"Join the Northern Parliament?" I repeated, unsure if I'd heard her right. "I, uh, I'm flattered, but I've only just arrived and this is a bit sudden…"
Soyuz chuckled as she stood up from her desk and strode towards me. "We're not asking you to change your allegiance or forsake your other duties," she said, her voice soft, yet commanding. "We are merely asking that you join forces with us, lend your strategic mind to our struggle to sweep the Sirens from our seas."
I relaxed slightly, glad I wasn't being put as on the spot as I thought I was. "Ah, I see. I'd be glad to help my comrades in the Northern Parliament. If you don't mind me asking, what's the full situation?"
Soyuz gave me a tight smile before gesturing towards her desk once more. A holographic map of the Northern Parliament and its surrounding sea lanes flickered to life above it, and if I read it correctly, it painted a grim picture. "Not good, as you can see, Comrade Commander," she said, confirming my initial take. "While we've managed to hold on or retake several vital sea lanes, it's only just enough to keep our heads above water. We're still experiencing supply shortages across every front, so we need to capitalize on our victory here and push them back further. What would you suggest?"
I stepped towards the map and folded my arms across my chest as I tried to find the best place to have a maximum impact. "Vladivostok's immediately out," I announced. "Even if we open up a supply line from Anchorage to cut down on the travel time via sea, we're still sailing directly into the Sakura Empire's backyard and we'd have to contend with both them and the Sirens. So that leaves the Atlantic routes."
Of course, the problem with the Atlantic routes was the huge Siren stronghold directly in the middle of the ocean, perfectly situated to interfere with any overseas shipping. We had a plan in the works to deal with it, but it would take months, if not years to put everything together. In the meantime, I simply had to plan around it. "If we had convoys headed from NYC, they could travel north, sailing by Greenland and Iceland, then over to the Royal Isles to refuel, meet up with any additional convoy ships and escorts, and then sail over here. So we'd need to work on clearing out any Siren forces in between here and the Royal Isles."
"What about the Iron Blood?" Rossiya asked, pointing up at the North Sea. "Won't they try and intercept them?"
"It's a possibility," I conceded, "But they seem to be fairly quiet after Bismarck's defeat. Probably regrouping, seeing who will take over as leader now that she's out of action. I'll talk to Queen Elizabeth about getting kansen escorts for the convoys, though. Have Royal Navy shipgirls escort them to a rendezvous point where they'll meet a Northern Parliament force to guide them the rest of the way home. This way neither faction is overextending their forces."
Rossiya looked over at Soyuz, who continued to study the map for a moment before she nodded in agreement. "I concur," the elder battleship stated. "I'll begin drawing up a list of all available Northern Parliament forces for you so we can get started on this immediately. In the meantime, however, you'll need an adjutant to help you with settling in, along with your usual paperwork, I'm sure. Did you have anyone in mind?"
It took me all of about two seconds to make my decision. "Gangut."
Both kansen came to a dead halt, and they stared at me as if I'd suggested Purifier instead of one of their own.
"Gangut," Soyuz repeated, arching a snowy eyebrow at me. "Are you sure about this decision?"
"I am," I confirmed with a wry grin. "I know what you're thinking, but there is a method to my madness. I am used to doing things a certain way back home, you are used to doing things a certain way out here. This could lead to a lot of friction if our ways don't mesh. Gangut, however, has never been shy in telling me how it's done out here. Not to mention she's enthusiastic and willing to listen. With her help, I'm sure we can make this transition as smooth as possible."
Rossiya and Soyuz shared a dubious look, but in the end, Soyuz simply shrugged. "If that is who you choose, I'll have her report to you once her maintenance is concluded. If there's nothing else, I'll have Rossiya show you to your new office."
"Nothing, thank you, Comrade Soyuz," I smiled politely. "It was a pleasure meeting you."
"And you, Comrade Commander," she smiled back as she nodded at Rossiya. "I look forward to working with you."
"This way, Comrade Commander," Rossiya said, guiding me out of the office. I gave Soyuz one last look before I turned and followed her out the door.
As Rossiya led me toward my new office, she glanced at me over her shoulder. "I wouldn't want to undermine you in front of Comrade Soyuz, but…is Gangut's enthusiasm the only reason you've selected her, Comrade Commander?"
I chuckled and shook my head. "No, not entirely. I'll admit, I feel an attraction toward her, but it isn't the driving reason. More like a nice little bonus."
"I see," she replied slowly as if she were weighing something. "I would…" she paused, once more considering her words. "I would be cautious with her, Comrade Commander."
For a second, I thought she had gotten Gangut confused with Chapayev. "Cautious how?"
Rossiya sighed heavily, and I could see the struggle on her face as she tried to find the right way to phrase things. "She is…what we call an 'Old Revolutionary', a…true believer. She fervently clings to the ideals of the Northern Parliament more so than anyone else. This could…complicate any relationships."
While I still wasn't entirely clear on what she meant, I got the sense that she wasn't going into any further detail on the matter. I nodded and made a mental note that I would have to broach that subject if things started to get serious. "I, uh, I'll keep that in mind, Comrade Rossiya, thank you."
"You're welcome, Comrade Commander," she smiled thinly before she came to a stop. I looked past her, wondering where we were until I saw the sign on the door. Fortunately, they had been thoughtful enough to post a sign in both Russian and English. "Commander's Office," it read, at least in English, and I presumed it read the same in Russian, as well. "Here we are," Rossiya announced as she swung the door open and ushered me inside.
I slowly looked around, carefully studying the place where I thought I'd be spending the majority of my time during my stay. It was spartan but still seemed comfortable enough, with a decent view of the harbor and unlike my previous night's lodgings, it was warm.
Everything that was labeled was done so in both English and Russian, much to my relief, and the holotable embedded in the desk seemed to display any data bilingually as well. As I perused the options and figured out how to operate it, I glanced up at Rossiya. "Everything looks good so far," I announced. "And my new quarters, will they be ready soon?"
"They'll have it ready by tonight," she confirmed. "And I'll have a meowfficer move your belongings before then."
"Excellent," I smiled. "Then if you don't mind, I'd like to start getting settled in and start working on these convoys."
Rossiya half-smiled and bowed slightly. "Of course, Comrade Commander. I'll send Gangut your way when she's finished."
"Servant!" Elizabeth barked. "What is the meaning of this? I've just received a report that you're going to be staying in the Northern Parliament! For how long?"
"And good afternoon to you as well, Your Majesty," I said with an overly sweet smile. "I don't know how long I'll be here, I'm trying to help them get back on their feet. Which is the reason I called you."
"Of course you do," she harumphed as she hopped up into her chair and folded her arms across her chest. "But we're spread thin as it is! I cannot and will not just hand over shipgirls without a good reason, even to as capable a servant as yourself."
"They need supply lanes opened up, and for that, we'll just need a little help from the Royal Navy," I began, punching a few commands into the holotable. Hopefully, I'd just sent her my official proposal and not the monthly bear report, which is something I was going to receive, apparently. "The Eagle Union can escort additional convoys from NYC to the Royal Isles, where they'll refuel, from there, all we're asking of you is a few more convoy ships, plus escort, to the halfway point in the Norwegian Sea. From there, Northern Parliament shipgirls will escort them the rest of the way. So all I'm asking for, humbly, is a few convoy ships, some supplies, and a very short escort."
Elizabeth turned her nose up and harumphed again, but I could see her glancing back at me every few seconds. She just needed an extra bit of incentive. "You know," I added, "The sooner I get done with this, the sooner I'll be available to ably assist Your Majesty in all her endeavors…"
That did it. With a dramatic and aggrieved sigh, Elizabeth threw her arms up in resignation. "Fine! But you are not to lose one ship, do you understand, servant?"
"I will treat them as though my life depends upon it, Your Majesty," I smiled and bowed. "Good day."
Queen Elizabeth gestured to someone offscreen and the picture flicked off, replaced by the words "CALL ENDED". I leaned back in my chair and breathed a sigh of relief. Getting Elizabeth on board would be the hardest sell of the whole plan; getting her to agree first was a major weight off my shoulders.
However, I didn't have time to relax before I heard someone pounding on my door. I nearly jumped out of my seat, and for a second, I wondered if one of those heavily armored meowfficers had made their way to my office. In any case, I decided I shouldn't keep them waiting, lest they take the door off the hinges. I straightened my uniform, took a deep breath, and called out, "Enter."
The door swung open to reveal Gangut, who enthusiastically marched up to my desk and saluted sharply. "Gangut, reporting as ordered, Comrade! What assignment do you have for me?"
I got to my feet and returned the salute before I gestured to the empty adjutant desk beside mine. "I'm in need of an aide, and I think you'd be perfect for the job." Her reaction was not what I expected.
Her lower lip quivered and I saw her eyes begin to water as she glanced back at the empty desk as if it were a death sentence. "Comrade," she began, her voice shaky, "Is this punishment for shooting at Comrade Saratoga?"
"What, of course not-" I'd been halfway through reassuring her when the second half of her sentence fully registered in my brain. "Wait, you what?!"
"It was an accident!" she bleated, looking downright pathetic as bowed her head in shame. "I thought she was a…a…peshka…what is the word you use…not really a shipgirl, but looks like one…"
"A Pawn?" I offered, still unsure of what the hell was going on.
"Da, da!" She nodded eagerly, a smile briefly crossing her face before she returned to her look of shame and remorse. "I was so unused to seeing non-Parliament ships that I fired automatically! I beg forgiveness for the shame I have heaped upon the Northern Parliament and Azur Lane!"
She looked as if she were on the verge of tears, and I quickly walked around my desk to grab her by the shoulders, pulling her up to her full height. "Hey, it's alright," I soothed, looking into her red eyes. "It was an honest mistake, and I'm guessing no permanent harm was done. Take it as a lesson for next time and move on. You're not in trouble, and you're being punished. I'm asking you because I need someone to help me figure out the best way to integrate my ideas with the Northern Parliament's battle plans without upsetting the apple cart too much and you're the best candidate. Alright?"
She looked at me with renewed hope and sniffled. "Do you truly mean that, Comrade?"
"Of course I do!"
Her smile returned and she regained some of her confidence as she stood tall once again. "Thank you, Comrade. Your forgiveness means everything to me. And now that I know this is not a punishment, but an honor, I am touched that you have come to me for help. But I must tell you: I decline."
"That's great! I-" I said, once more not catching what she said for a moment. "Wait, what?"
"I cannot accept," Gangut repeated.
"But…but…you just said this was a great honor!" I exclaimed, wondering what the hell just happened.
"I did."
"And I need your help."
"Correct."
"And…do you want to help?"
"Of course!"
"But you won't accept."
"Da."
I threw up my arms in exasperation as I walked in a tiny circle before coming back to Gangut. "Okay, million-dollar question: why?"
"Because it is too easy," she shrugged. I honestly didn't know whether to laugh or cry at that moment.
"...too…easy?" I repeated, staring incredulously at her.
"Da!" she nodded. When I continued to stare at her, she explained herself. "Comrade, I am meant to fight the toughest battles, to struggle against the strongest foes. It is the only way for us to grow!"
I laughed. I laughed at the sheer insanity of it all. "Too easy!" I cried out as Gangut took a step back.
"Uh, perhaps you could share with me what is so funny?" she asked as she eyed me warily. "Have I stumbled upon some sort of 'inside joke'?"
I shook my head as I got my laughter under control. "No, no…just…too easy…" I shook my head again. "Let me make a deal with you. First off, you aren't being taken off of combat missions. I plan on leading fleets into battle, if nothing more than to escape this paperwork, and that means you'll come, too. So you're still going to get your struggle. And second, if you think this is easy, work the rest of the day with me. If you still think this is a cakewalk, you are free to leave, I won't think any less of you, and I'll pick someone else. Sound good?"
"Now you are beginning to sound like Belorussiya, Comrade," she grinned wolfishly at me as she thrust out her hand. "But I accept!"
"Good!" I clasped Gangut's hand, giving it a firm shake to seal the deal. "Who's Belorussiya?"
"You'll meet her soon enough, Comrade Mikhail," she answered with a gentle pat on my arm. "Now let us get to work!"
By the time we had finally finished, night had fallen, the only bright spots outside were the twinkling lights of the base and the stars in the night sky. I dropped the last batch of reports into the outgoing pile with a heavy sigh as I looked over at Gangut. She looked exhausted as if she'd fall over at a moment's notice. "How you holding up there, Comrade?" I asked with a tired smile.
"Ugh," she bitterly moaned as she half-heartedly cleared her desk. "I had no idea fighting the Sirens was this complicated. So much logistics, so much work. I feel as if I have been wrestling a bear made of fuel reports!"
"You love it, don't you?" I grinned.
"I do!" she declared, her eyes alight with glee. "It is a glorious struggle, one that will help fuel the revolution to a glorious victory!"
While I was sure of the answer, I still had to ask. "Does that mean you'll accept the position?"
"Gladly, Comrade!" she exclaimed as she got to her feet. "But first, we must nourish our bodies! Let us…" her voice trailed off as she looked out the window, and then up at the clock. "Bah," she spat. "The mess hall will be closed by now. How did you manage this when you were back in the Eagle Union, Comrade?"
"Usually Enterprise would stop by with an extra ration bar and we'd take a break to eat before getting back to work," I shrugged. "Probably won't work here."
"Nyet," she agreed, "It will not. But that is for tomorrow! Tonight, I have a solution, one I am sure you will be delighted with, Comrade! Come!"
Without waiting for my reply, she grabbed me by the hand and dragged me off to our next adventure…
A/N-Sorry about that, was a little under the weather last week, but I'm back now! Where's poor Mikhail being dragged off to now? Until next time, fair winds and following seas!
