Multiversal Coordinates: 2-4.2-5-6.1-8.0/21A/54839/SCM
Designation: Northern Parliament Suliko
Rarity: PR
Physical Characteristics:
Upon first being created, NP Suliko was similar to other KANSEN submarines created during her era. However, the specifics of the hull used for her design ensured she differed in several key areas. The sheer size of her hull ensured she was one of the taller KANSEN submarines observed to exist during and even after the Second World War, though she is shorter than nuclear-powered submarines found in a few branches [See the logs on Ohio-class submarines created by the Eagle Union and its parallel equivalents for one such example]. Despite this height, she was less mentally mature, similar to many other KANSEN submarines and destroyers.
Pale skinned like a majority of observed Northern Parliament (and its parallel equivalents) KANSEN, NP Suliko's eyes are dark blue, while her hair, also dark blue, extends past her shoulders and is tied in a single ponytail. She wore a white lab coat, which became stocked with miniaturized versions of the equipment present aboard her hull whenever she manifested her rigging. Underneath her lab coat she also wears a thick black scuba suit that covers her entire body, save for her neck and head. This is unlike many other KANSEN submarines, and its presence was hypothesized to be a necessary addition to assist in operations in the arctic circle.
Her rigging, similar to her hull, possesses no guns or torpedoes. Like most other KANSEN submarines, a miniature version of her hull manifests as part of her rigging, with some differences present, most notably handlebars placed close to the bow of her miniature hull and an animalistic metal mouth, similar to other ships that have been enhanced using Siren technology.
Additionally, it is assumed her hull's ability to be used as an icebreaker is what caused the manifestation of several melee weapons suited both to icebreaking and to hand to hand combat with her rigging. Her weapons included a knife, the pommel of which was decorated with her hull's conning tower, an ice pick, with the adze being her rudder, and a large metal staff that could be used to remotely access her hull's scientific equipment when it was not being used as a handle to turn the miniature version of her hull into an oversized hammer.
More recently, the Siren technology present in her rigging has increased in prominence, resulting in her hammer being closer to a scythe the few times it has manifested. Her appearance has changed slightly, with her lab coat being black, excluding the hems of the garment which have become covered in ice. She wears an officer's hat during her public appearances.
History:
Preface of the Proposal of the Design Division of the People's Commissariat of the Navy of the Northern Parliament on the focus of Priority Research, November 8, 1939:
[APPROVED]
Practical assessments of the resources required to create a KANSEN based upon a hull that has never existed, based upon research within and without the Northern Parliament, suggest the resources required for the completion of Project 71BKAN, in both material required for the ship and Wisdom Cubes for the KANSEN, are prohibitively costly and would be a detriment to the expansion of the Navy as dictated by the People's Commissar of the Navy.
If such research were to fail to produce results, no benefit would be accrued from the massive resources committed to the project, while the effectiveness of an aircraft carrier in combating the perennial enemies of communism, given the likely areas of conflict with said enemies, is highly questionable, making the rationale of committing the resources necessary to its completion equally questionable.
The redirection of Priority research from Project 71BKAN to the far more promising, plausible Project 97, to be redesignated as Project 97KAN in the event of this proposal's approval, would allow for fewer resources to be committed to a project more likely to succeed, given the areas of expertise of the engineers of the Northern Parliament's Navy.
The lack of weaponry present in the designs for Project 97 will matter little given the purpose of the Project's hull, and likely pose no problems in the generation of a KANSEN, given research into foreign navies confirms the existence of several KANSEN who possess no weaponry within their rigging. Furthermore, it is probable that any KANSEN based on Project 97 would generate with a melee weapon given the purpose of the ship and the similar purposes or histories of ships and KANSEN that currently have similar weapons.
. . .
Transcript of NP Suliko's final training interview with the Head of the Design Division of the People's Commissariat of the Navy of the Northern Parliament, September 16, 1940:
Division Head Alexi: S-111. Despite how amusing you may find the answers you have provided, I can assure you I do not share your humor in this-
NP Suliko: And I don't care! Take your dialect and shove it-
Division Head Alexi: Do not finish that sentence.
[A moment of silence follows this order.]
NP Suliko: Fine. So we face counter-revolutionaries in every corner, that doesn't apply to my friends. Surely my instruments would have told me such by now?
Division Head Alexi: Are you sure? What instrument do you have that can determine truth from lies upon the lips of the people around you, hmm?
NP Suliko: There's no reason to suspect-
Division Head Alexi: None that you know! Kronshtadt has that very annoying habit of discovering intelligence she should not possess, to say nothing of Sovetsky Soyuz's interference in matters beyond and above her station.
NP Suliko: They're my friends. We're all working together for a better future-
Division Head Alexi: But where are you in that future?
NP Suliko: Right beside them.
[Several seconds of silence follow.]
Division Head Alexi: Understood. If you do come to discover-
NP Suliko: Yeah yeah. I get it. But you're just being a paranoid meanie!
. . .
Transcript of a conversation recorded between NP Suliko and NP Kronshtadt at the Nerpichya Naval Base, December 2, 1941:
NP Kronshtadt: Ah, Suliko! Wonderful to see you again. Being worked to the bone like usual?
NP Suliko: Oh… yeah. You wouldn't believe how much they've been poking at my hull. I suppose keeping everything working for over a year on my lonesome's made them reconsider just how much of a 'success' I am. I'm just glad I didn't go crazy.
NP Kronshtadt: Right… sorry again about leaving you high and dry like that-
NP Suliko: Jeez, how many times do I have to tell you guys it's fine? You didn't have any control over it, and even if it did get… lonely, I could always look into what you guys were doing.
NP Kronshtadt: …You could?
NP Suliko: Of course. Even if I wasn't outfitted with that synchronization chamber when they made me, I had more than enough time to learn what they were doing while they installed it, to say nothing of the time I had to myself.
NP Kronshtadt: Hmm. What did you see, exactly?
NP Suliko: Pretty much everything. Why?
NP Kronshtadt: …Oh, no reason.
NP Suliko: Kronshtadt, have you felt any… lingering effects?
NP Kronshtadt: Hmm? I don't believe so. All those scientists certainly couldn't find anything wrong with me, and Soobrazitelny couldn't find anything wrong with me or my hull… any particular reason?
NP Suliko: Ah, nope! None whatsoever.
NP Kronshtadt: Are you sure? If you-
NP Suliko: I said I'm fine!
. . .
Preface of Proposal of the Design Division of the People's Commissariat of the Navy of the Northern Parliament on the focus of KANSEN construction, January 29 1942:
[APPROVED]
With the relative success of Project 97KAN following her first deployment during Operation Abyssal Retrieval – ignoring the lapse in contact between Project 97KAN, the other KANSEN aboard her, and the outside world – the production of other submarine-type KANSEN should be reconsidered. Though initially discarded in favor of strengthening the surface fleet, it has become clear following the outbreak of hostilities with the perennial enemies of communism that more are required to combat the submarine forces of said perennial enemies.
The surface fleet, while an important and indispensable force in combating both the perennial enemies of communism and the interstellar threat facing all of humanity, is not yet large enough to protect each coast of the Northern Parliament simultaneously. A stopgap measure to ensure the continued existence of the Northern Parliament against its enemies efficiently until such time that the surface fleet can protect each coast of the Northern Parliament simultaneously is required, and an expanded force of submarines, led by KANSEN, is imperative.
Project 97KAN, despite not having quite the same role as any KANSEN sent to fight, has more than enough experience obtained during Operation Abyssal Retrieval to lead any such force. The steps to be taken to obtain such a force are outlined within this proposal.
The assessment of the NKVD concurs with the Design Division of the People's Commissariat of the Navy of the Northern Parliament on this matter.
. . .
Transcript of a conversation between NP Suliko and NP Sovetsky Soyuz at the Headquarters of the People's Commissariat of the Navy of the Northern Parliament in Leningrad, February 19, 1942:
NP Sovetsky Soyuz: Suliko. I wasn't expecting to see you today.
NP Suliko: Sovetsky Soyuz! It's wonderful to see you again! How long has it been? I can hardly remember.
[A second of silence follows.]
NP Sovetsky Soyuz: Well over a year, I believe.
NP Suliko: Too bad you're so busy all the time… Say, have you ever thought about getting an assistant? I heard the commander has one, and considering how hard we were fighting to keep him here, his ways can only be good, yes?
NP Sovetsky Soyuz: With how important my work is, I could never entrust such work to any KANSEN considering how important they are on the frontlines, and any human I've tried to trust with such work have always proved… lacking.
NP Suliko: Well, why couldn't I help you out? My brilliance could make short work of any pesky paperwork! And it's not like I have much exploration to do with the war on…
NP Sovetsky Soyuz: I'd never impose such a thing on you. And surely your intelligence would find such work boring?
NP Suliko: Maybe, but I've never been shy about trying new things. Besides, our higher-ups agree.
[Several seconds of silence follow NP Suliko's words.]
NP Sovetsky Soyuz: …They do, do they?
NP Suliko: Yep! They figured with how often they see you working so hard in Moscow that you must need the extra help.
NP Sovetsky Soyuz: …Ah, so that's it. I don't suppose I could choose someone else to 'assist' me?
NP Suliko: Hey, what's so bad about having me around?
NP Sovetsky Soyuz: Even still, having our best submarine doing desk work is hardly appropriate. Why are they so insistent you do so? Isn't that an inefficient use of resources?
NP Suliko: Well… I did bring that up, I sure did. They asked me why our most powerful battleship is doing the same, and I didn't have an answer! Do you?
[Another several seconds of silence follow.]
NP Sovetsky Soyuz: …Well, if it's an order from our superiors, I don't suppose I have an option, do I?
NP Suliko: I guess not! But don't worry, with my intelligence, managing this job will be a breeze.
. . .
Transcript of a conversation between NP Suliko and The Commander of Azur Lane at Stockholm, Sweden, during the Azur Lane-sponsored peace talks between the Iron Blood and the Northern Parliament, June 15, 1942:
NP Suliko: Commander! How wonderful to finally meet you. I am Suliko, designation S-111. I heard you used a submarine similar to my own hull way back then?
The Commander: The pleasure is all mine, Suliko. If I remember correctly, Tashkent mentioned that you'd gone missing when we went exploring.
NP Suliko: Really? I'll have to ask her about it some time.
The Commander: Indeed, though not until after tonight's activities at least?
NP Suliko: Of course. The sirens are, after all, the greatest threat posed to humanity. And even if the Iron Blood cannot truly be trusted, working towards ending that threat is in all of our interest.
The Commander: Of course. I'm glad you have chosen to forget your animosi-
NP Suliko: Ah, don't get ahead of yourself, Commander. Nothing is yet set in stone, and I haven't the slightest desire to forget any of the people or KANSEN they've killed. We will merely set aside our anger for the moment.
The Commander: Truly?
NP Suliko: Of course. Whether it is Bismarck or Friedrich in charge matters little.
The Commander: You must know that neither of them could control what their leaders can do?
NP Suliko: Then perhaps they… Well, even if they don't, Iron Blood KANSEN have still followed their orders to help with the invasion. They deserve our hatred for that alone.
The Commander: But… think of it from their perspective-
NP Suliko: If I were ordered to aid the Sirens or to march against the Eagle Union, I wouldn't… as if such a thing was possible! If a warmonger like that managed to rise to power, I'd stop them myself. Smack them upside the head with my hammer until they'd seen sense, too.
The Commander: Alright, alright. I suppose we'll just have to work on that… I did have one more question, though.
NP Suliko: Ask away, Commander.
The Commander: I read about your Operation Abyssal Retrieval, and I wondered if you were affected.
NP Suliko: No. Why?
The Commander: Well, I just figured that you might have been affected by that artifact and wanted to make sure you're alright. It mentioned that Kronstadt was alright but didn't mention you, and considering how invasive some of their technology can be I felt-
NP Suliko: Thank you for the concern, but I am just-
[NP Sovetsky Soyuz and the upper echelons of the Northern Parliament's leadership join them.]
NP Sovetsky Soyuz: Ah Commander! How wonderful to see you once more.
NP Suliko: Sovetsky Soyuz.
NP Sovetsky Soyuz: Suliko, my assistant. Anything I can contribute to the-
NP Suliko: Not at all. I was just leaving, in fact. I'll have to speak with you later, Commander.
. . .
Transcript of a conversation between NP Suliko and NP S-13, NP S-2, and NP S-101 at their barracks in the the Nerpichya Naval Base, June 17, 1942:
[NP S-13 sniffles, recovering from bawling.]
NP Suliko: Whasa goin' on?
S-2: I got 111! Now tell me what happened to you, 13.
S-13: I- it was Sovetsky Soyuz. I… I just wanted to talk about some leave, or just a break from patrol, but… she threatened me.
NP Suliko: What? No, she wouldn't-
S-101: No, I heard her, she said she'd reassigned her to Lake Baikal.
NP Suliko: But no one ever comes back from…
S-13: S- Suliko? Don't you believe me?
NP Suliko: I… I'll look into it. I promised you guys I'd fight for you, didn't I?
S-2: Y- yeah, you did! You said we weren't interchangeable, even if we didn't have names even though we had history.
NP Suliko: Of course. Sovetsky Soyuz… I'll make sure she regrets it.
. . .
Transcript of a conversation between NP Suliko and NP Sovetsky Soyuz at the Headquarters of the People's Commissariat of the Navy of the Northern Parliament in Leningrad, September 3, 1942:
NP Suliko: Sovetsky Soyuz.
NP Sovetsky Soyuz: Suliko. How pleasant to see you. Ready to start today's paperwork?
[Several seconds pass.]
NP Sovetsky Soyuz: …Or is there something else you wish to discuss?
NP Suliko: Oh, it's nothing. I was just wondering where Soobra was, and all anyone seems to know is that you were the last to see her.
NP Sovetsky Soyuz: Ah… I was wondering when you'd find out. You almost seem stuck to that girl like a limpet mine. Well, sorry to say, she was sent east.
NP Suliko: …Just 'east?'
NP Sovetsky Soyuz: Well, of course there's a more specific destination, but I'm afraid it's top secret.
NP Suliko: Oh, you can tell me. I see most of your paperwork anyway.
NP Sovetsky Soyuz: Yes, most, but not all, of it. I'm afraid you'll just have to wait until she comes back. It shouldn't be too long, though.
[Several more seconds pass.]
NP Sovetsky Soyuz: Hmm, you seem… tired. Is everything alright? What did you need to talk to her about?
NP Suliko: Nothing you don't already know.
NP Sovetsky Soyuz: …Is that so?
[A moment of silence]
NP Sovetsky Soyuz: Well, as I said, you seem tired. Why don't you take the day off?
NP Suliko: Fine. I… I'll see you around.
NP Sovetsky Soyuz: Of course. Don't have too much fun without me.
. . .
Order of the People's Commissar of State Security of the Northern Parliament Nu. 00756 on the loyalty of certain KANSEN, November 9, 1942:
[RESCINDED]
While industriousness should always be praised, as any resource saving measure should be, the sudden expansion of the Northern Submarine Fleet without seemingly any paperwork is highly suspect.
The stated method of acquiring the KANSEN by S-111 – scavenging and ambushing lone Sirens – is equally suspect. Neither her hull nor her rigging were designed for ambushing Sirens, and though there are few other ways she could have obtained such resources, the lack of corroborating evidence, such as contacts at any installation around the Barents Sea's sonar or radar stations, turn this odd occurrence into a potential security risk.
Furthermore, the design of the KANSEN produced by the resources she has obtained, while somewhat similar to the S-class design of other submarine KANSEN, seems to have been upgraded. Where she got the plans, let alone the hulls, used for these ships has not yet been determined.
Thus, S-111 must be investigated in order to ensure that she is not obtaining these resources in any way that affects the security of the Northern Parliament.
Signed,
Viktor M.
People's Commissar of State Security
. . .
Sentencing of Viktor M. following the dissemination of the previous document within the People's Commissariat of State Security along with the government of the Northern Parliament in general, November 10, 1942:
[APPROVED]
Viktor M. has been found guilty of counter-revolutionary activities under Article 58, subsections 7 and 14 by the Supreme Court of the Northern Parliament.
The punishment for such activities, due to the severity of the crimes, has been increased from life imprisonment to execution.
Signed,
Alexi D.
Head of the People's Commissariat of the Navy
NP Suliko
KANSEN and Colonel of State Security
. . .
Transcript of a conversation between NP Suliko and NP Sovetsky Soyuz at the Headquarters of the People's Commissariat of the Navy of the Northern Parliament in Leningrad, February 12, 1943:
NP Sovetsky Soyuz: Suliko.
NP Suliko: Sovetsky Soyuz.
NP Sovetsky Soyuz: It's been a slow day. Why don't we take some time off.
NP Suliko: Time… off?
NP Sovetsky Soyuz: Yes. I understand how dedicated to your work you are, but let's take some time off. It's been years and we hardly know anything about each other-
NP Suliko: What could I want to know about you?
NP Sovetsky Soyuz: Are you still upset about Soobrazitelny? If I told you where she's gone off to, would that set things right?
NP Suliko: I… what is there to tell? And… I'm afraid it's far too late for that.
NP Sovetsky Soyuz: It's never too-
NP Suliko: My apologies, Sovetsky Soyuz. I can hear my sisters calling for me. I'll have to take your offer up at some later date.
NP Sovetsky Soyuz: Suliko…
. . .
Excerpts from the front-page news of Pravda, March 26, 1944:
PRAVDA
L. Beria killed in motor accident in the dead of night:
Today, the entirety of the Northern Parliament, from the smallest town to even Moscow itself, mourns for the loss of a great patriot struck down without reason. Last night, L. Beria was killed in a car accident on his way back to his home following his completion of his work in the service of the state yesterday.
At nearly midnight, his car was struck in the side, killing him almost instantly, while his driver remains in critical care. The whole of the Northern Parliament shall mourn him and the loss all keenly feel for the absence of his presence.
First Deputy Alexi D. from the People's Commissariat of State Security has expressed great concern for the loss of his comrade and superior and has stated that the NKVD will ensure the matter of his colleague's death is put to rest with him at its head.
. . .
Transcript of a conversation between NP Suliko and NP Sovetsky Soyuz at the Headquarters of the People's Commissariat of the Navy of the Northern Parliament in Leningrad, March 26, 1944:
NP Sovetsky Soyuz: Wh- what's going on? Iron Blood? Sirens? Or do I have the pleasure to be speaking to-
NP Suliko: Sovetsky Soyuz. You have been found guilty of counter-revolutionary activities under Article 58, subsections 7 and 14 by the Supreme Court of the Northern Parliament. I can hardly believe that you'd betray us, but-
NP Sovetsky Soyuz: What are you… Suliko, you… you've sold us out to the Sirens?
NP Suliko: And even now you have the gall to try and undermine me? To insult my sisters? To what end?
NP Sovetsky Soyuz: To what- Open your eyes, Suliko! They're Sirens! I'd never betray the Northern Parliament. Dammit, I'm a shipgirl, loyalty is embedded into our-
NP Suliko: As punishment for your crimes, you will be executed and your cubes used in the creation of new KANSEN willing to fight against the influence of wreckers and interstellar invasion alike. S-101, I hate to ask, but-
S-101: I don't mind a bit, Suliko. You've got better stuff to do.
NP Suliko: Thank you. It's great having such wonderful sisters. I'll work on getting the others with foreign influence rounded up…
. . .
Transcript of a conversation between NP Sulikoand NP S-13, NP S-2, and NP S-101 at their barracks in the the Nerpichya Naval Base, May 8, 1945:
NP Suliko: With Alexi being the General Secretary now… you're sure they're all gone?
S-101: When have we ever led you astray, Suliko?
NP Suliko: I guess you're right. It's nice that we can focus more on our external enemies now. I've felt so…
[She is quiet for several seconds. Her sisters continue their work.]
NP Suliko: Say, did you and the others ever come up with names?
S-101: Hmm… I always thought Ispytatel fit me.
S-2: I liked the name Ochistitel.
S-13: Nablyudatel.
[Several more seconds follow. Suliko's face shows confusion.]
NP Suliko: I… I don't…
Ispytatel: Don't you like them?
[The room is quiet for only a moment.]
NP Suliko: Of course. Sorry, I felt like I was forgetting something, for a second.
Nablyudatel: Well, if you ever forgot something, we'd just remind you.
NP Suliko: Yes, you would. I don't need things like camaraderie or friendship or factions or loyalty. All those things have just gotten you guys hurt and Soobra killed. Every smiling face was just an attack waiting for a moment of hesitation. I… I don't remember them ever trying to help…
[She is quiet for a moment more.]
NP Suliko: All I need is power. And you guys, of course.
Ochistitel: Indeed. Now that the rot has been cleared out, we need more ships-
Nablyudatel: We've already figured out where to get a bunch of new cubes to complement the ones we recovered.
NP Suliko: Wonderful. What about designs?
Ispytatel: We might be able to find a few for you.
NP Suliko: That's… great. Honestly, where would I be without you three?
. . .
A/N 1: I was originally going to do an Enterprise story based around the march of technology, but then I remembered that I needed to do a few stories about countries besides the Eagle Union for the sake of the frame story, so I decided to make this instead.
I chose a submarine because I wanted to do something in the vein of the PR ships that wasn't likely to ever happen, and wasting a PR slot on a submarine seems to fit the bill.
A/N 2: If you'd like to donate to support me monetarily, search for Sugarcane Soldier on the website of the Patrons.
A/N 3: Thank you to WarmasterOku and Afforess for supporting this story and everything else I write.