"Bel, I'm sorry, please open the door" Enterprise says standing in front of a wooden door locked from the otherside. Enterprise leans forward and rests her forehead on the door and sighs. An expression of pain and sadness can be seen on her face.
The door suddenly opens causing Enterprise to let out a small surprise scream and to panic. She tries to catch herself by grabbing the door frame but she fails and falls to her side.
"Ow" Enterprise lets out, her forehead hitting the floor. Hand on her head she gets to her knee and looks up. Belfast stands there in only her maid outfit. Belfast helps Enterprise ups, patting away any dust that got on her outfit. Belfast sighs, and wraps her arms around her. Enterprise does the same and the two remain in the position for a few minutes.
"You can always talk to me, you know" Belfast says.
"I know, it's….it's just hard sometimes" Enterprise responds.
"It seems like we got here at the wrong time," A male voice in the hallway says. Enterprise and Belfast turn around to look to see Shepherd, Hood, and Hornet walking towards them in the hallway.
"Hi sis" Hornet loudly yells waving her hand at Enterprise. Enterprise and Hornet share a short hug with each other before Hornet turns to Belfast.
"Hi Bel" Hornet says, giving a hug to her.
"Hornet, always a lovely time with you around" Belfast says with a smile. Shepherd hands Enterprise a tan folder.
"What's this?" Enterprise asks him.
"Files on a few ships, I want to create a fleet that we have full command over" Shepherd says. Hood and Belfast, look at each other with slightly worried expressions.
"Lord Shepherd, are you sure that's the best course of action, I don't believe many would simply agree with you taking away ship girls, each faction has their needs" Belfast says.
"And I understand that, but I need more ships under my command for future operations, Enterprise, look them over and come back to me, we both need to sign the papers to get them a part of the fleet" Shepherd explains.
"I understand," Enterprise says, putting the file in the inside of her coat. Shepherd looks at his watch, he lightly grabs Hornet's shoulder and whispers something in her ear and shows her the time on his watch. Hornet's eyes go wide at realization.
"OOHHH FUCK I'M LATE" She screams while running away from the group out of the hallway. The group chuckles at Hornet.
"Enterprise, Belfast I'll leave you two alone now, enjoy the rest of the day, Hood, I believe we have some tea to drink" Shepherd says.
"I believe we do, my friend," Hood responds. Both of them begin to walk out of the hallway, leaving Belfast and Enterprise alone.
"Would you like to come inside my room, love" Belfast says to Enterprise.
"Lead the way Miss Belfast" Enterprise says doing a small bow getting a small laugh from Belfast. The two enter Belfast's large room, everything fancy and clean as Enterprise would describe it. Expensive looking furniture and almost perfect condition. Enterprise takes a seat on a couch accidently sitting on a tv remote causing her to jump a bit. A small giggle comes from Belfast's mouth and Enterprise becomes embarrassed. Belfast gives Enterprise a cup of tea before sitting next to Enterprise with her own cup.
"Seems like you and Lord Shepherd are working well together, last time you talked to him, I remember that you didn't have many positive things to say about him" Belfast says. Enterprise takes a small sip from her tea before responding.
" The first time we met it wasn't the best," Enterprise says.
"You've never told me what happened" Belfast responds.
"It was two years ago, the Legion was still a fairly new thing back then and it was the first time Azur Lane met them during an operation. There was a siren fleet near the Philippines, it was a joint Union and Sakura mission. The Commander and Shepherd had a disagreement on what to do. It got to the point where Shepherd aimed a weapon at the Commander" Enterprise says.
"Oh my, really?" Belfast questioned.
"Really, Shepherd took his forces and simply went straight into the Siren fleet" Enterprise continues.
"He destroyed the entire fleet in minutes Bel, he personally took on multiple elite Sirens at the same time. Brutally efficient. He was like a monster" Enterprise finished.
"I never got the chance to sit down and talk to him but from what many of the older girls have said, they always give him praise" Belfast says.
"Shepherd is a great man outside of combat but when he's fighting, it's like something changes inside of him" Enterprise responds.
"His service record is extensive, I can't imagine what he's seen, we all have scars love" Belfast says.
"I know, getting to work with him, it's different from the Commander, he's much more direct," Enterprise says, taking another from her tea. The two continue the talk about many things after, their sisters, current events and other things. Eventually the two end up close to each other watching tv.
"It's been awhile since we've been able to relax like this" Enterprise says. The two hold each other close on the couch. The moment is ended by a text from Enterprise's phone.
"Who is it?" Belfast questions.
"Its Shepherd" Enterprise answers Belfast. 'Be Quiet' the text says. A call comes from Shepherd and Enterprise instantly answers it.
(With Shepherd)
"I understand your concern Hood but trust me, I've never disappointed you in the past have I?" Shepherd asks Hood. Hood takes a sip from her tea before answering.
"No you haven't, it's just that I'm worried Shepherd, you're causing a lot of worry in the faction councils" Hood says.
"Am I?" Shepherd asks. Hood nods.
"Many of the girls don't know you like me or other first generation shipgirls. They usually only hear rumors about you from generals and admirals that are stationed nearby. Not all of it nice, Shepherd" Hood explains.
"I know, there were many in the military that didn't like me. I cared too much for the people under my command, was too careful, took too much time, and anything else that they tried to throw my way. It's why I was overlooked during the selection process when Azur Lane was first founded" Shepherds says.
"You were overlooked?" Hood asks, taking a sip from her cup of tea.
"Yeah, most high ranking generals and admirals didn't like me much, thought that I always took all the credit for the early victories against the Sirens in Europe. Most soldiers and first gen ships girls liked me however. However, they had the power to choose, they chose one of their own, while other men, better men, were cast aside" Shepherd explained. A few knocks are heard from the door. Shepherd gets up and opens the door to find Warspite, Edinburgh and Queen Elizabeth.
"The queen has arrived, peasant, bow down for royalty" Queen Elizabeth announces standing in the middle of the doorway. Warspite pokes her head from behind Elizabeth.
"Shepherd, it's been a while, my old friend, '' Warspite says.
"It has Warspite, and it's always great to see you, your majesty," Shepherd says.
"As it should be" Queen Elizabeth responds walking past sitting next to Hood, Edinburgh making a cup of tea for her. Shepherd looks out into the hallway to see multiple Royal Maids standing in the hallway, providing protection for their leader. Closing the door, Shepherd goes back to his desk. It was the previous Commander's desk here, they didn't use it much as they were usually either at Pearl Harbor or in London but a Commander's office was built at every major faction and Azur Lane base.
" What brings you to Gibraltar, your majesty?"Shepherd asks Queen Elizabeth. Warspite takes a seat next to her.
"You may want to hear some information we've gloriously found about Ironblood activities" Queen Elizabeth says. Shepherd's smile disappears from his face and is replaced by a neutral expression. He secretly takes out his phone and text and then calls Enterprise. The movement is covered by the desk and Shepherd opens a squeaky cabinet to cover the noise of the vibrating phone on his leg.
"Go on," Shepherd says.
"We have evidence to believe that the Ironblood High Seas Fleet will be making an operation in the Arctic with the Northern Parliament" Warspite explains.
"They don't usually work with each other," Shepherd adds.
"No, the arctic has always been heavily guarded by Siren forces, the Northern Parliament has always remained distant from everyone else, the last time I can remember them working with anyone else was when a small Union fleet was sent there with the previous Commander, they're planning something big if the Arctic Siren bases are their objective" Warspite says.
" If I remember correctly Friedrich is currently in command," Shepherd says. Hood takes a sip from her tea and looks away from the conversation.
"Yes, from all the intel we've gotten, they'll be conducting this operation in six months, their planning for everything" Warspite finishes.
"I appreciate the information, but this didn't need you all to come here to tell me this" Shepherd says.
"We're here because I want to be here, I can't spend everyday back at my palace in London" Queen Elizabeth says.
"We have more information on the Ironblood but we want something in return," Warspite says.
"And what's that?" Shepherd asks.
"We want fewer Royal Navy ships in your main fleet, just in case Ironblood forces don't go into the Arctic" , Warpsite says. Shepherd narrows his eyes towards Warspite. Hood also turns her head towards Warspite.
"Is that what this is about?" Hood asks Warspite accusingly. Shepherd remains silent.
"I've said this multiple times, things have changed since then" Hood says.
"Have they changed Hood, how much have you changed since Catapult?" Warspite responds back. Hood's eyes slightly widened at the question. She opens her mouth but closes, she turns to Shepherd.
"It was lovely talking to you again Shepherd" Hood says before leaving the room and gently closing the door behind her. Warspite sighs as she runs her hand through her hair, Queen Elizabeth looking at her with slight worry in her eyes.
"I'll think about your offer, give me a few days to think about it" Shepherd says. Queen Elizabeth and Warspite don't say anything, they leave the room quietly. The slight clicks of the Royal Maids can be heard walking the hallway. Shepherd sighs before taking the phone that had been on his leg covered by his leg.
"Did you hear all that?" Shepherd asks Enterprise.
"I did"
"I assume Belfast is there with you" Shepherd says.
"I'm here sir"
"Tomorrow, both of you, come to my office at noon," Shepherd says.
"Understood sir"
"Understood Shepherd"
"Have a good day," Shepherd says before closing the call. Putting the phone on his desk, he loudly sighs, he moves his head cracking parts of his neck. He notices something at the corner of his eye however. A simple picture frame of him standing next to the previous Commander. He remembers that day, it was the first time that he had met the Commander in any formal way. He was surprised that he was even invited to a Azur Lane base. Now here he is, a year later running the whole thing. Shepherd wishes that it came out differently though, the previous commander was a good person. Shepherd sighs again, he looks at the large stack of paper on the corner of the desk, dozens of missions, supply requisitions, troops movements with the Legion and shipgirl movement and requests in Azur Lane. He begins to go through the stack of papers, writing his signature on anything he approved of at the moment.
"I really need a secretary now, don't I?" Shepherd asks himself, before deciding that enough was needed today. Taking his phone, he exits the office and walks down the hallway. Leaving the building he heads towards the house that was turned into a barracks for the Commanders of Azur Lane. The moon is bright in the night sky, legion troops walk in small groups everywhere, walking in shifts making sure nothing enters the base without them knowing. Shepherd feels like he's being watched however. He looks at his surroundings, find a few legion soldiers walking down a path towards the port. Maybe it was them. Shepherd continues moving towards the house, a bird flies past Shepherd's head and lands on a low tree branch next to the house. Getting close to it, Shepherd realizes that it's an eagle. It cocks its head to the side looking at him. Shepherd walks forward until he stops directly in front of it.
"Aren't you Enterprise's eagle, what are you doing here? '' Shepherd asks the eagle, gently patting the eagle's head.
"Grimm Reaper, was it?" Shepherd asks. The eagle appears to nod at the name.
"What the hell are you doing? Aren't you supposed to be with Essex right now?" Shepherd questions. The eagle suddenly flaps its wings and flies off away from the house towards the port. Shepherd smiles at the eagle flying away, he always liked eagles. He goes inside the house, undresses, goes to bed and lets sleep take him.
Thoughts?
What ship do you have as your Secretary in the game? What ship do you think would be a good secretary in your opinion?