Isaac and Friedrich arrived at a scene of controlled chaos upon reaching the medical bay. Human sailors from the crewed vessels who were injured were being pushed about to different sections according to their injuries.
"What happened here?" Isaac asked.
"One of the transport ships got nailed by a few of the last suicide boats before your arrival to the Norfolk. Thankfully a majority of the bulins had already returned and were able to begin emergency countermeasures to negate the flooding and fires, but there were plenty of injuries sustained." Arizona explained, sweat dripping onto her uniform.
"Arizona, have you been treating people this entire time?" Isaac demanded lightly.
"Y-yes sir…" Arizona spoke as she avoided his gaze.
Isaac took a step forward and took the gauze and cleaning alcohol from her hands.
"You are relieved of duty for a while. Take a break and catch your breath. You're our real lifeline out here. Can't have you overworking yourself." Isaac said as he corralled Arizona to an empty chair in the waiting area.
"But…"
"No but's, little lady. We've seen plenty of casualties during this invasion. I refuse to add your name to that list. I am ordering you to rest until your energy is fully restored. Go visit Penny. She might like the company considering she took damage during the earlier bombing raids." Isaac spoke, causing Arizona to jump to her feet and run for the door.
"Be safe out there!" Isaac yelled after her.
Friedrich peeled the medical supplies from his hands.
"Such a generous man." Friedrich said as she handed the gauze and alcohol to a passing nurse.
"Well of course. She's an important asset to the fleet. As well as someone I care for, just like the rest of the fleet. She can easily overexert herself if she uses her ability to heal too much. So, requiring her to rest is only natural." Isaac spoke as the two of them went deeper into the medical bay.
Norfolk, Shinano, Odin, Nimi, Musashi, Yamato, Yume, Taihou, Hood, and Eagle were all present in the back of the medical bay, along with Stefan, who had curiously managed to get aboard the Norfolk unimpeded.
"Isaac!" Norfolk cried as she turned to see him, and Friedrich enter. She immediately ran towards him and jumped into his waiting arms.
"Hello, Norfolk. Seems like this part of the medical bay is busy too." Isaac said as he adjusted his arms to hold Norfolk in one arm while removing his helmet with the other.
Norfolk smiled softly.
"Such a strong man." She whispered while fiercely blushing.
"You act like carrying one of my most valuable cruisers with one hand is a difficult task." Isaac replied with a smile, knowing full well how corny the reply was.
The smile made Norfolk's blush burn brighter.
The moment was cut short by the other women in the room.
"Husband." Shinano spoke softly so as not to wake Yume.
"Shinano, my darling. What can I do for you?" Isaac asked.
"I would like to introduce you properly to my older sisters." Shinano spoke as Musashi helped Yamato sit up in her bed.
"I apologize for my… inability to rise to greet you, Apollyon." Yamato spoke, her tone barely holding the base to carry her voice.
Isaac walked over and knelt next to the bed.
"Think nothing of it, Yamato. I do not require a standing ovation for an introduction. I'm glad we were able to rescue you." Isaac spoke softly.
"That… monster… he took everything from me. My pride. My honor… the flowers of youth. He left nothing sacred." Yamato whispered as she began to relapse into her memories, halted only by a firm hand on her shoulder.
"I made sure that he will never harm you again. He will never be a problem for you to deal with. I promise." Isaac said softly as Yamato looked at him.
"I'm sorry…" Yamato whispered.
"You have nothing to be sorry for. Come. Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Admiral Isaac Garner. Admiral of the fleets of Azur Lane, and former citizen of the Eagle Union. It is a pleasure… nay… an honor to meet someone held in such high regard, even by my own country's military." Isaac spoke, earning him a small smile on Yamato's near flawless face.
"My name… is Yamato. Lead ship of the Yamato class. Once the pride and joy of the Sakura Navy." Yamato spoke as Isaac took her hand.
Yamato flinched, causing Isaac to quickly remove his hand, stopped only by the shaking of her head.
"You have no need to rush to conclusions… I was startled. You may touch me… if that is your wish." Yamato spoke softly.
Isaac softly took her hand.
"My goal is to rid the world of the Sirens and make this world a place for humans and Kansen once more. You will be protected and supported here, should you choose to stay." Isaac said softly, his grip on her hand gentle yet firm.
"I came in hopes of finding you… I wish to stay…" Yamato whispered.
Isaac smiled.
"Welcome to Azur Lane, Yamato." Isaac spoke as Yamato allowed her tears to fall, happy to finally be safe.
"Quite the smooth talker, Apollyon." Musashi spoke as she looked down at him.
Isaac stood, quickly rising above her eye level.
"Admiral Isaac Garner. At your service. I assume that you'll remain here with your sister?" Isaac asked.
"Quite smart for a Union sailor." Musashi teased.
"Actually… I'm just a naval mechanic. I was appointed the rank of Admiral after proving myself to Fleet Admiral Nimitz. I was never actually in the Union Navy before the world went to shit…" Isaac explained.
"Hmm. so that means when your conquest is over… you have no obligations to contend with?" Musashi asked.
"That would be correct. I'd probably retain my title of Admiral of Azur Lane and establish a fully functional research facility and naval yard to accommodate my family… but other than that… I have no ties to the Union anymore." Isaac thought aloud.
"The Gods shine their fortune upon me yet." Musashi thought to herself.
"Well then, Admiral. I look forward to being of service to you… no matter what service you require." Musashi spoke as she turned back to her sister.
Isaac shook off the weird feeling he had gotten from Musashi's final remark.
Shinano approached Isaac and drew him into her arms.
"It is over, isn't it?" Shinano asked.
Isaac nodded.
"The battle for the Philippines has come to an end… thankfully the odds were in our favor once more." Isaac lamented.
Shinano smiled.
"You are quite tense, Husband. I hear you have given the others some time to relax. Perhaps you may begin your relaxation as well?" Shinano asked as Isaac noticed a slight flush on her face.
"Shinano?" Isaac asked as he placed the back of his hand on Shinano's forehead. The commotion drew Musashi's attention.
"Hmm?" Shinano asked as a slight tremble flooded her body as a result of his touch.
"Are you feeling okay? Your forehead is extremely hot." Isaac spoke as Musashi spun quicker than he could react.
"Isaac, it would be smart to back off from her unless you wish to be laid up in bed for the next few days." Musashi said.
"What? Why?" Isaac asked as he tried to back off a bit only to find Shinano's hold on him to be ironclad.
Seeing this, Musashi sighed.
"Because she is a fox, a Kitsune if you will. It is early December by now, right?" Musashi asked.
Isaac nodded.
"December is mating season for foxes… and it affects us as well." Musashi said as Isaac suddenly realized the reason for her warning.
Isaac then remembered something even more important. The smile on Amagi's face.
"Oh no…" Isaac whispered.
"Realize now what this means for you, Admiral?" Musashi asked with a playful titter.
"Several of my men are involved with kitsune… are they also…"
"Yes. If you are referring to Amagi and Kaga. Yes. They have likely been trying very hard to withhold their urges until the battle was won. But now that they don't have to fight… They have likely made their move already. And now… you have my baby sister to deal with." Musashi said as Isaac turned back to Shinano, who was now looking at him with a lust he had never seen her display before.
"What about you? And Yamato? How are you unaffected?" Isaac asked as he tried and failed to struggle against Shinano's shackling grip.
"Such a bold question, Admiral. Tell you what, you make it through this mating season, I'll tell you." Musashi teased further as Isaac realized he was now relegated to dealing with Shinano.
Odin, Norfolk, Eagle, Friedrich and Nimi all looked at each other with a similar smile shared among them.
"Quite the interesting turn of events." Odin spoke as Musashi turned to her.
"Oh? How so?" Musashi asked as she looked among them all and saw rings adorning their hands.
"If she is restraining him… he can't refuse us." Odin spoke in a tone that sent a tingle up Isaac's spine.
"Oh that's right. Shinano did mention that he had multiple wives." Musashi spoke slowly as the women approached Shinano and Isaac.
"Well. Make sure to keep an eye on him. Kitsune tend to unrestrain themselves when in heat. Shinano will probably hurt him without intervention." Musashi warned.
"Duly noted." Odin said as the kansen forcibly escorted Isaac out of the medical bay.
"Do you think he'll be alright?" Hood asked.
"Well… if he has survived all of them this far, he should come out relatively intact." Musashi pondered audibly.
"Why didn't you make your move, Sister?" Yamato asked.
"I can wait. I would rather deepen my connection with him before taking him to bed myself. I am not so powerless to my own urges that I would throw myself at him. I still have my reason." Musashi said as she looked at Yamato.
"Why haven't you? That man from our country. The one with Amagi. He showed promise. Why don't you go to him?" Musashi asked.
"I… I cannot face a man… not like this." Yamato spoke softly as she stroked Yume's tail softly, causing the small fox to emit a soft purr.
Musashi cast sorrowful eyes on Yamato, gazing at all of the ever-present bruises and cuts.
"I'm sorry…" Musashi lamented.
"Why?" Yamato asked as she looked at the younger of the two.
"I couldn't stop them. I was afraid they would kill you if I had tried. I'm sorry for being too weak to save you sooner." Musashi spoke.
Yamato smiled, an act that drew more tears from Musashi.
"In time… I might be able to bring myself to his bed. But for now… I can relish in the happiness he brings me. I know he will visit when he can." Yamato spoke softly.
"So, what's the plan?" Yorktown demanded once more after the assembly of Kansen and soldiers had made their way to the general area.
"Well… the flotilla will leave here and sail north to Germany. Once there, you will attempt a stealthy insertion to find the Union's 101st airborne Able Company. From there you will link up with the Third armored division of the Union Army and will proceed to where Intelligence is stating that Alpha is holding the blueprints. Once in range, you will lay siege long enough to grab the blueprints and get out. Yorktown will cover the retreat with her fighters to hopefully keep Purifier and Alpha off of your backs. An overcomplicated smash and grab. That's all there is." Vittorio spoke.
"You make it sound so simple…" Cole said, causing everyone to turn to look at him.
"You seem critical." Vittorio suggested.
"Only a bit. This is still an active hot zone… The Nazi's may have surrendered, but I have reason to believe that those who are still loyal to the cause have sided with the Sirens. They ambushed my group during my escape from the region. We may be facing a well-funded army out there… and sadly a hand full of Shermans, Chaffee's, and a Pershing will not be enough to smash through the remnants of the Wehrmacht. We won't have the men." Cole spoke.
"Right… we do have a distinct lack of manpower…" Vittorio said as the door to the general area swung open.
"Nonsense. You have my crew. I have 1,500 men ready to get back into the fight." Nimitz spoke as the room turned to look at him.
"Sailors?" Cole asked.
"They may be sailors, but they have not been lax in their training. They are as capable as any rifleman the army has, Sergeant." Nimitz said.
Cole did some quick math.
"That's nearly two large battalions. That could do some damage." Cole said.
"They are ready and willing to continue the fight. They were inspired by the events that occurred on our trek from the Pacific. And the Admiral of Azur Lane has made quite the impression. I've actually had to confine them to quarters due to most of them trying to find ways North on their own." Nimitz explained.
"Does that solve your problems, Sergeant?" Vittorio asked.
"It does. Plus, the manpower from the 101st and 3rd Armored Division, we should be able to make the grab. Which brings me down to one final hiccup… the escape. We're placing a lot of stress on Yorktown. She is going to have to fight off two members of the Siren Hierarchy on her own. And from what I heard during my last few days in Germany, Purifier had just finished laying waste to the Northern Parliament. We could be facing two very powerful adversaries, placing a lot of pressure on our sole carrier." Cole said as Z2 stood on a chair.
"We can help with that too." Z2 said.
"How so?" Cole asked.
"I just received a transmission from one of our assets in Brest, France." Z2 said.
"Assets?" Cole asked.
"No." Gneisenau said.
"We need another carrier." Z2 replied.
"Not her. She's annoying." Gneisenau retorted.
"She is still a valuable asset. Hell, she was even built off a hull with your name, you should be honored." Z2 said.
"That makes it worse!" Gneisenau cried.
"Who is this asset?" Cole asked.
"Elbe. A Jade class carrier built off the hull of a passenger ship that shared the same name as our ill-tempered battleship here…" Z2 said, earning her a knock to the back of the head by Gneisenau.
"So, you suggest we meet up with her and convince her to join us?" Cole asked.
"Yes. She isn't as advanced as Yorktown… but she is capable of utilizing Stuka's as both fighter and bomber. She has also just reported that she has been successful in using aerial torpedoes from a Stuka as well. So, she has a full complement." Z2 said as she rubbed her head.
"We'll take it. We need all the help we can get." Cole said as the room seemed to agree.
"Alright… with that settled… I guess it's time to load up. No time like the present, right?" Vittorio asked.
"Who is in command?" Cole asked.
"I'll come to command the girls. But you have control of the men, Sergeant." Nimitz said.
"Me? With two full battalions?!" Cole asked.
"You can do it. You have T and Joe with you." Brooklyn said, earning her a joking smile from Cole.
With a deep breath, Cole accepted his fate.
"Alright. I'll do it. Let's load up." Cole ordered, sending those joining him scrambling to get to their ships.