"You look tense, Tirpitz." Illustrious said as she draped her white clad arms over the battleship's shoulders.
"I'm being transferred to the main fleet. So I have to leave immediately to meet up with Kommandant Garner." Tirpitz replied.
"Just you?" Illustrious asked.
Tirpitz knew what she meant by asking.
"I don't think he would mind another carrier, Lusty." Tirpitz said as she laid her hands softly on the carrier's arm.
"We'll be vulnerable if it's just us." Illustrious suggested, seeing how far she could push her German lover.
"I guess we can leave this base to the Americans. Ranger and Washington seem capable of running this place. So we could take Eugen and Spee." Tirpitz said.
"That would be ideal. Each of us would have a heavy cruiser for escort." Illustrious said happily.
Tirpitz smiled softly hearing her glee.
"Maybe you Illustrious class girls aren't so bad." Tirpitz joked.
"You weren't saying that the other night, my dear." Illustrious said with an innocent smile on her face.
"You can smile like that, but you're lucky nobody knows how you really are." Tirpitz said as she stood up from the radio.
"Tirpitz?" Illustrious asked.
"Hmm?" Tirpitz asked.
"What will happen when we hit the main fleet? Will we..." Illustrious said before Tirpitz put a finger to her lips.
"Even if I fall for a man. You are mine. You will always have a place in my heart and I will always hold feelings for you." Tirpitz spoke softly.
"So..." Illustrious tried.
"Nothing will change. If I end up falling for a man, we won't stop doing what we do... and he'll have to accept that." Tirpitz said, causing Illustrious to smile with tears in her eyes.
"That makes me happy." Illustrious said.
"You make me happy, Lusty. I haven't felt like this since the day I was constructed. Having you... helped me in ways that I can't explain." Tirpitz said.
"Such a softie under that tough German steel." Illustrious said as she kissed Tirpitz's cheek, causing the battleship to blush.
"We... We should grab Spee and Eugen and get moving. Kommandant Garner is sending Admiral Nimitz and the Missouri here." Tirpitz said as she slung her jacket over her shoulders and adjusted her cap on her head.
"No need to be embarrassed, Tirpy." Illustrious tittered.
Tirpitz shot a glance back at the Armored Carrier.
"Nobody else gets to hear you call me that. I still have a reputation to uphold." Tirpitz spoke in a sterner tone.
"Oh alright. Maybe later tonight." Illustrious said as she followed the battleship down to the courtyard.
"Eugen, come on, we're gonna head back to the dorms." Spee said as she lead the Hipper class cruiser through the courtyard, coming to a halt when she saw Tirpitz coming towards them.
"Lady Tirpitz, what can we do for you?" Spee asked as Tirpitz stopped in front of them.
"We need to get Eugen into the matrix so we can rebuild her ship. You two are coming with Illustrious and I." Tirpitz explained.
"Where are we going?" Spee asked.
"Kommandant Garner has requested our presence within the main fleet. We are to set out when able." Tirpitz said.
"I understand. Eugen? Come along. We're going to give you your ship back." Spee said.
"Really?" Eugen asked.
"Yes. You've proven yourself trustworthy as of late. I feel comfortable having you as my escort." Tirpitz spoke.
"I see. Thank you, Lady Tirpitz." Eugen said as Spee led her towards the Matrix room.
"You called, Admiral?" Nimitz spoke.
"Yes. If you are transporting anyone from MacArthur's group, I need you to transfer them the moment we land in New Guinea." Isaac said.
"Why is that?" Nimitz asked.
"I have decided that the Bermuda base needs Union leadership. And since I am going to be caught up dealing with Tester, you are the best option for that base." Isaac said.
"Shore leave, Admiral?" Nimitz asked.
"I can't get anything past you, huh... Yes. After this last battle and the upcoming fights, we learned that this Enemy does not mind using dust based weapons to attempt to destroy us, and a human crew onboard one of our most advanced warships might no longer be enough. I respect you and your command, Admiral Nimitz. But this war is no longer safe for a crewed vessel like the Missouri." Isaac said.
"I see. Will you have someone able to replace the guns I have?" Nimitz asked.
"I have Tirpitz of Ironblood coming from Bermuda. With her here, I will feel safe having you and your men transferred to Bermuda." Isaac said.
"I see. And that is the only reason you have for sending us to Bermuda?" Nimitz asked.
"Ranger and her fleet rescued your family. They are waiting for you in Bermuda on base." Isaac said.
"You had that in the works too? Damn... screw what the Union feels about people of color, if you had been enlisted during the war, I'm sure we would have wrapped things up a lot quicker. Despite your lack of prior experience, you have the mind of an Admiral." Nimitz said.
"I appreciate the praise, Admiral. Please prepare your men. Once we hit New Guinea and offload the new troops, we're going to stage for the Philippines. That is when I will have you head out. You'll have to avoid the southern tip of South America by heading into the Antarctic, but it will keep you out of the eyes of Strength. Based on what was done to 556 before she came here, Strength is not someone you want to attempt to engage. Use your speed, not your guns." Isaac said.
"I understand, Admiral. Will we be able to remain in contact?" Nimitz asked.
"Yes. Akashi has built a device capable of reaching the Norfolk from anywhere. So I will be informed no matter when you call." Isaac said.
"I see. So I will finally get to see this mysterious Akashi. I hear she is the main source of most of your cube tech and knowledge of the wisdom cubes." Nimitz said.
"Yeah. She's been a lifesaver." Isaac said.
"Alright. Then I shall inform the boys. It's been an honor." Nimitz said.
"Agreed. And worry not, Admiral, we will meet again. After all, you are going to help us take back the Union." Isaac said.
"I see. Then I look forward to your call." Nimitz said as he cut the line.
Isaac stood on the bridge of the Norfolk, watching the fleet around him steaming full speed ahead towards New Guinea. Isaac was about to turn in for the day when a radio call came in for him.
"Shikikan!" Kaga's voice called.
"Kaga?" Isaac asked.
"You need to get over here quickly!" Kaga spoke, her tone indicating fear.
"Kaga, is everything alright?" Isaac asked.
"It's Shinano." Kaga cried.
"What about her?!" Isaac asked as his gaze shot over to the Yamato class carrier.
"She's collapsed. She was walking with me towards her room and she just fell to the ground. I can hear her groaning, it sound's like she's in pain." Kaga said.
"Understood. I'm on my way." Isaac said as he looked around the bridge of the Norfolk and found the button for the ship's alarm. He ran over and hit it, causing the red lights on the bridge to flare up and Norfolk to turn to him.
"Isaac, is something wrong?" Norfolk asked seriously.
"Alert the Bulins and get them over to the Shinano. Call for Arizona and Alice. I need them as well. Get me over there." Isaac demanded.
"Understood. Hold on." Norfolk said as Isaac felt the vessel shift beneath him, nearly throwing him to the wall.
"Did Kaga explain what was going on?" Norfolk asked as she forced her vessel out of formation and sped up to catch the port side of the Shinano.
"No. She said that Shinano collapsed while they were walking back to her room. She said that Shinano sounds like she's in pain." Isaac said.
"Understood. Should I get Vestal to open a bed in the Med bay?" Norfolk asked.
"No. Bring her up here with Alice. I want as many hands taking care of this as I can get. It's not just Shinano, but Yume as well." Isaac said.
"Yume?" Norfolk asked.
"MY DAUGHTER!" Isaac yelled as Norfolk looked at him wide eyed.
"You named her Yume? That's so precious." Norfolk exclaimed.
"Norfolk, not the time, get me to that carrier!" Isaac said as he looked out the windows, watching their approach.
"Understood." Norfolk said as Alice, Vestal and the Bulins appeared on the bridge.
"Commander, What's wrong?" Vestal asked.
"It's Shinano. Kaga reports that she has collapsed. We are going aboard to tend to her and ensure her safety and the safety of my unborn daughter." Isaac said.
"So why the Bulins?" Alice asked.
"She's in pain. There may be internal damage to the ship causing it. It's a large ship, so maybe we missed something in the repairs. I want her checked head to toe and bow to stern. Understood?" Isaac demanded.
"Yes, sir." Chief said as she and the other Bulins ran out to the rubber raft hanging from Norfolk's crane.
"And us?" Vestal and Alice asked.
"You're with me. We're boarding. Norfolk, the ladder?" Isaac asked.
"No need. Kaga has lowered one from the flight deck." Norfolk said as she pointed to the rope ladder resting on her bow coming from the flight deck of the Shinano.
"Alright ladies, let's go. Norfolk, keep pace alongside Shinano. If we need to offload her to the med bay, I'll need you here." Isaac said.
"Understood, Isaac. Good luck." Norfolk said as Isaac, Alice and Vestal ran to the ladder.