Commander Thorson could not recall a time he'd ever felt so drained. His body was beginning to pay the price for his heroics aboard the Yamashiro and Fusou, to say nothing of his emotional state following Arizona's resurrection. Returning finally to the partially constructed dormitories, he barely remembered to kick his muddy boots off before entering, turning away from the unfinished structures to his left and making his way around the corner to the right. Down the hall he could see Portland standing guard with her guns drawn in front of a closed door that he assumed led to a resting Fusou and Yamashiro. She yawned widely but gave him a friendly wave nevertheless. Thorson took a deep breath and walked over to her.
"Hey Commander," she whispered. "I don't think Akashi finished the bathhouse yet."
"I know. I'm wet," he deadpanned. "Did Tennessee tell you?"
"Yes sir, all sensors at full," Portland replied, pointing to the spike in her hair. Thorson nodded.
"Very good Portland."
"Commander...was that really who I think it was?" Portland leaned close. "Is Arizona really back?" Thorson nodded tiredly.
"Somehow...yes."
"Ok, I'll let you sleep but you have to tell us all the story tomorrow!" The shipgirl gushed, trying her best not to raise her voice. "Although if what I just saw is accurate, Laffey might not want to let you sleep."
Thorson spun on his heel just in time to see the wooden door of his room close. He sighed again. "Looks like I have a rabbit to speak with. Goodnight Portland."
"Goodnight sir!"
Thorson was impacted by Laffey the moment he entered his room. Without rigging the young destroyer had little mass and found Thorson quite the immovable object. "Laffey wants to sleep with Commander," she mumbled as Thorson closed the door behind them. When he rested his hands on her shoulders they found only her bare skin, his rapidly adjusting eyes confirming she'd divested herself of all clothing, even her underwear.
"Laffey," Thorson sighed. "I can't…"
"Why? Is Laffey not good enough for the Commander?" She asked with some small amount of distress in her voice.
"What are you…"
"Every day Commander gets more ships, has more girls looking at him. Laffey is Commander's first but doesn't want to be thrown away for battleships with big chests and butts."
A wave of understanding rolled over Thorson's tired mind and he thanked the fates for Laffey's lack of filter. He silently guided her to the futon that Akashi had prepared for him while he'd been on sortie. The cover bore the image of a simple anchor. As soon as they laid down Laffey clambered atop him, but he held her high enough on his body so as not to give her the wrong impression.
"I need you, Laffey. You're a good ship and a fine companion and friend to the others on the base. You're not going anywhere," he promised.
"But Miss Chicago said this is the only way to keep a Commander loyal to you…" Laffey said, fear and despondency in her voice.
"Shh, it's ok Laffey," Thorson replied, patting her head and trying to ignore his stirring loins as he realized finally why Laffey had been so clingy of late. "I know the world that you and the rest of the Union girls had to deal with wasn't great, but things are different here. Even if I had ten Benson class destroyers I'd still need you in my fleet at the front."
"But Commander links with Cleveland now," she whined.
"And in the future I'll probably link with the battleships, Laffey. It's because you're much better suited to that forward attack role than being a flagship. If we sortie alone for whatever reason, I'll link with you. Just...come here." Too tired to rationalize further, Thorson kissed her. Laffey responded immediately, humming quietly as she carefully experimented with her tongue, her budding chest rubbing against Thorson. "You'll always have a place here in this fleet," he finished when they broke apart. To his great relief, Laffey's tired, red eyes closed and she laid her head down on his chest. She looked at peace. The destroyer girl was out in no time, allowing Thorson to finally get some sleep of his own as the girl atop him breathed steadily.
To Thorson's great but also pleasant surprise, when he roused from slumber he found himself alone. He faintly recalled something of a kiss that morning, but he had no way of knowing if it was a dream or the waking world. The Commander sat up and checked his watch, finding that he'd only allowed himself an extra hour and a half. "Well, 7:30's better than nothing. Gotta thank Akashi for moving all my stuff," he mumbled. As he dressed himself at the small chest of drawers that made up the only other furniture in the room save the overhead lamp, he heard the sounds of play from the inner courtyard.
Sliding open the inner door to his room, he stepped out onto the wooden walkway that ringed the space. Across the way he should see Akashi and Cleveland working on another of the rooms still under construction, along with a handful of the bulins. The Union cruiser was watching Akashi closely, learning what she could from the excitable repair ship. To his right Thorson saw a large clothesline spread between two of the wooden pillars that supported the overhanging roof that covered the walkway. On the line were the clothes of most all of his ships that had been out in the storm the night before. It was heartening to see Union uniforms next to Akashi's dress and Shiranui's kimono. Only Tennessee seemed to be missing but he considered that might be asking too much.
"Wait for me Mutsuki!" Kisaragi called as the source of the playful noise made itself known. The three young destroyers were running about the white stones and paths that defined the courtyard, dodging stone lanterns and greenery. Shiratsuyu and her friends watched from where they sat on the wooden deck, eating a breakfast of rice balls and boiled eggs with Downes, Laffey, and the Portland class sisters. Pennsylvania and her sister were nowhere to be seen.
Thorson winced as the pink haired destroyer slipped on the loose stones and fell down. He was about to strike out to help her when a soothing voice called to the young ones. He watched as Fusou stood from a stone bench she'd been sitting on and walked over to Kisaragi. Mutsuki and Mikazuki looked down as she chastised them lightly.
"This is why I told you three to stay on the paths. Now Akashi will have to rake the stones again. Here, let me see," Fusou said, tending to Kisaragi's skinned knee.
"We're sorry, Fusou-san," they all said together as the shrine maiden dried the girl's tears and helped her back to her feet. As Thorson watched he couldn't describe her as anything other than elegant, even with her kimono hugging her curves tightly. As if sensing his gaze she looked up and met his eyes.
"Everyone, say good morning to Thorson tono-sama," Fusou encouraged. The little ones did so, waving to him before being sent off for breakfast. The Commander noticed Tennessee watching over it all, silent with guns drawn. The frown on her face was nothing that inspired confidence, but she didn't seem immediately concerned about anything going on within the dorms. He nodded to her before walking up to Fusou. The battleship girl bowed deeply to him. He tried hard not to look at her cleavage.
"How is your sister?" He asked, unsure what else to say to the shrine maiden. She smiled broadly and ran a finger through her hair, having combed it that morning and returned her flowing butterfly pin to its rightful spot. Thorson couldn't deny her beauty, especially outside of the chaos of battle.
"She is weak, but stable and resting. I would be happy to take you to see her if you wish."
"If she's resting then let her rest. We can discuss the two of you and your surrender at another time," Thorson demurred.
"You have my complete allegiance and servitude, tono-sama," Fusou promised. "My sister and I have...never been particularly lucky ships. I had thought for sure that last night would be our last moments together. By your mercy, Yamashiro lives. For that I will be forever grateful."
"And you?" Thorson prompted, trying to tease out anything about Fusou beyond the strong bond she shared with her younger sister. Fusou looked around them at the courtyard, a sad smile on her face.
"It is enough, tono-sama. Perhaps another time I can speak to you of who I was. Besides, I believe your battleship wishes to speak with you," Fusou deflected, extending her arm in Tennessee's direction. The blonde grunted, furrowing her brow. "She doesn't trust me, I know. But please tell her I find her hull to be magnificent and threatening," Fusou managed a chuckle at that, covering her ruby lips with the sleeve of her kimono. Thorson nodded.
"I'll do that. All I ask is that you give my fleet a bit of time to come around to you and your sister. Even with the circumstances of last night, trust will take time."
"As you say, tono-sama. They have been a bit aloof, but polite. I thank you for your hospitality. Now if you would kindly excuse me, young Mikazuki seems to be attempting to eat three breakfasts on her own." With that Fusou glided past him to where Shiratsuyu and the others were sitting, leaving him a view of her black cat's tail and shapely behind. Portland and Indianapolis caught his attention and gave him the thumbs up, indicating they would be happy to keep an eye on the newest Sakura arrivals. Thorson gave them a casual salute before approaching Tennessee.
"Walk with me," she demanded. He followed.
When the two of them were halfway down the stairs to the docks, Tennessee finally spoke. "Commander...I made a mistake."
"You can speak freely, Tennessee," Thorson encouraged, glancing to his left as the imposing woman furrowed her brow.
"I think it's best if you see for yourself," she replied, leading him to the labs and opening the door. All seemed in order until they reached the back of the building where the head of the bulin crew was waiting for them with a worried frown on her face. Thorson saw the issue immediately.
"They're all gone, sir. Every damn cube."
Thorson felt cold fear run through him as they stared at the blank wall where the chest of cubes had been. The enemy had been there, among them. As they stood silently, the chief mechanic bulin approached him.
"I asked her to take a collective statement from the crew," Tennessee informed him evenly, shaking her head.
"Did you or the others see anything?" Thorson asked. The bulin shook her head.
"No, buli. After the two Union sisters left we all went to sleep, were very tired, buli. In the morning the chest was gone."
"Anything else?"
"No, Commander. Is bulin free to go?"
Thorson nodded heavily, allowing the chief to run off somewhere far away from the dour looking Commander and battleship.
"I'd be a petty individual if I blamed them," Thorson muttered. "Fucking hell…"
"Commander…"
"I know we don't really get along, Tennessee, but this is my fault. I'm not going to punish you for something I should have prevented."
"That self-sacrificing bullshit is part of it," Tennessee admitted, standing rigid with her hands behind her. "Makes me think you're hiding something."
"Really makes me wonder how you and Admiral Hawkins got along," Thorson replied sarcastically.
"We didn't, sir. So if you could just hurry up and get this over with, I'd appreciate it."
"Did you enjoy the fight last night?"
"Damn it, you just don't make this easy," Tennessee fumed.
"And what would you prefer?" Thorson snapped, turning on his heel to face her. "That I flog you? Chew you out in front of the fleet, including the Sakura? That would cut deep, wouldn't it? Or maybe I could just execute you instead, finish up our little scene from weeks ago. Our cubes are gone and there's only one way I know of to get more, killing enemy ships. So how about I punish you by sending you out against the Sakura again and again until you die or your ship proves incapable of keeping up with your iron will and abject hatred?"
If Tennessee was surprised by his sudden outburst, she didn't show it. Instead she looked him in the eye for a long moment, perhaps taking his measure anew. "Yeah, I'd like to fight again, sir."
"How much damage did you take last night?"
"Nothing those little ones can't take care of. I'm coming to like them. Besides, when I'm still standing and my enemies are sunk, I like the pain. I'm ready to go at any time, sir."
Thorson's brows rose towards his cap. "I'll remember that flogging might not be so much of a punishment in the future."
"I doubt you could strike me hard enough to hurt."
"Tennessee, let's grab a coffee."
"I'm not going to sleep with you, Commander. Especially not if you're enjoying a little rabbit on the side."
Thorson was too agitated and impatient to make excuses, stepping well into Tennessee's personal space to verbally unload on her. "I've never fucked Laffey and it's not because she hasn't tried. She has abandonment issues, lost her friends and the trust of her former crews. She thought giving me her body was the only way to remain at my side, a notion I'm doing everything I can to divest her of. As for you, I think I've already told you where I stand on that. Keep your mark secret."
"Then why the coffee, sir? Didn't think you'd enjoy coffee with a hateful bitch any more than sleeping with one."
"Because when I'm not considering flogging you, and you're not throwing my words back in my face, I'm willing to admit you're an excellent combatant. The enemy has struck a blow against us. That means I need to speak with ships I trust and earn the loyalty of the newest members of this base."
"Then let's grab some coffee, Commander." Tennessee turned and led the way out of the labs, putting an extra sway in her hips that was impossible for him to miss. He chuckled darkly in his own mind. Jealousy is quite becoming of you, Tennessee.
"You know, there's something actually peaceful about this place when no one's in here," Tennessee admitted as she and Thorson finally took a seat in a corner of the mess. He nodded.
"Let's review what we know. When did you first sense this presence?"
The blonde battleship furrowed her brows and took a sip. "That's bitter…"
"Navy food...we're lucky to have Shiratsuyu for sure. Can't do anything about the coffee though."
"I never said I didn't like it," she smirked.
"I'm learning so much. But let's stay focused."
"Yes sir. Honestly the battle was a mess. Their formation was turning in retreat, shells flying everywhere...whatever it was, it wasn't a full ship. Maybe a submarine but I can't be sure. I only noticed on the way back, like this uncertain feeling in the back of my mind."
"Understood. What happened after you told me about this presence?"
"I informed the rest of the Union girls and then went to the room Penny and I share. As far as I know, she never came home that night."
"You don't think…" Thorson muttered. "Shit. Whoever this was must have seen."
"Seen what?"
Thorson held her gaze. "We brought Arizona back."
Tennessee only spoke after a long moment of contemplation. "Penny and her sister are probably fine, but we should find them. You probably saved that shrine girl twice last night."
"What do you mean?"
"It's just conjecture, sir."
"I'll hear it." He waved for her to continue.
"I'm sure that whoever or whatever took those cubes was sent to kill those kittens you fished out of the ocean. Given that they managed what they did without waking any of the bulins, I don't think they were afraid of us and our rigging. I think witnessing you bring the dead back to life changed their calculus. Hell, I gotta say I still don't believe it. But I'm sure Arizona will find me at some point and I'll stare at her like she's a siren in the flesh."
"Just refrain from shooting her, please." Thorson's quip had them both chuckling grimly for a moment. "Not sure I would trade all my cubes for two Sakura maidens."
"I would," Tennessee replied without hesitation. She continued when Thorson cocked a brow at her confidence. "The enemy sent not only a fleet after those two, but also what I assume is an assassin. Do you know why?"
"No, I don't."
"Then you'd better stop chatting up a bitter girl like me and figure that out, to say nothing of finding Penny."
"What changed between us?" Thorson asked as he drained his cup and stood. Tennessee dragged a finger around the rim of her mug, throwing him a coy look.
"You let me fight and gave me command, trust. I don't like that Sakura tart Fusou, wagging her tail, tits, and ears all over the place like jumping in bed with you is the same thing as serving in your fleet. Lord knows she'd get on hands and knees like a little kitten too. But if the Sakura Empire wants them dead, then that tells me all I need to know about what side we're on."
Thorson couldn't help but smile at her. "If you were me, what would you do next?"
Tennessee replied seriously. "Don't fall for it, Commander. They'll think you desperate for cubes, that they have forced our hand. Let's watch, wait, and let the Union and the Empire clash. Then we swoop in and pick up the pieces, maybe even play the hero."
"Didn't take you for that type of woman," Thorson said, rubbing his chin as the wisdom of her words rang true.
"I want nothing more than to see the Sakura Empire reduced to ruins and for Union command to suffer for how they treated us all. Maybe that doesn't mean fighting them directly, but I sure as hell won't hold back if we fight together. I want to show them how useless they are. You saw us last night, Commander. Penny and I are worth a fleet of dreadnaughts."
"No arguments here, Tennessee. With your permission, I'll take my leave."
"I liked you better when you were threatening to punish me. Take care, Commander. I'm going to go sweat and then hopefully catch that little destroyer cat for lunch. She makes a damn good curry."
"I can't tell if I liked you better when we weren't speaking," Thorson laughed. "Later, Tennessee."
"Sir?" Tennessee stood as Thorson turned her back to her.
"Yes?"
"Thank you for not hanging this all on me. I'm sorry about the cubes."
"I got distracted, allowed exhaustion and relief to let me sleep. This is my responsibility. We will not discuss this further. We must press on, as you said... and I will have to live with the consequences."
When the doors of the mess closed behind Thorson, Tennessee looked down at the two empty mugs on the table. She took his with a thin smile on her lips and moved to the sink in the kitchen, rinsing them both before departing herself.
As opposed to the prior night when Thorson had struck out to the top of the island as a last resort, he began his search for Pennsylvania and her sister on that trail. The Commander smiled as he finally caught sight of the two of them, sitting in a grassy cleaning several yards from where he had buried Nachi's cube. The two sisters were leaning against one another, slumbering as the sun, breeze, and sounds of the tropics washed over them. Their black hair hung behind them, swaying gently in the wind. Thorson immediately understood why Penny would come here with her sister; it was a place away from the war.
The sound of Thorson's boots on the rocks of the makeshift trail roused Arizona from sleep. The girl had somehow acquired a uniform to match her sister in blue and white, along with white leggings and a small blue cap atop her head. Unlike Pennsylvania she kept the front buttoned, a small difference he felt suited her.
Arizona glanced at Thorson over her shoulder before gently shaking her sister awake. The Commander stood by passively, allowing them to banish the sleep from their bodies at their own pace. When Arizona turned and began walking toward him he denied himself no further, striding forward to meet her. Though when they finally stood face to face he found his throat dry and his mouth clamped shut. With a shy smile she closed the distance and wrapped her arms around his waist. Her warm body took his breath away.
"Penny told me everything. Thank you, Commander Thorson," she whispered as he finally, tentatively brought an arm around her back. He caught Penny's eye as he did so, seeing a calmness in her visage that he'd never witnessed before.
"Uh...everything?" Thorson managed, his voice sounding like he'd swallowed gravel. Arizona let out a delightful chuckle against his ear.
"Yes, everything. Thank you for taking care of me, and my sister."
"I...you're welcome. I'm glad you're back," he said, knowing his words barely scratched the surface.
"It was difficult. I called out but had no voice. My eyes were open but I couldn't see. I tried to reach out but my body wouldn't move an inch. Not until Penny reached for me," Arizona told him sadly, giving Thorson some small idea of what undeath might be like for a shipgirl.
"Arizona, I need to speak with you and your sister." And so Thorson informed the two battleships of the theft of the wisdom cubes and the result that Penny would have to sortie alone in their next battle. Arizona would stay behind, along with any other ships who had no rigging or ship already constructed. Pennsylvania actually looked relieved at the news, but Arizona frowned.
"I had hoped to help you all fight," she replied, looking out over the warships docked in the bay far below. Thorson nodded.
"For now there's plenty to do elsewhere on the base. You can get yourself familiar," Thorson suggested. "But it is true. As this war escalates I'll have no choice but to call on you. We'll have you a ship and rigging soon enough."
Pennsylvania looked ready to protest, a frown maring her otherwise beautiful face. But she held her tongue on that point. "I guess it would be rather sacreligious to dig up that other cube. She'd probably need more than one anyway. So what now, Commander? When do we hit them?"
"I'm not sure, Penny," Thorson admitted, smiling as the two battleships took one another by the hand over the course of the conversation. "Tennessee believes it's best to see how things evolve out there rather than expose ourselves immediately."
"Hmm...given the state of our supplies and the convoy with Brooklyn and Cassin, I have to say she's got a good idea. We have a pretty sweet gig set up here. But no matter what we should be ready. What of the two shrine maidens?" Pennsylvania asked. "That older one, Fusou, she's basically assigned herself to be the mother of those kids already."
"I'm off to speak with them right now, but I wanted to ensure you two were alright."
"I'm better than alright, Commander. I got my sister back," Pennsylvania replied strongly, wrapping an arm around Arizona. The more reserved Pennsylvania-class battleship fluttered her lashes at him and smiled.
"I won't let them cause anyone else to suffer like I did," she insisted. He liked seeing them smile.
"I'll do my best as well. Take today easy, you two. I need to go do what I can to make up for our losses last night."
"Wasn't your fault, Andrew," Penny insisted. He waved over his shoulder as he made back for the base.
"Doesn't matter. I'm the Commander."
"Well? What news?" Akagi snapped, looking over the training grounds of the sanctuary as a presence made itself known behind her and her sister. Kaga had always enjoyed subterfuge and guile since becoming a carrier. The kunoichi in her service annoyed the crimson fox to no end.
"The pursuit fleet failed, your highnesses," Kirishima reported, kneeling behind them as her master grinned savagely.
"But you succeeded, did you not?" Kaga asked, turning to look at the ninja battle cruiser.
"I see neither their heads nor their cubes, sister," Akagi snarked, feeling anger grow in her chest as Kirishima continued to seem completely unafraid of her retribution. "If they still live this is your failure as well."
"Lady Kaga, we have more pressing concerns than the survival of those two shrine maidens. On that island they pose no threat to your rule and the way of the Creator."
"That is not for you to decide, Kirishima."
"I apologize, my lady."
"Your pets enjoy too much freedom, sister," Akagi judged.
"And that is not for you to decide, sister," Kaga replied serenely. "Give your report, Kirishima."
"The base is lightly defended, but any target worth killing is already armed with rigging they can activate independently of their ships. They possess a conductive matrix and a storehouse full of fuel and ammunition. An assault by us could liberate this trove for the glory of the Sakura. They also had a large stash of unused cubes as well as a handful from their battles with us. I...requisitioned those. I estimate the number of competent warships on that base to be no more than six, though some of our captured are there, as well as some sort of strange maintenance crew. This is why I did not attempt resource sabotage, my lady. I believe that base could serve as a forward operating position for strikes against the Union," Kirishima concluded, waiting for the carriers to process that information.
"Tell me something, Kirishima. Why didn't you simply eliminate these six ships?" Akagi demanded. The kunoichi looked severely at Kaga.
"The information I carry is too valuable to risk a fight without my ship, lady Akagi."
"I haven't heard anything so far to back up that statement."
"Oh but I think you will!" An annoying, girlish voice called out as tester joined them, seeming to materialize from the barrier around the sanctuary itself before swooping down to join them. "Aww, none of you look happy to see me."
"Learn to take a hint, siren. Speak, Kirishima. What else did you see?" Kaga demanded.
"I don't know how it's possible but...that Union Commander, the one who presumably led the force that defeated Myoukou…"
"Yes, what about him?!" Akagi practically shouted.
"When the two of you attacked the Union facility in Hawaii, you destroyed a battleship there, yes?"
"Oh that might have been us!" Tester declared. "Strategist said she managed to kill one before she even got aboard. How delightful, culling the weak!"
"Hold your tongue, siren," Kirishima spat. "That Commander and the surviving sister just brought her back from the dead. Her spirit survived all this time. My lady Kaga, I know we are already scrambling to deal with the Grey Ghost's raiding attacks, and attaining the ascendance of our best soldiers, but we need to take that base, and soon."
Silence fell over the three Sakura ships as they contemplated the possibility of a foe who could raise the dead of war to fight for him. Kaga's spirit fire came alive and encircled the siren. "Now is the time to prove your loyalty to the Creator, alien."
Tester just laughed. "Your threats mean nothing to me, silly foxy; but my sisters and I are always happy to encourage a bit of...violent evolution!"