Isaac made his way from the med bay and out onto the flight deck. The wreckage on the flight deck was gone. The only evidence of the events that transpired, was a small chunk blown out of the end of the runway.
He looked out to the skies surrounding him and found several squadrons of spitfires circling the fleet, acting as emergency scouts and air coverage.
"I hope Akashi is okay. I feel bad drawing her into the fleet for this sortie. Maybe she should remain on base for the future." Isaac spoke into the endless waves.
"I'm sure she is fine, Kommandant." Nimi said as he turned to face her.
"I have no idea how we are going to make repairs. There are no good trade routes that run through Tonga even if the sirens hadn't invaded." Isaac said as he sat next to the hole in the flight deck
"Are you sure you should be up and about, Isaac? You only just woke up a little bit ago." Nimi asked as she walked over to him. He patted his lap, offering her to sit. She kindly accepted.
"This was a wake up call, Nimi. You all saw that explosion. I should be dead. Comatose and paralyzed at best. But I only feel the same aches and pains as I would after a fight. I'm a believer myself, and I firmly believe that the good lord has kept me here. And I can finally say that I think i know my purpose." Isaac said as he leaned back on the palm of his hands. Nimi took the opportunity to lean against him.
"Then if your purpose is clear, then you will have us here to help you see it through. Just don't go dying as soon as we save the world, okay?" Nimi asked as she looked into his eyes.
"Okay. Thats a promise i will do my best to keep." Isaac said as his sentiment earned him a genuine smile from Nimi.
"I'm sorry for earlier. I had no right to touch you like I did. I assure you I was only doing what I had to do to make sure you were okay." Nimi said as her smile turned into a sad frown.
"Hey. It's fine. Just... if you want to do something like that, why don't we do it when we're alone?" Isaac said, not thinking about the words coming out of his mouth.
"So it's okay as long as we're alone?" Nimi asked.
"I don't see why not." Isaac said, still not understanding why she was being so cautious.
"Isaac?" Nimi asked.
"Hmm?" Isaac asked as he looked at her. Her tender hands graced his cheeks as she laid a kiss on his lips.
"I didn't care much about our last Kommandant. He focused too much on battles and his relations with the world leaders to care about our wants and needs. Sure he wedded some of the girls, but it wasn't out of love. There were two girls he truly loved. The rest he married to make them happy enough to leave him alone. Akagi and Taihou are two prime examples." Nimi said after she parted her lips from his.
"Nimi..." Isaac said before he was cut off.
"Hood and Helena kept his attention. The rest of us... at least me... I felt disposable. He sent us on missions that most of us had no business surviving. The warmongers among us loved him in that aspect. Once again, Akagi and Taihou were at the forefront. But also Zeppelin, Z1, and even Tennessee. Those girls rejoiced at those so-called 'suicide missions'. Not me." Nimi continued as she looked out over the ocean.
Isaac sat speechless as he listened to her story. This was her life before the end of the war. Even for the kansen, war was hell.
"The reason I acted so cold in the beginning was because I thought you were gonna be just like him. But you're not. I did my very best out there. And I heard through the radio... your care. Your love and passion. Even towards those who dont feel that way towards you. Akashi could have put out those fires if she had been given more time, but you heard her screams... we all did. And you left the safety of Eagle's tower and jumped into action to save someone who's job is to help with repairs. Shes not a warfighter... yet you treated her like one of us." Nimi continued. Her voice beginning to crack through her tears.
Isaac took his hand and gently wiped her tears.
"Nimi. Wanna know a secret?" Isaac asked.
"Hmm?" Nimi asked as she turned to face him.
"The people of the union hate me." Isaac said.
"What? Why?" Nimi asked, a look of shock crossed her face.
"It's because of my family and our lineage. I've never seen the last commander, but I would put money on the fact that he was probably not like me, physically or in terms of command style. I'm looked down upon in the union. But those very circumstances have led me to see the value of everyone around me. And I will tell you here and now. None of you are expendable to me. You all have value. You all deserve to live the life you've been given. Destroyer, Cruiser, Carrier, Battleship, and everything in between. You all have a place in my fleet." Isaac said as he stared at the sky.
"Isaac..." Nimi whispered as she looked at him again.
"And I have a plan for if and when the fleet gets too big for me to personally oversee." Isaac said.
"Can I hear it?" Nimi asked.
"Of course. I plan on building our little base into it's own little nation. I guess that'd be the best way to put it. Your flagships and I would convene to plan out our sorties and endeavors. And then they would come to you. And I wouldnt get in the habit of sending multiple fleets... because I want to be there. Every single sortie. Every battle. I will be there. Pirates, Warlords, Sirens. You name it. I will not command my fleet from a desk on an island. I'll pick up my rifle and fight right alongside you." Isaac said as he looked at Nimi.
"Brave, strong, caring... and handsome to boot. I'm surprised nobody ever claimed you back in the Union." Nimi said as her head rested against his chest.
"I never found anyone who cared. I worked and slept. That was it." Isaac said.
"Well, i have no idea as to the workplace conduct of the Union. But in Ironblood, there is no rule against fraternizing with coworkers." Nimi said as she traced a finger along Isaac's chest.
"I think I like that." Isaac thought to himself as he smiled.
"So, what say we have our cooking lesson now? We still have all day before we reach
Tonga." Nimi said as she slowly stood. Her hand held out to help Isaac to his feet.
"If I didnt know better, I'd say you liked me even before this little adventure." Isaac said.
"Idiot." Nimi said as a small blush crossed her face. "I... I will admit... I found it nice when I saw you staring..." Nimi said quietly as she walked with Isaac towards the command tower.
Akashi had made it to the halfway point between the battle and Azur Lane. She was exhausted but knew she had to keep going. She was about to turn in for the day when her radio blared to life.
"Unidentified Sakura Vessel. Please Identify." A quiet voice was heard over the radio.
"This is Akashi, nyaa!" Akashi cried out.
"Akashi? Weren't you with Shikikan?" I-13 asked as she and Surcouf surfaced next to the Akashi.
"Oh my god! What happened?!" I-13 and Surcouf both asked, looking at the burnt metal and holes drilled into the deck by plasma bolts.
"Shikikan needs Reinforcements, nyaa! We... we... we were ambushed by drone ships, nyaa. All was well until the carrier launched its aircraft. Shikikan... was badly hurt when he tried to help me." Akashi said as her little legs finally gave out, causing her to collapse on deck.
"Akashi!" I-13 cried out.
"Surcouf, you're a fast submarine. Get back to Azur Lane and rally the rest of the fleet. We need everyone! Put Richelieu in charge and send them... Akashi... Akashi!" I-13 ordered.
"Nyaa?" Akashi cried weakly.
"Where are they going?" I-13 asked.
"Tonga. They retreated to Tonga. The port should support everyone." Akashi said as the last of her consciousness drained, leaving her tiny frame laying on the deck of the Akashi.
I-13 emerged from her submarine and jumped to the Akashi.
"Surcouf, you have your orders. Now go! Flank speed! Cavitation or not, you get to Azur Lane!" I-13 ordered.
"What about you?" Surcouf asked.
"I'm going to tow Akashi home, then I will reload my torpedos and catch up to the reinforcement fleet. I'll leave Akashi in charge of the shore batteries and the detection equipment." I-13 said.
"Okay. Triomphant should be ready to go too, so we'll have a decent force." Surcouf said before she sunk below the waves and made for Azur Lane.
"Akashi... you served Isaac well. I am sure he'll make it through due to your courage." I-13 said as she hooked a tow line to the Akashi and slowly made for Azur Lane.
"Isaac! The cream goes on the plate!" Nimi cried as Isaac smeared a bit on her face.
"Does it? I've never made Rode Grütt before." Isaac teased.
Nimi huffed and stuck her finger in the, still warm, fruit sauce. She then smeared it on his cheek and stood back, admiring her work.
"You look a little better like that, I think." Nimi said with a smirk. Eagle, Rodney and Eldridge watched from a crack in the galley door.
"I've never seen Nimi this happy before..." Rodney said curiously.
"I agree... and I dont think it's just because of the food." Eagle said.
"Happy for Isaac." Eldridge said.
"I think that he'll come around to being with all of us. But I'll let him be for now. I'd prefer not to get scolded again." Eagle said, glaring at Rodney.
"Hey, you acted like that of your own accord." Rodney said.
"Well, I was upset. I felt guilty, Okay?!" Eagle yelled.
"Eagle?" Isaac asked as he turned towards the door.
"She was worried too, you know. I don't mind you getting with multiple Kansen. In fact, I'd prefer it. Most of us do. We dont mind the polygamy, just don't you dare forget any of us... and don't choose favorites." Nimi said as she stood directly in front of Isaac.
"Polygamy, huh? The concept... is still new to me. I'd like to have 1 on 1 with everyone who finds an interest in me, after all, I'm not a collector. You all have feelings too. And I won't betray those feelings by biting off more than I can chew." Isaac said as he looked at Nimi.
"So long as everyone is happy." Nimi said as he grabbed his shirt and pulled him down so she could whisper in his ear.
"Just so you know, Rode Grütt isn't some special recipe... the magic comes from who you make it with." Nimi whispered as she kissed his cheek.
"Eagle! Could you kindly stop being creepy? The kommandant and I can hear you outside the door." Nimi said as the door opened, revealing everyone that remained in their merry little fleet.
"All of you?" Isaac asked as Nimi turned to face them, the blush on her face slowly becoming more pronounced.
"I see you made your move, Nimi." Eagle said.
"I figured I'd have him on light duty... you know, since he just got out of bed two hours ago." Nimi said.
"True. But this aint over, you little destroyer. Just as you can make him yours, I'll make him mine." Eagle said, her blush becoming obvious as well.
"Isaac okay!" Eldridge said as she ran to Isaac as fast as her legs would carry her.
"Yes. Yes. Hello, Eldridge." Isaac said as he patted her head.
"While I am flattered at this three way rivalry, let's not forget our mission. We still have a world to save." Isaac said as he plated desserts for everyone present.
"We should be arriving in Tonga soon. I want you all to relax until reinforcements arrive." Isaac said as he sat with the girls.
"As you command." They all responded with a smile.