No info dump this time around because this is going to be a short chapter with no new OC ship girls. Again, thanks for the support and it's awesome to be able to discuss ideas with a lot of you. This chapter will tie everything up with the base as it currently stands so enjoy.
A.N This is another rewrite from its first publication
-CanadianBacon
Kantai Collection: Liberation Part Three
A Drill? A Battle?
Tone nee-san, we just got here.
"Dialogue"
'Speaking to himself or inner dialogue'
Journal entries
November 24th, 2023
Unnamed Naval Base, Okinawa Japan 0700hrs
As I'm lying in bed I notice something heavy sitting on my chest so I roll to shake whatever it is off. I then hear a growl and a hiss before something smacks me in my face.
"What the hell!" I yell sitting up in bed to find a cat sitting there staring at me. Its fur is white with black heart shaped spots.
I'm not particularly fond of cats so I attempt to push it off my bed. It doesn't like that so it scratches my hand and runs off.
I check my hand to see it bleeding. "Little shit. This is why I don't like cats."
With a stretch and yawn I get out of bed and head for my bathroom. I was up way too late last night doing all that paperwork. It better not be like that every night.
After performing my morning routine I decide to check my computer for any messages. I notice three new messages coming from Admiral Howland, Admiral Takei and Captain Yamada.
I open up Howland's message to find that he wants me to give another few missions to undertake as well as a roster of ship girls that will become available to me in time.
Takei wants a report on my first impressions of each different ship girl.
Finally, Yamada got my list and will be delivering things in short time.
'Just woke up and I already have two more reports to push.' I think with a sigh.
I put my computer to sleep and head downstairs to check up on the operations room. Ooyodo said the rest of the staff will be arriving last night.
When I get downstairs I notice some commotion from the operations room. Ooyodo is already up and currently pouring herself a cup of green tea, she notices me enter the room and gives me a smile.
"Good morning Admiral, would you like some?" She says lifting the pot.
"Sure." I grab a cup and hold it under the pot.
'Man, Ooyodo is already getting to work along with the little flying creatures. They're really focused and committed.'
...
'Little...flying...creatures!?'
I open and close my eyes slowly, thinking maybe I'm still a little sleepy and my eyes are going buggy.
'Nope, isn't working, there is definitely something there.'
Almost like it read my mind it turns around to face me and gives me a smile and a wave.
I jump back so much in shock that Ooyodo spills hot tea all over my jacket.
"Eek!" Ooyodo squeals at the sudden erratic movement from me before she notices the satin on my shirt.
"Admiral I'm so~ sorry! Are you hurt? Please tell me I didn't burn you!"
I could care less about the scolding hot liquid right now. In front of me clear as day is something more important.
"What the hell are those?" I say pointing at the...fairy? Yeah I guess it's a fairy, or what I'd think a fairy would look like from...fairy tales.
The fairy looks hurt by my reaction and turns around going back to doing what it was before with a noticing droop in her shoulders.
Ooyodo puts on an unpleasant face. "Admiral, please don't say things like that to them."
"What do you mean? What the hell is it?"
"Admiral, you don't need to be so rude. Remember the staff that would be arriving in the night…"
…..
"Sigh~, they're the staff that arrived in the night." She says like I'm supposed to know.
"The...staff…really?"
'First ship girls and now fairies, the fuck I get myself into when I took this job?'
"Right, well sorry but come on, you didn't think I'd freak out a little? It's not every day a little fairy gives me a good morning." I say trying to convince her to see things from my perspective.
Ooyodo gives me a pout.
"Hmmm I guess you're right, it would be a little shocking but you should still apologize."
I get up and walk over to the fairy I insulted earlier. "Hey, umm little fairy, sorry about that whole thing, I was just a little surprised." The fairy turns around and gives me a little kick before smiling and giving me a salute.
"Right, keep up the good work!" I say saluting her back.
"Whatever it is you're doing..." I say under my breath.
"So where do the fairies come from? I'm pretty sure they were just myths and stories like the tooth fairy or Tinkerbelle."
Ooyodo puts on a serious face. "I don't really know where they came from but they showed up shortly after we were…created."
"So they could be related to the Abbysals?"
"Possibly but what you need to know about them is that all fairies specialize in a certain role. Some, like you see here, are operators of RADAR systems, radios and electronics, while others are builders, workers and warriors."
"Warriors? They can fight?"
"The pilots of our aircraft are fairies, as well as the ones that operate our main weapons on the equipment we wear."
"Wow, I didn't know that. I thought it was some kind of remote system or something that operated your weapons."
"Well your half right. Some of us do operate our weapons ourselves, while some operate with the fairies. It all differs on one girl from the next."
Its then I started to feel the wetness on my jacket.
"Wow, I actually forgot about the tea." I say with a chuckle.
"I'm so sorry, it was my fault. I'll take care of it right away." She says as she pulls my jacket out of my hands.
"Hey…wait…calm down, I don't blame you so I can handle this." I say as I grab it back.
"Admiral, I am your secretary for the time being and this is one of my jobs. You can't do everything yourself. So wait here and I'll be right back with one of your spares." She said rather forcefully.
I let go of the jacket by her request.
"Fine, I'll wait here. Once your back you can show me what you've been up to this morning." I said sitting down in a chair.
"Yes, I'll be right back." She said with a bright smile before she took off running upstairs. Five minutes later she returned with a new jacket and all the fittings.
"Thank you, I'll try to rely on you girls more often from now on."
She smiled and bowed. "Please do."
"So, show me what you were doing this morning."
"Ahem, I organized everything you would need to know on this board's right here." She says pointing to the big chalkboards on the wall.
"This first board is a general overview of the fleet. Up in the top left corner of the first one is your name and rank, it is your fleet after all. In the top right we have the number of ship girls in the fleet along with equipment. In the centre we have the space for the fleet compositions. Beside that on the right we have the estimated time for expeditions, repairs and construction along with the current objective of the fleet. As you can see a lot of these are empty because we haven't begun active operations but they will fill up soon enough."
Nodding my head to her explanations I ask her a question. "What are the other ones for?"
She looks back to the boards and continues her lecture. "These are just more in depth details of each topic. For example, the fleet tab will show you everything you need to know about each of your fleets like ship class, name, level, status, fatigue, ammunition and fuel capacity and finally the current load out they are equipped with."
"Hey wait, what do you mean by level?"
She looks surprised for s second before regaining her composure. "That is a little idea I came up with. Since we don't actually have a rank, I thought levels would be suitable to show which kanmasu have the most experience."
"Hmm, I like it. Good thinking Ooyodo, but how will we determine the levels?"
"I was thinking we calculate experience by the difficulty of the mission combined with the outcome to determine things."
I started nodding my head once again because I like what she was thinking. "How about we add in a bonus to whoever obtains MVP. That'll give them something extra to compete and fight for."
"I'm sure they'll love the idea." Ooyodo said with a smile.
I rubbed on the head and she looks absolutely thrilled by the gesture.
"Alright, good work Ooyodo. How about you join me for breakfast for all your hard work?"
She looks at me with confusion. "But Mamiya's doesn't open for another couple hours."
"No, but I'll make you something. How about a western style breakfast? I'm sure Mamiya will have the ingredients."
Ooyodo looked like she was just offered a bag of gold.
"Yes! I'd love to try Admirals cooking!" She said smiling.
Admiral's Office 1000hrs
After making breakfast for Ooyodo and myself, which she enjoyed immensely by saying it was the best food she ever tasted, I went up to my office to check up on those files Takei sent me. Apparently the two heavy-cruisers should be getting here in around an hour so it would be a good idea to get some information on them.
Opening the first one up has a picture of a girl about a couple years older than Ooyodo. She has brown hair done up into twin tails. She also has brown eyes and wears a green and orange short dress with a red bowtie. Completing her outfit she wears a black legging that reaches up her right thigh.
First Tone-Class Heavy Cruiser, Tone or利根 重巡洋艦. Her name is based off of the Tone River in the Kanto region.
'I've never been there so I wouldn't know what it's like.'
It says here that her and Chikuma are designed for long-range scouting missions and carry multiple sea planes on their rigs. They are also my two physical training staff on base.
Onto personal notes it says here she is very hyperactive and is always trying to compete with her sister Chikuma.
The next girl shares a lot of similarities to her sister for obvious reasons. I would have to say though; Chikuma looks more mature and older for some reason even though she is the second of her class. She wears the same outfit as Tone, down to the boot.
Second Tone-Class Heavy Cruiser, Chikuma or筑摩 重巡洋艦.Like her sister her name is based on a river in Japan, the Chikuma River unsurprisingly.
She shares the same role as her sister in scouting operations and training the other girls.
Her personal notes say she is a lot more calm and reserved compared to her sister but she is also very dependant or needy to Tone.
"What are you reading?" A voice says from beside me.
"Oh, hey Ooyodo, Takei sent me these file on Tone and Chikuma so I'm just seeing some information on them." I say not even moving an inch.
She just pouts once again.
"What?"
"You didn't get scared." She says in a disappointed tone.
"I don't scare easily, besides I heard you coming. Anyways, now that you're here I have some questions."
Her face reverts back to the serious one she usually has and sits down in a chair across my desk.
"What is it?"
"Something was on my mind since. When I offered to help move in yesterday, why did everyone look at me like some weirdo? Is it a cultural difference?"
"Well, it's not normal for superior officers to help subordinates if they're not close. Is it different in Caneda?"
"I guess. I'd help my men with anything if they needed it, whether they were new or not. They never really minded much, and it's Can-a-da."
"Can-a-da, it's funny when I think of that word it bring thoughts of 'enemy', 'fight' and 'kill' but that was long ago, now you're my Admiral and I feel happy." She says with a smile.
"Well, as you said, it was a long time ago, a different war and different goals. How much do you remember by the way? "
"Huh? About my past? Well I have always been Ooyodo since I remember."
"What do you mean? Ooyodo, what is your first memory you can think of?"
"My birth at Kure Naval base in Hiroshima, why what's yours?"
"I don't know, fishing with my dad or playing with my dog as a kid. What about memories from your life before becoming a ship girl?"
"I don't understand the question. I went to sleep for a long time before I woke up again."
"Huh, interesting." I sat back rubbing my chin in thought. "If you don't mind, what is your last memory before going to...sleep?"
She closes her eyes like she's in deep thought before they start to tear up. "I remember…fire…sounds of bombs…and the call for damage control…" She isn't able to say anymore before she starts to sob and I instinctively grab her hand to comfort her.
"I'm sorry I shouldn't have asked that, it must be painful." I looked at her as she cleared her eyes with the back of her hand.
"No, it's okay. I don't know what those images mean but it brings pain, lots of pain and suffering. I don't want to think of that again."
I look at her as she tries to regain her composure. If what she is saying is true that means she was remembering her own death.
"You know, I can actually relate a little."
She looks up at me with eager eyes.
"What is it?"
"Well, I don't know if they told you why I'm here when I am?"
She shakes her head in a no gesture.
"Well, I was there when the Abyssal first attacked...long story short I'm the sole survivor of that attack."
She just continues to stare at me.
"My point is that every night…every night I remember everything in my dreams. The screams, the gunfire, the pain…" I start to tear up a little now and Ooyodo grabs my hand in return to calm me down.
"You know what, I can't talk about this yet." I say quickly as I get up and run to the window for fresh air as I was feeling sick to my stomach. After a few big breathes I turn back around to Ooyodo who just looks concerned as all hell.
I give her a quick smile. "Maybe later…and after a few drinks we can finish this conversation."
"Yes Admiral, but if I may say so, you should share that story, when you're ready, with everyone. I'm sure they'll appreciate it as much as I do."
When she finished her sentence someone rapidly knocks on the door.
"Hay Admiral, I got that list of items I can build for ya with how much supplies they'll cost." Akashi says while handing me a piece of paper.
"Woah, what's up with you two?" Akashi says with a concerned face.
"Nothing, we were just sharing war stories. Anyways, let me look at this list of yours."
I look at the first items and they're relatively cheap but the ones near the bottom cost as much supplies as we have currently!
"What's with these price's at the bottom?!"
"Hey, I didn't say they would be cheap!" She says snatching the paper back from my hand.
"Yeah well, this stuff better be worth it."
"Don't worry, we'll get to that point eventually, for now just focus on small upgrades. Besides, it's not like you even have the ships or equipment to start on the larger ones."
"Yeah yeah, give that back by the way." I say putting my hand out for the sheet.
Admirals Office 1100hrs
I'm doing some of that paper work in my office when I hear an announcement come from outside.
"Kanmasu Returning! Kanmasu Returning!"
'I didn't know we had a p.a system.'
I get up to look out my window to see a cargo ship docking at the port along with two girls entering the launch pad.
"Ooyodo, can you please fetch the two new cruisers and bring them to my office along with the shipping manifest."
"Yes sir!" She says with a salute before running out the room.
Around ten minutes later she returns with three people in tow. Tone, Chikuma and Yamada are now in my office.
The three salute me so I stand up and do the same.
"Welcome to the naval base that is yet to be named. I'm Admiral Tyler Quinn and I'm told you're my new training staff, welcome aboard."
"I am Tone! With my addition to the fleet, there will be no problems searching out the enemy!" Tone says while pointing at me with a big smile on her face.
"Pleased to meet you. 2nd of the Tone-class, Chikuma." Chikuma says politely with a bow. She's definitely the mature one of the two.
"Nice to meet you both, Ooyodo here will take you to your dorms so you can get settled."
With a salute the three of them leave the room. It just leaves me and Yamada watching them leave. He turns back around and gives me a cheeky grin.
"You're a lucky guy to have all these beauties to yourself." He says with a laugh.
"Yeah, you're a funny guy. I bet if I tried to touch one of them they'd hit me so hard Id be drinking with a straw."
Yamada just gives a hearty laugh. "Doesn't it bother you being the only guy on base?"
"No not at all."
To be honest, it's a little strange to be the only guy on base. I'm also still slightly afraid of these girls and I don't want a repeat of what Murakumo did yesterday.
Yamada is in tears at this point. "You're full of shit. I can see it on your face."
"I'm glad you find this so funny, what you bring me anyway?" I say putting my hand out for the manifest.
"Just your standard supply drop, I'm still processing that list of items you gave me. What's with all the books by the way?" He says handing me the clipboard.
"I like to read."
"Figured."
On the manifest I see 1500 of each of the four main resources and some food. I sign off and hand him his sheet.
"Do you think they'll connect this base to the highway anytime soon?"
He just shrugs. "I'm not the guy to be asking that. But it would make things easier for me and the boys."
"Alright, see ya later Captain." I say with a salute.
"Good luck with all the super deadly warships!" He says with another laugh and salute.
'Jackass'
After Yamada and his crew left I decided to finally visit the last few places I haven't been to yet on the base. Heading outside I notice the base is a lot more active than before. The destroyers are off doing their own little thing making it seem like it was kinda busy. Once they notice me though they run over to greet me.
"Hey hey commander, when are we going to sortie?" Johnston yells excitedly.
"We start operations tomorrow."
"Awesome! I'm going to give those Abyssal's hell!" She says pulling out her sword and swinging it around.
"No sword!" I warn her once more. "Seriously, I'll take it away."
"Oops, hehe." She just smiles and runs off.
"Hey commander, do we have any escort mission coming up?" Haida asks me expectantly.
"Yeah, we'll start clearing the sea lanes tomorrow. I have high hopes for you so don't let me down."
"No worries commander." She says proudly before returning to what she was doing.
As I was walking by a group of destroyers I noticed a glare coming from Murakumo so I approach her and she seems flustered I noticed.
"Are you ever going to apologize for teasing me yesterday you idiot?" Murakumo asks with a pout.
"Look I'm really sorry for teasing you and it was stupid of me." I say messing up her hair.
"Ughhh, you're an idiot!" She says as she walks away and fixing her hair.
As I'm chuckling to myself I feel a tug on the back of my jacket.
"Umm, commander you said you were going to tell me some stories about Iroquois." Iroquois mentions shyly.
"Come to my office tomorrow and we can talk about it okay." I say rubbing her head. She looks up and smiles before returning to Haida's side.
When I get to the training grounds I notice it's just a simple water course and targets set at multiple distances. I kind of wish I could take part in the fun but it's just not possible.
"Hey admiral fancy seeing you here." A newer voice says from behind me. Turing around, I see Tone and Chikuma approaching.
"Oh Tone, Chikuma, are you two coming to check out the training grounds?"
"No, we wanted to talk to the Admiral. Ask you some questions about your personal life."
"Nee-san! I'm sorry Admiral, what she meant was we're curious about you."
"Alright, fire away." I say as I sit down and hang my legs off the dock.
Tone and Chikuma do the same beside me.
"So is true you're from Canada?" Tone asks excitedly.
"Yeah."
"Does that mean you lived in a igloo and drink lots of maple syrup?"
"What? No, where…I'm not going to even ask."
"Nee-san please stop being so silly."
"These are serious questions." I answer sarcastically.
"See, he gets it." Tone agrees happily.
'That went right over her head.'
"So, do you have any on you?" Tone asks another question.
"What?"
"Maple syrup! I've never tried it but I want too."
"Uhhh, no but Mamiya's does. I don't think she'll mind if you try some."
Tone jumps up after I finish my sentence.
"Really, let's go Chikuma!" Tone says as she grabs her sister and bounds off towards the café.
'That was quick.'
I continue my journey to the carriers training grounds which isn't too far away. It's up on a hill overlooking the bay into the ocean. It's a small wood building with a rack of bows on one side and training arrows on the other. From the hill you get a clear shot at some targets off in the distance.
Now with my travels over I head back towards my office for some rest. The jetlag is still killing me and I'm thinking of sleeping the rest of the day off. When I finally reach my office it's all but confirmed I need sleep.
I leave a note for Ooyodo telling her I'll be in bed and to not wake me for dinner. Tomorrow the real thing begins.