Heart of Oak: Chapter 4

Hanazuki did not have much experience in…many things. Owing to her being relatively new and not having a chance to prove herself, she jumped at the opportunity to learn from the Sardegna Empire as part of an exchange programme between the different members of the Crimson Axis. Though her sisters were definitely concerned for her, she went ahead regardless of her doubts. For the first time, she had set off alone away from the Sakura main islands, bound for the port of Naples. Indeed, like the two other Kansen before her, due to the seas being infested with Siren ships either patrolling or ambushing passing vessels, it was always better to sail in a convoy. After she arrived in Singapore, the next convoy out to the Meditteranean turned out to already have two Kansen escorting it.

Long story short, here she was now, in a completely different world after a surprise ambush. Perseus was sitting across a man from the Eagle Union, as he looked between the three Kansen that was also in an orphanage's small staff room. After hearing Perseus threaten someone, Hanazuki managed to jump down in time to stop her from doing anything rash, but that didn't help their current situation now. Someone had discovered them when they weren't supposed to be…

"Okay, I'm sorry but, you're…trying to find the library, which is now closed, by jumping over the slums? That doesn't seem like the best idea, even to me…"

When he first saw Hanazuki and Minneapolis jump down, his eyes immediately locked onto her Fox ears and tail. Somewhat creepy in her eyes, but he eventually explained that he was a doctor, and began asking questions she didn't have the answer to. Perseus shot the two of them a look, basically saying: reveal nothing.

Fair enough, secrecy had to be maintained, so she apologized and said she couldn't tell him. Kansen even without rigging stood out very well on their own, and it helped to identify each other during the heat of battle, but for infiltration? It was a very big detriment, not to mention all Sakura Kansen and even some other Kansen had features that made them stand out on their actual bodies. Such as Perseus, with her two wings, which she was also asked about, but a glare from her quickly shut the doctor up.

"We still have to get through to it, but now there's the issue of you seeing us…"

Doctor Banner, as he introduced himself, raised both his hands up. "Don't worry, I'm also on the run too…I won't tell anyone a word about you from me. Honestly, I was just concerned you were burglars, but I'm not sure how to feel about you now…"

Hanazuki looked apologetic, while Minneapolis, leaning on the side, just shrugged. "We have our own secrets, Doctor. We never meant for anyone to see us, but we aren't the best people suited for infiltration anyways. Anyways, we won't bother you anymore, and we shall take our leave now."

Perseus stood up slowly, before being stopped by Doctor Banner. "Wait! Uh…"

The three Kansen stared at him, waiting for an answer to come out of the man. "Okay, what if I helped you get there? You three need some disguises to blend in, the…outfits you're wearing right now make you stand out too much. You might get in there, but your appearance will be circulated throughout all of Calcutta right after that."

He…had a point. If this world was anything like her original one, then it should have been on a similar level of technology, meaning security cameras. They may find that information, but anything afterwards was going to be incredibly difficult to remain incognito.

"Perseus…" She called out quietly.

Seconds later, the Royal Navy carrier sighed, before looking at Banner with narrowed eyes. "Why are you helping us, Doctor Banner? We are complete strangers to you, and yet, you are completely prepared to aid us. What reason do you have for doing so?"

He crossed his arms, looking at the three of them. "Well, I live here first of all. So if anything happens, there's going to be a lot of attention on this place, something I do not want. And besides, you look like decent people, even if some of you have…biological impossibilities…"

Hanazuki could tell he was still having a hard time seeing those…animal appendages on them, as his eyes trailed off to Perseus's wings every so often. Why did some Kansen have these changes? It was a mystery to all of them, and the Sakura Empire being the only ones with these consistent appendages was something she didn't really think about. At this point, it just was.

Perseus looked at Hanazuki and Minneapolis, before asking Banner to leave the room. Obliging her request, he did, and the three Kansen were left alone.

"Well? What do we think?"

"I think we should just ditch him, I can still get us in, or I just steal some clothes for us to disguise ourselves." Minneapolis immediately cut in, obviously not a fan of taking Banner's help.

That was something they could do…but ethical issues aside, there was another thing they could potentially lose out on. "But if we got Banner's help, he could guide us around the city. And besides, he's the only one actually offering to help us! I'd also rather not steal people's clothes…"

One for, and one against. Perseus held the deciding vote in her hands. With some more minutes of silence, she finally opened her mouth. "I think…"

Bruce didn't really believe the events of last night, and as Perseus's friends came down as well, he could scarcely believe it even more. A girl with fox ears and a tail, dressed in traditional Japanese clothes along with a Native American girl, Dakota, he thought she was, dropped down the same hole. One of his first thoughts regarding them was how Perseus's wings and Hanazuki's ears seemed to actually be a part of their bodies. And after they accepted his offer of help, he saw that they actually were connected to their bodies. The biochemist in him screamed that it was impossible, and yet here they were, the proof was right in front of him.

"Doctor Banner? We're all ready, can we depart?"

Sister Adya, once she was explained of their situation decided to help them as well. He thought that Perseus's appearance had something to do with it, but she gladly provided them with some of her old clothing, Sarees and whatnot. Though they tried to refuse her offer, she had a way with words, and they eventually accepted it with thanks.

Turning around, it seemed that the three had changed into those clothes, yes they had weird hair colours, but they stood out much less compared to before. Hanazuki had a hood to cover her ears with, but as far as blending in was concerned, they could pass as tourists.

"Wow. You three look good in those-I mean uh, yeah we can go, let's go right now!"

Fumbling his words, the three were ridiculously good-looking, almost as if their faces were sculpted instead of anything natural. He could have asked…but he had secrets just like them, and if they weren't going to ask, then neither was he.

"Alright, it's an easy walk from here to the library, I don't exactly know what you're looking for, but I can help you research."

Their names were also suspect to him, he didn't know what Hanazuki meant, but Perseus was the name of an ancient Greek hero. But the biggest point of confusion for him was Minneapolis, which was the name of an American city, not something that people were usually named. Though her being a Native American was also surprising, as was the amount of skin she showed. Seriously, that flimsy top wasn't going to stop any wardrobe malfunctions anytime soon, but seeing her sharpen knives made him shut up regarding any comments about it. The last thing he wanted was to get stabbed and have the other guy go on a rampage.

The group of three set off, with Sister Adya waving them away. As the group walked through the slums of Kolkata, he pointed out the history behind it. Per his research, a large part of the city's population itself lived in these slums, roughly one-third or so of the total population. The reasons for this were due to colonial-era legacies and recent history with Pakistan and Bangladesh. A large percentage of those living in the slums were refugees as a result of the fighting. The city was where Mother Teresa was based after all, and her original mission was to care for these people, whom no others would do the same for. It was partly the reason why he chose Kolkata to lay low, the slums provided excellent cover for him, but he could also help those in need.

The city was still a very active commercial hub, however, and its status as a major port, both military and commercial, remained a large part of its economy. For those living there, the difference in wealth was stark to see. National monuments in polished marble white stood not far from slums where basic services were hard to get on a daily basis. Having seen and experienced living in it firsthand, he couldn't just leave them be, not without at least trying to help. It was something he could do at least, after nearly wrecking Harlem.

"Reminds me of those camps after Ceylon got bombarded…" Minneapolis mumbled.

Ceylon? Did she mean Sri Lanka? And what did she mean by it being bombarded? Unless he didn't watch the news recently, then Sri Lanka shouldn't have been bombarded… What was she talking about…?

"Bloody hell, don't just say that out loud!"

Perseus shot a look back at Banner, before looking forward again. Evidently, that part wasn't meant for him to hear, but that raised even more questions about them now.

Eventually, the three reached the public library, which was far out of the area where the slums were. They took quite a bit of time getting there but Banner assured them that the library had things in stock. From a computer desk to books on most subjects, they were bound to find whatever they were looking for.

Perseus knew she took a risk accepting help from a complete stranger, but with some more thought, running around in a foreign land without knowing it well was a bad idea. She half expected him to sell them out to the local police equivalent or whatever, but he actually came through with his promise and brought them to a large public library.

Here was where things went awry, however. They looked at everything from history to modern nations, and Perseus wasn't sure she liked what she found.

"That confirms it then…we're really alone…"

Hanazuki looked dejected as she sat at a table, a book regarding world history after the cold war in her hands. Doctor Banner looked on in curious confusion but went back to trying to find information about Royal Navy ships, something Perseus asked him to do. Deciding to trust the man, the seemingly random topic must have confused him, as they still haven't revealed their true nature at all to him.

Placing the book down, Banner turned it around for both of them to see, getting both of their attentions; Minneapolis was away looking through this world's version of the internet. "I found something. Here, HMS Belfast, in London."

That got her attention immediately, Belfast was still around and kicking? Her research so far had told her that most of the Royal Navy fleet in this world went to the scrapyard soon after this world's equivalent of the Azur Lane-Crimson Axis war. Though this world's version was much more brutal in terms of sheer human-to-human bloodshed.

"Belfast is still around? Well, at least we found somewhere we could go to…"

But London was a far-away location, and they will have to go through the Suez or swing around Africa as their only routes there. Both options had their own drawbacks, the Suez could get them spotted, or worse, captured easily due to its narrow choke points. While the South Africa route was a very long-distance journey.

"Wait, why are you deciding where to go based on surviving ships-oh right sorry, your own secrets. My bad."

Banner asked, but then quickly cut his own question off. Could they even tell the man? Or was it better to leave him in the dark for his own safety? Perseus loathed to bring civilians into these matters, but what choice did she have at that point? Silence him?

"We…just need to find someone we know, Doctor Banner. That is all I can tell you I'm afraid." Perseus was genuinely apologetic to him, he tried to help them to his best ability but was still kept in the dark. Still, for both of their sakes, it was better he didn't know too much. Wait, didn't he also say that he was on the run? From who exactly?

"Alright, I won't interfere. But the library is going to close soon, and I have patients to see. So if you're not gonna take anything, start packing up."

Patients? Sister Adya did tell her that Banner was a trustworthy Doctor…

"I see. Do you need any help then Doctor Banner? I myself have medical knowledge…"

Practicing on Kansen that is. Humans were a work in progress, but the two were the same, right?

AN:

Knowledge of this side story won't be required for the main story with Bismarck, but some scenes will reference things that happened in this story.

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