Chapter 34: Declaration of Love and War (Part 6)

"Thank Christ, it's still there. I mean, sure, a subsistence community focused more on providing for itself than it is any kind of war asset probably falls low on the totem pole of places to bomb the shit out of but still…"

Softly sighing to himself as he watched through the eyes of an aerial drone located several miles north of their current position Alexander couldn't help the small smile that appeared on his lips as an old, persistent worry was thankfully put to rest. His old settlement was much the same as it had been for the past few weeks, bar a few new buildings and residences here and there.

Still dusty, dry and barely scraping together a living but the closest thing he'd ever had to a permanent home - there were a few too many memories of both good and bad associated with the Bakunawa to really consider it anything resembling a true home - was still thriving about as well as could be expected, circumstances being what they were.

He'd been worried that its relatively close proximity to the docks where he'd worked - no more than an eight hour's drive - would have left it in range of airstrikes or even potential artillery, if the Sirens had brought out big enough guns. But either they hadn't decided that the place needed to be destroyed or they'd been busier with his transformation and the fallout that had occurred from all of that particular adventure.

One way or another it was nice to have some kind of confirmation, especially since he'd been kept so damn busy that there was literally no time to devote anything more than cursory scans to the Union mainland...definitely not enough to get a clear view of the condition of his Settlement.

"Something on your mind, son?"

Snapping out of his ruminations and meeting the Commander's curious gaze directly Alexander offered up a rare, boyish grin.

"Not really, although I finally got solid confirmation that my old Settlement is still alive and kicking. I figured it was but, well...better to know for certain than be left wondering the whole time, you know?"

Nodding in agreement the older man responded, "That I do. And how is it doing, if you don't mind my asking?"

"Pretty a-okay, thankfully. No signs of stress or riots, hell, from what I could see at a glance people seemed to be outside and partying more than usual."

"Thanks in no small part to our efforts, Alexander."

He glanced towards Elizabeth, the shipgirl once again possessing her imperial demeanor and bold smile as she sat in a seat next to him, continuing with, "Hope courses through the world once more, our coming announcement and conference only adding fuel to the fire that is belief we may one day emerge victorious."

"She speaks the truth, Alexander. My people in particular will be ecstatic at hearing of the prospect of retaking our ancestral homeland from those that believed they could steal it from us. Are recruiting stations and the such prepared for an influx of candidates, Admirals?"

Harrison and Elias - also along for the ride - nodded in response to Nagato's comment, the Ironblood responding, "While it's getting some raised eyebrows from people since enrollment has been on a consistent downturn for the past two years we've been allocating personnel to what offices remain. Going to be a bit of an awkward affair if no one shows up."

Elizabeth smiled in a manner that suggested the possibility of failure was all but impossible, grandly proclaiming, "Have no fear, my dear Admiral. Once our demonstrations and speeches have concluded there will be a grand, thrashing throng of humanity seeking to tender their aid towards the defeat of our enemies!"

Grinning at the queen's vigorous words Alexander cast his gaze surreptitiously onto the shipgirl herself, eyes wide with energy and giddiness while she squirmed and twisted in her seat in a manner that still managed to be respectable and royal, despite its childishness. It actually managed to make him somewhat jealous, how quickly she had moved past her fright and worry once he'd coaxed her to sleep with various memories of the bullshit they got up to in the Settlements...he had needed several shipgirls, several days and several sex therapy sessions before he'd even margianally begun to function properly.

Then again, there was a reason Elizabeth had been hailed as one of the greatest leaders of the modern age and he had been a dockworker that was mildly successful at getting laid, nothing more and nothing less.

"...Is this thing going to hold together?"

"Not much faith in human engineering, son?"

"Seeing as how I worked a crane cobbled together from two different brands before all this? Let's just call me wary and leave it at that."

Seeing as how taking a wheeled vehicle would have been a rather slow and languid way of reaching their destination far inland they had jumped aboard one of the early jet-powered planes humanity had been back-engineering and experimenting with, the thing doubling as a cargo plane and generally being rickety and loud as hell, albeit reasonably speedy.

Call him a skeptic, but comparing this thing to the airbuses and other inventions of even the late twentieth or early twenty-first century was a bit of a stretch. Maybe he should have tried to get the Bakunawa to produce one before they'd left?

"Well, too late now. Guess I'm stuck with the wild roller coaster ride until we make landfall."

Shifting around in the suit of armor he'd donned before climbing aboard the male Siren nervously ran a finger over his helmet's visor, asking, "And you're sure all I have to do is deliver that story about how I volunteered to be a test subject for the transformation process, right? No additional speeches or anything of the sort-"

"Son, you're gonna turn my ears blue and head bald if you keep asking that question. What, you've never spoken in front of a crowd before?"

"While debatably sober? Yes. While the potential future of our race rests upon me not fucking up and not a drop of hard liquor inside of me? Quadruple no."

Nagato set a comforting hand on his leg - not that he could feel it, what with all of the armor and such in the way - as she softly assured him with, "You have faced down far greater dangers than a crowd of journalists, reporters and politicians, Alexander. Even if it doesn't particularly feel that way."

Sighing in resignation at the perfectly sensible words the male Siren nodded, the Commander glancing out the window as he calmly remarked, "We're here, everybody buckle in for a long ride."

Holding back a breath of resignation Alexander squared his shoulders and prepared for a long, terrifying presentation that he couldn't afford to be boozed up for.

"Why does this sound like it'll be just as difficult as facing off against a Siren battlegroup will be?"

"Oh my GOD."

Alexander had never been more grateful for the soundproofing his helmet offered, hiding his features and words from the world around him as he trailed in the wake of the Commander, the two Admirals and the two shipgirls as they marched towards a raised podium located in the middle of the Broxton amphitheater that had been built in Colorado after the war against the Sirens had started going south. It was originally intended to serve as a bit of a morale booster, a large theater and stadium that could remind people of better times but inbetween the lack of easy mass transit, limited living conditions and other factors it had never really picked itself off the ground.

Now, however, the building and its 11,500 person seating was packed basically to capacity as what seemed like anyone and everyone of minor importance was gazing down at them from the two-tiered seating arrangements, god only knows how many more observing the proceedings either through radio or what few video screens had been jury rigged or commandeered from the Bakunawa's earlier press package during the defense of San Francisco.

"Don't throw up, don't throw up, don't throw up…"

Matters weren't helped by Elizabeth and Nagato sending him blips of amusement and teasing consolation at his anxiety, the male Siren certain that if they weren't required to be stately and majestic they would be heckling and just generally bringing him to tears over his fright of the whole deal.

They had certainly dressed for the part, Elizabeth donning an ornate crown inlaid with precious gems and sported a crimson fur-lined cloak that trailed imperiously over her shoulders, Nagato now wearing a circlet over her brow and longer-length kimono that made it seem as if she was gliding over the ground, legs hidden from view. Even the Commander and Admirals had gone full ceremony, adorned with ribbons and medals up the wazoo.

...He made a mental note to thank Akashi for having the foresight/imagination/insanity to deck him out in full kit, he never would have been able to keep his cool in this kind of a scenario without some kind of mask or safety blanket he could hide in. Of course, the minty kitty would probably try to drag him off to the 'workbench' as a means of compensation if his past interactions with the shipgirls was any indication.

Not that he minded if he was being 100% honest with himself, granted the newfound knowledge that apparently he was the prize slice of steak in a pit of very beautiful and very horny tigresses.

Akashi was cute as hell and if Vampire was any indication the size difference between them wasn't much of an issue. Not to mention the tiny Sakura had grown on him, her mad genius combined with a fanatical devotion to her sisters and comrades that bordered on self-destruction quite endearing. The mental image of the adorable, sexy kitty bouncing on his lap with an expression of euphoria on her face caused him to smirk-

…

…

"You know what? Fuck it. If horny thoughts are what it takes to get my mind off of things then so be it. Not like anyone is going to see me get an erection in this thing anyway. Actually, I probably shouldn't try to get an erection in the first place, I'll break my dick on this thing. About as far away from soft fabric as you can get…"

Snapping out of his random ruminations as they reached the center podium where they would no doubt be answering all sorts of questions he quickly took up his position behind Nagato and Elizabeth, clasping his hands behind his back and planting his feet in what he assumed to be a posture of solidarity and authority but was mostly just thankful it allowed him to clench his ass without being obvious about it.

Then he got his first real look at the faces staring up, down or at them and the male Siren felt like a small fishie in a big, shark-infested pond. First was the figure of Eagle Union President Forbin, his lanky and icy figure a familiar sight after Truman's cabinet had fallen apart during the increasing pace of the war, the man quickly stepping in to fill the gap left behind to...mixed results and approval.

Second was Prime Minister Johnson, Elizabeth's main domestic man who ran the Royal Navy when she was unable to and while he knew less about the slightly pudgy male than he did his nation's president the way he and Elizabeth were cooly staring the other down immediately made him a trifle suspicious.

"Goddammit. I'm already shifting into overprotective boyfriend mode."

Moving down the line of four the third was the Chancellor of the Ironbloods, Krolikstan. Of the four he was definitely the most imposing, being bulky and intense in mannerisms while managing to keep away from the image of brutishness.

Lastly was Prime Minister Sakamoto, slight of build and appearing larger than he truly was thanks to the ornate robes he wore that brought to mind the olden emperor's of the nation, rather than a more modern and conventional suit. Maybe he was just imagining it but the action seemed like a direct point of contention with Nagato, rather than a mutual agreement to mutually support their nation.

In fact, now that he gave the four a closer look the young man realized they were atop of a recently constructed platform placed right into the middle of the room, as if they couldn't stand the idea of looking up at them. Letting his eyes wander the auditorium he noticed further details that left him frowning in less than idle thought, mind running a mile a minute.

While the majority of the attendees were from the Union - it was by no means easy to travel given the lockdown on the oceans - there were Ironblood, Royal Navy and Sakura scattered about, all with their own designated sections and banners. Yet there was a distinct lack of spots available for the Iris, Sardegnas, Vichya, Northern Parliament, Dragon Empery...all nations and factions that still had a presence in the world and would be affected by these momentous occasions but hadn't even had so much as a flag raised to signify their existence, despite the fact that he saw a few refugees and journalists scattered among the crowd.

Again, maybe he was reading too much into this but viewing the current information as it was presented and comparing it to the conversation he'd listened in on between the Commander and the four now facing them, well...suffice to say he wasn't entirely convinced they were the best people for the job.

"And isn't that an uncomfortable thought to have? Me, the uneducated little dockworker weighing up and judging the big dogs before deciding they suck. And here I thought I was never going to get into politics."

Deciding that keeping himself out of trouble was the best option for now Alexander settled for shuffling a tiny bit closer to the shipgirls as he scanned the crowd with a more discerning eye, the five observation drones he'd packed along for the ride - as well as his Rigging, stealthily hovering far overhead and out of visual range - running constant surveillance sweeps of the area.

Maybe he was jinxing himself, but he had a bad feeling about this whole thing. And not just because politics was rearing its ugly head, although that itself was a factor. Zero and Purifier had been hinting that the war was going to take on a new bit of interplay, that things wouldn't be as simple as a giant armada facing them down and he was painfully aware they possessed technology matching his own.

One properly stealthed dive-bomber could send a single bit of payload right into the auditorium if he wasn't careful, turning everyone present into a fast-expanding cloud of debris and while he wasn't entirely certain that's what their enemies would be aiming for it never hurt to be careful. The Sirens were no doubt actively scouting and searching for weaknesses or his name wasn't Alexander.

A chime issued from speakers mounted into the wall, the young man snapping out his meandering thoughts as a group of suits located off to the side of their little dais sat up straight, one of them speaking into a microphone and causing his voice to reverberate around the room.

[This special summit regarding the recent military victory at Azur Lane and the future direction our unified forces will take in its wake will now begin. I ask that those not granted permission to ask their questions remain silent in the meantime and will remind all in attendance that excessively rowdy or disruptive behavior will see you removed from the hall. With that I cede to the Commander of Azur Lane, you have the floor.]

The mic clicked off and the Commander steeled himself, all eyes gravitating towards the military man as he confidently flicked on his own sound amp, announcing, "I thank all of you for coming on such short notice - your attendance and presence is noted, no matter how underrepresented - and would like to keep introductions brief, as I imagine there are no shortage of questions. To summarize, in the short term Azur Lane will undergo a swift repair and rearmament cycle, to bring our fighting strength back up to what it once was after this most recent victory. In the long term? Thanks to the constant and uninterrupted windfalls of technology the Bakunawa has provided - some of which you have already no doubt been exposed to - we intend to go on the offensive, starting with reclaiming the Sakura Empire's homelands."

The buzz and whispered speculation that arose from that proclamation sounded like a nest of agitated, excited bees as Alexander smirked within his helmet, applauding the Commander's deft introduction that did two things. Firstly it got those who weren't properly recognized by the decorations to feel good about themselves - even if they only made up one out of every twenty attendees - and the last bit had sparked imaginations abound. An offensive, when their entire strategy for the past several years had been to play defense while launching swift, small strikes that only delayed?

An offensive to retake an entire Empire?

The male Siren watched as cameras of both new and old make focused on the Commander, some of them dating back almost a decade while a few had no doubt been salvaged from the Bakunawa's own delivered press packages.

The whole world was going to be watching them, not just the ones present.

A few electronic bursts of noise emanated from the speakers, the room swiftly quieting as President Forbin keyed his mike, stating, "While those claims will be addressed in due time there are a few matters that need to be discussed, matters that will be best perused and ascertained in chronological order. Commander, upon first sighting of the approaching Siren fleet you issued a series of orders, calling for an immediate reinforcement from any and all naval elements that could assist."

Alexander raised an eyebrow, wondering where this was going as he felt tinges of resignation and annoyance emanate from Elizabeth and Nagato.

"What we wish to ascertain is why word of this development reached us last, well after the time that it had circulated amidst the military elements. Should we not have been the first to be made aware of such a momentous event, as the leaders and representatives of the nations you protect?"

"Oh you have GOT to be kidding me."

Not missing a beat the Commander smoothly responded, "Merely a fault of protocol and circumstances. Given the size and speed of the Sirens, direct radio transmission and other means of communication were reserved for gathering and directing other military elements, your offices were indeed notified first but - as our current doctrine states it - military and emergency response were given priority during the possibility of a Siren invasion. There was no slight intended, only a consequence of the crisis we found ourselves facing. I believe the term 'snail mail' is what we use to describe your warning of the assault?"

Even as his lips quirked in a smile at the utterly polite and politically correct way of saying that they did NOT rank high up in the list of people to contact during a crisis Alexander couldn't help but wonder if that's what this momentous occasion was going to turn into, a political dick measuring contest when they should have been discussing means of taking back their planet.

"Moving on, during the siege of Azur Lane communication was sporadic and essentially nonexistent. What we wish to establish was whether this was a willful act or simply the reality of being locked in a struggle for-"

"Yup. Definitely a dick-measuring contest."

"...will be able to alleviate up to 70% of all foot shortages facing the settlements, up to 93% if the measures outlined in the submitted report are immediately adopted with all haste. The same goes for fresh water shortages with near identical numbers."

The latest discussion topic had Alexander immensely glad for the armor being able to lock itself into immobility, so that he could relax his body and allow the mechanized shell to keep him upright with no further input on his part required.

The whole thing had gone on for an insanely long time, requiring input, opinions and clarifications on seemingly every single little detail regardless of whether it was important or not. It had also massively boosted his admiration of the five individuals he was hovering over like some cybernetic gargoyle, the shipgirls and admirals fielding inquiries that varied between mind-numbingly idiotic to genuinely important and crucial with the same level of keen attention, their latest topic actually being one of pretty crucial import.

"And how are we supposed to construct so many different technologies and inventions when the aforementioned infrastructure is not even present? Resources and supply lines do not grow on trees, as conveniently as that would be."

Nagato was the one to answer her Prime Minister's question that carried the slightest hints of snide confidence within it, promptly explaining, "Ourselves and the Commander put forth a proposal some weeks ago that aimed to address this very issue, under the assumption that it would be treated and reviewed with sufficient gravity. Regardless of whether that was the case or not plans and blueprints of factories, assembly lines and other such means of processing and production are primed to begin construction with the aid of the people still living within the settlements. A small collection of drones courtesy of the Bakunawa alongside extensive safety and instructional material will also be provided at each site in order to facilitate the process."

This prompted another round of excited murmuring from the crowds, who had stayed for the entire duration of the assembly despite a great deal of it being rather dry. This was a pretty momentous announcement though, for a multitude of reasons.

While hunger and water shortages had been common for several years it had only really started getting bad during the last two, as inland farms or water sources had been targeted by Siren raids and forced many settlements to adopt strict rationing. Rumor had it that this was especially bad in places that didn't have as much arable land and area as the Eagle Union did, such as the Northern Parliament.

The possibility that such a constant and limiting reality might very well be done away with was a huge game changer, especially the fact that people who previously might not have had much work to do would now be taking an active part in increasing the planet's overall productivity.

And that was something that got people's imaginations running wild, the fantasy of being able to stay busy and also contribute to striking back at an enemy that had caused them so much pain and loss.

Alexander forced himself to focus on the current matter for what felt like the hundredth time that day as his attention wasn't necessarily required, seeing as how-

"We've been content to keep this matter off the table, assuming you would bring it up naturally...but do you intend to describe the significance of the armored individual following in your footsteps at any point in the near future?"

"Well, it was going to happen sooner or later."

Taking a deep breath in order to steady himself as the Commander keyed his mic the older man explained, "The armored individual you see before you is a volunteer who offered himself up in order to test a function of the Bakunawa, one that held great promise for the future. Allow me to introduce to you Alexander Curtis."

"It was going to happen sooner or later and I still feel like shitting myself."

Stilling his shaking hands he stepped forward, a single stride bringing him to one of the podiums as he reached up and removed his helmet, exposing his face for all to see as he tried his damndest to hide just how uneasy the sudden swell of murmurs and whispers made him.

How many from his old settlement were watching or listening, wondering just what the hell they were looking or listening to?

The four leaders quickly regained their composure, the Union president cooly asking, "You were referred to as Alexander Curtis. Is that an alias or your given name?"

Trying his absolute fucking hardest not to flinch and quail the male Siren calmly responded, "My birth name, actually. During one of Azur Lane's raids on a Siren base I was assigned as a dockworker to the Alaskan harbor. When it was still standing, at any rate. I was one of the few survivors, albeit in critical condition. I was fortunate enough that Azur Lane personnel were able to both find and stabilize me in time."

He paused, prepping himself for the next in a series of necessary lies.

"Unfortunately I was likely going to be living the rest of my life as a cripple, the injuries were that bad. Thankfully, there existed a possible means of restoring my body, albeit an untested one. Aboard the Bakunawa there existed a series of machines and labs that could heal me at the cost of, well...what you see now."

He pointed to his eyes, pale skin and bits of mechanical doodads dotting his head.

"In short, it greatly increased my body's height, strength and durability at the cost of turning me into what we believe is a type of Siren."

The room was dead silent, tension thick enough to cut with a soggy noodle.

"Well, at least the guards haven't started shooting yet. That's a plus."

Prime Minister Sakamoto spoke calmly but with a hint of reptilian iciness to his voice, inquiring, "You say you are a Siren but seem to have a remarkable amount of control and retention of individuality."

"I do. While I've been under constant observation and undergone a battery of tests thus far I don't feel any kind of negative mental impact or feel unlike my old self. Although we're hesitant to allow additional volunteers to go through with the alterations until we're sure beyond a shadow of a doubt there are no adverse effects."

Sakamoto continued his snake-like line of inquiry with, "I just so happen to agree. Recklessly making use of Siren technology - no matter how potentially powerful - seems to be rather a rather foolish decision, no matter the benefits it may have brought,"

Alexander shrugged, not necessarily bothered by the implicit suggestion that he was better off dying. He'd already started with a pretty low opinion of these people, wasn't like it was going to change now.

Nagato, apparently, thought differently about the careless statement.

"Prime minister, perhaps I misheard your previous statement-"

Fox ears twitched in clear declaration that such an event was unlikely.

"-but did you imply that Alexander Curtis was better off perishing than undertaking the extraordinarily brave act of testing an unknown and potentially excruciating process?"

"No, my words-"

"Your words run counter to everything humanity has done to survive this war thus far. Our entire modus operandi for the past ten years has been nothing but recklessly appropriating or reverse engineering Siren capabilities. Do not belittle the countless hours and sacrifices undertaken by those that both ceaselessly research and then test it for the sake of survival merely because your words were not carefully considered. And since the matter has been broached - alongside significant testing and experimenting - we have concluded that Curtis is not a Siren, not in the way that matters. Our scientists and researchers have named him as an Aloadae, counter to the beings we call Sirens."

Nagato's calmly but bitingly delivered tirade even drew some scattered applause, Sakamoto's expression stony as he wisely decided to merely nod and step down.

"...Holy fucking shit, do not get on the bad side of mama bear Nagato. I felt ashamed and she was just defending me."

Which was an entirely different kind of sentimental warmth he was currently feeling, briefly opening their bond and transmitting his appreciation before just as quickly withdrawing, the simmering annoyance the diminutive Sakura was experiencing making him feel like a little kid that just got yelled at by their favorite grandparent.

Forbin was quick to get things back on track, announcing, "Any misinterpretations aside this does bring us to a rather critical point. Commander, you have thus far experimented and pioneered a great deal of the technological advancements exclusively within Azur Lane, this latest event with Mr. Curtis being a prime example of this."

An aged and groomed eyebrow pointedly raised, the older man calmly replying, "By necessity, I might add. And we brought Alexander Curtis to showcase that what we do is by no means easy or safe, to acknowledge the sacrifice our young men and women make in this war."

"That is both admirable and understandable. However, there is a very real concern among us that this concentration of power may not be healthy for the world-"

"Oh my fucking god, are they STILL trying to reduce Azur Lane's ability to turn this war around? Christ, I know the Union was founded on the idea of fighting against the concentration of power but this is way too far. And we're not fighting off some mentally unstable Royal Navy king, this a race of programmed machines who's express purpose is to kill us, packing technology that we haven't even gotten around to mass producing yet!"

Gritting his teeth and quickly replacing his helmet so as to avoid publicly looking pissed off all the time Alexander settled in for an excruciating wait-

[WARNING, INBOUND MISSILES! Interception protocols engaged but insufficient, two warheads will impact in twenty-seven seconds!]

-and resisted the urge to scream in frustration within the confines of his helmet as his Rigging delivered a disturbing heads up.

Of course everything decided to go wrong during the worst time possible.

And here's the apology chapter for missing last upload!

On a completely unrelated note I don't watch too many anime these days (Hilarious, considering how many anime or anime-esque franchises I write in) but holy crap is this season looking interesting.

Mushoku Tensei will likely be just as good as the last one was while Platinum End, Takt OP destiny, Muv-Luv Alternative and Saihate no Paladin are the wildcards where I'm relatively familiar with them but don't know how the adaptation will fare.

And then there's 86, coming out with a killer first episode of the 2nd season and going from a completely forgettable opening that I skipped without fail to one that is just GODLY.

Seriously, it's just a minute thirty seconds to check out even if you're not familiar with the franchise.