Shuffling. It was a familiar sound; soft and soothing.

It brought a bout of mischievous glee to his groggy mind. He recalled a memory of laying on the floor as a child, head beside the crack under his bedroom door, and listening to the footsteps as they strode by. The heavier thumping of old work boots signaled his father preparing to leave for the graveyard shift. This was soon followed by the daintier muffled footsteps of his mother following him to the door. A few words of farewell were exchanged, followed by the distinct smack of a loving kiss before the front door creaked shut, the lock latching into place with a sad click.

So many nights spent doing just that. Listening to the sounds of his home. A gleeful panic of darting back into his bed when he thought his mom was coming to check on him. The periodic scolding when she had caught him conked out on the floor, having accidentally smacked him awake with the door upon entering the room.

He could practically hear her voice now.

"Cooper, if you're still in there, tell me what you're doing so I can at least understand you. Please!"

That wasn't her voice. It was...distraught... borderline panicked.

And then the floor vibrated against his cheek as each footstep left a barely perceptible tingle against his skin. Sneakers. Soft except for the heel hitting the floor. The other steps were hitting harder. Were they wearing heels?

He struggled to open his eyes, but it was too taxing and he slipped back into unconsciousness.

A sensation of vertigo brought him back, making his head spin. The hum of machinery rumbled in his ears, adding to the steady swaying he now felt. He was surprisingly warm compared to earlier.

Where was he now?

He tried to speak but only managed a groan, feeling something rattle in his parched throat.

A small gasp, like that of a startled child sounded close by. "I think he's waking up!"

The screech of a chair scraping across a metal floor followed by the soft clicks of heals on a hard surface reached his ears.

Were those the same steps he had heard earlier?

"Human. Can you hear me?" It was a different voice this time. Both had distinct accents, but he was unable to discern the origin.

Another moan escaped his lips as he tried to lean towards the voices. With a monumental effort he managed to crack his eyelids, feeling the sensation of dried dirt on his lashes. His vision faded in and out of focus, doubling and even tripling the two faces leaning over him. Two kids, one with pink hair and the other with… was that silver? The faces stared back with awe and anticipation as though they were expecting him to do something fantastical.

A hand touched his, cool but not unpleasant. He blinked as he tried to work his mouth, but the weight of fatigue settled back down on him. The silver-haired one leaned in, turning her ear towards him but he closed his eyes, letting out a final sigh before passing out once more.

The warmth was all-encompassing, like being in a hot bath, or having a blanket fresh from the dryer wrapped around him. At some point he became dimly aware that he was moving. Or being moved. He was jostled about as distant voices coordinated with one another before a gust of cold air sent spears of ice through him.

He shivered and retreated in on himself, remembering a stormy night as the rain poured in buckets and the winds rattled the windows so hard he thought they might shatter. He sat on his bed, really only a mattress on the floor but it worked. In his arms, he held a girl his age close in a comfortable embrace. She shivered, her bare feet like ice against his as they listened to the storm. A light flashed outside and a moment later, thunder boomed. The girl held him tighter. He smiled down at her as she buried her face into his shoulder. Leaning down he gave her a soft kiss on the forehead, his lips moving as he said something comforting to her.

She didn't move. Again, he pressed his lips to the top of her head, whispering into her. She nodded after a moment, and he leaned back to look her in the eye. She hesitated until he brought a finger under her chin and tilted her head up to meet his gaze with one massive glowing yellow eye.

He paused and blinked. The eye blinked back. He blinked again. And a dozen more eyes opened, rolling about in their sockets before locking onto him.

Beep.

He blinked and found himself staring into soft blue eyes. The girl smiled and leaned up to touch noses before nuzzling under his chin. Feeling his heart settle, he relaxed into her and sighed contently.

Beep.

A droplet fell from the ceiling and made a barely audible pat as it hit the carpet nearby. He turned towards the noise.

Beep.

Another droplet splattered onto his cheek causing him to wince in surprise.

Beep.

Lifting his head to see if the roof was leaking again, he stopped when he met thirteen eyes staring down at him amidst a writhing black mass. Neither he nor the thing moved. Slowly, a seem opened along the mass as a mouth with rows of teeth emerged. His blood ran cold and lightning flashed again.

Beep.

His eyes snapped open, and he let out a gasp.

A dream… Just a… Wait…

He blinked several times and waited for his racing heart to settle and his mind to come to full alert. The latter was easier said than done as the room was spinning. It was not the dilapidated room of the complex he remembered, but a room with spotless manilla-painted walls. Baby-blue drapes drifted on a breeze from the open window. The crisp smell of the ocean mixed with the delicate scent of fresh linens filled his nostrils. The sound of seagulls along with distant voices tickled his ear drums.

Voices… People!

He sat up. Or would have had he not been overwhelmed with vertigo and collapsed back onto the mattress with a loud squeak. Letting out a groan, he raised a hand to his forehead, pressing weakly against his skull, trying to alleviate the nausea. A gurgle rattled at the back of his throat, and he shut his mouth, fighting to keep the bile down.

As he struggled to keep control of his body, he noticed the sound of footsteps drawing nearer to his room. He drew in a deep breath, only to throw himself into a raging coughing fit. The footsteps changed from a casual walk to an outright run. Before he knew it, there was someone beside him and gently helping him to sit up.

"Easy there." A female voice coaxed. "This will help."

He continued his coughing, each going off like an explosion inside his body. God, it made his head throb more with each heave.

When he was finally able to settle down, his eyes were watering, and he was gasping as though he had just sprinted ten miles up hill. The person beside him was breathing gently, maintaining a slow rhythm, one he quickly found himself matching as the hand on his back began to rub up and down his bare spine.

It was then he noticed two things. One, was that he was wearing a hospital gown which explained a light draftiness beneath the sheets covering him. The second was the pair of blue eyes eyeing him with trepidation and relief. It was a woman. Or a girl. He couldn't discern her age. And was she a nurse? Her outfit looked almost like she could be but a large part of it screamed Nun to him. But since when did nuns have robes that revealed everything from the thighs down? And was that silver hair? Had she been the one he had glimpsed before? No. The person before had been much younger.

"There you go," She murmured, giving him a warm smile. "That must have felt pretty rough. Would you like something to drink?"

He tried to speak, but a tickle at the back of his throat stopped him and he was forced to nod through another fit of coughing.

She rubbed his back until he was settled enough to be sure he wouldn't hack up a lung. Taking a seat on a rolling stool, she poured him a glass of water from a pitcher that had been resting on a nightstand beside his bed. He reached for the glass, and she seemed to hesitate momentarily before handing it to him.

It weighed at least twenty pounds. Or it might as well have as he dropped it almost immediately. But to his surprise, and subsequent astonishment, her hand snapped out and grabbed it before it could fall to the floor. They both breathed a sigh of relief, and she gave him a warm smile to which he could not help but return, if a bit less cheery.

She held the glass to him again, keeping her grip on it, but giving him some semblance of being able to do it himself and be in control. As soon as it touched his lips, his world was transformed. Cool and refreshing did not begin to describe it and he relished in the chill it spread from his throat to his stomach. He wanted to chug the entire pitcher, but due to his weakened state, he doubted he could manage such a thing.

When he finished, he let out a contented sigh, giving a light cough to clear his throat a bit.

"Thank you." He wheezed.

Ok, cleared throat but not completely. At least I can breathe somewhat normally now.

"You're welcome." The girl said with a smile. "I'm glad to see you're finally awake. You had us worried for some time."

He tilted his head at her. "Us?"

She nodded. "Would you excuse me for just a moment?"

He could only nod dumbly as she slid over to a phone on the wall before picking it up and dialing a number. He could just make out the faint ringing and a pause a moment later as it was seemingly answered. The girl looked ready to speak but paused as a voice came from the other end.

"Yes." She said with a nod. "Yes, he's awake. At least for the time being." She flashed him a soft smile. "If you think you can get here in a timely manner, and assuming he's able, you're more than welcomed to. Yes… yes… I will see you all shortly."

She hung up the phone and let out a sigh, smiling back at him as she retook her spot beside his bed. "I suppose you'll get the answer to whom the us is. But as for me, I'm Vestal. I've been looking after you since you were brought here."

"Vestal…" He spoke her name as though trying out a new dish he wasn't sure about. "That's a unique name."

She gave a soft giggle. "You might say that. I am named after the ship after all."

He blinked. "I…I beg your…W-what?"

"I'm a repair ship." She stated as though it were the most obvious thing in the world.

He looked her up and down, trying to figure out what she was talking about.

Vestal apparently noticed the perplexed look on his face because she continued. "Are you familiar with Azur Lane?"

"Azur… Lane?" He repeated, still looking her over, hoping he might find a clue as to what she was talking about.

The smile left her face and was replaced with a worried frown. "Oh dear. I hope you're not suffering from any neurological effects."

He blinked at her curiously before grasping the meaning of her words. Lifting a hand, he rubbed at his forehead, feeling for any tenderness not caused by his coughing fit. No bumps as far as he could tell. "What happened to me?" He asked, not fully realizing he had spoken aloud until Vestal replied.

"We were actually hoping you might be able to answer that."

He paused, blinking owlishly at her. Vestal's smile faded as she seemed to be thinking deeply for a moment. "Are you familiar with what a siren is?"

He had to think about that for a long moment. His memories were accessible, thankfully. But they were fuzzy and recalling specifics was giving him a slight headache. After what must have been an eternity to Vestal, he managed a nod.

Vestal let out a relieved breath but continued to inspect him as she spoke. "Here at Azur Lane, we are a fighting force built to combat the siren threat that humanity faces. We are the single most effective fighting force capable of defending humanity. You are currently being cared for here at our main base."

Again, he had to think about that. His mind settled on the notion that he was on a military base which meant protection. But in the back of his mind that meant a base was also a target for an enemy. "Is it safe here?" He asked, giving a worried glance out the window. The sky was clear, and he subconsciously wished to be outside right now.

"Very." Vestal said with a nod and rested a hand on his.

He looked down at it and noticed the IV drip in his arm. He tensed and his face became damp with a cold sweat.

"Are you all right?"

He shook himself out of his momentary shock and averted his eyes, giving her hand a squeeze back. His grip felt weak in hers. "Sorry…N-not a fan of needles."

"I see." She brought her other hand to rest over the spot where the needle was injected into his arm. "Is it causing you discomfort?"

He struggled to lift his arm a couple inches, but other than the strain of the effort he could feel no pain.

Vestal gave a relieved nod and smile when he shook his head. "That's good to know. You were severely malnourished when you were found and likely dehydrated as well." She let go of him and he found himself longing for the warmth her hand had left on his skin. Picking up a data pad mounted on the side of his bed, she looked it over, running her fingers across the screen. "We've had you on the drip since you arrived, so hopefully your electrolyte levels have stabilized a bit more." She met his eyes before continuing. "Any urge to use the bathroom?"

His brows knit together as he turned his attention downward. For a long time, he tried to feel himself out, but it felt as though he were too weak to distinguish between a genuine need to go, or the state of his condition.

"It couldn't hurt to try." He finally said.

This answer seemed to please the 'repair ship'. "Good. We can get a decent assessment of your condition while we do."

A momentary flush settled on his cheeks before he cracked a wry grin. "I'm not going to have to pee in a cup am I?" His eyes darted to the glass. "I'm pretty sure this was a telltale sign that I'm… not feeling normal yet."

Vestal, to his surprise, took the question without batting an eyelash. She merely smiled sweetly and shook her head. "That won't be necessary at this time. But I will need to check it to ensure that the fluids are doing their part." She rose, disconnecting the IV tube, but leaving the needle in his arm, much to his dismay. "We'll take this slow, okay?"

It was more of an order than a suggestion, but the way she spoke could have given anyone pause to question her. He nodded and allowed her to help him pull his feet out from under the sheets before swinging them over the side of the bed. He let out a long breath when his feet touched the floor, letting the cool sensation run up his spine.

The nurse let out a giggle as she took him by the hands. "Whenever you're ready."

He looked her up and down and she seemed to read his mind, giving him a smug smile. "Don't judge a girl by her size. I'm stronger than I look."

A huff of amusement escaped his lips. "I'll trust you on that." He took in another deep breath, closing his eyes. It was then he realized he had forgotten something important and felt a phantom chastising hand smack him in the back of the head.

Sorry Mom.

"I just realized I never introduced myself." He gave a nervous laugh and found himself struggling to meet the girl's eyes which now seemed to shimmer with curiosity. "I'm Kooper."

Vestal smiled. "Kooper. What an interesting name."

He blushed and subconsciously held onto her hands a little tighter. "Well, David Matthew Kooper is my full name. I just go by Kooper most of the time."

"I see. Well it's very nice to make your acquaintance Kooper." She rubbed the back of his hands with her thumbs. "Shall we?"

Kooper sucked in another deep breath and nodded.

Slowly, she stepped back, pulling him until he was standing upright. Almost immediately he began shaking and feeling as though he were about to start sweating from overexertion. But Vestal slid a hand around his waist as she moved beside him, allowing his arm to rest over her shoulders.

"Thanks." He breathed to which she gave a thoughtful hum of acknowledgment.

Despite the bathroom being just on the opposite end of the room, no more than a few paces, it still took them a considerable amount of time to reach it. Each step he took made his legs shriek in pain and threaten to give out from under him. But Vestal had not been lying about how strong she was. Even when he nearly stumbled twice, the nurse didn't so much as waver.

"Thank you." He breathed as he staggered into the bathroom.

"Of course." She beamed and helped him to sit down before backing away. "I'll be just out in the hall for when you're finished." She tilted her head with a disarmingly sweet smile. "Just take things slow."

Kooper nodded and put on his best reassuring smile before she closed the door. He waited for her footsteps to fade slightly before sighing and staring at the floor.

Azur Lane…It really does exists.

It took a couple painful pinches to reassure himself that he was actually awake and not in some fever dream or hallucinating before his dying body shut down.

Definitely not a dream. I don't think…

"You're not as bad as I had expected." Vestal stated, looking into the bowl several minutes later. Kooper couldn't help but blush as he washed his hands, keeping his face turned away. This was a bit on the very personal side of being around a stranger, despite being a professional. "You're still dehydrated, but not to the point where either of us needs to significantly worry." She flushed the toilet, removing a pair of latex gloves and gave him a reassuring smile. "Seeing as you'll be here for a bit, we'll just keep an eye on you to make sure there's no surprises."

Kooper nodded with a hum as she proceeded to help him back to his bed, but stopped about halfway back to look out the window.

"Would it be too much to ask for a seat by the window Miss Vestal?"

The girl glanced at the bench beside the window, seeming to think about it. "I don't see why not." She finally answered. "I'm sure it will do you some good in your recovery. And you can just call me Vestal."

Kooper continued to nod, thankful for the unexpected benefit of his request. As Vestal lowered him onto the bench, he shifted around to get a better look outside. He was up on the third story overlooking a walkway leading up to the building by a large roundabout, capable of allowing for cars to park four abreast and at least twelve deep. Further on was a fountain around a massive golden anchor which looked freshly polished.

"That thing isn't actually gold, is it?" Kooper asked, giving a slight jerk of his head towards the fountain. The nurse moved up beside him on the bench and looked out over the courtyard.

"No," Vestal said with a chuckle once she saw where he was gesturing. "That would be something though. Imagine trying to lift something like that away without anything less than a crane the size of a skyscraper."

Kooper chuckled. "Yeah. Good luck being subtle about something like that for anyone wanting to pull a heist and jack it."

"Oh?" Vestal gave him a cheeky grin. "Did we perhaps rescue a master thief of sorts?"

Kooper couldn't help but smirk. "Alas M'Lady, thou has found herself in the presence of the great and notorious Koop-Noir. Cat burglar extraordinaire, stealer of riches and the hearts of fair maidens alike."

Vestal gave a fake swoon. "Oh be still my heart."

The two of them shared a laugh before falling into silence as they returned to staring out at the campus before them. Plenty of beautifully trimmed trees and hedges with small gardens looked to be kept in pristine condition. This place, for all its rumors surrounding it was nothing like he had expected. In some ways it reminded him of the Presidio back home with trim lawns, and elegant buildings lining the roads as though the structures were standing at attention. Looking down the road he could see a bridge leading towards what may have been a town or a port on the opposite side. It was difficult to see from where he was, but he thought he spotted a cargo ship anchored at a dock. He watched as the cranes offloaded crates onto trailers parked along the piers, but found it interesting he couldn't see more than a couple human silhouettes. He let out a sigh and let his shoulders sag as he brought his arms up to rest on the windowsill.

"Are you alright?" Vestal asked, a motherly worry to her tone.

Kooper was silent for a long minute as he felt a lump form in his throat. He paused to look her in the eye, feeling his own features contort slightly. "Was I… I… Am I…"

Vestal reached out and rested a hand on his shoulder but said nothing.

Taking it as a cue for him to keep trying, Kooper sighed and squeezed his eyes shut, steadying himself before meeting the nurse's gaze. "Was I the only one you found?"

Vestal's expression didn't change much beyond looking slightly more apologetic. "To my knowledge you're the only one they found."

Kooper stared at her, his entire body seeming to go numb. "Is… there any way for them to go back and look? Maybe there were others?"

Vestal lowered her eyes to the space between them, seemingly unsure of how to answer. "I'm certain that the team who found you plans to return very soon." She finally said. "However…"

Kooper sat up and leaned in towards her. "However?"

"However, the circumstances of your discovery were a fluke."

Kooper jumped and turned towards the doorway where a woman stood in an officer's uniform. She was tall, probably even taller than him at six-feet with long silver hair that blew majestically in the breeze offered by the open window. She regarded him with an eagle-like stare that made him think she might swoop on him at any moment.

"Good day Enterprise." Vestal greeted with an almost scolding tone. "How nice of you to announce your presence."

Enterprise blinked before seeming to wilt under the nurse's comment, and tipped her hat in apology. "Forgive my interruption. May we come in?"

When no answer came, Kooper found both women looking at him. Vestal gave him a smile and 'go ahead' gesture to which he nodded to the taller woman. "Be my guest." He said in his most chipper voice, though his heart was not fully in it.

Enterprise nodded before entering the room. She was followed by a shorter blonde, wearing a cowboy hat and looking like she had just come from the beach. She regarded him with a tip of her own hat and a smile that immediately warmed his heart.

Following the blonde came another, taller, more to Enterprise's height with shorter hair and crimson eyes that were no less steely. She looked like royalty with her scarlet coat with gold trim and sword hilted at her side. The next guest was considerably shorter, blonde and with a coat fitting of royalty. But Kooper's eyes went wide when he caught a glimpse of what was- or closer to say, wasn't beneath the coat. He swallowed hard and snapped his eyes up to her face. He noticed the way her hair stood up like a pair of dog ears with odd-looking clips tucking the tufts neatly in place. Unlike Enterprise and the taller blonde, this girl's entire expression said, 'I bite'.

He did not have long to think about it as another girl entered. Out of everyone, she wore the largest smile, standing proudly before the previous two. Her garb was far frillier, but no less elegant. Her blue eyes looked him over before she nodded, seeming to approve of him. It was then Kooper noticed the crown on her head, and he shot Vestal a worried look.

"Hello human." The crowned girl greeted, spinning a scepter before tucking it under an arm. "It is good to see you have finally woken. I am Queen Elizabeth of the Royal Navy. May I have the pleasure of requesting your name?"

Kooper was speechless for a long moment as her words seemed to have blown his mind out of his skull. It was one thing to have woken to find himself in a military base with near mythological tales surrounding it. But to be visited by royalty? And he was barely even dressed.

A gentle hand squeezed his and Vestal gave him a worried look. "It's okay." She whispered.

Kooper shook his head and coughed into his shoulder to clear his throat. "Er.. forgive me your majesty. Your presence caught me off guard. I… uh… I'm Kooper. David Matthew Kooper. But you can just call me Kooper…If that's ok with you of course." He was beginning to sweat, and he bit his lip before continuing. "I'd bow, but…um…" He gestured to his legs, trying to look as helpless as possible. "Perhaps I can take a reign check on the bowing?" He gave a sheepish grin.

Elizabeth chuckled mirthfully. "My, aren't you a charming little one." Kooper gave a nervous smile, deciding to withhold a comment about her only being taller than him because he was sitting. Elizabeth approached and held out a hand to him, her smile no less radiant. "I shall forgo the bowing and allow for an alternative to suit both our needs."

Kooper glanced from the hand to her then back before the realization slapped him across the back of the head. He took her gloved hand, almost delicately, and pressed his lips to it. When he looked up, Elizabeth's face was beet-red and her mouth hung open in stunned silence. Suddenly feeling the blood drain from his face, Kooper glanced around at the assembled.

The tall blonde, and Enterprise both looked surprised with mouths hung slightly ajar. The girl with the hat and short-shorts wore an uneasy smile, her cheeks flushed slightly as well. The girl with the dog-eared hair was just as red as Elizabeth and looking as though she were in two minds about lunging for his throat. Vestal also wore a blush with a hand over her mouth with an 'oh my' look of surprise on her face.

Elizabeth was the first to find her voice after a choking stammer. "W-well that was… um…" She pulled her hand away, turning to march back towards the others, coughing into her hand.

"Did I do something wrong?" Kooper whispered to Vestal who seemed to shake herself out of her stupor at his voice.

"Not necessarily." The tall blonde responded, clearly hearing him voice his concern. "Your manner of greeting is..." Her own cheeks pinkened for a moment before she shot a mirthful smile over at the queen. "Such greetings are not exactly customary here."

It was now Kooper's turn to blush as he looked to Elizabeth who was busily fanning her face with a hand. "I'm sorry Your Majesty. I… um… I might be a bit dumb in the royal greetings department."

"I-it is quite all right." Elizabeth said as she straightened and turned to look him in the eye. Her face was still very red and she was sweating as she struggled to hold back a grin. "It was not at all unpleasant. But perhaps I underestimated your charm."

Kooper gave a nervous chuckle. "I wasn't... I just thought-"

"Oh piffle! Think nothing of it dear Kooper. I said it was fine so let us leave it at that, shall we?" She waggled a finger at him with a wink.

Kooper swallowed hard and merely nodded.

"Now that we have that out of the way, allow me to introduce myself." The tall blonde spoke. "I am HMS Prince of Wales." She gave a bow and for a split second Kooper's eyes darted to her skirt, his thoughts going in an oblique direction for a heartbeat. Thankfully when she came up, she did not notice his stare, nor make a move to extend a hand.

Just as well. Don't want to get thrown into a dungeon now.

"And I…" The dog-haired girl stepped forward, hands clasped behind her back and face a stern wall of steel. "Am Her Majesty's faithful knight! HMS Warspite."

Kooper's brows jumped slightly, and his mouth fell open at her declaration. The corner of Warspite's mouth turned up in a smirk as she narrowed her eyes at him. But her expression slackened when she saw the smile spread across his own mouth. "That name is so cool!" He stated.

Warspite blinked and her features fell as her cheeks turned deep red. "Wh-what? I…" She glanced around at the others seemingly flustered beyond measure. "I am Her Majesty's royal knight! I do not do Cool!"

The blonde with the cowboy hat laughed, stepping forward. "Well it certainly sounds way cooler than Old Lady." Warspite glowered at her, putting on what could only be described as the most adorable puppy pout. The cowgirl smirked and flashed her a wink before extending a hand to Kooper. "Name's Hornet." She said in a slight country accent. "I'm the younger sister to Enterprise. And a simple handshake will do."

Kooper felt his heart flutter with embarrassment as he took her hand with as strong a grip as he could muster. "I'm never going to live that down, am I?" He asked, grinning despite himself.

"Nope." Hornet beamed. "But like Her Majesty said, we're glad to see you're ok. All things considered."

Kooper bobbed his head in agreement. "Thank you all for the rescue. I owe you all." His eyes swept across the group, making sure he met each of theirs.

"It's not a problem really." Wales said, stepping up beside Elizabeth as Hornet backed away to give them space. "It's what we were made for."

Kooper's expression fell. "Made?" He glanced at Vestal who nodded before gesturing back to Prince of Wales who nodded as well.

The next half hour was spent with Wales and the others explaining to him what they were and what they did. All the while Kooper struggled to process what he was being told as he stared at each one of them. They all looked so normal to him. So human. But they claimed they weren't human. Not in any normal manner.

"You look troubled." Warspite stated when Kooper took hold of Vestal's hand. He began turning it over, and poking it with his fingers, expecting to find…what? Rubber or silicone in the place of skin? The telltale signs of servos and rods in lieu of muscles and bones?

Kooper breathed in a hoarse breath and rubbed at his forehead. "It's just a lot to take in." He said as he stared through the floor. "You say you're warships..Kansen, right?" They nodded. "But… You don't give off that impression."

"Can you explain?" Enterprise asked. It was the first time since the others introduced themselves that she had spoken.

Kooper could only sputter incoherently, blinking as his head spun.

"Does it bother you that we aint really human?" Hornet asked, a look of genuine concern in her emerald-green eyes.

Kooper rubbed his hands against his face, trying to relieve himself of the nauseating confusion. "No, that's not it. It's just..."

Beside him, Vestal rested a hand on his back and began to rub up and down his spine. The heat of anxiety that had threatened to knock him off his seat slowly evaporated with each delicate stroke over his skin.

Finally, he could breathe and think clearly.

"What I mean is..., you all are so… human. You look it, for the most part." He glanced at Warspite, Enterprise and Vestal. "You're telling me you're warships..." He waggled his fingers. "Or the manifestation of them. But my mind tells me I'm looking at people. And looking isn't even the extent of it. You sound and even act like normal people." He gestured to Elizabeth. "Like how you twirl your staff when you're anxious to say something Your Majesty." He looked to Hornet. "Or how you shift your stance when trying to hide a yawn."

Hornet blushed as all eyes turned on her and she lowered her hat over her eyes sheepishly. But before she could respond, Kooper continued.

"And when you talk, you have these subtle shifts of tone in your voices. Machine don't have that. Not even the most advanced animatronics have that. So with you it's like… Like I can feel your souls just by listening to you. It's confusing because you're human to me."

All the women blinked at him in surprise, clearly not having expected to hear that.

"That's actually rather flattering of you to say." Wales finally spoke, a warm smile gracing her lips. "I know some of us tend to get caught up in the fact that we're not the purest definition of human, yet still have wants, needs and desires like those who created us."

Off to the side, Hornet shot Enterprise a not-so-subtle smirk. Enterprise gave her a look that said 'don't test me', to which Hornet only waggled a brow.

"Well I for one am glad you do." Kooper stated firmly. "It makes this that much easier to deal with." He gestured around to the room and the IV drip still in his arm. "If you didn't have personality or individuality, then I would probably be getting frustrated and maybe a bit scared right now…Well… more so…"

"You find it is easier to connect with others who appear to be human in nature." Elizabeth state, matter of fact to which Kooper nodded after a moment of consideration. "That is quite an interesting bit of… theory may not be the right word I'm looking for. Philosophy perhaps?"

Kooper grinned with a shrug. "I would say philosophy, cause lord knows my way of thinking isn't the only one."

"How very interesting." Elizabeth leaned forward, eyeing him closely for a moment before looking at Vestal. "And you said he has no signs of brain trauma?"

"Hey!" Kooper said in a tone of mock hurt.

Everyone chuckled save for Enterprise, while Warspite cracked a small grin.

"He shows no signs of neural damage. But he did seem rather confused about who we were at first."

"And for good reason." Koper watched all eyes turn on him. "I don't know how connected you guys are with the rest of the world. But out there?" He gestured out the window. "Azur Lane is like Area 51. People know of it…er, uh… you, I guess. But there's so little known specifics that most people only have is speculations, and conspiracy theories with very minimal evidence to back it up."

"I see." Enterprise cupped and elbow and pinched her chin between thumb and forefinger. "That would make sense in a way. Don't want the native population thinking they can just show up on a cruise ship out of nowhere and overrunning our ports and bases."

"That's…something I hadn't thought of." Kooper's brow furrowed. He had heard that the open seas were already dangerous. But if people felt that they would be safer staying with the ones who were doing a better job at handling the sirens, then many might take the chance to traverse the oceans to reach the base where he now found himself. And he doubted that would fare well for anyone regardless of affiliation. But that also raised another question.

"What do you plan to do with me?" He asked, a tone of worry creeping into his voice.

All the women looked troubled, but not in the way that he imagined they might be if they were about to reveal some bad news. If anything, they looked uncomfortable, like they were hesitant to ask him something.

Enterprise stepped forward and placed a hand on her hip. "We're planning to keep you here for the time being until you recover. But we would also like some information from you. Assuming you're able to provide it."

Kooper stared at her for a moment before blinking and giving a shrug. At least they hadn't decided to lock him up or quarantine him. He gestured for Enterprise to continue. "Shoot."

Enterprise eyed him another moment with those seemingly unblinking eyes of metallic lavender. But she eventually continued. "You're aware we found you in the ruins of a city, correct."

Kooper arched a brow. "I wouldn't say they were ruins…" He said, perhaps a bit defensively. He wasn't sure if she was unable to think of the right word or if an abandoned city was considered ruins to them. "But I suppose, yes, that's correct." He said with a nod.

Enterprise's lip twitched as though she were troubled by something. "Forgive me. We were under the impression that the city had been abandoned. Apparently, our intel was not as correct as he had thought."

Kooper waggled his fingers nonchalantly and rocked his head from side to side. "To be fair, I don't think any city is fully abandoned. In my experience, it takes a lot to have a city be completely abandoned. Even if all the residents are ordered to evac, you're always going to have someone who can't or won't leave."

"Were there no evacuation orders given to flee all coastal cities?" Wales asked skeptically.

Kooper only shook his head. "I know there was an order for such thing years ago. But I was still just a kid then."

"You sure look like one now." Hornet crossed her arms under her bust and fixed him with a teasing grin.

"I'm nineteen, so bite me." Kooper shot back playfully and stuck his tongue out at her. Hornet returned the gesture and they shared a smile. He was starting to like the blonde. "Anyhoo, my family relocated. But over the years we had heard stories about some cities never getting the warnings due to communications problems, or possible siren interference. Some cities just went completely dark."

"That's unsettling." Hornet and Wales exchanged troubled looks while Elizabeth stared at him, unmoving. Warspite's jaw clenched tight and her fingers rubbed together as though itching to grab onto something.

Kooper couldn't disagree. "I've been part of a national relief group who travels around directing stragglers or strays from said cities towards safer refugee and relocation sites for the past…" He paused to think. "What's today's date?"

"March thirteenth." Warspite replied almost instantly.

Kooper ran the numbers in his head for a second before meeting her eyes. "About two years now."

"I see. And what were you able to accomplish in that time?" Wales continued.

Kooper rolled his head again. "Found quite a few stragglers. Lots of dilapidated or destroyed cities. But like I said, we tended to find people still residing in them." His expression darkened as some memories rose to the front of his mind. "Not all of them pleasant."

This got a few unnerving looks to be exchanged between the others. Kooper curled his fingers into fists, wishing he didn't have to feel so weak from his condition.

"Where was your family during this?" Vestal asked, interrupting the tense silence.

Kooper stiffened. The memories rose like bubbles to the surface, and he let out a gasp as the feeling of ice washed over him. A tingle settled around his ears as the sensation of muffled noise threatened to consume his senses.

"They…" He started and folded his hands in his lap as he stared through the floor. "My biological family is gone."

Beside him, Vestal scooted closer, resting her hand on his folded ones. It brought Kooper out of the pit his thoughts were threatening to pull him into and he gave her a short half-smile. Hornet removed her hat, covering her chest while the royal navy girls all wore forlorn expressions. Enterprise looked as though she too were looking into the middle distance as she shifted her weight in Hornet's direction. Maybe she too had suffered a similar loss?

"Was it the sirens?" Hornet finally asked.

Kooper shook his head. "No. Thankfully… Mom passed from cancer when I was fourteen. Dad passed from a heart attack a little less than a year ago."

"We're sorry for your loss." Wales was in front of him now, leaning over to meet his eyes and resting a hand on his shoulder. "I can't imagine how hard that must have been on you. All of you."

Kooper bit his lower lip to keep the tightening inside his chest from escaping.

Keep it together. Keep. It. Together.

Closing his eyes he fought through the torrent of memories, trying not to let them drag him down before he reached a memory from a little over a year ago.

Blue eyes smiled at him from under platinum blonde bangs. The toothy grin she gave was infectious and impossible not to return. And it was making him do just that. "It helped that I had a pretty good support group on hand." He drew in a deep breath and exhaled, the whirlwind of emotions settling for the time being. "The people we traveled with were like a second family to us. Like aunts, uncles and cousins. They… They really helped me get through some of those darker times in my life." He rubbed at his arm and averted his gaze. "Some more than others."

A long silence settled between them as a chilly breeze swept through the room.

"I hope you'll accept our deepest condolences." Elizabeth interjected. Kooper lifted his head to see that her posture had straightened and she held her scepter across her thighs as she gave a slight incline of her head. "Many of us know what it's like to lose family. Close friends. Comrades in arms. We bond over common ground and purpose. So I hope you will believe me when I say that your pain is not lost on us."

Kooper gave a slow blink before rubbing at his eyes and failing to fight back a sniffle. "Thank you, Your Majesty." He gave her as strong of a smile as he could muster.

She returned it with a warm one of her own, looking almost motherly in a way.

"That being said," Elizabeth continued once the moment had passed. "You have my personal guarantee that we, the Royal Navy, will devote ourselves to locating and reuniting you with your wayward family."

Enterprise nodded her own affirmation. "We of the Azur Axis Alliance had already begun an investigation into the effect of the siren attack on the city. But now that we know that it wasn't completely…um… uninhabited, we hope by some other small miracle, we can find the rest of your group and return you home."

Kooper nodded as the warmth of hope filled him. "Anything you need from me, I'm happy to provide."

Enterprise did not miss a beat. "A list of names would be a good start. If we find anyone familiar with you, or stumble across someone else who does, then it will make establishing trust much easier."

"Another thing," Wales spoke up and looked him in the eye. "Please be aware and understanding that while we are pulling together a massive search team, it will likely take some time before we can locate anyone. And when we do, they may be in just as critical of a condition as you are."

Kooper's teeth rubbed back and forth as he mulled over the unspoken part of that disclosure. He shivered and drew in a deep breath, sitting upright to give Wales an affirming salute. She tried to put on a reassuring smile but Kooper got the feeling she was likely almost as worried as he was.

"The siren attack on the city left catastrophic amounts of damage. Much of the city's infrastructure is highly unstable from what our advanced recon team has reported."

Kooper felt his blood run cold. Thoughts of those he traveled with filled his mind. The many days of traveling across the country, passing bustling cities that had never been severely affected by the war, and large sprouting towns seemingly in the middle of nowhere. Days and nights of running through rain and snow as they helped clear out shelters, bringing emaciated survivors rations and fresh water. Burying those whom they had been too late to help. Weathering a hurricane in a seemingly empty city. Him and a girl sharing a mattress as they tried to stay warm. A mass of teeth and eerie yellow eyes. The cold grip of panic in his chest. The feeling of something latching around his neck as his arm was pulled on.

"Hey, you all right in there?" Hornet's sudden voice snapped Kooper out of his thoughts and he shook himself.

"Sorry. Just…" He let out a groan and rubbed at his arm. "Bad memories from that." He was trembling now and trying to fight off the shiver that held him like a vice. "I… I still don't know how I'm alive after all that… It shouldn't even be possible."

A hand rested on his shoulder and he looked up to see Wales looking at him with a determined set to her jaw. "You needn't fear any sirens here. Not while you have us. You're safe here."

She held his stare for a long moment before giving a reassuring nod. "Now… let's get that list started, shall we?"