Chapter 4:

Crimson Echoes

"So let me get this straight," Commander Kouzuki slowly interrupts, continuing to rub her forehead in small circles as she rests the DuoShocker controller on her desk, "not only you jumped through time-space multiple times, not only you've already seen me complete my theory, but you also claim that without these colossal robots of yours we stand no chance against the BETA?" she demands in verbal reload, aiming the barrel at him.

Taking a moment to finish his cup of coffee, Takeru leans back onto the sofa while crossing a leg, shrugging small to the tune of the game's BGM. "How are you planning to infiltrate the hives, then? According to your own words, your KANSEN's performance worsens the farther they are from their ships. What do we do with the hives stuck deep into Eurasia?"

"Again, stop using your prior world's slang," she shakes her head, going for a spin on her chair. "I believe we are not understanding each other here. Shirogane, while the BETA do have land based hives, at least half of them are sea based."

"…What?" he asks, eyes wide as a watermelon, his mug stalling the ascent. "How the hell is that possible?"

"Don't ask me, for me this is reality," she shrugs, ruffling her hair. "Look at the map," pointing to another larger screen on a wall, images from the efforts thus far fill the pixels, "there is a phenomenon we have begun to refer to as 'Mirror Seas' in which our systems fail and before we know it our fleet is sailing back to where it entered BETA territory. If that doesn't happen, then we are lambasted by Sirens and their BETA thralls before making it to the monument," a minimal shake of her head, Commander Kouzuki grabs the remote to turn off the TV connected to the Stallion 2. "Their 'cores' begin to grow and form some sort of upwards drift, akin to a termite hive, although we have not yet been able to record how this process starts thanks to their numbers and the Mirror Seas."

"And you're sure these Sirens are the masterminds behind the war?"

"Any intel you're willing to share, mister time diver?"

"What if I told you the BETA are automatons created by ancient beings from another planet?"

"I'd say you're crazy. Then again, this whole conversation has been crazy. I assume, you have concise proof to back your statement?"

"Yeah, me and my squad made it to the Reactor of the Original Hive in my prior war," he nods back, going for a slow sip. Yet his brows knit close, observing how the Commander's gaze begins to glitch, wordlessly screaming. "Sensei?"

"You know what a Reactor is? And you managed to get to- No, wait, this intel could certainly change my plans for the war," she shakes her head, fingers clutching at her hair, lips regressing. "If and when it's appropriate, we'll continue this conversation about the results of your previous life. However, you truly are a bag full of surprises, aren't you."

"I mean, I've just been telling you what's 'normal' for me every time I end up back to the beginning, really."

"Well, your normal is quite eccentric on this world. Especially that," she scoffs, glaring at the PlayStallion 2 and the small box labeled Valgern-On Oratory Tango, the game he had her playing to explain the need for what TSFs were. "Gigantic robots made of super carbon composite armor, flying at mach speed despite their weight, meant to be deployed in large numbers all over the globe? And with the ability to perform such precise and nimble three-dimensional maneuvers as in that game? Preposterous, I say."

"You're only mad because you can't get your game on," he notes with a faint smile, before clearing his throat upon the blooming edge in her eyes. "The option to call for Kasumi is always on the table, you know. If she can link images of my memories to you, then these doubts would-"

"I'm not doubting you, no," she taps a piece of paper, slowly, "enough proof has been presented through our talk from your tests on medbay and her preliminary scans. My only goal right now is getting both of us caught up to speed on each other's intel, so that you can integrate yourself into this base as soon as possible. As such, for you to exploit your experience in favor of Azur Lane, I need you to internalize that while land operations are indeed necessary from time to time, the vast majority of the fighting is done on the sea, or in areas close to water."

Fingers idle by and swipe at the rim of the mug, eyes lost in the small pond of coffee left. "I just can't see it. Those numbers, and you haven't lost that much land? The battle goes on at the sea? What of the damage to the water by deploying the heavy metal clouds? To say nothing on what's stopping the BETA from just swimming down to Antarctica or South America."

"For the last thing, we do have a defense line set up on sea, of which this base is part of. Much like KANSEN with their ships, the further they get from their hives the more BETA seem to lose energy. By preventing them from making any small push we can keep them reined in, even if this war of attrition is causing quite the brunt in our forces and logistics," she admits, halting the spin to reach for her own mug and refill it.

"For real? Man, this really is different than what I went through before. BETAs were almost terrified of water, you could say. Add that to whatever these Sirens are meant to be and I'm surprised we haven't caved into Alt V already," leaning forward, he slowly sips at the coffee, keeping it in his mouth for a second.

"…What if I told you we thought we had won before?" Kouzuki asks, nibbling at her lips, looking down into the reflection through the steam in her mug as she sits.

"…What? You mean humanity almost won the war here?"

"No, not almost. We won, for a time," she whispers, a hand snailing its way to her laptop.

Singular, delayed presses send images to the screen on the wall. Newspapers, TV recordings, and what else of note in vibrant colors and exploding cheer. Confetti sailing to the clouds like dandelions blooming in spring, the waving of flags in the conference resembling the shuffling of a casino's deck master.

"As you can see, the emotion is apparent even without sound," she barely squeezes out, still looking at her reflection in the mug.

"Gulp…What went wrong then? Terrorism?"

"No. For once, it wasn't our own stupidity as a species what brought us to our knees. Did you hear in your prior experiences of Operation Palaiologos?"

Far more monochrome than the recordings of ample mustaches do his expression becomes, eyes squinting in static. Takeru gives a minimal nod, eyeing the screen as Kouzuki takes her time pressing one key at a time to send the footage.

"Back then, we only had a squad of them. It had been enough thus far."

A woman in a dark attire, horns curling outwards to the sides of wavy, black hair as she strikes her chest while brushing threads of fire into the enemy formation.

"Mikasa, the first Sakura KANSEN."

Followed into the screen was another young woman, hair and clothes pure white as newborn snow. The complete opposite of what she left imprinted on the soil and sky on the steady but unfaltering gun march, never losing the small smile even while facing a Tank-Class face to face. And winning the slugfest.

"Aurora, the first Northern Parliament's KANSEN."

"Those were the Russians, right?"

"I suppose, yes," she says, pointing to the map on the wall. "And next up are…"

Two young ladies, in the middle of a cloud of aliens. One tanned with long flowing hair that retained a wide smile, teeth shining in glee despite repeated kicks of turrets, daring even a chuckle at the explosions around, the red limbs flying about, the faint but constant trickle of blood on her arms. The other with shorter hair and a sharper stride along what seemed to be drowned shrieks, nevertheless remaining firing off the gun-mounts added onto her person as if ignoring physics are a thing as she steps in front of the one recording and other infantry, almost keeling over as the Warriors strike at her armaments yet firing anyways at point blank through the slits and cuts that surfaced all over her body. Both wearing tight clothes with little to cover from the waist and below yet seemingly ignoring the bruises and spots on their limbs as their assault reaches a crescendo through their gasps, slicing the enemy in half and leaving a carpet of purplish fluids for the advance of their comrades in arms.

Upon their hasty retreat as if skiing over the waves but on land, small planes begin to appear above to drop their gavel. The scenery changes to a single picture of an old man standing in image of an ancient sculpture in sobriety right besides a petite girl tapping her glasses and a small stick held in a hand, like a teacher would in class.

What was left of the incoming Warrior-Class horde in the battle met with a wall of explosions, and the excited spins and rolls of a group of what Takeru could only think of as little girls dressed as if going to a conservative middle school, but school nonetheless. Their petite shapes then became drunken spinning tops, blitzed past the Warriors faster than he had done hours prior, leaving them showered in a red stronger than the one painting the sky at the moment of the recording, despite the black and white image.

"…Okay, I'm gonna need you to explain me this one, Sensei."

"Commander," she repines, tapping her desk then taking a small sip. "The first two were New York and Texas, the Eagle Union's first pair of KANSEN. Battleships with the odd tendency and aptitude to fight away from their ship, the first to manifest rigging on their own volition despite the toll it brought them. As you can see, they're like a mini tank on human shape. The second one was Langley, the first aircraft carrier-type KANSEN, repurposed after being the sole survivor of her original class."

"Survivor? Did they all… die to the BETA?"

"No, nothing of the sort. Her sisters just… vanished, without a trace. In the Bermuda Triangle. No one knows what happened," she says, resting her chin onto a hand, looking back at Takeru and giving a small smile. "Maybe they were sent to another world like you."

"Well, at least where I come from that triangle is known for also pulling this same shit. But what about the little girls? Were they soldiers too?"

Commander Kouzuki nods as she drinks, avoiding eye contact. "They were the Clemson-Class sisters, the first Destroyer-type KANSENs. By the records they were amicable and very curious, despite being strangely eager to join in the fight. It seems they were the ones who inherited the stronger feelings of hatred towards the BETA the Eagles had," she finishes, scoffing.

"I mean, pretty sure we all kinda hate those assholes."

"Yes, but at the time there was a discussion that proposed to continue our attempts at communicating with the BETA. The Eagles, however, were too eager to truly eradicate the enemy, once and for all. To this day they retain that mindset, to obliterate the BETA no matter the cost. So long as their coast remains safe, of course," frowning light, she goes for a spin while sipping slowly.

"Sigh… Same as in the other side, kind of. So these were America's first KANSENs?"

"Yes. As you can see, even with the limited understanding of the tech with which to give birth to them, the results delivered could grant humanity firepower that overshadowed almost anything else we had at the time."

"Can I ask why do they fight on their own without any supplemental armor? And, uh, what about those uniforms?"

The Commander shrugs, face knitting too close and tight. "Is them wearing clothes too revealing for your… sensitivities going to become a problem, Shirogane?"

He quickly shakes a no. "My own training got me used to the fortified suit, that was almost like wearing nothing but skin-tight, see-through plastic. Their appearance won't be an issue, for real. Don't see why the military would be cool with it, though."

Giving a nod while ruffling her head, Kouzuki sighs. "Forcing them into standard uniforms has shown to be detrimental to their psyche, in the same manner that changing their designation or modifying their ships also does. For example, Langley herself did not answer to her original given name of 'Jupiter' ever since her conversion to a carrier was finished. The sole carrier of this base, Long Island, was in quite the… unresponsive state as she arrived to my care," she notes, compressing her arms around her stomach. "The sole fact of having her renamed as 'Seven Seas' and being forced to adapt to that new name had quite the brunt on her mind and performance as an escort, as if her original reason to live was… lost, in an instant. You'll quickly learn that KANSEN are fickle beings, while very powerful they require the most careful care."

"Duly noted. Do they faint like Kasumi can do if they overuse their abilities?"

She quickly nods, glancing back to the footage. "Of course. As you can see, sending them to fight as infantry, while effective, is not exactly appropriate for all of them. Further abuse of their abilities will also leave lasting injuries," she tells, finishing her coffee. "So, for your and their sake, do not let their choice of clothing affect your working relationship with them. Failure in this area can and will change my judgment of your usefulness, Shirogane," she warns, staring straight ahead at him.

Sitting in attention again, he returns a swift nod. "Understood. I just, well, can't see why they'd refuse to employ something like the suit when fighting in CQC against the BETA. Also, what of the smoke and toxins? Shouldn't they use a helmet too?"

Resting the mug, softening the expression, she leans back onto the chair, turning off the playback from the mission. "While human in appearance, the KANSEN are unaffected by the heavy metal smoke to the degree we are. For example, their breath control is as such that they can remain for hours underwater."

"…I'm afraid to ask how that intel was proven, but is it real?"

A second of blinking, she gives a slow nod. "While the theory was floating around for a long time, this was proven correct not too long ago by the… results of the Iron Blood's research on KANSEN."

"Iron Blood is supposed to be, what country?" he asks, she points to the map. "Huh… Which side?"

"What do you mean?"

"East or West Germany? Or just Germany?"

"…Wait, the Iron Bloods were divided in your world? Why?"

"Yeah. But I guess if WWII never happened here then it makes sense they never split, kind of. Wait, you said the KANSENs breath control and its implications was proven by the… research of the Iron Blood on them…" he trails off, gulping an iceberg in slow motion, cold hands poking at his sides.

"Don't tell me you know of this as well…" she facepalms, pinching her nose a bit.

"Unnecessary cruelty, concentration camps, amoral and unethical methods allowed?" he asks, low. She nods, causing both to wither into a wince.

"I do not believe I have to, but this matter does not leave these four walls," she states, receiving an immediate, sober nod. "Good. Now then, the Iron Bloods were divided, how?"

"It's what happened after WWII, when their regime fell. They declared war on America and the rest of Europe to conquer the world, what later would be called the Allies, and they… well, had a few allies of their own on this quest."

"The Iron Bloods were… enemies of the Eagle Union, and because of a desire to expand their territory they went to war?" she asks, eyes sharpening, breath hostage and piked inside.

"Well, from what I know, Germany was under a lot of pressure and regulations after the first world war. Made it easy for their people to be riled up against 'the enemy' at first and then everything spiraled down to hell from there. Rings any bells here?"

"…Maybe. How much do you know of this, by the way?"

"It's common knowledge where I come from. In my home world both sides did unify again, but on the BETA world it seems things did not end that well between them," he sighs, resting his arms and weight on his knees, the image of those small little girls enduring the tales he had heard in his world about the madness of that era further twisting and clawing at his stomach.

After a moment of silence both Takeru and Commander Kouzuki go through the motions of the signs and tells of distress of a KANSEN, that Takeru quickly catches on and finishes as what he himself had seen during his original venture for her theories, when taking care of young Yashiro as her fainting worsened. Their talk was framed in slowness, barely grasping the thread and not wanting to pull.

So he leans forward on the sofa, returning the stare fully. "So, going by what you've told me thus far, it doesn't seem like we were fighting against the lasers when Palaiologos happened?"

"Sigh… Yes, the BETA did not employ the Laser-Class onto us until this very mission," she notes, fiddling with her laptop, beginning the start of a small recording in the screens. "Was it not the case in your prior experiences?"

"No, only took them a few weeks to deploy the little bastards."

"I see. Anyways, take a look at the record of it. Tell me if it differs from the missions you're accustomed to."

"Got it. Let's- Wait. That's a… That's the Volk Data, isn't it?" he asserts, recognizing the drilled, spiraling patterns in the towering walls shown on screen as the infantry and the group of KANSEN begin their descent from a wolf's maw carved on the ground.

"Oh, you know of it?"

"Trained with it. This was a recording from a Soviet squad going by that name, the sole survivors of the mission, that managed to get their intel to safety. Is that correct?" he asks, wincing at the repeated imagery, at the boiling swarm of monsters that spawn from the cracks in the soil, almost like throwing a mint candy into soda.

"Yes, the only survivors the KANSEN could retrieve from the Hive," she whispers, resting both hands onto the desk, watching Takeru as he's caught into the replay of the slaughter, of the manic defense.

Yet, despite her initial assumption, his blinking becomes erratic. Chaining tilts of his head, shifting his posture, many massages he gives to his chin as he watches. Takeru has yet another ice ant march down his back as everything continues to play out.

"Where's the Grapplers and Destroyers?"

"Huh?"

"The fucking crabs and beetles, where they at?"

"What are you talking about? BETA strains?" he nods, she leans forward. "How large are they?"

"As big as the TSFs, more or less. One is a pale crab with giant pincers, bull-like stubby legs and, uh, an eyeless human head protruding from its body," he tells, lightly scratching his head as she groans and winces. "The other is literally a beetle with a shell for a horn and the rest of its body completely deprived of armor. They ram themselves super fast onto our defenses, and with their frontal cover are impervious to cannons."

"And any aerial support gets shot down by lasers, huh," she reasons, kicking the ground and going for a spin. "What of the Grapplers?"

"Strong enough to pierce through our defenses and sturdy enough to shrug off some hits, there's little infantry can do against them. As their name implies, the fuckers use their pincers to squash our TSFs or tanks. Also can jump rather high to get either TSFs or even copters at times, and they come in along with the Tank-Class to reinforce the damage to our lines. Impossible to kill without missiles or a rocket launcher, but good fucking luck with that while surrounded by those red spiders," he spits out, resting the mug on the small table nearby. "Even with a TSF they require a good few hits to neutralize, and they never come alone."

"I see… So one rushes forward with the sturdiest defense while the other arrives alongside the smaller, faster enemies to overwhelm already battered defenses and spread chaos on the command structure. I assume the Fort-Class do exist in your prior worlds?" she asks, he nods again, so she halts the spin. "These strains remind me of the ones we face in open water. I assume, for some reason the BETA have chosen to deploy your 'Destroyers' and 'Grappler's as the BETA strains we face on the sea. We even call one Destroyer as well, since they pretty much act like suicide destroyer ships."

"Huh… There's water-based BETA strains here?" he asks, she nods with a shrug which causes another watermelon impersonation of his features. "What the hell, dude. That explains how you're enduring the war, I guess. Without the Destroyers or Grapplers, flying NOE to hunt the lasers doesn't sound too crazy, but places the Navy in quite the shitty position at the same time," he nods, closing an eye and again throwing himself back to the sofa. "But still, going by the footage… This is almost as bad as what I remember, their radar flooded red, the manic shift of cameras. Sigh… Are these KANSEN still, well-"

"Operational?" she asks, slow, staring.

"I was gonna ask alive, or sane."

"…Yes to the first, don't know to the second," she admits, idling a hand on her own mug before going for a sip. "Aurora did survive, Deutschland also did."

"Is that the Iron Blood's first KANSEN? Why don't we have recordings of it?"

"Because they refused to share them," she quickly shoots down, briefly shaking her head. "Anyways, Mikasa was gravely wounded and has been grounded since then in the Empire. I know Langley has been instructing pilots for the coming generations of carriers, KANSEN or otherwise, and I had negotiations for her transfer to my command some odd months ago that fell off," she tells, pausing to drink, close her eyes a bit too soon, a bit too tight. "But the New York-class and the Clemson-class… Well, I'm sure you can guess who was ordered to stand guarding the line to facilitate the escape," she hollows a sigh, simply throwing herself onto her chair.

"I… God," covering his face, Takeru remains frozen in place, fully still for a moment.

Commander Kouzuki finishes her drink, replenishes it, and coughs short while straightening her lab coat and cap, then shuts off the large screen. "As you saw, the numbers of BETA we faced then were something fierce, yes, but the lasers were what broke the mission and denied us aerial support, or the option to employ bombs at all. Does this match up with your knowledge?"

"Yeah. Goes to show we were right in fearing the Tank-Class the most, in the narrow corridors of the hive they don't even need numbers to overwhelm a tank or infantry squad with their brutal push. But you ain't fighting only against the BETA, else you'd had nuked them away before. Why didn't we?"

"There was only one hive back then, in Kashgar," she says, shrugging slow. "Up until then, their advance to the sea and the frontier was halted, and despite some tensions with allowing the international community to intervene the Dragon Empery and Northern Parliament agreed to welcome the aid. Everything was smooth sailing from then on, until the lasers appeared," she stops, grimacing as she hovers over a certain file, clicking the mouse as if smacking a mosquito, "along with the Sirens," she says, hitting the keys with the madness of Beethoven to undo the encryption and play the recording.

A recording that starts in a spreading of small dark puffs in midair, soon replicated down on the ground. And like a spilled liquid soaking a paper and turning it into mush, so was the defending army of humanity left in front of the assault forwarded by the beings who slowly glided down into view, smirking as they open fire.

"Wh- Sensei, what the hell is that?"

"The Sirens."

"…You're telling me those anime girls are your mortal enemies?"

"What's anime?"

"Oh shit, not this again. Sigh… Anyways, ahem, why are they, well, almost naked?"

"Who knows? To taunt our soldiers, maybe? You know, adding salt to the wound and all that. Watch and see, what the Sirens are capable of," she whispers, going for a sip.

And as those slim and curvy girls dressed with the minimal amount of cover start to bounce and roll and spin atop the waves and air itself, releasing lasers and cannons amidst swipes of the tentacles protruding from their backs, a small part of Takeru's heart sank in cold. The other almost asked him to smile, for these 'Sirens' moved as crazed as he when piloting with the XM3.

"No wonder you're losing against these… girls?"

"Things, actually. The Sirens do not identify with any genders, and when they do it's to taunt us," the Commander says as she refills coffee for both of them, slamming her mug on the desk, staining her coat in the process, then handing Takeru the red and white mug again.

He accepts it with a nod, not taking his eyes off the acrobatic show of bloodlust shown on screen. "Huh… Well, if you have to fight with BETA on land and sea while they got the cover of elements of XM3 converted units, then yeah, you're pretty much fucked."

"…What is this new term now?" she protests, lips shrugging yet again at the mystery words.

"Doesn't matter much here, it was an OS we used on the TSFs in my last loop. I'll tell you about it later, if you think it's useful. So, are these Sirens a type of KANSEN, too?"

"We don't know."

"Huh? But you did say they're the masters of the BETA, right? How do you know that?"

"Because they themselves so declared. See, how do you think we created KANSENs here?"

"Uh… Alternative III?"

Almost choking on the coffee, the spout thankfully misses the papers, and Takeru's face, as the Commander takes a second to cough. "How on- How much do you know?!"

"Not that much about Alt III, but it was the plan that created, well, ESPers, right? The Soviets engineered a plan to, through eugenics and shit, enhance the natural psychic abilities of humans. It ended on ESPers, frail people that can somehow feel emotion through auras and sometimes scan images and thoughts. Or that's what I know of from my talks with you and Kasumi before. Is it the same in this world?"

"…Yes, it is. Sigh… Well, at least we found a similarity," she nods, wiping her lips then the desk. "But that isn't how we made KANSENs. They are actually the result of Alternative II, to create a means with which to communicate and understand the BETA. Alt I's goal was to capture and analyze the BETA, yet we found no DNA similarities nor patterns in their internal structure between any strains. Alt II aimed to facilitate communications, to gain an understanding on how the BETA operated. And that's," her hand stops, gripping the cloth before curling it into a ball, "when they appeared."

"…Wait, the Sirens just came up to humanity? Why?"

"I don't know. Nobody does, really," she shrugs, shaking her head and resting the cloth down as she sits. "Announcing themselves as supposed allies, granting us samples of… the BETA's most prized elements."

"G-Elements, you mean?"

"…Is there something I didn't tell you about, Shirogane? You just happen to know everything already or is there something I had the common sense to withhold?"

"I mean, you just told me stuff as we went. It ain't as if you opened the door to me on day one, you know."

"Sigh… This is just shocking, is all. In any case, yes, G-Elements are what they handed us over, the material that creates that cerulean glimmer you saw when Laffey activated her armaments, and when you supposedly jumped through timelines. By a mistake, part of the delivery given to the Sakura Empire fell onto the dock of the Mikasa, an old ship where the authorities had decided to hold a secret meeting to debate the application of the substance for the Navy."

"And then the KANSEN was born?"

"No, the liquid cube they had developed while following the 'tips' given to us fused with the ship, leaving a luminescent stain where it had made contact. It was almost as if there were a thousand fireflies on deck, or so the rumors say. A full moon out even under the sun."

She told, slow, as she went for a sip. Smiling a bit, she continues while idling a hand on her hair.

"Soon enough, the glow began to spread over the ship. No scans could determinate what effects this would have, and some seemed keen on destroying the vessel before anything went wrong. But on the same night, as they tried to start the systems of the vessel to perform a check," she stops, entwining her fingers, "it's said the entire city caught a glimpse of the shower of light irradiating from the Mikasa. A boreal halo refracting the sparse moonlight back into the stars, giving the surrounding bricks also the ability to stand out in the night."

Slowly resting her hands on the desk, she whispers as she leans forward a bit.

"And among the crew present on the command room, there stood the woman you saw before. Barely able to join together words, but knowing her name and nation, who she was speaking with. Almost as if she had always been there, a soul attached to the namesake ship since the very beginning."

"…Just like that? Manifesting herself out of the collection of data from and about the ship, from the crew that served in it…"

"A little too similar to your own 'quantum shenanigans', correct?" she notes with a small smile.

He simply shrugs. "The belief of 'something exists' really is the basis of this whole phenomenon, ain't it."

"Indeed. People give names, pronouns, identities to ships, cars, planes, armies, or even towns or sport teams. Soon enough there are myths about them, myths people embrace. Myths the KANSEN live out as if those stories were part of their own self. Enterprise herself is… perhaps the best example of this." For worse more than better, she finishes inside while going for another sip, another spin.

"Enterprise?"

"Oh, nothing. Anyways, similar happenings soon followed. The only nation that didn't have a sudden revelation such as this was the Eagle Union due to their research and methodical implementation of the G-Element cubes to test on various armaments they possessed, and, through the biggest example of serendipity in modern history, the same reaction I described happened to the Texas and New York ships, that were used as testing fodder for the experiment. From then on, G-Element research has evolved and become a focal point for the development of KANSEN, and any other available types of ships, planes, or weapons, and end on… well, do you know what a cube is?" she asks, low, holding his stare. And smiling once he shakes a no. "Huh, finally."

"Come on, now. Did you people manage to create a cube of G-Elements or something?"

"Well… Let's just say that the cube allows for the possible states of what it's applied into to be manifested. As condensed G-Element, a sudden fluctuation of metaphysical data into a conversion of matter to adapt to the new 'Truth' is the simple, barebones explanation of their application."

"Oh, like the cat?"

"Cat?"

"You know, Schrodinger. The cube is and isn't at the same time, and only until it's observed and given hard data does it integrate itself into something that… is, changing the thing in question to meet the criteria of intel that activated the change?"

"Not bad for a rough guess," the Commander gives a few nods, smiling small. "Well, we can leave it at that, yes. As I was saying, however, the Sirens were instrumental in these developments. Both goading the highest authorities with more resources, sometimes aiding our operations. I heard there were even talks of cults forming around those monsters," she spits out, frowning at the unhinged laughter of the one known as Tester in the footage of the mission, before she shuts it off. "But then, they stabbed us in the back. Did something akin to this happen in your other worlds?" she asks, he quickly shakes a no. "I see… Well, goes to show the Sirens existing is what has caused this world to diverge from the history you're used to."

"And what happened after the mission? I assume almost no one knew of the Sirens, right?"

"Indeed. It was a secret buried under multiple vaults. The war soon changed, without aerial support and against the Siren's unmatched prowess humanity had no chance but to employ scorched earth strategies, running with our tail between our legs. And through the rest of the eighties, all we've done is try and stem the bleeding. Try as we might, our KANSEN are no match for the Siren, and sometimes not even against the BETA when landfall happens or we are forced into a culling op against a high number of lasers."

"…Yeah, it's almost the same as back there, minus the crazy skimpy anime girls."

"Again, what is this 'anime' you speak of?"

"Manga but animated."

"Isn't that just a TV Manga?"

"Sigh… Let me guess, no color, almost no voice over, like an old Dissnay commercial?"

"And anime is different to that because…"

"Remember the game I showed you? Well, that. But on TV. And filling entire channels of time. And on color, and actually animated."

"You- How- Bu- Why waste money on that while there's a war raging on?!"

"I told you, there's no war in my world. At least not a world wide one."

"Sigh… I just can't wrap my head around it, is all," she admits, going for a spin.

"So, these Sirens are the main threat here?"

"Yes. If it were only the BETA, I believe we could somehow make it to the point of start assaulting the closest hives. Without Sirens and their lasers or ships, it wouldn't take much to wipe the BETA, even if it would require a nuclear warhead per hive. But as the situation stands," arms fall off and lay limp amidst her spinning, eyes closing shop, "the Sirens have stalled us into a war of attrition we cannot hope to win. And even if we take them out of the equation, dropping multiple nuclear bombs in the middle of the ocean isn't exactly a good move. The sea-based hives will have to be invaded through an assault to first dispose of the lasers, and then be destroyed from the inside. Unless, well… a bomb that leaves no environmental damage is created to appease the High Command Council."

"You mean the G-Bomb, right? Uh… Sensei?"

"…Really? Just like that?!" she demands, rising from her seat to smack at her desk, each time faster like a kid playing with a bell at a counter. "You just drop the most secret matter of Alt V without an ounce of care in the world? Why do you know that?!"

"Got killed by those once."

"What?!"

"Also survived them to see everything turn into an eternal wasteland," he notes, nodding while pointing a finger up.

"Excuse me? You… survived a G-Bomb's fallout?"

"Yeah. But wait, there's more!"

"How could there be-"

"You wanna know what happens afterwards? Because I think this will matter later, even if it's risky to tell you of it in advance," he states, slow yet firm, folding his arms and standing up to meet her height.

"…You claim to have survived a G-Bomb. What are the lasting consequences?" the Commander asks, gripping and choking the wood.

"The sea gets hollowed out and that," he points to Eurasia on the map by the wall, "ends up sunk in its stead."

"…P-Pardon?"

"Magnetic storms cover the sky, makes most satellite-reliant tech useless. Comms don't work most of the time, salt flats expand where the sea once used to be. The waves change into a never-ending tempest, that seems like a lullaby compared to the mega tsunami that starts the oceanic collapse. Thanks to the change in the atmosphere, crops stop growing, the air becomes saltier, performing maintenance on what cities remain intact becomes harder and harder. It… was the end, an absolute one, where there was no hope left to live for. The result of my first loops, when I couldn't retain my memories. Where you fail and Alt V is enacted. What ends up being called the Babylon Disaster, that's the kind of hell that awaits us on the days after Alt V."

A quiver that fades into stillness, leaving her clawing at her palms. "…This has to be a joke. The sea collapses onto such a large landmass…" a strong gulp, clearing her throat the Commander looks back up, sitting again. "I assume delivering results with Alt IV is enough to deter the Eagles from this course of action?" he nods, she swallows a sigh. "I see… But to gain the approval to proceed with their project, they must have proved the effectiveness of the bombs first. As far as I know, that hasn't happened thus far. Shirogane, do you know when or how was the first testing of the G-Bomb?"

"Uh… I don't know of their testing, but I do know of when… and where it was first used for the war efforts…"

"…Why are you looking away? Where was it?"

"The… Yokohama Hive."

"The- Wait, what? What do you mean 'Yokohama Hive'?!" she demands, coiled fists hitting the desk and sending waves of papers down the floor.

"Wait, there's no Yokohama Hive in this world?"

"No, the Empire is safe for the moment, despite the occasional incursion. We had a small outbreak two or so years ago, but other than that the Sakura Empire has remained safe and sound. So you're telling me the Eagles, instead of lending a hand, are going to bomb the Empire in a possible Siren invasion?"

"…That's only what happened in my prior experiences, but it's a possibility? I mean, do the Eagles not get along with the Empire?"

"Get along is too strong a phrase. Despise each other sounds rather weak at the moment."

"Wait, is it that bad for real? Who's the Prime Minister, Sagiri?"

"No, though that name sounds familiar, for some reason. But yes, the Sakura Empire is not too fond of the Union's attempts to meddle in the Pacific Theater. While the, well, expansion of our nation's sphere of influence can be attributed to the war efforts, the Union does not believe it comes from honest goodwill."

"Expansion? You don't mean, like, we're… taking over Asia, right?"

"Not in the literal sense… yet. But the Empire has, ahem, gained much influence in the southeast island nations, for example. And the narrative to place those smaller countries under its protection has been going around for a while now, which is what the Union and Royals object to."

"Oh shit, I can already see where this is going…"

"Shirogane? Why the pale face? Does this resemble events you've lived through?"

"…Yes and no. So let me get this straight. The Empire and the Union are at odds with each other," he asks while flattening his shirt over and over, she immediately nods. "And our nation wants to… expand its influence, to absorb the smaller nations nearby?"

"Yes, it's getting to the point where the Dragon Empery and the rest of the Coalition of Southeastern Nations are starting to push back on receiving Imperial aid. While welcomed, the Sakura have begun to, well, exert pressure to gain further control of the chain of command. You can see how to blur the lines of power could end up being… quite dangerous in such a situation where the current government barely manages to deal with the Sirens and BETA. Suddenly, the idea of accepting a 'savior' becomes very tempting for a few," she scoffs, finishing her coffee in a sudden, hard gulp.

"…About receiving 'aid', are the Iron Bloods still on the good side?"

One of her eyes twitches, almost gagging on the coffee. "…How much do you know of this?"

"Oh my shit…"

"Shirogane, answer the question," the Commander orders, entwining her fingers hard.

"Sensei, why are the Iron Bloods not on, well, our side?" he presses, gripping at his pants.

"…Because they're now fighting for the Sirens, that's why."

"Huh?! For real?!"

"Yes. And it seems you did not expect this. Were they not working with the BETA on your world?"

"Hell no! I wasn't thinking about that, at all. This just reminds me of what we were talking about before."

"What part?"

"World War II. America was actually something of a guardian of the Empire. A very forceful and meddlesome guardian, yes, but an ally nonetheless. The usage of G-Bombs was, in a way, what saved the mission to expel the BETA from the mainland, despite the unnecessary loss in lives it caused for us," he tells, heaving a sigh and slumping back to the sofa.

"Loss in lives? They- They dropped the bombs onto our troops?!"

"Yeah… Honestly, I don't know if that was wrong or not. It's the same on Iceberg, I know the end result and the safety of the millions of civilians takes priority, to say nothing on future lives. Even if some of us… are meant to be sacrificed as meat shields," crushing rocks, he tightens both hands, gulping down the cold cloak that surrounds his body, that starts to sink its teeth into his flesh once again. "But in my world, the bombs dropped onto Japan were of a different kind and in a radically different situation."

"A situation, I assume, you see parallels with in this world's events?" she asks, already typing what he had told on her laptop, starting a recording as well. "I had thought the Iron Bloods would be affected by this 'World War' of yours given their betrayal, but to think the Empire would join their side… When does it happen?"

"The bombing of Pearl Harbor," he whispers, sighing hard as he rubs his arms to keep the cold of another world at bay.

Causing the key presses to stop, breathing halting as well. Gradually looking up and blinking for a moment, Commander Kouzuki remains petrified in place.

"Uh, Sensei? What's up?"

"Pearl Harbor is… going to be attacked?"

"I mean, maybe?"

"There are no 'maybes' or 'perhaps' in my line of work. You either claim this intel to be true or you don't, Shirogane. I need no doomsayer in my service."

"Sigh… You know, you could at least try and use different words," he protests, messing with his fringe.

"What?"

"It's the same you said back in my world, before you lent me a hand to stabilize my status as a quantum anomaly," Takeru clears his throat, recalling that meeting and facing the same dry ice blizzard in those eyes. "See, while I was home, everything was supposed to be fine. As I told you before, I helped another you complete Alt IV. So, with my work done over there, my self got fuzzy and I returned to my home world."

Placing both hands behind his head, tilting it back to stare at the ceiling, another sigh comes out as the cold hands wrap around his stomach upon the memories, of those last days in paranoia.

"But when I recalled what had been of me, I freaked out. Thought something might go wrong and cause the disasters of the war-torn world to leak into my home but didn't know what to do, until it was too late. But when I reached out to you, after gathering some proof, we could deduce that there was some link between my world and the other one that was making the transfer of metaphysical data possible, to make the accidents me and my comrades suffered during the war manifest in my home. All worlds are parallel, so while they may share some pieces of data every now and again, the similarities to my old lives were the result of a gap that had shortened between worlds. That's why my world's Sensei had to apply the fission procedure to me, as technically an anomalous being, to sever any and all ties my existence caused to be brought to my world," he tells, again rubbing his arms, scratching at them.

"That Causality Nucleus you said you were?" she asks, he nods. "So then, what has that to do with this world?"

"Well, as I told you, I am not supposed to 'be' anymore. The fission was meant to scatter my data and fix all paradoxes through my own erasure. However, there was no longer a world seeking me, observing me. If I am here after the fission, it's because something, or someone, called out for the truth of 'Shirogane Takeru exists' to be real again, and became a link for the 'magnet' the Nucleus is meant to be. And that means that, for some reason, this world is being pulled closer to other worlds, and probably on the receiving end of a causal leak of data as well. In simple terms, there's some time-space fuckery going on here, and at the very least events from my world might be filtering into this one, since if there was nothing uniting this world to mine I wouldn't have appeared here otherwise," he affirms with a shrug and a downcast nod.

"Then, who was the one who called for you to exist?"

"No idea, but I have a question. Do you have a brain in a cylinder somewhere on this-"

"You just plan to reveal every top secret matter in this base?" she asks, again pinching her nose, hands shaking as if under snowfall.

"I mean, not my fault you had to inform me of that to help you with your project, you know? That means this base used to be a BETA Hive, right?"

"Sigh…" covering her face hard, she nods. "Indeed, yes. I don't need to remind you that-"

"Not a word to anyone. I know already, Sensei."

"Commander."

"…Anyways," he folds his arms, loosening his posture. "Did Azur Lane have to use G-Bombs or other G-Element powered weapon to reclaim the island?"

"No, thankfully. Our infiltrating KANSEN did manage to collapse the Mirror Seas covering the island before, however, which released quite the amount of G-Elements to the air going by the cerulean halo, and a tidal wave to the surrounding area. I assume, that could be something similar to the residual effect of a G-Bomb, going by the little intel I possess on it. Could this have been a possible substitute?"

"I guess. You never went into detail on how this process started, but large doses of energy being released to let an observer state a 'truth' is what's needed, I think. And if so, well, I think we're fucked, huh. Since I am here, other data is either leaking or was leaked as 'I' took my time to come over here…" he sighs again, hunching over.

"Look up, Shirogane," the Commander demands, still typing at her keyboard. "There's no time to lose wallowing in fear. If, for some reason, this timeline's wave functions are indeed being affected by non-local influences then your forewarning is of utmost importance. We'll study the possible repercussions this could have for you and my theories pertaining to our accord, but for the time being I require a detailed report on this supposed assault on Pearl Harbor, now."

Swallowing acid and giving a sharp nod, he straightens his posture and sighs short, dispelling the cold, driving the unseen hands away. "Roger. With some luck we'll get enough time to prepare a countermeasure for whatever may happen. Sigh, and I just arrived here too…"

"Sorry to inform you we may not even have the luxury of preparing a plan," she spits out fast, massaging her forehead.

"Why? Logistics or bureaucracy?"

"Neither. There's a meeting scheduled on Pearl Harbor in only a few days, a meeting between Azur Lane High Command, the Eagle Union and the Sakura Empire to discuss how to approach the rising Siren activity in the theater. As you could see earlier today, HC's concerns on Siren raids falling onto this base were true. And if what you said is true, this might be a golden opportunity for the Sakura to reveal their true colors as the Siren's new puppets, now that our forces would be fixated on reinforcing this base's defenses," she slithers the words and venom out, along the wordless glare of what could this entail for her project. "So, spare no details. I need to confirm if there are indeed any parallels in the recent events of this world with the ones of this second world war you speak of."

Along a subtle chime dangling to the wind, a circle of candles begins to burn. In the shape of the national flower, the cherry blossom, the arranged lights pay their respects to the departed as it frames the colossal tree, tickled by the gentle night breeze.

A pair of claps echoes about, the two young women kneel in front of the bark and pray. Solely with the stars and the faint scent of the candles beginning to swirl around them, it is not due to the nocturnal wind that they shiver and compress their features.

Hands that undo their pose, lose their poise, and without noise rest limply onto the ground. Extending a weary sigh, Nagato simply hangs her head. "I cannot hear them anymore, Your Highness."

"Do not break your posture, Nagato-sama," Koubuin Yuuhi, the Empire's Shogun, softly tells, eyes still closed and hands in stoic position. "The spirits will answer to our pledge, do not lose faith."

"However," the small shipgirl looks up, gaze withering further than the few, few leaves left in the Sakura Sacred Tree, "to be faced by such absolute silence, it is arduous to remain seeking an approval that seems all but lost."

"While astonishing indeed, one must remain steadfast in these times, Nagato-sama," she states, sighing from her nose, opening her eyes to smile at her partner and guardian. "Even if we have a listener no longer within the Royal Guard, our position ensures no drastic measures will be taken."

"Do you truly believe so, Your Highness?"

"Whether I do or not is irrelevant, the actions we must take do not change. I shall despair after I perish," she whispers, as soft as the silk of her kimono, as cutting as the steel of a fine blade. "And if the spirits are extending a reprimand, then it is up to us maidens of the Sakura to heed their signs to navigate what storms might lie in wait." For if our future is wailing, as the ruler I am supposed to be, it's on my hands to give it a smile.

Nagato nods to the Shogun, giving the frailest smile and taking in the layer of incense swirling in loose threads in the air. For a moment, only the quiet rustling of the breeze tickling at their napes and the candles disturbed the rite. Until hurried gasps and sharp stomps made their way to the pair's ears, quickly undoing their meditation.

Standing and swaying her long, purple hair to a side, the Shogun faces the one who had stormed into the place, stopping short into a bow right behind the candles. "Kawakaze-san, whatever is the matter?"

The KANSEN remains still in position, an expression as monochrome as her battle dress. "Your Highness, milady Nagato, I bear ill news. The Sirens and BETA are surrounding the Sanctuary."

"W-What?! However, our defense lines could in no way be breached in such short a time!" Nagato repines, expression paler and fainter than the stars' glimmer up above.

"Whatever the reason, we need to hastily report this matter. Kawakaze-san, return to the communications office and send and SOS signal," Koubuin orders, departing from the tree's side.

Yet Kawakaze stands firm, head tilted downwards in deference. "Milady, my report is not yet finished. I cannot allow you to depart from the ritual grounds, for it is the only place where I can protect you two from them."

"However, if the Sirens were to break-"

"It isn't solely the Sirens, milady," she whispers, biting her lips, hands shaking as she furthers her bow, making her snow white hair cascade down her shoulders. "The Akagi and Kaga… are leading their formation, demanding an audience with you regarding, ahem, the proposal you rejected from the Iron Blood envoy."

"…Is that so, it has come to this," Koubuin says, taking in a sharp breath in. "Kawakaze-san, order our forces to surrender."

"Huh?! Never, milady. I shall not abandon my post."

"This is an order from the Shogun, your lives are too precious to be lost to their madness. If any responsibility must be taken, it shall fall on my shoulders."

"I refuse, this body's only purpose is to be your and Nagato-sama's shield. Do not stripe me of meaning, milady."

"Your Highness," Nagato calls, walking backwards as her eyes quiver and water, "the tree is… losing all its leaves…"

As the Shogun and Kawakaze turn to face the Sacred Tree, only a choked grunt leaves their lips. The once large and regal, ever-blooming tree was divesting itself at large. Almost a twister of dry, brown leaves covered the area, falling upon them like a slow wave. Drowning the candles, killing the lights. Then allowing a cold, fast wind cyclone to scatter them all away, piking at the three present in the sacred place that were now encased by the looming shadows.

Only for a moment, however, as small pillars of crimson and azure flames shone in the distance, marking the arrival of the soon-to-be flagships of the Sakura, Akagi and Kaga, to the holy grounds.

"I assume, you shall not be accepting orders to depart from this place?" Koubuin asks.

Kawakaze shakes a no immediately. "Do not insult me, milady. My heart knows well which traditions must I honor. Within the warrior, dread must not make nest."

"I see… Then, please look after Nagato-sama. I shall try and placate their demands."

"Your Highness, you mustn't!" Nagato sprints in front of the Shogun, extending her arms out. "If you try and meet with Akagi and Kaga, there is no telling what they may resort to upon your negative. If they've truly decided to side with the Sirens, we cannot attempt to parley with them."

Yet, the Shogun smiles. "I know, but at the very least you'd have enough time to leave this place. I am only human, you however can accomplish much more than me, Nagato-sama."

"…Your words have a reach mine do not in our fellows. A-As your flagship, I refuse to allow you to meet them on your own."

"Then, whatever shall we do?" she asks, turning around briefly. "I can already see their flamboyant fire edging closer to the shrine."

"…You can use me, Your Highness. I may lack experience, however I believe to be enough to shield both the shrine and the Sacred Tree from intrusion, if you could aid me in our prayers. I-I am part of the BIG SEVEN, after all."

"Sigh… Our mutual refusal will only ignite their wrath further, to say nothing on how it would diminish their image in front of the rest of the Imperial forces," Koubuin notes, clutching both hands as screams and wails are carried by the breeze, clawing at her ears. "We shall not be the ones turned into the recipients of their scorn then."

"Yuuhi-sama, I must voice my agreement with Nagato-sama," Kawakaze notes, kneeling down yet looking up sharply this time. "Please, do not forsake yourself to try and appease these traitors. Regardless of our actions, Akagi will burn down anyone who does not genuflect to her every word. And if she isn't stopping the sacrilege that is to bring those monsters into the sanctuary, then Kaga herself is also rotten to the core."

A small explosion frames the place in red, the retching scent of burning waddling into their sides. Further warnings and firing rebound off the walls as the petals swirl in the air. And for but a moment, the Shogun looks back. Knowing he's not there, yet feeling that faint brush on her head, the stare imprinted on her nape as the gust turns to a quiet breeze. Looking down, one of the candles was still burning. Buried, battered, but that small, small flame refused to give in.

Picking it up and cradling it between her hands, faint warmth soon spreads as the fire begins to grow again. "…If in the end I'll lose it all, there is no need to parley with fate, huh. And if you did not hesitate, then neither should I."

"Your Highness?" Kawakaze asks, tilting her head for a moment.

"…Kawakaze, try and keep them at bay for as long as you can. Order the rest to lay down their arms, and retreat back here once the ward has been put in place," she hastily orders, receiving a sharp nod and a swift, instantaneous departure from the shipgirl. Walking back to the tree, resting the candle in front of it then taking Nagato's hand on her own, the Shogun inhales slowly until she cannot anymore. "This will take its toll on both of us, Nagato-sama. Are you prepared?"

"Yes, Your Highness," the petite girl bows her head, surrounded suddenly by a twister of cerulean. After the sparks fade, towering gun batteries framed her sides, easily double the shipgirl's size. "Inexperienced as I might be, I rather give my life to safeguard this sanctuary than to join hands in war with the Sirens. Even if I can… sympathize with Akagi's motives, with what she's had to endure since the earthquake."

"All of us have lost beloved ones, Nagato-sama. All of us have had to turn 'See you later' into 'Farewell'. In the terminal of life, arrivals and departures are only stages of the road. It does not justify their methods," she repines, clutching that small hand, smelling vanilla through the dusk.

"…My apologies, milady."

"Do not, Nagato-sama. You are most certainly not at fault for any of this madness," she says, smiling back. Both take in air, their backs colored once more in distant flames. "Should we begin?"

"…Even if this may leave them in power for the time being, I pray that they can be swiftly stopped, for our fellows to not be branded equal to them," Nagato prays, extending her rigging around the Sacred Tree, letting it emit cerulean fireflies that soon overflow the entire ritual shrine, extending in tendrils, fluttering like wings yet entangling as roots. "For peace to once more reign in our land… allow me to become the steel of your shield, spirits of yore."

A/N: I was kinda hesitant on where to put the infodumps so I said screw it and got them all out of the way now.

While Muv-Luv tends to start slow with a training arc, I'm gonna make that happen in the background and shown by Takeru's gradual improvement to fight in this new world. And like in Muvluv, the Empire is gonna have a fair amount of complicated stuff to sort out, Ayyylmaos included.

Anyways, as one could expect, war starts next chap. Thanks for reading, and stay safe over there.

Zuoriel