Chapter two

It'd been three days since Lusca and his black ship appeared outside of the Azur Lane harbor. Thankfully, the Sirens were quiet for once, which was normally a sign of something big coming, but the leadership of Azur Lane was just glad that they could get a breather while trying to figure out what lusca was. Akashi, Vestal, and their research division were busy running tests on Lusca, with the results of each providing more questions than answers. The first was if he was a Siren or not, and while the results were still uncertain, they did seem to suggest he was indeed not a Siren, at least when it came to his organic parts. The bionics and other cybernetic parts of him however were based on Siren technology, though only to a point. This point being the overall designs, as well as the more advanced components, otherwise, most of the hardware did seem to originate from human manufacturing.

Thus, for the time being, he was not classified as a Siren. Unfortunately, repairing and replacing his damaged, broken, and missing limbs was a bit beyond what Azur Lane could do. He was also still unconscious, Vestal having to hook up an IV to him and replace the bag every few hours just to make sure he wasn't dehydrated. For now, besides the leadership, the ship girls keeping watch over him, and the repair ships tending to him, no one else was told about Lusca, mostly because he was still a big unknown at this point. If he proved to be an ally, then they could let the rest of the girls learn about him, but if he proved hostile, then it would be best for everyone if he wasn't known by the rest of the girls.

As for his ship, the Manjuus and Akashi were still working on fixing it up. The leadership of Azur Lane decided to use the materials and parts of the Orochi to try and bring the ship back online, while using the spare parts from their warehouses to replace what they could in terms of guns, planes, and other parts of the ship that was compatible. So far, the ship was looking mostly patched up now, many of the armor plates being replaced with armor from the Orochi, as well as new turrets and guns from the warehouses. The radar, sonar, and radio systems were fixed up too, as well as the flight deck. All that was left to fix up was the hanger-like gantry, which was proving to be easier said than done. While the overall structure was repaired, the actual machinery, tools, and parts were proving to be another beast entirely. The Manjuus were making some progress by cannibalizing the Orochi, but it was becoming clear that his mobile dockyard was a bit too advanced for what they had on hand. Thus, bring us to current events, as the leadership of Azur Lane was sitting in a meeting room, discussing the topic of how to fix both the gantry, as possibly even Lusca himself.

"You want to use what again?"

Queen Elizabeth said, clearly not happy about the current idea, hood and a few other Royal Navy girls also not looking pleased as the royal navy leadership sat around a table with tea in hand, although since the start of this conversation, barely any of them touched it.

"A Wisdom Cube, maybe two even. I know the idea is a massive risk, but I fear that Lusca will not wake, his body is barely even healing right now."

Vestal said, while standing in the middle of the room, trying to plead her case. While it was a bit surprising that she was willing to use such drastic measures on a stranger, she was telling the truth. They had all seen him in the past few days, and each saw that despite being in the best possible care they had, his body just wasn't healing well, at least nowhere near as fast as a ship girl should.

"Vestal, I know you want to try and save him. But until we know more about him-"

Enterprise, who was sitting at a different table with her sister hornet, Cleaveland, and a few others, tried to reason with her, only for Akashi to step up and speak.

"We won't get to learn more about him if he's dead. His ship, regardless of how much work I and the Manjuus put into it, continues to degrade. We're losing him, and if we don't take measures against it, he will be lost to us."

The Minty kitty of a repair ship was rather serious, she had dropped her little cat act and was staring at each of the leaders with a determined resolution in her golden eyes. Vestal being so passionate about a person's health was nothing new, Akashi on the other hand, that was very surprising, especially when it came to strangers.

"I agree with Akashi and Vestal, if we don't try to do something, even if it means we must burn a few wisdom cubes to do it, then all of this would have been a waste of time and resources. And the Manjuus have been working constantly on both him and his ship, they wouldn't do that if he was hostile."

Bismark said, she, her sister Tirpitz, and a few other Iron Bloods sitting at another table. And while the Royal navy had been in the camp to go against this idea, the Iron Bloods were supporting it. And it made sense why, for Azur Lane had poured a fair number of resources into Lusca and his ship.

"Bismark makes a valid point, the Manjuus only help friendly ships, even when we were fighting each other, the Manjuus in each port would only service the ships and serve the girls that were from that faction or were an ally to it."

Nagato said, she, her sister Mutsu, and a few of the other Sakura girls were at another table, they were supporting the idea as well. And while no one liked to talk about the not-so-distant past, it did cement the fact that the Manjuus knew who an ally was, and who was an enemy.

However, before another round of heated agreements could start up, the door to the meeting room was quickly slammed open, two ship girls entering just as quickly as they breathed heavily. It was clear that they ran quite a bit of a distance.

"Elder Nagato, the Sirens, their-"

"Your majesty, the enemy is-"

Unfortunately, the two ships, both cruisers by the looks of it, were just a bit too late. For they all heard cannon and gun fire, shell screaming in as strike craft bombed and strafed the harbor.

"Damn it, not again."

Enterprise muttered to herself, before looking to her sister and other ship girls of Eagle Union.

"Hornet, on me. The rest of you, get to your squadrons and counterattack."

Enterprise said as she summoned her rigging and made her way to the doorway.

"You got it sis."

"On it."

Hornet and Cleaveland said, Hornet summoning her own rigging and joining Enterprise as Cleaveland darted past them and down the hallways, trying to get to her sisters as quickly as possible.

"Iron Bloods, move out."

Bismark commanded, her sister by her side as they too summoned their riggings and left for the battlefield, followed by the Sakura Empire girls.

"So be it. At least I can my irritation out of these Sirens. Ladies, begin defensive operations."

Queen Elizabeth muttered to herself, before commanding her faction to do the same. Most left immediately as Warspite and Elizabeth trailed a bit behind their fellow ship-girls. Warspite glancing at her sister before asking.

"Your Majesty? Is something wrong?"

However, Queen Elizabeth merely shook her head before saying.

"No, nothing important anyways. Let us just focus on the battle for the time being.

"Of course, your majesty."

Warspite said. Deep down she was worried that her sister might still be shaken up from what she saw on the bridge of the lusca that day, for while she did return to normal, she seemed to be very cautious whenever Lusca or his ship was brought up. For now, though, Warspite bottled those thoughts and worries up, before pushing them away, she needed to focus on the here and now, and worry about her sister once things calmed down again.

Meanwhile, in an unknown location close to Azur Lane.

"So, you understand the mission then, purifier?"

"Yeah, yeah. Go in, have some fun, see if Lusca wakes up or does anything, then leave."

Observer Alpha, a Tester clone, and Purifier were hovering around a sand barge while a fleet of their massed produced ships attacked Azur Lane. The Goal? Simple, poke the bear. Well, in this case, Lusca. How were they going to do it? Also simple, attack Azur Lane, and in the battle, Purifier will attack the girls, before attacking lusca himself. If neither woke him up, then the experiment would be terminated. If he did wake up however, Purifier was instructed to immediately leave. Now, whether she would do so was still up for debate unfortunately.

"Right, wake up Lusca, it's show time!"

Purifier giggled in absolute joy before summoning her shark like rigging and darted off towards the base, Observer Alpha and the Tester clone sighing almost in unison as the clone then looked to alpha before asking.

"Are you sure having her attack is a good idea? We both know she is something of a battle junkie."

Alpha merely smirked as she reclined into her rigging, watching how things played out for now as she spoke with Tester.

"Indeed, that's why I chose her. Hopefully she will push just hard enough to get a reaction out of him without killing the Kan-sen. But that's not what I want to see."

"Oh? Then what are you after?

"Simple, I want to see how he fights her when he is in such a wounded state."

The tester clone was a bit surprised for a moment, before a rather twisted smile crept upon her face.

"Now that is just cruel. You really expect him to put up much of a fight?"

"Only one way to find out, Tester."

Thus, the two Sirens watched on, interested in seeing how this would play out.

Back at port

The Kan-Sen were putting up a hell of a fight against the Siren Ships, and while the Siren's managed to get the drop on the forces of Azur Lane, that advantage was quickly lost. So far, out of a fleet of 70, they had taken down close to 50 of the enemy ships. And things were looking easy, until a Certain Siren showed up.

"Oh Enterprise! Guess whose back!"

Enterprise and her sister saw Purifier barreling in towards them, laser cannons firing salvo after salvo as the two carrier sisters ducked, dodges, and weaved through the laser fire. Trying to avoid taking a hit as they redirected and launched their aircraft at Purifier. Dive Bombers and fighters screaming in only to get blown apart as Purifier moved and jumped through the air, getting into range quickly as she unleashed a half salvo at Enterprise.

Said carrier was too close to dodge, and thus tanked the hit with her flight deck. While it wasn't as armored compared to the flight deck Illustrious, it was able to take the hit without being too badly damaged.

However, before Enterprise or Hornet could retaliate, Purifier darted off and away from them. Said Siren weaved and maneuvered through the Azur Lane battle lines as she looked around. If that was not bad enough, portals opened both in front of the battle line, as well as behind it. Enterprise and Hornet quicky be forced to take on the New Siren Ships and their Executer Class Siren girls. As well as quite a few of the others.

"Right, now that I got a hit on her and with those ships keeping her busy, who would be a good target to wake up lusca?"

Purifier thought to herself, despite acting like she was crazy, she was actually quite a smart cookie. Well, Siren, but who cared at this point. As the Kan-Sen girls tried to hit her with bombs, torpedoes, and cannon fire, she eventually found a suitable target while evading.

"Bingo!"

Just a few meters away from her was a group of destroyers and a light carrier Kan-sen, who had pushed just a bit too far from the battle line when attacking the Siren Ships, leaving their flank exposed to her. As she checked her surroundings, she saw that she was still within sight of both Lusca's ship, and the hospital room he was in.

"Perfect!"

"Nighty Night girls!"

Just as Purifier started to charge her laser cannons, a loud roar like horn blast ripped across the harbor, some of the ship girls turning to glance as the black battle carrier that been silent and still this entire time, seemed to wake up, its main battery turrets turning to point right at Purifier before firing. A thunderous crack and roar of the 18-inch guns sent 8 massive shells soaring through the air and heading right for her. The Siren in question managed to dodge and evade the shells, a smile on her face as it seemed her mission was successful, before she could open a portal to retreat however, the black ship lurched forwards, it's metal hull groaning in protest as the thick ropes keeping it moored were pulled taunt, before snapping off. The black ship blasted its roar like horn again as planes were pulled up from their hangers, brought up to the flight deck where they were then launched as quickly as possible.

The Shindens climbed quickly into the air, the lack of bombs helping them gain altitude quickly while the Tigercats stayed low to the surface of the water, their four 20mm cannons strafing the Siren Ships while they lined up and launched torpedoes. A couple of Ascenders, lacking their bomb loads, immediately headed for Purifier, strafing her with their two .50 caliber machine guns and two 20mm cannons causing miniature geysers to erupt from the water around the Siren from their impact. Purifier used her smaller, more agile gun drones to shoot down the incoming fighters while said darted and dodged away from the group of Destroyers and light carrier ship girls.

"Damn, well, looks like it's time to skedaddle out of here before things get too hot."

She tried to open a portal behind her as the last of the planes strafing her past, trying to turn back around to line up their guns and cannons on her. Before she could open the portal, another series of thunderous booms and cracks rang out, forcing Purifier to dodge out of the way as massive water geysers erupted from where she was just standing. The black ship, however, did not slow down, it continued to steam right at her, its long dark prow cutting through the water like the fin of a shark. That's when she noticed that it had put it's between her and the group of young ones, making Purifier smirk as she called Lusca out.

"Aww, look at you Lusca, trying to protect some of Azur Lane's little ones."

This got a few more of the ship girls' attention, naming Illustrious, Prince of Wales, Enterprise, Hornet, Nagato, Akagi, Kaga, Bismark and Tirpitz. Most of whom were still in the thick of battle against the other Siren girls and the Mass-Produced Ships, for while they were thinning their numbers, they seemed to never stop coming at them.

That's when everyone heard the Ship, or more than Likely Lusca, speak by flicking on its announcement system and pushing the output volume to full power. The voice that came out of it was deep, yet cold, tone sharp and focused, like the icy depths of the Abyss was mixed with an apex predator of the sea.

"If you think I'm going to let you attack these girls, then your dead fucking wrong Purifier. Now shut up and fight!"

Lusca ship fired another volley of shells at her, forcing her to evade as she giggled in delight. She then aimed and opened up with her laser cannons, firing four powerful energy blasts at Lusca's ship. His ship groaned as it it's armor-plated hull was hit, the plating holding up against the attack as Purifier strayed just a bit too much into Lusca secondary battery firing arcs. The 5-, 8-, and 11-inch guns locked onto her and started shelling her without mercy, gun smoke beginning to build up as the bitch of a siren ducked, dodged, and weaved through Lusca secondary battery fire. That was until Warspite and Queen Elizabeth got into range and fired, catching Purifier off guard as their 15-inch shells nailed her, slamming into her rigging and stunning her for a second. Unfortunately for her, that was all that Lusca needed, he swung his main battery guns around and fired again at her, this time a few of his shells managed to hit her as his secondary battery didn't ease up either, firing away at Purifier as more and more of his shells slammed into her.

Purifier wasn't a battleship without a reason though, for despite their best efforts, the bitch was still kicking, blooded and now missing chunks out of her rigging as well as now missing a leg, but still, very much alive as she quickly darted towards Lusca's Ship, firing a point-blank salvo at his broadside which caused several of his secondary guns to be destroyed or disabled. Lusca let out a growl of pain, the old battle Carrier more pissed than hurt as he then used a new wave of Shindens to strafe Purifier with their four 30mm cannons, while also firing off about two dozen rockets. Forcing her to backpedal away from his ship as he swung it around, still giving her broadside as Queen Elizabeth and Warspite moved in, taking up a position away and in front of him as they leveled their guns at Purifier, Swordfish Torpedo bombers, Dauntless dive bombers, as well as Mitsubishi Zero's circling overhead with the assortment of Shindens, Ascenders, and Tigercat strike craft.

"Well, let's like the party has gotten a bit too hot me. Oh well."

Purifier turned her attention to Lusca for a moment, before spinning around and charging her guns to max power, aiming at Queen Elizabeth and Warspite. As she let loose, Warspite immediately tried to shield her sister, her back to purifier as her rigging locked up to try and prepare for the impact. Lusca however, wasn't having it, his ship bursting into a thick cloud of yellow, blue, and red wisdom cubes as it spiraled towards Warspite and Elizabeth, reforming in between them and the laser shot as the energy blast slammed into Lusca's broadside, making him roar out of the intercoms in pain as Purifier slipped away through a portal, leaving the now more bloodied warship as it went still in the water, the guns that were still working falling silent as Warspite and Elizabeth looked at the ship, the far side of the ship on fire with pillars of smoke billowing out from the four holes that were punched into it.

Thankfully for the girls, once Purifier pulled back, so did the rest of the Siren Fleet, the ships and Siren girls slipping through portals that opened behind them. Once the Adrenaline high of battle left their systems, they all turned their focus to Lusca's ship, only for them to see the great big monster of a battle carrier slowly limping back to where it had been moored before. That was when Elizabeth called out to it.

"H-Halt, I command you to identify yourself."

While she was still shaken up by the fact that she or her or sister, or possibly both, almost got seriously hurt not even a few moments ago. The petite blond seemed to be more worried about the fact that the ship, which had been completely inert, was now sailing through the waters of the harbor, and had come to their aid. Still, the massive black warship continued to slowly steam towards where it had been moored before the battle, either not noticing the little royal behind him, or ignoring her, both thoughts proving to be exceptionally infuriating to her.

"Hey! I'm talking to you! Listen to me Peasant!"

The Black warship slowed down a bit but did not completely stop as the intercom system clicked to life once more, the same cold, deep, sharp voice and tone ringing out from the megaphones, allow just about everyone to hear.

"What? In case you can't tell little Queen, my ship is damaged and needs to be fixed again. So, unless this is a matter of dire urgency, then it can wait until we can speak face to face."

Elizabeth was rather surprised, as well as a few other ship girls, that someone not only called her "little queen" which was an insult in more ways than one, but also practically told her to hurry up and wait. Lusca, if nothing else, seemed to have guts. That, or he just didn't know he was talking too. A mistake that Elizabeth was all too eager to correct.

"E-excuse me?! I am Queen Elizabeth of the Royal Navy; I should sentence you to death for such an insult!"

"You're a thousand years too young, immature, and inexperienced to be a Queen of anything, Elizabeth. Now, if you have nothing else to say, then I'll be mooring my ship, little Queen."

With that, the black ship continued to lumber towards the port, until it was close enough to one of the docks that the Manjuus started tossing ropes onto the ship, getting it tied down and secured as a very upset Elizabeth, as well as some very surprised ship girls from the Royal Navy faction, stood there for a moment. Until Elizabeth called upon her sister.

"Warspite, come, I think we should pay a visit to a certain Battle Carrier."

Warspite, still recovering from the fact that someone just told off her sister, shook her head to clear her mind before joining up with her sister, the two Royal Navy girls skating across the water before jumping onto one of the docks, dismissing their riggings as their ships settled into the waters of the port.

After a few moments, Hornet looked at her sister, Enterprise, before speaking.

"Should We... you know, step in?"

"Probably... Come on Hornet, let's make sure the queen doesn't do something... Drastic, to Lusca."

Thus, the two eagle Union girls skated off towards the port, quickly getting on dry land and dismissing their riggings as well. Followed by Nagato, Mutsu, Bismark, Tirpitz, Prince of Wales, Hood, and finally Illustrious as the group of Kan-sen quickly tried to join up with Queen Elizabeth and Warspite. Unfortunately, by the time they got to them, they were already in Luscas room, the door open. Although there was no yelling, which... they honestly weren't sure that was a good sign or not. Thus, they all quickly entered, to find that Lusca was not only still alive and in his bed, but that Queen Elizabeth seemed to be flustered, when Warspites cheeks were ever so slightly pink. Of course, the rest of the girls quickly understood why, for as their eyes turned to Lusca, they saw that he was cleaned up very well... and almost completely naked. Only a thin white sheet and black jogging shorts underneath keeping him decent. His chiseled chest and abdomen, as well as his bionic arms, and tentacles were all on display for them as he turned his attention to them, golden yellow eyes watching them with curiosity for a moment.

"Well... seems like I've become an oddity or something as of late."

His attention turned back to Warspite and Queen Elizabeth, cold golden eyes locked onto them like a predator locking onto prey.

"So, you were screaming about 'teaching me who my betters are.' or something like that?"

He said, raising the two hands he still had to make air quotes. The still flustered Elizabeth stuttered as she tried to speak.

"Y-yes! You need to be taught of w-who I am!"

"I know who you are, little queen."

He said, tone still sharp, deep, and cold as he then recalls everything, he knew about her from pillaged siren data, and from what he learned back in his old world while his eyes seemed to become unfocused.

"You are Queen Elizabeth, of the Royal Navy. Warship class: battleship. Main armament of four twin 15-Inch guns, with twelve to sixteen single 6-inch guns. Some of which would be replaced with dual-purpose 4.5-inch guns during your modernization. With a top speed of 24 knots, range of 5,000 nautical miles, with belt armor being 13-inches, deck ranging from 1 to 3 inches, and had a total displacement of around 33 to 34 thousand tons depending on load. You originally laid down with 5 other battleships of the same class, but one was cancelled, thus, you and 4 of your sisters were commissioned into the Royal navy upon completion. Your combat record is... lacking, with the only major events being you missed the battle of Jutland because you were assigned to the Naval operation in the Dardanelle strait, which was a combined effort between the Royal Navy, and Iris Orthodoxy, and northern parliament forces against an enemy who has been redacted from records. The operation, however, was marked as a complete failure, for none of the major objectives were taken, and the few minor objectives that were taken were quickly taken back by said redacted enemy. The Iris Orthodoxy lost a battleship while two more were heavily damaged, and the royal navy lost two older battleships while one other was severely damaged. After the first war you and two of your sisters were modernized. But during the second war you got hit by a mine and were forced to sit in drydock for a year and half, and only used your guns for offshore bombardment assignments once you were repaired. Out of your four sister one would be-"

"Stop!"

Queen Elizabeth yelled, her voice trembling as Lusca's eyes refocused again, looking over at the little battleship girl as tears slowly ran down her cheeks while she hung her head low, the mood of the room becoming depressing. Even Warspite appeared to be upset, her gaze on the floor as she tried to hold back her down tears.

"P-please... don't make me remember what happened to... to Barham."

Lusca sighed, his own lack of humanity biting him in the ass rather hard this time as he moved, using his two good tentacles to 'walk' the best he could as he approached Elizabeth, making the other Kan-sen tense as they prepared themselves just in case. He knelt in front of her as he spoke, his voice and tone becoming a bit warmer and softer.

"My apologies, Miss Elizabeth. I overstepped. No doubt because of my lack of humanity."

Lusca used the nub of his remaining secondary arm to gently push her chin up, making her look at him as he then used one of his bionic hands to gently wipe away her tears. Continuing to speak to her in a way almost like a friend.

"I do not ask for your forgiveness, but I do ask that you reflect upon this. For this little... incident, was my mistake, you can learn from my lack of humanity. And hopefully become better than I."

With his words spoken, and wiping away the last of Elizabeths tears, Lusca 'stands' up, moving back to his bed as he covered up his legs, only to start coughing horribly, the sudden change making everyone, especially Elizabeth, Warspite, Nagato, and Mutsu, become alarmed as he covered his mouth during the coughing fit. Once it past, he pulled his hands back, his yellow blood staining his palms as he used a tentacle to retrieve a hand towel from the nightstand next to his bed, wiping away the blood as he did his best to get settled in. Speaking again as his tone shifted back to the same deep, cold, and sharp voice they had heard before.

"Forget I said anything. It's probably best for all of you if you leave. No point in hanging around an old, broken battle carrier, is there?"

As his gaze shifted from the girls to the window, looking out to the sea, both Enterprise and Nagato were reminded of people they knew. For Enterprise, it was her sister, Yorktown. Before she left, she remembered her sister always looking out to the sea, remarking on how beautiful it was. For Nagato, it reminded her of when she and Amagi would occasionally sit together on her balcony, watching the sun fall past the horizon as the Ocean would light up in the most brilliant of colors.

Though it was clear that Lusca wanted to be left alone, the girls quickly filed out of the room, slowly dispersing from each other as some tried to go back to paperwork duty, while others didn't even bother and merely returned to their rooms. Each of them having their minds consumed by Luscas words, and him saying he 'lacked humanity'. Many of the girls were confused as to what he meant, some, however, decided that instead of continuing to ponder his words, they would have to talk to him more, and try to learn more from him. Maybe then, they could come to a more decisive decision on if they would give him wisdom cubes or not.