"Admiral Bogan to see Admiral Clark."

The secretary looked up at me, smiled, and nodded. "One moment, sir," she requested as she picked up the phone. After a second, she said, "Admiral Bogan is here, sir." Another second passed as she listened to the response on the other end of the line. "Yes, sir." She placed the phone receiver back in its cradle and gave me another smile. "You can go in now, Admiral."

I nodded my thanks to her as I strode past and opened the double doors to Clark's office. As soon as they swung open, I could see the familiar ruddy-faced Admiral Lawrence Clark break out into a big grin as he got up from his seat. "Paul, so good to see you safe and sound," he declared, his booming voice practically echoing off the walls. "How are you doing?"

"I'm fine, sir. The doctors cleared me and I'm ready to get back to base and back to work," I lied. Well, half-lied. The doctors did clear me and I was ready to get back to work, but I was far from fine. I wasn't upset or shaken or angry or anything like that. I just…felt nothing. Ever since that night, I've felt numb to nearly everything, and I was afraid if I tried to open myself back up to those feelings, it would overwhelm me. All I've focused on was recovering and getting back to my command. It's all I had left.

His smile faltered, and for a moment, my heart sank. Fear, the first real feeling I'd had in nearly a week, lanced into my chest like an icy dagger. "About that, Paul…there's been a complication."

I tried to keep my composure, knowing if I tipped my hand and showed him how desperate I was, I could risk losing my command anyways. "...am I being relieved, Admiral?"

"No, no!" Clark quickly replied, and I quietly breathed a sigh of relief. "You're doing excellent work out there, and as you said, the doctors have declared you fit to serve. But during NCIS's investigation of your wife's…ah…"

"Terror cell," I coldly finished for him.

He gave me a curious, concerned look, but continued on. "Terror cell," he repeated, "they found some contacts who had been feeding them information. Contacts who live near the base. Our concern is that they may take a more…hostile approach now that they've been uncovered."

While this news was unexpected, I didn't see it as much of a threat. "I'm not concerned about an attack while I'm on the base, any of my shipgirls are more than a match for some terrorist."

"Military intelligence agrees with you," Clark nodded, "which may be what they intend to happen."

That was a new one for me. "They want to get their asses handed to them?" I asked, eyebrow raised.

He chuckled and walked over to the far wall. "It sounds crazy, I know, but think about it. If this…anti-kansen cult forced one of your girls' hands and they wound up hurting or even killing one of them, that would give the terrorists all the proof they needed to spin this as a sign shipgirls are 'the true threat to humanity' or whatever. So we aren't going to give them the satisfaction."

My brows furrowed as I tried to figure out where this conversation was heading. "So…if I'm not being removed from command, but I'm not heading back to base…where am I going, sir?"

Clark gave me that half-smile he was famous for as he turned on the wall-mounted monitor. "We've been looking for somewhere secure enough for you to be safe and making it difficult for any members of this 'anti-kansen cult' to slip into the local populace. To that end, we've managed to strike a tentative bargain with the Sakura Empire."

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. "The Sakura Empire?" I blurted out, incredulous. "I'm going to be safer with them?"

He chuckled and gave me a knowing grin. "I said much the same thing when they made the offer, but the Sakura Empire revere their kansen, almost as gods, although they call them…'Cammies' or something like that, meaning it will be harder for the cult to recruit from within, and their isolationist tendencies mean any outsiders will stick out like a sore thumb. In addition, they've assigned a single shipgirl to act as your aide, bodyguard, and liaison, and she has made personal guarantees for your safety."

Depending on who it was who made those guarantees, I might not have felt terribly reassured. "Who's the shipgirl?"

"Musashi."

My eyebrows shot up in surprise and I let out a low whistle. "That's…one hell of a liaison. They picked their second in command for this?"

"By her own personal request," Clark confirmed. "Tells me they're taking this very seriously."

While I still had my doubts, it was a solid plan, and if Musashi could be trusted, this should work. "So where will I transfer my flag?"

He tapped on the monitor and it zoomed into a tiny atoll in the south Pacific. "You'll meet Musashi here, at Truk. From there, you can use her ship as a floating HQ, or you can use one of the atoll's islands to set up a shore command. It's also the forward staging area for the Sakura Empire, so there will be numerous mass-produced ships and kansen in the area should the Sirens decide to launch a surprise attack."

I took a few steps towards the monitor to get a closer look at the place that would be my home for the foreseeable future. "Sounds like you've got all the angles covered, sir," I smiled politely. "And for how long would I be out there?"

"Until we're certain we've got this cult nonsense wrapped up, I'm afraid," Clark answered sympathetically. "If you need more time to get things in order here, I can get you another forty-eight hours."

I shook my head. "Won't be necessary, sir. Handled that from my hospital bed."

"Good. Then good luck and safe travels, Paul."

"We've arrived at Truk," Enterprise announced. I looked up from the book I was reading and nodded my acknowledgment.

"Very good," I replied as shut the book and placed it in my suitcase. "I'll meet you on the boat deck."

"Aye, sir." She disappeared down the corridor, leaving me to finish collecting my things. I didn't pack much. The MREs should already have been sent over, which just left my wardrobe and personal effects. A few books on the Yamato-class battleships, what little there was, and a guide on Sakura customs, along with some civilian outfits made up all of my personal effects. Everything else was back at the old base or being packed up and put in storage once the NCIS was done combing through my house.

With a sigh, I took one last look around the cabin to make sure I didn't miss anything and then left, shutting the door behind me.

It was a quick walk down to the boat deck, where Enterprise was waiting, the launch at the ready. She saluted me as I approached, which I returned before I tossed my bags into the boat. I turned to face her, feeling somewhat awkward. I hated goodbyes. "Take care of the base while I'm gone, and I'll be looking forward to your reports, Enterprise."

"I'll do my very best, sir," she nodded solemnly. "Stay safe out there."

"I'll try," I said wryly as I climbed into the launch and got myself situated before giving her the thumbs-up. "Lower away."

She nodded and the launch began to steadily lower itself down to the water. As I waited for the boat to be lowered and the lines to be cleared, I looked across at the battleship anchored a few hundred yards away. Even from this distance, I could see she was a big ship, with clean lines and an impressive-looking superstructure. A perfect melding of form and function. I wondered what Musashi herself would be like. Unlike the other higher-ups in the Sakura Empire, she was a relative unknown. I think we knew more about Friederich der Grosse at that time than we did about Musashi. Was she capricious, cold, cruel, manipulative, deceptive? A hard-nosed taskmaster or pampered princess? Guess I'd find out soon enough.

As the launch motored its way across the lagoon, the Musashi began to grow ever larger and larger. It's hard to describe just how massive the ship itself is without actually being there. As we passed by the bow, I had to crane my neck back just to get a view of the Sakura Empire's seal as it towered over me. The sides of the hull were like dark grey cliffs as the launch pulled alongside, and the superstructure loomed above me like a mountain. While battleships like New Jersey and carriers like Essex and Intrepid were all massive vessels in their own right, none ever looked quite so…imposing as the Yamato-class.

Once the boat had pulled up to the stairs and stopped moving, I grabbed my bags and very carefully stepped off the launch and onto the small platform at the bottom of the stairs. It wouldn't be an auspicious start if I fell off the ship before I'd taken my first step on it. Some luck had somehow still remained with me and I managed to safely make it onto the staircase without falling off or even looking like a fool in the process. I glanced up, took a deep breath, shouldered my seabag, and began climbing.

As I reached the top step, I found a welcoming party waiting for me. Three manjuus, two with rifles and one with a bugle, snapped to attention, and the bugle manjuu began playing some sort of musical call, presumably to announce my arrival. Announcing to who, I couldn't say, considering there were only two other people on deck, and in all likelihood, on the entire ship. Nevertheless, I nodded curtly to the manjuus, who saluted and waddled off.

I watched them go until a melodious voice drew my attention. "Your office told us to keep the pomp and circumstance to a minimum, but some traditions must be upheld, at least. I hope you weren't too offended, Commander."

I looked over at the source of the voice and what I saw took my breath away. The first thing I noticed was how she, much like her ship, towered over me. Even though I'm above average in height, she still stood head and shoulders above me. Without the massive platform sandals she was wearing(I would be later informed this style of footwear is called geta), I guessed she'd probably still be taller than me. Her hair, fox ears, and multiple tails were black and silken, but with a purple tinge that you could see when the light hit it just right. A soft, reassuring smile graced her face, accentuated by a pair of what appeared to be stylized, lavender fox whiskers tattooed on each cheek. Her gold eyes were warm and bright, but piercing, and above all of her physical traits, there was something else about her. An…aura of sorts. Powerful, but also protective, and soothing. Or it should have felt soothing. To me, that kind of warmth had become anathema, and it was all I could do to recoil from her. Still, I had to admit, if this was how all Sakura kansen felt to be around, I could see why the people deified them.

I took a half step back and shook my head. "No, not offended," I diplomatically responded. No matter my misgivings on this, I knew reacting with hostility would make the situation immediately worse and the last thing I wanted to do was to strain a fragile relationship from the literal first minute. "Just…unexpected." I held up my hand and looked up at her to meet her unflinching gaze. "Admiral Paul Bogan, requesting permission to come aboard."

"Granted," she beamed as she gently took my hand in hers and shook it firmly. "I am Musashi, the existence that was supposed to turn the tides in the Sakura Empire's favor during that war…" She sighed softly and looked over her shoulder, up towards the ship's superstructure. "But there is no point in lamenting the past, as it is not in my nature. All I know is, this time, I shall protect all that is dear to me, no matter the cost."

"I see…" I murmured.

"You are included on that list, Commander," she said with a reassuring smile. "As long as you are with me, your safety is guaranteed."

I smiled politely and nodded once. "Good to hear."

Not missing a beat, she turned and gestured toward the other shipgirl in her shadow. Although her clothes still bore the black and purple color scheme of Musashi's, instead of the battleship's take on more traditional Sakura dress, this girl was wearing what looked like a schoolgirl's uniform modified to show her midriff. A raven or crow's mask was resting on her head, and her expression was disinterested, if not downright bored. "And this," Musashi announced, "is my aide, Haguro."

"Guess you're the Commander, huh…" she muttered as her ruby-red eyes sized me up. Apparently, I passed muster because she gave me a brief nod and added, "Wassup? I'm part of the team now or whatever. You just mind your own biz and I'll mind mine."

"Deal," I said. Her aloof demeanor and stated desire to keep out of my way as long as I did the same was much more my speed considering everything I'd just gone through.

Haguro cracked the barest hint of a smile before she glanced back up at Musashi. "We good here?"

"Yes, you may resume your duties," Musashi grinned down at her subordinate and shooed her away. Haguro gave a thumbs up to her, another nod to me, and headed off. When Musashi returned her golden gaze to me, I did my best not to flinch. "As for you, Admiral, would you prefer I show you to your quarters?"

I put on another courteous smile and nodded. "Please."

As we headed into the ship, I noticed the corridors were large, even for a ship this size. You could easily fit three or more people standing shoulder to shoulder in some of these passageways. Those corridors narrowed back down to what I expected from a warship as we headed back towards the bow, and presumably, the Admiral's Quarters. Before long, Musashi stopped at a door and turned to face me once more. "Your cabin, Commander," she smiled and bowed politely.

I nodded brusquely as I swung the door open, glanced inside, then promptly shut it again. I couldn't believe what I had just seen. Musashi looked at me with both concern and confusion. "Is there something wrong with your accommodations?"

"You said this is my cabin, correct?" I asked, wanting to make sure there wasn't any confusion. "Not my office, but my cabin. Where I sleep."

Her smile swiftly reappeared as she began to understand my confusion. "Correct," she confirmed as she opened the door once more. "This is your private office and cabin."

I peered into the room again and despite Musashi's reassurances, still couldn't believe that this entire room was mine. Beautiful teak paneling, plush red carpet, and a magnificent desk drew my eye immediately, along with several wall scrolls that looked like they belonged in a samurai's castle instead of a warship. I hesitantly stepped into the room as I continued to look around, marveling at its beauty and opulence. I'd heard the rumors of the "Hotel Yamato", but I had no idea it would be this luxurious. However, one thing did catch my attention. "...where do I sleep?"

My guide strode over to a door I'd missed and opened it for me. "In here. This is your bedroom, bathroom, and private library."

Again, I was awestruck by the casual announcement. Not only did I have this room, which was already bigger than my on-base apartment, but I had even more? "I have a private library?"

She nodded and gestured for me to follow. I quickly set my bags down and entered the room behind her, stopping to admire the generous bed nestled against the wall. Hardly the austere conditions I was used to when posted to a ship. Musashi gave me a moment to take it all in before she guided me to yet another door which she opened before stepping back to allow me to look inside. "I don't know your reading preference, so I stocked it with general military history, along with books on the traditions, beliefs, and history of the Sakura Empire."

"That was…very generous, thank you," I murmured in a subdued tone. I was still trying to process it all when a sudden thought ran through my mind. "This wasn't your room, was it?"

The hair swayed from side to side, a counterpoint to the swaying of her tails as she shook her head. "I have no need for an office of this magnitude when I am on the go, and my home is much more lavish than this." She paused, her golden eyes flashing as she got an idea. "Perhaps you would like to see it one day?"

Alarm bells began blaring in my head and I had to restrain myself from bolting from the room in a panic. On some level, I knew that she was just being polite, perhaps even being genuinely friendly with me, but the greater part of me saw it as a ploy to lure me into another trap. And rather than show fear in front of someone who I wrongly perceived as a possible threat, my brain opted for a dispassionate demeanor.

"Perhaps," I coldly deferred. "Now if you'll excuse me, I'd like to settle in and get to work."

If Musashi was offended by the sudden frigid response, she gave no sign. "Of course," she smiled politely. "I shall leave you to unpack. Would you care for some dinner in a few hours?"

I raised an eyebrow. "Did the MREs not arrive on time?"

"They did, but-"

"Then I'll be having those for the foreseeable future," I cut her off. It would be a long time before I trusted food that hadn't been prepackaged and sealed up months in advance. "Thank you."

For a second, she opened her mouth, presumably to protest, before she shut it again and gave me a polite smile. "As you wish," she bowed. "I will be awaiting you in your office when you are ready to get to work."

I responded with a forced smile of my own and turned to begin unpacking. After a few seconds, I felt the aura subsiding, and I let out a sigh of relief. And suddenly, I realized just how damaged I was. I'd finally felt something, but it was a twisted version of what a healthy emotional state should be. Paranoia and suspicion were expected, but to recoil at feelings of warmth and protection? As if the very concept had been tainted by her? I felt revulsion and disgust churning away in my stomach for both of us; her for doing this to me and myself for allowing it to happen.

I knew I should have brought this up with someone who could help, gotten things in hand before future events spiraled out of my control, and saved us all some grief. But at the same time, I was so afraid that if I brought it up with the wrong person, word would get back to Naval HQ and I would be relieved of my command. And as I said earlier, the job was all I had left. Without this command, I would have nothing left, nothing but the wreckage of my life and the failures within. So I compartmentalized it, pushed it all down into a single space in my mind, and sealed it up as best I could. But it would seem that it wasn't sealed as tightly as I would have liked…

A/N-And here…we…go! We are well and truly out of the prologue, so to speak, and into the meat of the story where everything will be just fine! (Narrator voice: Everything was NOT fine…) Until next time, fair winds and following seas!