Hello everyone. Before you read, please know that this chapter, and some in the future have some themes that are not for everyone. It may deviate from how some characters are in the game and I am sorry if that upsets anyone. Feel free to skip this chapter if you feel it is necessary.
Rodney, Richelieu and Surcouf all sat on Rodney's main deck, looking out over the port while eating a short lunch.
"The fleet has become much bigger in such a short time." Rodney said as she looked down the line at the various warships that were now her close comrades.
"Aye. God has graced us with strength in the form of many strong ships to aid the Commander in his quest." Richelieu said as she sipped her tea.
"Nimi and Eagle both have rings from him now. And with the way Friedrich is walking about, she might be next." Rodney said with a short huff.
"Are you jealous of them?" Surcouf asked.
"Not at all. I'm quite happy for them actually. I'm just worried the Commander might let it all go to his head and forget the rest of us." Rodney said.
"But I thought you said you had no feelings for the commander." Richelieu spoke inquisitively.
"I don't have those kind of feelings for him, but I do like to consider myself his friend. I just hope he makes the time for all of us, despite growing his little... harem." Rodney said, unable to find a more suitable word.
"I am sure his house will continue to grow, Rodney. But we must remember that he is the commander. He will not forget about us. Our service to him will keep all of us at the forefront of his mind." Richelieu said as Friedrich and Isaac strolled onto the deck of the Rodney.
"Speaking of the Commander." Richelieu said as she nodded her head at Isaac.
"Hello you three. I came by to check up on everyone and thank you for your hard work these past few days." Isaac said as he stood among the group.
"We were merely following orders, Commander." Rodney said as Surcouf and Richelieu nodded.
"Either way, you girls go above my expectations and it makes me happy to lead this fleet. Thank you all." Isaac said as he bowed slightly.
"It is our pleasure, Commander. Is there something you needed?" Rodney asked.
Isaac watched over the rest of the port as he contemplated a response.
"No. There isn't anything that needs tending to that isn't being dealt with already. Since you and Richelieu are battleships, why don't you two go and see if Odin would mind the company. She's currently doing maintenance on her own ship." Isaac said.
"With all due respect, she doesn't have guns that match ours and her systems are all different. What could we do?" Richelieu asked.
"Well, I think it would be nice if we all got along well. Especially since I will need much more than a Vice commander once second fleet arrives." Isaac said.
"Second Fleet?!" Rodney exclaimed.
"Something to add, Rodney?" Isaac asked.
"Belfast and North Carolina are in Second Fleet. Personal friends of mine when Commander Forrest was in charge." Rodney said.
"Well, I would like you two to learn how to take command of squads from Odin. I am only one person, and this Command Ship will definitely make my job easier. But I still need some form of command structure here. I find it easier to talk to a few individuals than to every single person. With me as the commander, Odin as my vice-commander. Think of it as a perk of seniority." Isaac said.
"I think I understand, But I don't think Akagi will take too well to being bossed around by a battleship." Rodney said.
"Well that's just too bad. I trust you and Richelieu to handle small affairs within the fleet. I don't even know Akagi. So she does not have my trust." Isaac said.
"And what of the Carriers? Surely they would need their own wing of command since they are fundamentally different." Surcouf said.
"True. But I think Odin and I can coordinate carrier tactics if the rest of the fleet is dealt with by my new Lieutenants." Isaac said with a smile.
"Are you sure this is a wise idea, commander? There is a lot of room for error." Rodney said.
"To be honest, I trust you two as my first two battleships. We made it here under our own power and you two had the most part in that success. But I am also trying to think about the new ship. Three carriers and two lieutenants is much easier on the system than twenty some odd individual ships. And if we get more carriers, I will address that as well." Isaac said.
"I see. I apologize for stepping out of line." Rodney said.
"Not at all, I welcome the queries of the fleet.I feel like it clears the air of any miscommunication." Isaac said with a smile.
"Well, Then I guess we should be heading to the Odin to get some lessons on fleet dynamics." Richelieu said.
"Friedrich, please radio Odin and let her know she is having guests." Isaac said softly.
"Of course, Mein Kind." Friedrich said as his orders were executed.
Rodney and Richelieu bowed slightly before taking their leave.
"What of the submarines, Commander?" Surcouf asked.
"You will get your orders directly from me. Right now I only have you and I-13 so that should work. But even if we take in a whole wolfpack of submarines, your orders will come directly from me. Your missions will be classified, understood?" Isaac asked.
"Yes sir." Surcouf said as she skipped away off the main deck.
"Mid day, huh?" Isaac asked as he yawned.
"Are you tired, mein Kind?" Friedrich asked.
"I am. But we still have some things to do." Isaac said as Friedrich ruffled his hair again.
"You seem to be enjoying that." Isaac said with a slight smile.
"I do. Your hair is soft." Friedrich said as he turned to face her.
"Maybe a nap would do me well." Isaac said as he looked at Friedrich.
"I see. Shall I escort you to the dorms, Mein Kind?" Friedrich asked.
"I haven't seen the inside of your ship. It wouldn't do for the commander to be seen napping on duty." Isaac said.
"I understand." Friedrich said as she led him by the hand back to her ship.
"Akashi. I am leaving for a personal mission. Do you think you'll be alright?" I-13 asked.
"Hai. Akagi-chan, Belfast-san and Helena-san can take care of the base, Nyaa." Akashi said
"Alright. I will be back in a couple of weeks. There is something I want to do." I-13 said as she finished loading oil onto her sub.
"Where are you headed?" Akagi asked from the flight deck of her ship.
"Going to visit the place that began the path to our destruction." I-13 said.
"You're going to Pearl?" Akagi asked.
"I have one final test for this device. And I remember Eagle teasing the Shikikan about something that I think I can fix." I-13 said.
"Well, I cannot order you to stay as I did during the war. But good luck on your mission, I-13. May the gods bless you." Akagi said as she bowed slightly to the departing Sub.
"I will bring this fleet victory. That I swear." I-13 said as she dipped below the waves and disappeared from radar.
The next morning came quickly after Isaac laid down, for his nap, in the Captains bed of the Friedrich der Große. He looked around groggily only for his hand to rest on something soft. A gentle squeeze confirmed it was neither the blanket of the mattress, but the busty form of Friedrich herself. He tried to pull his hand away but her hands held him snug against her chest. He could feel her heart pounding through her voluptuous breasts.
"Why are you in bed with me?" Isaac asked, now wide awake and blushing wildly.
"Why are you in my bed, Mein Kind? This is where I sleep. I much rather prefer the soft classical music of my room while I sleep. So to be honest, I had no choice since I did not wish to wake you. You looked absolutely exhausted." Friedrich said, defending her case.
"You have a point. But I have a counter point." Isaac said.
"Oh?" Friedrich asked, amused.
"Where is my shirt?" Isaac asked.
"You slipped out of it the moment I came to bed. Don't worry. I did not lay a hand on you." Friedrich said as she sat up in bed.
"I see. Well, thank you." Isaac said.
"Mein Kind... I still cannot shake these feelings. And spending the night in your presence... has not helped me dissuade myself from wanting you. Herr Garner... Will you promise yourself to me as well?" Friedrich asked, her yellow eyes shimmering under the soft lights of the room.
"I was looking for a way to ask you myself." Isaac said as he slipped his hand into his pocket and pulled out a ring.
"Then?" Friedrich asked.
"It would be my honor to promise myself to an upstanding woman like you." Isaac said as he walked over to her and slipped the ring on to her waiting finger. He didn't even finish seating the ring before his lips were taken hostage by a very warm and plushy battleship. Isaac relented as Friedrich's hands held him to her like a child holding a puppy.
"My cubes are singing a most joyful song, one to rival even the most romantic of composers, Mein Liebe Isaac." Friedrich whispered as Isaac allowed his hands to explore her body.
"Maybe tonight we can... consummate this joyous occasion. But I best think that you tend to the fleet. I am sure I overheard the bulins finalizing the installation of your ship's propulsion units. Maybe you can afford to give them a break. Four days without a day off may not be the best for their tiny bodies." Friedrich said.
"Then I will see you tonight, Friedrich." Isaac said, leaving her with a kiss on the cheek.
"We are only two days out now. I think I can see the very tip of the island now." Phoenix spoke excitedly.
"St. Louis? You've been awfully quiet. Is everything alright?" Vestal asked.
"I'm... fine." St. Louis spoke. She wasn't on deck or on the bridge. She was huddled in the fetal position deep in the boiler room.
"Lu... I'm coming over." Vestal said as she jumped from her deck and skated over to the silent cruiser.
After a quick search, Vestal found her and sat next to her.
What's wrong, Lu?" Vestal asked softly.
"I'm terrified of having a human commander again. I...I managed to get rid of mine after Brooklyn made enough noise. I.. I just don't want it to happen again. And after hearing that conversation on the radio... it dug up some memories I have tried so hard to bury." St. Louis said softly.
"Would you like to talk, Lu?" Vestal asked as she held the now sobbing cruiser.
"I only took it long enough for them to stop going after my sisters. But... the way I was treated... the things they did... it was demeaning. I am thankful that there was so much smoke the day we left Pearl... Seeing him again would have gotten me killed... I know I would have froze." St. Louis said softly.
"Lu.. I am so sorry. I had no idea.." Vestal said as she tightened her grip.
"Once Enterprise started the massive push through the Pacific... they left my sisters alone... but the memories are still there, and I was made a joke of until the end." St. Louis said.
"Can you tell me what they did?" Vestal asked.
"They dressed me up in demeaning clothing and paraded me around base as some sort of trophy girl. They made me the object of their anger when bad news came in. When I was at sea they would abuse me and hurt me for even the smallest inconvenience. Even the commander I thought I could trust, and gave myself to for the first time turned on me when he heard that our fleet had allowed the enemy to escape. I had bruises for weeks after that battle. I wanted to stand and defend myself... but he said that if my sisters were as defiant as I was, he would use his power to see them scrapped of spare parts. I endured his abuse until the end of the war. He is still at Pearl. After my commendations for my service, they promoted him to a spot in Pearl Harbor high command, leading the main forces of the base. That weapon going off... was probably the best day of my short life." St. Louis said as her jaded eyes stared off into the abyss.
"Well, hopefully you will never see him again. And I am sure that this commander is not like that at all. From the sounds of it, his fleet adores him. At least that is what I get from the tone of that Ironblood Battleship." Vestal said.
"I...I just don't know." St. Louis said softly.
"I will protect you, Lu. But we should clear this whole thing up with the commander when we see him." Vestal said softly as she rubbed St. Louis's back.
"I put on a happy face to try to put this all behind me... but hearing their conversation... it just brought it all back." St louis said as she continued to cry.
"Lu..." Vestal said as Phoenix appeared in the doorway.
"Uh guys, we have an issue!" She cried.
"What's wrong?" Vestal asked.
"Siren patrol ships on radar. They haven't spotted us yet, but we are heading right for a collision course." Phoenix said.
"Cut speed and wait for them to pass. Hopefully they aren't paying attention." Vestal said as she held the crying cruiser.
"Sis? What's wrong?" Phoenix asked as she clamored down the stairs.
"Just something in my eye, sis. I asked Vestal to come check it out." St. Louis said.
"And you're in the boiler room because?" Phoenix asked.
"The sun is too bright with my eyes this sensitive. Don't worry, I'm okay sis. Just head up and make sure we aren't discovered. I'll be up in case something goes wrong." St. Louis said as she looked at Phoenix with a smile. The darkness of the room hid the redness in her eyes and the tear stains running down her face.
"Okay sis!" Phoenix said as she skipped away.
"They don't know... do they?" Vestal asked.
"No. I only told Brooklyn that a human crew made me uncomfortable. She spoke up enough to get them off my ship when I went on patrol. But I was forced to remain crewed on missions with the fleet." St. Louis said softly.
"Well, as I believe I said, we won't be seeing him again. You have nothing to worry about. If the new commander get's to be too much, I'll step in, okay?" Vestal said as St. Louis nodded quietly.