"'Big Sis' Atago?" Baltimore said with a blush on her face.
"Hmm?" Atago asked as she looked over at Baltimore.
"I overheard you talking with Norfolk earlier. I would have to say that you were acting quite different than you usually do when the topic of sex comes up." Baltimore said.
"Did I?" Atago asked.
"You didn't give her the full picture, and told her to go off and experiment, don't you think that's a bit dangerous?" Baltimore asked.
"Now that you say that... I've been thinking about it since she left, and I really should find her to explain further before she does something bad." Atago said.
"Well, I'd make an effort to find her quickly. She could really get herself hurt, especially if she ends up with someone like... him." Baltimore said, remembering they nights they had to hide from MacArthur to avoid becoming shields for the troops.
"Oh no." Atago whispered, realizing how bad this could go.
"Where is she usually at?" Atago asked frantically.
"She stays on the command ship most of the time. I'd go quickly." Baltimore said as Atago jumped to her feet and ran out of the bunk house.
Norfolk found herself back on the bridge of her ship, staring blankly out to sea as the sounds of the bay calmed her mind. The feeling she had felt earlier was pretty much gone, but the heat was still there, gnawing away at her slowly. Her trance-like state was broken by the frantic appearance of Atago at the doorway to the bridge.
"Thank god." Atago spoke softly as she walked over to Norfolk and pulled up a chair.
"Atago?" Norfolk asked, her tone one of surprise.
"Yeah, it's me. After thinking about what we had talked about, I think I should elaborate more, if that is something you wish." Atago said.
"I've been thinking about it too, but I just don't understand the whole thing. The feeling I got. The desire for the Commander, or for that contact in general. It's like something deep down wants it more than anything." Norfolk said.
Atago looked at Norfolk with a light blush on her cheeks.
"Well, in order to understand yourself, you have to know what it is that you are desiring. Why don't we first head down to the Med Bay. I'm sure Nurse Alice has something that can help." Atago said as Norfolk nodded and followed.
Several minutes of walking later, Atago and Norfolk arrived at the Medical bay.
"Atago, Norfolk, hello!" Arizona said happily as she looked over at them.
Norfolk and Atago stared in shock at Arizona, who was now sporting a pink Nurse's outfit with a little red cross on her arm.
"That's a new outfit. It looks good on you, Arizona." Norfolk said as she nodded and spun around, giving them a 360 degree view.
"Thanks! The nurses got it for me for when I work over here." Arizona said with a bright smile.
"That aside, what can we help you girls with?" Arizona asked.
"Actually...we were looking for Alice. Do you know where she is?" Atago asked.
"She is currently in the office, right over there." Arizona said as she pointed to the door in the back of the med bay.
"Thank you." Atago said as she led a blushing Norfolk to the office in the back.
Atago knocked on the door, and was promptly let in.
"Hey, back so soon?" Alice asked as she looked at Norfolk.
"Yeah. I went to Atago, but now we need you too." Norfolk said as she tried to avoid eye contact.
"What do you need my help with?" Alice asked.
"I was a bit vague with the poor girl. But I didn't want to... delve too deep too quickly." Atago said as she looked at Norfolk.
"So you need my help to teach her... what exactly?" Alice asked.
"I just don't understand the whole thing... I was literally brought to life several weeks ago, and given a body three days ago. I don't know why I feel the way I do, and I don't know what to do about it." Norfolk said as she looked at Alice.
"Ah. I think I understand a bit more now. Well... I guess if you need the practical knowledge, I can help you with that. I didn't think you girls were so similar to us humans." Alice said.
"We have the same parts, and enjoy the same pleasures, Nurse Alice." Atago said.
"Then take a seat. Let's get this little class started." Alice said as Arizona knocked on the door frame.
"Would you mind if I sat in as well? As a Kansen myself, I can explain it a little easier to the others without dragging you from your work." Arizona said as she poked her head in.
"I don't mind. Come on in and shut the door." Alice said as Arizona walked in and took a seat after shutting and latching the door.
"Well, as you girls share similar anatomy to humans, I guess I can use this." Alice said as she pulled out a chart of two anatomical models.
Alice then began to teach Norfolk and company about every nuance of human sexuality.
"Herr Isaac~~ Wake up." Odin spoke softly as she woke up from her nap. She had finished the list several hours before and decided to allow her body to rest next to her esteemed lover.
"Hmm?" Isaac asked as he opened his eyes slowly.
"Wake up, it's time to greet the day, or what is left of it." Odin said as Isaac slowly sat up and leaned over to her and kissed her.
"Shower?" Isaac asked, still trying to banish the sleep from his voice.
"Why would I ever want to miss that?" Odin asked with a giggle as she grabbed his hand to help her up.
"Is my poor Vice Commander still feeling a bit shaky?" Isaac asked as he crawled over the bed and stood up on her side of the bed, helping her to her feet.
"Shut it. You're some kind of demon in the bedroom, not even I could tame you 100%." Odin said as Isaac laughed.
"You're overexaggerating. I just have more than enough passion to take you on, that's all." Isaac said.
"Keep it up, and I'll find a way to make you do laps." Odin said with a smirk.
"If you keep it up, I'll finish the job and keep you bedridden for the rest of the week." Isaac joked, causing Odin to blush.
"That sounds like a reward more than a punishment." Odin said.
Isaac just smiled as they walked slowly to the bathroom.
"Alright everyone, listen up." Nimitz said into the Missouri's receiver, projecting his voice to the entire port.
Everyone stopped what they were doing and looked towards the Missouri.
"As Odin has requested, I am currently in command of Azur Lane until she and Admiral Garner return. She has asked me to relay the following orders to the fleet: Anyone who was contacted by her, prepare to launch. We will be leaving come tomorrow morning, so ensure all equipment is stowed away, and all munitions prepped for launch. To anyone who has not received a notice of departure, you will await orders from Admiral Garner as to your new post, please prepare your own vessels for departure, as Odin has mentioned groups sailing to Tonga and to Fiji." Nimitz said as the port began to move.
Nimitz watched as a distraught Pennsylvania ran towards the Norfolk. He quickly changed frequency to Odin.
"Pennsylvania is on her way to the Norfolk. It seems like she is in a state of distress." Nimitz said as he waited for a reply.
"Sorry, it seems that the Vizekommandant is unavailable and you were switched over to me. Don't worry, I will take care of it." Friedrich's voice came over the radio.
"I guess she really is taking the day off. I am privy to the names on the list as well, so I am sure that Pennsylvania is upset that she will be separated from her sister again." Nimitz said.
"I will calm her down. Do not worry, Union Admiral." Friedrich said as she cut the line.
"I can't see that going over too well." Nimitz said as he shook his head.
Friedrich was already standing by the door of the med bay by the time Pennsylvania got there.
"My child, you seem to be in quite the rush." Friedrich said.
"Where is my sister?" Pennsylvania asked.
"I would assume she is in the medical bay, as she is a member of the medical staff when her guns are not in use." Friedrich said.
"I need to see her." Pennsylvania said.
"I am assuming it is because of the new orders?" Friedrich asked.
"Yes. I want to know what orders she received, especially with her being an important member of the medical team." Pennsylvania said.
"If you're this frantic, my child, then you must already have an idea." Friedrich said.
"You mean to tell me that the Commander is going to separate me and my sister?!" Pennsylvania yelled angrily.
"It was not a targeted act. That I can assure you." Friedrich said.
"But I guarantee every one of you with rings are going along. Because he wouldn't want to be without his trophy wives, huh?!" Penny yelled louder.
"You will watch your tone when speaking about my dear husband. Or being separated from your sister will be the least of your worries." Friedrich said in a tone that Pennsylvania had never heard from her.
"This is bullshit... I just got her back..." Penny said in a sad tone as Friedrich came over and put her hand on Penny's shoulder.
"My child, I give you my word. I will sink before your sister. As long as my hull is sound, I will allow nothing to harm her." Friedrich said as Penny looked up at her with teary eyes.
"Is there any way you can convince him to put me on the list too? Please. I'll even lower myself to transporting cargo is that's what I have to do." Pennsylvania said. Friedrich sighed and scratched her head, unwilling to meet Penny's gaze.
"Give me a moment." Friedrich said as she tuned her radio.
"VizeKommandant?" Friedrich asked.
"Friedrich... you better have a very good reason to be contacting me while I'm in the shower." Odin said.
"You are with the Kommandant, no?" Friedrich asked.
"Yes, Friedrich, I'm here." Isaac's voice was heard.
"Are we able to spare the room for one more battleship?" Friedrich asked.
"Who are we talking about?" Isaac asked.
"Pennsylvania is begging me to put her on the list. And honestly, the state she is in right now is embarrassing to watch." Friedrich said.
"We can bring Pennsylvania. But nobody more. I understand that there are many sisters among the fleet, but we need to keep a strong force behind to protect what we have done." Isaac said.
"Alright, dear husband, I will let her know." Friedrich said as she cut the line.
"Well?" Pennsylvania asked.
"The Kommandant will allow it. But please, in the future, hold yourself to a higher standard. Seeing a Union battleship acting the way you did... doesn't sit right." Friedrich said.
Penny nodded and wiped away her tears.
"I won't let you or the commander down." Pennsylvania said as Arizona and Norfolk poked their head out from the med bay.
"Is everything alright out here? I heard Penny yelling." Arizona said softly.
"Everything is fine my child. If you are not busy, the orders have been given to prepare to move out. Your sister has just received updated orders, so if you are ready, could you help her instead?" Friedrich asked.
"Of course. We just finished up so I will get on it right away." Arizona said as she was nearly dropped to the floor by her sister, who held her tightly in a hug.
"I will always be here for you, my sister. Big sister will always be here to protect you from now on." Penny said softly.
"I don't know what this is about, but... thank you." Arizona said as she led Penny down the corridor and out to the port.