Authors note: I know these are getting annoying so I'll stop til christmas. But I hope you all had a good thanksgiving and spent some time with family. Now that's out of the way, we return you to your regularly scheduled fanfic. Enjoy.
Eagle went to her own personal room. She slipped off her usual dress, folding it on her bed. She pulled out a white blouse and short black skirt to accent her undergarments before she stepped into the shower.
"The commander... likes me. He likes me a lot, just like Nimi." Eagle reassured herself as the hot water rolled down her body.
After a short shower, Eagle dried off and sat on a small stook sitting in front of a mirror. She wanted to look her best.
The fleet was now less than a day away from reaching Tonga. Their cruising speed was significantly faster when they weren't in combat.
Isaac had retired to his room, closing the door just as Nimi exited the bathroom.
"How did it go?" Nimi asked as Isaac sat on the bed.
"She's anxious. Her feelings are there but i think she feels like she'll disappoint me." Isaac said as he laid back on his bed. Nimi crawled up and snuggled next to him.
"Knowing you, you assured her that she has a reason to be here and that you'd give her a purpose." Nimi said as the scent of oak and lavender wafted past Isaac's nose.
"You arent wrong. She wants to meet me in the bunk room later. She said she wanted time to get ready." Isaac said.
"And I assure you that is what she wants. Her asking that of you is a clear sign. She's probably just really nervous." Nimi said as her ringed hand laid softly against his chest.
"True." Isaac thought aloud.
"How about you?" Isaac asked.
"Me? I don't have any regrets. You made me feel like i belong here. You made me feel wanted. Plus... I enjoyed it." Nimi said as she kissed his neck.
"I see. Well, I'm glad. I enjoyed it as well. You're very cute looking like that." Isaac whispered. Nimi blushed a bit.
"Idiot." Nimi whispered as she hugged him before getting up and getting dressed.
"I'll be heading back to my ship, give Eldridge a break so she can come see you." Nimi said as she got dressed. Isaac whistled.
"I hate to see you go... but i love to watch you leave." Isaac said as Nimi glared.
"One more comment, and your next exam will be served in detention." Nimi said.
"Oh? And how will that work?" Isaac asked, pushing her buttons further.
"I learned a few tricks from watching the sailors during the war. I know how to tie some real fun and interesting looking knots, Mein Liebling." Nimi said as she nodded to a coil of rope in the corner.
"Point made." Isaac said as Nimi's causal threat threw him for a loop.
"I'll radio Eldridge. Expect her here in a few minutes." Nimi said as she affixed her beret and blew Isaac a kiss before leaving.
"Damn... i almost forgot that she isn't a normal girl... I might actually die if I screw up bad enough." Isaac thought to himself.
A few minutes later, the slap of wet feet on steel graced Isaac's ears.
"Isaac!" Eldridge yelled as she ran into his room and jumped into his arms.
"Hello, Eldridge. Thank you for all your hard work." Isaac said as he petted her head.
"Happy." Eldridge said quietly as she hummed happily.
"I never would have guessed." Isaac said, chuckling softly.
"Nimi happy." Eldridge spoke as she looked at Isaac.
"Yes. I believe she is. I think, from what she has told me, this may be the first a long time that she is happy." Isaac said.
"I don't want." Eldridge said. Isaac tiled his head.
"I like Isaac. But I dont want." Eldridge said as she motioned to his legs.
"Ah. Thats what you mean. Well, I would have been uncomfortable doing that with you... I see you more like a daughter." Isaac said.
"That okay. I like." Eldridge said as she accepted more headpats.
"I see. Then i guess that is where we stand, huh?" Isaac asked.
Eldridge nodded happily. "Yup yup." She said as she hopped off his lap.
"Miss Eagle called for you." Eldridge said as she hugged Isaac and ran out of his room.
"That destroyer is a whirlwind of energy and adorableness..." Isaac said as he breathed a sigh.
"Well. I guess if I have been called, it won't do to be late." Isaac thought aloud as he walked out of his room.
Back at Azur Lane, I-13 finally pulled into port, towing a battle damaged Akashi. Richelieu, Le Triomphant, Omaha and Surcouf all stood on the docks ready to recieve Akashi.
"My goodness! What happened?!" Richelieu asked as everyone skated across the water to give aid.
"Shikikan needs help!" I-13 yelled. "You all need to head to Tonga immediately." I-13 added.
"Understood." Richelieu said as everyone turned to leave.
"Wait..." Akashi whispered weakly.
"Akashi!?" I-13 cried as Akashi crawled to a cargo box that was bolted to her deck.
"Fusou-sama... Send... Fusou-sama..." Akashi whispered as she faded back into unconsciousness, dropping the cubes onto the deck.
"Can we find a way to bring her back quicker? 4 hours may be the difference between life and death!" Omaha asked.
"I do not know." Richelieu said as she looked at the cubes.
"Maybe we can transplant the computer system onto one of our hulls?" Surcouf suggested.
"No. It would slow us down having to tow an incomplete battleship hull." Omaha said.
"I did find a slot on the computer. It looks like we can put something in there to speed up the process. Maybe the bulins would know?" Triomphant said as she went to find one of the bulins.
Triomphant came back a few minutes later with a small metal device.
"They said this would help. I don't know what it is..." Triomphant said.
"Well, Let's go and see. If it doesn't, I'll leave Surcouf here to bring her along." Richelieu said as they all made their way towards the lab.
Richelieu placed the cubes on the pad, pressing the start button as Triomphant placed the device in the slot. Sure enough, the timer flew by as a massive armored behemoth appeared in drydock.
"Uhhhh..." Omaha said as she and the others looked out, amazed at what they had witnessed.
"By all that is Holy... Triomphant, did the bulins have more?" Richelieu asked.
"They said they found a crate of about 10. But said that we should only use it if needed." Triomphant spoke.
"Agreed. We will relay that to the Commander when we reach Tonga. Gather the bulins, they're gonna come with us on board the Fusou. Get her in prime shape." Omaha said as the Tube raised up, revealing a busty black Nekomata in a flashy red and black kimono.
"Listen. No time to explain, but you need to get to your ship. The commander has called for aid." Richelieu and Omaha say in unison, staring at each other in confusion.
"Hai! Then we shall depart immediately." Fusou said as she ran as fast as she could towards her newly reawakened vessel.
Striking the ground with her staff, Richelieu gave her orders.
"All capable ships, by the grace and glory of our god, man your ships. We shall make haste for the island kingdom of Tonga to lend our strength in this glorious crusade." Richelieu spoke, her voice tapping into the PA system of the base.
Within minutes, the capable fighters of Azur Lane's second fleet left their berths and headed for open sea.