…The man raises his head to watch the flames extend from the ocean itself, every living being was burned as the fire scorched the sky. The admiral was in the middle of the sea while everyone else was dead around him and a sense of dread overwhelm his brain, it was too late for suicide. As his eyes stared upon the beasts that erupt from the boiling water, the earth itself started to shiver as the end of the world was about to come. As everything was crumbling his mind was lost to madness the moment a gaze fixed upon his soul…
The man awoke suddenly from this nightmare, he was sweating cold. He tried to breathe but it took him a few seconds trying to remember how to do it, his mind was a mess and all he could think of was the fear he felt at that last moment. He rests his head on the pillow trying to relax a bit but with no success. It was only after he forgot about this terrible dream, that he prepared for the day feeling a bit tired. Again he started his normal routine and again Tenryuu was outside his room waiting.
-Morning! Admiral, feeling good?- His secretary ship was already waiting on the other side of the door, she was still nervous though.
-Good morning… Yeah I´m fine, just didn't sleep very well alone- The man for once looked tired instead of his always ready attitude.
-Ha ha! ya flirting this early? R-really wanted me then… Fu fu! I´m starting to learn yer behavior- She tried not to stutter and laughs instead, she turned red but remembered the way the man talked to him yesterday, that this kind of words were part of his personality and let it slip.
-You caught me…- even if he would love to explain his nightmare to Tenryuu, he already forgot everything about it, only the fear that it caused remained, but he can´t say he´s afraid of something so silly, then all that remained was to follow up her words and be relaxed again.
-Well, shall we go?- She walks beside the admiral and smiled, for once she tried to be optimistic about this new chance life gave to her. And so both walk in silence all the way to his office, he didn't imagine anything in the way, he was just tired and words were not flowing in his mind.
-Here, take a look an tell me what ya think- Tenryuu took a step and pull out a pair of maps from her jacket, they were folded but could still be understand, she worked a lot last night and traced in those maps different lines with red ink.
-Amazing… didn't knew this many routes would be possible, there´s also a few bases nearby in case of need- The man took a few seconds to read the maps since a lot of lines were traced.
-And the base may need it faster than ya think!- Tenryuu was excited to have her first assignment as secretary ship complete, she tried her best and also took her time to search and count the resources in the storages in use.
-I can figure it out why- He knew about it, as the time goes on and more ships arrive at the base, more resources will be in use, not only that, there will need a way to get more food, more ships mean more mouths to feed, more rounds to use and a lot more of maintenance of their equipment. For once the idea of having a big and busy base sound hard to actually get.
-If ya thinking about the lil destroyers, bingo! Their training will start consuming lots of ammo and before ya think we´ll have to start shootin pellets- She was aware of how training can be really good for every ship, but still can be really expensive, also the training rounds are limited and it would be a waste to use more live ammunition on exercises.
-Not only that, I guess we´ll need more food supplies soon, I´ll make a fleet for it-Counting everyone on the base and all the fairies, someday there will only be rations to eat, and it may be sooner than expected.
-I will go with them this time, I-I mean, it's the first expedition and I want to be part of it… also it may help them as training- She was clearly enjoying her first quest as a secretary and wanted to do her best.
-Alright Tenryuu that's the spirit!- The admiral was quite happy with this alright, as with this his fleet would secure routes and provide with more things to prepare for the near future and the battle with the abyssal.
-I wanna go as far as this point, we can get a bunch of supplies round here- Tenryuu points a small atoll south of their position –I went there a few times, is a bit far and confusing but these are peaceful waters and they can give us lots of ammo- she was sure of it, she went before and even then those were easy expeditions.
-But going that far… it may take around twelve hours I think- The man estimate the distance and even at their top speed it would still took a lot.
-That´s why I want to leave right now, so Ill be back before night falls- Tenryuu check out all the communications with Ooyodo last night so no ugly surprise would appear going to the base while they are gone.
-Alright, then take the Shiratsuyu sisters with you, also sent the remaining girls to nearby points to bring on other supplies- He saw the determination in Tenryuu´s eye, so he knew everything would go alright.
-Hell yeah!- She shout with joy, she was happy and wanted to give it all even if it was just the first mission. Tenryuu went to the communication room and spoke through the speaker of the base:
-Hey Fleet, This is Secretary Ship Tenryuu speaking, All ships report to the docks, we´ll be going on expedition so be prepared and take all gear with ya!-
She exits the room leaving behind an amazed Ooyodo, she understood that the nearby waters were safe for the time being, but all her excitement came from the fact this base was going in the road to success, started with the expeditions, more and more things will unlock eventually in the base.
The man remained in his office, reading all about the nearby routes, and while at it Ooyodo enters the room after knocking gently.
-Good morning! Admiral, today I bring you a surprise- The girl with glasses enter the room with a bright smile.
-Surprise? That´s not a lot like you- The Admiral have not seen Ooyodo this happy about something before, she was always kind of serious, even if she smiles this time, she came around with an attitude more likely of Akashi than hers.
-What? I-I… I can be cool sometimes too. Anyway here take it- She froze for a second after realizing this was not her common self, perhaps she was excited about it and didn't notice it.
-Thanks I appreciate it- he took the envelope that she gave him, it was a sealed envelope, he saw the paper and smiled, as this was a good thing for him and the base.
-By the way admiral I heard you sent your first expeditions, so I can start reporting our activities to HQ as missions and receive our first bonus- Ooyodo comment him about this, it was a basic thing that every admiral in the navy should do, after all this was their job.
-I heard about that before, but I didn't think we could get those being a new base- The man has not really report much except for those two times when the fleet encountered the abyssal scouts, but more than that, the base was not really relevant.
-Yes admiral, the navy sent more resources, materials and sometimes presents or money to each base, depending on their weekly and monthly activities and completed missions- Ooyodo started to lecture him about the knowledge he may have pass, but that´s how she is, always remembering his duties, getting mad for not fulfilling his job or praising his good choices.
-Really? Then we can grow faster using those missions- the man was happy to hear it, it was a fact he didn't acknowledge until now, even with this small base he can start doing simple missions and accumulate extra resources.
-Of course, this is why reporting every activity to HQ is important. I´ll give you a detailed list on missions to do later- She was happy again, this was her favorite part of her new job in the base. Before she was one of many that receive and transmit information in the main headquarters, it was a hard job as she was needed to coordinate all the activities of different bases, but as time passed the job turned easier with the help of specialized computers. That´s why she accepted to be transferred as she was much needed in other place.
-Thanks again, I'm very lucky to have you around- The admiral smiled at the girl, each day she was around and she was one that always around, so he is in debt with her.
-Thanks…- She blushed after hearing such an honest and simple answer.
-Oh right! A new message came this morning; it appears reinforcements will come today at noon, they may be impressed about the fleet´s performance- she remembered that last detail, after a week HQ would send more ships again.
-Great, each day we are closer to the real fight- he said to himself. As the hours passed he took some time to rest after that hard nightmare he finally got a chance to recover. After a while he went to the dock and waited.
In the distance a small figure appeared moving on the water, at a slow speed the girl started to appear more clear. A pink haired girl with a familiar dark blue uniform was coming to the base.
-Good day!- the girl greet the man as she got closer, she didn't got anything with her but some chains and outfit, no resources or fairies.
-Hello, you must be the new girl HQ sent to this base- the admiral as happy to receive more ships and return to this usual behavior.
-Um… yes I am, but not yet admiral- The pink haired girl reached the admiral and a bit shy spoke to the man.
-What do you mean not yet? I thought…- he didn't understand it after all every time a girl came here, it was to become part of the base.
-Um, they asked me to be reassigned here commander. Um, I really want to be with my sisters but Um… I´m still not sure about it- The girl looked to be quite nervous and it was hard for her to speak her mind clearly.
-Um, right. Let me introduce myself- the girl was cautious for some reason and spoke slowly but politely.
-Fifth Shiratsuyu-class destroyer, Harusame, yes. Leave the transport missions to me... desu- She said and low her head in respect, she was clearly formal with the man, but still got something else to say about it, but she will not say it.
-Um… I´m sorry- Again the girl low her head, this time lower as she clearly disobeyed the transfer order, however she was a special case, so instead of forcing her, HQ gave her the option to choose if she wanted to be transferred to the base where her sisters were or to remain in the base she is currently at. A real hard choice.
-Don't worry I understand, it's your choice after all… So you are good at escort and transport missions?- The man didn't push it and chance the subject to other one. It took him a few seconds to remember what Shigure said.
-Um… yes- Harusame opened her eyes a bit surprised for not being scolded, every admiral can push his authority to a certain degree and force ship girls to stay or leave the bases they are at. She knew about it, even the commander in her current base close to Japan was not happy to receive the transfer order from HQ.
-Yes, commander, I´m used to help other ships around the sea- She watched the man and tried to smile -You want to know more about expeditions admiral?- very few times have anyone asked her about her work, she was not a very good combatant, she was a bit clumsy sometimes, so that's why she tried to remain within her domain.
-Sure, I know the basics, mostly because this base doesn't have many routes these days- as a rookie admiral he didn't know as much with the logistics of every expedition, so a small explanation about it could be very helpful.
-I… I-I know that-she knew the base and all the routes around it change, but she knew the waters around pretty well, so maybe she could be able to get them in the maps again.
-Well don't worry, you can explain a bit of your last job- The man answered, he finally got the chance again to talk to a girl that was stationed here before the attack and yet can't ask about it or else she would not transfer.
-First of all is expedition, you already know that this place runs on fuel, so we need to get it around the still operational refineries around the ocean…- She started to explain and didn't realize yet that she was still in the dock -Um, I think there are at least ten different around here- she stood for a second and tried to remember every route that was possible.
-That´s good news, then we can have a lot of resources- The man was happy about it, if she chooses to stay, he would have a lot of routes accessible from the beginning, even more, Harusame could know which ones were the best.
-It´s not that easy admiral…Uhm- She almost got mad at the man, expeditions were not as simple as everyone thinks, it was a real mission, every single one -Sometimes we have to battle some abyssal on our sorties, and those refineries are sometimes heavily protected so we spend some hours there- She knew about everything about expeditions and was not happy when anyone underestimated them -And some others have automated systems… you know, we only get a few barrels but are faster to get-she continued to explain and at some part touch her outfit, she got a small drum canister she always uses.
-You really do all that?- The man was dazed with the explanation, all the girls in his fleet should be doing all that right now. Even if she didn't look like it, Harusame is the most experienced ship he has seen and could easily rival most ships at any base she was transferred to.
-Yes, we also rescue fairies lost on battles- she knew that every time the planes used by carriers are destroyed, the fairies fall to the ocean and remain there until rescued, it is a really important job to recover those fairies, as they are special parts of each plane -A-And got more components or green buckets on our trips to headquarters- she keep going and knew that the buckets are really important, especially in the heavy battles or when the navy fight the abyssal army in the front line -Yes and also don´t forget about the ammunition and steel we got from the north workshops! – she was proud of her job and wanted to say every single thing they do at expeditions -And also the bauxite from the mines…-she also know about the mines, even so the one in the very same island, however it should not be operational by the time however...
-Amazing, I didn't thought expeditions were so important, I only imagined they were used for fuel and ammunition only- He didn't pay it that much attention, but in reality a base without a constant expedition schedule would be really slow to develop and really hard to keep on.
-No, no, you need a lot more to have a healthy base- she forgot about her doubts with this little chat, she clearly saw in the man in front of her an honest and willing to learn admiral, just like him...
-Then I will have a great base around here-he said and at that time and alarm started to ring in the man´s left wrist. It was noon exactly. –Hey Harusame, do you want to have lunch with me? – the man suddenly realized that he hasn't it in the whole day and was a good time to talk more with Harusame, after all there were not much to do now that everyone else is on expedition.
-1200- The pink haired girl was staring at the man´s watch and said out loud the hour -Eh, it's alright for me to accompany the Commander out for lunch? I'm so happy- She smiled for the first time, as the barrier that kept her from showing her true feelings started to break.
It was then that both went to "Mamiya´s cafeteria", as every girl was starting to call it, and there the now head of kitchen receives them happily, she was now used to be with all the fairies and the eventual help of everyone in the base, she loved her work and this time was no exception. She prepared a good lunch for everyone and everyone in the cafeteria ate together, it was a silent and yet heartwarming moment.
It was just after Harusame finished her lunch that a melancholic smile appeared showed, she was trembling as she was containing her feelings.
-Is there a problem? - The Admiral noticed her, he could imagine what she could be thinking, but still was difficult to ask directly.
-No, no, no-nothing- Harusame denied and stop her melancholic look right there.
-Well Harusame, want to see around the base? - The man asked for a change, he wanted to at least give her a good impression of this place.
-Of course admiral- She replied with a fake smile, she was not really prepared for all of this but she needed to do it. She knew she has to face it.
-Um… This place has changed a lot- She said with a sad tone of voice, all the memories started to return to her, with each step in the base, more and more came back.
-Yes I heard it has…- he remembered that Shigure said that her sister used to be in this base from before, and that made her one of the few people that survived the attack somehow. From what rumors said, the base was completely destroyed, so he wondered how exactly she managed to make it out alive.
-I think there used to be a fountain around here… and a fancy restaurant for ship girls over there- Harusame watched a few buildings and started to remember the ones that used to be around there. The streets of the base were not simple concrete, they were ceramic tiles, whole lot of decorations, the buildings were painted with a color scheme that change, depending on the place you were at, a scheme of orange and brown was in this area.
-A fountain and a restaurant?... that was pretty interesting for a base- That was something hard to see, many bases got the basic things and don't have enough money for luxury.
-Yes, the marshal admiral used to say that he liked this place to look like a normal city instead of a military base, so we ship girls could imagine how normal life was beyond the sea- her eyes almost shine with those memories, the place was big and amazing, with so many things to do and enjoy, sometimes she even forgot they were at war.
-He really did that?… I thought he…- He stopped right there, from what Tenryuu said before, the Marshal Admiral as mostly evil and without mercy, but now this changed it, and could not now which version was the real one.
-What is it Admiral?- Harusame was happy to explain everything again, even if she did have to say every detail of the base.
-It´s nothing, I just got promoted recently so I still don't know a lot of this place- The man corrected himself before saying something wrong, she was, after all, new and people change their views depending on their experiences.
-This place was the best base in the entire navy, every ship liked it and wanted to be here. And we got a lot of places to visit, we got shops, a library, even a cinema for us…- her voice broke then and tears fall down her cheeks, she looked to the ground as the wound deep in her heart started to hurt again.
-I used to call this base my home…- She was broken again in the same spot without the one´s she loved. Her eyes filled with tears, her voice could not go beyond a low moan.
-I´m sorry you have to revive those memories…- This was a weak spot for her, even if all the answers he's been looking for were in front of him, he could not be able to ask them right now, perhaps someday, but it would be a really slow process.
-Admiral Johann was such a good person… I-I…- she started to speak, her words were filled with pain, her heart was broken and the pieces could never be truly repaired –He loved every ship girl in the base, even more… he spent time with everyone even if his schedule was tight- She explained again why he was such an important person to her –No one in the navy took him seriously, they said that he was crazy over and over again- her tears can't stop, as every word she heard after the incident was like a needle inside her chest –He stayed with me and showed me many things I didn't knew, his heart was so big and yet… Not only me, but everyone was happy to be around him, he was such a great person- she didn't like the idea of letting "him" go, even if she tried to hide it, no matter what his memories remained dormant deep within her mind and returned to her each night –but why, why did it happen? Was it the island´s curse?- she looked into the admiral´s eyes looking for something, but her gaze was lost, as if she was looking for something at the distance –Was it the lake, the forest or the mountain? Were the gods of the sea the ones that took him away from me?- she was so sad her words were like a monologue she always repeated within her soul –Why did he sent me away from him?… I would have died that day protecting him, I would have died and yet I´m still here without him- her broken self could not remain standing anymore, she falls on her knees and continued –If I could return in time… I only I…- she started to speak slower now, so much that the admiral beside him could not understand but a few words –I knew it… she could have done it… I loved him so much… his wife was away too… they are all dead…- Harusame said those and a lot more phrases that make no sense until her voice was gone. It was then that she remained in silence but…
The admiral stayed beside her and also kneeled, he could not understand the strong feelings of Harusame, but that again just prove how these girls are more human than everyone thinks. The man remained there, even if his formal pants were dirty now, and after a time he didn't count, it could have been a few minutes or much more, Harusame´s head slowly pressed against his shoulder, and then she started to cry again.
The same scene remained until Harusame recovered her usual self, perhaps she needed to express all the pain and then she would be released.
-I´m sorry Admiral you had to look at this, I´m a good for nothing ship please forgive me- her eyes were red from all the tears, she is clearly better now.
-I´m sorry for your loss, I would like for you to remain here, but perhaps its not the best- he said, after watching her in that state, it would be bad for her to remain in a place that hurt her so much.
-I have nothing else commander, only my sisters remain and I want to be with them. I want to be here again even if it hurts so much… but please, can you remain with me a little longer?- she was now pressed against him again, she felt safe for once in a while, as this was the first time anyone else heard her other than her sisters.
-Sure, I´ll try my best to help you out- He said clearly, he wanted everyone to be happy, without realizing it he was really the same as the late admiral but still different.
After a while Harusame recovered and went to the docks with the commander at her side, she took her outfit and now got a little smile in her.
-You didn't have to stay with me all day and yet you did… Admiral you are a good person too- Harusame felt happy about this fact and was the decisive factor in her choice -I will be transferred here commander, so please wait for my return, I´ll be happy to see you and my sisters again, tell them about the news- She was broken but maybe with some help she can mend the pieces inside her chest and turn into a new girl.
-I´ll be here waiting so call me when you are ready- he replied and stayed calm, he knew that the transfer would take a few days to be legal as she need to return to her base and prepare there.
-Yes admiral… Um, when I came back I´ll prepare you Harusame's special Mapo Harusame. You have to t-try it!- She smiled feeling better now –I almost forgot, Commander please come here for a second- but before she would leave one more thing was needed.
-What is it?- The man get close to the dock with Harusame.
At the time the pink haired girl stands on her shoe tips and kissed the admiral in the right cheek.
-Second Destroyer Division, Harusame, heading out!- She jumped into the water and gain speed, one last time she saw the admiral standing in the docks and find relief knowing that he will be there for her.
Later that night all the fleet returned with resources, fuel and ammunition mainly, but some bauxite too. As the man congratulate Tenryuu for her first mission well done and every girl too, all went to recover their energies but before that he gave the news to the rainy sisters, in which all were pretty happy about it, especially Yuudachi and Murasame, as they shared a lot in their story but also Shigure, who was happy to be with her sister again. It would take a few days but they would be together again as a family.