Chapter 29: Popular Phase

"So, what do you think, nya?"

"It feels...surprisingly good. Rigging, any noticeable errors in the armor's operation?"

[Negative, all parameters and functions performing as intended.]

"Don't you trust my engineering skills, nya?!"

Turning his helmed head towards Akashi - flared sleeves flapping wildly as she waved her arms about in indignation - Alexander blandly replied, "I do. I also have utmost faith in the opportunity for things to go horribly awry."

A frankly adorable mewl of displeasure left the minty kitty as Alexander slowly raised his arms aloft, testing their flexibility and finding it to be much better than he'd thought it would be. Sure, he couldn't wave his limbs about like he used to but armor was armor...even if he wasn't intending on getting into a firefight anytime soon.

"So? Any problems?"

"I thought you said to have faith in your engineering skills?"

"Stop making fun of me, nya!"

Chuckling to himself Alexander took a few tentative steps forward, finding the encasing plates of armor move in perfect tandem with his motions, barely any pressure weighing him down as the negative-feedback system that directly interfaced with all the Siren bullshit he had stuck into his body made it feel like he was adorned in a comfortable pair of sweatpants instead of a high-tech battlesuit.

"Might as well run a few laps and get me some really good data if you're just gonna stand around and joke."

"Somebody woke up on the wrong side of the bed today."

Instead of a snippy comment from the little repair ship all he got was a pink-tinged blush alongside a mumble of, "I wouldn't mind waking up in your bed, just saying…" that had him pretending the helmet's audio pickups hadn't caught it.

He still had no idea where he and Eugen stood and frankly her comments about her sisters also being interested in him were kind of worrying.

He wasn't sure he could handle being intimate with one shipgirl, never mind a bunch of them.

"Each one has such a distinct personality and set of quirks that I'm fairly certain any enterprising suitor would need the patience of a saint and balls of an alpha pimp."

"Alright, beginning run. If the suit suddenly freaks out and starts breaking things it's all your fault."

"Hmph!"

Akashi's lashing tail spoke louder than any words could, Alexander smirking as he eyed the bevy of obstacles they had set up in a haphazard formation through the Bakunawa's interior airstrip, the titanic vessel still under repairs and incapable of moving.

Taking a deep breath he set his legs into motion, the nearly silent hissing of servos and other mechanical bits being overridden by the jury-rigged radio they had set up nearby, tuned into the local news broadcast from the Eagle Union settlements and what remained of the Sakura holdouts.

[-six days until the press conference between Azur Lane representatives and the president of the Eagle Union are to begin and discuss the recent Battle of Azur Lane that saw, if reports from aforementioned organization are to be believed, the destruction of almost three quarters of all currently identified Siren assets. More than 700 ships of all different classes and specifications were met in a running broadside by Azur Lane military forces making use of recently acquired Siren tech and, despite heavy losses from both them and the standard naval elements that arrived to reinforce, managed to defeat the Sirens in a conflict that puts the Miracle at San Francisco Bay to shame.]

Alexander shook his head slightly as he leaped over a ten foot wall, landing somewhat awkwardly but confirming that the armor worked just fine even in a pinch or if the wearer was a bit on the clumsier side.

"I see they're leaving out the part where the Shinsei saved our asses."

[While reports aside from those details have been scarce in coming - no doubt as the forces involved in such a brutal battle regroup and recover - as of yesterday a public hearing was announced where questions from any and all listeners or attendees will be received and answered, The Commander of Azur Lane as well as Empress Nagato, Queen Elizabeth, Admirals Harrison, Elias and an unspecified escort will be in attendance to respond to aforementioned clarifications. This broadcast will be available to the world much like the Miracle at San Francisco Bay was, Azur Lane providing a recording of the proceedings through the same medium that-]

"I'm still not sure about this, in all honesty. Like, I get that the iron is hot and introducing me right on the heels of the best underdog story this past century is a great way to go about it...I dunno, guess I'm just nervous, is all."

Akashi glanced at him from where she was rapidly jotting down notes as he ran through the course, ears twitching as she asked, "Eh? How come?"

"Because I look like a giant Siren cyborg Frankenstein, that's why. Your extra features and different hair color make you look cute as hell while I'm a fair portion of the planet's worst nightmare, a human turned into the enemy. Calling me something other than a Siren isn't going to magically make people think I'm not a Siren."

"C-cute, nya?!"

Blinking as the repair ship completely ignored his worries in favor of stammering out a shocked exclamation Alexander glanced towards the blushing Akashi-

-and ended up crashing through a hastily acquired cement block, the impact barely felt as a result of both the armor and his enhanced body's strength as the male quietly cursed at his own distraction.

"Well, guess the durability test is off to a flying start...hey, Akashi, you alright over there?"

A mewl of displeasure left the Sakura as she hid the lower half of her face behind the notepad, adorably grumbling, "Stupid compliments and stupid Alexander...I'm fine, focus on the test!"

Resisting the urge to sigh he did as requested, continuing his run and electing to ignore the Sakura girl's clear interest and affection.

He had enough shit on his plate to begin with.

Instead he focused on the armor since he was likely going to be inhabiting it for significant periods of time once they reached the mainland, impressed at how quickly Akashi had been able to throw the whole thing together.

The Bakunawa had a complement of land assault drones that there had thus far been no real use for so the Sakura had simply grabbed one, hauled it the ship's repair and refitting bays and promptly got to work, having a functioning prototype ready to go before you could say 'wait, already?'

Not to mention the thing seemed to be working just fine so far, even the helmet not restrictive in the slightest as it displayed the area around him as if his head wasn't covered in protective metal, cameras feeding in a panoramic view of the outside world.

Coming to a stop beside Akashi - tail and ears still lashing in embarrassed indignation - he commented, "You did good work for such short notice, Akashi. No problems that I could notice."

Seeming to snap out of her shyness at that admission she drew herself up proudly, announcing, "Eh heh heh, my work is second to none, naturally~!"

Silence fell, Alexander removing the helmet and taking a deep breath...and sagged in defeat, unable to say no to Akashi's pleading and hopeful gaze as he reached out, gently massaging her scalp while remaining mindful of the gauntlets he wore, a contented purr leaving the shipgirl as Curtis inwardly wondered if Akashi had decided to embrace the feline life as a result of her cat appendages or they had chosen her first.

"It wasn't for very long but that'll have to do for today, I need to speak with The Commander and get our story down straight before we head off to the mainland, think you'll be good on your own?"

"Of course, nya~! Twenty more seconds of head scratches?"

Crumbling before the deal and acquiescing Alexander offered up the agreed upon twenty seconds of petting...and another twenty after that upon Akashi's pleading gaze being sent his way.

"I really need to figure out what to do with all of their affections because at this rate I'm gonna cave and end up sleeping with another one of them."

"So you got it all figured out, son? We leave tomorrow morning and there isn't going to be much time to suss things out once we make landfall."

"I mean, you would think that after facing down that Siren armada nothing else would leave me worried and freaked out. But oh look, still panicking."

"In your defense this is a battlefield of an entirely different flavor than blasting away those on the opposite side. And you were a dockworker from a settlement. If half the rumors are true then life there is the complete opposite of the usual political crap I get stuck with."

A mildly cruel and sadistic smile appeared on The Commander's lips.

"It'll be a nice change of pace to share in the misery with someone who fully appreciates it. Elizabeth and Nagato are far more at home with those kinds of administrative aspects than I am."

"I'll bet. They seem born to rule."

Tossing aside the folders they had been perusing - a finalized list of all of the technologies and other manufacturing gifts they had decided to widely distribute among the world's population - The Commander responded, "Might as well enjoy the last night here at Azur Lane while you have the opportunity, son. Who knows how long we'll be stuck dealing with this damned conference and everything that comes with it?"

"Please don't say terrifying things like that."

"Hope for the best and plan for the worst. Best way to never be disappointed or caught off guard in the grand game that is life."

Both elected not to comment on the fact that it was all too easy to be let down regardless, Alexander simply nodding before taking his leave, gazing out at Azur Lane as he left the office with a discerning eye.

While only a few short days had passed since the Shinsei had detonated and mop up operations had concluded efforts to restore the base and surrounding waters to something resembling working order were proceeding at a remarkable pace, Bulins, drones and human clean up crews working around the clock while Observer Zero and Purifier quietly gathered up the sunken wreckage into 'luckily' organized hunks of scrap that could be salvaged and hoarded that much quicker.

In as little as a month - current pace held steady - the island would basically be back to normal and channels cleared as if it hadn't just suffered an incredibly deadly and hard-fought battle.

...The same couldn't be said for the Bakunawa, the most basic of mobility only returned to it as of an hour ago while the rest was still a wreck. If it hadn't been for Akashi's breakneck repairs and patch jobs during the siege the titanic vessel would have been sunk several times over.

"That's what happens when you elect to take on dozens of broadsiding ships head on, I guess."

Setting those thoughts aside he instead took a slight detour towards one of the newly constructed factories devoted entirely to the recycling and fabrication of Siren technologies and components that could be assembled into whatever they might need in the future, be it guns or bread.

...Well, less bread and more mildly palatable ration bars but the sentiment was the same.

"Oh, what brings you here, Alexander?"

Essex was the first to notice him as he slipped in through the side passage, what few human elements there were inside the factory mostly centered in its control room figuring out how to operate the thing while the carrier and I-13 fiddled with some of the mechanical arms and other bits and pieces.

"Not much, just figured I'd see how you two were doing and chat for a bit, since I'm going to be absent for who knows how long come tomorrow."

Both mechanical savants winced, I-13 complaining, "Ugh, have fun with the Union president. And see if you can make him have an unfortunate accident while you're at it!"

Unable to help but smile at the diminutive Sakura's less than subtle suggestion to assassinate the leader of an entire nation he bemusedly responded, "Not everyone is Truman, I-13. But I'll see if I can slip a thumbtack under his ass or something during the conference, just for you."

The horned woman grinned, leaping forward and engulfing his leg in a hug as she cackled, "Even better~!" While Essex shook her head in amusement.

"Just going to have to pretend I didn't hear that."

"Sorry, if I'm court-martialed I'm telling them it was your idea."

He and the carrier traded mutual grins of amusement, Alexander turning to the expansive and numerous bits of equipment before asking, "So what's the story with these? Given how your last brainstorm session gave rise to the concept of the Shinsei before I even got around to exposing it I'm both intrigued and slightly terrified."

Both shipgirls shared a sheepish grin, Essex patting one of the mechanical claws as she stated, "Seeing these, the combat drones in the Bakunawa's cargo bay as well as that snazzy suit of armor Akashi cobbled together kinda got us thinking. I-13's retrofit planes were able to crash themselves onto Siren vessels and then detonate, right? So why not combine the two disciplines and create a plane that can drop off tough, aggressive mechanical shock troopers that can then take over the Siren ships from the inside? That way we can capture largely intact vessels and increase our forces without lengthy repair processes, something that could be pretty handy since we've been working with such lopsided odds the whole war."

Blinking in surprise at the fact that he'd never really considered that Alexander couldn't help but find the idea intriguing. Boarding and taking control of an enemy vessel was by no means some novel and new strategy but doing so to modern day military vessels would have been excessively difficult and expensive to pull off, since crew members were trained to fight, firearms meant even a newbie could be as lethal as a veteran and you would need enough raiders left over to actually man the damn thing.

But, ironically, the advance of technology meant 'piracy' was indeed a viable tactic. A few heavily armed and armored drones could be dumped on an enemy ship and fuck up whatever crew or defenders were present, insert a simple datachip or whatever into the bridge and - thanks to mass automation on the ships themselves - could then be hacked into servitude.

"That...is actually really damn creative. Before I go I'll send you a few schematics of stuff that might be similar, I don't doubt the two of you - and Akashi as well if she has the time to help - will come up with some twisted bit of brilliance."

Both shipgirls preened under his comments, Curtis unable to help but smile at their exuberance-

-and stiffened, eyes going wide as both suddenly engulfed him in a hug, Essex's more womanly form warm against his side while I-13 had smoothly clambered up his flank to rest her head on his shoulder, lithe but powerful arms providing an intimate sense of comfort that made him highly uncomfortable...in a good way, but uncomfortable nonetheless.

"Umm...you two alright?"

Cringing at the idiotic statement he was lucky that neither woman left him hanging, Essex quietly murmuring, "We should be asking you that. Have you been handling what happened alright? We know you were blaming yourself for so many of our sister's deaths."

Sagging slightly and hesitantly allowing his larger limbs to encircle the shipgirls in kind - one hand lightly massaging Essex's hair and the other gently placing itself on I-13's spine - he responded, "I've been doing better. It's going to take a long time to come to terms with my errors but, at least for now…"

He shrugged.

"Keeping busy helps. That and all of you insisting that I not hang myself in a closet or something."

Slight chuckles left the pair, a moment of calm affection spreading between the three...and Alexander inwardly sobbed at the horrible realization that he was inevitably going to have to end up disappointing or rejecting most - or even all - of the shipgirl's obvious attraction to him.

Shit, how was he supposed to return the feelings of one of them when they were all equally precious and important to his current reason for even continuing to fight?

Booting those childish thoughts away for the moment he instead withdrew from the embrace, ignoring how both shipgirls were mildly pink in the face and, you know...just generally really attractive.

"Oh, before I forget Belfast wanted to speak to you when given the opportunity, she has something she wanted to inform you of before your departure."

Raising an eyebrow at that Alexander wryly remarked, "What, the super maid herself wasn't able to track me down?"

"Don't tell her we were the ones who told you, but if she can't complete a task on her own or on time she subordinates it to one of us and simply makes it appear as if that was the plan all along. Really helps sell the image, you know?"

I-13 tapped her chin, musing, "Still pretty impressive though, right?"

"I'll say. Alright, thanks for the heads up and I'll track her down before we go. Take care you two, the Bakunawa is all yours while I'm gone."

"Eh, really?!"

I-13's ecstatic cry had Alexander wondering if he was going to regret doing this but eventually decided to hell with it, confirming, "Yup, she's still under heavy repair so feel free to explore and tinker to your heart's content. Just don't, you know. Blow anything up or something."

He resisted the urge to wince in fright as both shipgirls looked positively fanatic at the freedom to do what they wanted.

"Shit, who am I kidding? Trouble is going to originate from this one way or another."

"I hear that you're human after all, Belfast."

The pale-haired shipgirl offered him an elegant and raised eyebrow, commenting, "And whatever do you mean by that, Master Alexander?"

"I've noticed that you weren't able to find me and thus had to ask for me to find you. What a terrific shame that my image of you is now forever humanized."

The maid simply bowed her head, seeming amused by his words as she replied, "My apologies, Master Alexander. And I'm afraid that I must further tarnish your impression of me by asking for your aid."

Blinking at the cruiser's words he warily asked, "Err...okay? How would I go about doing that?"

Reaching inbetween her cleavage and withdrawing a notepad the smiling maid handed it to him, Alexander's eyes flicking towards Enterprise from where she sat nearby alongside Prinz Eugen.

"Your girlfriend isn't going to be mad at me for holding this, is she?"

The carrier rolled her eyes, negligently waving her hand while dryly commenting, "Once you see what's written inside those notes you'll be wishing she'd never handed it off in the first place."

"Ooh, ominous. I hate it already."

Eugen smirked, stating, "The contents are sure to be quite the adventure, I guarantee you that."

Dreading what he was going to find inside Alexander hesitantly took the warm collection of paper, flipping back the cover on it-

-and blinked, swiftly scanning through an assortment of additional pages as he asked, "Belfast? What the hell is this?"

6:00 AM, wake up the queen. Allow for a fifteen minute buffer as she is slow to wake.

6:15 AM, prepare a shower and breakfast for the queen. See page 37 for preferred brands of shampoo and conditioner as well as desired foodstuffs.

7:00 AM, inform the queen of the day's itinerary. See page 45 for a tier of what news shall be relayed first.

On and on it went, detailing a schedule that was as expansive as it was variable, Belfast offering him an innocent smile as she stated, "My queen has requested that I stay behind to aid in the administrative duties of Azur Lane while she, Lady Nagato and The Commander travel alongside you to the mainland. To that end I decided you were the most logical choice to take care of her day-to-day needs, as you will be attending a great many of the same venues and events she will alongside not having any specific duty which will occupy your time."

Alexander gave Belfast a blank look.

"This sounds like a terrible idea. Aside from the fact that my domestic skills could be charitably described as mediocre - certainly not up to the standard of the bloody monarchy - I'm a guy, she's a girl and I don't think it's exactly appropriate for me to-"

He paused, flipping through the list before wincing.

"-select and adorn the queen in her royal attire in the event she is too sleepy or drained."

"Not the impression I received from you, herr Alexander…"

Giving Eugen a dirty look that the Ironblood accepted with great grace and a teasing smile Belfast continued with, "Rest assured, Master Alexander, that you need not fear any manner of breach in privacy or intimacy, her majesty is very much aware of what duties I usually perform and has admitted to having no problem with you assuming some of them."

The male pinched the bridge of his nose, releasing an exasperated sigh and choice complaints under his breath before letting the matter drop, a glitter of amusement clear to see in Belfast's eyes.

"I'm not going to be executed for this, am I?"

Glancing around the room he noted that the trio were holed up in some cluttered office not far from The Commander's, evidently helping tackle some of the paperwork and administrative details that he'd been attempting to burn through in the aftermath of the siege, Alexander happy that he hadn't been called in to help.

"You look nervous."

Enterprise's blunt observation snapped Curtis out of his ruminations, the man deciding to go for humor as he replied, "How could I not be? I'm being told to handle a monarch's meals, sleep schedule and unmentionables."

Eugen snickered while Enterprise's brow twitched, tone wry as she soldiered on with, "Do you not believe people will accept your appearance and position?"

Losing the japes he ran a hand through his hair, admitting, "Some of them will and I know we're going to be presenting this in the best possible light...but I know I would be wary and suspicious if some titan of a dude walked into a room decked out in Siren battle armor, saying that he's totally a friend. There's been so many years of tension and building xenophobia that I honestly don't know if this reveal is going to go so great. Calling me an Aloedae isn't going to be a magic bullet solution, even if I wish it was."

Belfast placed a hand on his arm, reassuring him with, "Have faith in The Commander, her majesty and Lady Nagato. They have spent many years playing politics and are quite attuned to the whims and whiles of the masses."

"...Right. Got it."

"Well do not sound too convinced, Alexander. We would hate for you to accept our words so easily."

"Bite me, Ironblood. You're not the one with a newfound sense of crippling social anxiety."

Shaking her head at his response Eugen got back to work, Enterprise suggesting, "Maybe spend some time speaking with Nagato, then? She's fairly adept at easing the worries and anxieties of those she interacts with."

While not keen on making use of the imperial shipgirl as some kind of anxiety heat sink for his own issues when she was already carrying a fair bit of weight on her shoulders Alexander had to admit that Nagato was indeed the woman of choice for confiding in when it came to calming advice.

"I'll consider it. You three handling things alright otherwise?"

Enterprise and Eugen gave the stacks of forms murderous expressions while Belfast merely waved a finger in an admonishing gesture.

"Now now, it is this maid's job to care for you, not the other way around."

"We're doing this again?"

Shaking his head in exasperation Alexander was caught off guard as Eugen stated, "You had best return to your room aboard the Bakunawa, herr Alexander. There exist a trio of our sisters that wish to speak with you before your departure and are no doubt aggravated at us for monopolizing so much of your time."

"...Huh? Oh yeah, where are Vampire, Warspite and Kawakaze? I haven't seen them around yet."

Three pointed gazes were sent his way.

"Oh. Right. Sorry, been a long day. I'll be on my way then."

"You do that. Preferably before you make an arsch out of yourself more than you have."

"Love you too, Prinz."

The briefest of awkward silences spread before them - one that wasn't missed by Enterprise or Belfast - as Alexander stated, "All right, then I'll be off. See you soon, hopefully. Wish me luck in not getting burned at the stake."

He'd barely passed out of earshot before both the carrier and cruiser were giving Eugen knowing looks, the Ironblood defensively protesting, "There is no genuine attraction between us, the statement of love was purely in jest."

"The pause afterwards wasn't."

"Quite so. For one that was in the lead in terms of Master Alexander's affections you seem quite content in letting your advantage slip away. You were present for our trio of sister's schemes, should their plot come to fruition his heart may be swayed towards them rather than yourself."

The Ironblood pointedly ruffled a stack of papers, frostily commenting, "A pair of my sisters begin dating and suddenly they are experts on the subject of love. Oh the novelty."

Smirking at Eugen's rare expression of irritation Belfast bent low, snagging Enterprise's lips in a swift but intense kiss as the carrier blushed pink, even as she smiled in response.

"Funnily enough I would say we are quite aware of love and what it entails, sister."

Eyebrow twitching Prinz Eugen did her best to ignore the smirking pair, both of them enjoying the rare sight of the Ironblood sulking and pretending she wasn't bothered when she so clearly was.

They also hoped that she would be more honest with herself and admit that she had finally found a partner who could provide the same level of intimate companionship they both shared as of now.

After all, competition was proving to be quite fierce.

"This is quite the dubious and unexpectedly nefarious plot from you, Your Majesty. Getting Master Alexander to be your servant for the duration of the trip so that you may entice and seduce him? I never would have expected such a brilliant - albeit sneaky - plot to be hatched."

An amused smile tugged at Belfast's lips as she returned to aiding her two sisters with their work.

"I almost pity Master Alexander. Not only will he have her majesty's affections to consider but the night our three sisters have planned and awaiting his arrival is certainly to be one of great passion and dedication. Do your best, master. I would hate for any hearts to be broken after all that has occurred."