Gift Of The Kansen
A Bulin's Worth.
The small, white-haired General Bulin sat where she had been pushed on the floor of the hallway leading to the Commander's office, and though she herself was unhurt, her purple eyes were wide as she stared up at the giggling Kitsune sisters, Kaga and Akagi. It was not the fact she had been shoved away so hard - all the Bulins had long grown accustomed to such treatment from this duo - nor the disdainful arrogance Akagi in particular seemed to wear like a cloak. It wasn't even the horrible teeth-bared grin of vicious glee that Akagi's otherwise-pretty face currently bore... no, she had seen something else there, something that was even more out-of-place. It lasted only the briefest of moments and then it was gone, but she knew she had seen it. She did not know exactly what she had seen meant, she only knew it meant nothing good for Akagi, or anyone else. Once the Imperial Japanese Navy's First Carrier Division had swept past and was out of sight, the Bulin hopped to her feet and ran for the Commander's office at full speed, knocking as soon as she reached the door. When it did not open immediately, and unable to contain herself, she knocked again. And again. And ag-
'Ja! Ja! We hear you, we hear you!' Answered an irritated-sounding German-accented voice. A moment later and the door opened to reveal the tall, black-clad leader of the Iron Blood, the mighty Bismarck, and under a high-peaked cap, her pale brow was furrowed in annoyance. 'What do you-' her look changed to puzzlement upon seeing no-one at first, until she heard a squeaky 'Commander, buli! Commander, buli!' and glanced downwards to see the Bulin, now bouncing up and down in her distress and eagerness. Although she tilted an eyebrow in surprise, she nevertheless stepped aside and the Bulin flew past her, the sudden draught causing a fold of Bismarck's cloak to flap in her wake. She blinked, then closed the door behind her and went to rejoin the Commander, who was now trying to get a word in edgeways and calm down the still-squeaking Bulin, who had jumped on top of the chair facing her desk. Having been around the Bulins that bit longer, Bismarck achieved it by simply laying a hand atop the Bulin's head and holding her in place for a few moments.
'At ease, Bulin,' she said when the squeaks and 'bulis' turned indignant, before letting go and walking past to lean back against her own desk. 'We cannot follow you when you talk so fast.'
The Commander smiled at her, taking a moment to smooth back her brown hair out of her eyes. 'Thank you, Bismarck,' she said, then turned her attention back to their small guest. 'Now, I just about caught something about Akagi,' Again, she thought. 'So let's take it from the top – what exactly has happened?'
A minute or so of explanation, bouncing, and expansive hand gestures from the Bulin later, and Bismarck's expression had grown sour, her mouth twisting in distaste. 'One of these days, I am going to have a chat with Akagi,' she growled. 'Not even Roon does that kind of thing without being provoked in some way... not that that really makes her any better.'
'But I don't think it was Akagi, buli!' chirped the Bulin.
'Huh? But you just said-'
'It was Akagi, but it wasn't Akagi, buli!'
That made both Bismarck and the Commander pause for a moment, glancing at each other in puzzlement.
'But, but that makes no se-' began Bismarck, before the Commander cut her off.
'What makes you say that, Bulin?' asked the Commander instead, quietly.
'She had two faces, buli!' the Bulin replied, a decisive note in her voice.
'Two... faces?'
'Yeah! It was like, like...' the Bulin's face screwed up in thought for a moment. 'Like when you look at somethin' shiny, buli.'
'Something shiny?' murmured Bismarck. 'You mean a reflection?'
'Yeah, a 'flection, buli! Akagi was being all mean an' sneery, with her horns and everything, but that 'flection of her looked really sad and kinda scared, buli. And it was there and gone, like, really really quick, buli. So I think it's the nasty one that does the shoving, buli!'
'I see, I think.' Said the Commander after a moment's thought. 'I cannot honestly say if this really means anything at the moment, but you certainly have our thanks for bringing it to our attention, Bulin, and feel free to come to us anytime if something else happens.'
'You got it, Commander, buli!' The Bulin struck what almost looked like an idol's pose, beaming proudly, her smile radiating happiness to the point even Bismarck cracked a small grin at seeing it.
'Come, Bulin,' she said as she began gently shepherding the almost-glowing Bulin off the chair and back to the office's door. 'This is something we will have to put some... thought into.' The Commander saw a small frown appear when Bismarck paused, then it was gone and she continued ushering the Bulin onwards. In the distance, she could hear 'Taps' being played, the bright, brassy notes drifting across the Port on the evening air.
A few moments later the Commander heard the door close again, and as Bismarck walked back into the office, she had a distant, thoughtful expression.
'Did you think of something, Bismarck?' asked the Commander. 'Because I'm not too sure that that poor Bulin may not have just been seeing things.'
The blonde battleship gave a slow nod as she stood looking out of the office window. The last glimmer of a setting sun, just visible on the horizon, cast a soft orange glow over her pale features, though she was still silent for a few moments.
'Normally I would agree, and it... may be nothing, Kommandant, but it now occurs that I have indeed heard some strange things about Akagi over the years. How much of her history are you familiar with?'
The Commander frowned slightly. 'Just what's in her file, really, she's never been too interested in... well, in communicating, especially about herself, when I've met her.' She saw Bismarck's mouth twitch upwards at that. 'I know that originally she and Kaga had another sister, who Akagi looked up to, and from what I remember she was rather more of a strategic thinker than either of those two.'
Bismarck nodded again. 'Yes, they did – that was Amagi. Kaga and Akagi have surpassed her in raw strength, easily, and Akagi especially has grown closer to matching her cunning, but she was their leader for a very good reason.'
'Something happened to Amagi, didn't it?' The Commander asked, leaning back into her chair a little.
Bismarck sighed. 'She died. It turned out that at some point her Wisdom Cube had been damaged – and beyond repair. No-one knows how or when that happened, unfortunately. It may very well have been damaged before it even became part of her core. Like many warriors past whose body failed them, she took to training her mind instead. That mind led to her winning a war exercise with the stated prize of becoming Nagato's chosen successor as Flagship of the Combined Fleet of Sakura.'
She gave another sigh. 'The very same day, news came through that the Washington Naval Treaty had been signed. That threw everything on its' head and all Hell broke loose. Apparently Kaga went berserk, decided she would rather die a Battleship than become a Carrier or scrapped for parts. Amagi waded into a massive battle to save her and bring her back, as Akagi was in the dock already, in the process of being re-fitted as a Carrier.'
'With an already damaged Cube, I can't imagine that that was very easy on her.' Observed the Commander, and Bismarck shook her head before looking over to her.
'It was what killed her, in the end. She took quite a lot of damage, though ordinarily she could have been repaired. It would have taken a long while for her to be able to fight again, but she would have been saved. But with her weakened body... From what I hear, she not only knew this, but then prevailed on Nagato to hold another exercise. Much like Kaga had, she wanted to at least go down fighting... and so she did, and for all intents and purposes at Kaga's hands, no less.'
Bismarck's arms crossed over her stomach. 'And this is where things get murky, because her sisters' reactions to her death seemed to be the opposite of their personalities. Kaga took it fairly stoically. She regretted her own role in how everything played out, but managed to keep on an even keel. Akagi, though... When she heard what had happened, she all but disappeared for some days. Afterwards, she would have serious mood-swings, becoming a lot more openly vicious - especially towards the Eagle Union - and more besides.' She looked back out of the window again, the sun now having disappeared entirely. 'Now, some of that can be explained by the circumstances around Amagi's death – Those I have spoken to about it in the past were sure that Kaga somehow knew at least some of the truth around Amagi's condition before facing her in that exercise. Also, Kaga had declared herself Amagi's rival for the leadership of the Sakura.'
'So, Kaga likely knew that Amagi was on borrowed time as it was, which would have made accepting her final fate easier.' The Commander's deep brown eyes narrowed slightly. 'Whereas Akagi... Akagi didn't know. And not only did she not know, she never got to properly say goodbye to her, while Kaga – in effect - did.'
'Obviously there is a bit more to it than that, but substantially, yes, I think that is exactly it.'
The Commander grimaced. 'Yeah, that can mess you up, no doubt about it.'
'True.' Agreed Bismarck. 'But the part I keep coming back to now is that everyone who knew Akagi beforehand said that the change that came over her was both obvious and very quick. 'Like a switch had been flipped inside her' at least one said to me. Gods know I have since seen my own share of those who have succumbed to such things, or come close – poor Tirpitz especially comes to mind – and I do not think I have seen a single case where both those terms would have described it.' She met the Commander's gaze again. 'I cannot help thinking that we are missing something in the telling. I begin to believe something may have happened in the time between Amagi dying and Akagi reappearing in public, and that whatever it is, is what caused such a sudden and dramatic change in her.'
'It does certainly seem possible there is a connection we might be missing, at least.' Agreed the Commander, nodding. 'But how to go about finding what really happened? That's the question.' Craning her neck back and to one side, she sighed as she felt something click. 'Well, at least we're mostly caught up on the back-logged paperwork now. Starting tomorrow Bismarck, do you think you can start having an informal chat with people, see if anyone has any ideas?'
'I would be glad to, Kommandant.' Bismarck replied as she walked over to and behind the Commander's chair. The Commander sighed again and closed her eyes as she smelled Bismarck's perfume, then she gave a slight wriggle as warm, skilled hands began to knead the muscles of her neck and shoulders, working away the knots of accumulated stress. 'You barely left your desk again today, Kommandant, no wonder you are so tense.'
'I know, and I know it's a bad habit to get into.' The Commander apologised, hearing the subtle admonishment in Bismarck's tone. 'But I think it was worth it in the end – now most of the stuff that had got piled up is gone, we can hopefully get into an easier routine with the day-to-day work.' She felt another click and shrugged her shoulders a couple of times. 'Oh, that feels better!' Turning her face up, she opened her eyes to find herself almost nose-to-nose with an upside-down Bismarck, and she smiled as she ran a hand through that soft blonde hair. 'Thank you for being there for me, Bismarck, and for everything you do.' She whispered, gently tilting that stern-looking visage downwards until soft, pliant lips pressed to her own. The movement dislodged Bismarck's high cap, causing it to drop onto the desk in front of them, but neither paid it any mind even as the rest of her long hair spilled down one side of their faces. Bismarck kissed her back fiercely, their mouths locking together for what felt like far more than the moment it actually was, before pulling away again.
'It is I who should be saying that to you, Kommandant.' Replied Bismarck with a gentle shake of her head, her normally hard eyes now soft pools of blue warmth as she gazed down at the only one who had ever won her heart, whose care and love for her had made her so much more than she had ever dreamed of being.
For her part, the Commander could feel her heart racing. She didn't see that look in Bismarck's eyes very often, but when she did, it always got her feeling warm and tingly, sending her blood pulsing through her body in anticipation. Still smiling, she took one of Bismarck's hands in hers and stood up, her other hand snagging her Secretary's cap and placing it back on her blonde head. 'Well then, as the day is officially over,' she said, leaning up slightly to place another brief kiss on Bismarck's lips. 'Would you once again do me the honour of walking me to my quarters?'
Bismarck gently leaned her forehead against the Commander's, smiling slightly as she slipped her arms around the Commander's lithe, warm body, pulling her close. 'You do not have to ask, Kommandant. And the honour will always be mine.'
As good as her word, once she had gotten dressed and kissed the still-sleeping Commander goodbye the next morning, Bismarck headed out of the main HQ building and into the Port proper. She wasn't sure exactly why, but she always woke up very early. Reveille had yet to be sounded, so there were almost no lights on in any of the buildings and everything was very quiet, the silence broken only by the sound of the ocean and an occasional seabird. She always enjoyed this time of the day, though, not least because it gave her plenty of time and space to think. The air was still and very cool, with the sun only just beginning to peep over the horizon, and she briefly stretched her arms up over her head as she walked.
So, She thought to herself as she shrugged her cape back into place, Where to begin? Given that Akagi was Sakuran, they were the logical starting place, but she hadn't entirely decided on how to do the asking, whether to just try and slip some questions into a regular conversation, or just outright state the purpose of what she was doing. It would, she realised, probably depend on the conversation and who she was talking to.
Gravel crunched under her boots and her forehead wrinkled as she considered how best to handle this assignment. She knew there was no love lost from both Kaga and Akagi herself towards the Fifth Carrier Division, Zuikaku and Shoukaku, so they might be a decent bet, but she also knew that that sentiment only really ran one way, that the Crane sisters had no real issue with Kaga or Akagi. Which she thought was strange, but Bismarck made no pretence of understanding how Carriers got along with each other, even those from her own faction, never mind those in the Sakura. Kaga herself, maybe? If anyone was likely to know what she was looking for, it would be her... no, she was all but certain to tell her beloved sister exactly what was happening, and that could make the situation...awkward. One of the other Carrier Divisions perhaps? Wait, now she was thinking of Carriers, didn't she remember hearing somewhere that Houshou had helped train both Kaga and Akagi?
'Yes... yes, that could be the way,' she said quietly to herself, a slight smile appearing. 'Never forget the obvious - start at the beginning and work forwards.'
Of all the possible people to give her a lead, Bismarck would never have expected it to be Akagi's most hated rival – USS Enterprise, the Grey Ghost herself. It was somewhat ironic that she had simply bumped into her in the bases' bar, rather than it being intended like her earlier conversations. Not that it was exactly an unusual occurrence, as it was one of the few places in the Port that the both of them frequented on any kind of regular basis. As soon as she entered - looking forwards to unwinding a little after a largely fruitless morning - there was no way of mistaking the tall, blonde-haired and caped figure with a large American Bald Eagle perched on one shoulder, so Bismarck walked over to the counter to stand next to her... though as a precaution she made sure to pick the side furthest from said eagle. As she signalled for a drink, she saw Grim give her a not-quite-threatening glare before returning to preening one of his wings, all of which drew a chuckle from Enterprise.
'Güten Abend, Geist,' said Bismarck with a nod, lifting the tankard she had just been given in informal salute. 'And how does this day find you? I thought you were supposed to be on Exercise, still?'
'Yeah, I was and would be,' Enterprise answered with a smile, 'But when we were mostly through, the weather came down on us, came down real hard. It was bad enough that even the birds were walking, so as we were almost done anyway, we called it and headed back a bit early.' She sipped at what looked like a whiskey and coke. 'And how about yourself, Secretary Ship? You must be busy, if you hadn't seen our report on it yet.'
'Less busy now than it has been, thanks to the Kommandant's hard work over the last few days,' said Bismarck, taking a swig of her own drink. 'But I actually have not been into the office very much today. I am trying to solve something of... something of a riddle, I suppose you could say.'
Enterprise looked at her, interested. 'A riddle? What kind of riddle?'
'Well, we are not entirely certain that it is a riddle, to be honest,' said Bismarck with a shrug. 'But if it is, it involves Akagi.' That name earned her another dirty look from Grim. 'Something has been brought to mine and the Kommandant's attention, and we are trying to find out if it means anything.'
'She been kicking Bulins again?'
Bismarck stared at her Eagle Union counterpart. 'Kicking?'
Enterprise rolled her eyes. 'Well, not literally kicking, perhaps. But you know what I mean. It's no secret her and Kaga see the Bulins as being 'below' them. Hell, they practically advertise it.'
'Ah, I see.' Bismarck took another gulp. 'Then the answer is yes, and yes. We are trying to determine how Akagi got the way she is, and we think - or rather I believe – that the answer to that maybe lies with the fate of Amagi.'
Enterprise blinked. 'Amagi?' She turned to stare down into her glass. 'Oh Christ, I remember her, alright. Not long before the Washington Naval Treaty was signed, I was against the Sakura in one of those Inter-National Exercises. She was commanding their force - naturally - and damn me but that was scary. No matter how hard we went at them, she didn't panic, didn't get flustered. She just stayed cold as ice, and took us apart piece by piece.' She slugged the last of her drink. 'You'd think things are going well and you've pushed her onto her back foot – then it turns out that she was just winding up for a kick to your head.'
'I think I did hear about that Exercise. The Union won, though.'
'Yeah, by the absolute skin of our teeth, we did.' Enterprise said with a snort. 'Don't get me wrong, a win is a win, but if you were comparing our forces on paper, we should have hammered them straight into the deeps. She was something else as a strategist, that's for sure.' She signalled for another drink, then looked back at Bismarck. 'I heard that Amagi died not long after the Treaty was signed. That was a bad day for the Sakura, in more ways than one... but what does any of that have to do with Akagi?'
Bismarck shrugged. 'Neither I nor the Kommandant are sure – that is what I have been trying to find out, but no one I have talked to today has really been able to help. Even Frau Houshou, who helped train her and Kaga, could only say that there definitely was a change, and a very rapid one at that, in how Akagi acted at around that time. But she could not say why.'
The American Aircraft Carrier grunted as she accepted her new glass. 'All else fails, maybe y'all should invest in an exorcist or something. I know Akagi hates me personally, and the Union for what happened to Amagi and nearly happened to Kaga – as well as the Treaty itself - but I swear, whenever we faced each other in an Exercise, it was almost like she was possessed. Mind you, that made predicting what she would do a lot easier.'
'What does being owned have to do with it?' Asked Bismarck quizzically.
'Hold on, what?' Enterprise glanced sideways at her, then grinned as she realised the mistake. 'Oh, wait, I see how you got there! No, no, possessed, like, you know, demonic possession... Don't you Iron Blood have any legends or stories about that sort of thing? Evil spirits taking over living people or objects, or whatever? Stuff like that?'
'You mean like the draugr?'
'Like the what, now?'
'The draugr are an old - a very old - Nordic or Scandinavian legend. It was said that sometimes the spirit of a person would not pass to the afterlife peacefully, but would return to their body after death. They were supposed to have been evil people in life, and that this would become manifested in their actions and appearance when they rose again.' Bismarck gave another shrug. 'Their bodies would be bloated and decayed, they would hunt living creatures for sport and liked to inflict pain and terror on any who witnessed them.'
'I... guess?' Enterprise thought for a moment. 'Actually, yeah. Kinda. Except say it's another spirit, not their own, that takes control, and that they don't have to be dead, and you're pretty much there.'
'Wait, so if they are still alive... they would know what they were doing, but be unable to stop because they are being controlled by the spirit?'
'Most of the time, yeah. In some stories it's more like a literal split personality kind of thing, but usually they at least have some idea what's happening, sure.'
Bismarck gaped at her. 'Do - Do you have any idea how terrifying a concept that is?'
Enterprise gave another of her brief chuckles. 'I know, right? Always gives me the shivers. Most kinds of horror films I'm fine with – blood, gore, zombies, no problem - but the moment some evil thing is forcing people to do things against their will, I'm usually out.'
Bismarck took a minute or two to think about that. Just the thought of losing control of yourself, having your mind overthrown or hijacked, then being forced to watch while helpless to do anything... There were few things indeed that shocked and scared her on such a fundamental level. Not least because she still had nightmares about that fateful day she had faced Hood, her scream as Bismarck's barrage hit home...
Then she remembered what the Bulin had said, 'Akagi was being all mean an' sneery, with her horns and everything, but that 'flection of her looked really sad, and kinda scared, buli.' She frowned, for the very possibility that something like that could have occurred was disturbing in the extreme. But they were just legends, or – as Enterprise had said, stories – told to frighten and scare an audience, surely? And yet... she could not deny that there were some similarities. Was it really possible that something so fantastic, so hard to believe, was the answer? Wait, ' With her horns and everything,' the Bulin had said, but – 'But she does not have horns.' Barely aware of the odd look that Enterprise was giving her, Bismarck felt her hand clench into a fist. Maybe, just maybe...
'Possession?'
'I know it may sound stupid, Kommandant-'
'Different, certainly.' The Commander interrupted, eyes narrowing slightly. 'But not necessarily stupid. This is a world where warships from the past are able to become living, breathing women after all. Beautiful and lovely ones, at that.' She smiled at her Secretary, and Bismarck felt her cheeks warming. 'When something that strange has already happened, who can tell what can or cannot be possible? Any ideas where we go from here?'
Bismarck blinked. She knew that tone of voice - the Commander was actually taking it seriously, and she shook her head. 'Unfortunately not, Kommandant. Truth be told, I was by no means certain this is the correct path, it was a... troubling possibility that came to mind that I thought should be mentioned.'
The Commander seemed about to reply, then she paused with a frown. 'You know, Bismarck, I wasn't certain either, but the more I think about it, and what that Bulin said originally, the more I start to wonder if you haven't managed to hit it on the head, here.' She gave a shrug. 'I mean, the Vatican does have dedicated exorcists on the payroll after all, they must be there for a reason, mustn't they?'
'They – wait, they do?'
'Always have, as I understand it, from what I remember they answer directly to the Papacy. Though Rome is quite a ways away, and even then I'm not sure I want to attract that kind of attention.' The Commander thought again. 'Also, Akagi is Sakuran, so maybe we should start by having a chat with their equivalents. Who, happily enough, we happen to be sharing a base with.'
Not much later, and they were both entering the private quarters of the legendary Big Seven battleship, Nagato, head of the Sakura Empire. With her sister Mutsu standing on one side, and the stoic, ever-watchful Kawakaze the other, she herself was calmly kneeling in the center of her tatami. And although her large fox-ears and small, slender frame gave her the appearance of a child, her face was nevertheless tranquil and unperturbed.
'It is an honour to receive you, Shikikan-sama, Bismarck-dono.' Nagato intoned formally, bowing with a grace that further belied her apparent young age. 'It is not entirely unexpected, but I am not sure I can contribute any more to your quest for information on Akagi's past than did Houshou.'
Kneeling opposite with Bismarck standing at parade-rest just behind and to her left, the Commander bowed in return, slightly deeper and longer. 'Nagato-sama, it is you who honour us with this audience, and you have my thanks for seeing us at so short notice.' She replied respectfully, before straightening back up. 'And while that quest is what has brought us here, it is perhaps not in the way you might think.'
'Oh?'
'From the information we have gathered so far, we believe there is a possibility that Akagi's sudden and extreme change of personality around the time of Amagi's death may have been the result of her becoming possessed, and I wanted to see if you would concur or be able to help investigate.'
While Mutsu openly stared at them incredulously, looking like she was about to burst into laughter, the Commander saw Kawakaze's habitual frown slowly deepen, and Nagato herself cast her eyes down for a moment as she considered. Eventually she nodded.
'It is rare – vanishingly rare in these times – but it is possible, Shikikan. There are many stories from our eldest days that speak of such things, and others, both better and worse. And it would indeed explain much. Myself and Shiranui would be the best candidates to examine Akagi and determine the truth of this I believe, and I gladly volunteer our services in that cause. However it will not be without risk.'
'But why would there be-' Bismarck paused. 'Of course. If she truly is possessed and the demon or whatever it is realises we are looking for it, it could try and make Akagi attack us...or worse, herself.'
'Just so.' Nagato agreed with a nod. 'Steps should be taken to prevent or mitigate this before any such attempt is made.'
'I have to agree with that.' The Commander commented with a nod of her own. 'And it sounds to me like a job that Akashi could help with. Do I have your permission to draft her services as well?'
'By all means, Shikikan.' Said Nagato with a slight smile. 'It may even help keep her out of mischief for a little while.'
'Oh, that's pretty easy actually, Shikikanya.' The Japanese Navy's sole Repair-Ship said, flapping a sleeve dismissively once the Commander had finished informing her of what would be needed.
One of said Commander's eyebrows rose. 'Easy?'
'Akashi knows exactly how to stun Kansen, nya. Can help with difficult customers, nya. The problem usually is in getting things set up - most effective and efficient way needs static equipment, nya.'
Bismarck rolled her eyes. 'I can see exactly where that is going. You are going to use Akagi's obsession with the Frau Kommandant to get her in position, yes?'
'Easiest and quickest way, nya?'
'I wish I could argue with that assessment, but I honestly can't.' Said the Commander, though Bismarck could see she was grinning.
'Rest of the equipment will be needed to keep her safe after she's out, nya.' Akashi finished, holding out a list.
'Very well, then.' Taking the paper, the Commander glanced over it, then nodded. 'How long will it take you to get this set up?'
'Not long once everything's there, Shikikanya. Couple of hours, nya?'
'Good. I keep getting the feeling that the quicker we get this done, the better.'
Bismarck, looking rather thoughtful, glanced at Akashi. 'Tell me something, Akashi. Just how exactly did you find out how to stun Kansen?'
Akashi gave an embarrassed cough and ran a hand over her green hair. 'Eldridge thought Akashi was cute and tried to hug Akashi, nya. Akashi thought the experience might prove useful, and kept it in mind afterwards, nya.'
'Yes, I imagine that was a sho-' The Commander saw Bismarck and Akashi's pre-emptive glares and smiled. 'An experience, certainly. Well, let's get to it.' She met her Secretary's gaze again. 'Though I think we should keep this as low-key as possible. Bismarck, can you help Akashi get her equipment in place?'
'By your will, Kommandant.' The tall blonde replied with a salute.
With Bismarck's help, less than an hour later and all of Akashi's required bits and pieces had been relocated to the Commander's office, and she immediately set about the construction phase of their plan, contentedly purring as she did so.
Meanwhile the Commander set to drafting the order which everyone – or, at least, everyone who knew anything about Akagi – knew would bring Akagi exactly where they wanted her.
After reading the order a third time, looking at the clock Akagi saw that it was coming close to lights-out, and realised her hands were shaking. Was – was the Commander planning a night-battle? The timing and secrecy of the order, only summoning her and not Kaga as well, surely – surely she must be! Pocketing the piece of paper, Akagi immediately strode from her quarters, the dignity she felt inherent in her position as leader of the First Carrier Division the only thing keeping her from flat-out sprinting towards the Commander's office. She could feel the warmth rising within her as she walked, thoughts of what her beloved might look like under her uniform constantly playing through her mind. She started giggling, then laughed out loud when she thought of how the big German cow's face would look when she arrived for duty in the morning, only to see her and the Commander laying on the Commander's desk, sweat-slick bodies entwined. Oh, truly had the Gods blessed her this day!
So intent was she on her fantasy that she barely noticed anything or anyone on her journey, until she saw her ultimate destination at the end of the corridor. Trembling, she took the order-slip back out of her kimono and read it again, wanting to be sure it wasn't some feverish dream she was having. No, it still said what she had originally thought it did, and she lovingly stashed it away once more. Taking a couple of deep breaths to steady herself, she knocked on the door to the Commander's office.
'Shikikan-sama?' She called, unconsciously fluffing her tails up even further, to make them more attractive to the Commander's eye.
'Come in, Akagi.' The reply was almost immediate, and she thought she could hear a desire to match her own in that voice.
Still smiling, Akagi opened the door and stepped through – and then everything went black.
'Verdammt, that was quick.' Muttered Bismarck, largely to herself, as the Kitsune dropped to the floor, out cold. 'I am sure she could not have been much faster if she had been running.'
Akashi immediately cut the power then scurried forwards to check that Akagi was in fact ok. Satisfied that she was, the Neko half-turned and gestured for Bismarck and the Commander's help with the next step. Although it took a little while longer than anticipated, after some careful manoeuvring, Akagi's unconscious form was finally suspended in the holding vessel.
'Air filtration nya-nd temperature regulation nya-re ok, nya.' Said Akashi, throwing a couple more switches. 'Stasis field holding, spirit veil and ectoplasmic inhibitor now powering up and... in the green nya-nd stable, nya.' She threw another switch and removed a key, inspected a couple of readouts, then turned to look at the Commander. 'Akagi will be fine in there for now, Shikikanya. She'll stay unconscious, but that's best for everyone's safety, nya. Life Support is at least a hundred percent, so should be no problems there, and Akashi has locked the controls, so nothing gets changed accidentally, nya.'
'Very well done, Akashi.' The Commander said, with a nod of approval. The Repair-Ship gave her a grin, purring with pleasure at that praise, then headed for the door.
'Akashi needs to get back to Akashi-shop, Shikikanya. Akashi will send Shiranui over as soon nya-s possible, nya.'
The Commander nodded again in acknowledgement, then turned to her Secretary Ship. 'I'm sorry to keep using you as a go-fer Bismarck, but could you get ahold of Nagato for me, and ask if she could join us at her earliest convenience?'
Bismarck, with a shake of her head and an understanding smile, saluted. 'At once, Kommandant.'
Less than twenty minutes later, and both Nagato and Shiranui had arrived. With the Destroyer's assistance Nagato quickly, but very carefully, created a Circle of Abjuration, together with a Banishment Circle inside it, all centred on the vessel currently holding Akagi. With their precautions now in place, all that remained was for them to actually perform the investigation.
'It will be good practise for you if you lead, Shiranui.' Said Nagato, and Shiranui bowed in response.
'As you wish, Nagato-sama.' Closing her eyes, Shiranui's brow – flickering with the light from her spirit-flames - furrowed as she gently probed at the unconscious Kitsune's mind. 'Something is there.' She said, in her quiet, almost flat voice. Then, abruptly, she gasped and her eyes slammed open. 'An Oni!'
After a moment or two, Nagato, still serene, nodded. 'It is indeed an Oni, Shikikan.' She agreed, looking over to the Commander – even without probing, she could see the Commander's anger building, although she was keeping it tightly in check. 'They are not the strongest or worst of the Yomi-kind, thankfully, but they are said to be amongst those most likely to come to this realm.'
Bismarck stood staring at Akagi's body. 'Even though it helps make sense of so much that she has done in the past,' she said, frowning, 'Never would I have believed that something like this could truly have been the cause, had I not seen it for myself.'
The Commander frowned as well, her jaw set. 'I don't care who or what they are, if they think they can pull something like this and get away with it, they've damn well got another think coming.' She said, her voice seeming cool and level, but in Nagato's perception the rage in the Commander's soul coloured her words, until it came across as almost a snarl. 'Is there anything we can do to separate it from Akagi, to get it out of her mind?'
Nagato thought about it for a few seconds. 'In all honesty I am not sure, Shikikan.' She replied. 'It seems to have been with her for a very long time – it is most entrenched in her psyche, now, and undoing that without further endangering or damaging Akagi's soul will be most difficult. I do not think the standard banishment rites will be sufficient for this.' Now it was her turn to frown. 'Although with all that considered, it is rather a surprise that there is anything left of Akagi at all, at this point. Oni are not normally the most subtle of creatures, and it is past certain that it has been trying to take her over completely.'
The Commander nodded. 'I think I have an idea about that at least.' She said. 'A lot of the time between now and then, whenever then is, she spent inside her Wisdom Cube – or so I understand it, anyway. So wouldn't that have meant that both she and the Oni were effectively in stasis, much like now?'
'Ah, I see. Yes, that could well explain it, Shikikan.' Replied Nagato. 'It wasn't able to stop the Oni completely – I am not sure anything but it's removal or death could do that – but it seems it has been greatly slowed down during that time.' She looked sadly at Akagi. 'But it will not be long now, I fear. I would say she has maybe a week, perhaps two if she is kept entirely in stasis. Then it will be over.'
'Something puzzles me as well.' Said Shiranui. 'How is it that we have never been able to detect this before? It does not seem like something we would have missed.'
'It is not really that surprising, Shiranui,' Nagato said, with a shake of her head. 'I think it is very likely the Oni has been shielding itself from any casual sensing, and Akagi was already known for being somewhat...chaotic besides.' She became thoughtful again for a few seconds. 'I think, Shikikan, that it might be best if I and Shiranui were to have another talk with young Akashi-sensei. It may be that technology and ritual together could succeed where only one or the other would fail.'
Mid-morning the following day, just as they re-convened their discussion, the General Alarm began wailing through the loudspeakers and the Commander's communicator, and she rolled her eyes.
'Really? Now, of all times?' She muttered in exasperation, then shook her head. 'Well, come on everyone, let's see what's happening.' She said, leading the small group over to the war-map she had had installed when she first became Commander. 'It's probably just – Oh, you have got to be kidding me.' Instead of discrete arrows showing the projected axis of advance of the Siren forces, whole swathes of the map were colored red. 'This isn't some penny-ante little raid, it's a full-blown offensive.' Even as she spoke, her eyes roamed over the map, assessing and considering the potential enemy composition, while the analytical, strategic part of her mind automatically began calculating how best to respond.
'A coincidence?' Murmured Shiranui, and Nagato nodded in response.
'It almost has to be.' She replied. 'Even if the Sirens were somehow privy to the discussion we had yesterday, and they were in league with the Yomi-kind, a response on this scale would be completely disproportionate.'
'Agreed.' Said Bismarck. 'As a direct response to our discovery, this-' she nodded at the map, '-makes no sense. No, this was coming sooner or later, whatever we did or did not do.' She thought for a second. 'Though, it must be said I cannot remember the Sirens launching an offensive operation of this scale before.'
'Perhaps they have grown tired of playing their games?'
'Perhaps.' Replied the Commander, her face and voice grim. 'Because responding to this is going to take everything we have, and unless we somehow get lucky, I have a nasty feeling it's still going to be touch-and-go in places.' Striding to her desk, she keyed her intercom for general broadcast. 'Attention, this is the Commander speaking. All Kansen are to report immediately to the Briefing Room. I repeat, all Kansen are to report immediately to the Briefing Room. This is not a drill, repeat, this is not a drill.'
A few minutes later and the Commander found herself at the front of a Briefing Room packed almost to bursting. It was a large room indeed – more of a hall, in fact – but with an audience now numbered in the hundreds, it was inevitable that it would start getting a bit cramped.
'Alright everyone, settle down and listen up!' She called, and the chattering and murmurs mostly died away. She nodded to Bismarck, who activated the main screen behind the Commander, and the room quickly fell completely silent as the implications of what that screen now showed sank in. Gesturing to the map, the Commander continued. 'This is the situation we're looking at. As you can see, it isn't very pretty. This is the largest offensive deployment of Siren forces we have ever seen, and we have to respond to it - we cannot allow the Sirens to operate with impunity anywhere in our sphere of influence. As a result, almost each and every one of you is now going to be seeing combat.' She nodded to Bismarck again, and the picture changed to show a multitude of red dots instead, many of which were inside red stars. 'These are the current positions of each enemy fleet. Those with the stars appear to be fleets led by Siren Kansen – in any engagement with the Sirens, their equivalent of you Kansen should always be your primary targets. Apart from anything else, they are often the command-and-control centres for their fleets of mass-production vessels, and taking them out or forcing their retreat will make fighting the bulk of their fleet much easier for you. Given that we have not seen combat with the Sirens on this scale before, we have no idea if they will be using weapons or technology we are hitherto unfamiliar with – if you see, hear, or otherwise sense anything unusual, make sure you report it as soon as possible.
'Now, and I want to be very clear about this, the primary objective of this operation will be to check the Sirens' advance. This means that total and complete destruction of the enemy forces is not necessarily required. It is to be preferred wherever possible of course, but in this case - especially given the sheer numbers involved - it is not something to be pursued at all costs. So, if your assigned target has turned tail, and you are running low on ammunition or supplies, or nearby allies are requesting help, those should be given greater priority, and I trust you all to use your best judgement as and when that decision becomes necessary. Also, I am not ordering 'not one step back' or anything of the kind once you enter combat. Giving ground tactically to achieve an easier or more complete victory is and always will be acceptable to me - victory at the strategic scale is what is most important here.'
She paused for a moment to look over those gathered in front of her. 'Those of you who have fought Sirens before, I expect you to use that experience, and also to pass along the knowledge you have gained in those battles. And those of you who have not – I expect you to listen to those that have, no matter what differences of opinion you might otherwise have, or who is older or younger, or what-have-you. If I see any AAR's after this where either of those is not the case, I am going to be very unhappy with someone, is that clear?' She waited until everyone had replied in the affirmative, then nodded one last time to Bismarck. A few moments later and the map updated with a collection of green dots on various coastlines, as well as a series of Fleet markers. 'As those of you who have Sortied previously will perhaps be aware, these green dots represent facilities where you can re-arm and re-supply when needed – make sure you all keep these locations in mind. The Markers denote the initial assigned targets for each Fleet. Any questions thus far?' Apparently there was not, and after a moment the Commander continued. 'Alright then. Here are your Fleet assignments, so pay attention...' As she listed off their names, the proposed fleet-mates all began to congregate together, some visibly nervous while others were excited for what was to come. After a little while, the Commander came to a name that gave her another moment's pause. 'Ok, Kaga? As you know, Akagi is currently in quarantine, and may be for a while longer, so you're to be Second-in-Command to Intrepid, understood?' Though she looked surprised and a little disheartened, Kaga nevertheless nodded readily enough and walked over to join Intrepid's fleet, who welcomed her warmly.
After she finished reading out the assignments, Bismarck came up to stand next to her, and together they looked out over the hall again.
Please, come back safe, all of you. Thought the Commander, though long practise meant that that emotion never showed on her face. 'Any questions or issues, anyone?' Was all she said, and once again there was not, so both she and Bismarck drew up into salutes. 'Then I wish you all good luck. And God Speed.' The assembled Kansen responded with their own salutes, and began filing out of the Briefing Room, all preparing to take the battle to the Sirens again.
As the once bustling Briefing Room began to grow quiet once more, Bismarck shut off the main screen while Nagato and Shiranui, amongst those few not given a fleet assignment, approached the Commander.
'I believe I can at least partly guess why we have been chosen to remain and guard the Port, Commander.' Said Nagato, and the Commander nodded in response.
'You'd probably be right, so let's round up Akashi and finish that chat we were having.' Just then, a Specialized Bulin trotted over to join them, and the Commander looked curiously at her. 'Is there something we can help you with, Bulin?'
The white-clad, pale-strawberry-haired Bulin nodded, her expression puzzled. 'What does 'Kwa-ran-teen' mean, Commander, Bulin?'
The Commander could not help a smile at the Bulin's pronunciation. 'It means Akagi is ill, and we're keeping others away from her in case they get ill as well.'
The Bulin's bright-blue eyes widened. 'Demon makes Akagi ill too, Bulin? That not fair, Bulin!'
The Commander heard a gasp from one of the others and she felt her smile freeze in place. 'You mean, you... you know about the Demon?' She asked, incredulous.
'Only thing Bulins could think it was, Bulin.' The Bulin replied with a shrug.
The Commander shared a look with the others, and after a moment Nagato spoke up.
'As they are already aware of the true nature of the situation, I suppose it cannot hurt for one of them to join us, Shikikan. It may even be that they are able to offer some insight or suggestion for us.' She said, and after a brief silence, the Commander nodded.
'I agree.' She replied, and looked at the Bulin again. 'It is likely that we do not have much time, but we are trying to help Akagi get better, Bulin. Would you be willing to help us with that?'
The Bulin beamed at her. 'Bulins help how Bulins can, Bulin!'
'...So, most of what Akashi will need is fairly easy to find, but we're also going to need an Empathic Rigging Resonyator Core, nya. Otherwise the Oni could just hide inside her Rigging until it can get free again, nya.' Said Akashi as she finished laying out the requirements in the Commander's office.
'I have the rather clear impression that this Core you're talking about is a Siren artifact of some kind, Akashi.' Replied the Commander.
Akashi nodded. 'Unfortunyately, nya. Akashi hasn't been nya-ble to properly replicate them so far - Akashi thinks they're maybe tied to the Arbiters somehow, nya.' She looked round at the rest of the room. 'Akashi does know of another way they can be acquired though – Siren Fortresses run on nya different kind of core, but Akashi knows how to change one of those into a Resonyator Core, nya.'
'I'm not actually going to ask right now, Akashi, because it's not that important, but one of these days I would be interested to hear just how you know so much about Siren power sources.' The Commander looked at the map again. 'Do we have a good fix on where any of these Fortresses are set up right now?'
'With this new attack, we at least know there must be several in these general areas, Kommandant.' Commented Bismarck, pointing out their approximate locations on the map, before tapping one spot in particular. 'This one is confirmed and also by far the closest, and would probably be our best bet for a retrieval mission.'
The Commander frowned. 'Details on their defences?'
'There is always a large Defence fleet around any Fortress, Shikikan.' Replied Nagato. 'The Fortress itself is built to be nigh-impregnable, as would be expected. There will be static emplacements by the dozen to contend with, and with the Defence fleet to give warning, a surprise attack is virtually out of the question. There is also the distinct possibility that the Fortress will be an anchor for a Mirror Sea.' She sighed, eyes cast down. 'I believe it would take the equivalent of at least eight, likely nine, full and well-equipped fleets to achieve any kind of victory at all in such circumstances. Even then, we would need to expect losses of two-thirds of the force at the least, and far more resources would be required if we sought to lessen that potential cost.' She sighed again. 'Of course, that also means the potential loss would become far higher.'
Bismarck snorted and shook her head. 'Such is the unfortunate nature of war. There are never any guarantees.'
As the discussion descended further into the minutiae needed for planning an attack, the largely-forgotten Specialized Bulin hopped down from where she had been standing on the Commander's chair, and headed for the office door.
After Nagato and the other Sakura had left, the Commander and Bismarck stood looking at the map, while, all unnoticed, the Specialized Bulin re-entered the office behind them.
'I hate even thinking this, but I'm starting to wonder if it might be best if Akagi doesn't... doesn't wake up.' The Commander said in a heavy voice, one hand toying with the hilt of her katana, and Bismarck stared at her, aghast.
'Kommandant, you mean you - you would...'
The Commander, face grim, shook her head angrily. 'God damn it all Bismarck, I might not like her, but it's...it's just I can't see any other option.' She gestured helplessly to the war-map. 'The Sirens are still advancing on all fronts and show no signs of slowing. The Port is down to a skeleton crew, most of the Fleets we've Sortied are going to be taking a beating at the least, and they aren't even going to be back for several days. And even after they come back, given what Nagato said about the defences I'm not sure we would have the numbers or strength needed to assault a Siren Fortress. We – we just simply won't have the forces to do it and stay functional, and God only knows what would happen if something went seriously wrong in such an attack.' The Commander looked up again, and Bismarck could see the agonised pain in her eyes, even if she was keeping it from her voice. 'If there were an alternative, any alternative, I'd take it. But as things stand, either Akagi will be worse than dead inside a fortnight, or we risk losing everything to the Sirens outright. I... have my duty to the Azur Lane, Bismarck. I can't put a single life over the entire war effort. At least this way it would be quick, and effectively painless.'
'And she would die as herself.' Said Bismarck, memories of the Denmark Strait and the Rhine Drill's terrible aftermath once again flickering in her mind.
'That's... that's about the size of it.'
'But, but there is an alter- an atternatter, Bulin? A choice, Commander, Bulin! An option, Bulin! There are loads of us, so send Bulins, Bulin!'
Both Bismarck and the Commander looked round at the Specialized Bulin in surprise, though Bismarck managed to find her voice first. 'I... I suppose it is true that they could be made into their own force, Kommandant.' She said, thoughtfully. 'Nobody thinks about it, but there must be hundreds of them on the base by now. We do have at least a little time before we need to...act, if what Nagato said is right. And, with their main fleet already out, it is the best chance we are ever likely to get.'
When the Commander did not immediately answer, her brow furrowed in concern, the Bulin bounced a couple of times, her normally cheery face all seriousness.
'Commander, you said if there were another way, you'd take it, Bulin!'
The Commander gazed gravely at the Bulin for some moments. 'Yes. Yes, I did say that.' She responded finally. 'But I want you to know that I could never, would never so arbitrarily order you Bulins to undertake a mission such as this one. It will be incredibly dangerous, and it is all but certain that not all of you will return. It pains me to say this, but there is in fact a significant chance that none of you would return.'
The Bulin nodded solemnly, her face still set with determination. 'Bulins talked about it already, Bulins know, Bulin. It scarier than scary, Bulin. But Akagi needs help, needs help now, and helping why Bulins here, it what Bulins for, Bulin. If it Akagi's only chance, Bulins have to try, Bulins have to go, Bulin.'
'...Very well.' Said the Commander, finding herself with no counter-argument to the Bulins' logic, then closed her eyes for a moment. 'Bismarck?'
'Ja, Kommandant.'
'Take the Bulins down to the Armoury, and make sure to collect Akashi on your way. The Bulins are to have whatever they may need, so outfit them as best you can. It... may help.'
If Bismarck noticed the emphasis the Commander placed on her words, or the dampness around her eyes, she gave no outward sign. Clicking her heels, she merely gave a salute.
'Jawohl, Kommandant. It shall be done.'
Once they were all down in the Armoury, Bismarck ran down the list of weapons, tools and other equipment that had been acquired during the fighting, calling out those she thought might be a good fit, or would just be useful. While the helping hands retrieving those items were small, there were a great many of them, and they were eager besides. When everything had been located and brought out to the dockside, the long work of fitting it all to the Bulin's non-specialised rigging began. Due to the mismatch of sizes between the intended recipients of said equipment and the Bulins, that would normally have been quite a problem; however Akashi's expertise was more than a match for such a challenge. Before long small knots of now-armed Bulins were standing around, inspecting each others newest additions and interestedly observing their compatriots who were being worked on.
Off to one side, Bismarck saw a single General Bulin, somehow looking much smaller and very alone as she watched her sisters. As she walked over, the Bulin glanced up at her briefly, a haunted look in her eyes, then went back to looking over the busy scene in front of her.
'Is something wrong, Bulin?' Bismarck asked as she knelt down beside her. She wasn't certain, but she had a feeling that this was the same Bulin who had originally come to her and the Commander to tell them about Akagi.
'Well... everyone's all excited 'cause we all got guns and stuff now, buli.' The Bulin answered, running a hand over one of her own torpedo tubes. 'But, I'm... I'm kinda scared, buli. Us Bulins're not meant for fighting, so how can we beat anything that is, buli?'
'As I myself discovered long ago,' answered Bismarck, remembering that chance-in-a-million torpedo, 'On the battlefield, almost anything is possible. And all of us have felt fear before or during battle. Even me.'
The Bulin stared at her in astonishment. 'But – but you're a battleship, buli!'
Bismarck nodded. 'Yes, I am. But nothing that has or can be made, not the greatest fighting ship to set sail, nor the mightiest war machine to see battle, can ever be invincible. Anything that can be made, can be unmade. And anyone who truly does not feel any fear in combat is a fool, deluded, or insane.' She looked again at the Bulin. 'Make no mistake, Death will be walking amongst you once battle is joined. But there is always the chance that She will pass you over, and spare you.'
The Bulin nodded slowly, then sniffled slightly. 'It's just... we – we're not strong, or brave, or important, we're just Bulins, buli. Meant to fix and help improve, buli-' she stopped as Bismarck laid a gentle hand on her shoulder.
'Listen to me now, little Bulin.' Said Bismarck. 'You have never been just Bulins, not to the Kommandant, nor to me. You are all as important to this fleet as any of the rest of us. For it is thanks to you and your sisters that we Kansenhave the strength that we do. Now you have faced fear and terror, and though afraid, you have not allowed it to consume you, and are still prepared to go. True courage is not fearlessness, little one – it is feeling fear and doing what needs to be done in spite of it. And you have chosen to go and fight, not for yourselves but for the sake of another. To do such as this shows great bravery indeed, bravery far beyond what most possess.' Reaching down, she carefully took the Reichsmedal off of her uniform, and pinned it to the Bulin's chest. 'And those things mean you are no longer just Bulins, if indeed you ever were. This day... this day you have become heroes.'
The Bulin wordlessly looked down at the gleaming medal, then back up at Bismarck, her soft, purple eyes very wide. 'H – Heroes, buli?'
Bismarck nodded. 'By almost any definition mankind has ever used. And worthier than many who have worn the title.'
The Bulin's small hands closed over the decoration, clasping it tightly, as though willing it to give her more courage. 'Th-thank you, Lord Bismarck.' She said quietly, drawing a brief smile from the blonde, who shook her head in response.
'No, I thank you Bulin. Indeed, I salute you. You and all your sisters.' Standing back up, looking down on the Bulin from her full impressive height, Bismarck drew to attention, heels clicking together, and snapped a hand to her brow.
After a few moments, the Bulin, doing her limited best to imitate Bismarck's stance, made a salute in return, her chest puffing up slightly as she did so.
Dropping the salute, Bismarck gave her a nod of acknowledgement, then looked over across the dock. 'It seems much of the work is now complete, Akashi is truly talented.' She looked back at the Bulin, who was trying to remain at attention, but seemed to be having a little difficulty maintaining the pose. 'At ease, Bulin.' She said and the Bulin, with an audible chirp of relief, let herself relax, causing another of those brief smiles to touch Bismarck's lips. 'Come, it is time to rejoin the others, I think.' That dark, bleak look had left the Bulin's eyes, she was glad to see, and the Bulin stayed by her side as they walked over without any issue or complaint.
Though there had not been much time, by co-opting most of those she had seen on the way to the Armoury, Bismarck had been able to get some impromptu firing ranges set up and it was there she now headed, the Bulins all flocking along behind her. There were a dozen or so lanes for practising gunfire and several more channels for those with torpedoes. Of course they did not really compare to the huge, sprawling facilities she remembered from her days in Hamburg, but then they had been built primarily for ranging normal ship's guns, rather than those of the Kansen. They would suffice, she decided. Splitting the Bulins up into roughly equal groups, she stationed each at one of the ranges, walking them through how to use their new weapons – how to range their guns, how to aim, and fire, and reload - as she did so. Once they were all where they should be, she addressed them as a whole again.
'Now you are aware of how this all works, let us see how you do actually using them.' She said, gesturing at the left-most group. 'You, the Bulin at the front with the 57mm.' The General Bulin in question briefly looked puzzled, then perked up and waved back at her. 'On my order, I want you to turn and fire a round at the target at the far end of your channel. Understand?' When the Bulin signalled she did, Bismarck looked at the others in her group. 'The rest of you, clear to either side of her, if you please.' Though they looked a little confused, they did so readily enough. Satisfied, she nodded to the first Bulin. 'Very well, then. In your own time, aim and fire, but remember to brace yourself for the recoil.'
The Bulin, taking a couple of deep breaths, turned to the target then paused. Estimating the range, probably. Thought Bismarck. The Bulin raised an arm to point at the target, her gun barrels following the movement exactly as they should, which made Bismarck feel a little happier. At least it seemed in this case there would not be any of the weirdness she had heard could happen when Kansen used weapons that were not their own. Another couple of heartbeats passed and then-
'Fire, buli!' Called the Bulin, and her gun roared, sending a shell down-range. The Bulin, however, had not properly anticipated the fierceness of the kick from such a weapon and the shell went well wide of the target. At the same time, with a dismayed cry of alarm, the recoil threw her backwards, almost far enough to land her back onto the dockside.
'And this is why you do not stand directly behind each other when trying out new weaponry, yes?'
Most of the Bulins nodded, then the Bulin that had fired called over to her as she skated back to her group.
'Can – can I try again, Lord Bismarck, buli? I know what I did wrong, buli!'
Bismarck nodded. 'Of course, this is to get you used to your weapons, after all. Again, then, in your own time.'
The Bulin, a determined look settling on her face, took her place on the firing line again. This time, she leaned forwards, knees bent slightly – and this time, though she still did not hit the target, her shell was much closer, and she easily kept her feet and positioning.
'Well done. You learn quickly.' Said Bismarck with another nod of approval as some of the Bulins raised a cheer. 'Now, all of you, upon the order, I want you all to fire a total of five volleys at the target in your channel. You are to fire once only, then change places with the next in your group, while you reload. Once the first volley has been fired, you are to aim and fire in your own time. Is that clear? Is that understood?'
'Yes, Lord Bismarck!' Came the unanimous reply, with more than a few throwing various salutes, and Bismarck found herself unable to keep from smiling at their enthusiasm.
'Very well, then. All of you at the front of your groups, take aim.' Called Bismarck, and she was glad to see that her previous lesson had been quickly taken onboard, as all the groups immediately split behind those who were to take their shot. Once all had their guns pointing down-range, she gave them another couple of moments to prepare themselves, and then - 'Make ready... feuer!'
Though the command itself was in German, the Bulins instinctively responded to the sudden, total authority in her voice, and the air was rent with the bellow of naval artillery. Almost none of the initial rounds hit their targets, but the overall standard of shooting was certainly not bad, in Bismarck's estimation, especially considering the circumstances. Immediately after firing, the lead Bulin of each group slipped aside and went to the back of their line, and those who had either hit their target or come close were happily sharing tips and pointers on how they had performed with their fellows. Though there was the occasional mishap with a Bulin underestimating the potential recoil of their weapon like the first one who had fired, none who made the mistake repeated it, and by the time they had fired their fifth volley, all had either scored hits or were at least clipping the targets. For the equivalent of raw, green recruits who had never even lifted a weapon before, it was actually quite impressive, and Bismarck sent them all to the centralised ammo tender she had organized, to get their ammunition topped off.
A flicker of movement caught her eye, and she looked round to see the Commander walking down the dock to join her, carrying a flip-chart.
'You've been out here with them quite a while, Bismarck.' Said the Commander, setting the flip-chart down before looking over the chattering, chirping mass of Bulins. 'How are they coming along?'
'Not bad at all, Kommandant,' she replied, smiling slightly. 'Better than I had thought they would or could be, honestly. They have also learned well, and I think... I think they are as ready as can be in the time we have.'
'That's good to hear.' Said the Commander, returning the smile, then she sighed. 'Even if I do wish it had never come to this.' She stared off into the middle distance for a moment, then she sighed again and looked back at Bismarck. 'Well, we need to brief them, such as it is. Would you do the honours?'
With a nod, Bismarck turned back to the dock. 'Bulins! Gather round!' She called, then raised her voice over the excited chatter when they saw the Commander standing next to her. 'Gather round – and quietly - so the Frau Kommandant can give you your briefing before you Sortie.'
That got them mostly silent, and they all happily crowded up to the dockside so that they could hear and see better. Once they were all in hearing distance, the Commander stepped forwards.
'For any of you that may not know, the overall purpose of this mission is to try and help Akagi. How she has been acting until now is... not who she really is. If you succeed, we may be able to bring her true self back, and you will also have helped to save her life. Unfortunately I do not have much to share with you in the way of knowledge or intelligence on the opposition you will face. All I can say for certain is that the odds will be very much against you.' And I hope that is not an understatement, Kommandant. Thought Bismarck, as the Commander revealed a map on the flip-chart. 'This is your target.' Said the Commander, pointing to what appeared to be a small volcanic island. 'As you can see, your journey at least should be easy and relatively straightforward – there are no detours or diversions required, you can simply travel directly on the necessary bearing to get there. Your first real obstacle will be the Defence Fleet protecting the Siren Fortress that is your main target. You will certainly have the advantage of numbers against that fleet, but do not underestimate the threat that they will pose. The second obstacle will be the Fortress itself, it will be heavily armed and heavily protected, and there is also a chance you may find yourselves inside a Mirror Sea during your attack. If that happens, your only way out will be to disable it, which will require taking or destroying the Fortress itself.'
She paused to take some pieces of paper out of her pocket, which she handed down to the Bulins who were closest, gesturing for them to pass them round, then flipped to the next page on the chart, which showed the same thing as that drawing, but larger. 'This is a sketch Akashi made to show you what you will need to be looking for inside the Fortress. This is your primary objective - it is a Siren Power Core, and though it may not look exactly like this, it should be close enough that you can recognize it if you see it. If a Mirror Sea is present, removing this from its' pedestal will deactivate both the Fortress and the Mirror Sea, and allow you to leave.' The Commander waited until it seemed all of them had had the chance to look Akashi's artistic effort over. 'I wish I could give you more information than this, but we are against the clock, and circumstances are not in our favour, so we have not had the opportunity for any meaningful recon here. Are there any questions on your mission?' None of the Bulins spoke up, and Bismarck saw quite a few shake their heads. 'There is one last thing I need to say. You have... volunteered for this mission. I will not send you if you do not wish to go. If any of you want to stand down, and remain here, you may do so, and none will blame you. Would any of you prefer to sit this one out?' Again, silence answered the question. The Commander, after a moment, nodded, then she and Bismarck both drew up into salutes. 'Then I wish you all good luck. And God Speed.'
To a Bulin, all those assembled saluted in return, before a Specialized Bulin turned to face the others and raised her hammer. 'Bulin Brigade, move out, Bulin!' She called, and the Bulins began to skate away from the dockside, beginning the first mission to ever be entirely trusted to Bulins alone.
And as they dwindled into the distance and gathering darkness, the two figures they left behind watched them go, a cold wind billowing Bismarck's cape out behind her.
Coming out of the bathroom, Bismarck paused in puzzlement when she saw the Commander's bed was still empty. Then she saw her slim figure standing in front of the bedroom window, and she instantly recognized something was wrong. 'Kommandant?' She asked quietly as she walked up behind her.
The Commander turned to look at her, the moonlight glimmering off the tears running down her cheeks, changing them into silvered waterfalls. 'Did I do the right thing today, Bismarck? Sending the Bulins out?' She asked, the pain clear in her voice, and Bismarck nodded slowly in response.
'I do not believe you had much of a choice, Kommandant. The Bulins were so determined to help, I think they may still have gone even if you denied them. At the least, by giving them your blessing and aid, you have given them a better chance than they had.'
'I keep telling myself that. All of that. It doesn't help.' The Commander turned back to the window, looking out over the sea. 'Because their chances are so very slim to begin with. I've... never had to send anyone out knowing that some won't come back. Just the thought of them in pain, or... God, the thought of anything happening to them... It - it hurts.'
'They knew the risks, Komm-' Bismarck broke off as the Commander spun on her, eyes blazing.
'Don't fucking say that Bismarck! They're not like you!' Just as quickly, the fury and fire disappeared from her eyes, leaving only a cold hollowness in its place. 'Oh God, I'm sorry Bismarck, I - I didn't mean for it to come out like that. But you... you, Akagi, all the others, you're fighters, warriors, you've been in battles before. It's still hard sending you out, but you don't just know or accept the risks, you understand them.' The Commander hung her head. 'But did they?'
'That is something only they and the Gods themselves can answer, Kommandant.' Bismarck replied gently, wrapping the Commander in her arms, hugging her close. 'If it helps, I truly believe you did all that you could for them, and more than many would have thought to.'
'I just – I just wish I could keep you all safe, and give you somewhere you can belong. To let you be happy, once this is all done.' The Commander, tightening her embrace, looked up into Bismarck's eyes. 'And I want Akagi and the Bulins to be there, too.'
'And this is one of the reasons so many of us love you so much, Kommandant. You see us as people, you care for us as people, not just weapons or war machines, not even 'intelligent' machines, even when your command could be far more efficient otherwise. You could have simply written off Akagi as broken, and consigned her to her fate, a casualty of war – given her past behaviour, I have no doubt there are many who would have done so, without hesitation - but although you were prepared to do so if necessary, you stayed your hand, determined to save her if at all possible.' Bismarck fell silent for a moment, cradling the Commander's head against her chest. 'The Bulins may not be born fighters, Kommandant, but they are brave. And theirs is a kind of bravery beyond anything I have ever seen, almost beyond understanding. Even when you gave them the chance to stay here in safety, they would not. Bravery alone may not win wars, or even battles... but it is often what can decide them.'
'I know. I just... I hate feeling like this, like I might have murdered them all.'
'You are no murderer, Kommandant.' Snapped Bismarck, her face growing stern for a moment, before it softened again. 'They chose to go, and you respected that choice and helped how you could. If you seek something or someone to blame, blame the reason that that choice had to be made at all.'
'What if they fail, Bismarck? And... what if none of them come back?'
Bismarck again looked down into her Commander's eyes, gently sweeping an errant lock of brown to one side before answering.
'Then you will do what must be done. And after, remember them, mein liebling. Remember Akagi. Honour the Bulins' memory for the incredible courage they have shown. And in their name do all that can be done to end this war as quickly as it can be.'
The next day had turned to evening, then to night, and after their long journey the Bulins had finally won through against the Sirens' defence fleet, though they had paid the price for that victory. More than a score of their number had fallen already, and many of those remaining bore the signs of the damage they had taken. And now they faced an even greater test, for no fleet that had attempted to break a Siren Fortress had ever managed it. The storm that had previously covered their advance against the fleet now sinking to the ocean's depths still hung overhead, though the rain was now mostly over the island that the Sirens' base had been built into.
In the brief moments of visibility afforded by the flashes of lightning, the Bulins studied the almost completely dark objective. Then a General Bulin, gilded cross proudly displayed on her chest, spoke up. 'Do – do you think they know we're coming, buli?'
'It doesn't matter if they do,' replied the leading Specialized Bulin with a shrug. 'We still have to get that Power-thingy that Commander said, Bulin.' She brandished her Hammer. 'So let's get in there and get it, Bulin!' As they began to move forwards, she looked around again. 'But don't anybody fire just yet, Bulin! If they really don't know we're here, so much the better, Bulin!'
There was a muted chorus of assent from the rest of the Bulins, all of whom wanted the horrible scariness over with, so that they could return home.
They kept moving, spreading out as they did so, for they had quickly learned the kind of damage heavy shells could cause if they stayed tightly packed together.
There was still no sign of anything amiss as the distance continued to close and they entered the channel leading to the Siren Fortress' docks. Some took it as a sign that they were completely unexpected, that they would be able to succeed with no more fighting at all. Others worried that their enemies were maybe laying a trap for them.
Some way on, though still kilometres from even the maximum range of their weapons, they discovered that they had been right to be worried.
All at once, spotlights snapped on across the base, their beams sweeping out across the sea to pin the Bulins with their actinic white, piercing glare, causing some to freeze outright in sudden terror and dread, while attack-sirens howled their warnings into the air. A bare moment later, and almost the whole front face of the huge fortress lit up as every weapon that could bear on them opened fire. Heavy rotator-barrelled cannon, Railguns, artillery pieces with barrels so massive the Bulins would almost be able to walk down inside them – even had they only been at sea level, such a barrage would have been intimidating indeed. But because the base walls were so high, that height gave them a much greater elevation, and the dominating field of fire they gained was nothing less than terrifying. And with the channel being relatively narrow – even though to the Bulins it still seemed very large – they had been boxed in, and to make matters worse the shrapnel and falls of debris caused by shells hitting the channel's walls meant the Bulins could not hug them for cover.
The sudden ferocity of that opening salvo meant many of the Bulins were caught relatively unaware, and some of them would never get the chance to learn from that mistake. Shrieks and screams of pain could just be heard as the bombardment began to take its' toll. Some were hacked to pieces in hails of heavy solid slugs, while huge shells landing with an express-train roar all but obliterated those they hit. Some of the Bulins, though just as disoriented by the scale of the onslaught as the others, realised they were in the Sirens' killing-zone and tried to push through, but were beaten back by the shorter-ranged secondary batteries. Others, in desperation, opened fire with their own weapons, trying to hit back at their tormentors, but even the longest-ranged guns they had were still unable to even come close to the base walls.
On seeing this, the Bulins, out of sheer survival instinct, began to scatter – many of them trying to put more distance between themselves and that remorseless, methodical maelstrom of destruction.
The General Bulin who had had such doubts of herself before they left their Port saw all this, and knew that they were losing. To have come so very far from home, so far from their friends and their beloved Commander, to have defeated a full Siren Fleet in open battle and to be so close to achieving their goal, made that knowledge bitter indeed. She saw two Prototype Bulins in each other's arms, wailing and crying tears of frustration.
'We' re sorry Commander, purin! We tried to help, we tr-' A single massive explosion fountained water into the air, and they disappeared, falling forever silent.
A Specialized Bulin, body mangled almost beyond recognition by bullets and shrapnel, numbed into insensibility by the hideous concussion of exploding shells, simply stood, unmoving. She was twitching and spasming, mouth opening and closing without saying anything, her brain unable to comprehend what had happened, when a blue bolt slashed through the air and vaporised everything above her chest.
'It's no use, we can't get any closer, purin!'
'We tried, but we're only Bulins, Bulin! We have to leave, or they'll kill us all, Bulin!'
'No, we can't run away now, buli! We have to save Akagi, buli!' The General Bulin yelled in return over the din of battle, the medal on her chest glittering with scattered light. 'We... we-' suddenly she realised she could almost see those blue eyes looking into hers once more. And all of us have felt fear before or during battle. Even me. 'We're not just Bulins, we're heroes now, buli! And heroes don't give up, they keep fighting, they keep trying, buli!'
Looking down, she saw the wrench she still carried, almost unnoticed with all the extra weaponry and equipment she now needed to keep track of. Perhaps it was nothing but a trick of the now constantly flickering light, but for a brief moment the humble tool, symbolic of all Bulins, appeared to glow, as if lit from within. Anything that can be made, can be unmade. Tightening her grip, eyes burning with her unshed tears, she began to skate slowly, unflinchingly, towards their objective, those nearest staring at her in disbelief. Words came to her then, echoing in her mind, words that seemed to rise up from some place deep within. 'I... I am the Wrench, buli! I am the Wrench, buli!'
She was in front of all the other survivors now, still moving forwards, her wrench held aloft in defiance, a single figure alone in the very eye of the storm. Her small frame was silhouetted by the constant muzzle-flashes and spotlights from the still-distant base walls, and the forks of lightning that ripped through the sky overhead. And then her sister ships, afraid though they still were, began to cluster around her, voices rising as they too took up the cry.
'I am the Wrench, buli!'
'Purin, I am the Drill, purin!'
The Prototypes joined in also, the tattered remnants of the fleet coalescing back into a fighting force once more, in despite of the blizzard of incoming fire.
'I am the Hammer, Bulin!'
The few remaining Specialized Bulins rallied as well, and though their voices were far less numerous, they were no less clear and just as vibrant as the others.
Calling now in unison, suddenly all the Bulin's mingled voices seemed to echo far further than they had any right to, rolling across the wind and shell-lashed sea as they began to advance again.
'We are the Tools that alter Fate!'
'Huh?' Many miles away, Bismarck, helping the Commander out of her uniform after another long day, suddenly started, directing her gaze out of the window, looking out across the shadowed ocean.
'Bismarck? Is everything okay?' Asked the Commander, her eyes and voice showing her concern.
'It... Kommandant, I thought,' Bismarck blinked, her eyes still far away. 'I thought that I heard something.'
'We fix the broken!'
There was no longer any trace of fear in the Bulins' high voices, small bow-waves appearing in front of them as they picked up speed once more, heading straight into the teeth of the Sirens' more of them fell, but with their fear behind them there was no force on earth that could halt them now, none excepting death itself. The moment they were close enough, they opened up with everything they had, raking gun positions with sustained shell-fire, while shoals of torpedoes hissed through the water, impacting into the breakwaters and dock walls, the detonations and concussive force damaging or even dislodging some of the rose around them from a steady cascade of shell-casings, their gun-barrels beginning to glow a dull red. And still the Bulins kept on, as the harbour descended into howling bedlam all around them.
'We strengthen the weak!'
Ignoring the Dorm monitor's irate yell, Hermes ran from the Royal Navy barracks for the dockside and stood looking out to sea. After a moment movement caught her eye, and she saw Z36 and Ryuujo had joined her.
'You feel it as well?' Asked Z36, and Hermes nodded in reply.
'Of course. How could I not feel it?'Hermes looked back out at the darkened water, her eyes alight. 'The spirit of a Duelist has awoken! May the Deck aid them in their need!'
'We create what is needed!'
Their guns once again silent, the Bulins were instead now rapidly accelerating, their cries ringing with conviction and determination, such that they challenged even the endless, rolling gunfire and massive claps of thunder.A beautiful golden glow had enveloped them, growing brighter and stronger with every passing moment as they blazed onwards, undaunted, their bow waves having merged into a veritable wall of water rolling away to each side, and still growing larger. Meanwhile high, high above them, bright incandescent streaks were burning across the night sky, the storm clouds scattering in their wake as they raced past and through them.
'Commander trusts us!Akagi needs us!'
As they shot towards the towering bulk of the Siren's enormous base, to the Bulins it was almost as though time itself was beginning to slow, the world in front of them gaining a slight bluish cast as tracers and railgun rounds went from brief flashes of light to dull, sullen blobs - all but hanging in mid-air and needing no more than a slight sideways movement to avoid. And none of the Bulins noticed that the breaking point of the water they were displacing in their charge – by that point more tsunami than wave – was now a hundred yards astern and receding.
The Bulins reached the wharf and leaped off the water, one flying higher than all the others, catching the falling stars on her hammer as the golden light suddenly flared around her.
'And you meanies will not stop us, Bulin!'
An instant later and that hammer, ablaze with power, slammed into the base wall.
The Sirens were no beginners in the art of war and they well knew the value of making their bases eminently defensible. Their walls were built high and thick, buttressed internally and made from the stoutest materials they could find, as close to impregnable as it was possible for them to be. But not even they stood a chance against such shattering force.
Far in the distance a bright, white flash split the shroud of night and then mere heartbeats later a sudden, massive shock-wave hit the Port, sending huge waves breaking over the dock-side and the trees lashing back and forth, while the air was filled with a dull, yet almost-deafening roar.
Instantly awake once more, both Bismarck and the Commander rolled out of the still-shuddering bed they had just lain down in, their feet landing on the floor just in time to feel the earth rumbling underneath them.
'What in all the Hells was that?' Asked the Commander, looking round in confusion, hearing yells of alarm from all sides. 'Are we under attack?'
Bismarck glanced out of the cracked window, and gasped. 'Kommandant?' Coming to the battleship's side, the Commander also looked out the window – and saw an under-lit pillar of smoke lofting high into the air from just below the horizon, its bright outline shimmering against the night sky and black sea.
'What the... So was that a volcano?'
'I do not think so, Kommandant,' said Bismarck with a shake of her head. 'Look where it is coming from. I think... I think it might have been the Bulins.'
The Commander blinked. 'I have no idea how they could ever have managed something like that – not unless that base was one huge ammo depot or something. But it's certainly in the right direction for them, at least.' She stared at it for a moment longer, feeling Bismarck's arm slide round her, drawing her against her warmth, and her fists clenched. 'And if it was them, Akagi might just have a chance yet.'
A tense, restless couple of days had followed - though the news that the Sirens' forces had suddenly begun what appeared to be a full retreat was gratefully received at the Port - and a third had almost entirely passed when keen eyes noticed the small figures on the horizon. The calm sea reflecting the warm, dull orange of the setting sun, the remaining Bulins sped for home as quickly as they were able, though their pace had slowed to match that of their injured.
Alerted by the lookouts, the Commander, Bismarck as always at her side, shrugged into her dress-uniform jacket before keying her intercom.
'Infirmary.' Came the immediate reply.
'This is the Commander. I want everyone you have, medics and stretcher-bearers, to the North dock at once, we've got a lot of wounded coming in, over.'
'Yes ma'am, we'll be there asap, over!'
'So will I, over and out.' Releasing the intercom toggle, she turned for the door. 'Bismarck, with me.'
By the time they got to the dock-side, the Bulins were much closer and Bismarck's eyes went wide when she saw them.
'Gott im Himmel.' She gasped, shocked enough to lapse entirely into German. By her count less than half of those that had left were returning, and of those that had survived, she could see many that had sustained grievous, if not crippling wounds. At their head was a Specialized Bulin, and although she was being helped by a General Bulin, she was still moving under her own power, but she was so damaged Bismarck could not have said how. The Bulin's single remaining ahoge spun frantically but was unable to keep her aloft by itself, her toes occasionally dipping into the water before being hauled back up by the Bulin at her side.
Even as the Bulins made it to the dockside, the orderlies from the Infirmary swarmed forwards, helping them onto stretchers and administering any necessary anaesthetics. The latter was especially appreciated by the Commander and the few others who had gathered, as the moment they reached safety, the pain of the Bulins' injuries became able to make itself felt again, and their screams of agony were terrible to hear.
The Specialized Bulin though, would not let them near her, wide-eyed and staggering onwards with grim determination, cradling an orb almost the size of her head close to her body.
'St-stop, l-let them help you, buli!' The General Bulin who was assisting their leader pleaded, but her charge tried to shrug her away.
'C-c-can't, B-Bulin. M-mu-must – must get this to - to Commander, Bulin.'
The General Bulin, thrown off balance, stumbled, and they both fell to the ground with a cry of pain. But the Specialized Bulin continued to crawl forwards on her knees, alone, using the broken hammer-shaft she still carried to drag herself onwards.
The next moment and the Commander was in front of her, gently preventing her from going any further, and when she realised, with one last surge of energy and will, she got her knees back under her, so that she could present the Core she held to the Commander.
'We-we did-did it, Com-Commander, Bul-Bulin.' She lifted the sphere she had carried so far, and that had been bought so dearly, in front of her. 'We-we got the-the Core Ak-Akashi said she-she needed, Bulin.'
As the Commander accepted the offering, before she could say anything the Bulin groaned in pain, keeling over onto her side, and Vestal and her medics were at last able to see to her. With the Bulin now in more capable hands, the Commander looked round at the small crowd that had gathered, her gaze falling on a small blonde destroyer. 'Maury! You're the fastest aboard this base right now?'
'Yes, ma'am.' Maury replied at once with a salute.
The Commander handed the softly-glowing globe she had been given to her. 'Then get this, Akashi and Shiranui to my office as quickly as you can.'
'Aye, Commander! Count on me!'
As Maury raced away towards Akashi-shop at top speed, Vestal, hovering at the Commander's elbow, caught her attention.
'I am sorry, Commander, but there is nothing more we can do for this one.' The Medical Frigate said quietly, gesturing to the Specialized Bulin, now the only one of the badly wounded still at the dockside. 'According to the others she led their final assault and somehow even brought down the base wall itself, but the damage she sustained in doing so is simply too great. That she got back at all is a miracle. We have made her comfortable, but... I fear she does not have long left.'
The Commander sighed and bowed her head slightly, closing her eyes for a moment. 'I understand.' She replied, opening her eyes again to look at Vestal. 'I know I do not need to ask, but please, do all you can for the others – as soon as she is free, I will send Akashi over to help as well, and you are free to requisition anything you need.'
Vestal nodded in acknowledgement. 'Of course, Commander, and thank you.' She said, saluting before turning to follow the long line of stretchers and walking wounded back to the Infirmary.
'Bismarck?' Asked the Commander, and the battleship, her Reichsmedal dangling from one hand, looked over from where she knelt, hugging a crying General Bulin. Though she could not make out everything, the Commander heard 'It was so scary, buli!' in amongst the sobs.
'Ja, Kommandant?'
'She probably already knows, but could you go and make sure Nagato gets to my office asap? And let everyone else know I'll be there as... as soon as I can.'
'Jawohl, Kommandant.' Bismarck answered with a nod, then gravely looked at the Bulin she still held. 'Would it help to walk with me, Bulin?' The teary-eyed Bulin also nodded, and Bismarck gently patted the Bulin's hair, then stood back up. 'Very well then. Come, let us go.' She turned to leave, the smaller figure trotting at her side.
The Commander walked over to where the remaining Bulins were gathered, their low, sad noises nevertheless filling the air, and knelt by the Specialized Bulin's side, trying to keep from dwelling on the terrible wounds she had suffered. The Bulin's disfigured, scorched face turned slightly towards her.
'Com- Commander, Bulin?' She asked, her voice just above a whisper.
The Commander nodded. 'I am here, Bulin.' She replied, taking one small hand in her own.
'A-Akagi, Bulin? Is – Is Akagi... ok, Bulin?'
The Commander felt her throat tighten at those words. 'Yes, she's ok. And thanks to you and the others, we can make her well again.' Whether they would succeed or not was a question the Bulins did not need to be burdened with.
The Bulin's eyes lit up, and a trembling smile appeared on her lips. 'Then... then Bulins did – did good, Bulin? Bulins he-helped, Bulin?'
The Commander nodded again. 'Bulins did good. Bulins helped.' She replied, lightly squeezing the hand she was holding.
The Bulin's eyes widened, her cheeks beginning to flush – but then the light in her eyes faded, her head lay back, ahoge drooping down, and she became very, very still.
A soft, keening wail came from some of the gathered Bulins as they realised yet another of their sisters had left them, and the Commander gently laid the Bulin's hand on her chest, crossing it with the one holding the remains of her hammer, before touching an unburned part of her brow.
'Fare well, brave Bulin,' she said sadly, closing the Bulin's blankly staring eyes. 'Rest now. And thank you.'
Eyes wide in horror, Nagato slowly turned to look at the door to the Commander's office. When she and Shiranui had first discovered the Oni, and thereby proved that Akagi had been possessed, she had thought the Commander had become angry then. Certainly it was the angriest Nagato had ever seen her. But what she could now feel approaching was not simple anger... indeed it seemed more like some kind of pure, elemental force that had somehow been anchored to a person, than just a human emotion. And to one learned in the ways of ki, though it had been born of sorrow and regret, it was a terrifyingly pitch-black rage, a dread fury that no living thing could ever withstand were it unleashed against or by them. Even the lights in the office seemed to be dimming slightly the closer it came. But the sheer, monumental scale of it was not the truly scary part. The scariest part of all was that the Commander was still its' master. Nagato could barely comprehend the strength of will it would take to keep such a thing under even a semblance of control, and when she met Shiranui's gaze, she could see in the Destroyer's eyes that that opinion was shared. She felt the Commander pause just outside the door, and that all-consuming storm seemed to recede, drawing away – but it did not disappear entirely. For now, at least, she could feel it still there, somewhere, waiting. Ready to be called upon if needed.
She has it leashed. Chained and bound. Nagato found she could not entirely suppress a shiver at that thought. And may all the Gods and Ancestors help anyone or anything foolish enough to provoke her now.
There were orders of human monks that Nagato knew of, who would have been catapulted screaming into either oblivion or madness if they had tried to harness a rage like that. One of the Nine Mahatmas might have possibly managed it, but no other would have had a ghost of a chance. And it was most definitely not lost on her that the focal point of the Commander's rage was the death of a Bulin. Nagato had never subscribed to the view that the Bulins were 'lesser' Kansen, but it could not be denied that they were of little value as a fighting force in and of themselves, for they were not any kind of warrior. They were amongst the most numerous Kansen, but physically were also the individually weakest – by no small margin – and she knew that it would be so very easy to view them as little more than cannon fodder, like the ashigaru of the distant past, used basically as flypaper for enemy units and allowing the actual fighters to get to work with minimal casualties. In the brutal mathematics of war, it was a simple but effective bargain, bloody though it might be. Yet the Commander did not just care for the soldiers, nor those among them who could wage war best or most efficiently – the enraged grief she now bore declared in no uncertain terms that she cared deeply for all the Kansen, no matter what or who, and to Nagato, it showed exactly why the Commander was The Commander.
'How are things coming?' Asked the Commander as she entered the room, carefully making sure the door was shut and locking it behind her. 'Are we ready?'
'Almost there, Shikikanya.' Answered Akashi from inside one of the electrical cabinets she had set up. 'Give Akashi another minute or so, nya.'
The Commander looked at Bismarck, who shrugged.
'Apparently the core is a slightly different design to the one Akashi remembers, Kommandant, so she has had to do some... tinkering.'
Having heard variants of it before, in Nagato's self-admittedly biased opinion that was the kind of phrase that could lead very easily to a lot of sleepless nights. In this case though, it was unfortunately unavoidable.
'I have a question, Akashi.' Said the Commander, and Akashi's head popped out of the cabinet to peer at her. 'I cannot help but notice that you have never said what your price will be for all of this. This equipment, your help running it, fitting the Bulins with their equipment... and yet no talk of paying for it. Why?'
Akashi's nigh-permanent, mischievous grin disappeared, and her ears drooped slightly. 'Akagi... Akagi from before all this, she - she was Akashi's friend, Shikikanya.' She looked over at where Akagi hung suspended in the holding vessel. 'Akagi encouraged Akashi when she first started Akashi-shop, even helped her when she could, nya. Akashi always thought Akagi had just been really busy after Amagi died, that she didn't have time anymore, nya. But it was all because of some Demon, nya.' After a moment, she looked back at the Commander, her glistening eyes grown hard and determined. 'And now Akashi wants her friend back, nya.'
'As do we all,' replied the Commander. 'And I give you my word Akashi, if it is possible to save her, we will.'
Wiping her eyes with her sleeve, Akashi nodded then disappeared back into the cabinet. Shortly after, there was a sudden hissing crackle that settled into a low humming sound and, before their eyes, the Oni became visible to them all. Akagi's body was limned in green fire, the dark, diseased green of leprosy and gangrene, but the most striking proof of what they were looking at were the two large horns of that same fire, now curving up from her forehead. They resembled those some of the other Sakuran Kansen bore, but Nagato could feel their wrongness here. Ibuki, Mikasa and the others had horns because of humans' belief in them sharing demonic traits, or of them otherwise being demon-like – but these were not there because of belief in demons, they were there because of the existence of demons.
There was a dull thud and a yelp, then Akashi reappeared from inside the cabinet, distractedly rubbing her head. She looked over at Akagi and gave another yelp of startlement when she saw what everyone else was seeing.
'It worked, nya!'
The Commander nodded. 'It does indeed work. Which means it's time to end this, if we can.' She took a step closer to Akagi and raised her voice. 'Wake up, Akagi.'
On hearing her Commander calling her name, the Kitsune stirred – but as she was being kept unconscious, it was the Oni's eyes that then opened, not her own... eyes of green fire. She futilely struggled against the force keeping her captive for a moment, looking across those in front of her, then her eyes fell on the Commander and she smiled wickedly.
'Oh, Shikikan-sama, I did not realise you wanted me helpless like this – nor that you would like an audience!' Akagi licked her lips seductively and seemed to giggle, but now that she was concentrating her attention on it, Nagato could hear the voice of the Oni under-laying Akagi's, like a dark shadow moving just below the surface of a lake. As well, she could see the small delay between what the Oni was doing and Akagi's body acting it out.
Like a puppet. She thought, the knowledge making her feel slightly sick.
The Oni's eyes went to Bismarck standing beside the Commander, and Akagi's smile turned dark and cruel. 'And you want that to know that it is replaced – to think I once believed you might not want me!' Though the Commander had bowed her head on hearing Akagi's voice, Nagato could see her gritted teeth, as well as the storm clouds gathering on Bismarck's stony face. 'By all means let her see our love, Shikikan, come to me and-'
'Enough, abomination.' Said the Commander suddenly, her voice flat and steely, words punctuated by the sharp crack of her scabbards' tip hitting the floor. She lifted her head, her dark eyes locking onto the glowing, sickly orbs possessed by the now-silent Oni. 'I know what you are and that you are no more Akagi than I am, so you might as well drop that pretence. What was your purpose in doing this?'
There was another moment of silence, then the Oni itself gave a soft chuckle, its voice an oily, sibilant hiss. 'Purpose? Why, not much of one, I must admit. Just sowing some discord here, a little despair there... Once those take root, it is like a feast for my kind, for we can find nourishment in such things. And the guilt you and your little play-things feel over it all makes it taste oh so much sweeter!' It gave that disturbing, tittering giggle again, even as the Commanders' eyes narrowed. 'A pity you caught me when you did. I would have been able to send this ones soul to Yomi soon, to be Ma-Oh's plaything instead, then you would have had to kill this creature yourselves to be rid of me. Such a delicious torment that would have been! Instead-'
It broke off suddenly as with but a whisper and a blur of motion, the tip of the Commander's sword, blazing almost-white under the lights, was now hanging motionless less than an inch from its' face.
'Understand me, you misbegotten monstrosity, and understand me well,' said the Commander, voice as sharp and deadly as the blade she now held, ignoring the startled reactions from the others in the room. 'If I had not thought it would jeopardise Akagi's life, you would be facing me, if for no other reason than for all the poor Bulins who never made it back from the attack I was forced to authorise because of what you have done. Even before that, I had already made the decision that something like you must be stopped at all costs.' Her knuckles whitened under her gloves. 'And I would have needed no other reason to have seen to it that you spent the rest of your existence screaming in agony and regretting the day you ever even dared think of trying to harm any of those under my command.'
The Oni opened its mouth as if to reply, then paused. Its' eyes flicked from the Commanders' face to the silver-bladed sword, then back again, and it found itself having difficulty deciding which was the less terrifying to look at.
'Now, we have you trapped.' The Commander continued relentlessly, 'You are at my mercy, and I see that that fate does not seem to appeal to you, so to avoid any... unpleasantness... along those lines, this is what is going to happen. You will leave Akagi alone and return to Yomi, never to come here again. And you will spread the word, far and wide – even to Ma-Oh themself should that opportunity arise - that if I ever catch another of your kind trying to prey on those I protect, they will come to realise that Yomi's punishments lack both imagination and ambition before I am done.'
'You have already tried to threaten me, human. What if I refuse?' The Oni was desperately trying to buy time, and just as desperately attempting to keep its' fear from showing in its' voice. It was also still trying, and failing, to process just how exactly the sword in the humans' hand had got there so quickly.
'If you refuse?' The Commander's eyes became mere glittering slits, her face darkening almost into shadow, and her rictus of an expression could only be called a smile because of the teeth it was showing. Nagato could see the Commander's rage almost boiling out into the air, and the lights overhead seemed to flicker, causing her to glance up at them apprehensively. 'Know this, one who calls themselves 'demon'. If Akagi dies because of you now, after all that has happened, then that fate I described a few seconds ago? You will envy it. I am under oath to care for and protect all those who would face humanity's enemies, and so I am bound to remain here. And so, however unlikely it may be, it is possible you could escape me, for a time. If you were to do so, you can run from me. You may try to hide from me. But once my oath is fulfilled, once I am freed of my obligations - one way or another – I will hunt you across all the worlds there are, if necessary. I will haunt your every step. You will never be able to truly rest, never be able to stop looking over your shoulder. You will live every single moment in dread. Because there is nowhere you can go where I cannot or will not follow, and, sooner or later, I will find you. And then you will pay the price for what happened today. And that is a price you most certainly cannot afford. Am I understood?'
'You would need not delay on my count, for I and my sister would join you in that hunt, Kommandant.' Said Bismarck, arms crossed and her eyes blue-tinted chips of ice. 'And we would join it gladly.'
'You damn demon, give Akashi's friend back now, nya!'
The Oni hesitated still for a second. The thought of having to relay any message - let alone what the human had actually said - to the frightful power that ruled Yomi with its' iron fist was truly a horrifying one. But terrible though that thought was, it was only a possibility... whereas what it saw in the humans' eyes at that moment was utter, cold certainty. And then there was the strength it had displayed... With those realisations, the Oni gave the only response it could, and mutely nodded in acquiescence.
The Commander studied it closely for another couple of moments, then took a step back, still keeping eye contact. 'Good, then.' She said softly, slipping her sword back into its' scabbard, her face becoming gentler again, the oppressive atmosphere in the room beginning to dissipate. 'Nagato, Shiranui? If you would be so kind as to take them back where they came from?' They both nodded and the Commander gave them one in return. 'And no stopping to smell the flowers, if you please, we still have Sirens to fight.'
That made a small smile, mostly of relief that things had not gotten any further out of hand, appear on Nagato's lips. Though she knew that she would need to meditate and consider a great deal on what had just happened. 'Of course, Shikikan.' She replied with a full bow, as pale, lambent flame burst into life around her and Shiranui, and the Circles that encompassed the vessel holding Akagi's body burned brightest of all.
At Nagato's gesture Akashi flicked a set of switches, the flames blazed even brighter for a heartbeat, and then they were gone.
Now alone, but still floating in a vast darkness, Akagi slowly realised that she had begun to hear voices again. But voices from outside, now, not just from within.
'Might be a while before she properly wakes up, but everything seems to be ok now, Shikikanya.'
'So I see. Thank you again for all of your help, Akashi. Now, please go aid the Infirmary with the Bulins – they have great need of your talents.'
'Akashi would bet, Akashi saw some of the Bulins on their way past before coming over here, nya. Quite a crowd outside that door now though, nya.'
'I know you know where the hidden door to this office is, Akashi.'
'J-just an observation, n-no need to get excited, Shikikanya! Soon nya-s Akashi has got this equipment back to the stores, Infirmary is next on the list, nya!'
'Glad to hear it. As you were, then.'
'Akagi, Akashi will come see you soon nya-s she can, nya!'
After so long, it felt strange, almost scary, even – yet also wonderful – to be alone in her own mind again, able to do and think as she liked.
'I believe Shiranui and I should also depart now, Shikikan, for even with the Sirens' retreat there is much still to be done.'
'Of course, Nagato, and my thanks to the both of you as well for your parts in this. Though tell me, do you believe the Oni will keep it's word?'
'It has little choice now, Shikikan. Its' acceptance of that deal was one of the conditions for its' banishment, and so it has become binding on it, if only for a time. Even if it were not so bound, Oni are proud creatures indeed, and are very serious about keeping their end of a bargain.'
'I see.'
'Now, if you would excuse us, Shikikan...'
The darkness around her had been steadily lightening, as though she had been ascending from some unimaginable depth, until finally she felt as though she were gently bobbing at the surface, or a surface at least, and she wondered what might happen next. Then she realised that now, at last, she could make something happen. Steeling herself and summoning all the strength that was left to her, she pushed at the darkness that still remained, seeking to part it.
When Akagi's eyes finally re-opened, she blinked a few times, trying to orient herself as to where she was. And why was she in what appeared to be a hospital bed? Looking over to one side, she saw Bismarck standing close by the bed, and when she registered Akagi's gaze, she gave a small dip of the head in acknowledgement. And then, to the other side, she saw her beloved Commander. But though she still felt her love and affection for the Commander, she realised she no longer felt the twisted, sick-feeling need for her, that need for the Commander to be hers and hers alone, that had so consumed her before.
'Shikikan-sama?' Her voice sounded harsh to her own ears, and she paused for a moment. 'Shikikan, why... why am I here? What has happened?' Even as the words left her mouth though, without the Oni's influence to keep them at bay, memories began to pour back into her mind, memories of all she had said, and done, and why. And her gaze slowly changed from puzzled questioning to a blank, horrified stare as it all began to register to her waking self. 'Oh, Gods.' She whispered hollowly, the blood draining from her face. 'Oh, Great Gods, what – what have I done? What kind of creature have I become?' She looked at the Commander again, tears sliding down her cheeks. 'Shikikan, you – you should have destroyed me and the Oni together. I am a disgrace to all the Sakura, to all Kansen, a disgrace beyond any redemption! The way I have behaved has been monstrous! What – what must Amagi Onee-Sama have thought of me, that I could have conducted myself so?! And poor Akashi! I-' Though her tears continued, she lapsed into silence when the Commander laid a hand on her shoulder.
'The Lady Nagato does not believe you are a disgrace, Akagi.' Said the Commander, her voice low and gentle. 'And she also agrees with me that as you were not... entirely yourself when you did these things, there are extenuating circumstances to consider.' The Commander closed her eyes for a moment, but when they opened, they locked back onto Akagi's, and it felt as though that gaze were boring into her soul. 'As well, it is thanks to the Bulins that you are still with us, and I would never so cheapen the sacrifice that they have made.'
Akagi blinked, her surprise plain on her face. 'The – the Bulins? But why – how?'
'All I will say right now is that in an effort to help you, they were formed into their own fleet, and went into battle against the Sirens. More than two hundred of them have died, and there are some who may yet follow them, but they succeeded in their mission, against all the odds.'
Akagi sat bolt upright and stared, horrified, at the Commander, tears welling up once more. 'They did what? But-but I am not-'
'Not worthy of what they gave? No. You are not.' Said the Commander, shaking her head. Akagi cringed at hearing that blunt condemnation, but then the Commander continued. 'But neither am I. None of us are, nor can we ever be. But as I was reminded, so I want you to remember – it was their choice to go.'
'They chose... to fight for me? Truly?'
'Chose? Hah!' That made Akagi look over to Bismarck, who had a strange expression on her face. 'Chose? They all but demanded to go! Such great hearts they have, and I have never seen them so determined.' She bowed her head, the brim of her cap shadowing her face, except for a sad, yet proud smile. 'They have proven their worth many times over... even if the Frau Kommandant would have been within her rights to write up every single one of them for insubordination.'
The Commander looked over at her Secretary Ship with a sad smile of her own. 'You know I would never have done that, Bismarck.' Her gaze returned to Akagi. 'But yes, they chose. Once you are up and about, Lady Nagato has asked that you speak with her, and that she will explain what has happened, so I will say no more just now.' She took her hand away and straightened up. 'I know you have only just reawakened, Akagi, and that you still need rest, but there are many Bulins who have been waiting to speak with you, to see you are alright.' Akagi realised that every so often she could, in fact, hear a muffled 'buli' or 'purin' coming from the direction of the office door. 'Do you feel up to seeing them, if only briefly?'
'They – they have saved me. Of course I will see them, Shikikan,' replied Akagi, quickly but carefully drying her eyes and face with the bed-sheet. 'But, before I do, I must apologise to you. To both of you.' She looked up at the Commander, and then to Bismarck. 'I know I have made things more difficult for the two of you, when I should never have done. I do not believe I have any excuse for my deplorable past behaviour, but... I tell you truly that I did not realise just how overbearing I had become towards you, Shikikan. I... I can only ask for your forgiveness.'
'I believe I can at least understand where your mind was going when you said and did those things, Akagi.' Replied Bismarck. 'And... I know what it is to not be properly in control of yourself. "And there, but for the Grace of God, go I."' She gazed levelly at Akagi for a moment, then nodded. 'I accept your apology.'
'As do I.' The Commander smiled gently as she said it, and Akagi gave them as much of a bow as she was able to.
'Thank you, both.' She replied.
With that Bismarck strode away, and after a moment Akagi heard the door open.
'Ok, all of you,' began Bismarck, 'Akagi is awake now and has said she will see you, but,' She paused to let the squeaks of excitement die down. 'But. She has only just regained consciousness, and is still pretty weak. So you are not to go tiring her out, and if she does get tired, you are all to quietly leave, understood?'
A handful of seconds later, and the Bulins began trooping into the office – for almost all of them, it was their first time seeing it, and there was much chattering and pointing amongst them as they took it in. Akagi felt herself smile at that, for it helped ease the terrible pain in her heart to see that they did not appear to have been permanently scarred by what they had endured in her name. There were burns, cuts, and suchlike in evidence to be sure, but she knew from experience that those at least would quickly disappear... it was the mental wounds that could remain, and fester, poisoning the mind and soul. When the Bulins saw her sitting up and looking at them however, they all lost any interest in sightseeing, and immediately flocked to the side of her bed, gazing at her in rapt expectation.
'I am told that it is you Bulins who managed to save me,' she said with another smile, gesturing to the group that had now assembled. 'And so, I thank you. From the bottom of my heart I thank you, and I shall honour you and your sisters' sacrifices until the end of my days.'
There was a brief silence after that, some Bulin's eyes going wide, others looking puzzled – then a General Bulin gave a sudden gasp. 'Akagi is better, Akagi isn't being mean, buli! Akagi is nice now, buli!' She said, a huge beaming smile appearing on her face as all the Bulins cheered in their small, high-pitched voices, many of them even bouncing with happiness.
Akagi felt the tears threatening to burst through once more, and had to force herself to at least appear calm. How could she have ever looked down on such giving, pure hearts? To have sneered at and brushed aside those who wanted nothing more than to help, and to enjoy the time they had been given? Maybe they did have a habit of being flighty and frivolous, maybe they were not true Kansen... But when the time came, they had had the courage to endure the horrors of battle, for the sake of one who had never been any kind of friend to them. Simply because they had believed it was the right thing to do.
'No, the Akagi who treated you so badly is gone now, thanks to your bravery.' Said Akagi, with a sad smile and a shake of her head. May she never, ever return. And how I wish she had never been. 'So I ask you all; is there anything you wish from me in return? No matter what it is, if it is in my power to give, or seen to be given, you shall have it.'
The Bulins all looked at her without expression or blinking for a moment, seemingly confused – though whether by her pronouncement, or an inability to think of something they wanted, she couldn't say. Then one of the Prototype Bulins pushed closer to her.
'Then, we can ask for hugs, purin?' She asked, shyly holding her arms out in anticipation.
Pushing a smile away, Akagi solemnly nodded. 'Hugs can always be given to any of you.' She said, gently lifting the Bulin up and folding her arms around her. There was another, smaller cheer, and an assortment of Bulins climbed onto the bed so they could receive hugs too, and the one she had originally picked up smiled at her again, then hopped back onto the floor to give them room.
As the last of these new arrivals was given their hug, one of the General Bulins still on the floor started bouncing on the spot, her hand in the air. 'Head-pats, buli! Can – Can we have head-pats too, buli?'
'Head...pats?' Akagi stared at her, the request catching her by surprise and causing her mind to go temporarily blank.
The Bulin who had asked squirmed her way to the front, and jumped up onto the mattress. Then, apparently misunderstanding Akagi's blankness, she took one of the Kitsune's hands and placed it on top of her head, her soft hair flattening under it. 'Head-pats are really nice an' easy, buli! You just put your hand here an' do this, buli!' She moved Akagi's hand backwards over her head, then repeated the motion. To Akagi, it felt rather like stroking a ball of cotton, or maybe a very young, fluffy kitten. After the second repetition, she picked up the motion herself, and the Bulin's eyes closed as she made noises of contented enjoyment, her body wriggling and shuddering, much like a kitten or fox would do. Before very long, the Bulin gave a happy little squeak and looked up at her. 'See? Head-pats are simple, buli!' With a big smile and another squeak, she too hopped off the bed. With a glad cry of 'Yay, head-pats!' several more Bulins made the climb to take her place.
Once those demands had also been satisfied, Akagi again looked down at them all. 'So, you wish me to give you hugs, and head-pats?' There was vigorous nodding, smiles, happy noises and bouncing from the small crowd in response. 'These... these are easy things to give, Bulins. Is there anything else, anything at all, that you would want from me?'
That sent them all into a huddle, where much high-pitched whispering ensued. After a little while, they appeared to be coming to something of an agreement, though there was still some dissent... Then she heard 'But she asked if there was anything, Bulin!' from somewhere in the cluster. After a moments' more whispering, one of the Specialized Bulins turned around to face her.
'Akagi, you said we can ask for anything, Bulin?'
'Anything at all.' Akagi repeated with a nod. Even my life, if you could find any value in it.
The Bulin grinned at her then turned back to the huddle, which then split up for them all to look at her once more, though the apparent spokes-Bulin was a pace or so in front of the others.
'Well, we know you an' we are gonna be really busy, Bulin.' The Bulin began, clearly feeling nervous despite her outward confidence. 'But, well – if you're in port, an' some of us are in port at the same time, would – would you play with us a little, Bulin? Even if only sometimes, Bulin?'
They all stood looking up at her, with such innocent, hopeful eyes, and yet again Akagi found herself having to fight to keep from breaking down and tearfully begging their forgiveness. This was their ultimate request? This was what they had been worried about asking her for? Struggling to keep control of herself though she was, she managed to make herself nod in agreement.
'Of- of course I will, little Bulins.' She said, her voice starting to shake with the effort it took to keep it somewhat level. 'I give you my word that I shall do so whenever I can.'
Before she could be buried under a swarm of now over-joyed Bulins, Bismarck, who seemed to have realised how she was feeling, stepped forwards and clapped her hands sharply.
'I know you all want to talk to Akagi more,' she said gently, as they paused and looked at her. 'But she really does still need to properly rest, so it would be best if you let her be for now. However I have also heard that many of your sisters in the Infirmary are starting to sit up and take notice again. How about you all go and share the good news with them as well?' Their looks turned mournful, and after a moment she relented and held up her hands with a smile. 'Ok, yes, I think Akagi can still give you a good-bye hug or head-pat each for good luck.'
They all turned back to Akagi, who nodded, and their good cheer returned as they filed up by her bedside once again.
The next day, kneeling on a tatami mat, Akagi bowed as low as she could. 'Nagato-sama, Shikikan told me you had requested my presence.'
To Akagi's shock, Nagato bowed almost as low in response. 'I did indeed, Akagi, though I very much hope this is not affecting your recovery.'
'Iie, Nagato-sama. Both Akashi-sensei and Vestal-sensei have said any recovery now necessary is mental, not physical.'
'This is very good to hear, especially when two such authorities concur. Indeed, Akashi's help was pivotal in this effort.'
Akagi nodded. 'So I understand, Nagato-sama. I have already thanked her for her labour on my behalf.' The memory of Akashi, normally so cunning and cynically calculating, running to greet her - amber eyes filled with tears on seeing her friend walk into Akashi-shop - was one that would stay with Akagi a long time.
Nagato smiled, then glanced to each side, and without hesitation both Mutsu and Kawakaze bowed before leaving through the shoji doors behind them. A few moments passed before Nagato continued. 'These are strange days, Akagi, and I feel that we may be upon the very precipice of great change. We will be relying on you to help ensure the safety of humanity and the Sakura both.' She looked again at Akagi. 'Tell me, how much do you remember of what has happened?'
'Nagato-sama, I – I am not precisely sure.' Akagi replied, frowning. 'I know of the Oni that tried to take me over, and after I awoke Shikikan told me of what the Bulins did for me, but my memories... There are things it seems I remember, but when I turn my attention to them, they... they seem to slide away from my thoughts, or become hazy, like mist.'
'I see.' Nagato nodded. 'It is as I feared, the Oni has indeed left its' mark on you. It was influencing you, and those apparent gaps in your memories are because you were doing and thinking things you otherwise would not have done. Your waking mind cannot properly reconcile the two, you see, and so it rebels if you try. It is possible that, given time, your memories will return to you fully, but there is no guarantee.' Nagato's eyes turned sad. 'There are also things you will still be able to remember, but where the Oni's touch was light enough that you may believe it was entirely your own doing. I cannot forgive you all you have done, Akagi, but being unable to entirely trust your own mind is a truly terrible thing, and if I only had the power to do so, I would undo that in a heartbeat.'
There was silence for a moment, then Akagi, her face contorting in grief and tears in her eyes, bowed low once more. 'Nagato-sama, I beg you, please, tell me how, how can I make amends? If not to you, then to others? There is far, far too much I remember clearly! The things I have done, the things I have said... Shikikan told me you do not consider me a disgrace, but I cannot believe it!'
'I do not think you to be a disgrace, Akagi, and for good reason.' Replied Nagato. 'From what I have been able to gather, everything you did, you believed you were doing for the good of the Sakura Empire. I know you well enough to know you truly believed, and believed very strongly. The problem with such strong beliefs is that it is very easy for them to become twisted - sometimes seemingly overnight – and without the believer noticing. Such a believer can turn quickly from a great-hearted champion of the common good into a warmongering conqueror. You are far from the first being in the world this has happened to, Akagi, and you will be far from the last.'
Nagato inclined her head slightly. 'And, in your case, the Oni was also pulling some of the strings, twisting your beliefs and thus your actions, to suit its' own agenda. I said I cannot forgive all you have done, but I do not think you can be entirely blamed for it, either, for there are none of us who can truly say how we would have acted in your place.' Her golden eyes met Akagi's again. 'But also, and possibly more importantly, you did notsurrender to the Oni. No matter the pain it caused or the hurt it inflicted, no matter how much easier things would have been if you had just lain down and given in, you fought it, fought it to the very end. And I believe that was why that Bulin was able to see your true self that day not so long ago, and, eventually, bring you back to us here, and to the path of redemption.' In the brief silence they could just hear the calls of some of the birds that also called the base home, enjoying the summer sunshine as they were. Nagato smiled again. 'Truly the Bulins have done us all a service beyond any price. As to your need for atonement... My advice would be simply to continue as you have already begun - apologise to and ask forgiveness from those you can, honor and pray for those you cannot. I will not lie to you Akagi, that will likely be a long, hard path to walk. But I believe the impressive strength you have already shown will one day be able to take you to its end.'
'The Bulins...' Akagi's voice trailed off and she grit her teeth against the pain in her heart. 'If I had known, if it were possible, I would gladly have died in their place. For they were heroes greater by far than me.'
Nagato closed her eyes for a moment and shook her head. 'It may help to consider something, Akagi. Consider that everything happens for a reason. Consider that it may very well be that both you and those brave Bulins who fell... are now where the Gods need you to be the most.'
Although it still felt good to be fighting – even if it was with an unruly, effectively ad-hoc fleet like the one she had been saddled with the past few days – Kaga was glad to be heading back to Port, as it hopefully meant she could be reunited with her sister. Everything just felt so much better - more natural, even – and, somehow, less bothersome when they were by each other's side. And even if Akagi were still 'quarantined', with her most recent experiences Kaga thought she still might be able to make some more progress with Project Orochi, which would undoubtedly help her sisters' mood once she – just then a sudden call from Intrepid broke into her thoughts.
'Hey Kaga! Take a look, isn't that Akagi playing with those Bulins over there near the dock?'
'Akagi is what?' Looking in the direction Intrepid was pointing, Kaga saw her sister, surrounded by a small flock of various Bulins who, it seemed, were happy to be around her. 'It... certainly seems like it.' She managed, even as she wondered what Akagi could possibly be thinking, consorting with those creatures so openly. Was she trying to lull them into a false sense of security, perhaps? If that was the case, it was evidently a convincing performance, and that thought brought Kaga a thin, cruel smile. Clearly Akagi had been keeping in practise even while she had been ill, and no doubt those little rabbits would be in for a very rude surprise soon.
'Looks like she's all better, huh?'
'It would seem so.' Kaga, her face and voice carefully neutral once more, looked over at Intrepid again. 'Can I ask you to give our report to Shikikan alone, Intrepid? There are some things I need to talk with my sister about.'
'Sure thing, Kaga!' Answered Intrepid with a smile and a chuckle. 'I know you've been worried about her, and it's good to see she's up and about. I got you covered!'
'Yeah, family's important, 'specially sisters! I know I can't wait to see my Indy, so go say hi!' Chimed in Portland, with a big grin.
With a graceful bow of thanks to Intrepid – which serendipitously also helped hide her eye-roll at Portland's little announcement - Kaga skated away from the others she had been Sortied with, heading towards the reunion she had been most anticipating.
Just as she arrived, a laughing Akagi had stood up with one of the yellow-haired Prototype Bulins sitting on her shoulders, who was squeaking in happiness and delight.
'Purin, I'm flying, purin! Didn't know Bulins could go so high, purin!'
And the drop becomes so much harder from up there, doesn't it. Thought Kaga smugly, even as the rest of the Bulins cheered their sister.
'Akagi-Neesama! I did not think to find you playing with these little-' Kaga broke off in shock and her haughty, superior expression fell away as Akagi suddenly glared at her, the cold, frightful stare piercing through her. Kaga had seen those eyes many, many times before... but never directed at her. 'These little - ones?' She hesitantly tried instead, and that look disappeared as quickly as it had come... but Kaga nevertheless kept herself still, except for an involuntary shudder, as her sister continued playing with the Bulins. Akagi was smiling and giggling, and Kaga began to admit to herself that it made a nice change to see her actually, genuinely happy for once. Another couple of minutes or so, and the playful Bulins, chorusing their goodbyes, started to leave the two Kitsune alone... except for a single General Bulin, who seemed uncharacteristically indecisive.
'What is wrong, Bulin?' Asked Akagi, stepping forwards. 'Did you want to ask me something?'
With a peculiar mix of eagerness and shyness, the Bulin nodded. 'Um, Akagi, I was wondering, buli...' she paused, hands clasped in front of her, seemingly to gather her courage for whatever she was about to say. 'I was wondering if your ears were also soft, buli?'
Akagi paused a moment, then, with the gentlest smile Kaga had ever seen on her face, she knelt – in some of her finest clothes, Kaga realised – in front of the Bulin, inclining her head in permission and Kaga felt herself bristling; where had Akagi's pride gone? She was acting like some... some... some shameless Tanuki, not the leader of the elite First Carrier Division!
The Bulin, completely unaware of Kaga's thoughts, gently stroked one of Akagi's twitching ears, face filled with a child-like wonder. 'Uwaaah!' She gasped, smiling. 'So soft, buli!' After another moment, she stopped, then happily hugged the kneeling Kitsune. 'Thank you, Akagi, buli!' she chirped.
'You are welcome, little Bulin.' Replied Akagi warmly, returning both the smile and the embrace, her tails wagging gently behind her.
The Bulin let go, hopped backwards then began scampering away after her fellows. 'Bye, Akagi, buli! Bye, Kaga, buli!' She called, waving as she went.
Still more puzzled than anything else, Kaga gave a distracted wave in return while watching the Bulin leave, then turned her gaze to Akagi. 'It is truly good to see you are better, but you also seem... different today, sister.' She ventured carefully.
'That is because I am different, Kaga.' Akagi replied simply, standing back up and dusting off her knees and kimono. 'You still subscribe to the belief that we should only bow to the strong, do you not.'
It was not a question, and Kaga had to nod. 'Of course, strength is the only-' she stopped at Akagis' raised hand.
'I am familiar enough with your reasoning.' Replied Akagi, half-turning to one side in invitation. 'Come then, sister. Walk with me, and I shall tell you a story.'
By the time Akagi had finished relating the events from the past few days, they had made their way to the crown of one of the nearby hills and were standing at the observation rail, looking out over the whole of the Port and to Akagi's other side was a small, apparently newly-built shrine.
'Though it explains the huge explosion we saw while out at sea, as well as the Siren's unexpected retreat, it – it scarcely seems possible they could accomplish such a thing.' Said Kaga eventually, as a soft, warm breeze gently lifted her hair and ruffled her tails, while overhead the branches of the huge, lone Oak tree that shaded the hilltop rustled and shivered.
'An observation I can hardly dispute. The Bulins were not made to be weapons, as all other Kansen were, nor do they have the general sense of purpose and commitment we share. But in courage, in spirit and will, truly they are at least our equals.' Akagi replied, bowing her head. 'And they fought for me, Kaga.' She continued after a moment, and Kaga could see wetness around her sisters' eyes. 'I, who have never given them cause to love me, and every cause to hate. Those innocent, gentle creatures went to war, not for glory, revenge, or honour, not pride nor country. But for me. Because they believed that they could help me, that they should help me, and so they struggled, they fought, they suffered, and they died in their hundreds... for me.'
Her head came up again, her eyes once more taking in the glorious view in front of them. 'And through that terrible sacrifice, they saved not just my life, but my very soul, for I have been given my self back. There is nothing I can do, not in this or any other life, which can even come close to repaying that debt. But I must try. And though to me it seems a small thing indeed, one thing I can do is to never allow them to be insulted or demeaned in my presence ever again.' She glanced sideways, her sharp gaze meeting Kaga's again. 'Not even by mine own sister. Is that clear?'
Kaga held that gaze for a moment, then the white-haired Kitsune bowed, full and deep. 'It shall be as you wish, Akagi-Neesama.'
'Domo.' Replied Akagi, with her own bow of acknowledgement. 'There is another matter also – Project Orochi. It is cancelled, effective immediately.'
Kaga's eyes went wide at that. 'Cancelled?! But-'
'But we have been extremely fortunate, Kaga, that the Azur Lane have taken us in like they have.' Interrupted Akagi, her face unaccustomedly stern. 'Yes, there is still animosity in places, from both ours and the other factions. Yes, they desperately needed – and still need – as many allies as they could get. But none of that changes the fact that we have been welcomed with open arms, that we have been trusted when we had done nothing to earn it.' A sudden gust of wind blew past, sending their hair streaming in the air, and scattering cherry blossom petals to every side. 'Project Orochi is a betrayal both of that trust and the trust put in us by Nagato-sama, and I will not have it said that the Sakura Empire's greatest talent is treachery. If that means dear Amagi is forever lost to me – to us - then I believe that is how it must be, for now I realise she would never have countenanced our alliance with the Sirens, not when they threaten all of humanity.'
Kaga frowned. 'But, we were intending-'
'Intending to fight them from within, should she be brought back to us. Use their own weapons against them if we could. But what if she was not returned, or never could have been? Whether through duplicity by the Sirens, or simply their inability to do so? And what if we could not turn their weapons on them? They would have had claim on our loyalty for nothing in return.' Akagi's eyes narrowed. 'In the Eagle Union, they have a saying for that kind of situation – "The road to Hell is paved with good intentions." The Sirens are masters of manipulation, sister, and it has since occurred to me that their offer was perhaps less than sincere, shall we say - in much the same way as ours was.'
'In all honesty the same thoughts had come to me also,' replied Kaga, nodding slowly. 'At the time, however, you were more... enthusiastic about the project, and I knew that you would not be gain-said.'
Akagi gave her a shallow bow, grateful for how circumspect Kaga was being, for now she knew full well that saying she had been 'enthusiastic' was a horrendous understatement. 'Kaga, I know that in this case, strictly speaking, I do not have authority to make it an 'order',' she said, slightly adjusting her kimono's folds. 'But if you choose to still go forwards with it on your own, not only will I oppose you with everything I have, I will consider that I have no choice but to involve both Nagato-sama, and Shikikan-sama also.'
Kaga shook her pale head. 'That will not be necessary, sister. As I said, I already had my own doubts about the course we had embarked upon. So, if this is truly your will, I shall not oppose it in any way.'
As Akagi was about to answer, they both heard a sharp, breathy cough just behind them, before its owners' voice broke into their conversation. 'Glad am I to hear such as this. For it means you have come far already, sisters. The road ahead is still long and dark, but you have come far indeed.'
Startled, they spun round, eyes going wide in disbelieving amazement. For though it was partially hidden by the pale pink petals still drifting on the breeze, the gently smiling figure would have been instantly recognizable to them, even were it not holding an oil-paper umbrella. She was framed by a huge Törii gate, and through it, the skybound path they could both see ascending the mountain behind her was lined with cherry trees.
Akagi, mouth agape and face white with shock, slumped down to her knees. 'On... Onee-Sama?'
'You are sure of this?' Asked the one known to all those below him as The Redeemer. On seeing the chorus of nods in response, he frowned. 'Interesting. Very interesting. So the Azur Lane have managed to discover who one of their true enemies is, this time. Much quicker than any of the simulations anticipated.'
'What do we do now then, Sir?' Asked Tester Beta. 'Does this mean we can move to the next Phase?'
The Redeemer did not answer at once, his frown deepening and his brow furrowing in thought. 'No. Not yet.' He said eventually, with a weary shake of his head. 'The overriding priority is to make sure that they possess the strength to fight, and the will to use that strength. All else is secondary to that objective.' He did not miss the momentary flicker of disappointment on many of the faces now looking at him. 'However. It is certainly a most encouraging sign. One that I am sure will ensure that the day we and the Azur Lane will no longer fight against each other, but be able to stand side-by-side as allies, will indeed come... and quite possibly sooner than any have expected.'
[END]
And so ends A Bulin's Worth, my thanks for reading, and I hope you enjoyed it :)
I am now intending to continue work on the follow-ups to this, but those will be a while coming, I'm afraid.
My apologies if you found reading this difficult - for some reason the FF Document Editor won't allow double-spacing for section breaks and defaults to single-line, which I find incredibly annoying, both to read and as a writer.
I still think it's a bit crazy that I had been working for months on this, a Fanfic that originally grew out of my love for the Bulins and the thought that they can be heroes too. And then the literal *day* before I began final editing, they go and release a Bulins-as-heroes April Fool's Event! Being such a fan of the Bulins, *and* a fan of the source material they used for the Event, I of course absolutely loved it, and I definitely teared up in happiness while playing it.
But... the sheer scale of that coincidence pretty much blew my mind! :D
(Btw, for any Commander/potential Commander that may not be aware of the event I am referencing, it is/was the 'Band of Bulins' event, which is/was available until 6th April 2022)
