During dinner, the girls had been all over Edinburgh and Akagi, asking them questions about how Emir commanded them. It seemed that after the exercise the girls were quite surprised at the extraordinary tactics that the boy came up with, that they just had to know more about him. Unfortunately for them however, the two ships didn't know much themselves since they only met Emir recently.
Watching them from afar, the blonde haired, cape wearing, Cleveland laughed at Edinburgh's reactions to the plethora of questions, while Akagi tried her best to escape the crowd.
The blonde cruiser then heard a small thump occur next to her, prompting her to turn her head, where her eyes met the figure of the white haired air carrier of her faction.
"Oh Enterprise, how's it going?" asked a chipper Cleveland.
"Tiring, with the repairs that's been going and then the exercise, I'm at my wits end." Enterprise then proceeded to rub her forehead with her fingers, while wearing a rather worn out expression.
Her fellow ship then told her to get some rest since she'll end up only getting worse by forcing herself, but the carrier's response was to tell Cleveland that she was still ready to work, if needed. However this was what Cleveland was rather afraid of, she was well aware at just how stubborn the second Yorktown class ship was regarding work.
Over at the office, two hands slammed down at the table as Emir's eyes glared at his sister. He knew that there would be the need for a commander, he was even in support for it, however being named as the replacement was a shock he was not ready for.
After demanding to know their reasoning, Emir listened as his sister informed him on their decision as well as to why he was the most appropriate. According to Azure, their choice was influenced by multiple factors: skills, knowledge and age.
Emir definitely had enough necessary knowledge about the Sirens and enough to know how the ships operate, though his overall knowledge about the home port was little to nothing, it could easily be taught to him. Next was skills, this was made clear to them when they watched the exercise between Felix and Emir. He had a different way of commanding the girls, but despite this they were moves that changed the tide of battle. Finally was age, though this was only taken into account since Felix was adamant on not wanting to return to being the commander out of being too old.
"Emir, I'm just asking that you handle the day to day work here in the home port while I study about the Sirens." Azure explained in a sweet tone, trying to talk her brother into accepting.
"Why can't you just juggle work and study?" Emir asked, still suspicious.
"Well that would be possible, if there weren't random accidents occurring in the home port every day," the elder Regis explained.
After much explaining to Emir, Azure knew she wasn't going to convince her brother, so she instead requested that he at least think over it for a day. As well as attend a lesson with a shipgirl just to see what sort of things he was going to do if he were to accept.
The next day, Emir was taken to Azur Lane's classroom where he met the destroyer, Amazon.
According to both his grandfather and sister, Amazon was responsible for teaching them how the home port operates as well as their responsibilities as commanders. This was also backed up by Belfast who vouched for her fellow Royal Navy member.
Entering the classroom, Emir was met by a short blonde haired girl, who introduced herself as Amazon. Once he had also familiarised himself, Emir began his lesson.
However since Emir still hadn't accepted the proposal, Amazon instead opted to just converse with Emir in order to get to know him. Although closed off at first, the boy soon opened up when their conversation focused on the home port and Amazon's past as a warship.
Listening to him felt relaxing to Amazon, it has been so long since she had a conversation with someone who genuinely enjoyed topics about warships. Talking to Emir and informing on everything she knew, seemed to even invigorate her love for teaching.
"Ok that's it for today," the cruiser informed, "also try not to force yourself to accept. But if I'm being honest, I would like to teach you more as a commander."
Now that his 'class' was over Emir decided to take a small stroll around the Home Port before heading to the cafeteria for some food. During his walk, he encountered Enterprise once again, who was returning after a day of helping with repairs.
Striking up a small conversation with her, Emir learned that she was also heading to go to the cafeteria so he decided that he might as well accompany her, since that was his original destination. On the way there Enterprise became curious to Emir's thoughts on becoming a substitute commander.
"Ah, well I'm not all for it at the moment. I just don't see why my sister can't juggle her work with studies." The boy admitted.
Glancing over to the girl, Emir noticed she looked rather nervous. She then took a shallow sigh before turning to the boy. "I don't think she'll be able to study peacefully here in the port."
"That's what my grandpa said." Emir recalled. "Are accidents that common here?"
"Yes." The carrier bluntly said, tipping her hat slightly downwards to cover her face.
Reaching the cafeteria, Emir enjoyed a small snack that he got from one of the vending machines. During his meal, he also noticed that Enterprise was also eating something. From what he could tell, she was eating an oatmeal bar, just far more drier.
Curious as to what it was, the boy asked as to what it was only to learn that those bars were actually rations that have been condensed. He then remembered Belfast telling him about a ship that disregarded their health and just ate the military rations.
Guess now he knew which ship it was.
"Is the idea of becoming commander detestable for you?" The carrier suddenly asked, snapping the boy back into reality.
"No its not that I hate it," the boy began, "I just don't think I'm a good enough person to lead an entire fleet, like Azur Lane."
A brief silence floated between the two before Enterprise responded to Emir's statement. "You think so? I think that you would be a wonderful commander, especially after yesterday's exercise."
Enterprise then gave Emir a warm smile that made him slightly blush. Whether it was the fact a perfectly timed breeze made her hair dance, or the glow of the sun shining down on her, but something made her look angelic to the boy's eyes.
"I won't beat around the bush, it is a huge responsibility. But you won't be alone in bearing the burden. " She said in an attempt to comfort the boy. "If you need help, you can ask the girls, including me for help. We do have a secretary system in place so that we can aid the commander in their work. So you won't be the only one drowning in paperwork."
"I appreciate the advice, I guess its from personal experience?" the boy bluntly questioned with a small smile. "Belfast has told me that you tend to go above and beyond when it comes to work, even to the point that you would go days without little to no sleep."
Enterprise began to lightly sweat at the mention of her bad habit, but somehow managed to hide said embarrassment from Emir.
"Anyways, like I said you're not on your own in this Home Port. So if you need help, don't be afraid to ask me or the others." With that, the carrier excused herself to return to her dorm, leaving Emir to himself.
On her way to the dorms, the carrier managed to encounter her old friend Belfast, who was undoubtedly seeking her master.
The two exchanged their greetings, before Enterprise gave Belfast Emir's location. Belfast was about to head over to her master's side, but she was halted by Enterprise who grabbed her wrist lightly. Enterprise then quickly explained that Emir seemed to be contemplating over becoming commander, and that he seemed worried over his own skills. She advised Belfast to proceed talking about the topic with caution.
Slightly raising an eyebrow in question, Belfast asked if the carrier wanted Emir as commander. With a small smile, the carrier admitted that she was indeed curious as to what it would be like under the young man's command, seeing as he managed to calculate a plan that defeated her.
"Hmm I see. While I cannot tell the young master what to do. I do admit I am curious as to what this place would be like with him at the lead." the maid confessed with a small smile.
The two girls then shared a silent giggle between them before Enterprise allowed the cruiser to go to Emir.
When she arrived at the cafeteria, Belfast spotted her young master looking out the window, deep in thought. Making herself known to him, the cruiser curiously questioned what was going through his mind. With a solemn smile, Emir began to explain his insecurities to Belfast: how he was unsure about taking on such a sudden task, as well as the consequences if they get caught by someone outside of Azur Lane. All throughout her master's confession, the cruiser wore a smile. She was glad he was looking out for the others, however she was here to comfort him and help him be at ease about the decision.
"Young master, if I may." the girl interrupted, "You're sister and grandfather wouldn't have made this decision without even taking into consideration the consequences of their actions?"
With his gaze to the floor, the boy answered no, which earned him a nod from the maid. "Precisely, they made this choice despite the risks, because they knew that you were more than capable in bringing everyone together and acting as their commander."
Belfast then took Emir's hands into her own and looked at him with a warm smile, "It is not for long, but at this very moment only you can lead this fleet."
Emir then began to think about Belfast's words before a small smile appeared on his face.
That night Emir visited the office on his own to give his answer to his sister and grandfather. They waited patiently and nervously for the boy's words, who stood in front of them with a serious expression.
Sweat trickled down ever so slowly down the female commander's head as she stared at her brother. She then took a quick deep breath before striking up a conversation.
"So you have an answer I'm guessing?" she asked and received a nod in response. "Well then, let's hear it."
"I'll take up the job." Emir stated, which came as a shock to his grandfather and sister. "I'm not so sure how you came to the conclusion you did, but you two are the commanders. I'm sure you both have valid reasons for picking me. So I'll do my best."
The commanders were speechless, they didn't actually expect the young man to agree to their proposal. But nonetheless they were glad that he did, they couldn't even express their gratitude in any other way, other than bombard him with thank yous. It took a solid minute of Emir having to endure his family's barrage before they eventually calmed down.
Once all composure had been regained, Azure began to explain to Emir the plan for his transition to commander: according to the commander, the boy won't start to work until a week later, since the priority was to teach him the basics of being a commander of Azur Lane. Once he is taught what he has to do office-wise, as well as ship-wise then he'll be allowed to work in the office while Azure goes off to study. Although the plan seemed simple enough, Emir wondered why he wasn't being taught in combat, though the response he gained was a giggle from the girl.
"You think you need to be taught combat?" Azure asked in between giggles.
"Like formations or something." her brother bashfully replied.
"Feel free to study that in your own time, I didn't tell the girls to teach you combat. Considering your performance in yesterday's exercise." Emir couldn't believe the words that had just come out of his sister's lips, but he knew there was no arguing with her so he just let it go.
Once discussions were over, the family headed down to the cafeteria where they were swarmed with shipgirls inviting their leaders to join them for dinner. During the chaos Emir managed to slip away to a corner where he enjoyed some peace and quiet. However he was soon joined by a smiling Akagi, who sat herself in front of him.
Wondering why she was there and not talking, Emir was about to strike a conversation but he was beaten to the punch by the carrier.
"Have you given your answer?" she questioned not even granting him a glance.
Though surprised by the suddenness of the question, Emir still gave his answer to her. "Yes, I agreed to becoming the commander. I'll start in a week's time after learning the basics of office work."
Emir then heard some shuffling over at his side, prompting him to turn, where he saw Akagi up on her feet with her back to him.
"I see." was all she said before she walked away into the crowd. He wasn't so sure but he could've sworn that she didn't sound very glad to hear his answer.
"I wonder what that was all about." Was all Emir could muster at their interaction, he scratched his head for a bit before shrugging it off.
Introduction done, next up just the rest of the story. Knowing me, its gonna be a real slow progress to get to the good stuff, so have fun going through this with me.
Also I probably have said it already, but I'll say it just in case I haven't: Thank so much to everyone who has helped out in the problem I was having, I've sorted it out in the story already and I decided to worry less about just how inconsistent I am going to be, the only two I'm gonna confirm to be dead in my story are Amagi and Yorktown. I've already got something to justify their deaths and no its not linked to the canon storyline, this is something I made for my story. Nevertheless from here on out discussions regarding any deaths I should be wary of, can now be put to rest since I have all I need to make a fair amount of progress. Once again thank you, to those who have given their thoughts on this, its helped and now I'm good on my own for a good while.
Other than that I have nothing left to say, so as usual feel free to tell me all your thoughts about the chapter, positive and/or negative.
Thank you all so much for reading and I hope to see you all next chapter :D