I would like to thank the people who have favorited, followed, and reviewed this story. But enough of that let's get on with the show.
Disclaimer: I don't own Azur Lane or any other properties I make references to.
"If you treat people right they will treat you right…ninety percent of the time."
-Franklin Delano Roosevelt
Chapter 5: The Sentinels
The remainder of the journey to South Point was quite uneventful. Nashville remained in high spirits from her marksmanship for days following the skirmish. The Panama Canal came and went. To the commander who since his childhood derived pleasure with large machinery only found the lochs interesting for the first fifteen minutes of the nearly ten-hour process. At least if beat sailing clear around South America. Once they got through, they bade LS 73 and Captain Peterson safe travels. Peterson, his crew, and his ships all went above decks to send off their rescuers with three cheers. Commander and Nashville then sailed north-east toward their destination. Submarine patrols were avoided, and surface raiders were a no-show. The Eagle Union's Independence Day occurred with minimal celebration. Finally, they were within radio range of Naval Station South Point and waiting for instructions about the approach and docking arraignment.
Commander had relayed their identity as the EUS Nashville and was wondering what was taking so long to get a response. It occurred to him that due to Nashville's historical isolation that she wouldn't be inside any sort of registry of ship girls that they had on base. He picked up his radio transponder to offer information about this oversight on his part and just as he reached for it suddenly a feminine voice came over the radio that made him jump just a bit. He heard Nashville giggle at his reaction. The voice said, "Nashville this is South Point you are to approach the port from an eastern bearing and are to tie in at berth twenty. How copy?"
Commander didn't have to delay in responding. "That's a good copy South Point. Moving to berth now. Is there anything else we should know?"
"Yes. Under orders of the fleet commander, you are to report to her office as soon as you tie in. Is this understood?"
"Copy that South Point. Thanks for the help."
"You're welcome, Nashville. And sorry for the wait. South Point out."
He stood up from the radio and glanced in the direction of his subordinate and gave his order, "You heard the nice lady. Proceed as she directed."
"Aye sir," came the even reply of Nashville before she asked to nobody in general, "I wonder who we'll meet here?"
Commander took some binoculars that were stored in a pouch on the bridge to see if an answer to that question was forthcoming. He investigated the harbor and saw an assortment of vessels of similar vintage to Nashville. They had a few aircraft carriers and battleships, but the majority were the expected destroyers and cruisers. He got a feel for what was there before offering, "I see space for over thirty warships. Only twenty-five berths are currently occupied." He took another look at some of the non-capital ships. It was difficult to see from their approach vector but there seemed to be a few light cruisers among the ships there. Maybe one of Nashville's sisters were present?
He decided that speculating was a bad idea this far out, so some patience was in order. He looked over to Nashville. She was uncharacteristically quiet. He figured that she had more or less the same thoughts as him about the possible presence of one or more of her sisters. Trying to simply distract her from her troubles with idle chatter wouldn't work, she resented when he tried to do that. He respected her solitude as they approached.
They got quite close to the port and Commander noticed that no pilot was sent out to guide Nashville into her berth—whoever was here knew what Nashville was. For better or worse, that saved him having to explain her. As they started to pass by ships in their moorings Commander took the closer look that was deprived him earlier. He saw a ship that caught his eye as familiar yet unknown. A big smile plastered his face as he pointed and spoke, "That looks like a Brooklyn-class cruiser to me."
Nashville was speechless and her thoughts were scrambled. For so long she had dreamed of this moment and all the excitement that she thought she would be feeling was instead drowned out by an all-encompassing anxiety. So many questions shot through her mind and none of them good. She was so afraid that they would reject her for some reason or another. She was afraid that they wouldn't recognize her or that they didn't love her. Fear was starting it's conquest of the light cruiser's heart.
Commander recognized this and found that this was the best time to break the silence that had now turned sour. "Nashville," he said a bit louder than usual to snap her from her thoughts, "Are you okay?"
Nashville was seriously tempted to lie to her commander and say that all is alright with the world. But she had a feeling that if she lied and he somehow bought it, she wouldn't be able to back it up for very long. Then again, if she was honest, maybe she can enlist his help? She relented with a deep sigh that she wasn't okay. "I'm nervous. That was one of my sister's hulls that we saw on the way in. There's just… There's so many ways that this first meeting can go wrong. What if-"
"What if what?" interrupted Commander. He decided that good old-fashioned practicality was what the doctor ordered now. "It's true that you have more experience as a warship than a person, but keep in mind that whichever of your sisters is here is the same. Also, we aren't going into battle. So, that means you have an opportunity to do what comes naturally instead of planning anything. Let me ask, 'Do you love your sisters?'"
"Of course I do Commander Vegas."
"That means that this'll be easy. Just be yourself. Smile, like you always do, and trust your instincts. You're more than just a ship now, so don't approach this as one."
Those words helped her a bit. But a few things still lingered in her mind. The biggest thing though was her appearance. How did she look for what could be the biggest day in her life up to this point? She felt awkward in asking Las Vegas though. Can she trust his judgement on matters such as this? After all he clearly wasn't known for his style. Or more importantly, can she ask this of him without him thinking her silly? She didn't know. But desperate times call for desperate measures, so she took the plunge and asked, "Sir, how do I look to you? Presentable?"
The somewhat teasing relationship between the two came to the forefront of Commanders mind. He could be so cruel to her in this moment by taking this like a joke. He also understood that this question was a landmine. Answer dishonestly or non-seriously and it will go off in his face. For one of the relatively few times in his life he could read between the lines of Nashville's question. This was an opportunity for him to back her up like the friend he wanted to be. He looked her up and down to show her that he was taking it seriously. After a few seconds they locked eyes and he said as reassuringly as he could, "Your attire is inspection worthy, your hair is as well styled as always, and there is nothing on your face or lodged in your teeth. You look as ready as you ever could be."
Nashville let out a breath that she was holding. Thank God he took this seriously. She felt a lot better for this moment even though her stomach kept doing backflips and her heart was beating like crazy. But this was as good as she was going to get until the event was over and down with.
They pulled into her assigned berth and things got intense when Nashville felt herself being tied in and the gangway being lowered. She moved to leave the bridge to face her fate, but Commander had some final words, "Oh I forgot to say one last thing." She faced him to hear what he would say, which was, "No matter what happens I'm right beside you. While my support may pale in comparison to a sister, I've still got your back."
"Why?" she heard leave her lips before she could stop herself.
Fortunately for her it seemed that Commander didn't seem offended by being questioned about his motives. He responded with, "Because it's what friends do for each other. They back each other up." He said that as if it was as natural and obvious as saying that the sky is blue.
Nashville's heart took courage, her stomach calmed down, and she put on her characteristic smile. Nods were exchanged and Nashville opened the hatch and led the way down from the bridge onto her deck and then down the gangway. Strangely they didn't see anyone at first. Their arrival must be that unexpected. Or maybe visitors don't come through very often.
Their solo presence was disrupted by the clicking of heels on concrete. They were moving quickly, almost running. Around the corner of a nearby warehouse appeared a young woman. Immediately apparent was her red hair tied into two tails on each side of her head with black ribbon and what looked to be an officer's hat adorned her head. She was dressed quite similarly to Nashville with the only changes being color swaps, a jacket around her shoulders, and some other minor details. She continued just short of running until she was only about ten paces away from them. She looked to Commander and Nashville before her eyes went beyond to the cruiser that the visitors just came from. She recognized the dazzle camouflage scheme without issue.
She finally spoke shakily, "N-N-Nashville? Is that you?" The silence following hung thickly in the air and neither party said anything before the unnamed woman spoke again, "It's me. Honolulu. Your sister. Remember?"
Nashville thought that this was a dream. Something unreal that could never really happen. Any moment now she would wake up and Captain Spencer would be at it again about another transatlantic crossing. But no, a hand patted her shoulder and her attention shifted to her side, to the commander she called, 'Las Vegas.' He spoke quietly, "Don't just stand there. Do something."
She opened her mouth and said barely above a whisper, "Honolulu? I…I remember you. My sister. I…I…" And her voice failed her. But that was enough to break the ice. Honolulu crossed the distance as fast she could and threw her arms around her big sister.
Through sobbing breaths Honolulu said, "Nashville. I never thought I'd see you again."
It became real. This wasn't a dream. This was actually her sister. In an instant she was just as verklempt and she said, "I love you Honolulu. I never thought I'd get to say that. I love you. And I'm so happy to see you finally. After all these years. I can't believe it, it's my little sister."
"I love you too big sis."
This sight of familial affection wrought upon Commander an epiphany; a revelation that might as well have been a lightning strike or a burning bush. Nashville and all ship girls weren't just, 'almost,' human. They were human. How could anyone look upon this scene of a reunion more than seventy years in the making and think otherwise? He couldn't. He wouldn't. And now if only he can get Nashville to see and recognize her own humanity and it's joys.
He dwelt on this problem for a few moments, as he looked out into the harbor to give them some semblance of privacy, but then the clicking of heels caught his attention. He turned to the two ship girls as Nashville straightened up and started to lead her sister by the arm towards him. Honolulu expected that whoever this commander guy was he would be just like every other male officer she had met, a pervert, and fake to boot. So, she was caught unawares when Nashville happily introduced them. "Honolulu this is my commander. He's the best officer I've met since I became a ship girl."
Both Honolulu and Commander were stunned at the high appraisal. But it was Commander that acted first and responded, "You flatter me. But thank you for saying that." He turned his attention to Honolulu and she promptly recalled her position and snapped a crisp salute to the superior officer with an apology for her lack of decorum. Commander saluted back and chuckled to try and set Honolulu at ease. "Think nothing of it, Miss Honolulu. I understand that there are times when propriety is best thrown overboard. Still, it's nice to meet you." And he extended his hand for a handshake. Nashville grinned at this display. For some reason she wanted her sister to be cool with her commander and she knew that this gesture would make that a greater possibility. Honolulu's lips parted slightly, and her eyes darted between the extended appendage and this odd man's face trying to look for any signs of deceit or any sign that he was like the other human officers that she had met and hated over the years. She detected no deceit and grasped his hand. Somehow, she could tell that they shook as equals. The irony being that because she could tell he wasn't looking down on her made her look up to him.
They released hands and business entered the officer's mind. He said, "We were ordered to report to the fleet commander once we had docked so we'd best get going. Again, it was nice meeting you." As he turned to leave something occurred to him. He turned back around to see that Nashville was about to loyally follow him. He said something that neither ship girl expected, "Come to think of it. The orders didn't specify just me or both of us, and I'd wager that you two have some catching up to do. I can go take care of this alone."
Nashville went wide eyed. "You really mean it?" came her excited response.
"Sure do. Honolulu," she was snapped out of her awe, "I don't know how long it will take to meet with the fleet commander but is there anywhere I can look to find the two of you once I'm done?"
"Well, if we aren't aboard either of our hulls you can meet us in the mess hall."
"Thank you. And one other thing. Could you please point me in the right direction to the fleet commander's office?"
"Sure, it's right over there," and she pointed to a white multistory building a few hundred yards away over some other buildings adjacent to it.
"Thank you, both of you. And Nashville," she hummed to show that she was listening, "I know that you'll want to tell your sister everything but remember that our mission is classified and thus under wraps to everyone. Understand?"
Nashville understood perfectly. "Yes, sir I understand what can and can't be said."
"Excellent. Have fun you two. I'll find you later." Only now did he proceed towards the fleet commander's office solo leaving Nashville in the care of her sister.
XXXXXXXX
Moving past the warehouse from whence Honolulu came revealed what used to be a thoroughfare for portside businesses' loading and offloading. But nowadays it was full of a lot of nothing. Well, it would be nothing except for the fact that looking forward Commander saw a few groups of people, women specifically. They were obviously of different ages and given what he knew about where he was and what types of ships he saw on the way in, he was left to assume that all of them were ship girls.
Rapidly the concrete closer to the wharf gave way to what would be much more suited for cruise-goers with well-tended walkways, waist high fencing, and a few grassy areas. He was noticed by the groups and they all looked to him with unwelcoming apathy on their faces. The groups that he passed were as varied as Nashville described when they first met. Some looked adult-like while some were decidedly more childish, some had odd colored hair and others not so much. He was saluted when he drew near but none spoke to him. Something seemed wrong to him. But whether that thing was immediately threatening or systemically broken or if he was just overthinking was just out of his reach. Fortunately, he was able to overcome any sense of discomfort with the stares because he had a mission—something to focus on.
But alas, his focus was sunk when he reached the end of a row of bushes and saw sprawled over the ground face down a girl in a pink jacket, white hair in tails on each side of her head with bunny ears? A glass bottle was in the grass next to her and it was part of the way filled with a semi opaque liquid. Was this preteen-looking girl drinking or something? Well, she was a ship girl, so the same rules don't apply to her as they do to humans. Then again, her being sprawled out unconscious gave some evidence to the contrary.
As a concerned bystander he was about to do something to help or at least check on her when a girl's voice broke him from his line of thought and action. "Are you a pervert?" the voice asked accusingly.
He looked to the source to find a girl whose height reached his chest. She had white hair and cat ears that sure looked real to him and she was in iris maid attire? He seems to have accidentally downed some crazy pills at some point this morning. But still the question lingered between them. "Do you begin all conversations this way?" he sincerely asked. In his mind her question was quite pointless because what pervert in his or her right mind would admit to being one? But what made this subject so important to omit any sort of greeting? Oh wait, his standing there by an unconscious ship girl sure looked bad.
She decided to challenge back in a rather juvenile way, "I asked you first. Are. You. A. Pervert?" And she put her hands on her hips and leaned forward a bit to give a bit of aggression to her words.
He decided that humoring her would be the fastest way to keep this from spiraling out of control. "I'm not a pervert. Now my question."
She huffed out, "No, I don't. I only ask perverts like you."
Great. He was already accused. But instead of openly contending this claim he gestured to the still unconscious ship girl on the ground behind him. "Is she okay? I just wanted to check on her."
"Now she's okay. She's just sleeping. Laffey always does that."
He now had a name to attach to the sleeping character but nothing to the catgirl before him. He now saw his avenue of escape. "It's good to know that she's okay. But anyway, do you have a name?"
She hesitated for a moment. To commander's eyes it was clear that she was debating on whether she should tell him or not, just as he expected. Given her track record of mannerisms he didn't expect an answer and he didn't really need one, he just needed her figuratively off balance before he suddenly excused himself with the good old, 'I have orders,' trick.
For the second time today, he was surprised when she opened her mouth just before he would have. "I'm Hamman. And yours?"
And now the shoe was on the other foot and he was trapped in the name question. This posed a particular problem to the codebreaker. Officially, he had no name. But Nashville had taken to calling him, 'Las Vegas.' Up to this point he figured that such a name would be between the two of them and he thought that it was just Nashville's way of consoling him. Who was he really? He could go by the name of his job as commander or even codebreaker. Or he could come up with an alias on the spot. He pondered his options because what is something or someone without a name? Beyond that, he felt that what he said in this moment would be hard to shake off. He recalled a lesson that many children learn, himself being no exception, 'Honesty is the best policy.'
"Officially I have no name. It's classified as to why. But Nashville, who I command, calls me, 'Las Vegas.'"
"Well," she paused, "Commander Las Vegas, just who is this Nashville? She sounds like a cruiser."
"She's sisters with Honolulu. Last I saw them they were down there by the docks," he pointed where he came from.
Before either could say anything else a newcomer appeared and she said authoritatively and in the voice that Commander heard earlier that morning, "Are you the commander of Nashville?"
He shifted to view this woman that had arrived. She was incredibly pale with black hair and red eyes. Her dress and billowing coat was monochromatically colored. He saw in his periphery that Hamman had tensed into attention. It seemed there was a hierarchy among ship girls. He was now curious to find out more. However, curiosity comes after business and this woman was his escape from the accusing catgirl. "I am. Who are you?"
"West Virginia. The fleet commander is expecting you and you've kept her waiting. Let's go." And she turned to walk toward the building he was originally going to.
He remembered his original reason for stopping, "Just a minute miss." West Virginia turned around and fixed him with a rather intimidating glare. "Is she going to be okay?" asked Commander about Laffey, gesturing with his thumb to her, who still managed to somehow sleep through all of this.
West Virginia's gaze softened. She nodded and said mildly to Hamman, "Get her to her quarters. And tell her to not fall asleep in the middle of the base again."
Hamman saluted and propped one of Laffey's arms around her shoulders. Commander walked closer to West Virginia who took her cue to get moving. After only a few steps Commander decided that now was the opportune time to ask his questions. "I noticed Hamman followed your orders without backtalk. What sort of authority do you hold around here?"
West Virginia didn't look back to the officer trailing her but still responded, "I'm the secretary ship. It's like an executive officer position with ship girls but without the privileges of rank. You sound like you're new to ship girls?"
"Yeah, I had no idea that people like you existed until a month ago. Hmph. That feels like a lifetime ago already. I had a desk job back then and was a lieutenant junior grade."
"A promotion like yours means, 'classified,' right?"
"Yeah."
"Can you tell me what you did before?"
He saw no harm in telling West Virginia what he did. After all he did say that a codebreaker was aboard the Nashville to Captain Peterson, and he was just a merchant marine. A ship girl was even less likely to do anything with the information. Or so he hoped. "I was a codebreaker on the west coast."
"Those are pretty valuable," and she trailed off. Silence was maintained for a few seconds before she started again, "I didn't catch your name as I was walking up to you and Hamman."
"Officially I don't have one. But I told Hamman that Nashville calls me, 'Las Vegas,' so please, do likewise."
"Nashville huh? One of my sisters told me about her from the Philippines in 1944. She's one of the Brooklyn sisters, isn't she? Any ideas as to why I haven't met her before now?"
"That's right, she's a Brooklyn class. She was only launched a year ago and hasn't been assigned to a fleet. It beats me as to why."
Conversation cut off after Commander's last words. He had tons of things that he wanted to ask West Virginia but couldn't think of any questions that didn't turn personal really quick and she struck him as the type who wouldn't answer any of them for a complete stranger. So, they carried on all the way to the command center without anything else said.
They entered and ascended a flight of stairs to the second floor of the three-story building. West Virginia led him down a hallway that was lined with doors all marked as vacant offices. When his guide finally stopped in front of one, she turned to see if he was still following. She opened the door to a secretary's office. A large desk with a computer and radio equipment sat to the side with an assortment of filing cabinets on the other side. Directly ahead was a door that had marked in bold black lettering, "Rear Admiral Keisha Slade."
Wordlessly West Virginia moved and sat down at her desk. She looked to the commander expectantly before gesturing to the door and said, "You've kept her waiting long enough. You'd better get going."
"Right," he agreed, and he walked forward. "Thanks for leading me by the way," he tacked on. He then stopped to briefly inspect his uniform in the reflection of the door's covered glass to make sure it was within regulation. Satisfied with his appearance he knocked on the door.
"Come in," came the reply of a feminine voice.
He opened the door and entered the office of Admiral Slade. He made sure that the door closed completely just in case discretion became necessary for the coming exchange. The thing that was most immediately apparent to Commander as he finally saw the face of Rear Admiral Slade was that she was a black woman. Sat behind her desk he couldn't much judge her height or other physical characteristics but with black hair tied tightly into a bun on the back of her head and with sharp features showing an age in the range of mid to late thirties and a piercing gaze he understood that this was a woman to be taken seriously. Her aura was one of decisiveness and conviction, which commanded his respect instantly. He snapped a salute befitting one of such superior rank and settled into a parade rest to see her reaction.
She looked Commander from head to toe, no doubt trying to get a read on the young officer in a like manner to what just occurred to her. After her inspection she opened her mouth, "Are you the commanding officer of the Nashville?"
"Yes, Ma'am."
"You kept me waiting. Mind telling why?" she requested but really ordered.
"I was sidetracked with a tearful family reunion, concern for an unconscious ship girl, and finally I was waylaid with accusations of being a pervert. I apologize for the delays."
Slade smiled thinly understanding exactly what had happened. "I see you've met some of the more colorful members of my command. There sure are some quirky personalities among ship girls. Well, anyway," her gaze re-hardened and she gestured to a seat in front of her desk, "Have a seat Commander. We have some discussion before us."
He advanced and sat down. Slade got a closer look at his uniform and confirmed something that instantly made her uncomfortable, "No name. Why?"
"My name was expunged from all official records upon accepting my present mission."
Slade looked down to her desk's surface and cursed her luck. "Dammit. I was hoping to finally get some reinforcements. So, what's your mission, Commander No-name?" she said as she looked up expectantly.
"My command, Nashville, has taken to calling me, 'Las Vegas,' after my home city. But as for the mission. Well… I'm not at liberty to say."
She looked at Commander as if he had just said an unfunny joke. "You can tell me. I have tier five security clearance."
What she was referring to was the system of security clearances standardized between Azur Lane and the Crimson Axis soon after open hostility with the Sirens commenced. Tier six was the highest afforded to most any officer in any given nation's command structures, excepting the most superior of military officers, and there was less than ten of those exceptions in the whole world. The commander though…
"Sorry Ma'am. I'm in command of a tier seven operation." Tier seven was something that came directly from and only over the personal desks of the supreme commander of Azur Lane and the chairperson of the Crimson Axis.
Slade did a double take before her eyes went wide and then narrowed distrustfully. She leaned forward in her seat and interlaced her fingers as she rested her elbows on the desk's surface. She challenged, "Who the hell are you?"
"I can provide you with a service number," compromised Commander.
"That will do," and she typed a few commands into her computer to pull up a service registry, "Let's hear it."
Commander recited the number he had memorized. It took all of five seconds for Rear Admiral Slade to look confused at the registry that she pulled up. It took another five for alarm bells to ring off in the mind of the experienced Eagle Union sailor. Still, she kept a poker face. She had entered a mine field with her, "inferior," officer.
"I've never seen what comes up with my registry since I got assigned my new service number. What does it say?" spoke up Commander, knowing that Slade was required by military regulation to reveal what it said.
"It's blank other than your photo and stating your tier seven clearance. But, well, you know how all registries have a notes section?" Commander nodded before Slade elaborated further, "It says a few things. First, it says that you are in possession of a Writ of Commandeering. Second, obstructing you or your mission is grounds for a court-martial for military personnel, and legal prosecution for a regular civilian. Third, you are authorized to be armed at all times. And finally, it says that your subordinate, Nashville, enjoys all of your rights and privileges and cannot be removed from under your command."
Brown eyes met green ones and Slade chose the wiser option of remaining silent. She would let this, "Commander Las Vegas," make the next move. He considered what his next words should be with the now cautious woman before him. He opted to take a diplomatic approach.
"Admiral. While I can't tell you what my mission is, I'll tell you what it isn't. I am not here to antagonize you or threaten you, nor am I here to serve as any sort of inspector concerning your performance as fleet commander. In fact, I'd rather be on friendly terms with you. But, in an uncertain amount of time I'm going to require your cooperation and the cooperation of a presently unknown number and combination of ship girls under your command." Then he let it sink in for the superior officer.
Keisha Slade was speechless. She couldn't believe that something so outrageous had come to pass not only right in front of her but to her. It looked like the supreme commander had it out for her for some reason. There was no other explanation. Nevertheless, she was powerless to obstruct anything. She didn't want a court martial, and this hotshot had a Writ of Commandeering anyway. Anger built up within her. And this guy still had the audacity to say he wanted friendly terms with her? The sooner he was out of her hair the better so she would roll over for whatever was needed of her. She sighed internally. She still needed reinforcements. And what did she get in return for her request for aid? An insult to her authority and capability. She was about to carefully and subtly encourage the commander to get on with his mission then he broke her from her thoughts.
"Actually, I'd like to apologize." Slade perked up. "I suppose it wasn't reasonable of me to only make demands and then ask for friendship. There are a few things I can do to make your cooperation worthwhile. Are you interested?"
This was unexpected. She might as well hear him out, see where he wanted to take this. "Let's hear it," she consented.
"Excellent. You said that you need reinforcements, right? While I can only offer temporary relief, Nashville and I stand at the ready to assist in any operation you may have planned in the near future. So far, we have minimal surface combat experience so this would help us too with gaining said experience. I would also ask that you permit myself to oversee these operations so that I too may gain experience leading a fleet. However, I leave this decision in your hands, but know that I will have complete command of the fleet when I move for my own mission. So, this is a, 'help you help me,' sort of arraignment. Tempted?"
She hummed to herself. That was tempting, but she wasn't too sure about relinquishing her fleet to someone she had just met and who just confessed to not having experience. But commander had one other ace up his sleeve, courtesy of West Virginia's slip of the tongue. He continued, "There is one other thing that would be valuable to you. The reason I have so little fleet leadership experience was because before my present position I was a codebreaker for Azur Lane Naval Intelligence. I offer my personal services for the duration of my stay here."
That sealed the deal for her. Due to the large volume of messages intercepted by her fleet and their status as an outpost of, "somewhat lesser strategic importance," it took too long to forward the message and get it back for it to mean any real advantage in battle. She would use this talent to the fullest and take some of the heat off her ship girls. Though she still had her doubts, she relented.
"Nashville is a Brooklyn-class cruiser, right?" Commander nodded and Slade continued on, "We already have two on base, but I'll take all the help I can get. You'll get your experiences, but I'll be taking full advantage of your offer for reinforcement and codebreaking for as long as I can." She stood and Commander took that as his cue to do the same. She expended her hand to seal the deal with a handshake as she said, "I look forward to working with you Commander Las Vegas."
Commander gave a firm handshake and replied, "I also look forward to working with you."
Rear Admiral Slade's face finally relaxed a bit, and she smiled, albeit a bit forcedly. She then asked, "I'd like to meet Nashville. Could you lead me to her?"
"Of course. If there is nothing else that needs to be taken care of right now, let's get going."
XXXXXXXX
Nashville watched as her commander walked away, still stunned to the development that just happened. He would let her be with her sister. She couldn't believe it. Apparently, Honolulu shared in her disbelief.
"Never in a million years did I think something like that would happen," said the awestruck red-headed cruiser.
Nashville agreed, "Me neither," then she pondered on the kind of person Las Vegas was before she corrected himself by saying, "Actually, from what I've seen and known of him, I should've figured he'd do something like this."
Honolulu's curiosity was stoked even further than it was before about this strange young commander, "So you mean to say he always does things like this?"
"Yeah, he does. It's often just the little things. But he's done some bigger things like this before."
"Like what?" said Honolulu quizzically.
"Well, you see. Um…Can we talk about this from my bridge? I don't think it's right to talk about personal stuff in the middle of the pier."
"Yeah, sure we can. Lead the way."
The journey to go back up the gangway to board Nashville's hull was brief due to proximity but still it was enough time for Honolulu to notice that Nashville had been modified for some reason. She had to ask, "You got retrofitted?"
"I got it about a month ago when I got my assignment. The biggest changes are powerplant and secondaries. The secondaries are like Helena or St. Louis now with the dual purpose five-inchers.
At the mention of other sisters Honolulu remembered that she hadn't told Nashville of even better news. "She's on a mission right now but Helena is assigned to this base too."
Nashville stopped and pivoted so rapidly that Honolulu thought she might get whiplash. Nashville excitedly declared, "She's here too? She's like us?"
"Yeah, she is."
"Who's all ship girls now from our sisters? Where are they?" Nashville asked, not wanting to be kept in the dark any more about her sisters' whereabouts and wellbeing.
"There's you, me, Brooklyn, Phoenix, St. Louis, and Helena. They never did make Philadelphia, Savannah, or Boise into ship girls like us," reported the younger sister with sadness in her voice. She tried to remember what she knew about where her other sisters are. "I don't know where Brooklyn or St. Louis are but I know that Phoenix got transferred from here to Pearl Harbor about six months ago."
Both women resumed the walk across Nashville's deck to her bridge and Honolulu continued, "I don't know where they are, but I know that they're alright. We get notified whenever one of our sisters gets sunk and they let us write to each other."
Nashville felt a clash between relief and melancholy. She was relieved that over half of her sisters were indeed like her and that she could write to them. And she was glad that they were okay. But she was quite saddened for her sisters that never got a second chance like her. She vowed to herself in that moment that she would live and fight in their memory and for the things they believed in.
Honolulu tried to steer the conversation into topics less depressing, so she remarked, "You said you have a new powerplant?"
Nashville leapt onto the opportunity to speak more light-heartedly. "Yeah, I can go for almost a year without refueling now. And guess what my new top speed is."
Honolulu knew that her sister wouldn't be flaunting a lower top speed, so she guessed a modest increase from thirty-two and a half knots to thirty-five or thirty-six. Nashville smiled over her shoulder as they started to ascend the structure to go to her bridge and happily jested, "Pfft. That's sooooo slow. Try just over forty-one knots."
Honolulu's mouth hung open, "You're kidding. I don't know if there's any ship in any navy that can keep up."
"I know right? But anyway, we're here." As they arrived on the bridge Honolulu noted that she wouldn't recognize it as a Brooklyn-class's if it wasn't for her own sister leading her. It was so…cutting edge, with clear modifications to the sensors and the workstation from where she assumed Nashville's commander worked on whatever he did when they weren't in battle. Nashville spoke again after a few seconds, "Take any seat you like."
Honolulu opted to lean against the helm instead of sitting down. Nashville sat in her commander's seat. Both got comfortable. Or at least, the best they could. Honolulu asked the question that had been on her mind from the second she recognized Nashville's dazzle camouflage. "The rest of us sisters have been launched for at least ten years now. So, where have you been all this time?" she asked making sure to not use a tone that may sound accusatory.
Nashville looked out to sea before answering, "I was only launched again a year ago. I was a high-speed cargo vessel and VIP transport. I wasn't assigned to a fleet and I never was allowed to dock in a ship girl port, even though those were always pointed out to me. I've been a secret for the past year. I don't know why."
That damned navy. Honolulu hated the lot of them. Treating her, her sisters, and her friends like tools refusing to see people even when they walk up and say, "I'm alive too." Helena was too soft on them thinking some of the treatments justified. No, Honolulu saw the truth. They once were ships, so to the navy they would always just be ships and be treated like ships. Ships don't need to know anything, they don't need freedoms, they don't need contact with the outside world. Nashville's treatment was the newest in a long line of offenses. Honolulu grit her teeth in anger. If she hadn't promised Brooklyn that she would stick to the rules all those years ago, she would have probably mutinied by now. At least the navy finally did something right by her in bringing her one more of the sisters she thought she would never see again.
He thoughts drifted towards Nashville's commander. Where did he fit in the spectrum of the many navy officers she despised? He seemed legit and his handshake was genuine. He said, "please," and, "thank you," and her even let her talk with her sister. She wanted to ask straight up what his deal was but was afraid that it might be swept aside because his operation was, "classified." She decided to throw caution to the wind and inquired, "Where does your commander fit into all this?"
Nashville had to be careful about this part lest she spill the beans on the operation. She took her time with her next words, choosing them carefully. "I got a reassignment to an above top-secret mission just over a month ago. It came to me from the mouth of Axis Chairwoman Eriko Hara herself. I would be given a new commanding officer and a retrofit for our task."
She paused to let her sister process the words and perhaps say something. Honolulu took advantage of this and with an astonished tone she vocalized, "Wow. It must be really something to get it from the axis chairwoman herself. Was the supreme commander involved too?"
"He was. The operation came from both. While I was pumped to be given a chance with a real assignment my commander had a hard time with it. He was erased from all records. It's like he never existed, and his life meant nothing. He can't even use his real name anymore, so I don't know what it is. I called him, 'Las Vegas,' after his home city to make him feel better and so far he's fine with it."
Honolulu cut in by interjecting, "That's great and all but what does he do? What makes him your favorite officer since being launched?"
"First of all, he doesn't stand there and breathe down your neck like my last captain did. He has his own job aboard as a codebreaker, leaving me to do what we do best, which is sail. His skills really helped us avoid submarines and raiders on the way here from Mare Island in San Francisco," she turned her attention back to her sister and continued by asking, "You know the saying, 'Actions speak louder than words?' Honolulu responded to the affirmative and Nashville smiled. She started again, "Here's a short list of the things that he's done to make him my favorite officer so far," she held out her hand to start counting the things off on her fingers. "When we were allowed to ask for whatever we wanted with my retrofit he included me in the decision process. He let me in on all the mission critical intelligence we had. He took me off base for the first time in my life and showed me all sorts of cool things humans have and can do. When we agreed with each other to help a convoy under attack he trusted me to make a shot from 20000 yards at a target close to friendlies. And he asked to be my friend when I never had one before. There are a ton of other smaller things too, but you get the picture."
Honolulu wanted to believe her sister. She wanted to believe that maybe, just maybe, there was an officer out there that was worth something. But she couldn't. She replied in a tired sounding voice, "That sounds too good to be true."
Nashville nodded slowly to herself and thought for a moment before uttering, "I've known you like this," gesturing to her whole body, "for less than an hour and I can already tell that you've had a hard time with humans. But please, give him a chance. I know you'll be impressed. Because I was. Please. For me."
Honolulu smiled to herself. Nashville talked like Brooklyn. Well, excepting constant talk about diplomacy. She sighed and relented, "Okay. I'll give him a chance. You'd better not be wrong about this."
Nashville brightened considerably and bounded over to give her sister another hug. During the embrace she declared, "There's nothing to worry about then. Here. Let's go see your hull and then get going to the mess. I haven't had anything to eat today and I'm starving."
And so, they did.
XXXXXXXX
The walk to the mess hall went by uneventfully. The only thing that happened was Commander found out that the delay in letting him and Nashville dock was that Slade was busy confirming with her ship girls if anyone knew Nashville because it was as he supposed, Nashville wasn't on any registry. It also explained the greeting by her sister. They approached a wide one-story building that had the majority of it's outside walls made of glass. This was the mess hall if all of the people at the tables eating could be believed. Commander checked his watch. It was the early afternoon, and he hadn't eaten anything yet, so he looked forward to getting some grub.
They entered and their presence was noticed immediately. Attention wasn't called so nobody stood but Commander noticed that chatter had died down just a bit. He wondered why. Fear or respect for Slade? Curiosity about him? Or something else entirely? He felt the best way to find the answer to this would be to wait and see. He was able to pick out Nashville with almost no difficulty and Honolulu's hat and hair color made that job even easier. Slade was able to recognize the newcomer from the process of elimination. They went to the seated and eating sisters. And when the officers got close enough the ship girls stood and saluted. Commander noticed the mess grow quiet.
"At ease," ordered Rear Admiral Slade.
Commander stepped up to do his part in the introductions. "Rear Admiral Slade this is Nashville," he stated.
"It's nice to meet you Nashville. I look forward to seeing your performance over the next little while." To Commander, Slade's words seemed not so much forced as they were rehearsed. What did Keisha Slade think about ship girls?
"It's nice to meet you too Ma'am. I look forward to proving my worth to you," responded the ship girl. Commander noticed something. Nashville's right arm twitched for just a moment. He wagered that she wanted a handshake but knew that Slade wouldn't oblige because, if the officer wanted one, she would have initiated by now.
Slade nodded to her before turning to address the mostly assembled fleet of hers, "Attention!" All of the ship girls rose to their feet into a parade rest, "These two," pointing to Nashville and Commander, "are going to be joining us for a while. All of you are still under my command but if he produces a document called a, 'Writ of Commandeering,' there is nothing any of us can do other than follow his orders."
Shocked expressions and gasps rippled across the fleet of ship girls in the face of this revelation of a mere commander being able to outweigh a rear admiral's authority. Slade proceeded with her announcements to the fleet, "Nashville, as some of you may have already met, is a Brooklyn-class light cruiser and will be taking part in some of our operations. Some of these operations will be commanded by this man, Commander Las Vegas, yes, that is what he is called. Also, with his experience as a codebreaker he will be helping us in that front. So, you can either submit your intercepted messages to West Virginia like normal or directly to him. Are there any questions?"
A blonde in a bra top with a black and yellow hat and coat asked, "How long will they be here?"
Slade sighed audibly, "We don't know. But we've got to take advantage while we can. You know as well as I do that their help will be invaluable to us, so we'll want them here as long as possible. But there is something you all need to know about this. Obstructing them from completing their mission is grounds for disciplinary action. I'd keep them if we could, but this is from high command. Are there any other questions?"
There were none so with her business concluded she called out, "As you were," and the ship girls all sat back down but maintained silence. She turned to leave but just before going she looked to Commander and then Nashville before saying, "Welcome to South Point."
Finally. I've been able to introduce some other kansen. It's also a relief to me to finally be able to get this story moving and get into the meat of things. I don't have much of anything else to say other than happy new year. Here's to hoping it turns out better than 2020. But anyway, take care, friends. If you are having a bad day I hope it gets better, and if you are having a good day I hope it gets even better.
