Chapter 18: War Preparations

"Now isn't that interesting~!"

Purifier leaned further into her rigging's embrace, observing the recording of the battle near the human's San fran-whatever city as the much larger fleet was picked apart and summarily demolished by the shipgirls of Azur Lane, only minor damage inflicted on the carrier in kind which would probably be repaired in just a day or less at the docks.

"And that's assuming the ships themselves don't have some kind of repair protocol already primed and ready to go. Hmm...questions questions questions."

The Siren affixed her pale yellow eyes to the reams of technical data provided along with the actual recordings themselves...and groaned in distaste, kicking her legs in frustration at the expansive sets of information.

"That stuff is so boring! Dammit, can't I just go and fight Azur Lane like a normal girl? That's be so much more entertaining than all of this research crap-"

"Are you performing your duty as I requested, Purifier?"

Instantly sitting straight at the smooth and controlled tones of Empress III as the elegant Siren strode into the large auditorium they used as a war room - whenever they actually bothered to meet together, that is - the slimmer girl chirped, "Yup! Just studying up on some last minute data provided to us, that's all~!"

"Oh? And is that why I could hear you complaining from outside the room?"

Sheepishly rubbing the back of her head the chipper Siren replied, "You heard that, huh?"

Silken arms draped themselves over her shoulders, the soft bust of Purifier's leader enveloping her head as the girl squirmed with mostly delight but also slight trepidation...Empress III could be quite the strict disciplinarian, even in private where she tended to be more affectionate and relaxed.

"It would have been a more impressive feat not to have heard you. I see that Observer Zero's scheme has continued to bear fruit, Azur Lane now has technology that almost matches that of the pinnacle of our progenitors."

The slimmer Siren snorted, responding, "Yeah, but they're all so new to it I can't imagine they know how to make proper use of the things, boss lady."

Purifier gave off a sharp moan as Empress III slipped a hand beneath her skimpy shirt, tweaking a pale nub atop her chest with an admonishing motion as she warned, "Perhaps. But do not forget that Azur Lane has spent more than a human decade fighting and bleeding in a protracted war in which they were at a massive technological disadvantage. What they might lack in technical expertise they more than make up for in combat experience. Even we, for all of our repeated trials and scenarios, have not once engaged in such a protracted and lopsided conflict. I would feel utmost confidence in saying they may actually offer a challenge this time around."

The Siren leader's anticipation leaked into Purifier, the girl practically squirming as she imagined the coming battle, pumped up even more by the words of her sovereign.

"I've changed my mind, Purifier. Take three-fourths of our total forces and the remaining eight Wisdom Cubes we possess, use them as you see fit and put to task Azur Lane and Observer Zero's prized creation."

A soft kiss on Purifier's neck and Empress III was striding from the room, excited smile playing across her flawless lips as she proclaimed, "They shall now face odds not even humanity of the future faced...let us see if they can overcome it."

Kawakaze awoke feeling the most rested she had in what was without a doubt years.

The sun beat down on her with a muted intensity as clouds drifted across its path, the body she laid against was neither too hot nor too cold - like an unlaid in futon - and had a hand comfortingly placed across her hip, all while her head buzzed with a pleasant contendness.

For a moment she imagined herself back on the mainland, the imperial veranda open to the elements as she took an afternoon nap with her sisters, winds gently caressing her body as a rare moment of peace and quiet let her believe that everything since ten years ago had just been a distant nightmare.

…

As if she would ever allow herself such delusion for long. But it was a nice fantasy, for whatever period it lasted.

The cries of seagulls prompted her to peel her eyes open, pupils quickly adjusting to the morning light as she saw a sliver of sky and expanse of pale, muscled skin, the occasional bit of midnight machinery or other such addition adorning it.

"...Ah. I fell asleep atop of Alexander. So that means his hand is…"

The shipgirl felt a strange kind of heat course through her body as she realized his palm was what was providing such comfort, gently pushing her against his much larger form.

The Sakura destroyer let her gaze drift downwards, examining the man's hand in greater detail, inwardly marveling at how it managed to completely cover her flank. Hesitantly reaching outwards the tips of her fingers caressed the cool skin of his, the shipgirl unable to help but wonder if all of the implants and machinery he had placed over his body hurt or felt uncomfortable. Where the knuckles of a normal human or shipgirl would be was instead metallic protuberances that were smooth to the touch but nowhere near what could be considered normal for one of their species...and she was not even close to sure how he moved so fluidly when his spinal column was a spindly mess of carapace and shifting metal.

"Good morning to you, Kawakaze. Sleep well?"

Her arm darted back as if burned, the soft but deep tones of the male causing her to jump in shock before she met his golden gaze, unsure of what to say or do when she had been seen carrying out such an intimate reaction while asleep.

But all of those concerns seemed to melt away as his hand removed itself from her hip, tenderly massaging her scalp between the shipgirl's pointed ears as she felt herself immediately relax, tail slowly wagging with undisguised delight as she murmured, "T-that...such decadence is unbecoming of one such as I."

"How so?"

"...I am a tool. A weapon. Should a weapon feel as I do right now, safe and loved? Like an actual person?"

Kawakaze pulled herself deeper into his side with strength that was less intimate and more desperate in nature.

"Why should I feel this way when so many of my sisters, so many others of Sakura origin were not given the opportunity, despite the fact that we were born to protect them?"

"Doth thou think the many sisters of Azur Lane - both living and dead - would begrudge thee happiness, Kawakaze?"

Her eyes rolled upwards, meeting the sleepy crimson of Vampire as her fellow destroyer slowly awoke, still curled up atop of Alexander's chest.

"It's not...I just don't understand why it was me-"

"Hey, if we're going to go down that particular route we might as well wonder why it was some random dockworker that got saddled with the most powerful technology this side of the planet instead of one of the special forces guys that had actual military training...don't shut yourself off just because the world threw the cosmic dice and it ended up being your lucky day, Kawakaze."

"While put rather bluntly...my liege makes a valid point, do not lament and torture yourself over the loss of what can never be reversed, sister."

Warspite raised herself into a sitting position, meeting the unsure expression of the Sakura as she sadly intoned, "We have all lost sisters and comrades...we have no desire to see one that survived so much waste away by her own hand."

The silver-haired destroyer met the trio's gaze, shut her eyes as her emotions warred with themselves-

-and abruptly stood, feeling more internal turmoil than she'd felt in years as she offered a stiff bow, mumbling, "I shall return at a later time," before striding away, leaping over the edge of the Bakunawa without a backwards glance, Alexander making to go after her with a clear look of concern only to be stopped by Warspite as the battleship regretfully stated, "This isn't a matter that can be solved by a few words and mornings of comfort and camaraderie. Let her work through her trials by herself, my liege."

Huffing out a breath of agitation the male Siren rubbed his temples, wincing at the emotional unease and chaos that Kawakaze was emitting through the bond they all shared now.

"I know, but...she seemed happier last night, I was hoping that it would remain that way."

Vampire nuzzled deeper into his lap as he rose to a sitting position, the ruby-eyed shipgirl reassuring him with, "And such cheer was not false, sister Kawakaze hath experienced bliss and happiness once more and we shall always be there to provide it."

Huffing out a breath the male closed his eyes, resigning himself to following the advice of those who had been around the Sakura destroyer longer than he had, grumbling, "I just feel lousy, letting her run off like that after last night and everything you three did for me."

Warspite hesitated for a moment before slowly leaning her much smaller body against the young man's, stating, "Worry not, continue to watch and care for her as you have done and she will pull through."

"And thou hath no need to rise up so early in the morning, much of Azur Lane will still be recuperating...a few minutes longer like this shall be most appreciated…"

Seeming unwilling to face the day just yet Vampire let her eyes drift closed, pulling his arm around her lithe form like some kind of blanket, the young man acutely aware of her flat and trim stomach pressing into his palm as his other appendage encircled Warspite, the blonde not protesting as he allowed himself to relax minutely.

"Well, you won't see me complaining, that's for sure."

For a time the three continued to doze like that, the sun gradually arcing over the horizon and illuminating the gradually awakening base of Azur Lane.

"This isn't right...it shouldn't be me, they shouldn't care so much when I didn't deserve to be the one who survived."

Kawakaze aimlessly stalked through the throngs of personnel cleaning up after last night's party, not conscious enough of her actions to respond to greetings and waves, only focusing enough to avoid collision and nothing else.

"But...would it not hurt them if I rebuffed their care and concern? Would I not cause my sisters and Alexander pain were I to return to how I was, to insist on being nothing more than a machine?"

An uncharacteristic sigh left the destroyer, at a complete loss of what to do or think for the first time in years.

"Oh, morning, Byakko!"

A tone familiar enough to snap her out of her fugue state caused the destroyer to glance to the side, mild relief coursing through her veins as it was none other than Ichika approaching her, one of the servicemen who had sailed aboard her vessel before it was discovered shipgirls functioned best on their own, or with the bare minimum of crew to handle repairs or fire-fighting duties. A lanky male in his late twenties or early thirties he had always shared a kinship with her, both of them not much for talk and being the stoic types, the man having lost his entire family early in the war and joining the military as a means of revenge against the Sirens.

…

So why was he approaching her now, a never before seen smile on his face and small girl at his side?

"Is...is that his-"

"Yukina, say hello to Kawakaze, she's the one who often saved papa from the cruel and evil Sirens."

The little human - who couldn't have been older than four - stared up at Kawakaze (although not by much) in awe, tugging on Ichika's sleeve as she whispered, "Is, is she the-"

"Yes, she is one of the shipgirls fighting the Sirens and keeping us all safe. Now don't be rude and remember your manners."

Kawakaze could only stare as the little human jumped, hurriedly bowing as she stated, "I-it's a pleasure to meet you, miss Kawakaze! Papa is always talking about how brave and heroic you are!"

The destroyer dumbly blinked, Ichika rubbing his chin in embarrassment as he said, "You aren't supposed to say that out loud, Yukina."

Eyes widening in mortification the girl made to reply-

-and Kawakaze bluntly interrupted with, "Is she...is she your daughter? I thought your family was…"

Some of the light dimmed from the man's eyes - causing the shipgirl to internally wince at her poor wording - as the Sakura crewman gently prodded his daughter, stating, "Yukina, why don't you go play with your friends for a moment? Byakko and I need to talk about work, you can say goodbye to her before we have to leave, alright?"

While clearly displeased by that sudden paradigm shift the girl nodded all the same, wordlessly running off towards a collection of other children frolicking through some of the gathered stage equipment, all from different factions and nationalities.

"...My apologies, I did not mean to bring up old wounds-"

"It's fine, Byakko. You were never one to deliberately hurt others, just blunt to the point of obstinance."

Ears flicking in mild chastisement the Sakura awkwardly inquired, "I did not know your daughter survived."

"I did not know either, until we arrived back at Azur Lane two years prior. She had made it on one of the few ships that escaped the Siren's attention, bunking with the other refugees until I was notified of her survival. Only she survived, but…"

That unfamiliar but no less potent smile once more appeared on his features, tone light as he added, "It was enough, knowing my little Yukina had made it. Enough to keep fighting for the right reason."

Kawakaze hesitantly nodded, staring off into the distance as the children continued to play. While Azur Lane was technically a military base - a highly secure one at that, where much classified research took place - it was simply a fact of life that the families and displaced people's of the world ended up on its shores...while most were offered what aid could be given and then set sail for the Eagle Union and the sprawling refugee settlements located therewithin families of Azur Lane staff were typically allowed to stay, since it boosted morale in a time where morale was a more precious resource than guns and fuel.

...And there were plenty of vacancies to be found in the shipgirl dorms, space wasn't much of an issue.

"Byakko? You all right there?"

Shaking herself free of her thoughts at the familiar nickname the destroyer shifted uneasily, at a complete loss of how to articulate her thoughts...and sagged, quietly asking, "Is it alright? For one's such as ourselves to live when so many others have fallen?"

Ichika immediately understood what she was asking, gazing off to where his daughter was climbing a stack of chairs, a few other kids cheering as she pulled off the relatively dangerous stunt.

"For a long time I thought and felt like you. That my life was only best served as a shield and sword against our foes, that my final purpose would be to die in battle."

He chuckled as the girl swayed dangerously before falling heavily into the soft sands below, a determined scowl on her face as she went right back to trying to scale the artificial mountain.

"I can't die so cheaply when my little Yukina still has need of my presence, when I am all she has left."

He gave the shipgirl a pointed stare.

"Do not think your sisters and fellows soldiers would so easily accept your passing, Byakko."

The destroyer blushed slightly as he ruffled the space between her ears, the male stating, "Unfortunately school and then duty calls, we shall have to speak another time, Byakko. Stay safe, and thank you for showing us that we can win."

A deep bow was sent the destroyer's way which she hastily returned, left standing aimlessly amidst the center of activity as her mind raced a mile a minute, playing Ichika's words over in her head.

"I...am I allowed to be happy?"

Shaking her head to clear it the Sakura shipgirl continued on her way...the faintest stirrings of warmth from the embrace she had been a part of earlier in the morning causing her tail to wag side-to-side.

"Would you prefer refreshments this morning, master Alexander? Or perhaps something more solid to sate your appetite?"

Alexander blinked as Belfast calmly stood before the entrance to the Bakunawa's command room, demure smile on her lips as he asked, "How long have you been waiting there?"

"Oh I have not been waiting long at all, master Alexander. I merely assumed that this would be the opportune time to await any orders you may have after the celebrations of last night."

A mildly more playful expression adorned her flawless lips.

"After all, it did not escape my notice that lady Warspite, Vampire and Kawakaze all spent the night at your side. I would know, after they 'conveniently' found a collection of baskets and such supplies at the ready."

The towering Siren blinked at the maid's words, eventually saying, "You're actually kind of scary, Belfast."

The shipgirl offered a brief curtsy.

"It is the duty of a maid to know all that can and may transpire, master Alexander. And that includes the nightly escapades of her sisters, should such a scenario arise."

"When you say it like that it sounds way more raunchy than it actually was, Belfast."

Alexander could have sworn he saw an amused glint in the shipgirl's bright blue eyes.

"Oh my, but a great many things can occur before the actual act of physical intimacy, can it not?"

Responding to her smirk with one of his own the Siren replied, "I would think to ask you and Enterprise that, Belfast. Is that a bite mark on your neck I see?"

There was the briefest of silent twitches from the seemingly eternally composed shipgirl, her response smooth and without pause as she stated, "I would never prescribe to such overly apparent acts of intimacy with-"

"Save it, I know about you and Enterprise being a thing. And to answer the question before it's asked, no, I don't care if you're with a woman instead of a man. If there's one socially unacceptable thing I refuse to acknowledge it isn't if someone wants to woo a person with the same dangly bits, it's the Sakura's bizarre obsession with sitting on their knees. Most uncomfortable shit in the world."

Belfast blinked, caught off guard by the man's irreverent words as he slipped past her into the command room...and softly chuckled, shaking her head as she followed after him, a step behind his left shoulder.

"Do not let lady Nagato hear you speak so bluntly of her culture. While possessing quite the infinite amount of patience she - much like you proclaimed yourself to be - has a few things she will argue to the death upon."

Snorting to himself Alexander replied, "Then I'll watch myself around her, she's been one of the few to wholeheartedly get behind my odd position in Azur Lane, I'd much prefer it if she remained as my fairy godmother."

"I do think she would be rather delighted to hear you say so. It is not often - thanks to her small and unimposing stature - that she is so directly thought of as a fierce protector and ruler. Although do not let her hear you or I say such a thing, else we shall face the fairy godmother's matronly ire."

Alexander smiled as he sat himself on the command throne, a mechanical port slotting itself into one of the receptacles on his spinal armor.

"Your secret is safe with me, Belfast. Hell, I'm already holding onto one of Prinz Eugen's, what's one more?"

"Oh? She is quite the experienced gossip, what manner of dark information that shouldn't reach the light of day has she burdened you with?"

Shrugging idly the male Siren replied, "Eh, you kinda already know it. She was the one who told me-"

He snapped his jaw shut, Belfast smirking as she completed his thought with, "About Enterprise and I, correct? My my, what loose lips she has…"

Coughing awkwardly Alexander asked, "Err...don't tell her it was me? She strikes me as the type who will absolutely take revenge in the most humiliating way possible."

The maid put on a show of thinking about it, bringing a finger to her lips...and promptly offering a wink.

"Oh very well, I suppose it is only fair that we hold one of each other's secrets in close confidence, master Alexander."

"Much appreciated."

"Shall I inform lady Warspite, Vampire and Kawakaze that you are close enough to share secrets aplenty with our dear Ironblood mistress but not them?"

Offering the amused shipgirl a dull stare the male Siren responded, "I think I'll take that refreshment now, if it's all the same to you."

"But of course, master Alexander."

Her fun obviously had the woman departed to some unknown location that the young man wasn't even going to try finding, no doubt where she had stashed any number of tools related to her duty as a seemingly supernatural maid.

"So is teasing something that comes naturally to pale-haired shipgirls? Nah, Enterprise and Shoukaku seem pretty down to earth…"

Before that train of thought could complete the maid was back, tray of perfectly balanced breakfast held in her hands as Alexander found his eye wandering to the links of metal gently swaying between her generous cleavage.

"...Seriously though, what the hell is up with the metal collar? Some kind of statement about her status as a servant?"

"While I am perfectly flattered and did indeed offer to help you alleviate stress and exhaustion through more amorous means I must remind you that at this point I am a taken woman, master Alexander."

Rolling his eyes at the woman's statement he asked, "If I inquired after the metal collar would you actually tell me?"

Another one of those damnable smiles of hers.

"A lady is at her finest when some parts of her remain a secret."

"Fucking called it. Thanks anyway, Belfast. It looks great."

Accepting the tray of bread, fruit and eggs he took a hearty bite, sighing in contentment at the excellent taste-

"You spoke with lady Aurora and Hipper not too long ago, did you not? When lady Warspite and the rest were returning from their engagement with the Sirens?"

-and almost spat out a mouthful of orange juice as he met Belfast's perfectly neutral expression with his best attempt at a poker face.

"I did. What about it?"

They stared each other down for several seconds...and the Royal Navy shipgirl's features softened, eyes closed as she deeply bowed, stating, "I offer you my most humble thanks for what you did, master Alexander. We often try to alleviate Aurora's fears and anxieties regarding her roses, to convince Hipper that we understood that her harsh words came from a place of love and concern...but I don't think they truly believed it until you yourself told them."

The male blinked, caught off guard by the admission...and felt his lips quirk in a wry smile.

"It's very much a human thing to not listen to the advice of those closest to us, despite the fact that they likely know us better than any stranger could hope to. And while your thanks are appreciated, Belfast…"

He sighed, letting his head hit the back of his command throne.

"There's a lot more I wish I could do for all of you. For all of Azure Lane."

"One might argue that if you could do more we would have to begin referring to you as a deity."

Soft hands placed themselves on his arm, the male meeting Belfast's sympathetic but steadfast eyes.

"You have gifted us more than you seem willing to recognize. And I refer not just to your technology and weapons, the things that any salvage operation on a derelict Siren vessel might have given to us with enough time...no, I refer to the human side of you."

Alexander found himself nailed in place by the force of the maid's intense expression.

"The human side that has cared and empathized with us, that has gone out of his way to assure that we are of both healthy body and soul. You say you wish you could do more...but we shipgirls would unanimously agree that you have already done more than enough."

Silence grew between the two that was eventually broken by Alexander heaving out a sigh.

"Well shit. Now I'm kind of jealous Enterprise already claimed you as her girlfriend, I would have asked you out on a date right here and now."

Unleashing a bout of tinkling laughter the maid playfully replied, "While my heart has been seized and claimed by a rather dour and overly serious Eagle Union woman...perhaps if I word such a request in the proper manner she may agree to share our more intimate passions with you as well?"

Alexander blinked several times in rapid succession, eventually stating, "I think we should end this conversation now, before I get way too distracted with runaway daydreams to get anything done over here."

"As you wish, master Alexander. What is on your itinerary for today, if I may ask and offer myself to be of service?"

"Well I know everyone else wanted to also receive the same upgrades I performed on the rest of the shipgirls, so first I'm going to have to get in contact with the Commander and create a list of who's going first and how long each will-"

"No need to worry yourself over such administrative details, master Alexander. I took the liberty of already speaking with the Commander and unless I am mistaken the first of my sisters wishing to receive a retrofit should be on the approach."

Alexander blinked, letting the Bakunawa's sensors flow through his mind as he directed his attention outside the ship-

-and felt his jaw drop slightly as Lexington was already on approach, carefully maneuvering her carrier so that it could enter the Bakunawa's expansive machine berth, the pink-haired woman waving at him with a cheerful and playful smile, as if she knew he was watching.

Alexander turned to stare at the patiently waiting Belfast.

"I'll reiterate what I said earlier. You are one scary lady, head maid."

"I live to serve, master Alexander."

Shaking his head at the joking tone of her voice he went through the mental process of preparing his ship for a constant stream of activity, eyes closed and mind drifting elsewhere...but not before he said, "I'm not the only one looking after other people's mental well being, Belfast. Thanks, I think I needed to hear what you said."

The cruiser's words were equally serious, tone soft as she replied, "The pleasure was all mine, Alexander."