*This is ported by Wattpad, feel free to come by as I've focused on making stories there rather here*
Rewrite, for a third time.
This time new changes occur, such as the narrative, seeing Azur Lane cutscenes aka dialogue moments, I now decided to work on that in this story!
With that, seeing the past comments/reviews, I decided to follow these critiques and install them in this series.
Flash. A lamp shines a light upon the opened silver eyes of someone, dark hair and fair skin, he looks around to see the dark room, too dark to see the area.
"Sorry, about our method to visit the secluded, it's standard procedure and all." A voice spoke. He looked to see a man in a white navy uniform, he recognized the rank.
"Admiral." He responded.
"Greetings, soldier." The Admiral smiled.
"I am not a soldier, that was long ago..." He scoffed.
The Admiral's smile hasn't faded, but it did stiff when mentions of 'not being a soldier anymore', he sits down in front of him, "I've read your files, Xavier, I understand the state you're in." He tries to comfort him, stating his name.
"I've confiscated the files, now you have copies." Xavier remarked. "You're trying really hard to not make me follow you."
"I am aware, you never had sympathy, I was just expressing it." Admiral assured him. "And let's get straight to the point, before you say it." He said as Xavier opened his mouth, which he closed it and listened. "We need a new Commander of the Azur Lane."
"The Azur Lane?" Xavier raised his eyebrows, "What happened to the Commander of the first?" He rebuked.
"Dead." Admiral stated.
"..." Xavier remains quiet, when hearing it. "Why me...?" He spoke.
"You are one of the best, and we are still at a brick of war." The Admiral explained. "Our lands need much more resources than at the sea."
"Ah, so you choose an exiled soldier, I am just expendable like the ones you sent on battle." Xavier grunted.
"Those days are what they are..." The Admiral admitted, he sighed before speaking. "But things changed just now, we'd like to give you a second chance."
"...And if I refuse?" Xavier questioned.
"We'd agree you'll be let go." This surprised him by Admiral's words. "I told you, things have changed since the death of the Commander."
"...So, I get to be a Commander of the Azur Lane, and that's all? Fighting Sirens and winning the war?" Xavier assumed as the Admiral nodded. "You're asking me if I can do this, when the first Commander didn't succeed."
"But, the Commander has halted the Siren's move ever since. We've got no attacks, none of the traitorous cultists nor terrorists." The Admiral reminded him of the events. "Eventually, they'll rise up in power, and you're our most capable one. Your files show your psychological mind, intelligence and capabilities proves it." Then he smiled sadly, "At least you'd get to regain your honor, it's what your sister wanted." He said.
Widened eyes, when mentioning a sister, Xavier's fist clenched, "...Fine. I'll join the Azur Lane as their Commander." He fumed.
"I am deeply sorry for mentioning it." The Admiral apologized. "But I know, deep down, you'd want a chance." He said as Xavier's anger soother down.
Outside, Xavier gazes at the advanced harbor, filled with futuristic technology. The white shining buildings, absolute cannons mounted on guard within each tower. Things have slightly changed since a few years ago...
He walks right behind the Admiral, who leads him through the docks. Glancing by seeing a lot of people, workers organizing, soldiers on duty, and there are battleships on the waters. Upon arriving there, he sees a woman that stands out around all the people, fair skin, white hair, violet eyes, wearing a navy-like outfit, hat and coat.
"This is USS Enterprise." The Admiral introduced him to this woman who retains a serious look.
"Hello, Commander." Enterprise nodded. "On the behalf of the Eagle Union, we will follow your command." She stated.
She seemed friendly. Xavier looks how serious she is, then notices others are coming... Four girls are here, two tall, and the other two are shorter.
"Ah, there's the rest." The Admiral smiled as she came to the red uniformed lady, they shook hands, "Great to see you Prince of Wales. The rest included you three, Hood, Suffolk, Norfolk." He revealed their names.
"Indeed, Admiral." The Prince of Wales nodded, she looked at Xavier. "You must be our Second Commander." She said, as he gazed at them. "I'm sure you know us."
"I do." He simply replied.
"Well, you will be escorted by them. They'll take great care of you." The Admiral assured. "Have safe travels." He then leaves, the girls stare at the blank staring Commander, Xavier looks at Norfolk who looks nervous when he gazes at her.
Xavier sighed, turning his head to Wales, "We should go, right?" He advised her.
"Of course, Commander." She nodded.
It was a simple trip, thanks to their abilities, their riggings around them are capable of transforming into the very same navy vessels they originated from, whether it be an existing ship or from some random blueprint. With Enterprise willing to be the transport herself, only the aircraft carrier is cruising.
"..." Silence occurs for Xavier, he doesn't want to talk. Let them do their own thing, Enterprise is just standing at the deck. Suffolk is looking at the clouds, Norfolk is close with Hood, who is beside the Prince of Wales. Just then, someone came near him, it was Hood, Wales, and Norflok. "...What is it?" He asked.
"We would like to know about you Commander." Hood spoke in a noble manner.
"My files tell you everything." Xavier huffed.
"Ah, but from our previous experiences, the book's cover isn't something we judge." Hood recalled.
Xavier cursed mentally, she's right. "Right, my name is Xavier, I know how to twindle on technology, and was originally gonna be an engineer scientist." He rehashed himself that the files don't tell him about.
"How intriguing." Wales remarked.
"Indeed." Hood agreed.
"..." Silence occurs, again. Xavier needs to strike a conversation otherwise this will be super awkward, why can't things let it be...
"Uhm... Commander?" Norfolk whimpers as he looks at her, who shifts closer to Hood. "Do you find us wrong?"
"No." Xavier replied. "I was just not expecting you to talk to me while on the trip. I'd prefer this to be quiet."
"Dear Norfolk, Commander here won't harm you." Hood assures her, like a mother to a child. Looking back at Xavier, "Then I apologize for performing this uninteresting conversation to you. It was my idea to learn more about you, Commander." She explains.
"It's fine..." Xavier mumbled. Then seeing them act so normal, it's too odd, "You guys are acting fine."
"What do you mean, Commander?" Wales assumed.
"I've been told, or know, that the Commander is very caring to you..." He then noticed the sadden expressions on their faces. "Oh... So you are hiding it."
"Our pain and grief isn't completely healed, not all of us have recovered fully." Hood nodded.
"I'm... Sorry." Xavier muttered aloud.
"There is no need for forgiveness, especially since you have no control over what happened." Wales assured him.
"Are we talking about our Commander?" Suffolk came in, hearing the conversation. Norfolk nodded shyly which she downcasted a bit, "Oh... Commander usually looks up to the clouds as well as me." She commented as others listened.
Hood turns to Enterprise, "Enterprise, care to say more about our old Commander, for remembrance sake?" She asked.
"He's a good Commander, that's all I have to say." Enterprise replied, and continued to be silent. Hood and Wales glanced at each other due to Enterprise's remark.
"He sounds like a nice person." Xavier spoke up, gaining their attention. "However, don't expect me to be like him."
"We won't." Wales stated. "We will do our best to protect you, and never again lose another." She promised.
"Mhm! We will help you!" Norfolk exclaimed with determination.
"Indeed, and by the way, Commander?" Hood spoke, as Xavier turned. "Our old Commander is a good man, but nice is one of many things about him."
"...Right." Xavier replied, confused by what she meant.
Arriving upon the island base, at the dock, there are a lot of women waiting by. The three within, go forward, Xavier guided by Hood and Wales, while Norfolk, Suffolk, and Enterprise at the back. The two leads meet the others.
The first woman, fair skin, white hair like Enterprise, spoke, "Greetings Commander, I speak for everyone in hopes to work with you." She slightly bowed. "My name is-"
"Illustrious." Xavier simply answered, leaving a slight surprise. "I am aware of who you all are." He added.
"Then, let's leave out the introductions!" The second girl came in, she grabbed his hand and shook it. "I'm Cleveland! Though, you already know."
"Yes, good to meet you." Xavier replied. Then seeing a third one, she wears a maid outfit, "And you must be Belfast." He assumed.
"Greetings, Master and indeed I am." Belfast bowed, slightly lifting the helms of her skirt. "Allow me to guide you to your headquarters." She walks as Xavier follows her.
During the walk, suddenly small girls came towards him, like children excited to see the candy storeperson bringing the candy. "Are you our new Commander!?" They asked.
He knows them very well: Aulick, Raleigh, Ning Hai, Ping Hai, Jersey, Bache, Bouge, Kalk, Jupiter, Juno, Echo, and so many more. And some of them are touching him all around lower than his chest, much to his annoyance.
"That's the new Commander?" Jersey commented over his appearance.
"He doesn't simile..." Gridley takes photos of him.
"He looks so tall..." Spence is scared by his appearance.
"I'd bet he's a gentle giant!" Bristol assured Juneau who seemed shy.
"He smells weird..." Foxhound wondered.
"Ha? I sensed his flab!" Bache pokes his shirt where his waist is.
"Bache!" Raleigh fretted when she saw her poking his waist.
"Don't touch." Xavier monotoned at Bache.
"Oh dear..." Illustrious softly gasped seeing it, "It seems we gained too much attention for you." She remarked.
"I am not a lolicon." Xavier grunted.
"Of course." Cleveland sweatdropped at his irritated words.
Hood then notices a certain someone, blushing and heaving in breath, "Ark Royal... Maintain yourself." She recalled.
"But..." Ark Royal mutters, but she regains herself as Hood's staring does the trick. She then introduces herself to Xavier, "Greetings Commander!" She calls out.
"Hi..." Xavier replied, knowing who she is. "And everyone, please. Don't. Touch. Me." He warned, causing a gare to make them back off. "Thank you, I will tell you this now. I am not like the Commander before whom you all once cared. But I will make things right, and it's my responsibility to take care of you all as well." He announced. "I hope everyone else does..."
"..." The girls are silent by his speech, as they do recall their Commander's death.
"A great speech, Commander." Wales spoke out, "But, there is something you need to know... This isn't the completed force of the Azur Lane." She mentioned.
"What of the missing ones?" Xavier asked.
"The rest of them!" Another woman spoke, or girl due to her appearance. It is Queen Elizabeth, along with her closet bodyguard, Warspite, "Sakura Empire, Iron Blood, Vichya Dominion, and Sardnega Empire, they haven't arrived upon the announcement of your arrival!" She explained.
"Her Majesty is correct." Warspite added, "They haven't responded to us, nor any indication they will come." She said, with a sense of concern.
A second woman, taller than the two with holy antics on her outfit, making look like a nun. It is none other than Richelieu, "We are worried about their grievance. Surely we are also part of the impact, but I am afraid from their perspectives it may be greater than we think it caused..." She was worried.
"...Preharps, we should let them wait it out." Xavier suggested. "I'll be following Belfast to my quarters." He turns to the maid. "Lead the way."
"Very well, Master." Belfast nodded as she led him the way, the girls watched him and the maid leave the courtyard...
Entering the building, the hallways look luxurious with the orange wall and white decorations, and the red carpet floors brighten by the windows exposing the sunlight. There Beflast leads him to a door, which is his office.
"I would like to ask something, Master. If you are able to give consent." Belfast requested.
"Speak." Xavier replied.
"The office is still currently under work. Our previous Master has made quite a mess even for us maids to struggle to clean. So I'd advise to let the workers be." Belfast stated. This statement must've confirmed that nice is only one of those things the previous Commander was.
"I won't repeat the messy antics." At least, compared to his work, but Xavier didn't mention the last part.
"It's fine, Master, and there is still more to speak." Belfast added, recalling her request. "Do you care for us?" She asked.
Paused, "...I care for your safety." He stated. "Or do you expect a different kind of care?"
"...Maybe, preharps on both, Master." Belfast answered vaguely. "If you need us, we'll be there." She reminded him that other maids are available.
"Right..." Xavier replied, as she left. He opens the door, seeing the office... Only the desk area is clean and sorted, but he notices there are yellow small animals, birds at best, working on other areas such as shelves and more. They noticed him, but only chirped once before continuing working.
He then goes to his desk, sitting on the chair. He glanced at the folder of files, picking them and opening, eyes widened upon what he saw... Diagrams, Blueprints, and his profile document. He grunted by the fact they got him a copy when he destroyed them, but... A quick read will give some memory refresher...
Belfast is walking on the hallway, thinking on his words. Her expression shifted, then she looked up and just saw Enterprise waiting by. "What brings you here, Miss Enterprise?" She asked.
"Just learning of the second Commander." Enterprise stated, but Belfast is unconvinced.
"Sneakily passing by our walk doesn't seem to be common learning." Belfast recalled. "You're worried..."
"It's not like that." Enterprise responded.
"...The Master reminds me of your familiar stubbornness, can't help to open up." She remarked.
"You've only met him for a couple of minutes." Enterprise pointed out.
"And that is enough of what I saw." Belfast smiled. "If you miss him..."
"I do." Enterprise interrupted, with a serious glare. "I just want to make sure that he is..." Realizing she is opening herself. She shook her head, "Never mind, I need to check up on my sisters." She turns to walk away.
Belfast watching her leave, she sighed in disappointment, just as her wall withholding her emotions was about to break. But in the end, she could not blame her...
Xavier is at his office, looking at his files and papers. Just then, he noticed the door was open, two girls poke out, one with purple hair and the other with white hair and bunny ears. "Javelin, Laffey?" He spoke out, causing the purple-haired girl to panic.
"Eek! Commander!" Javelin exclaimed, "We didn't mean to come here!"
"Tired..." Laffey muttered as she dozed on Javelin.
"Laffey! Don't sleep!" Javelin panicked, but Laffey tugs on her clothes. "Ah, don't pull my clothes!" Xavier immediately looks down in annoyance. "Sorry! Laffey wakes up! Not in front of the Commander!"
"Why are you both here?" Xavier questioned. His gaze on them returns when Javelin is dressed properly while Laffey seems sleepy.
"We are just wondering to see you up close. We haven't had a chance since last time..." Javelin mentioned the time Xavier was swarmed by little girls.
"What do you want to expect from me?" Xavier asked, curious why they are curious.
"We just want to know if you're kind..." Javelin replied. "Our Commander always shares stories and talks..."
"What's Commander reading?" Laffey wondered.
"It's... My files." Xavier replied, not bothering to hide them. "I expected only some of you to read this."
"N-no... Not really..." Javelin nervously stuttered, due to Xavier's serious demeanor. "But, um, can we take a look?" She requested.
"Sure." Xavier nodded, the two girls walked up to him. Here he shows the files, invested, Javelin notices a Blueprint of a design that intrigues her...
"Is that a robot?" Javelin pointed at the sketch.
"It's actually armor or a power suit if you'd like to call it." Xavier explained. "It's just a prototype however."
"Did you actually work on it?" Javelin asked with eyes sparkling.
"Use to, until I..." Xavier stopped talking, Javelin noticed it with concern.
"Commander...?" Javelin calls out.
"It's nothing..." Xavier scoffed, his anger made Javelin nervous.
"I... I'm sorry to make you mad, Commander..." Javelin apologized as she backed away.
"It's fine." Xavier reassured her. Just then Laffey goes closer to him and hugs by the waist. "...Laffey, what are you doing?" He questioned.
"Sad... Commander, is sad..." Laffey mumbled, closing her eyes, hugging him close. "Laffey understands..." She muttered.
"Laffey!?" Javelin blushed seeing her so comfortably close to Xavier. Like a father and daughter moment, wholesome.
"..." Xavier is quiet from this. His hand stiffly moved but he lowered down. "I think that's enough sleep, Laffey, wake up." He turns to Javelin. "Others will be wondering where you two will be, best to return back to your dorms." He advised her.
Javelin nodded, "Right. Thank you for talking Commander!" She thanked him as she went to Laffey, waking her up before going to the door.
Laffey then turns and waves, "See you, Commander..." She spoke off, before the door was shut.
"...Ugh..." Xavier grunted and sighed in relief. He gets that they have loss, just like him, and the majority are just so open to him. This is too much comfort in one day...
Javelin and Laffey are walking outside of the building, where they meet others... First, a small girl holding a unicorn plushie, a girl wearing a dark blue oversized jacket which sleeves' covers her arms and hands, and a familiar looking laffey-like girl without the bunny ears.
"Hello! Unicorn, Long Island, Nicholas!" Javelin waved at them.
"Hey! Where have you've been?" The long-sleeved girl asked.
"Long Island! We've visited the Commander at his office." Javelin replied.
"Oh... I missed out seeing him..." Nicholas yawned. "...How is he?"
Long Island speaks her opinion, "He seemed a bit scary, like so tall, taller than Commander..." She whispered. "Makes him look like a scary Golem..." She wooed, making ghost sounds when describing Xavier.
"Disagree..." Laffey muttered as she went to Nicholas as they slept together.
"Yeah, he is kinda nice." Javelin beamed. "He showed us a mecha suit through his papers and shared it with us!" She mentioned.
"What's that?! A Mecha?!" A woman came, wearing notable metal techno gloves. "Is that true, Javelin!?" She asked with a glint in her eyes.
"Y-yes, Reno..." Javelin nervously replied by her sudden appearance. With that, she runs off to meet the Commander.
Unicorn hugs her doll tightly, "Is he really kind?..." She wondered.
"Yeah! You should meet him, Unicorn." Javelin assured her, "He's just troubled just like all of us..." She added.
"Okay... I miss brother..." Unicorn muttered sadly, as Javelin somber smiles.
"Me too..." Javelin agrees as she hugs Unicorn, Long Island smiles warmly by this. Laffey and Nichalos are still sleeping.
However, somewhere far away, a girl is watching them, listened the entire conversation. It was a small girl, fair skin, red eyes, platinum blonde hair, and notable metal ear fins on her head. Her almost blank expression as her eyes gazes through the scopes, the look however shows a hint of worry and sadness. Hearing what they said...
Ayanami misses him...
Just then a sudden call came from her comm, she picked it up. "This is Ayanami." She quietly announced.
"This is Akagi..." The voice responded, "Do you have sight on the... 'Shikikan'?" She asked.
"No, but I've overheard that he is in his office." Ayanami informed her.
"Good. Wait upon our mark..." Akagi commanded.
"Right." Ayanami nodded, the comm was shut. She moves out as the plan is beginning to proceed...
Word Count - 3334
[Trivia]
Azur Lane: Commander's Expedition was previously written with the old title known as 'The Four Commanders' , with four OC Commanders, however it is changed as a more one OC insert.
Inspired by Azur Lane: Anime, and the game itself, the reason of the third rewrite is due to the outdated style of this story. This story update will now focus on multiple perspectives via the Commander and Kansens.
There will be three main installments; Commander's Expedition the main first story, Slow Ahead! is a spin-off slice of life series, and Admiral's Terminal, the sequel of Commander's Expedition. This installment will have a 12 episode per Season, facing a trilogy.