"Are we able to make the move back towards Wilhelmshaven?" Cole asked as he and Brooklyn walked over to the commander of the Pershing tank that had saved their skins.
The Tank commander looked at them with a troubled expression.
"We can make it to the outskirts with the fuel we have left in the transport trucks. Pushing any further than that could lead to us losing engine power in the middle of the firefight. We lose power, the turret stops turning." The Tank Commander said shortly.
"What if we drain the fuel from the trucks that got us here, the troops can sit on the tanks, right?" Cole asked.
"Sure it's possible;. But if we prolong the fight, you can expect us to lose power. I don't mind fighting the Gerry's… at least not what they've become. But I can't very well risk my entire armored section if there's no guarantee for fuel upon arrival to Wilhelmshaven. Are you able to make that a possibility? Surely with these two girls being here, you came with some kind of naval force." The Tank Commander spoke.
"We did. I'm under orders from Fleet Admiral Nimitz. We have a sizable fleet off the coast. We might be able to run some fuel from the carriers… though it might get a bit banged up." Cole suggested.
"What are you suggesting, Cole Spirits?" Gneisenau asked as she walked over to them.
"I'm suggesting we send word to the fleet to get fuel drums filled from every available source and then have Elbe or Yorktown make a low altitude drop into a field. With any luck, we can ensure enough fuel for the tanks to support the entire operation." Cole thought.
"I can contact Elbe… as much as it pains me. She was trying to talk to me on the trip up here saying how she had artifacts stowed onboard. If she isn't a complete idiot… she will have wooden crates and hay for packing material. We can pack the fuel cans in that to help soften the blow of it being dropped from an aircraft." Gneisenau said.
"Wait a minute… you're gonna tell me you are planning on air dropping fuel… from a plane…" The Tank commander asked.
"Why not? We can't exactly establish a supply line on Alpha's doorstep." Cole said with a shrug.
"I would also like to report that I have captured the Tiger tank in its entirety. I have performed a routine inspection of all working aspects and can confirm it was maintained immaculately. There should be no issue in having this vehicle run to Wilhelmshaven." Gneisenau reported.
"And who are you exactly? It's obvious you're a kansen since you have those guns and everything… but you sound German." The Commander spoke.
"I am the German Battleship Gneisenau. Raider of the Kriegsmarine. I will also be piloting that tank if you'd be so willing to offer me a few men to help command it." Gneisenau spoke coldly.
"A German battleship? Huh. Well if it gives us extra armor, I won't complain. One of the Shermans is on its last legs anyway. Can you teach my men how to operate that behemoth?" The Tank Commander asked.
"Sure. I can at least translate for them. We should get moving. I just received orders from the Admiral, we need to pick up the pace since the fog covering the fleet is beginning to dissipate." Gneisenau warned as she looked at Cole.
Cole nodded and turned to Natalie who was looking at Gneisenau with a look lost somewhere between infatuation and fascination.
"Natalie. We are going to have to drain the fuel in our trucks to barrel up for the tankers. Let's get a move on." Cole said as Natalie turned to him.
"Yeah. Yeah, drain the fuel. Got it." Natalie said as she and Ania went to work on the trucks.
"Brook, Gneisenau, let's help get the wounded onto the supply trucks that will be following us. We need to be ready the moment the fuel is loaded." Cole said as everyone fell out to began doing their respective jobs.
"Lady Yamato." Michael said as he looked as the black haired Kitsune who was sitting idly on the bow of her vessel.
"Hmm? Oh it's you, Michael. Please drop the Lady bit. Call me Yamato. After all, having my eventual husband call me lady makes me feel old." Yamato said softly as she turned to face him.
"My apologies. I was wondering if you could accompany me somewhere." Michael said.
"Of course. I would be happy to escort you. Where shall we be headed?" Yamato asked.
"We need to head over to the Prinz Heinrich. She had been struck by several suicide boats during the main battle here before the invasion. I haven't had a chance to check in on her since then. I feel obligated to do so since I was her commanding officer at the time." Michael said.
"Honorable. I shall escort you so long as you point out her vessel. I am not too well versed with Ironblood ships or their Kansen. I wouldn't know who is who aside from Tirpitz, who helped save me." Yamato said as she activated her rigging and allowed Michael to climb aboard.
"You're still doing well, right?" Michael asked as he looked directly into the battleship's eyes.
Yamato took a moment of pause.
"No. I'm still quite far from okay. But… I refuse to sully the name of the Yamato class by staying hidden away from my shame. If I let myself fall into despair any further… I fear I will become useful only as a Torpedo Magnet." Yamato said as she gracefully floated down to the water's surface.
"Yamato. You know none of us blame you, right?" Michael asked softly.
"I do. But I blame myself for allowing Musashi and myself to fall into such a detestable state. If I had only been more diligent when we were first awoken…" Yamato lamented.
"Yamato, enough. I will not allow you to talk yourself down. The only thing haunting you now is the memories. That's why I will be taking your hand when we return to Japan. I want to cover those bad memories forever. I will cover and replace them with memories you can feel pride in having lived through." Michael spoke sternly.
Yamato smiled softly. The purity of which lifted a weight off of Michael's chest.
"Perhaps you're right. If I allow memories to tarnish my name, do I truly deserve the name Yamato? I think not. Michael… I want you to help me create memories that will last until my hull graces the sands at the bottom of the sea… and an eternity afterwards. Can you do that?" Yamato asked.
Michael gave her a smile in return before straightening his uniform.
"I'll consider it my top order, behind orders from the Admiral of course." Michael said as he pointed Yamato towards where Heinrich was anchored.
Isaac and Yume were now sitting on the bridge of the Norfolk. After a long two days of rest, Isaac was back to his duties. Before him sat two lists. Ships that would stay and serve under Lieutenant Commander Perkins. And those who would be facing the harsh cold of the far North.
A look out towards the beaches of Cebu saw the construction of a small Naval base nearing the point where basic operation could begin.
Isaac smiled as he felt Yume stir in his arms.
"Getting hungry little one?" Isaac asked softly.
Yume grabbed Isaac's shirt and held it as she opened her eyes.
"I'll call for mommy right away." Isaac said as he tapped the button on his desk.
"Shinano? Could you report to the Norfolk please?" Isaac asked as he rocked Yume slowly.
"I have faith that you are going to be one powerful kansen, Yume. I have no doubt that even Friedrich and Roon will be in awe of your power." Isaac said as he poked Yume's cheek, much to the Kitsune's delight as she squealed happily.
"And you were afraid that you'd be a bad father." A voice spoke from behind him.
Isaac turned to see Hornet, Enterprise and Vestal standing quietly behind him.
"So you are the Admiral of this massive fleet, huh, Sir?" Hornet asked.
"That I am. How are you feeling, Hornet?" Isaac asked.
"Like a Million bucks, sir. Thank you… for saving me. And for taking in Enty and Vestal." Hornet said with a smile.
"It was part of the plan once we found out you were here. I'm just sorry we had to go about it in such a roundabout way." Isaac said as Hornet's eyes dropped to the ball of fur in his arms.
"Fan of dogs, sir?" Hornet asked.
"Hornet. That is the Admiral's daughter." Vestal whispered.
"He has a kid?" Hornet asked as Isaac stood and gently brushed Yume's tails away, revealing the tiny frame of his beloved daughter.
"I'm so sorry! I saw fur and just assumed…" Hornet said as her cheeks went red.
"It's no problem. I'm sure Yume doesn't mind at this moment." Isaac said as Yume pawed at his shirt.
"Yes. Yes. Mommy is coming." Isaac whispered as he rocked Yume more.
Isaac turned to the three in front of him.
"I hope you all are ready. Once I split up the fleet, you three will be coming with me up to the far north. I want you all ready for winterization overhauls in Japan." Isaac said.
"Understood, sir… speaking of Japan…" Hornet said as Enterprise and Vestal looked at her.
"Is something wrong?" Isaac asked.
"Yes. One memory from my time as a slave to these… Siren assholes has bubbled up to the surface it's real fuzzy… but I think Japan might hold a fight for us as well." Hornet said.
"Hornet. If what you're saying is true, this could change how we do things." Isaac said.
"I understand. But I recall Tester mentioning sending… another carrier to Japan after the unplanned absence of Observer Zero. Who it is, I don't know. But I do know that there may be another case of a captive friendly…" Hornet said.
"I understand. Enterprise, can your Corsair's reach mainland Japan from here?" Isaac asked.
"No sir. Neither planes in my complement can make the trip. I'd end up short by a decent amount." Enterprise said.
"I see. Once we get out of the Archipelago, i will have you send a scout out to investigate this claim." Isaac said.
"Of course." Enterprise said as Isaac looked at the rifle in Vestal's hands.
"I see you have your rifle back." Isaac said.
Vestal nodded.
"Miss Enterprise fixed it for me… After what I did to Hornet… I never wanted to see it again. But Even Hornet said that it belongs in my hands. Not as a tool of war, but an instrument to save lives." Vestal said.
"I'd say Hornet has a good head on her shoulders. Good to have my fighting medic back in order." Isaac said as a knock came to the door.
"It's open." Isaac spoke.
Shinano poked her head in, her ear twitching slightly.
"You called, husband?" Shinano asked.
"Yes. It seems Yume is getting hungry. I don't have the facilities to feed her." Isaac said in a joking tone.
"Of course." Shinano said with a smile as she entered the bridge and collected Yume from Isaac's arms. As expected, Yume quickly found herself under the folds of Shinano's kimono and nursing happily.
"You managed to have a kid… with one of us, Sir?" Hornet asked.
"Yup. Don't know how… but I won't question it." Isaac replied.
"Anyway, if I am not needed, I am going to finalize these lists before making an announcement to the fleet." Isaac said as the girls all shook their heads.
Isaac turned back to his desk and began the process of finalizing the lists as the girls, save for Shinano, filed out of the bridge.
Yamato and Michael jumped to the deck of the Prinz Heinrich, only to be met by the overeager heavy cruiser of the same name.
"Michael!" Heinrich said as she came over and hugged him.
"Heinrich. How are you feeling? I haven't had a chance to come check on you after the initial invasion." Michael asked.
"I'm doing okay. Still hurts a little bit but the hull is patched well enough to get me to Japan for drydock repairs." Heinrich said with a smile.
"I'm sorry I was unable to prevent you from sustaining such an egregious injury." Michael spoke softly.
"It is what it is, Michael. Nothing could have been done anyway. Those boats were too fast to hit accurately anyway. It was inevitable that one of us would get hit. I'm just glad it was me. Atago and Eugen wouldn't have survived." Heinrich said as she looked to the sky.
"Still… I wish I could have done more." Michael said as Yamato stepped forward.
Heinrich looked at the Kitsune and smiled.
"You must be Yamato. Nice to meet you. I'm Prinz Heinrich. But you can call me Heinrich." Heinrich said.
Yamato smiled.
"Well met, Heinrich of Ironblood. I do not recall your hull as one used by the Kriegsmarine." Yamato said.
"I'm a P-class experimental cruiser. It would make sense that you wouldn't recognize me." Heinrich said with a smile.
"I see. Yes. You are correct. I am Yamato, battleship of the Sakura." Yamato said as she made a show of swaying all nine of her lush tails for Heinrich to see.
Heinrich chuckled.
"Michael. You didn't strike me as the type to collect fluffy things." Heinrich poked, causing Yamato to blush.
"Yamato is not an object to collect, Heinrich." Michael deadpanned.
"But you have both Amagi and Yamato now. Keep going and you might reach Admiral Isaac's level of fluff." Heinrich said.
"True… he has managed to captivate both of my younger sisters. I'd say that even adding my… fluff… Michael would not be at the Admiral's level. Shinano is by far the fluffiest out of all three of us Yamato sisters. Musashi comes in second. I am in last place in those terms." Yamato said with a smile.
"And don't forget Yume." Michael said.
"But of course. My niece. Ah… to think it was possible for us to feel like this. I owe my life to that child… Yume. She is the reason I refused to give up hope. Well… one of the reasons. But yes. I feel that having those three will award the Admiral with more fluff than he will know what to deal with." Yamato said as all three of them chuckled.
"Is there anything else you needed, Michael?" Heinrich asked.
"I just wanted to come check up on you. I'm glad you're holding together." Michael said as he gave the cruiser a chaste hug.
"Come check on me more often, Michael. I wouldn't mind the company." Heinrich said as Michael nodded before turning to Yamato.
"Shall we head back?" Michael asked.
"Sure. Are you ready?" Yamato asked.
"Of course. Ready when you are." Michael said as they took to the waves.