Number'. It could be important." I accepted and put it to my ear.

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

"Hey, mister. Can we borrow your phone?"

The office worker turned around to see who was tugging on his suit. He was still distracted by his early morning shift, but had to perform a double take at what he saw. A cluster of girls, all dressed in various costumes, looked back at him. They all looked a little dirty, as if they'd slept in their clothing. One in a frilly white dress with a hat and fairy wings behind her released her grip on his shirt. He said, "Can I help you?"

The girl in white asked, "Can we use your phone? We need to call someone."

"Sure. Who are you calling?"

"Our… father. Yes, our dad."

"You're all his kids?"

"Yes!"

"Oh, I guess I have a few minutes. Here."

Little Illustrious turned to her friends and said, "What is his telephone number?"

They all shrugged and suddenly bickered amongst one another. The office worker said, "You girls really should know your father's number."

Eventually, Lena produced a notepad that had his number on it. Little Illustrious punched it in. It rang and was quickly answered.

"Hello?"

"Hello? Is this the commander?"

"That's m-who's this?"

"It's Little Illustrious."

"Oh...hi. Why are you calling me? Aren't you supposed to be exercising?"

"Well, we were, but then the sirens came and bombed us something awful. Wichita's hurt."

"What? A siren bombing run? Did you guys make it back to the base? Why are you calling me from this number?"

Little Illustrious' voice quaked a little, as she described the situation, it finally struck her. "We… we couldn't. The sirens have been bombing home all night long. We can't talk to home or they'll hear us and come for us, too."

"Bombing home? Hey, stay calm. Let me speak to Wichita."

"She's not with us. We couldn't bring her. She was hurt too much. I slept on dirt."

"You don't...Do you know where she is? Do you know where you are?"

"No! I don't know where she is! I don't know where I am! I can't go home! I don't knoooow!" Her words failed her as tears overtook them. She couldn't form anything coherent, yet held the phone up to her all the same. On the other end of the line was the closest thing she had to a guardian. Despite the enormous distance between, she still clung to it desperately. It had all fallen apart around her. She and nobody around her had answers, and the only comforts she had now were the ones inside her own head. She was scared, plain and simple. Speaking to someone who she looked up to gave her the little bit of confidence she craved.

She heard a woman's voice speak on the other end of the line, then her foundation on which she used to stand spoke. "Find Wichita. Make sure she's okay. Call the police, and I'll pick you up. Just keep calm and carry on, like you Royal folks say. You're going to be fine. I'll be there soon."

On the other end of the line, I abandoned my breakfast and ran out of the galley at a dead sprint without a word. Akagi protested, but then quickly pursued. The hero's welcome, the celebrations, the public relations; none of it mattered anymore. My home, the place I'd built, was in trouble. My people were in trouble. I couldn't have prevented disaster, I wasn't there when it happened, but I was going to be there during or after, even if I had to row to them.

Back to the other end, the little ships returned to the last place they'd left Wichita. They were now helped by the office worker, who's heart jumped with delight. He was given the first opportunity to help someone directly in years, and to do good in the world with no grey area or bureaucracy at all.

But, the final stroke of misfortune was yet to come. The sirens, after assaulting the navy, thought to punish the civilians. After all, wars are only won if the people support it. Their heavy bombers flew high over Seattle, and indiscriminately showered the city in explosives and incendiaries. The city was not defenseless, and threw up a cloud of flak into them. Still, the city was a picture of chaos and panic.

This was entirely the sirens' own decision. They'd never intercepted the call from the little ships. They weren't even listening. However, the little ones didn't see it that way. They'd hoped that since they weren't calling to their home island, they would be safe. They weren't wrong, but they didn't know that. As they fired anti-aircraft into the sky and launched fighters, they thought this was all their fault. It was a guilt that they would carry with them for a while.