Any and all tension in the air was cut by the happy squeals of a green haired cat, who dashed past Jean Bart, New Jersey, and Massachusetts to get to Isaac. With a small leap, the kitty was airborne and sailing directly into Isaac's arms.

"Hello Akashi. It's good to see you again as well." Isaac said as he rubbed Akashi's head between the ears.

"Akashi is happy that you're okay." Akashi said as she gave Isaac a hug worthy of their time apart.

Behind them, Iowa and Lizzy hauled themselves onto the smoldering deck of the Jean Bart, the embers still bright after Richelieu's fiery entrance.

New Jersey was the first to speak.

"Admiral… is that really my sister? None of the other Iowa class took to the cubes…" New Jersey spoke.

"She is. This is Iowa. An experiment that went right by every known account. And a loyal battleship to the cause." Isaac said as Iowa blushed.

"Admiral… stop. You're embarrassing me." Iowa spoke, confirming once more to be the voice New Jersey had heard.

"It's true, Iowa. Your showdown with Yamato was a feat to behold, and it saved our ass. And the fact that reports from New Guinea are still favorable, meant you and Kaga were the right choice to send with the Chinese girls as escorts. Don't humble yourself too far. There's still a war to win." Isaac said.

Iowa swallowed her words happily.

"I understand Admiral. I will not let you down." Iowa said before she went over to New Jersey and knelt down next to her.

"Admiral…" New Jersey spoke.

"New Jersey?" Isaac asked as he lowered Akashi to the deck.

"How did you manage to bring my sister to life?" Jersey asked coldly.

"Her crew had managed to fuse a single, likely defective, cube to her hull, giving the ship a form of sentience… or so Otto told me. With help from Vengeance, we were able to use Observer Zero's cubes to force the hull to complete the transfer of consciousness to a cube-based personality, hence why Iowa shares the appearance of Observer Zero to some minor degree." Isaac explained.

"So… then she is real?" Jersey asked.

"She very much is." Isaac said as Iowa helped New Jersey to her feet.

"It is so nice to finally meet you, little sister." Iowa spoke softly before embracing the black dragon in the warmth that only a sister could provide.

Isaac smiled before turning to Jean Bart, who was surrounded by Akashi, Massachusetts, and Richelieu.

"And you two. Fine work you did today." Isaac said as he walked over, sidestepping the puddle of molten steel.

"I don't think I did too much, Admiral." Jean Bart said. Isaac looked at Akashi.

"How's she look?" Isaac asked.

"She will live, nyaa. She's a big strong battleship, Explorers had a hard time stabbing much less doing anything less." Akashi explained.

"Still hurts like a bitch…" Jean complained.

"I get it. But either way. Good job. Thank you for defending Akashi." Isaac said as the three escort battleships looked at him.

Surprisingly, it was Massachusetts who spoke up.

"Admiral… why is this repair ship so important to you? What cargo does she have that warrants a three battleship escort?" Massachusetts asked.

Isaac remained silent, electing to instead pull a single cube from his pocket.

"Akashi. Do you have the other item I requested?" Isaac asked as the three battleships looked at him.

Akashi nodded.

"Hai… Akashi has Bensons surviving cube, nyaa." Akashi replied.

"Good. Bring your vessel around and connect to the Iowa with some power cables. She has the energy output needed to run the Matrix… at least once anyway." Isaac said as Akashi scrambled off.

"Admiral. What are you doing?" New Jersey asked.

"Laffey heard about Benson. Almost killed me when she learned the news…" Isaac said as he pointed to a nasty scrape on his chest plate.

"So, with help from Observer Zero… Laffey gained a new hull, while relinquishing her old data. So this cube, in conjunction with Benson's surviving cube, should easily be enough… to refloat a Benson class flagship destroyer." Isaac said as all eyes went wide.

"But you need a dry dock, she'll sink!" New Jersey cried.

"Not at all. I don't know how that old man does it, but Otto made a device that fits the Matrix and allows for instant construction of vessels, up to and including Heavy Cruisers. Even Battleships and Carriers have reduced building times." Isaac said as he looked at Lizzy, who happily shrugged a bag from her shoulder. Inside was a small metal box that glowed with the power of a wisdom cube.

"So what, you attach the device and it will bring Benson back instantly?" New Jersey asked.

"That's the idea. Just be careful of falling boats…" Isaac spoke. Remembering the incident when Yume was born.

A few moments later, the Akashi pulled up alongside the Iowa and ran cables running all the way to the engine room. Akashi came running back several minutes after.

"Matrix is ready, Shikikan." Akashi said as she held out her hands

"Bring me Benson back. Got it?" Isaac asked as he gingerly laid the cube from Laffey in her hands.

"Akashi will make it so." Akashi said as she scampered off to begin working.

"Alright everyone. Sad to say, the mirror sea was a one-way trip. Overusing it will burn out Norfolk. And even with as much help as Zero has been. Leaving her to be the sole voice of the fleet in my absence is not something that would go over too well. So we're going to take the long way back. Thankfully, we should have a proper, albeit lacking, escort." Isaac said as a splash behind the Akashi forced everyone to turn their heads.

Sitting in open water, bobbing gently in the waves, was a Benson class destroyer. Fresh paint and bright lettering gave Isaac a sense of relief, even more so when he spotted the number 421 on the bow.

"No way…" New Jersey spoke softly.

"Yep. If what Laffey told me is correct, that is Benson's number. Which means…"

Isaac was cut short by a scream coming from the destroyer.

"Iowa, Jersey, Lizzy. With me now." Isaac spoke as Iowa summoned her rigging, allowing Isaac to jump on as they rushed to the newly rebuilt destroyer.

Following the screams, Isaac ran deeper into the hull until he found Benson, holding her head inside the captain's quarters.

"Hey. Benson. Snap out of it." Isaac said as he got down next to her. A quick look over proved that there was nothing physically wrong with her.

Benson continued screaming as some unseen force played with her mind.

"Maybe she believes she is still injured? I was told she had died of her injuries as well as infection." New Jersey spoke.

"Well… let's see if this does something." Isaac said as he took his glove off and backhanded Benson, much to the shock of New Jersey.

"What the hell, Admiral?!" New Jersey yelled as she hoisted him up by his collar.

"What? Where… am I?" A voice spoke.

New Jersey looked over to see Benson sitting calmly, her hands clutching her arms as if she was cold.

New Jersey dropped Isaac to the ground, allowing him to catch his breath.

"Benson?" New Jersey asked softly.

"New Jersey? What? Where am I? Where are we? Who is that?" Benson asked as she hugged herself tighter.

"Benson. Laffey sends her regards." Isaac spoke as Benson locked eyes with him.

"Laffey? Little Laffey did?" Benson asked.

Isaac nodded.

"All that matters right now, is that you're here. You're alive. And you have a vessel. We are currently in the Red Sea." Isaac said.

"That… can't be. Laffey was in the Pacific with the Admiral. I was in the Atlantic. Where is Laffey?" Benson asked.

Isaac smiled softly.

"I guess I haven't introduced myself. I am the Admiral that you keep referring to. My name is Admiral Isaac Garner. Laffey is with the others back in the Philippines." Isaac explained as he sat on Benson's bed.

"She sends her regards?" Benson asked.

"Yes. After some quick experiments, Laffey was able to create a new vessel for herself, while freeing up her own cube to grant you life again." Isaac spoke softly.

"Laffey… gave up her cube? Is she okay?!" Benson cried as she gripped Isaac's arm.

"Yes. Allen Sumner helped Laffey create a new vessel based off of Sumner's vessel. Using a new cube, we managed to copy everything needed to give you your vessel back, Benson. And Laffey is just fine. I made sure to check up on her after the procedure." Isaac said.

"I have my vessel… it feels different. I guess this really was Laffey's vessel." Benson lamented softly.

"You can tell?" Isaac asked.

Benson nodded.

"Small details. Hallways are arranged differently. Equipment shifted around. Nothing I can't handle of course… just feels different." Benson spoke as Isaac patted her head.

"I know a certain bunny who cannot wait to see you. So, if you are ready and able… we can begin our trek back to the main fleet." Isaac said as Benson hugged him tightly.

"I don't know how you did it… but just know that I will never forget this, Admiral Garner. My service is yours… forever." Benson whispered.

"Good to know. I've got a job if you're willing." Isaac said as he stroked her hair.

I'm ready. What's required of me?" Benson asked.

"We have five battleships and a repair ship that needs to be escorted to the Philippines as well as a high-ranking Admiral of Azur Lane. Think you can handle it?" Isaac asked with a smile. Lizzy smiled seeing him act like this. The look on Benson's face told her that he had instilled a sense of duty even in this short amount of time.

"I won't let you down, Admiral. We can be under way in less than ten minutes." Benson spoke, allowing some base to return to her voice.

"Good girl. I'll get the others ready to move." Isaac said with a smile as he got up and headed out the door towards the main deck.

"Next stop. The main fleet." Isaac said under his breath.