(Early Authors Note: Hello everyone! This story is getting quite a bit of love, i've noticed. to that end, here is chapter 1! Enjoy!)
The Azur Lane Base was all abuzz with the latest news:
They were finally getting a commander.
About time too, really. Not everything has been all peaches and cream with this whole 'Azur-Axis Alliance' deal. No fights had broken out (okay, maybe a spar or two, but still,) and lots of heated arguments have been flaring. So the prospect of a commander that can fix that has been greatly looked forward to.
"I say we prepare a grand welcoming party for his arrival!" Queen Elizabeth, head of the Royal Navy, proposed.
Her being who she is, no one really refused (or came up with any other ideas).
The preparations and decorations were… extravagant… to say the least. Akagi and Taihou were the most fervent in getting things into perfection. Them talking to themselves as they worked didn't really put their fellow ship-girls at ease.
"Finally, someone to give all of my love to." Akagi would giggle.
"My darling commander. Nothing will stand between my love and you." Taihou would say.
Nearby ship-girls who heard things such as this did the only logical thing.
Back away, slowly.
Other ship-girls (the more sensible and less perverse ones) would ask simple questions like whether or not he is a strong and capable leader. Some were about whether or not the commander was even a man. No one had yet to tell them anything about that.
"Whether or not the commander is a man or woman doesn't matter, as long as he or she has a strong will and strength to take risks and make sacrifices then he or she is good enough." Bismarck honestly voiced.
Sovetskaya Rossiya and Takao both agreed. A smart but weak commander wouldn't be very good. Neither would a strong but stupid commander.
Other questions (of course) were asked.
"D'you think he's nice?"
"Can he hold himself in a fight?"
"Should he fight? Being the commander and all."
Nonetheless, simple questions that were soon to be answered (and yet are currently not) did no one any good. So they just got back to work, each hoping for their own 'dream commander'.
As the finishing touches were being added, Fusou came in saying "I saw his ship nearing here! Hurry!"
It was then that everyone's efforts were doubled (even tripled) and tried to get everything ready. No one wanted an unimpressed commander, especially not the ones who have been waiting for one for a while now. The thought of what he would think if he didn't like how the party turned out was a rather bad thought for many ship-girls.
First impressions are everything, you know.
Once everything was finished (and Akagi and Taihou had stopped giggling and giving each-other death glares) everyone got into their 'positions' as Queen Elizabeth called them.
"Hey, Nimi." Javelin, a Royal Navy destroyer, whispered to her Iron Blood friend (whose real name was Z23).
"Will the commander be nice enough to hang out with us?"
The Iron Blood destroyer (although a little flustered with the nickname) gave a reassuring smile and said "Don't worry, Javelin. It's part of what he ought to do. I'm sure things will be fine."
"Yeah… I'm sure he'll like a drink." The (seemingly always) sleepy Eagle Union destroyer Laffey all but mumbled as she (for the fourth time that day) fell asleep while standing.
As Ayanami (a Sakura Empire destroyer and fellow friend) aided by Z23, tried propping Laffey up, the (rather busty) Royal Navy carrier Illustrious spoke to her little sister Unicorn, saying "It seems they need a bit of help. Why don't you join your friends?"
The shy little carrier just nodded, whispered "Okay." and went off to her friends. They welcomed her, and together they finally got Laffey situated by making her lean on a tree.
That way she'll at least look like she's awake. To someone that's far away, at least.
Soon, the ship (finally) docked. And everyone waited for their new commander to reveal himself. When the door opened and the ramp was lowered, they saw a boy with dirty blond hair and a serious expression walk down the ramp.
What was odd was that five other boys followed him.
Once the first set foot on land, he turned aside for the one behind him. And so one and so forth, until finally, the one left (who was surprisingly tall for someone of his age) stepped forth and said "I am your new commander."
The ship-girls were downright confused. Who were these people? Is this some sort of joke?
After a few minutes of tense silence, all six fellows broke out into a fit laughter. Whatever tom-foolish joke they pulled, it seemed to be very funny.
To themselves anyway.
Once Mike and his pals stopped laughing, he surveyed all the ship-girls before them, until resting his eyes on Illustrious.
He strode towards her with a purpose, kneeled, clasped her hand and kissed it, then said "Your Majesty, it is truly an honor to meet you at last. I do hope we can be good acquaintances in time."
All he got in reply was an 'Oh my' and a tap on the shoulder.
It was Warspite who had tapped. Once she knew she had his attention she said "Um… that's Illustrious. Queen Elizabeth is over there." She said, gesturing to a rapidly getting angrier little girl with a fancy crown on her head.
As he made to get up, he accidentally got into a soft collision with the busty carrier he kneeled before. Those who saw gasped, Mike's friends laughed again, and Mike himself was just embarrassed.
"Ah! T-terribly sorry about that miss! Won't happen again!" He said and dashed off, leaving an interested Illustrious.
When he finally got to the real Queen, he kneeled and said the same words, while also apologizing for the confusion.
"No need. Your immediate correction of your own mistake will be satisfactory enough. Now, who are these others with you?" The Queen said.
At this, Mike's face became serious again. He stood up, and yelled for all to hear "These are my friends who have been with me through both the best and the worst of times! Mason is my First Lieutenant. Caleb, my Second. The Twins are Captains. And Joe does the paperwork." He said, while pointing at each of the five, so everyone knows who is who.
This was quite a bit to take in.
Why would high-command appoint six people here?
These questions were at the forefront of many of the ship-girls' minds. But they were interrupted when the tall boy (who introduced himself as Michael) said "Alright, now with all that out the way, I'm going to finish my book. No one bother me for the next two to two-in-a-half hours!"
He then walked off looking for a nice spot to sit and read.
Everyone there just stood dumbfounded.
At last, Mason spoke up, saying "Sorry about that, everyone. He just… loves to read. Once he's done he will come back and greet you all better. For now, could one of you show us where we will be staying now?"
This got everyone out of their thoughts, and so the maid Belfast offered to take them to their rooms. Soon, everyone else either followed or went about their business.
But a certain kitsune, Sakura Empire armored carrier, and Eagle Union carrier would be doing some good ol' fashioned shadowing.
None of them saw each other, of course. They were all at far away points. Apparently, he was making his way towards the gazebo that Queen Elizabith usually holds tea parties at.
When the three finally bumped into each other, Enterprise whispered "What are you two doing, following him?"
To which Akagi just replied "I am going to say hello. This pest here just wants to bother him. What are you doing following him?"
Taihou wasn't pleased at being called a pest, but seeing how an argument between two powerful ships was brewing, she remained silent and snuck off after Mike.
"Hmph. It'll be too late for them, by the time they arrive, Mikey will already be mine."
She took an instant liking to Michael. He was tall, handsome, and strong. But she could also see a strength in him. Like a wild wolf just waiting to be let loose. So off she went.
Meanwhile, after a few jabs back and forth, Akagi and Enterprise realized Taihou had snuck off while they bickered! The two had to race with all speeds if they were to catch up with her. While at the same time getting ahead of each other.
Like Taihou, the two had sensed the inner strength within Mike. However, Akagi had wanted to see that strength show so she could love it, and see the wolf in him. Maybe she could chain him a little while.
Oh, how fun it would be!
Enterprise, on the other hand, wanted to help channel that power. Because if it's out of hand, bad things might happen. Of course, that's not the only reason she went.
Belfast had started pestering her about 'following and making a good first impression.'
As if they didn't already do that at the docks.
Soon, they caught up to Taihou, but she had already stopped dead in her tracks and was peaking through the bushes. When they saw why, they did the same. Illustrious and her little sister Unicorn were walking down the path towards where Mike sat reading.
"Ah, hello you three. Care to join us?" Illustrious had said turning toward the bush the other three ships were hiding in.
They sheepishly got out and followed. Taihou and Akagi were making sure there wasn't anything on them that might ruin their dazzling beauty.
Which they hope will woo Mike.
Once they arrived, they waited for Mike to greet them.
He didn't.
Either he was so engrossed in his reading, or he just didn't notice them, no one was sure. While they waited, Taihou took the chance to see what the book was called. If she found that out, it might go a long way in gaining the new commander's heart.
'The Hobbit'. Huh, it says it was written by J.R.R. Tolkien, whoever that was. What's a Hobbit, anyway?
That question would have to be for later as Enterprise cleared her throat and said "Um… excuse me."
And made one of the biggest screw-ups in her life.
Mike had shattered the tea cup he was drinking from, put in a book mark, closed the book real fast and put it on the table, then turned towards the ships before him and said "I thought I said don't bother me for two hours. I was on the last chapter too! Is it too much to ask for a chance to finally finish a simple book? Is it?!"
Unicorn had hidden behind Illustrious in absolute fear.
Enterprise and the others were completely taken aback by this attitude.
Illustrious, however, could not let that dissuade her now. She smiled and said "Terribly sorry, commander. I was just wondering if you would join us and say a few words for your welcoming party tonight. If it's no trouble, of course."
Mike thought about it for a bit and said "Fine. I'll come. I hope your cooks cook as good as you all look." He said with a goofy smile on his face.
Illustrious, Unicorn, and Enterprise blushed, while Akagi and Taihou were holding each other back while both were trying to give their wonderful commander a big busty hug.
It was surprising how fast he changed from calm and quiet, to angry and irritated.
Perhaps his companions knew more about that story?
(Ending Authors Note: Well, I hope you all like it. I put in a little something to keep ya guessing and wanting chapter 2, if you do want it. I like how it turned out right now, and I really give myself a pat on the back for incorporating one of Tolkiens books. I myself just love them so much, I couldn't help myself. Besides, it diverts my rage (that I fear won't really do anything) from that horrible LOTR TV show. It's so shamefull, don't yo think? Anyways, please review follow and favorite so I'll see you around.
"Let your mind wander. But lean not on thine own understanding (most of the time)" - TaleBearer42Day