Thorson and Pennsylvania were waylaid on their way out of the dock laboratory by Portland and Indianapolis. The taller cruiser girl was ecstatic at the new USS Indianapolis and was already encouraging her little sister to give it a spin.
"Well? How do you feel?" Thorson requested of the tanned cruiser girl as Pennsylvania kept walking a few paces to remain aloof from the action. "Ready to move her to anchor?"
"Yes, Commander," Indianapolis confirmed. "It's…really nice to have a ship of my own now."
"Her guns and hull look quite impressive. Take good care of her," Thorson encouraged with a thin smile. "Portland?"
"Yes Commander?" She replied with a perky smile of her own.
"When your sister has cleared the docks, ask her to walk you through the process of forming your ship. When the two of you are done you can return to the dormitory construction project. For now, Pennsylvania and I need to discuss the events that came to pass after Pearl Harbor. Indy, do you think you can do that?"
"Shouldn't be a problem, Commander. Two cubes?" She asked, constantly looking over her shoulder at her ship's newly minted hull. Thorson nodded.
"Aye, two cubes. Have fun you two, just not too much fun. Perhaps after dinner?"
"Sounds good Commander, have a good chat!" Portland bade them well before taking Indy's hand and practically skipping up the gangway and onto the ship. Thorson was pleased to see that Indianapolis appeared most content with the situation, a proud and happy look on her face as she and her sister disappeared into the bowels of the ship, likely to examine whatever the Pandora Reactor was. The commander looked over at Pennsylvania.
"Sorry for the delay. Shall we?"
"Not a problem, Commander."
They passed by Akashi, Laffey, and company on the way up. They had made substantial progress on the dormitories in only a short while, the two story wooden frame already assembled. They'd begun on the inner workings of the building, laying pipe and wiring in all sorts of ways that Thorson was, frankly, content to ignore. He trusted Akashi enough to make her own home livable even if it was purely out of self-interest. Almost anything was better than the base's current suite of dorms. He even noticed Downes and her sister helping out a bit. When Thorson and Pennsylvania arrived at the command post Brooklyn stood and welcomed them.
"There have been no changes since you left, sir," she informed him politely.
"Perfect, thank you Brooklyn. Feel free to go on your hunt for a library. Pennsylvania and I can discuss our matters out here and cover the radio," Thorson replied. With a bow of acknowledgment, Brooklyn stood and walked to the door, closing it politely as she left.
"She clearly enjoys her assignment. Didn't pin her as a secretary," Pennsylvania murmured, looking at Thorson with a studious gaze. He winked at her before grabbing a spare chair from his office.
"She's not my secretary. I daresay she expressly recoiled at that particular notion. Please sit; sorry I can't offer you something more comfortable," Thorson apologized. Pennsylvania crossed her arms under her chest and leaned against the doorframe to his office. Her breasts needed no further support, but it certainly didn't hurt her profile. He did his best to keep his eyes on her face.
"I'm fine standing, sir."
"Alright, let's get down to it then," Thorson agreed, foregoing the chair and leaning back against Brooklyn's desk, close enough that he could easily hear and reach the radio in case of an incident. "Other than Oklahoma and Nevada, what else do I need to know?"
"Enterprise and the fleet that she's attached to should have returned and united with the rest of the Union forces at Pearl Harbor by now. She's where we pulled Brooklyn and the other two cruisers from. I'm damn certain she's the only reason they were allowed to leave at all, too. She, at least, has managed to make an impression with the officers of the Pacific fleets." Pennsylvania's tone told Thorson all he needed to know about her opinions regarding the ship known as 'The Big E'.
"And her clout is the only reason you and your little band weren't shot, I presume. Don't take it out on her," Thorson ordered with a sarcastic smile, one that Pennsylvania returned.
"Yeah, you don't have to remind me, sir. But she hasn't seen what I've seen. She's still by the books."
"I understand, could really have used her air power though. You do realize, Pennsylvania, that you may have escaped from under the thumb of a distrustful Union command only to end up serving in the fleet of the one officer that will insist you work with any Sakura and Ironbloods who join us, correct?" Thorson and the battleship stared one another down for a long while. Eventually she relented and looked up at the ceiling.
"That will be a hard ask, Commander. I've told you what happened to us, how we got here. Give me something, anything to make this the right decision."
Thorson cocked a brow, willing to interpret her tone as a request. He nodded. "You must have seen it yourself back in Hawaii, Pennsylvania. Those weren't just Sakura aircraft. There were Siren craft in that attack force. I'd stake my life on it."
"So the Sirens are working with the Sakura. All the more reason to destroy them!" She insisted, her voice echoing in the small space.
"No, Pennsylvania. I admit I'd arrive at that conclusion as well if I hadn't met Akashi and Shiranui, but I did. I believe them. Think about the position the Ironblood navy is in right now. Think about the size of the war machine that the Sakura just awoke. They aren't losing, not yet, but they soon will be, at least in the Pacific."
"You have a lot of faith in the Union, Commander," Pennsylvania cut in, clearly not sharing that same faith.
"The Royal Navy and Airforce continue to hold the Ironblood at bay. So long as they hold on we will be able to produce enough material and munitions to overwhelm them. Here in the Pacific I hope to assist against the Sakura in any way I can. For now, given my forces, that will amount to supply raids, hit and run attacks, and securing oil for the Union and ourselves if we can manage it. But try to think of the long game, Pennsylvania. I admit there are worlds in which the Sakura and the Ironblood can win this war, but almost all of them involve allying with the Sirens. What sort of price do you think that bargain cost them? The Sirens are literally the source of the cubes, the reason for the very existence of shipgirls. What possible reason could they have to choose sides in this conflict such as they have?" Thorson proposed. Pennsylvania considered his words, cupping her chin with her slim fingers. He knew he was staring.
"Like what you see, Commander?"
"It's a welcome change from being mobbed by overeager destroyers, Pennsylvania. I'm not asking you to go easy on them in battle. I'm asking you to beat them into submission to the point that they realize the folly of their ways."
"I don't think that will satisfy me, Commander," she replied, her eyes glinting with murderous intent. He stared her down, her beautiful figure mostly forgotten.
"I don't care, Pennsylvania. The Sirens killed your sister, I was there. I watched it all happen. Save your hatred for them and the Sakura that are willingly working with them…and for the love of God don't let it consume you. Arizona is still on this side of the plane." Thorson pushed himself off the desk and walked past Pennsylvania into his office, his upper arm brushing against her in the crowded doorway. Ignoring the contact, he unlocked a drawer in his desk and procured those two, enigmatic cubes and returned to the elder sister. The look on her face had changed from a passive stoicism or anger to an emotional mix of pain and tenderness.
"Damn it…Arizona," she whispered. Thorson extended his hand.
"Take them. See for yourself." The Commander watched as the battleship did as bade, her ironclad demeanor cracking further as the cubes rested in her hands, the purple glow shining just a bit lighter as Pennsylvania's green eyes widened with shock.
"I can see it…I can see you," she whispered, reminding Thorson of the moment Shiranui had examined the cubes. "It feels like you…made it a bit easier."
"I don't know how to bring her back, and I'm not willing to risk an untested theory on her cubes, but if there's ever an indication that the matrix could be used to revive her I won't hesitate to do so. Don't give up on her, Pennsylvania." Thorson could tell that Pennsylvania was barely listening to him, having cradled her sister's cubes to her chest. Even so she nodded faintly.
"I appreciate that, sir. If she got eaten up and became a ship or something…I'd probably go insane. Would it…" The battleship trailed off, unsure if what she wanted to ask was even permitted.
"You want to take care of her until then?" Thorson asked kindly, receiving a silent nod in turn. He extended a hand and placed it gently on Pennsylvania's shoulder. She opened her eyes and met his. "I can't think of anyone better. Will you fight for me, Pennsylvania?"
"I have a choice?"
"You all do," he insisted. Her eyes blazed with sudden intensity.
"Your enemies will taste my guns, sir…though if you command it I will show them mercy, for her sake."
Thorson smiled broadly at Pennsylvania, stepping back a pace to render official orders. "Take your time this evening and ensure Arizona is properly taken care of. After that, complete the repair of your ship and assist Tennessee with reconstructing her own. By now I'm sure you understand how the process works. Give Cleveland a hand too if she needs it. Tomorrow morning we will all gather and discuss our first sortie as a major force." He gave her a casual salute before gesturing to the door of the building. "My door is always open."
"Sir, yes sir."
"Hey, Laffey, where you going? We've gotta be up in like eight hours!" Downes called from her cot as the lapine destroyer padded softly to the door of the room that now housed the three living destroyer girls on base as well as Akashi. The catgirl was watching her intently too.
"I'm going to sleep with the Commander," she replied with little concern. Cassin groaned and turned over under her blanket while Downes mouth dropped open.
"W-w-what?! You and the Commander fuck each other?!"
"Laffey had sex with Shikikan and didn't invite Akashi, nyaa?! Traitor!"
Laffey shook her head. "Laffey misses the Commander after last night. His bed is warmer than Laffey's." Her reasons given, Laffey walked out into the hallway and closed the door quietly behind her, leaving Downes to talk with Akashi.
"Does she have any idea what she sounds like?" The Union girl asked.
"Akashi doesn't think so, nyaa. But Akashi has shared Shikikan's bed too. He has never done anything bad to Akashi."
"So you're saying the sex was good?" Downes pressed with morbidly curious eyes.
"Sis, you're a pervert," Cassin rendered from the comfort of her bunk. Downes waved her off as Akashi shook her head, her tail standing on end.
"Akashi has not done it with Shikikan, nor has Laffey, nyaa."
"So she's really just heading over there to sleep with him?" Downes concluded in disbelief.
"Probably, nyaa. I'm sure Shikikan would sleep with you too if you wanted, Downes. You aren't scary like those Union battleships, nyaa! The blonde one makes Akashi want to hide in fear!"
Downes couldn't help but chuckle at Akashi's unvarnished opinion of her comrades. The two battleships had declined to spend the night in the dormitories yet again. Tennessee was spending the night ensuring her own ship was ready, while Pennsylvania had seemed distant and distracted before saying she wanted to spend the night aboard her own vessel. Thorson had allowed it all. "Yeah, but please try to understand with them. They went through a lot in Hawaii."
"But Downes lost her limbs and is still so friendly, nyaa!"
"I have them again, thanks to Commander Thorson. Tennessee has been separated from her sister and Pennsylvania lost hers. I got off easy," Downes reasoned. Akashi nodded.
"Akashi works with Shikikan now. If they fight for him, Akashi will help them."
"Works for me, Akashi; been nice meeting you by the way. So you…you aren't going to follow her?"
"Mmm…" Akashi pondered, bringing her tail across her mouth in a comical thinking pose. "No, Akashi will let Laffey have tonight. Maybe she will go tomorrow!"
Downes shrugged and leaned over to flip the light switch. "Well, far be it from me to criticize you. Goodnight girls."
"Goodnight, nyaa!"
"Night, sis."
Is it really that nice? Downes couldn't help but think has she drifted off to dreams of torpedo detonations.
At 0700 hours the next morning Thorson awoke and cracked his eyes, his field of view almost entirely obscured by Laffey's mane of hair. She'd sought him out the night before, stripped down and immediately curled up on his chest and fallen asleep. He swallowed heavily as he looked down at her. Yet again the little destroyer had pushed his limits, fully divesting herself of any clothing beyond her panties. He gritted his teeth. "Get up, Laffey. We're heading out today."
The bunny girl's ears perked immediately and she pushed herself up just enough for Thorson to catch a glimpse of her tiny pink nipples, a view that had him looking off to the side with a furious blush as she spoke sleepily to him. "Laffey wants to link with the Commander again. Commander, is something wrong with Laffey?"
"Laffey, you understand that for a man to look at a naked woman is…" Thorson began, having no bloody idea how to explain himself.
"But Laffey isn't naked," she insisted. "Laffey still has her underwear."
"Laffey…" Thorson groaned, feeling his heart leap into his throat as the door banged open to reveal Downes with full rigging deployed.
"Morning Commander! Let's…get…holy shit," she trailed off as Thorson let out a guttural growl of frustration, lifting Laffey forcefully off him as she squeaked in surprise and placing her gently on the floor before throwing the covers off his body.
"There you go Downes, pants on, no sex. God damnit I'm getting court martialed so hard. Laffey, put your clothes on and get down to the mess hall. Downes…I'm very sorry," he apologized profusely as Laffey complied with his orders and left the room as though nothing untoward had occurred whatsoever.
"I…um…" the destroyer tried, finding herself most preoccupied with Thorson's bare chest. Laffey had been lounging against that chest all night. It didn't seem fair. She didn't like the fact that she even cared. She was used to her cube dictating her wants and needs, the desire to fight and destroy. This was something else entirely, something she didn't understand. Thorson threw a shirt on before placing a hand on her shoulder.
"Thank you, Downes. I have my hands full with all this already, as you can no doubt tell. Having a ship that wants to get out there and fight is…refreshing. If you feel the need to discuss…what you just saw, please come find me in my office whenever we return from our mission."
"You didn't fuck her?" Downes asked bluntly, hand on her hip. Thorson shook his head.
"No, Downes. I did not."
"Did you want to?" She pressed. He shrugged.
"I have a man's body, Downes. I'm sure it wanted to. I chose not to."
Something in Downes' wisdom cube hummed at his words. She looked down at her body, at her dainty hands and lithe arms. "Do I…have a woman's body, Commander?" She asked, not a hint of seduction in her voice at all. He took a step back to look her up and down fully.
"Not like Tennessee and Pennsylvania do, Downes, but if you were a human you'd certainly fit the profile of a woman in her late teens. I suppose the answer is yes. Or did you mean something else?" He asked, not exactly sure what aspect of womanhood Downes might have been concerned with.
"I don't really know, sir. It's just when I saw you without a shirt and thought about Laffey touching you that way I started to feel strange, like I wanted to blow something up. It wasn't my cube though, not this time," she elaborated. Thorson sat on his bed and gestured that she should do the same if she wanted. Downes deactivated her rigging and complied, leaving about half a foot of space between them.
"Don't stop speaking your mind, Downes," he told her compassionately. "That would explain a lot, to be honest. If that's the case I'd say yes, you're both a warship and a woman. I've suspected as much for a couple days but you can never really tell as a man. We're god awful at that sort of thing. You alright?" Downes was looking herself over again, a frown on her face.
"But men fight wars, sir. I want to fight."
"They do…they do, Downes. But that's the thing about men. From time immemorial when we go to war we bring our women with us, in spirit. Soldiers carry pictures or letters. We refer to our tanks, planes, and ships as women. Not sure if you ever got a chance to see some of them, but plenty of aircraft in the Union feature decals of quite…impressive females in decal form. I suppose in that regard it makes all the sense in the world that the cubes would make you all female instead of male. I may be in over my head though. Having a fighting force of real women is already proving…interesting."
"A harem, you mean?" Downes pressed. Thorson turned beet red as she laughed. "Look, Commander, you said it yourself. You're a man, I'm a woman. If that's how this works, if we head out there and get into fights, kill so we can both come home…even someone like me would want to be with that sort of man, I think. Impossible not to. You've been kind to all of us so far. I think you can keep that up."
"I pray that remains so, Downes. How is your rigging, any issues?"
"None, sir. But don't change the subject on me. Breakfast?" She asked with a smile.
"Sure."
Thorson was pleased to find no ships actively glaring at him when he entered the mess hall that morning. Tennessee and Pennsylvania still kept to themselves, but they seemed to be engaged in a normal conversation as opposed to plotting or disgruntled complaining. The bulins were there as well, vibrant and animated as always. Thorson sat down between the battleships and the rest of his fleet, surprised to find Shiranui as the center of attention for the other destroyers. She had a look of utter disinterest on her face but her playful balls of spirit fire seemed to have minds of their own, dancing around for the other girls.
"Where's Akashi?" Thorson asked.
"She's in the kitchen, idiot Shikikan. If she and I cannot fight then it stands to reason we must make food," Shiranui said dispassionately. The Union girls looked at him to see how he'd take the moniker 'idiot Shikikan', but he was more than used to it by that point.
"And you trust Akashi to make food?" He asked with a knowing glance.
"Perhaps not so idiotic as I thought this morning," Shiranui replied. "Though it's hard to screw up this oatmeal stuff that you Union types eat. I suppose oats themselves are non-perishable to an extent…"
"Good morning, Shikikan! Breakfast time, nyaa!" Akashi called, delivering a bowl of passable oatmeal and a mug of coffee. He gave her a nod of thanks and put it away quickly.
"Alright then," he said loudly enough for everyone to hear. "Let's talk sortie."
"Woohoo!" Downes and Portland cheered as Akashi scurried away and returned wheeling a large chart of the surrounding area that she'd pinned to a chalkboard. He had no idea when she'd done it, but Thorson smiled, recognizing it as one of the maps from the Laffey. His girls were getting better. When did I start thinking of them as mine? He wondered, standing to address his budding fleet.
"Alright, I'm going to get the bad news out of the way first," he began, looking at his battleships. "The two of you are staying here for now." Tennessee glared at him as Pennsylvania took a sip of black coffee and locked eyes with him over the rim of the mug. The rest were silent.
"I believe you owe us an explanation at a minimum, Commander," she insisted.
"Agreed. This operation is a scouting mission. We don't know where the Union's forces are. We don't know where the Sakura fleets are. We don't know the current state of supply lines of the two powers and we don't know if there are other scouting fleets out there. We also have no air power. If we're caught in open water by a carrier group, you and Tennessee wouldn't make it."
"Permission to speak, sir?" Cleveland called as the battleships looked ready to murder someone. He nodded. "I'd be able to protect them out there. I was able to fit even more AA guns on my hull thanks to the reconstruction. Can't they come with us?"
"If my only concern was the aircraft of a single carrier group, Cleveland, I would say absolutely. Depending on the number of escorts we might even be able to defeat an isolated Sakura carrier duo. Unfortunately there is no reason to believe we will receive such an opportunity. It's much more likely we encounter larger forces or groups of cruisers and destroyers, in which case battleship speed and maneuverability is also an issue. The minute we need to assault a fixed position or go in against their own battleships the two of you will be front and center," Thorson assured his larger ships. "But for now our mission is to gather information, potentially get a read on enemy or allied movement, and if we happen to see a Sakura convoy, conduct a hit and run. All of those goals are accomplished better by a nimble fleet. Between your guns, Akashi's AA batteries and the shore guns I'm more than confident leaving this base in your command, Pennsylvania."
The two battleships looked at one another, the looks on their faces making it clear that Thorson had caught them off guard. Eventually they both stood and saluted. "Do we have permission to utilize the main command office?" Tennessee asked. Thorson smiled at her.
"Sure. Just know that if you leaf through any classified intel I expect a twenty page thesis on the motivations of the sirens and the origin of wisdom cubes on my desk by the time I return. Now, back to the mission. I believe it would be prudent for us to maneuver in a spiral pattern with our base at the center, slowly increasing the radius over the course of a day or two before returning. Cleveland, you'll be the flagship of this fleet with Indianapolis and Portland on either flank. Laffey, you and Cassin will have point. Downes, you're the rearguard. And don't give me that look, young lady. If anyone gets behind us you're going to be the first ship they meet. I expect them not to survive the encounter."
"Yes sir!" The white-haired girl affirmed, standing to salute as her rigging activated out of sheer excitement, the extra weight almost causing her to topple backwards over the bench of the dining table. Thorson watched Cleveland, Portland, Cassin, Indianapolis, and the battleships look on with jealousy.
"Don't think I forgot the rest of you," Thorson reassured them with anticipation written all over his face. It felt good taking care of 'his girls', in a way. He preferred when they were smiling. "Who wants some rigging?"
Their cheers echoed through the still mostly empty mess hall.