Chapter 33.
Had someone told me a few months ago that I would stand on the deck of a Dreadnought, watching over a merchant fleet manoeuvring in preparation to cross over to the Pacific Ocean through the Panama Canal, and that all of the fleet's crews, ranging from a few dozen to well over a hundred were all defacto under my command, I would've probably asked them to share whatever they were drinking.
According to Z23's reports, there were a little over two thousand men spread across forty three ships, all of whom had entrusted me with their lives. And there are also eight women who for some unforeseen reason had decided that I was in any manner capable of leading them.
I let out a sigh. I had walked out onto the brow to collect my thoughts and look like I was overseeing the fleet's movements, but bile now seemed to burn the bottom of my throat and it felt like my legs would give out under me.
The sound of footsteps on the deck behind me pulled my attention away from the growing dread.
"Everything going according to plan?" Warspite asked from behind me.
Looking at her, hell even just being near Warspite seemed to help blow away the concerns and worry. I felt a confidence and strength that I could never achieve seemingly radiating from her. "From what I can gather things are proceeding nicely. Queen Elizabeth sure knows how to organise a fleet. It's a miracle there haven't been any collisions with this many ships."
Warspite surveyed the surrounding landscape with an indifferent expression, arms folded and a similarly dismissive tone. "They were simple orders even the most inexperienced of ratings could follow. They should be grateful for receiving orders penned by her Majesty."
Her face relaxed and her eyes shifted back to me, a smile returning to her lips. "Preparations on the Cleveland are almost complete. With good weather and good tides like these we should be in the Pacific by nightfall. It seems that Neptune himself blesses your crossing."
"Well I'd be all the more grateful if we keep his favour all the way up to San Diego." I wished.
"Well, we won't cross the equator, but for his favour you could pour some rum overboard." Warspite smirked, scratching her chin. "But we will need to prepare for eventually coming across storms. The Pacific is a large and warm ocean, making it rife with all manner of weather systems. Nothing like the relative cold calm of the middle Atlantic."
"Been there before?" I asked with curiosity.
"A long time ago, back in my early years. I think it's only Hood and I who have had the fortune to sail all seven of the seas." She took a deep breath and her smile deepened as she recalled her ship's memories. "Oh how the sailors back then would put these to shame. Those boys knew how to sail with their eyes closed, you youngun's nowadays don't even know you're born."
I couldn't help but smile at her ramblings, her tone matching that of old women sitting beside a fire knitting blankets for their grandchildren while complaining about the youth of the day. It was a good reminder of just how old she was. Not like I would voice this out loud.
"I'll try to hold myself to their standards." I said reassuringly.
Warspite gave a short nod and adjusted her long scarf as it swayed with her hair in the gentle wind. "My criticisms were not entirely directed at thee. For one you seem to be the only human around with a somewhat decent head upon his shoulders."
Our conversation was cut short by the sounds of something splashing on the water below us, shortly followed by gentle footfalls landing on the deck.
Hood approached, radiant no matter the time or place, though in this moment the sun seemed to shine off her golden blonde hair and polished rigging in a way that caused all the words in a man's mouth to become jumbled, and regressing their mental state to that of a teenager speaking to a woman for the first time. I was hardly different.
"'Tis a fine day for sailing, Commander." She placed a hand upon her chest and curtseyed, even the turrets on her rigging dipped during her show of fealty.
"T-that it is." Was all I was able to muster in my awestruck state. Prompting a sly smile to appear on the battlecrusier's face.
"My, you look as red as a rose, I hope you haven't been spending too much time in the oppressive heat." Hood brought a hand to her mouth melodramatically. "We can't be having our dear leader bedridden with sunstroke at this moment in time."
"I'm fine Hood." I recomposed myself. I wouldn't even try to tease her back, knowing it would be a battle I would undoubtedly lose.
I turned my gaze back to Warspite to find her staring unamusedly, arms folded sternly across her chest. The sight of the small battleship standing there trying her hardest to hide her jealousy at the sheer contrast between the two women was dreadfully cute, and a relief to see that even with everything going on there was still time for the more mundane worries and problems.
"Are you two about done? We are on a tight schedule, and her majesty requires my presence." The dreadnought spoke coldly.
"Quite." Hood walked over to my side. "And while I enjoy our little gossip, I really should be getting our dear Commander over to miss Cleveland's ship."
"Off with you then." Warspite casually waved an arm. "I'm going to sail my ship back out to screen the fleet. While I will not disrespect Zuikaku by implying her aircraft are ineffective, it will give me peace of mind observing things with my own eyes and sensors."
Her normal tone steadily returned. I knew that for Warspite and her sister the subject of their smaller size was a harsh one that was best avoided if you enjoyed living. But unlike her older sister, Warspite tended to hide it better.
With the exchange finished I soon found myself in the unusual uncomfortable position of being carried by Hood.
"You two seem to get along well." She broke the silence as we sailed towards the cruiser.
I shrugged as best as I could while in her grip. "We spent a fair few long sleepless nights on her bridge while crossing the Atlantic. I think we were both rather shaken up by our encounter with that Siren." A chill ran down my spine as I recalled the memory, which I promptly bottled up. "But I don't think I get along with her any more than any of you. I try to spend time with everyone and there isn't a soul in the fleet who Warspite doesn't get along with."
"I concur, for I have been rather observant." Her deep azure eyes shifted downward and looked at me with sincerity. "I have only seen Warspite cast off her usual serious edge around you. There's always this underlying feeling she's ready to spring into action at the drop of a pin when it's just us girls. And as for you, there's only two girls in this fleet that you seem to fully relax with when in the presence of."
"I… really don't know what to say about that." I stumbled upon my own words in response to the observation. I just knew I was embarrassed, and that I didn't want to be stuck in her grasp.
Hood giggled. "When it comes to machines I'm sure you could navigate around anything blindfolded, yet it seems when it comes to matters of the fairer sex you seem to be denser than my armour." Hood turned her head away and spoke in a tone that made it hard to hear. "From what I guess it shouldn't be too long now."
"Huh?"
"Until we arrive at our destination." She replied promptly. "The Cleveland draws near."
I twisted my head to the left, and saw the Union Cruiser weighed anchor near the entrance to the canal steadily growing in size. Hood jumped with little effort from her part up onto the deck, landing us near the prow.
The ship's owner soon came out from a door in the superstructure and waved us over.
"Interesting looking ship." I noted as we walked, trying my hardest to hide my curiosity and excitement at getting to see both how Union ships are made and how cruisers specifically are laid out.
"Definitely a high contrast to how mine and her Majesty's ships were designed. Our plans were laid out long before the threat of aircraft to ships was even thought of as a possibility. Makes it easy to rest at night knowing her guns are helping to keep the sky clear."
"Feast your eyes upon the apex of cruiser design." Cleveland boasted with a wave as we came close. Seemingly hearing our discussion. "Be it land, air or sea. There's nothing my cannons can't reach."
"What about sub-surface targets?" Hood asked playfully.
"Eh." She shrugged. "That's what destroyers are for."
It was rather jarring to see the cruiser in such a light hearted mood. I knew she had been steadily getting better over the last few days, so I was happy to see her with a smile on her face. But part of me couldn't help but worry, as always.
"I see." Hood said she went to continue speaking but stopped with a slight twitch of her eye as she brought a hand close to her ear. A few seconds passed until she finally spoke. "Yes. I will see to it right away, your Majesty."
"Needed elsewhere?" I asked.
"Unfortunately so. Her Majesty is requesting assistance with organising the merchant fleet." Hood nodded with an apologetic bow. "While her plans are thoroughly thought out and all are in agreement, getting the gears in motion is proving difficult."
"Go and do what you can." I nodded. "And remind her Majesty she has my full authority to direct the fleet as she sees fit. Tell any captain that gets uppity I'm more than happy to remove him from the roster of ships under our charge. I want all the girls to be squared away on the Cleveland before we enter the canal."
Having all the girls spread out throughout the fleet was rather unnerving, and while it was normal for them to be on their own ships out at sea, I couldn't help but worry.
"I will see it done, Commander." Hood turned to face Cleveland and bowed once again. "My apologies, but I will have to delay my enjoyment of your hospitality until this situation is resolved. Do know that my initial opinion is that this is one lovely ship, both in design and construction."
"Uh, thanks. It's no biggie." Cleveland replied uncomfortably.
Hood smiled placidly before turning and gracefully leaping from the deck, and soon began gliding across the water towards where she was needed.
"She really has a funny way of speaking." Cleveland noted, bringing my attention back to the cherry blond haired cruiser. "All you Brits seem to, sometimes it's like you're speaking a whole different language."
"I'll let you in on a secret, we only do it to confuse you. Back home we just speak normally to one another." I teased.
The Cruiser giggled. "Ahh, somehow I don't doubt that."
We shared a laugh that helped break any would-be tension. But a pressing concern grew in my mind. "I know you said it was fine when we were planning this but are you alright with me being here? On your ship I mean, I don't want you to feel uncomfortable or anything."
The reason for us using her ship to cross the canal instead of using another was due to the special circumstances involving her having both her own and Montpelier's rigging, something that she had noted as being rather uncomfortable to hold within herself at the same time.
"I won't lie, I am a bit worried." Her upbeat mood receded. "But I need to keep making these small steps otherwise I'm no use to nobody. I trust you James. And it was my idea to begin with anyway. We can save resources by only having one ship cross the canal. A penny saved is a penny earned."
"Right, well don't hesitate to let me know if it becomes too much. I can just spend the time on the Ocean Bird. I have already promised Sullivan that I'd help him fix their radar so it really wouldn't be a problem."
"Nah, don't worry about it. If I can't handle just one human being on my ship, then what good am I?" Cleveland leaned back to rest herself against the superstructure of her ship. "And boy what a boat you're on. Four main boilers that can push this boat to an easy thirty two knots, a radar set so advanced you could count the feathers on a seagull's wing five miles out, six dual five inch cannons mounted on fast-track turrets to deal with both sea and air targets."
I felt a deep rumbling through the deck as the ship's four main cannons started to traverse to port. "And finally four main turrets with three six inch cannons each. I easily can slam a shell out of em every six seconds. Trust me." I felt her leg gently kick against mine, pulling me back to the prideful cruiser to see her give me a smug wink. "A full salvo from these bad boys will make any girl weak in the knees. So just let me know if you need a demonstration."
"I'll keep it in mind." Cleveland's tomboyish attitude was a jarring difference compared to what I was used to from the other members of the fleet. It was a bit of a relief in all honesty, even though I had a feeling the confident demeanour she was showing was just a mask to hide what she was truly feeling. It was an act I was all too used to.
I recalled the Cleveland Warspite and I had met from that other… timeline? World? Reality? Her personality was similar to the one shown to me now. Did that world's Cleveland go through similar trauma?
The distinct sound of a certain carrier's sandals landing on the deck made both Cleveland and I jump slightly. We found Zuikaku carrying a large wooden crate above her head.
"Ah, Shikikan, Cleveland-san." The Sakura carrier promptly placed the crate down and bowed. "I would like to report that my aircraft have good visibility and have found no hostile forces within their search radius today."
I don't think I will ever get used to the girls bowing to me. "Glad to hear it. Keep up the good work but don't wear yourself out."
She nodded enthusiastically. Out of all of them, it was obvious Zuikaku was the most excited to cross the canal and enter the Pacific. She then shifted her focus to Cleveland.
"I have been tasked with delivering some provisions for your stores." Zuikaku tapped on the crate. "Its contents are mostly perishable goods but if kept properly they should last over a week. I was informed by Queen Elizabeth that while the crossing shouldn't be any longer than a day, it pays to be prepared."
To my surprise Cleveland looked rather nervous in Zuikaku's presence. She idly fidgeted with her hands and struggled to meet the carrier's gaze. "G-good to know. I'll get them down into the stores shortly. "
Happy with Cleveland's reply, Zuikaku nodded and returned her attention to me. "All is good then. Shikikan, is there anything you currently require of me? I am currently as I believe you would say up in my ears with tasks, but I can put them aside if needed."
I tried my hardest to hide my amusement. "It's 'up to your ears'. And no, if I have any need of you I'll be sure to request your presence."
"Understood." With another bow to both me and Cleveland, Zuikaku vaulted over the railing and like Hood made her way back towards the convoy.
A long sigh left Cleveland's lips, who watched the carrier sail away with… relief and disappointment. Warspite had told me the two have spent a good amount of time together recently, I was glad to hear she was getting out of her shell and making friends.
"What's up?" I asked, breaking the cruiser from her stupor.
Her face went a beet red. "Uh well, you know… the sky, obviously." She half chucked at her own lame joke.
"Help me grab that crate and lug it inside, we'll drop it off in the cold store and then I'll show ya to my bridge." She recomposed herself. "If you think the outside looks good, then the interior is gonna blow your socks off."
It was a testament to Queen Elizabeth's organisational skills at how the convoy began the crossing: All the ships and relative crews worked in tandem like a well oiled machine. Reports from both Zuikaku's planes and the word of the captains showed that the ships were entering one by one with minimal complications. There would be a pause in the flow of ships when the tides went out, as that would make some parts of the crossing too shallow to risk it but by Elizabeth's own calculations the fleet should be ready to start the northward journey by late afternoon tomorrow.
I looked up from the neatly written report U-556 had delivered to me and looked over to my side. Zuikaku remained a few paces away, diligently standing guard as she had put it, one hand firmly rested on her sword as she stood with her eyes seemingly closed, though in the unlikely event that some would be attacker was even able to get past Cleveland's detection they would soon realise the she was more than ready to act. I had known at the time she approached there was no arguing with her and even if I had been able to send her away, Warspite would soon take her place, so at least I could stand outside on the ships deck with Zuikaku around, lest Warspite would probably have me holed up inside to avoid me getting tied up in someone else's problems.
Smiling at the thought, I rested my arms against the ship's railing and resumed Idly watching the terrain pass by as we moved. After weeks of seeing nothing but the ocean with the occasional oppressive view of concrete and steel, it was a welcome relief to see the dense forests and wide open greenery. There were so many new animals and birds, some I had only ever seen sketches of in books. but most I looked upon I had never seen before.
I heard the sound of a nearby door opening followed by the sound of someone approaching. I tried to guess who the steps belonged to, but was unsuccessful by the time she spoke.
The haughty but dignified tone of Elizabeth spoke to me. "One sees thou hast perused through one's report, good. By Miss Cleveland's timing we should have finished the crossing within an hour."
"Surely you didn't come over just to tell me that?" I replied while turning around to face the queen, resting my back against the railing.
"Quite so. There are some things one would like to discuss with thee." The queen's eyes shifted to my diligent guard. "In private."
Zuikaku finally broke her statue-like stance and tilted her head down to look at the Dreadnought. "I am ensuring no harm befalls our Shikikan, there is no room for this ship to manoeuvre in these waters and danger could strike from land at any time."
Despite Elizabeth's smaller stature she had the unique skill of holding herself in a way that seemed to diminish the difference in height of whom she spoke to. She placed a hand on her chest with a haughty smirk. "Thy stewardship is unnecessary, one is more than capable of dealing with any ruffians. if any danger occurs one will stand in the way of any who threatens James' life."
The carrier's head tilted to one side as her eyes travelled up to look at the top of the queen's head. "Are you planning on asking the Shikikan to kneel down?"
Elizabeth's eye twitched. She raised her nose and pointed towards the rigging attached Zuikaku's hip with a cute grumble. "How uncouth! How dost thou plan on protecting James with such a diminutive deck?"
Zuikaku looked off to one side while bringing up a hand to half cover her mouth. "Well, if you want to bring decks into the discussion I could point out one for you."
It took the queen far too long to connect the pieces, but I knew she had figured it out when her face turned a bright shade of red. She angrily stomped at the deck and stumbled upon her own words, unable to form a rebuttal, but it was clear she was about to blow a gasket. Unlike her sister she wouldn't—couldn't—take comments about her small chest on the chin.
"There is no need to worry, Zuikaku." I stepped in. "Her Majesty is the lead ship of her class and more than capable of protecting me. I trust all you girls with my life, I will be fine."
Zuikaku's glare didn't inspire much confidence, so I decided to redouble.
"I plan on making for the Ocean Bird once the Cleveland clears the canal as their radar is having problems. You're more than welcome to come along."
Zuikaku looked at me for a moment, then to the grumbling queen standing behind me, eventually her body relaxed and she nodded. "Hai Shikikan. I will be ready to depart at a moment's notice, and I will prepare your tools as well." After a quick bow she promptly retreated to within the ship.
I would've let a sigh escape my lips there, if it weren't for the fact that I still had company.
"The nerve of today's youth, in my day the young knew to respect their elders." Elizabeth grumbled with a pouted face and her arms folded.
"Well I'm younger than all of you. So I guess that means I don't respect any of you?" I said with a grin.
Her expression softened into a smile, the insult quickly forgotten. "Nay, thoust are an exception. Come." She pointed to the railing. "A conversation is far better with a good view."
We both scooted over, the tiny Queen standing by my side watching the terrain move by.
"So what is it you want to talk to me about?"
She enjoyed the view a moment longer before responding. "Despite what thou may believe of thyself, thou hast led this fleet through its trials and tribulations rather well."
She raised a finger before I retorted.
"Most who would find themselves in your situation would have found their resolve to be lacking. Any man can lead through victory, it takes a true leader to make the best of defeat."
"Sorry, I have a hard time feeling I've been victorious, if at all." I said dejectedly.
"Not the point, James. Thy perseverance in the face of adversity is what thou must pay attention to."
"Even if it means losing?"
Elizabeth gave me a curious look. "Dost thou feel defeated?"
Elizabeth let her words settle in my mind for a moment, the only sounds being that of the ship, the wind and the wildlife around us. She continued eventually. "However, that is not the reason I have sought you out. I just believed you required reminding that while you still have much to learn, you are on the right path." She removed the crown that adorned her head and offered it to me. "I wished to show you this."
Taking the offered crown I carefully studded the headpiece. "What about it did you want me to see?"
"Along the rim. Should be easy to find." Elizabeth moved closer and used her hand to guide mine until I found what she wanted me to see.
"A dent?" I could see and feel a slight dent in the metal, an imperfection that stood out against the smooth golden finish the rest of the crown had. It had probably happened when she had thrown it at me when I had sought her out after Warspite had been gravely wounded. The look of fear and desperation on the small monarch's face coupled with the bloody mess of Warpsite's body still haunts me.
"Yes, one has no doubt thou know'st where it is from." She tilted her head forward. I was unable to resist patting her soft bed of golden hair and I placed the item back in its rightful position.
"My words still hold." She said solemnly. "I would give anything to have my Warspite returned to me, and I still mean it to this day. If ever there was a need for it I would gladly give up everything, be it my ship, or my very life if it meant I could save her from being taken from me." She paused, her hands running idly along the steel railing. "You know how much she means to me, and how much I need you to help her."
"Is something wrong?" I quickly said standing up straight.
The dreadnought smiled and gestured for me to relax. "Nothing dire at the moment. It's just… over the last few days and weeks she's started to become somewhat withdrawn and reclusive. Along that she seems to be having troubled sleep, constantly moving about and murmuring to herself. I know of her reservations towards humans and understand why she feels that way, but something within me tells me this is something else. I've been with her the longest and for me it's clear to see how much her mood has changed.
I mulled over her words for a moment. Despite her recent mood, she seemed to me to be the same old bright, diligent and wise Warspite I had grown accustomed to. "Maybe she's just worried about Sirens? We are about to enter an entirely new ocean after all."
The moment we had at the chapel did come to mind, though…
"I would have figured as much too, had it not been for times when I've seen her fiddle with her hair or stare into her tea until it starts to go cold, both times with a warm smile plastered across her face." Elizabeth chuckled slightly. "I confided my worries to Hood, and she replied that she's come to her about matters of perfume and how to act more ladylike. Hood then deemed that this is a matter that can be resolved with the help of you."
"Why me? You're her sister, there's nobody on this planet that can be closer to her than you."
"That may be the problem." She levelled out her palm between the two of us. "Some things can only be discussed between a bond that isn't by blood, I cannot confide some of my problems to her. I know it would make her worry for me and could be a distraction in times of peril. But I can easily seek your ear as you've seen a side of me I had once wished nobody would. It may sound counterintuitive, but sometimes, the heart is what it is."
"Right." I signed, understanding what she meant. "I don't have any siblings and my family is rather sparse so I grew up mostly keeping to myself. What is it you wish me to do?"
"I know there's nothing you wouldn't do for us, but for now, not much." She brought a hand up and gave me a gentle pat on the shoulder. "I don't believe even Warspite fully understands what she is struggling with. But you two are close, I believe once she figures herself out she will come find you. Just continue to be the good friend you are. Stand by her."
"I will… Your Majesty." I smiled as I spoke the latter half, hoping to banish the growing sour mood.
"As any servant of mine should." her hand moved to gently tug at my collar, getting the message I leaned down to receive the gentle peck on my cheek. "Now, away with you. There are still many duties to be done and the day is no longer young. And thank you James, for giving your time to listen to this old Queen's troubles."
"Any time, Elizabeth." I said with a wink. Receiving a smile and a blush for my words.
(A/N)
First chapter of the year is all done and dusted, and we're about to take the first step in the next part of the story as James and his crew venture into the wide expanses of the Pacific.
As Always, thanks for reading.