A/N: Happy Halloween everyone! Thanks to everyone who continues to follow and comment on this work. I see you and appreciate you, fam. Cheers! -SB
"You good?" Thorson asked as he and Tennessee finally summited the stairs to the dormitory. She nodded, still breathing heavily after the battle.
"Yeah, I'm feeling better already. Perks of not being human and all that. Don't know how you fight wars being all fragile and squishy," she said. He thought she was teasing him.
"Lots of us die. Some of us die horribly," he replied simply, furrowing his brow. Tennessee acknowledged the point.
"Ok, Commander. Another time maybe. You have things to do," she insisted, moving away from him to sit and remove her shoes. She glanced up at his bloodstained uniform. "I...sorry if I brought up bad memories."
"Whatever you need to return to full combat readiness, do it," he ordered. "The blood will come out. I'm surprised you're following that rule by the way," he added, pointing to her shoes.
She shrugged. "I live here too, and they built it." Tennessee threw him a casual salute to end the conversation so he turned away, heading for his command office knowing that all good ships had at least made it back to a place they could rest. Tennessee of all people didn't need him babying her. With the raid over and his forces intact, Thorson was happy to admit that it was a pleasant January afternoon. After walking the short distance along the walkway to the command office, he found Shiranui next to the radio and, to his surprise, Arizona.
"Penny is fine," she said as he opened his mouth. He closed it and nodded.
"Heh, she knows you well, soft idiot Shikikan," Shiranui cut in.
"Don't speak to him that way!" Arizona demanded, wishing she had rigging. The shipgirl gasped as Thorson rested a hand on her shoulder. He shook his head, more than used to the treatment.
"Shiranui has her own particular way of showing affection. Thank you, Arizona." Thorson grinned as the ghost ship turned away from them and spoke haughtily over her shoulder.
"We have five contacts on radar, approaching at normal cruising speed. I have not attempted to hail them yet."
"They just waltzed onto a battlefield?" Thorson questioned as he placed his hands on the desk and looked over Shiranui's shoulder.
"Our equipment is likely superior to anything mounted on a ship, Shikikan. It's an open question whether or not they even know of today's combat action. Speaking of which…"
"Yes, Shiranui? Speak freely," Thorson ordered as he headed into his office and procured a chair for Arizona. "I know it's not much but…"
"It's fine. Thank you, Commander," Arizona replied quietly, sitting and crossing her legs. She did not seem to have any reservations about allowing him to see the thin strip of bare skin between her leggings and the hem of her uniform. Shiranui continued her train of thought.
"The siren craft did not touch the base, Commander, not once. I think we both know very well that they could have. It's not that we are impotent. They would have suffered losses, but the fact remains they chose not to attack any of our infrastructure. The question is why," the kimono-clad destroyer proposed. Thorson scratched his chin as he watched the radar. The approaching fleet was still a good distance away.
"That's a good point. Any thoughts, Arizona?" He asked.
"M-me?" She squeaked. He nodded and threw her a smile.
"Yes. If you have any ideas, of course."
"Well, perhaps they wanted to get rid of us and leave the base unarmed?" Arizona ventured. Thorson shrugged.
"That's as fine a suggestion as any. If they are allied with the Sakura I'm sure they'd enjoy the idea of using this base as a forward outpost. I suppose at some point we'll just have to capture and interrogate one." Thorson's comment caused Shiranui to laugh in disbelief.
"You have a very high opinion of your fleet and yourself, Shikikan."
"I brought a ship back from the dead and we just drove off a siren air raid. I think a bit of optimism is warranted," Thorson countered.
"I agree," Shiranui admitted freely, waving at the radio. "But perhaps it would be wise to see if we need to prepare for another sortie. Dreams of taking a siren alive in battle can come later."
"Yeah," Thorson agreed as Arizona looked sternly at him. He could tell she was anxious. "There's a lot of war left, Arizona. Don't worry."
"I will always worry," she whispered in reply as he picked up the receiver and adjusted the radio to broadcast on a wide band of frequencies.
"This is Commander Andrew Thorson of the Eagle Union, acting head of this Azur Lane facility. Unidentified fleet approaching from the east, identify yourselves," he ordered. The three of them waited in silence for a moment as the radio cracked over the background of static. "Well, they aren't Union."
"Try the Royal Navy frequencies, perhaps?" Arizona suggested. Thorson did so after racking his brain for a moment. When he'd made the correct adjustments he repeated his message. They received a reply. It was a woman's voice that sounded youthful, wise, and imperious.
"Union Commander, this is Elizabeth class battleship pennant number 03, HMS Warspite. By orders of her Majesty we request an audience with you and permission to dock."
Thorson looked from Shiranui to Arizona. "Correct me if I'm wrong but...isn't it 'his Majesty' right now?" Neither of his ships had an answer for him, but he was suddenly struck by a remembrance from his time aboard the Laffey, back when his fleet was but a single ship and he had more time to read. "Wait a minute...it's really true?"
"Union Commander Thorson, please respond," came the request in an inpatient voice. He cleared his throat and replied.
"HMS Warspite this is Commander Thorson, I read you. Say again, on whose orders are we receiving you?"
"Her Royal Majesty, the battleship Queen Elizabeth. I cannot discuss further until we meet in person."
"Well I'll be damned," Thorson commented disbelievingly. "They actually gave her command over the hulls that spawned shipgirls."
"Commander?" Arizona called, not following along with his musing.
"Imagine if Enterprise or Yorktown called the shots for every Union shipgirl independent of the Union Navy's command structure," he explained before responding to Warspite.
"Warspite, this is Thorson. We acknowledge the Queen's request and will allow you to make port here. Our radar is showing five ships in your formation. Please confirm the number of hulls and personnel," Thorson requested, not wanting to surprise Shiratsuyu and her friends with a fleet full of mouths to feed again.
"Thank you, Commander. Our fleet consists of myself and four other shipgirls: Ark Royal, Leander, Javelin, and Vam-"
"Warspite, repeat that name. Did you just say Javelin?" Thorson demanded urgently, suddenly feeling his heart beat quickly against his ribs.
"It's very rude to interrupt a lady," came Warspite's disgruntled reply. "But yes, Javelin is a part of this fleet and-"
"I'm coming to meet you. Maintain your approach vector!" Thorson demanded before sprinting from the room. The two shipgirls left behind looked at one another.
"Any idea what just possessed our idiot Shikikan?" Shiranui asked.
"I...I can't say," Arizona replied, hesitantly approaching the radio. "Do you think we should…"
"Probably. Those Royal Navy girls are about to get a taste of Union Shikikan unpredictability," Shiranui reasoned as she activated the radio and spoke in her typical disinterested tone. "This is Sakura Empire defector Shiranui. Please excuse my idiot Shikikan. He will be with you shortly."
"Eeeeeh?! There are Sakura on the island?" Warspite called back. Arizona motioned for the mouthpiece and attempted to calm the situation.
"Please don't be alarmed. There are many Union ships here too! This is Arizona, by the way. It's a pleasure to meet you."
"EEEEEH?! I thought you were dead!"
Thorson barely remembered to remove his shoes before running into the dorms, bypassing the rooms and going straight through the front doors and on toward the courtyard. It was a scene of peace. The little flavored kittens, as Penny had taken to calling them, played under the careful watch of Fusou. The shrine maiden still had a bit of disheveled hair and a black eye, but looked otherwise well after the attack. She was joined by Indy and Portland, the three of them conversing softly about the day's events. Most of the Union girls were missing, presumably recovering in private. He approached them.
"Is Laffey in her room?" He asked urgently.
"I think so, Commander. What's going on? Do we need to sortie against that fleet Shiranui talked about?" Portland asked.
"No, it's the Royal Navy, I just...I'll explain later," Thorson promised, taking off for the room shared by Laffey, Akashi, and Downes. The various ships in the courtyard looked after him.
"Commander needs a break," Indianapolis said simply. "Can you give him a massage?"
"I...would not be so presumptuous," Fusou blushed, nevertheless considering how it might feel to run her fingers over Thorson's body. Indy shrugged.
"I think he'd like it."
"Laffey, Laffey!" Thorson whispered, shaking the girl awake in an attempt to allow Downes to continue sleeping. She cracked her eyes.
"Commander has come to Laffey," she observed, craning her neck and giving him a kiss.
"Laffey this is serious," Thorson hissed.
"Then Laffey will come to Commander's room if it is time for sex."
"Laffey, I found Javelin," Thorson clarified, not even bothering to address Laffey's comment. The bunny girl's expression changed on a dime. Suddenly she was wide awake and her ears perked right up.
"Please take Laffey to her friend, Commander."
"That's why I'm here."
Warspite surveyed the ocean from her bridge, the incoming ship getting larger and larger as they approached the small, verdant island in the Pacific. The information from Brooklyn had proven accurate. Contrary to the charts, they had found land and the rumored installation. She adjusted her radio by minutely moving the portion of her rigging that extended from her temples like horns or a laurel wreath. "Javelin, have you met this Commander Thorson before? I know you spent some time in this facility long ago. I wonder why he's so interested in you."
"Nope, can't say I know him!" The jubilant destroyer replied, having taken a stroll on her deck to enjoy the air and wave at a flock of gulls that were shadowing them. "But he's sure got a nice place, doesn't he? Why do you ask, Warspite?"
"He didn't even let me finish Vampire's name before he started asking about you. The moment I repeated your name he took off running and I got stuck speaking with some Sakura destroyer," Warspite detailed in a disgruntled tone.
"The Sakura?" Javelin demanded, tightening her grip on her weapon, a javelin of the same metal as her hull, almost as long as she was.
"The Sakura and a ship that I know died at Pearl Harbor," Warspite replied seriously. "I know our Majesty's orders are absolute but...well, come up here and take a look, will you? There's more going on at this facility than we know."
At Warspite's behest, Javelin moved from the back of the formation, waving to Ark Royal as she passed the carrier by. When her ship arrived alongside the battleship, she was able to see the profile of a Union destroyer heading at them at prodigious speeds. "Wow, that ship is moving almost as fast as I can. Who are they?" Javelin asked.
"I was hoping you would tell me," Warspite replied, wincing as a shout suddenly rang out on their main frequency.
"JAVEY!"
"Oh my God, Laffey?!" Javelin gasped, vaulting over the railing of her ship without another thought and speeding off across the waves, kicking up spray and surf behind her. Warspite began barking orders.
"All ships kill engines and hold position. Javelin just took off running. We may have to tow her."
"What's the deal, granny?" Ark demanded.
"Hmph, I'll allow it since you helped sink Bismarck. I don't know. She just said 'Laffey' and took off."
"I'm sure we'll get an answer soon enough," the carrier replied, kneeling on her deck and taking aim with her rifle, a custom creation with a barrel in the shape of her flight deck and bronze sights and accents. Behind her on the runway, a Swordfish aircraft shimmered to life as she loaded the chamber. "Let's just have a look, yeah?" With a trigger pull, the Swordfish took off, following slowly behind the speedy royal destroyer. Aboard the Laffey, Thorson was watching the approach.
"Why don't you go say hi, Laffey?" He suggested, having been overwhelmed by the link the moment it activated. Gone were Laffey's interests in his body and kissing, booze, and naps. All that mattered was a cute girl with purple hair and a slim body. The bunny destroyer hugged him around the waist.
"Laffey is so happy."
"Just remember to drop anchor, alright?" He requested, hearing the splash as Laffey left him and leaped overboard. He shook his head with a smile. "I'm really happy for you too, Laffey." The Commander watched through his binoculars as the two girls met in the water between ships. They paused just a moment, as if to verify they were truly reunited, before embracing one another and sinking to their knees, tears of happiness flowing down their cheeks as they finally got to see each other after more than five years apart. He noticed something out of place and picked up the radio.
"This is Thorson aboard the Laffey. Warspite, that plane belong to you?"
"Affirmative," she confirmed. "I forgive you, Commander Thorson."
"Oh? I am unaware of my offense."
"You interrupted a lady of royal stock," she replied haughtily. "However...it's been a long time since I've seen Javelin move like that."
"I believe our meeting can wait for now," Thorson agreed, feeling a bit of moisture well up in his eyes as he watched his first shipgirl cry and laugh freely from afar. "Any chance you have a handkerchief lying around?"
A sniffle reached his ears as Warspite replied insistently. "My handkerchief is not available at this time!"
A short while later, Thorson found himself facing three Royal shipgirls on the deck of the Laffey. It's wasn't large, but the space was more than enough for their small meeting. In the background, they could hear the innocent laughter of Laffey and Javelin as the bunny girl showed her friend around her ship, making sure to point out the recent battle damage from the siren raid.
"Thank you for meeting me here. Laffey can be a tad...impulsive," he admitted.
"I just hope that doesn't extend to combat," one of the young women said. She was a bit taller than Downes, not counting the tufts of hair on either side of her head that looked like ears. She evoked a Royal officer of old in her style of dress, at least from the waist up, with broad, brass buttons shining on her uniform. She wore nothing over her legs however, other than her white, knee high socks; and the ties of her black bikini were easy to spot. She seemed not to mind in the slightest, carrying herself in with an air of utmost authority and confidence. A long, flowing white scarf with golden anchors embroidered onto the ends fluttered in the breeze, and she carried a sword almost as tall as her. Thorson was taken aback as he recognized the voice
"Wait...you're Warspite, the battleship?" He asked.
"Of course! What of it?" She shot back, a self-conscious look coming over her stern features.
"Nothing. I guess I just got used to the way Union battleships choose to take form," Thorson replied, frowning as the woman before him visibly deflated. "Any reason you don't wear pants? Brooklyn does the same."
"You crude Yank! You don't just ask that!" Warspite retorted as the young lady in a plaid skirt next to her tittered politely. Thorson shrugged.
"I guess I'm used to the way Union and Sakura ships act too, you'll have to forgive me," Thorson said.
"Yes, that's very much something I wish to discuss," Warspite continued. "You have Sakura at your base? How so."
"Defected, captured, or surrendered. They help me run my base and some of them have fought against the sirens. I'm sure you're all familiar with their technology?" Thorson watched as the girl in the skirt and Warspite looked to the final woman on deck. "I see. Warspite, I apologize for my rudeness. I know you've survived countless battles already, and you'll find your own dress quite fits in on the island if you are indeed staying for any length of time."
"Hmph, your apology is accepted, Commander Thorson. Allow me to introduce my companions, Leander and Ark Royal. I'm sure you'll meet Javelin once-" Warspite was cut off as Laffey and Javelin ran onto deck and promptly vaulted into the water, heading out so that Laffey could visit the HMS Javelin. Thorson laughed.
"I'm sure we'll have time. Leander, it's a pleasure. You're a light cruiser, served in the Mediterranean?" He asked, stepping forward to shake the woman's hand. She was dressed in a conservative, white and black blouse and a red skirt. "You have the same color hair has Cleveland, one of my best light ships."
"I…yes, it's a pleasure to meet you as well, Commander Thorson," she blushed.
"Any chance you have smoke launchers on your hull?" He asked eagerly. "Laffey mentioned some Royal ships have them.
"I do, yes!" Leander affirmed. He gave her a winning smile.
"Fantastic. I hope you stick around. Warspite," Thorson moved down the line. "I would be happy to receive you at the base to discuss your orders from Queen Elizabeth."
"That is acceptable so long as we don't see any trouble from the Sakura," Warspite agreed, activating her rigging which easily tripled her profile. "I don't play games, Commander."
"I know. The Mediterranean campaigns weren't pretty. And Javelin was at Narvik," Thorson acknowledged with a glance back to Leander. She gave him a bashful smile.
"It's rather nice to be here in the tropics."
Warspite cut back in. "You're rather well informed, Commander Thorson."
"I'd like to think the OSS chose me for a reason," Thorson replied easily. "How's San Diego? I haven't had a chance to get back lately."
"That was a front, Commander. I was there at Pearl Harbor," Warspite said coldly, fixing him with a piercing gaze. "I watched the Arizona burn and die...but someone claiming to be her spoke to me on your radio not long ago. I will be very clear, Commander, the idea of sharing space with the Sakura would have me turning my bow away from you. But this I must see for myself."
"I thought you were mainly going in against the Ironblood?"
"The sun never sets on our empire, Commander. The Sakura don't enjoy that very much," Warspite declared proudly. "But if you want to hear about the Ironblood…" Warspite trailed off as Thorson stepped away from her, approaching the carrier girl who was staring off into the distance at his island.
"I never thought I'd get the chance to meet you," Thorson spoke reservedly, looking over Ark Royal's rifle that was slung behind her as well as her dashing cape, striking outfit, and surfeit of weapons. A saber glinted on her hip and a steampunk styled pistol rested holstered on the other. A shield made of her hull was attached to her right elbow and her left shoulder sported more metallic armor. If Warspite evoked the image of a Royal officer, Ark Royal was the competent rogue. "What was it like?"
After a long moment of silence, the black haired beauty replied. "Hood, more than anyone, exemplified what was expected not just of the Royal Navy, but of a royal lady. Bismarck slaughtered her and her crew. You spoke of the sirens, Commander?" She asked, finally looking at him with her cerulean eyes. "I know what I saw that day. It was them."
"Then my suspicions are confirmed," Thorson worried. "Your deeds precede you, as with Warspite."
The slim battleship girl smiled with satisfaction as Ark looked back to the ocean again. "My deeds were not enough to stop me from coming here," she lamented. Thorson took a step back, confused at her meaning but understanding that any further conversation on that discontent would have to come in private.
"Then I'm sorry, Ark Royal. But it is an honor to meet you."
"Thank you, Commander Thorson." She shook his hand with a firm grip. The human turned back to Warspite.
"Didn't you say there were five of you?"
"There are," Warspite sighed. "But Vampire...she is not well of late. It's best we simply proceed."
"What's wrong with her?" Thorson demanded. "Maybe I can help?"
"You're rather presumptuous," Warspite accused. Ark Royal huffed.
"We can't all be conquering heroes like you, Warspite." The battleship puffed her cheeks angrily but the carrier continued. "I understand her a bit I think, Commander. Two days after Pearl Harbor, a convoy of ours was caught in a raid off of Ceylon, land based Sakura bombers. The Repulse and Prince of Wales were lost. She fought with us against Bismarck, draped herself in glory, and some goddamn bombers sent her to the bottom while she screened the other ships, Vampire included. The little thing had to head back and pick up survivors after the fact. Neither Repulse or Wales made it. They both went down with their ships," Ark told him with great sorrow. Thorson understood, removing his cap.
"I'm sorry for your losses. I didn't know. Were their cubes recovered?"
"Yes. They are on their way back to England, to be laid to rest," Warspite clarified.
"If you rebuild those hulls...see if the cubes will take," was all Thorson could say about those larger boats. "For now, could I speak with Vampire?"
"She won't even come out of her bunk. It's pointless, Commander. She still follows orders at least."
"Be that as it may, Warspite, I'll speak to her. If she's to make port at my base it would set me at ease. There are enough unknowns in this war already." The three royal girls seemed to have no objections. Warspite spoke for them.
"I suppose that's a fair consideration. Come with us, please."
After an awkward but nevertheless impressive ride over the waves, carried by Warspite, Thorson approached the door to the underbelly of the Vampire. The V class destroyer was oddly silent, even for a ship at rest, and the interior was lit dimly in red. He couldn't pinpoint the source of the glow.
"Well that's just creepy," he murmured, following directions given to him by Leander until he arrived outside a metal door in the shape of a coffin. "And now it's really creepy." To his shock the door opened, though the faint light from the hallway seemed to be swallowed by the darkness within.
"Who…" a dark and sorrowful whisper called from the black.
"Commander Andrew Thorson, Union Navy," he responded officially, unsure of what route to take yet with the 'haunted ship'.
"Thou...thou dare speak his name!" A missile sped at him from the darkness. He drew his weapon. It halted just short of the barrel.
"Well I'll be damned," Thorson whispered. The girl was a vision of haunted seduction with tiny fangs and red eyes that shimmered to purple at the edges, a black dress with white straps and crimson trim, black stockings and garters, and red bows atop her snow white hair. Her rigging fanned from her hips in sweeping fins that ended in points that evoked the wings of a bat. Each hip featured a triple torpedo launcher and an anchor with its chain coiled around her leg like a sinuous tail. What held his gaze, however, was the human skull clasped dearly in her hand.
"Thou art not him," she accused with despair in her eyes.
"Who?"
"My beloved!" She cried, holding out the skull. "Many a night we would spend talking amongst the stars; how my body did yearn for his sweet and crimson essence, willingly given."
"You...killed him?" Thorson whispered in disbelief.
"Nay! Begone if thou art here to make sport and jest of me, knave! The Sakura killed him!"
"The raid off of Ceylon," Thorson realized, lowering his weapon as a sign of peace. Vampire stood a bit straighter. He could tell she wanted to talk to someone, anyone. That was how grief worked after weeks alone.
"The others doth not understand, how love might blossom between ship and man. But it matters not now. He perished aboard the Repulse. When I finally found his body...the filth of the sea had already...already…" Vampire sunk to her knees and wept, the tinkling of metal drawing Thorson's attention to a set of tags at her waist. He reached for them.
"Midshipman Andrew Tennyson…" he read softly. "That's his skull?"
"Tis…" she sniffed loudly. "Tis all I have left. The fish and sharks…"
"It's alright, say no more," Thorson ordered, holding the girl to him. He wasn't sure how she'd take it. She placed her hands against his chest.
"Tis most improper for a man to touch a lady in such a way, vile brute," she protested weakly without making any attempt to pull away.
"I'm used to it by now," Thorson explained. "I can't imagine what it's like to lose someone and have no hope of getting them back."
"Who art thou, and why…?" The girl questioned.
"Commander Andrew Thorson of the Eagle Union and Azur Lane. You and your fleet are near my base. Ark Royal told me of your story. I wanted to speak with you. I was at Pearl Harbor. I...know a thing or two about death at sea. If you ever want to talk about Andrew or-"
"I do miss him! I miss him greatly!" Vampire wailed. Thorson closed his eyes and nodded, resting a hand on her head as she cried it out at long last.
When Thorson kicked the door open and emerged into the sun aboard the Vampire he tore into the others. "She's been in mourning for almost a month! Did any of you even think to talk to her?!"
"Commander Thorson, you have no-"
"I don't give a fuck, Warspite. Do I look like some sort of subject of the king to you? No! I'm a bloody Yank and that girl was in love!" That news seemed to truly surprise the girls of the Royal Navy, who now included Javelin. Laffey piped up from the side.
"Vampire loved a human like Laffey does?" She asked curiously. Javelin gaped at her friend.
"Laffey?! What do you mean you love a human?" The purple haired girl exclaimed.
"She loved a sailor aboard the Repulse. He didn't survive Ceylon," Thorson elaborated. He stared as the royals looked at one another with confusion in their eyes. "You didn't know...did you?"
"Vampire's always been a unique ship, but no. We had no idea. Such a thing is...I can't even imagine it. Most of us haven't had crews in years," Javelin explained. Thorson nodded.
"Sorry to make your acquaintance in this way, Javelin. I'm a friend of Laffey's."
"Laffey loves the Commander. She would drink all day if he were to die." The Union destroyer's words had the other girls looking at each other reflectively.
"I…wonder what that's like," Warspite finally said. It softened Thorson's glare. He realized that human interaction of that nature might be a rarity in all the other factions. He sighed deeply.
"Look, I'm sorry for yelling it's just...she's down there weeping over a skull and a set of tags. That's not healthy."
"The sun is not healthy for mine pale skin, but I will bear it for you and for the Queen," an airy voice said behind him as Vampire finally emerged from the darkness of her ship. "Commander of the Union forces, thou shalt escort me to thine graveyard, that I may lay the soul of my love to rest."
Thorson nodded silently at her request. "Warspite, I think it's time you and your fleet arrived at our base."
"Understood, Commander. Girls, man your helms and full speed to the island. We have diplomacy to conduct in her Majesty's name."
"God save the Queen!"