Azur Heroes

Chapter 11

There is going to be a bit of discussing in this chapter and then a… well lets call it a shift to deal with the new sets of problems. Namely a dangerous group with the Sirens. And how that could change the views going forward. So on with the show.

(No POV)

When the San Diego fleet returned to base, many were confused by the strange new ships that arrived with them. Kotov had retrieved his cap and coat and began giving orders to all of his ships and the personnel on base.

"Bulins and medics, I want you to check over the new arrivals after repairing our girls. Quartermasters, help with resupply where needed. And you Mikasa was it?" The dark haired and yellow eyed ship nodded while maintaining a stern visage. John told her to follow him to meet with Admiral Apgar.

It wasn't just the admiral in his office. Star and Stripe was also there and she had a serious look on her face. "Are we certain sir? But I thought Germany, or the Iron Blood were standing with us." Apgar nods before saying, "they are. But we got a recent report from the east coast about wolf packs of subs and a few ships that seemed to be of Iron Blood make."

Hearing this confuses John as well but the look on Mikasa's face tell him that she has an idea on what could be going on. "Admiral. I think we may have some new intel on the matter." At John's announcement, the hero and admiral look up and see the person who came with him.

"That uniform isn't American style. What is your name miss?" Apgar asks while looking over his steepled hands. Mikasa seems unsettled by the appearance of the admiral, but she does not say anything at the moment. She steps forward before giving a slight bow to the admiral and number 1 hero of the US.

"My name is Mikasa. IJN Mikasa. I'm the commander of…. Well I guess you could call us deserters from a dangerous alliance. The Crimson Axis." When Mikasa says this, all of the humans in the room feel a shiver run down their spines. Though Apgar is able to keep it from showing.

He clears his throat before gesturing for her to continue. Mikasa nods and recounts some of her tale. At how she and her retinue were ships that were not summoned by humans.

"We are…. What you might call forgotten, ignored, or rejected ships. We could feel the people of this world call out. But their calls could not bring us to the front. As if there were those wishing to forget any role we played in the past."

She looks down at this in sadness and notes how they all felt as though the world rejected them and that negativity joined with other feelings of resentment, loss, and anger. "The Sirens picked up on this and used those feelings to make many ships want to take some measure of revenge. And thus many of us were summoned. And quietly formed the Crimson Axis."

Kotov gulped at hearing that and questioned in his mind if there were any American ships that might have felt that same kind of loneliness or anger. Star meanwhile seems to be pitying all of those ships in her own thoughts.

Apgar meanwhile nods before noting, "I think I can guess the many ships that have felt this. Almost all of the member nation navies…. Of the Axis powers. Germany, Italy, Japan, even some French."

Mikasa nods to confirm his suspicions. "Yes. We know there is a fleet that is Iron Blood or German currently. But their numbers do not compare with the number of ships that have allied with the Sirens. And there are quite a number of Sakura Empire as well."

"So then…. Why did you and the ones you brought run? If you felt that much anger that you were willing to aid the Sirens, why did you run?" Star asks in a bit of confusion. Mikasa looks down before admitting it was mostly for the younger members of their fleet.

"The Sirens were doing….. experiments. Invasive and painful ones. It was one thing for we battleships or carriers to endure it. It is another to force ones as innocent as the Mutskis to undergo the pain." Mikasa said while rubbing her wrist.

John's eyes widen and he caught her arm. He held it up before pulling back her sleeve. And they all could see the number of scars that were littering her forearm alone. The humans in the room gasped before Star walked over and hugged Mikasa.

"Don't worry. We won't let them take you or anyone else." Star whispered while John and Apgar were mentally vowing the same. Mikasa isn't sure what to think about the hug and just thanks Star before asking if she could let her go.

John shook his head before asking a burning question on his mind. "That Akagi person was only one of the ones behind an attack on a convoy….. and Yorktown. Right?" Mikasa looks into the commander's eyes and sees what he was really asking; "Was she one of the ones who hurt my wife?"

Mikasa gulps a bit before admitting to the attack and how their group… celebrated at the moment for the success of the attack. As soon as she said that she could feel the anger rolling off of John in furious waves.

He takes a moment to calm down and keep from wishing to go after all of the ships. Apgar takes the moment to shift focus again to ask what the purpose of the experiments were. "Um….. I'm not sure on every part. But I think some of it was to replicate us and make swarms of ships."

"That would explain a few of the ships we saw during the last attack." John notes while cupping his chin. He then asks where the Sirens and the Sakura ships were based out of in the Pacific.

Mikasa looks a bit sheepish before explaining, "I don't exactly know? Its um….. We were just running as fast as we could. We barely noticed where we were. I honestly didn't expect that we'd run into Eagle Union ships."

Flat looks are given to the battleship with Apgar acknowledging that they were likely more focused on saving themselves. "We'll need a count of the ships that are with you. You mentioned the Mutsuki class, but we need to know the others."

Mikasa agrees and gives the list of names for the ships she brought. Mikasa, Furataka, Kako, Ikazuchi, Inazuma, Mutsuki, Fumizuki, Minazuki, Kisaragi, Uzuki, Mikazuki, and Nagatsuki. "To be honest most of the ships were smaller ones. And we lost Choukai and Yura on our flight from our captors. Their ships and bodies becoming the cubes we brought with us."

The commanding officers nod before Star is asked to show Mikasa to the barracks. "What do we do now?" Apgar asks while leaning back in his chair. John walks over to the windows and sees Mikasa and Star walking away.

"I'd like to say we should let them stay here. But… I think we need to take them to Japan. If nothing else to give them a chance to protect their homeland." John says while looking out to the sea. Apgar turns his chair toward John and gives him a sideways look.

The commander doesn't look him in the eye. In fact he seems to be avoiding the admiral's gaze. "John. You don't have something else in mind do you?" Apgar asks with his large eyes narrowing at the number 2 hero.

Kotov tries to play it off, but the old commander can tell something is up. And he puts together what that might be in a few seconds. "You're thinking about using them like bait, aren't you?!" Apgar says with a minor snarl.

John's arm tightens up and he can see that he can't deny everything. "It's not 100% of what I'm thinking of doing. But I won't deny it is a pleasing idea. If for no other reason than we could cut down some of their shipgirl numbers."

"You idiot! Do you honestly think Yorktown would agree with that?! Or any of the other girls!?" Apgar says with a consistent furious face. John looks ready to punch his commanding officer. But he holds back as he takes a moment to think on the situation.

Especially when Apgar points out that he'd be doing almost exactly what the Sirens had done to the ships: used them as tools for the battles. John doesn't dignify the matter with a response. Instead, he turns and heads out of the office to clear his head.

When he leaves, he heads for the hospital to check in on Yorktown again. When he arrives, Spence is there with Hornet, Cleveland, and a new face to him. "So who is this little one?" he asks as the little girl with pink hair and a yellow hat quickly runs behind Cleveland.

Who just chuckles before saying it was okay. "This is the commander. John Kotov," she says while picking up the little one. She had short pink hair and a pink dress. Her eyes were pink as well and they seemed extra tear filled.

"He-hello. I'm Uzuki. It's nice to meet you shikikan." Uzuki said shyly. It surprised John on how timid the little ship was. Though he chuckled in his mind while thinking, 'I guess they all aren't fighters. You get some who are more scared than anything.'

John greets the little girl before patting her and Spence on the head. "So she is one of the ones that you saved John?" Yorktown asks with a look to her husband. John coughs a bit before saying yes.

"He fought Akagi-sama and beat her bad! And though he did seem sleepy after the fight." Uzuki says with a bit of excitement from her spot on Cleveland's hip. The name of Akagi though makes Yorktown's arm tense up. And John reaches for it to say that he was with her.

Yorktown nods at him before Spence and the rest start sharing stories and talking about other things to pass the time. John stayed silent the whole time while looking between each of the shipgirls present. Questioning in his mind if he was going to far with his idea.

The oldest carrier notices something is off and asks if she could talk to John alone for a moment. Before they leave though Spence and Uzuki come over and give Yorktown a hug. With the latter hoping that she gets better soon.

"Alright John. What is wrong? You seemed extremely uneasy when you looked at little Uzuki. What you thinking about?" Yorktown asks with a serious expression. John looks down and back at her a few times. Trying to come up with something.

But she knows him too well. So he comes clean about some of what he was thinking. Using a few of the refugee ships as bait so he and his girls could maybe get a shot at the Sakura allies of the Sirens. All under the pretense of taking them back to Japan to protect their home.

"But after seeing Uzuki, not to mention talking with Mikasa and seeing the scars of what she's been through… I was questioning a lot of it. And started to wonder if I'm….." Yorktown stops him from speaking as she places her hand on his lips.

She had a suspicion about what was going on but she let him get out what he needed to say. She leans back on her bed before putting in her own input. "Far be it from me to deny that a bit of vengeance goes a long way. It is one of my skills after all. And from a tactical standpoint it isn't a poor idea. Bait and traps are common in wartime, and this would be no exception.

John is a bit surprised at the way she was approaching his conundrum. Giving her a raised eyebrow look as she was speaking. The look changed to one of surprise when Yorktown started her next thought. Accentuated by her grabbing the front of his shirt and pulling him to look her in the eye.

"On the other hand, I can't believe you would even be thinking of trying to put someone as sweet as Uzuki in the line of fire! Just to get a tactical edge!" The look in Yorktown's eyes is enough to tell John that she is very serious and somewhat disappointed.

She lets him go before leaning back and saying that it would go against some of the good, he had done for some of his own younger ships. "You know what you want to do. But I don't disagree that some of the girls that are here now may want to go to Japan. And that will be their choice." Yorktown says as her husband leans back.

He thinks it over a bit more before Yorktown notes that even though they were ships that needed sturdy hands once, they can make their own paths. "They may need you for guidance. But they are their own people. Born from the experiences of our crews and the men who fought on and with us."

"You're right. I'll still make the offer to take some of them to Japan. But I'll leave it to them. Not just telling them they'll be returned to Japan. And I'll go with the fleet to protect them. All of those who want to go." John says after thinking about it for a while.

Yorktown nods and smiles at her husband before taking his hand once again. Telling him to be careful and good luck. The two share a kiss before the nurse comes in to tell him that visiting hours were over. John tells Yorktown he'd be back another day.

He heads to the canteen to enjoy a hearty meal and spends some time with his ships. While also watching the refugee ships interact with their sisters and even some of his ships. Cleveland herself seemed especially attached to Uzuki.

He smiles at their interactions and thinks a bit more on when to bring up the idea of taking the ships back to Japan. While he is thinking this though, he gets a call from the bulins in the docks.

"Hey commander buli! We've got something for you! Ta-da!" the white haired bulin said before showing the man another wisdom cube. When they currently had none in stock. "Explain. How did you get a cube when I know we didn't take out anything that could warrant that?"

The head bulin and a few others preened for a moment before showing some strange shards of what looked like wisdom cube material. "Miss Laffey found these while taking out ships during the fight. They are wisdom shards. And we found that we could put together a number of them to make a whole new cube."

John raised an eyebrow at this and asked why they hadn't found anything like this sooner. "We asked one of the Sakura girls about it. Apparently to make some of the copy ships and clones they need to use wisdom cubes. While they don't need to make them for the Siren ships or some of the clones, they apparently need it for Earth ships."

The commander hums before picking up the cube and thinking about what it could mean for getting more forces. "How many shards does it take to make a cube?" John asked before attempting to summon something new.

The bulins chuckled nervously before telling him that it took 25 shards to make one cube. "So we'd have to sink at least that many copies to get one cube. Though I don't get why they don't stick to the Siren ships."

"I think I might have an idea commander." Mikasa said from the doorway of the docks. She first asks the bulins and mechanics how her ship self was doing, before addressing her thought. "I believe they may be looking to use something…. That is almost abstract with our existence. Our wills and feelings that seem to give us and other versions of us an advantage against them.

John hums before wondering if it had was anything reflective of the hero nature of this world this time around. "I mean it would make sense considering. They wanted to test what the heroes could do. So they push the heroes to a breaking point and then new heroes take their place. It might-whoa!"

As John was talking, the wisdom cube lit up in his hands and started to summon a ship into form. The bulins and Mikasa also flinched and covered their eyes as the ship came into existence.

The girl that came into existence was a silver haired girl with lilac grey eyes. She seemed to be wearing a cape like jacket set up on her arms. Her impressive bosom was barely contained in her black sports bra and thin white shirt. She had a black skirt with a white star accentuating it and her legs were mostly covered in black panty hose.

One of the most striking things about her though was her hands. She appeared to have mechanical prosthetics or maybe gloves on both. That seemed to glow and hum as she held them aloft.

Her rigging was an unusual set up. With standard looking cannons on her right side, while the left seemed to have some sort of special gun on the other side. A belt fed on with a bi pod to brace it. Jutting out from the back appeared to be a set of wings that had anti air guns lining them. While the cannon and gun sections had anchors draping from the machine.

"You're the Commander? Ahh, I've always wanted to meet you! I mean, aren't people like you basically heroes trying to save the world? Which kind of makes me your sidekick, right? Oh, I'm Reno, part of the Oakland class! It's a pleasure!" the now named Reno says with a smile.

John's eye twitches at her calling him a hero but he moves past it. Especially when one of the other mechanics notes that he actually is a professional hero. Currently ranked number 2 in the United States.

Reno's eyes light up before running to him and hugging her commander tight. "So you're a real hero and I'm really your sidekick?! Ooooh! Or am I a full hero in my own right!?" Reno starts before rambling off a few more questions.

Which stop when John chops the top of her head. She pouts at him before lighting up at him mentioning that the number 1 hero was on the base as well. "She's probably still at the mess hall. And you could probably use something to eat anyway." John says while rubbing the top of Reno's head.

Her stomach growling is all the response he needs to tell him he's right. "Okay. I'll go see her and get some food. But I'm serious! I want to talk about working with you on regular hero stuff!" Reno says as she dashes off to the mess hall.

"Such an excitable girl." Mikasa says with a chuckle. John agrees before telling the Sakura ship he was going to do some paperwork before turning in. She offers to aid him, but he just mentions that she had been through enough for the day. "Go on. Get some rest. Tomorrow there may be new issues to deal with."

Mikasa looks at him odd before bowing and thanking him once more for saving her and the others. John does just like he said and goes over some paperwork, while also considering the potential of what they could face from the Sakura Siren forces.

Reno meanwhile had quickly endeared herself to not just the fleet, but Star and Stripe herself. Finding the hero worshiping girl somewhat relatable and entertaining. With a few of the guys being interested in the gadgets on her rigging and other items she apparently made herself.

A few days later, John is being bothered by Reno in his office. "C'mon! We should go out on patrol! Deal with bad guys and keep people safe in the city!" John is being shook a few times while sitting in his chair and he points out that it was supposed to be Reno's day off.

"You can go into town on your own after all. Or you could go with one of the other girls who has the day off." Reno pouts again before telling him that was boring, and she wanted to go with him. John resists a bit longer until she knocks over his calendar.

His eyes widen when he notices the month. Not to mention what was coming up soon. "Shoot. I need to go and-" before he can even finish his sentence, Reno knows she has her opening. She leans on him a bit before pointing out that she could maybe help with what he needed to buy or find.

John grumbles a bit before agreeing to go with the girl. She celebrates and announces that "Commander Brawl and Cyber Brawl are coming for you badies!" John just chops the top of her head before reminding her that they something important to get.

Fate seems to be conspiring against him though. After a few hours of exploring town and then stopping at a jewelry store for what he needed, a crash was heard a street away. "You're going to drag me to-"

The commander doesn't even get to finish his complaint as Reno take his arm and pulls him along to find a pair of villains attacking some shops. While most villains had stopped attacking and rampaging after the start of Siren war, with two major fleets on the west coast some had started to slip into old habits.

One appeared to be a bulky bruiser with a transform quirk that made him look like a monster. The other though seemed to be more speed oriented, given the rockets on his back. John sighs before saying, "I guess I am here. So it's time to take them down."

Before he can get started though, Reno jumps on him to put his cap on his head and his commander's jacket over his shoulders. With a few medals gleaming in the sun. "Wait! When did you get this? Or my medals!?"

Reno shrugs before mentioning that she grabbed them while he was changing to go out. "Alright you villains! I suggest you stop now! Before the Brawlers get serious!" Reno announces before firing some warning blasts from her gauntlets.

It startles the villains and they both recognize John. While the jet villain looks ready to run, the bigger guy looks like he wants to fight Kotov. "Alright! If I take down the number 2, my rep will skyrocket!"

John raises his eyebrow as a punch from the fully transformed villain is thrown. 'Only about 50% I'd say.' John thinks before putting up his hand, activating his quick, and stopping the attack. He then tosses the villain's hand into the air before punching him in the stomach.

As his partner is rolling back, the jet villain starts up his own quirk and tries to get away with the spoils. "Oh no you don't!" Reno shouts before summoning her rigging. Adjusting pieces of it to help her catch up. By using the modified anchors, chains, and a specialized launcher she made to grapple and catch up with him.

She uses that plus some jet blasting from her gauntlets to catch up to the villain. Even when it tries to throw her off with some funky maneuvers only someone with a quirk could do, she easily predicts where he is going and intercepts him.

"Take this! Reno Barrage!" Reno shouts before firing shots from her gauntlets, lower power rounds from her cannons, and special taser rounds from the gun on her left side. All of these shots impact the villain and stop him in his tracks.

While he is still groaning in pain, Reno unleashes another device to restrain the villain to the ground. "How do you like that?! Villain defeated!" Reno says with a peace sign and a big smile on her face. To a few bystanders delight as they start snapping pictures of her.

Back with John though, he is easily countering all of the attacks the beast villain is throwing at him. Even at one point jumping up and landing atop his opponent's arm. Glowering at him while the hero's arms are crossed in his signature way.

"Cocky bastard!" the villain shouts before swiping at the commander. But the military hero quickly throws out his fist to impact his opponent's. Knocking it away, while destabilizing the enemy.

As the villain was spinning and coming down, John got right under where the villain would land for his next attack. He flip kicked the chin of the beast villain, and sent him up into the air. While the villain was dazed by that, John leapt up and grabbed the man by the arm. Throwing him toward an empty lot. As the villain was coming to in the lot, John was on top of him again. Punching the villain in the face to knock him out.

"That was a pain. Wonder if Reno is okay?" John says while dusting his hands off. With the police arriving John could hand off the villain. And he found out what happened with Reno. "Is this girl your sidekick sir? She says that, but she doesn't have a license."

John lets out an annoyed sigh before saying, "it's fine. She's not exactly human in the same way you may be used to. This is USS Reno. A light cruiser with my fleet. I was showing her around the city while running an errand."

A few who heard that started snapping even more pictures and posting about a shipgirl being a hero on land and at sea. Let alone proclaiming herself the sidekick to the number 2 hero. Something Star and Yorktown tease John about later.

"Not helping Yorkie. But I guess I should just accept it at this point. Anyway. I at least got what I was hoping for while in town." John says before pulling out a box. Yorktown's eyes widen and she gasps a bit when she opens it.

It was a pendant with diamond and peridot loops in white gold. "Happy anniversary." John said with a little blush. Yorktown teared up a bit while looking at her husband and the gift. She asks him to help her put it on, and it shine nicely against her skin.

She reaches up with her remaining arm and pulls John down to kiss him. Only for them to be startled when the door is opened. "Uh… hey sis. Sorry did we interrupt?" Hornet says with a shit eating grin. While Spence is blushing. At least until she saw the pendant around Yorktown's neck.

"So you were wanting to bring mom something too?" Spence asked before walking forward with a little box. When Yorktown opened it, there were snacks contained within. Yorktown's favorite set of sweets. "Thank you sweety. I'll be sure to enjoy these." Yorktown says with a kiss to the top of Spence's head.

The destroyer girl then mentions that she had worked with some of the other girls to make something for John at home. That being a cake that John was happy to share with Spence, Hornet, Star, Cleveland, and Uzaki. The little Mutsuki becoming like a daughter to the cruiser.

"So. You two have anything you want to say?" John says while noting how close Star and Hornet were sitting together. This makes both women blush a bit and they each try to deny anything. "Uh huh. Hornet. Yorktown has already told me about your tells when you lie. And I think I know you well enough now Kate."

Star or Kate turns her head to he side and scratches her cheek before admitting that they were seeing what could happen with both of them. "You got a problem with that?" Kate says with a slight glare at John.

He gives her a look and says, "no. Why would I? Honestly, I'm just glad my little sister-in-law now has someone she really cares about. And its someone I can trust." John's phrasing make both women blush a bit. With Star admitting that she assumed he'd have more of a problem given where he was from.

"Frankly it doesn't matter that much. There weren't that many who were gay or whatever, but most of us back home saw it more like it was just one thing about a person. And that it really didn't matter. In that it wasn't something to get up in arms about. We all had bigger things to worry about."

Kate just gives a 'huh' before shrugging and thanking John. And her girlfriend thanks John as well with all the others laughing at their interactions. Especially when Hornet asks if he and Cleveland were getting closer. "Um…. Well lets just say we've both gotten really close as of late." Cleveland says with a crimson blush and looking to the side.

John coughs as Hornet and Kate put the facts together. Teasing the cruiser girl but confusing the two destroyers. They all enjoy the cake before all of the ships head back to their barracks. But not before John passes something to Cleveland. Some that makes her blush in embarrassment, smile in happiness, and squirm with excitement. All at the same time.

A day or two after this event, John brings forth the idea to take some of the Sakura Empire ships back to Japan. "I know a few of you have gotten to know the people on the base. So if you want to stay you are more than welcome. But I know some of you have been thinking about your home and how to protect it from the Sirens and the Crimson Axis. As such, my fleet and I will escort all of you who want to go."

Mikasa is the first to step up and agrees to go. "I believe our homelands commanders might benefit from the wisdom I have." Inazuma and Ikazuchi also say they want to go. The Mutsuki sisters though are more divided.

Uzuki seems unsure herself and grabs onto Cleveland's arm. Cementing that she wanted to stay in America. Nagatsuki was also one who wanted to stay, as she was having fun with all of the destroyer girls on base. Plus, Max and some of Star's squad had started treating her and Minazuki like family as well.

Mutski, Kisaragi, Fumizuki, and Mikazuki though want to go back to Japan. With the refugees who were going decided, John announced the ships he was taking to Japan. "New Jersey. Reno. Laffey. San Francisco. Ticonderoga. Boise. And Bataan."

The named ships stand before saluting the commander. With Mikasa bowing to her escorts back to her homeland. The day they were set to leave, all of John's ships saw him off. "Be careful daddy." Spence said with a hug. With the man telling her he'd bring back some souvenirs from Japan.

"Hopefully you can help those folks over there as well. Who knows if the Sirens have decided to ramp up their attacks to take Japan." Alabama says with a nod to her commander. She was currently in command of the ships alongside Cleveland. Who herself was wearing the ring he gave her a few days ago.

She blushed before telling him to come back safe. "To all of us," the cruiser said before jumping up to kiss him. After she dropped back down, she helped Yorktown stand on her new legs and see her husband off. "I'm glad you two finally moved forward. And you heard her. Bring them all home and come back safe yourself."

As Yorktown said this she leaned in and kiss the man she loved passionately. Making the destroyers gag, blush, or question what was going on. While some of the less mature cruisers took their time teasing all three. With Hornet and Star being some of the last to see the fleet off.

"Take care of everyone Kate. I'll be back." John said with an extended hand. She took it before pulling him in for a hug. Making his back crack a bit. And the strain of the hug increased when Hornet jumped in as well. Before kissing his cheek and saying, "good luck bro!"

With the goodbye's done, John rode aboard New Jersey for the trip. All of the girls having fully stocked holds of food and other ammo for the likely battles to come. While the Sakura girls were at the center of the formation aboard Mikasa. "Alright. Fleet ahead full! We're off! To the land of the rising sun."

This will be where we'll get into some more details on the Siren involvement and where Red Axis stands. Not to mention it was a perfect way to get John to visit Izuku and the rest in Japan. While also bringing a different hero nerd into the fold. Can you imagine how well Reno would get along with him? As well as some inventors from that nation? Anyway, please review! And if you get a chance, check out a new story I built based from DC Universe Online.