Thanks for reading, if you liked the chapter please leave a comment.
Another day passed.
That morning was different, contrary to what the man may have thought at first, the message that came from HQ was devastating to him. He felt as if his body was tired, with no energy, with pain in his limbs, inside his head the same words repeat once again "Training base".
His mind was distracted by this fact and because of this, he was not present when Tenryuu and the rest of his fleet came back from the last mission, he just forgot everything else and locked up in his room.
-Admiral… Are you ready?- a voice appeared from behind the door of his room. Tenryuu have been waiting outside long enough to be worried.
-…- he remain in silence for at least a minute -I´m here- then he replied with low effort. He stands up and changed his shirt. He was using the same clothes from the day before.
-Feelin sick?- Tenryuu pressed against the door, even if she was delighted because of her last mission and the way she accomplished it, her concern was visible now.
-One minute- the man answered, sure he was kind of sick in a way, not his body but rather his mind, as if part of it was trapped with ugly thoughts. Once he finished changing into new clothes he opened the door only to find a worried Tenryuu.
-You alright?- the secretary ship looked at him with her only eye full of expectation.
-I´m fine, sorry to kept you waiting- he replied, finally returning to his senses after watching her expression of sadness.
-Good, let´s go then- She said and walk beside him again, this was becoming her routine, one that she liked more and more, however today something was different.
-…- Tenryuu hesitate for a moment -Somethin bad happened?- she asked and put her hand on the admiral shoulder, she wasn't used to comfort people, even socializing was kind of hard because she didn't had too many chances to talk to some other commanders before but she tried her best anyway.
-I…- the admiral stopped feeling her hand –Yes, I got a message yesterday- he turned his face away in shame –I lost my chance to fight at the frontlines-his voice is filled with pain, as the only thing he really wanted was to get a chance to fight the abyssal army and free the world from their grasp, he wanted to be a hero and defeat the evil army, such was his childish dream and now it was gone.
-I see…- she understood those words and the feeling they bring as she knew them well –No way to change it right?- she asked even if having a bit of hope.
-The order came from the coalition itself- he knew that there is no way for him to change their edict –They gave me no option, so I´ll be stuck here until someone else defeat them or they kill us all- he felt defeated.
-Tell me about it…- now she understood why she was sent there –Well got nothing else to do than to keep working hard right?- she tried to keep a smile, not being sent to the front wasn't that bad, at least for her, she finally got a harbor she can feel more calm and in some way, liked.
-Guess so…- he tried to think it for the best, but couldn't, simple words would not heal the pain he felt inside his chest. He got nothing else now and knowing this hurts even more.
Both kept walking until they reach the main building but something was amiss, as the lively pink haired girl was nowhere to be found within her shop. There was a strange eerie aura that make everything feel cold, as if a sudden winter breeze came earlier that year.
-Akashi is not here- the man take a quick look around -neither Ooyodo- he couldn't see or hear anyone around the shop, which was weird as it was very lively the day before.
He left the shop and both continue walking to his office, but right before he could go in, a voice could be heard coming from inside.
Her voice.
-Admiral, are you always this late?- Kashima´s voice was the first thing that welcome him as he opened the door. The silver haired woman was sitting on top of the admiral´s desk, she crossed her legs revealing her godly thighs in a very seductive way, slowly and tempting.
-Good morning- The voice of Akashi and Ooyodo could be heard too, as both were sat in the new sofa they moved the day before.
It was indeed late, both Akashi and Ooyodo stayed silent as if talking would be prohibited, they stared at the admiral and waited. The man remained in shock for a few moments, he could not believe it, but it all came back again.
This girl is going to be his supervisor.
The place felt heavy as the man take a few steps in, his secretary remains close to him, almost as if hiding from Kashima.
-Well now that you are here I can continue explaining all changes that will happen in the next days- She continued returning to her sweet voice, again those words came as knives inside the man´s chest.
-Ufufu…- Kashima looks at the man and the girl that stands behind him and laughs again, however her tone is different and her smile is wide showing her teeth's in a grin.
-Ehem…. Well as I explained to these girls before your arrival, there will be things that needs to be modified in the base. Now that it will be training waters for all ships, there will need to be a schedule that has to be completed in the next month- she recovers her serious attitude saying all that, quite proud of her idea and the way the base will improve from now on. She got all the orders and changes needed in mind, but took the time to write them up, for minimizing the mistakes.
-What kind of schedule?- the man asked, he was still disgusted with her in sight. He dislikes any words that came from her lips and simply thinking about promoting any of her ideas was repulsive for him.
-Admiral, I guess you know your job very well, however this base is in a pretty bad shape… have you been playing all this time? Hehehe~- she mocks the man again, this time in front of other girls. It was a bad hit, even if partially true, he couldn't do much with such a large base in this short time. -But don't worry with my help we will change this disgraced place into… something better- she saw Tenryuu in the eye again and smiled, in response the secretary ship just looks in another direction.
-Is it really necessary, we don't have much personnel- Ooyodo interrupted her, she understood the situation far better than anyone, she knew there was a big chance the place could become a training base, but still tried her best to kept it up. Turning everything would take a long time and with no help other than fairies it would become a hard mission.
-It will be hard for me to accomplish all of these orders by myself you know?- Akashi was not happy with all these changes, she got a copy of the modifications and it would take her a lot of effort to even accomplish the first one. She was talented and was proud of her work but would never be able to make all of this alone.
-I already told you two what the navy wants for this base… so please, now that the admiral is here, you are free to leave and continue with the schedule I gave you, now…- Kashima rejected all complains and offer no chance of replying, she was tougher now because of a pair of bad experiences in other bases, where both the staff and the admirals in charge were not very cooperative.
-Why are you giving orders to my fleet?- The man cut her words, he would not allow that anyone mistreat the girls who have been helping him the most, even if it cost him a sanction. He was again pissed off by Kashima´s attitude.
-Admiral, its disrespectful to interrupt an official announcement. I just told them their duties and what the highest command expect of them. Please refrain yourself from being rude to me… remember that you are still part of the navy. You don´t want to face the court martial, right?- She hop off the desk and started walking towards the man, slowly paced, her voice is sweet but her words are filled with venom.
Kashima stand in front of the man, the height difference was clear but that didn't matter, she was not a simple ship girl and in this time of war, where officers were promoted even from the lowest ranks, she was ranked higher than most admirals.
The man could not respond, he was a no one, a simple soldier who took the chance to get in the navy and climb up the ladder when the path was clear. He knew deep in his heart this truth and as painful as it was, she was right.
She was in control now.
Kashima stands victorious and a single smile mark her victory, she turned back to Ooyodo and Akashi and both stand up and leave the office without saying anything else, everyone was defeated without a fight, and perhaps that was the worst part, as they were all part of the same military force, they all need to follow orders, simple as that.
-So you are his secretary ship… Ufufu- Kashima now returned to her now usual self, both happy and being good-hearted, but with some exceptions of course. She started laughing at Tenryuu´s face and the poor choice the admiral made. To her eyes, Tenryuu and her sister are the worst scum in the entire navy, and she already met a lot of people that could rival them, however she holds a special grudge for both girls.
–Well…- Kashima returned to the desk and took a paper where she wrote some missions and numbers -I guess you already know how expedition and training works, so I will need that you took care of these orders for now, read it and leave- She extended her hand and gave her the paper, all while faking her smile -I need to talk to this man in privacy- Kashima went as far as signaling the door to Tenryuu, she couldn't even bare watching her for this long.
-I will…- Tenryuu receives the paper trying to not look at her directly, reads it and leaves without saying anymore. She was in pain, all her body hurt again, but tried her best to endure it and went out of the office fast.
-Finally they are gone, I hope they do a good job…- Kashima sigh a bit and return her eyes to the man -Well now… will you continue being a jerk? or I have to report your attitude to HQ and bring some special forces to kick your face- she watched him seriously, it was not her normal self being this hard on someone, but she will never let anyone else took advantage of her gentle soul.
-I´m sorry- he apologizes with no feeling in his words, almost like a robot. He couldn't care anymore, it was a time when he started to rethink his place in the navy and if there was a way to end this charade.
-Admiral, I remind you again that I´m only doing my job, even if you don't like it, these are orders from the coalition itself and no one can disobey them- she tries to understand his response, she was clearly doing what she was sent for, it was a tough choice but it was not her that made it.
-I know and that´s what I hate the most- He answer again, this time he was angry and his tone was louder. He knew what he is doing is wrong, you should hate the message not the messenger, but what else can he do if not blaming her. It was hard to rationalize this, but the only other option was to hate on the coalition itself, and that betrays his own purpose in this war.
-Admiral...- She looked at him and smiled again –I know it´s hard, but don't take it personal. It's another step the navy needed to take in order to keep fighting and keep control of the sea– it was hard trying to comfort a man which dreams are broken –We ship girls came into this reality to fight an unknown enemy and to return peace to the world, so please don't be so pessimistic and try your best from now on, Okay? - Kashima talks with her gentle tone again, she has learned a lot of things during her time in the navy, because of this, she was much mature than other ship girls. She didn't like the idea of fighting and tried her best every day, even if she is a training ship and her only job now was to supervise all bases and help them improve. She wants to see the end of the war as much as she wants to see her beloved admiral again.
-…- the man remained in silence, he listened to her words, a truth hard to swallow. He wanted to help save humanity and yet he was standing there, angry like a kid that lost his toy, at that moment he felt ashamed because of his attitude and how bad he judged her, after all she only tries to do her best and help the base become better. -I am sorry for being this immature- the man answers, and bows in shame.
-At last…- Kashima was happy with those words because this time were real –I forgive you Admiral, but please don't repeat this kind of behavior, alright? -she pats the head of the man as if he was a child. She never liked the idea of conflict, especially between allies so she tries to help everyone around her and have a healthy relation with them.
-Alright- he replied, he almost felt a bit better with the soft touch of her gloved hand.
-Well… now that we came to an agreement, let´s start with the new changes, Heheh~- She returned to the desk while the man walked slowly to it too. She waited for him to reach his seat and then showed him the first steps of her plan.
-Admiral, if we want to succeed in this new phase of this base, then the priority is to stablish better spaces for the ships to train, the base is already big enough to accommodate hundreds, yet there are not much training spaces for them- she stated the basic focus for the island to be considered as a training area, she was conscious that this type of changes takes a while, but it would be safe as the conflict is still far away from this place.
-I know, but we don't have personnel to help with the installation nor we have enough equipment- he replied knowing the truth, he wanted more people around the base, not only for having a real place to manage but to increase the base capabilities.
-I´m prepared for that, even if we ship girls are made for combat, that doesn't mean we can't be of use in other areas. I´m well aware that only fairies will be sent here, but they are specialized ones, so maybe everyone can help in remodeling the base- she already prepared a schedule for the next weeks, where everyone will have some new activities, installation, conditioning, painting and even preparing the food for everyone, even if that means that most will be occupied at all times.
-I see... but it will take a few weeks at least without more personnel- the man realize that it would take time, but still be possible to get things done, even with little fairies as helpers.
-Yes, but the navy can't afford to move them from the frontlines nowadays, lately they are quite needed in other more important places- some are rebuilding other bases, repairing structures or working in different places around the world. As many of these workers are technicians, engineers and other specialized people, there are few in the navy and not many are willing to join even if the payment is great or are forced to enlist, even the lowest of labor force are hardly filled by civilians, mostly because is a dangerous job.
A lot of workers have died in air raids, night ambushes, base bombings, as it's hard for them to travel from base to base without being targeted, being air or sea, the enemy have a taste for their blood, or perhaps is intelligent enough to realize that they are a valuable resource and is willing to sacrifice thousands just to kill a handful of workers.
-I know it's slow but there is no other way Admiral, the navy has lost a lot of people in the last months and are changing tactics to counter this situation, that´s why a lot of bases are implementing fairies as their main labor force, not only this one- She revealed why most people are unavailable to travel to a training base, and even if they do, most will only travel alone inside other resource containers from base to base, so one way or the other, it´s still really slow to develop significant changes.
-So that´s why- he suddenly realize that he was selfish all this time, not thinking that there was a major reason for the base to not receive workers from the very beginning –I wonder if someday people will realize that we need their support or else we will not be able to win this war- the man sadly replied, but even if everyone joins the ranks at sea, most will perish anyway. At this point in time humanity is at check, while playing a game with an enemy that seems unbeatable and all humans can do for now is keep it contained to the sea, a grim reminder that if we lose this war, the abyssal army will come out of the sea and nothing will be able to stop them at land, at that point, nuking the entire planet will be the only sane choice.
-The majority of the people in the countries around the globe fear the sea, we are in a stagnant war but if we resist I´m sure that we will be able to strike back and win once and for all- Kashima tried to remain positive, while all people at land keep going with their normal lives, even if at some cities have fallen into madness and tried to initiate chaos, the entire world government has been able to stop those attempts, clearly the planet politics have change since humanity itself is at risk off perishing.
-The war will end someday, I´m sure we will win- a vague hope, but what else can the man imagine, if not what else could his mind thought of.
-Well here are more steps we need to take, as this base has some built structures we should focus after that to recover them, first the lighthouse, then the munition factory and finally the bauxite mine, but that can wait a long time until I made the call…- she took another paper, this one signals in a map the areas known for their structures, however the man saw one near the forest that wasn't supposed to be there, at least was not in the map he got when he investigate the base.
-I didn't knew there was a munition factory here… nevertheless is the training device at the lake or the infrastructure below the base not in the schedule?- he sneakily comment at those facts, perhaps she would tell him more about them now or else he expose himself to such revelation.
-Admiral…- Kashima was surprised at first but then smiled without any care –The little pup has been messing around with things he doesn't understand right?- she replied watching him carefully, she didn't expect that he would know of those places, especially the underground facility, so her attitude change again, as it appears this admiral found something he wasn't supposed to know.
-Those are unstable structures Admiral that's why I´m not counting them, but if you want to take a look of what´s inside you are free to do so, however don't cry when something bad happens, fufufufu~- she started to mock him again, yet this time her voice sound almost intimidating even if she was smiling.
-So you knew of the monsters that were created here – just by looking at her expression was enough to convince him that she knew more than she speaks, even more, she called him again like a dog, perhaps this was her real self or so he thought.
-Monsters? I don´t know what you are talking about Admiral, hehe~- she clearly was faking her smile -But I can call the special forces here to check if there is something under your bed, in fact I personally know a special squad that were commissioned here and worked directly under my late Admiral orders, I´m pretty sure those girls will be happy to come here if I asked them- She was unwilling to reveal anything to him and to the navy, even if that mean to get rid of this man in order to protect the memory of the one who was not around anymore.
-So that´s how is it going to be… Very well I guess I will not wander alone anymore and follow the schedule- he felt shivers down his spine as she spoke and immediately realized that she was not only in charge of the base but could also end his life if she wants to. He was not stupid; those words were to threaten him for not asking questions or investigate anymore and he was not in a position to go against her will, at least for now.
-That's right, if the puppy is good and only follow orders he will get a nice reward, be safe and happy- again she was treating him like a simple dog, but to her view she was only being a good trainer. All she wanted was to make her job and do it well, and will not let more people try to fool her or behave against the rules, she made that clear at the last base she was.
-There are more important matters, like a war you should focus on, so shall we continue? - she took a deep breath and tried to forget all the bad things she just imagined and returned to her usual self, she wanted to get things done and not having more things to be worried about.
The man silently nods his head, and both kept discussing the new schedule and how things would change around the base for an hour or so. After that Kashima left the office and smiled once more right before closing the door. All the base remained in silence as the fleet were again at expedition and only a few remained to help with some chores. This would be the first day under her supervision, while most ships remained oblivious that this woman was now in control.