"Finally... we made it. Wow!" Heinrich exclaimed as the port came into view.
"Mein Gott. The Kriegsmarine had nothing on this fleet. To think one man has more power now than we did at the height of the war." Bismarck said as she gazed at all the ships present in the harbor.
"As I said, Bismarck. This commoner has something about him. I don't know what it is, but Kansens and it seems humans alike can't help but follow him." Elizabeth said as Zara stood on her bow.
"I'm just hoping he isn't some egotistical maniac. I would actually like to fight in upcoming battles, unlike in '43." Zara said as she looked at the others.
"At least it's away from Warspite..." Zara muttered under her breath as the four ships sounded their horns to make their presence known.
"Incoming ships, This is Lieutenant Perkins of the USS Iowa. You are encroaching on waters controlled by Azur Lane. Identify yourselves and shut down your engines. We will send escorts to bring you in." Perkins said.
"Is this your Commoner, Elizabeth?" Bismarck asked.
"No. Something isn't right." Elizabeth said as she took to the radio.
"This is Queen Elizabeth of the Royal Navy. We came expecting Isaac Garner, Commander of Azur Lane." Elizabeth said.
"The Commander? I'm sorry to say... but due to some unfortunate circumstances, Vice Commander Odin has left me in command until the Commander makes a recovery." Perkins said.
"We need to be let in. We have hazardous material. The port needs to be human free until we can properly store this material." Elizabeth said.
"Is that a threat?" Perkins asked.
"No. Not in the slightest. The last humans who came in contact with this substance were dead in minutes. We were asked by Akashi to bring this material to the Bulins of Azur lane for more... practical testing." Elizabeth said.
"Alright. Give me a minute." Perkins said as he cut the line.
"Elizabeth... what could have happened to him?" Bismarck asked.
"I don't know. I know Z-23 was killed in action. So he might be in grieving." Elizabeth said as Perkins came back.
"Alright. The other four ships need to identify themselves before I can allow you in. Please keep in mind the base is still on red alert and any adverse action will be met with swift and decisive action." Perkins said.
"Those terms are agreeable." Elizabeth said.
"I am Queen Elizabeth, To the rear is Bismarck. Port flank is Zara, Sardegna Heavy Cruiser. Starboard flank is Prinz Heinrich, Ironblood Heavy Cruiser. And in the center is HMS Athene, Merchant Steamer with about 100 in human crew." Elizabeth said as Perkins listened patiently.
"I see. And who among you is carrying the hazardous cargo, We can clear that section of the port, but we are still working on securing this city for defense, so we can't just evacuate the port." Perkins said.
"That would be Bismarck." Elizabeth said.
"As in, the battleship, Bismarck?" Perkins asked, his interest piqued.
"Yes. That would be me." Bismarck spoke up.
"You were sunk in 1941. How are you here?" Perkins asked.
"Ask Elizabeth. I have no desire to explain it." Bismarck said as they watched U-47 and U-37 surface on either side of the fleet.
"Lord Bismarck!" The subs said excitedly.
"Hello you two. It is good to see you both are doing well." Bismarck said as the subs started guiding them in.
About an hour later, the five new ships were docked in port. The area around Bismarck was quickly evacuated as she and the mk2 bulin exited her ship onto the docks, carrying the barrel of powder to a small shed built in one of the corners of the port. After unloading it, The bulin made sure to set up an area that no human could cross into.
Perkins came down into the port from the Iowa. Elizabeth, Zara, Heinrich, Bismarck and the crew of the Athene all stood by and waited. The mk2 bulin had already found her un-upgraded sisters.
"Well. This is quite the unexpected turn of events. We weren't expecting anyone to be coming." Perkins said.
"Well, coming from the Atlantic, we couldn't exactly keep in contact." Elizabeth said as she held her staff at her side.
"That much is understandable. We don't have a permeant post set up, so having a telegraph set up on anything but our ships would be a bit difficult." Perkins said as he looked over at the Norfolk.
"The commander is onboard the Norfolk. You can go aboard at your own risk. Heinrich and Bismarck might be alright though." Perkins said.
"Why is that?" Elizabeth asked.
"Well... the Commander has... married three of our most Prominent Ironblood ships. And all three are currently guarding him onboard the Norfolk.
"A Kommandant with promise." Bismarck said as she looked over at Heinrich.
"Well, Then I guess we should go introduce ourselves." Bismarck said as the four Kansens made their way over to the Norfolk.
XXXXXVVVVVXXXXX
"Isaac. I'm going to wake you up now. We have some visitors currently boarding the Norfolk." Shinano said.
"Alright. I think I can face them. I have some of the best support I could ask for." Isaac said as he looked around, seeing the smiling faces of the girls surrounding him.
"Alright then. Wake up." Shinano whispered as she kissed his cheek, sending a light shock through his body, pulling him from the dream.
Isaac's eyes opened shortly after. He looked around and saw his current predicament.
"No wonder why it's so hot. Three German cuties." Isaac thought to himself as he wiggled his way out of their grasp, causing all three of them to wake up.
"Are you feeling a little warmer, Liebling?" Nimi asked as she rubbed her eyes.
"Yes. Yes I am. I guess I have you three to thank for that." Isaac said as he quickly got dressed in his Commander's uniform.
"I wonder who our guests are." Isaac said as he straightened his cap.
"Turn around and find out, Commoner." Elizabeth said as she found herself standing behind him.
"Lizzie?" Isaac asked as he knelt down to greet her.
Elizabeth blushed brightly at hearing the name.
"I...I thought I asked you not to call me that." Elizabeth said softly.
"Sorry, Elizabeth. Old habits die hard." Isaac said as he looked her in the eye.
"It's so good to see you again, Commoner." Elizabeth said as she gave him a chaste hug.
"It is good to see you again as well." Isaac said as he stood up straight. A knock came to the open door.
"It's open." Isaac said as all three of the Ironblood girls all jumped from the bed and saluted with a hand to their heart, save for Friedrich, who gave a small bow.
"Who is it, you three?" Isaac asked as he turned to the doorway and saw a tall blonde staring at Nimi.
"Liebling... this is Lord Bismarck." Nimi said softly, Isaac could hear the nervousness in her voice.
"I was told you had perished. I am glad to see that my intelligence was incorrect." Bismarck said as she stepped into the room.
"Bismarck. Your reputation proceeds you." Isaac said as he extended his hand.
"As does yours. Kommandant Garner." Bismarck said.
"Really? I didn't know I did so much." Isaac said.
"Elizabeth here wouldn't keep quiet about you. She said you make terrible tea." Bismarck said.
"Hey! I've gotten better. Ask Eagle." Isaac said as he shot a glance over to Elizabeth.
"Well, then I should have you make me some." Elizabeth said.
"I have gotten just a small bit of help on the sail over here from Belfast." Isaac said.
"Oh? You have Belfast here?" Elizabeth asked.
"Yup. She has been instrumental in the battles here, alongside Texas and everyone else." Isaac said.
"It seems you have quite the fleet here." Bismarck said.
"I would be honored to have you four join me. This war is nowhere near over, and I need the best and brightest." Isaac said, almost being interrupted by Elizabeth and her response.
"I will stay. After all, You have several of my girls under your charge. I want to make sure they aren't slacking off." Elizabeth said as a blush crossed her face.
"But of course, Your Majesty. My port is your port. Feel free to make yourself at home." Isaac said.
"I wasn't finished." Elizabeth said.
"My apologies." Isaac said.
"None needed. After all... it would be quite difficult if you and I were fighting for command. So... I will be your liaison for my forces." Elizabeth said.
"Alright. That will do just fine." Isaac said, much to the surprise of Odin and Friedrich.
"Are you sure that is wise, Kommandant?" Odin asked.
"The Royal Navy has a different command structure than most navies. You or I giving orders in Her Majesties presence would confuse and hinder our Royal Navy forces. So we will go through her to give the orders to Belfast and Eagle. There will be no arguments on this matter." Isaac said as he turned to face Odin.
"Well said, Commoner." Elizabeth said.
"Well... if it is on your orders, then so be it." Odin said as she relented.
"Thank you Odin." Isaac said.
"As much as I am the figurehead for the Ironblood, I won't require such accommodations. If Nimi being here is any indication, then you are worthy to be my Kommandant." Bismarck said.
"Thank you, Bismarck. And you will continue to be the Figurehead of the Ironblood. A strong leader and someone who knows the capabilities of your allies." Isaac said.
"If that is what you wish." Bismarck said as Elizabeth looked at him with a smile.
"I have with me two heavy cruisers as well. I noticed your lack of cruiser support on the way in." Elizabeth said as Bismarck pushed Zara and Heinrich forward.
"That is excellent to hear. How are they?" Isaac asked.
"Prinz Heinrich, Ironblood Heavy Cruiser. I held my own against Roon before coming here." Heinrich said.
"Roon... Akashi mentioned her a while back. She sounds like a scary person." Isaac said.
"She is quite formidable. It is sad that we had to sink her. She was taken advantage of by the Sirens and sent to kill us." Bismarck said.
"Mikasa was the same way. And the Explorer threat is getting worse." Isaac said as he looked up to the ceiling.
"My name is Zara. I am from the Sardegna Empire." Zara said softly as she looked at Isaac.
"It is very nice to meet you as well, Zara." Isaac said as he looked at everyone.
"Alright. I've been out long enough. Friedrich, could you assist Shinano to the bridge? We are going to actually get our plans together now." Isaac said.
"No need, Shikikan." Shinano said as she draped her arms over his shoulders.
"I see you've woken up yourself." Isaac said.
"But of course." Shinano said as Isaac scratched her head between her ears.
"Alright. Enough of the lovey dovey stuff. We have business to attend to." Odin said as Isaac nodded.
"Agreed. Let's go." Isaac said as he led the long line of Kansens from his quarters, towards the bridge.