Author: There's going to be a battle in a near future chapter which will introduce an OC Abyssal a "certain reader" requested. Next chapter will focus on Tirpitz and Gangut's awkward situation and another flashback!
I introduced two OC ship girls in the Extra. I think I should introduce the third and last one in the next chapter?
P.S.
HAPPY 4TH OF JULY TO ALL AMERICANS OUT THERE.
It's been a really long time...since I last saw that person...
Early in the morning, Tirpitz sits by the cape and look towards the horizon.
"Will history repeat itself again...?"
As she waits for morning to rise, she closes her eyes and recalled a memory from the past.
"It's been thirteen years, hasn't it...?"
Tirpitz's mind drifts into darkness. Flowing in the river of memories, digging up the bitterness of the past.
There was a storm...a crimson storm...
She coils remember sailing in the midst of a storm surrounded by crimson.
"Bad news. Signal is jammed. We're cut off from outside contact"
The flagship of the fleet Tirpitz was a part on delivered bad news. While they sailed in the violent storm...she remembered witnessing the abnormality.
What is that...?
With the fleet sailing blindly in the twisted storm, they found it's core...a ruptured sea that never seems to end.
"Everyone...fall back. Fall back!"
It happened so fast. Tirpitz just remembered someone shouting. While the aura the core emits is overwhelming. It's like it can beckon anyone to their death. Mesmerizing anyone to their deaths.
An...eternal abyss...that can...that can...
When engulfed in it...ship girls...
They disappear...but they...come back...
Horrible...twisted...corrupted...
She opened her eyes before the memory consume her. As she heavily breathes, someone tapped her shoulders which made her jolt.
"S-sis? It's just you..."
"What's the matter? You look pale" Bismarck sat beside her
"Nothing. Just remembered something awful..."
Tirpitz looked away after remembering witnessing one of the things that scarred her memory.
"I heard some Russian battleship called Gangut is coming today"
"Yeah..." Tirpitz nodded
"Tirpitz, answer me honestly. Why are you afraid?"
Hearing that, Tirpitz couldn't answer Bismarck's question. She just couldn't...
"It's like you don't want to meet this Gangut person"
"That's because I really don't want to meet her again" Tirpitz tipped off her cap
"Why?"
Tirpitz fell silent for a while. It's as if she's unsure whether to answer Bismarck or not.
"Because Gangut was once my partner back in Russia. Well other than being my partner...she became one of my closest friends"
"..."
"She was someone dear to me..."
"You know...I didn't even know you were partnered with a Russian battleship"
Bismarck mentioned that since Tirpitz refuses to talk about things related to her time spent in Russia.
"I was surprised. I just arrived there then the admiral told me he's going to partner me with Gangut"
"Oh"
"At first I don't know why she acts so stubborn and disobedient...but then I came to understand her why she acts that way"
Tirpitz looks up in the sky and remembered how she saw a different side of Gangut for a brief moment.
"Ha ha ha. It took some time before we opened up to each other. It was then...we became close comrades who protected each other"
"You look very happy, Tirpitz" Bismarck petted her head
Tirpitz pouted when Bismarck petted her head, thinking she is being treated like a child.
"Gangut is actually a caring and protective person. She's not always stubborn, violent, and rebellious. In a way she was just like us" Tirpitz slowly removes Bismarck's hand from her head
"What do you mean?"
"She never had a childhood. She suffered at an early age. Gangut...was just a victim..."
Tirpitz lowered her head and spoke in a sorrowful tone. She pitied Gangut after learning of her past.
"Even though I was alone in Russia, I had Gangut. She's like Scharnhorst, but Russian"
The way Tirpitz look just remembering her memories with Gangut made Bismarck smile. It warms her heart seeing her younger sister so happy.
"Life there wasn't always so...comfortable. I witnessed horrible things and experienced horrible things. That's why I just couldn't...talk about it"
"Tirpitz..."
Bismarck tapped Tirpitz's shoulders to comfort her since she looked like she's going to cry.
"You know, there was a certain ship girl there I met. She was a Project ship girl...and she was close to me"
"Project...?"
"Project ship girls aren't regular ship girls. They're ship girls who embodies the existence of warships that were never born in the old war"
"W-what?" Bismarck is confused
"They're ship girls who aren't like us since they're warship selves had a soul, but not a body. They never existed beyond the planning phase back in the old war, thus they are called Project ship girls"
Bismarck nodded her head as she at least understood what Project ship girls are.
"Wait you were saying something about a Project ship girl you knew"
"She was the successor of the Yamato class. I met her when I was in Russia"
"Oooh"
"It's because of her kind and sweet nature I grew fond of her. Even if she's not like normal ship girls, I still cared for her"
"Sounds like you two are very close..."
"You could say we had a bond. I really liked her, you know. My mistake was being too attached to her..."
Saying the last part, Tirpitz lowered her head and laughed filled with sorrow.
"What happened...?"
"..." Tirpitz lowered her head
"Did something horrible happened?"
"It was...it was an operation, but everything went wrong"
Tirpitz felt like she wanted to cry. To comfort her, Bismarck pulled her closer and embraced her.
"Just let it out..."
"It went very wrong. I couldn't do anything. She chose to be left behind while we had to retreat. Sis...I couldn't do anything. She...she just...Now she's gone..."
There was nothing Tirpitz can do about it, but the loss of someone close to her still hurts to this very day. She just wished she could have done something.
"It's okay. Let out all those painful feelings"
Tirpitz begun crying while Bismarck gently strokes her back. She felt sorry for her younger sister.
Later...
Arriving at Maizuru naval district, Gangut smokes her pipe as she looked at the naval base she's going to be posted.
"This is the third one this year. Well whatever..."
The second remodelled battleship walked with a little interest visible in her face while she tucked her hands on her skirt's pockets. As she had just walked in the base, she already got the attention of nearby ship girls.
"Who's that?" Kawakaze raised an eyebrow
"She looks kind of scary, isn't she?" Murasame noticed
"I agree" Shigure nodded
"Poi" Yuudachi tilted her head
The four "war dogs" of the base are all curious to who Gangut is.
(The hell with these people?)
Gangut thought as the gazes of other ship girls are annoying her. While she walks with little care to her surroundings, someone spoke to her
"You must be Gangut, right?"
The German battleship Bismarck came to greet the newcomer. Gangut is annoyed at first, but Bismarck's uniform quickly caught her attention.
"Huh? That uniform..."
Gangut inspected Bismarck's uniform and noticed a bit of resemblance to someone she knew. Except only one of them wore a skirt.
(Don't tell me...)
"I'm Bismarck, the nameship of the Bismarck class battleships. It's a pleasure to meet you"
"So that's why..."
Bismarck smiled as friendly as she could and reached out her hand for a hand shake. Reluctantly, Gangut shook her hand. Normally she would just ignore other people and walk away, but somehow...she acts differently.
"The name's Gangut. The lead ship of my class"
Gangut acted as if she's shy when talking and looking at Bismarck which is rare of her.
"So you're Bismarck. That means you're her older sister. Tirpitz's sister..."
"Aaah. So you knew my sister"
Bismarck pretended to be oblivious and casual even of it's the opposite.
"Well before you meet the admiral, how about we talk on the way"
Laughing, Bismarck grabbed Gangut and the two walk away. Bismarck gave a thumbs up to Graf as she takes Gangut away.
"You're sister told me a lot about you"
"Really? Did she say how great I am?" Bismarck joked
"Well she told me how you like to be praised so much and you pout if she praises someone else" Gangut put up an awkward smile
Bismarck looked away, guilty of what Gangut told her. She has to admiral it's likely of her.
"Also she says you can't cook"
"I did try to cook...but food I cooked gave her stomach ache so she wasn't able to sortie on that day"
Gangut felt awkward hearing that from Bismarck. When Bismarck snapped to her normal mood, she almost forgot what she's supposed to do.
"Anyway. Our admiral is a bit eccentric sometimes, but she's responsible and serious when it comes to her duty..."
"She? A woman, huh"
"Yeah. You could say I treat her like she's my own sister"
Bismarck laughed at herself as it's not what she wants to really say.
"What do you mean?"
"W-well you could say she's like a little sister to me. Well she is one..."
Again, that's not what Bismarck had in mind, but she decided to go along with it anyway.
"Here we are! Don't be shocked when you meet her, okay?" Bismarck stopped at office door
"What?"
Bismarck opens the door with a bright smile on her face while Gangut enters with her.
"Tir - I mean...admiral, Gangut's here"
The moment "the admiral" turned to look at the energetic Bismarck, Gangut took a couple of steps back, almost dropping her pipe in shock.
"...?!"
Gangut took a step back upon seeing who the admiral of the base is. Tirpitz can feel her hand shaking, but she restrained herself as much as possible. Trying to act calm and collected in front of Gangut is no easy task.
"Hmm? What's the matter?" Tirpitz spoke in calm manner
She can feel her heart racing, but she's not letting her personal emotions get in the way. Bismarck is aware what Tirpitz is feeling, but she just stands there in the back.
"N-no...way. It can't be..." Gangut couldn't think straight
Bismarck felt awkward, but Tirpitz felt even more awkward. Gangut is extremely shocked to see how her admiral "looks exactly like" someone she knows.
"This is...impossible. How can you be...just how can you be..." Gangut couldn't believe who she's looking at
"..." Tirpitz herself is silent
Bismarck can see how her younger sister can't bear to face Gangut, but forcing herself to do so. Gangut's felt her legs shaking as she doesn't know how to react at this situation.
"Gangut here is probably a bit nervous since she's new and all. I'm sure you can understand, admiral. Hahahaha" Bismarck pats Gangut's back
"...?"
Gangut doesn't understand why Bismarck is acting like everything is normal and there's nothing wrong. She wanted to ask Bismarck to what's really going on, but she couldn't speak out of shock.
"What? What's the matter? Is there something wrong?" Bismarck pretended to not know anything
"...?!" Gangut is in disbelief on how Bismarck acts casually
At first, Tirpitz is a little confused, but Bismarck's signalling made her understand.
"Gangut, huh. I'm not surprised. Still the same as ever..."
Gangut jolted as if she noticed something from what her admiral said. She turned to look at Bismarck who quickly look away, avoiding eye contact.
"Tir...pitz..." Gangut's lips shook as she uttered that name
"I'm the admiral of this naval district. Nothing more, nothing less"
"That's right. She's the admiral"
Bismarck is obviously playing dumb, but Gangut doesn't know that. She couldn't say a thing as she can't process how her admiral looks exactly like Tirpitz...
(Ah. So this is how I looked like when I first came here) Bismarck thought to herself
Gangut lowers her head and clenches her fists. After a minute of silence, Gangut reluctantly saluted.
"Lead ship of the Gangut class battleships, I am Gangut"
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Gangut" Tirpitz saluted as well
The two gazed at each other, further making the situation more awkward.
"G-gangut, you must be tired from your trip. How about I show you to your room?"
To break up the tenseness from the two, Bismarck quickly grabbed Gangut's arm and dragged her out of the office.
A few hours later...
Gangut stared at the ceiling as he lied down on the bed. She couldn't stop thinking about the admiral who look exactly like her old partner.
"Tirpitz..."
She just can't figure it out how Bismarck acts so normally as if nothing is wrong.
"Something's not right here. I definitely know it"
She stood up, unable to rest just thinking about the naval district's admiral.
"That person...this isn't just a coincidence"
Gangut lies back down and remembers the old days when she was partnered with Tirpitz. To others it was a long time, but to her...it felt like time didn't pass. There was a time when she first showed a different side to her partner. It was after sortie that went wrong.
"Tirpitz..."
What went wrong was not only the enemy flagship escape, but Tirpitz was heavily damaged after taking the torpedoes aiming for Gangut.
"Tirpitz, I-"
"I can't talk with you right now, Gangut"
"..."
"I need to dock first. It hurts like hell..."
It's obvious Tirpitz took a lot of damage seeing her wounds and tattered clothes. Just as Tirpitz walked away, Gangut noticed markings on her back which definitely looked like scars.
(Scars?)
She felt guilty since her recklessness caused Tirpitz to almost sink. It's a good thing there was damage control. Gangut shakes her head after remembering the disappointed look in Tirpitz's face.
"Some partner I am..."
Gangut turned to the side and looked at the picture of her and Tirpitz which was a stolen shot of the two of them eating together.
Office...
Inside the office, Tirpitz just silently stares at how Ark Royal uses her office a room for tea time much like Warspite.
"That must have been really awkward. Meeting your old partner after 12 years has passed" Ark Royal lowers her cup
"Gangut is looking at someone who should be still dead. I still am..."
Ark Royal can tell the ship girl admiral has mixed feelings for Gangut just hearing how she speaks.
"I saw how she looked at me earlier. She was so shocked she couldn't say a thing. I feel guilty for not telling her the truth at that moment"
Tirpitz felt guilty on the how Gangut looked at her and how she remained silent, pretending nothing is wrong.
"Well you can't straight up tell everything. There's a time for that..." Ark Royal sighs
"I'd never thought I would feel this much emotions. I thought the north had rendered me unable to feel"
Her tone became somewhat depressed and Ark Royal can notice it too.
"I was alone in north. I couldn't do anything but look over the war and tell how cruel it is"
"Tirpitz..."
"It's why they started calling me The lonely Queen of the North. Something I despise"
When Tirpitz realized she started talking about her personal feelings, she cleared her throat and resumed to the original topic.
"Gangut has the right to know the truth so that's what I'm going to do"
"At least you're finally being honest both to yourself and the people around you" Ark Royal seems pleased
"She's just...a victim after all. I don't want someone close to me to suffer"
Tirpitz leaned forward and rested her head on her arm while her fairy companions gather near her.
"I don't want to keep any more secrets than I already did. I don't want to lie to the people I care about anymore" Tirpitz leaned on the chair
"Then does Bismarck and the others know about that?" Ark Royal raised an eyebrow
"...Nein"
"How long are you going to keep that from them?" Ark Royal frowned
"...I don't know"
"I won't be surprised if you just leave Bismarck and everyone else without saying a thing..."
A bit disappointed, Ark Royal furrows her eyebrows and crosses her arms. On the other hand, Tirpitz shows little care.
"It's something I don't want to tell my sister. Knowing her...she'll let her emotions get the best of her"
"Is that why you've been avoiding answering her when she asks about your past in Russia?"
"Yeah. It's a part of me that's best left buried and forgotten"
"Still...she has the right to know. You two are sisters, aren't you?" Ark Royal's voice softened
"That's the problem. It's because she's my sister, I don't want her to know"
"I just don't understand sibling relationships sometimes" Ark Royal shook her head
Unknown to the two, Bismarck happened to overhear their conversation. She's speechless as the conversation implied her sister Tirpitz is keeping a secret she must know.
(Tirpitz...)
Bismarck clenched her fists and bit her lip, upset about it. She silently leaves the scene...not uttering a single word.
EXTRA
In Yokusaka naval district, admiral Alexander Charland dramatically enjoys his time staring at a picture when two excited Project ship girls interrupted his daydreaming.
"Hey, admiral!"
A ship girl with pale skin and blonde hair excitedly greeted her admiral. Behind her is a shy looking ship girl with red hair tied in a side ponytail. The two ship girls with slightly identical uniforms entered the office.
"E-excuse us for suddenly barging in" The red haired ship girl bowed
"What are you doing, admiral?" The blonde one asked
"Ah. Montana, Maine. It's nothing...just admiring mon amour"
"Mon amour?" The two tilted their head
The Project ship girls Montana and Maine walked closer as admiral Alexander showed them the picture he was busy staring for half an hour.
"The Richelieu may have astounding beauty, but her admiral is haaaa - I just admire German beauty"
The two battleships are just speechless at how eccentric their admiral can be sometimes.
"I just find beauty of German women to be astonishing beauty"
Montana and Maine leaned closer and looked at the picture the admiral showed them. It's a stolen shot of Maizuru naval district's admiral eating lunch with Kongou, Richelieu, and Iowa who are too busy bickering at each other than eating. The picture of the annoyed admiral is what caught the two battleships' attention.
"Hah. I got that picture from a certain journalist heavy cruiser in her base. Though she sold it to me for a painful price...but it's worth it!"
"Aaaaaaah! Isn't that-?!" Montana took away the picture from admiral Alexander
"Big sis, isn't that Tirpitz...but with white hair and wearing an admiral uniform?" Maine shook her head in disbelief
"It's Tirpitz! It's definitely Tirpitz, isn't it?"
Filled with joy, Montana shakes her younger sister while the admiral is confused to why the two are very happy.
"What's up with you two?" The admiral scratched his head
"It's Tirpitz! This one here is our comrade Tirpitz!" Montana points at admiral Suveran Schwarze who is also the battleship Tirpitz
"Y-yeah" Maine nodded
Admiral Alexander tilted his head, still confused to what the two are talking about. He doesn't know who "Tirpitz" is so he has no idea.
"That's the admiral of Maizuru's naval district, admiral Suveran Schwarze. I don't know who you are talking about"
"It's definitely Tirpitz! I mean she looks completely like her...except for the white hair" Montana insisted
"I think so too...!" Maine also insisted
Their admiral just crossed his arms as the two are definitely insisting "Maizuru's admiral" is "Tirpitz". Montana crossed her arms and thought for a while before coming up with an idea
"Hey, admiral!" Montana slammed the desk with a mischievous grin
"W-what?"
"We want to be transferred to her base!"
"Big sis?" Maine is a bit surprised
The admiral himself is speechless at her request, trying to process on what she had just said.
"If Tirpitz is the admiral there...then my little sister and I want to be transferred in her base. Plus our big sis Iowa is there"
Montana easily grabs the admiral and requested it to him. Meanwhile...the admiral is just speechless and unsure what to do. He know the two will persist him until he agrees...