Chapter 51: Renewed Hope (Part 10)

Humming quietly to herself Belfast cheerily carried a plate of her beloved's favorite breakfast foods, carefully cultivated from the carrier's meager food stores into something resembling a healthy meal.

"Honestly, for all that the other nationalities decry the Royal Navy's cooking it seems Enterprise is determined to come across as the complete and total connoisseur of bland and preserved goods the world over."

The maid shuddered as she remembered the usual 'meals' her beloved had partaken of before she had thankfully been assigned to look after her, consisting of bars that looked like tasteful chocolate but had all the wondrous flavor of cardboard intermixed with gravel. It was a truly horrific combination that she had been happy to free Enterprise from in exchange for something approximating real food.

Arriving at her first stop the maid gently rapped on the door leading to the Union carrier's bedchamber, receiving no response as she quietly entered, smiling at what she found. Namely that of Enterprise sprawled atop her bed, boots kicked off, coat discarded and shirt unbuttoned as she nuzzled deep into the pillow and blankets provided.

"Ahh, she is always so defenseless when tired. Of course, this just means I can wake her up like a true princess~!"

Cheeks pinking slightly at the prospect as her lips curled into a cheshire grin Belfast set the tray of food on a cluttered bed stand, leaning low and sealing the carrier's lips in a warm, inviting kiss.

And promptly released a quiet, shifting groan as she slowly awoke, eyes blinking rapidly while the maid gently stroked her partner's cheek with a gloved finger.

"Good morning, Enterprise. Now as much as I would like to leave you to your slumber we have a busy day ahead of us. I made you breakfast from the utterly deplorable stores you call food and expect you to eat all of it."

In a rare showing of both laziness and indignation the carrier let her head flop back into the pillows, cutely grumbling, "We just got done with an operation and I haven't slept for more than a day. The war can wait."

"Oh~? Is the mighty Enterprise actually admitting to a smidgen of laziness? While under most circumstances I would be more than happy to offer such a deserving soul her much desired rest…"

Belfast leaned low, gently biting the carrier's earlobe and whispering into it, "Perhaps I shall have to get a trace more forceful in dragging you from your bed~?"

"I think I would actually like that."

Despite the exhausted and resigned words the Union shipgirl did drag herself upright, Belfast resisting the urge to coo at how adorable her partner looked when bedraggled.

"That smells really good. Thank you, Bel."

"My pleasure, as always."

Taking a large spoonful of the gruel that had been mashed up ration bars liberally mixed with milk, brown sugar and a sprinkling of olive oil the carrier hummed in satisfaction while her maid counterpart watched in resigned bemusement. Her partner was many things, a picky gourmet not one of them.

"How is the operation proceeding? Any surprises?"

"None so far. The 3rd Pacific Fleet under Admiral Harrison is regrouping with the remnants of the Sakura 4th and will take up garrison and patrol duties within 24 hours, allowing Essex, Prinz Eugen, Her Majesty, Lady Warspite, our submarine sisters as well as you and I to return to Azur Lane while Empress Nagato, Kawakaze and Akashi will remain on hand to facilitate construction of naval assets and other maritime resources. Never mind carry out a number of publicity stunts engineered to drum up morale as much as possible. Alexander will be returning to Azur Lane as well, to complete the retrofitting of our newly arrived sisters."

Swiftly downing a mug of coffee like it was water - Belfast feeling her skin crawl at the depressingly familiar sight - Enterprise thoughtfully remarked, "Considering the return of both Amagi and Shinano I imagine that will be a spectacle even greater than originally planned?"

Hesitating briefly the cruiser carefully replied, "That is the hope, yes."

Catching onto the unsure reply the Union woman said, "They're still…twitchy?"

"In all honesty I can't find it in myself to blame them. From the sounds of things they were completely conscious and aware of all that was happening to them."

The maid didn't bother hiding her wince.

"From what I've heard a similar trial has visited Lady Richelieu and Algérie…I do not fancy what mental state they may be in, if half the recountings of the Basilica's fall are accurate."

"Agreed. Where are they now?"

Feeling her mood perk slightly as she swiftly gathered the dirty dishes Belfast replied, "With Alexander. The man hasn't so much as dared leave them alone a moment longer than he's had to."

A smirk crossed the woman's lips as she remembered a certain scene in the showers.

"Even if he wants to."

Huffing out a sigh as she threw her cloak over her shoulders Enterprise wryly remarked, "For a man that so clearly thinks of himself weak he's taken to responsibility and positions of strength with quite admirable tenacity."

Departing Enterprise's room Belfast took her place behind a rolling tray of breakfast meals, mostly fish and rice dishes that were absolutely not standard aboard a Union carrier or Royal Navy vessel and drawing a resigned sigh from the shipgirl.

"Do I have to put a ring on your finger before you tell me how you do that?"

"It certainly couldn't hurt your chances."

"That's a 'no', then."

"Who's to say?"

Smiling to herself at Enterprise's defeated shake of her head the duo made their way to the crew quarters, the interior of the ship feeling odd with its complete lack of a human crew as they entered the compartment-

-and Belfast had to hide her chortle of delight behind an upraised hand, Enterprise's lips twitching in clear mirth as Alexander sent the pair a raised eyebrow.

"Well? A little help here?"

"But you look so elegant draped in such luxurious furs, master."

"Hah. Hah. Hah."

Sometime during their rest the foxes had readjusted their positions. Amagi had her arms draped over the side of the bed, loosely hugging the Aloadae's head as she nuzzled into his spine while Shinano had somehow wormed her way into his lap, the busty fox seeming comparatively small to the man as she leaned into his chest with a completely peaceful expression.

He was also completely and utterly covered in brown and silver fur, the fox's tails draping and snaking across his body in a mishmash of patterns as Belfast regained her composure, cheerfully remarking, "Master, are you perhaps attempting to make a kimono of fox hair? While ostentatious, I think it a fitting raiment for the husband of the Sakura Empress."

Greatly enjoying his subtle eye twitch Enterprise was quick to pour fuel on the metaphorical fire, idly commenting, "You know for someone who's taken most of our sisters to bed you seem oddly displeased with the current setup. Should I be surprised they're not naked yet?"

A low, audible growl left the Aloadae as the carrier showcased a rare, genuine smirk of delight as Alexander retorted, "You know damn well I'm enjoying this very much. And I'm also sure you know I have about fifteen different muscle cramps from not having moved for several hours now. Help?"

"Ladies and gentlemen, the savior of the world."

Giggling at Enterprise's final bit of snark Belfast moved forward, gently prodding Shinano's shoulder as the woman slowly roused herself, sleepily blinking as the maid softly stated, "My apologies for awakening you, but we are in the final stages of preparing to debark on our various courses and assumed you would be interested in what is to come."

"Ahh…thank you, head maid. That would be welcome…"

A frankly adorable yawn - although not as adorable as Enterprise's - escaped the fox, head instinctively nuzzling against Alexander's chest-

-and she leapt to her feet with sudden alarm, tails unwinding at a furious pace before throwing herself into a seiza position before the Aloadae, hurriedly stating, "My apologies for the shameful actions I have carried out, Dragon-sama. I did not mean to disrupt your work."

Facial features adopting an expression of patient suffering as if he had resigned himself to such events the man calmly replied, "Shinano, you don't have to apologize. I'll have you know that you sleeping in my lap was extremely comfortable."

The briefest tinges of pink adorned the fox's cheeks before she regained her composure, simply nodding in gratitude as Amagi roused herself…although not removing her hold on the Aloadae's neck in the slightest, much to the newly arrived pair's amusement.

Belfast considered it a good thing that Her Majesty wasn't present at the moment, she would interject with a great amount of jealousy at the clear favor he was showing the duo, regardless of whether it was necessary or not.

"Well if everyone is awake then would you care for some breakfast? I can't imagine you've had time to sit down and properly enjoy a meal since reuniting with us."

As if on cue two low grumbles left the Sakura pair's stomachs, ears flattening in embarrassment as Alexander decided to spare them further discomfort, remarking, "Well I'm pretty hungry myself, how about we go ahead and eat?"

"If that is what you desire, Drago-"

Shinano caught herself before the male could even form his exasperated response.

"Alexander-sama."

"Thank you."

Amagi retracted her tails and arms before allowing Alexander to rise to his feet-

-and both foxes yet again flattened their ears and puffed their tails in mortification as his body creaked and popped with released tension, Belfast and Enterprise doing their best to not break down in laughter at his pained look.

"So how was life in the Sakura Empire before the world went to shit? I've heard bits and pieces from refugees or immigrants in the settlements as well as from your sisters but that's hardly enough to get a proper picture of how everything worked."

Shinano and Amagi trailed dutifully in his wake as they headed to a meeting with the rest of the shipgirls while the rest of the various fleets and forces would be sitting in courtesy of the Bakunawa's widely distributed communications drones as they coordinated their next move, expressions curious at his sudden question.

"You lived in the settlements before this, Alexander-sama?"

"Yeah. My family was killed during the early days of the Siren war and I only lived because of Laffey saving my life."

While it was a familiar and sharp pain that accompanied the memory of the Union destroyer it was somewhat tempered by the possibility of bringing her back, of the knowledge that there was a chance he could make up for past mistakes.

"There is…likely not much to tell, Alexander-sama."

Casting a glance over his shoulder the man wryly noted, "Yeah, I'm not buying that. A famous seer that obviously has a gift for it and the famed 'onee-sama' of the Sakura? My days were the boring ones."

Amagi flushed slightly, quietly murmuring, "That name is still in use?" as the Aloadae smirked. While it was true that he was genuinely curious about what they had done in the Empire it was also an attempt at getting them to move past the no doubt excessive amounts of negative memories they had of being under the Siren's thrall, to relive more pleasant or nostalgic times.

…He was basing that off of nothing and hoped he wasn't making an idiot of himself by doing so. Regardless the foxes glanced at each other, Amagi starting off with, "Due to my poor health being involved with active combat was typically a measure of last resort, or when plans had no other alternative. Most of my days were, ahem…"

Her ears and tails wilted briefly as if in mortification, Alexander grinning at the display as she continued with, "Acting as a mediator and diplomat between shipgirl and human, or overseeing and settling disputes."

"The Onee-sama."

The dreamy editorial from Shinano earned a half-hearted glare from the battleship as Alexander smirked, the brown-haired woman eventually releasing a tired sigh and brief coughing fit before distantly recalling, "I remember Kaga and Akagi in particular quarreling every chance they got, as if it was the most natural thing in the world."

"They were…perhaps too complementary…"

Shinano's nostalgic comment preluded her own addition of, "As an oracle of sorts I was often tasked with advising the admiralty of possible portents of future war and strife…of what way the wind may blow."

Her head cocked slightly, as if considering something from an angle she hadn't thought to previously employ.

"My days were…long? Dreaming of events that may have yet to happen…nor was there much combat to be seen, even as the Sirens became ever more aggressive…"

Their moods once again took a slight downturn at the renewed topic of Siren aggression but the male thought that they seemed a trifle more composed and confident than before, the memory of their previous lives serving as an anchor for the current reality.

Or maybe they were just in a better mood after sufficient sleep and a hearty meal courtesy of Belfast. He wasn't a damn psychologist, the majority of his education had consisted of using a big heavy thing to move other big heavy things then getting absurd amounts of information crammed into his brain within the span of a few hours…and the latter had apparently been a botched job according to the ones doing the cramming.

"Well it still sounds more interesting than what I did. And if you don't mind me saying so, Shinano, if the Sirens were so interested in your abilities maybe there's something you can help us out with in regards to that. And there's various kinds of cures for your illness that we may be able to try out in the future, Amagi."

Hoping that his words didn't bring back bad memories but instead offered hope for the future the Aloadae was rewarded with just that as Shinano merely seemed grateful for the chance to be helpful, Amagi outright blinking before deeply bowing, gravely intoning, "Your generosity knows no bounds, D-"

She stopped at Alexander's upraised finger, quietly sighing to herself before concluding, "Your generosity knows no bounds, Alexander-sama."

"While I won't turn down earnest thanks I would privately refer to it as basic decency before generosity."

The pair of foxes didn't seem in any hurry to argue the point so he just continued on his way, inwardly asking, "TB, what are the odds Shinano might be able to get a read on the original Siren bases or points of entry? Her Wisdom Cube clearly reacts in funny ways to stuff like that and it might just be able to point us in the right direction after she was in contact with them for so long."

[Unknown. But it is a possibility, master. One that I would advise pursuing only after a more stable state of mind has returned to her.]

"I'm not an asshole, TB."

The AI remained silent as he decided to just shrug and roll with it, figuring she was busy puzzling out some of the many different tasks she was occupied with.

Instead he entered Enterprise's command tower, the reinforced and tinted windows still providing a clear view of the surrounding waters as their gathered force assumed an escort formation for the pair of carriers, a few distant silhouettes on the horizon the approaching 3rd fleet to take over garrison and patrol duty. Scattered about the room itself were all of the other shipgirls as well as computer screens showcasing the various faces of both the Commander and Admiral Harrison.

[If we're all here then allow me to be the first to welcome you back to Azur Lane, Amagi, Shinano. Times have been rough and every one of our own rejoining the fold is a victory.]

The foxes straightened their backs in response to the older man's words, bowing their heads and simultaneously responding, "Thank you for welcoming us unworthy ones back, Senshi-sama."

Harrison snorted while the Commander released a tired sigh, wryly stating, [Never going to let me be free of that nickname, are you?]

"Oh thank christ it's not just me."

Nagato openly giggled while Kawakaze averted her gaze in what Alexander was quickly coming to recognize as a poorly concealed attempt at hiding her mirth.

"You will quickly come to find that they do enjoy their titles for those of sufficiently crucial standing."

"Leave it to the Sakura to come up with additional means of naming and categorizing something, hmm?"

Both Nagato and Eugen's comments had both foxes blinking slightly and tilting their heads slightly in confusion, the Commander clearing his throat before asking, [Be that as it may your circumstances after having been under the control of the Sirens holds many possibilities for us. Are you prepared to recount your time in their captivity, so that we may be better prepared in the future?]

The man's countenance turned grim.

[You're not the only ones who have seemingly been enslaved by our enemy.]

For a moment Alexander was worried that the question would cause the duo to retreat back into their previous fright-

-and he clearly wasn't giving them enough credit, both shipgirls obviously uneasy and afraid but nonetheless drawing themselves upright, Shinano responding, "We would be honored to make up for our previous failures, Senshi-sama."

[You can start by abandoning that accursed nickname.]

"I've been trying that for almost an entire day. No luck so far."

The Aloadae's wry comment seemed to dispel the last bits of worry and tension present, all present relaxing a near imperceptible amount as it became clear Amagi and Shinano could be well far sooner than expected.

Warspite was quick to move the conversation along, using the planning table to bring up a world map decorated with various symbols denoting where allied and enemy forces were stationed to the best of their knowledge.

"As welcome as this news is we still find ourselves at something of an impasse in regards to what we should do next, what our ultimate strategy shall be. Commander?"

The man nodded.

[Proceed.]

Circling both the Dragon Empery, Northern Parliament and Eagle Union alongside its southern neighbor the República del Café Warspite continued with, "With many of our factories and other means of production mere weeks away from activation we need to provide the means of supplying them, something we're admittedly lacking in due to many of these resources not being particularly useful or commonplace before Alexander advanced technology by several decades in the span of several days."

"Good thing I caught the undertone of amusement in that statement otherwise I would have thought they'd be blaming me."

"To that end, rather than aim to engage our enemies on their home turf or expend our might searching for additional Original Siren bases that may or may not exist we will go on the offensive to reclaim and secure one of these targets. Your Majesty?"

Realizing that Warspite had basically covered the introduction just to hype up Elizabeth as the monarch boldly and proudly strutted forward the male found himself fighting back a smile at the dynamic, the golden-haired battleship imperiously stating, "The retaking of the Sakura home island has opened up several avenues of assault to us. Both the Empery and Parliament contain great mineral wealth as well as local populations that can be put to use in staffing our engines of construction, although this will be slightly more difficult for the Parliament given their more scattered population."

She tapped the table with her scepter, display dutifully shifting to display overhead images of Siren bases and factories.

"Our foe have additionally made use of these very resources, assumedly building their vessels or shipping the materials from bases dotting these coastlines. Our stratagem would be to destroy or capture these facilities in addition to securing our own means of transportation. A two for one blow of denying the Sirens reinforcements while bolstering our own."

Appearing supremely satisfied with her audience's quiet focus Elizabeth altered the map to display the Eaglue Union and its southern neighbor.

"Now as for the Union and Republic things are perhaps a slight bit different. The Union mainland is mostly secure and with Azur Lane's close proximity reinforcements or assaults would be swift in approach, not to mention there is a landbound road between north and south that supplies would be able to travel across without the need for ocean access. The downside to what would otherwise be a relatively swift victory is that the Sirens have a significantly reduced presence in the Republic and we would be allowing them continued access to supply lines for the duration of the campaign in other theaters, their losses fairly negligible."

The monarch tapped her scepter on the floor, folding her hands over it before regretfully announcing, "At this time we simply don't have the strength to launch a two front war, especially not with this latest development."

Warspite dutifully manipulated the table to showcase two Siren fleets comprising roughly seventy vessels each running patrols in the northern climes of the planet, obviously meant to act as reaction forces to any further Azur Lane assaults.

"If we were to mass our might we could crush one of these fleets but two of them at the same time would incur losses we can scarcely afford. Until all of our sisters and allies have been either retrofitted or supplemented with new vessels and crews we shall have to choose our battles."

A final expression of supreme delight adorned the queen's features.

"Any questions?"

"You forgot to tell us about the plan for the Libre."

Instantly whirling to face the planning table at Alexander's words the monarch panicked before sputtering, "N-nonsense, my presentation was flawless! How did I forget such a simple…"

Her shining blue eyes locked onto Alexander's grinning face, catching on to the fact that he'd been messing with her as adorable cheeks puffed out in irritation.

[Imminent royal punishment aside-]

"Hmph! A royal execution, I dare say!"

[-we have two plans of action ahead of us. Thoughts, opinions?]

The room descended into discussion, tactics and alterations as the Aloadae pondered the various paths ahead of them, trying to think of any tangible contribution he could make. Although he'd teased Elizabeth about it there was always the option of going after the Basilica since it was almost certain that Richelieu and Algérie were there along with whatever shit the Original Sirens were cooking up but the simple fact of the matter was that the Basilica was fortified to hell and back. Any attack was guaranteed to be a shit show with their limited numbers and while it sucked that they had to leave things be for the moment it was simply the most viable option on the table.

"Maybe it's time to really sit down and figure out what to do with those two Wisdom Cubes…"

Snapped out of his ruminations as he heard Amagi cautiously suggest, "Perhaps diversionary tactics would suffice?" the Aloadae watched the room for its collective reaction, the fox obviously reassured that her existence had value as everyone gave it careful consideration, Eugen musing, "Not the most unworkable of ideas. Given time us shipgirls can regenerate our fuel and ammunition, a series of attacks along the Republic's coastlines to destroy what Siren establishments there are could perhaps draw out their forces while we need not limit ourselves to simply standing our ground."

[Not a bad proposition, Amagi. In fact even if it doesn't get the Sirens to respond it may be a good exercise for the rest of your sisters who just received the upgrades as well as denying enemy assets. Getting their feet wet, to use a more mundane phrase.]

"Ah. Thank you, Commander-"

The brown-haired fox promptly broke down into coughing fits that left Alexander wincing at how violent they felt but at this point there wasn't much he could do.

[Then we have a plan. The Empery will be our first target before our forces swing upwards to engage the Sirens stationed in the Parliament waters, ideally reinforced by your recently arrived sisters.]

The Commander stroked his chin, promptly stating, [Everyone begin the next stage of operations. We have a war to win and momentum to keep. Dismissed.]

"Yet again, you prove to be beyond anything I could have hoped for, Alexander."

"C'mon, you're going to make me blush here. And as much as I enjoy the praise it's not why I got the shit kicked out of me again. Honestly, being the simple worker I was a kiss from my empress most fair would be a reward far greater than-"

Nagato was quick to do just that, delicate hands - that could likely bend steel but were silky soft nonetheless - cupping his face before pliable lips sealed his own, the Aloadae enjoying the moment as he gently pulled the smaller woman into an embrace made only slightly awkward from his kneeling position, determined as ever to not tower over the battleship.

"You know hopefully there's more of your sisters waiting to be rescued."

Nagato's ears twitched while golden eyes danced in amusement at his joke once they parted, retorting, "As if that would stop you. You hide a very lustful persona beneath your veneer of gentle and empathetic behavior, Alexander."

"Hey, when spending time among such unbelievably incredible women can you blame a guy for wanting to have a taste. And on that note, Kawakaze?"

"Hmm-MPH?!"

What had been a quiet hum of acknowledgement from the white fox turned into a muffled yelp of mortification as Alexander picked her up and also provided the stoic destroyer with an intense kiss, tail fluffing outwards before quickly beginning to sway in enjoyment, the Aloadae setting her down a moment later as a familiar shade of pink adorned her lovely features.

"...More warning next time?"

"And not get to see you act so surprised? Not a chance."

Fondly petting between her ears as the destroyer gave up her resistance and closed her eyes in enjoyment he felt a firm push on his leg, Akashi pouting as she complained, "Don't I get any attention, nya? Discrimination in the work force!"

Pausing only long enough to give Nagato and Kawakaze a brief look - that was confirmed by the pair of them giving him knowing looks - before he repeated the process on the minty kitty, deeply kissing the surprised repair ship before she returned the gesture with all the pride and smugness of a cat, little tongue playfully teasing and flicking his much like how a feline would bat at an interesting object.

"These girls are just way too alluring for their own good."

Regretfully allowing Akashi to pull back the tinkerer whispered in his ear, "My workshop can be made soundproof at anytime, nyah~," as he shook his head in bemusement.

"Don't cash a check you can't pay, Akashi. Take care, all right? We'll likely be seeing each other in a week or two regardless."

The last bit was directed at both Nagato and Kawakaze as well, the trio of Sakura nodding before leaping from Enterprise's deck and skating towards the waiting Sakura mainland, now accepting its first wave of engineers and soldiers to begin the process of fortifying the area while the 3rd fleet began their patrols.

"A-Alexander-sama truly does live up to his reputation as a dragon, sister…"

"Indeed. How strange that he insists we not call him as such, despite drawing in maidens…"

Rolling his eyes as he turned around to face Amagi and Shinano - both foxes slightly pink in the face with twitching ears and curling tails - he reflected that it was probably a bit strange to see the typically reserved Sakura acting so boldly in front of others.

Or maybe it was the harem aspect, as if he had any freakin' clue.

"C'mon, we might as well head to the command deck. There's probably all sorts of things we need to look over and if you two are up for it maybe you can help me with-"

"Oh~! Do you perchance need assistance with something, Alexander?"

The Aloadae froze, now perfectly familiar with the teasing tones of a certain Ironblood cruiser as he rounded a corner…accompanied by a sheepish Warspite and clearly irate Elizabeth, hip cocked and arms folded as she pouted up at him.

"I'm sure her most royal of majesties would be happy to tender you aid."

Smiling with all the friendliness of a starving lion as Eugen cheerfully smirked at the Aloadae's imminent misfortune the monarch stated, "Our Ironblood compatriot speaks the truth. Why, if you have any schemes or plots my most royal self would be happy to point them out for you~!"

"...This is an offer I can't refuse, huh?"

"No."

Warspite gave him a look that suggested he should roll with it while the pair of foxes just seemed bewildered at the interaction, the male thinking to himself, "Well I guess this is the price you pay for making a joke at the expense of royalty."